Countdown to Ecstasy

I am obsessed with the show The Office. OBSESSED.

I came very late to the party, tuning in for just the last three episodes of season 2 when the shows aired last spring. But I really liked what I saw, so I Netflixed the first season and then waited, impatiently, for the release of season 2.

Season 2 is here, and omigod! I am hooked. I am racing to finish the DVDs before the premiere of season 3 on Thursday. But I am hampered by a need to watch the deleted scenes and the commentaries, as well as the actual shows themselves, and by a husband who doesn't have the stamina to sit through more than three episodes at a time. I could have burned through them in no time if I didn't have him holding me back. (Slacker.)

I haven't been this into a show since Felicity. I love Dwight (Dwigt), I love Kevin, but most of all: I love John Krasinski. I can spot those Boston boys a mile away.

But you know, the older I get, the more I feel like Wooderson in Dazed & Confused. Cute guys: I get older, they stay the same age. I recently realized that JK is 13 years younger than I. ~sigh~

Way Down Upon the Anacostia River

Last weekend, my 8-year-old son, H, and I went canoeing on the Anacostia River. We recently joined the Sports on the Hill Paddling Club, http://www.sportsonthehill.org/paddling.html and the actual Paddling Commissioner of Sports on the Hill, Susan Chapin, took us out for a tour. In addition to Susan, we were accompanied by Susan’s husband and two sons (ages 6 and 10) and two friends of theirs (one a 10-year-old boy). So we split into two canoes, with Susan and I and the two younger boys in one and the two men and two older boys in the other.

We launched from the Anacostia Community Boathouse http://anacostiaboathouse.org/ just under the 11^th Street Bridge after obtaining the canoes and paddles from the boathouse and carrying them down to the dock. There was a surprising amount of activity, as several rowing groups were heading out in skulls at the same time. The skullers are very serious about their activity and it seemed wise to stay out of their way, especially since their boats are delicate and expensive. Overhead, the cars thunk-thunked over the joints in the bridge as we shoved off.

Because of the recent rain, the river was absolutely riddled with trash and debris. We paddled through branches, tennis balls, used condoms, water bottles, and plastic containers. It was appalling. But the ride was surprisingly pleasant. It was pretty quiet, and we saw lots of birds: blue herons, terns, egrets, Canadian geese (which, apparently, are bad news for the Anacostia River wildlife: who knew?). We waved to some people on the shore in Anacostia Park. Susan was a terrific tour guide, pointing out various sights and birds and answering numerous questions about the river’s history and current condition (bad, but improving; see http://www.anacostiaws.org/).

We passed under the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge and then approached the CSX railroad bridge. A freight train bore down on us. We waved to the engineer, and he blew his horn in reply. With the train just a few feet above our heads, we passed under the bridge. The noise was terrific. H shouted, excitedly, “We’re going to die!” It was very cool.

We paddled to the tip of Kingman Island, with the East Capitol Street Bridge looming just beyond. Then we turned around and came back. By this time, the tide had swept the trash and debris away, and the water was smooth and clear. We encountered a kayaker and floated for a while, talking to him. Susan convinced me to try one of the club’s kayaks next time.

Once I have a little paddling experience under my belt, H and I are going to go up to Bladensburg Waterfront Park and launch from there. We will have to pay to rent a canoe, but from there we can more easily get to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. http://www.nps.gov/archive/nace/keaq/ It will be so cool to paddle around in there.