Like my comrade blogger, Adam…I, too, was in Texas last weekend.

No, I did not converge on head lice, per se, but I was at the AP National Conference in Houston. Added bonuses? My workplace paid for it, and I got to meet a longtime blogger-friend for the first time and it was a CHAMP time.

Being in Houston made me appreciate — and not appreciate a few things about DC. I loved how open things looked, but also remembered how cozy things can feel in DC. I loved not having to worry about massive traffic problems in Houston, and cringed at our nationally ranked (4th) traffic nightmare.

I did not have a chance to visit the famed museum and theatre districts in Houston. *mental note to self: get a car rental next time* I’ve heard they equal what’s here in DC.

I had a total of 5 different interpreters the whole time I was there. Maybe it was the RID conference to the west, but I had 60% ineffective interpreting. Yes, that says a lot…that only two of the interpreters I enjoyed — and understood. That made me appreciate DC interpreters more.

On the plane back home last night, I was thinking about DC — and it hit me. This year is the 10th year I’ve lived in DC (my years in high school at MSSD, as a college student, and now as a federal employee). Then I figured out…I’m 26, that means in only 5 more years, I will have lived in DC as long as I did in my birthplace, Woodstock, NY.

*shrieks*

I don’t know if that’s a good thing…but I knew I had to appreciate what DC has offered. Heck, being here offered me the opportunity to meet my wonderfully blessed and incredibly talented (she kicks my butt at Trivial Pursuit, as much as I hate to admit it) wife and my adorable lil’ Red.

And…thank God for MARC. I don’t know what I’d do without public transportation. Maybe in my next life, I’ll be a hermit in Montana. Yeah…that’ll do!