MLK getaway

Since it was a three-day weekend, Puppy and I decided to get out of Boston for the weekend. People probably expected us to seek out a more tropical climate like Florida or the Bahamas, but instead, we decided to celebrate our nation's civil rights with the First Family in Washington DC!

It actually was about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than in Boston, so it was a welcome change from the freezing cold blizzard conditions that have been common in Beantown. Upon arriving on Friday night, we headed out directly to the bars, where one bartender asked me where I'd been. Since I moved away in 2002? Is that what you mean? In any case, it felt nice to be recognized, even if I was charged full price for my drinks.

Saturday's plan was to enjoy a Mexican fiesta at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in DC. I'd invited four friends, their husbands and babies to meet us for a rowdy, kid-friendly margarita session. Little did I know that it would be so difficult to organize around seven kids' schedules. Not being a parent, I guess I underestimated how unpredictable naptime can be! Only one friend, her husband and their twin boys showed up. It was very fun to see them, but sadly, I didn't get to see the other friends and their families. I guess it means I have to return to DC to visit them sometime in the future.

We spent Sunday walking and walking. We visited the stores in Georgetown, got Puppy a haircut and rested back at my friends' house. For dinner, we met up with some old friends of mine from the swim team and I realized quickly that the drama from nearly a decade ago still consumed their lives. Some people didn't want to sit next to others, there was complaining about the same old characters and similar concerns to those from the early '00s took up a lot of conversation.

In all, it was a nice visit. DC has changed significantly since I left and there are new neighborhoods where previously only gang territory existed before. It was fun to see those friends I could and it was nice to leave Boston for a bit. Would I ever consider moving back? Probably, but it would mean figuring out where to live all over again - my old neighborhood clearly isn't as cool as it used to be!

Snow day

Thanks to today's blizzard, our office is closed and I'm at home. It's a good thing, too, because I would have no idea how to drive in these conditions.

But every television channel is now The Weather Channel. It seems all regular programming has been suspended so our local newscasters can talk about the weather. Surely there must be something else going on in the world!

I wonder if the gym will open today.

Movie note: Showgirls

THREE STARS

Who knew there was so much grunting in Vegas choreography? Elizabeth Berkley is a truly horrible actress. I considered giving this movie one star because it is so bad, but then I considered five stars, also because it is so bad. I guess that makes it three.

The business of battle

What is it about businesses that insist upon using wartime analogies to motivate people? We are not soldiers. We are not fighting a war. Yet, time and time again, executives insist on "rallying the troops" by using very aggressive metaphors.

We're in the midst of a minor crisis and suddenly everyone talks about being on the "defensive" or "offensive." I heard someone refer to the room next to me as a "war room." War room? Come on! It's a conference room! There are large black-and-white photos of birds and flowers. Women's garments hang from racks along one wall. How on Earth is this considered a "war" room?!

The only thing I hate more than the rhetoric of war is when people use sports analogies to motivate co-workers. If I were a professional athlete, I'd expect a much higher salary.

Movie note: Salt

FOUR STARS

Thoroughly entertaining! I don't think it would have been half as enjoyable with Tom Cruise. Also of note, the black hair is a much better look than the initial straw-yellow color.

Movie note: Bottle Shock

ONE STAR

Puppy was right when he said this would make a good hour-long documentary on the History channel. As a movie, it was bor-to-the-ing.

She'd only do agony flip and go ra-ra

In preparation for MTV's Americanized version of "Skins", I have been catching up on the original British version. I'm in the middle of season 3, where Tony Stonem's little sister Effy takes center stage.

I have no idea how MTV is going to make this work, given the FCC and Republicans. And how are the Brits able to produce such amazingly talented, young actors?

Please note that I am watching the discs with closed captioning on. I don't understand half the words that come out of these kids' mouths!