Winter in the capital

I don't think I posted a series of winter photos last year.  The cold, dreary days of January and February, with their lifeless trees and frigid sunlight do not inspire particularly alluring pictures and, further, make roaming around outside with a camera especially unappealing.  But there is something magical about about fresh snow - and we have had plenty of that this year.

Although it mangles my commute and schedule and, here in D.C., quickly turns a dull shade of grayish brown, I still have trouble disliking snow.  Maybe it's a remnant of my childhood - excitedly watching big flakes fall from the sky, hoping the ground was cold enough for them to stick and cancel school.  Or maybe, despite all of the annoyances, I still like snow because it brightens an otherwise depressing season with its unpredictable, breathtaking beauty.

Hello, world

So I bought a computer the other day, which means I am now able to do things that I haven't been able to do (easily, at least) in a long time: look at facebook, sit on my bed and check my email, organize my pictures/music/thoughts, and, of course, keep up with this blog.  So I am going to be better about that.

There are a lot of exciting things to play with on this new computer.  What background will I choose?  When will I get to try out the video chat plug-in I just downloaded?  How long will it take to sort all of my photos and restore my music collection?  Also: the letters on the keyboard light up.  Very, very cool.

Time to watch the state of the union address.  I'm hoping it'll make me feel better about politics, but I doubt it.

Update - Just finished watching.  I shouldn't have doubted Obama's ability to deliver an uplifting speech.  There is a lot that is still upsetting about the political atmosphere, but it helps to be reminded once in awhile of some of the just, worthwhile things that this administration has accomplished and that, at heart, our country represents.