Lesson #1

My first lesson learned in D.C.:

Don't overestimate your short-term memory.

Yesterday, I spent a good half hour walking around the city not knowing which way was which . . east, west, north, south. . I didn't know. Upon closing my laptop (failing to check the metrobus website) and heading out the door at work, I realized that I had not confirmed which bus stop I needed to get to in order to get home. Keep in mind, though, that I had taken the bus home from work once . . er, maybe twice . . (there goes that killer short-term memory of mine). At any rate, I thought I knew where the bus stop was. I mean, not exactly . . I couldn't tell you which intersection it was at . . but I knew that once I got outside, it would come back to me.

The Lord does have a sense of humor, because He knows that I think I'm so great with directions. He knows that I don't like to admit when I'm lost either. Today, I had to admit that I was lost to 4 people.

First, the doorman in my building. "Sir, do you happen to know where the nearest eastbound bus stop is." Nothing.

Second, a co-worker (and fellow Nebraskan, I might add) of mine that I grabbed as he was leaving the building. He was kind enough to walk with me to a bus stop and give me directions as to how to figure out which bus stop it was that I needed to get to. I didn't heed his advice, because I didn't think I needed to "ask a bus driver [at this wrong stop] how to get to an N4 eastbound stop". Instead, I kept walking to various stops on various blocks, meanwhile I should mention that the heat index was 100 and I was melting.

Third, my mother whom I called and actually asked to get online and search for the metrobus site. I also mentioned to her in the same breath, "I'm so comfortable here in the city. I mean, I know I'm lost, but I'm going to find my way home. It's really not a big deal. I'm not worried about it." After about ten minutes, as I was very close to getting some valuable information, my phone died. My blackberry wouldn't pick up a signal.

Fourth, a Golden Triangle employee whom I stopped and asked about my bus stop. He proceeded to tell me my feet were pretty (I have always liked my feet) and walkie-talkied someone about the stop. He then gave me wrong information. I did just as he said and did not find my stop.

Finally, the dampness under my arms got to a point that I could no longer bear and I hailed a taxi and paid $12.60 + tip to get home.

I now humbly admit that I, L___, do not know my way around D.C. I know the intersection of my office building and I know how to get to Burberry, Anne Taylor, and Nine West from my office building. I vow to make no more claims about my stellar short-term memory or my amazing sense of direction. Neither exist.