america

as much as i often am disenchanted with this area and have fantasized for years about moving (any suggestions?? where are some good places to live?), sometimes DC actually leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and makes me happy that this is where i call home.

last night as i journeyed home after a long workday chock full of its annoyances, added to the bonus of "life" annoyances, i was weary and well...annoyed. but a middle-aged white guy at Fort Totten saved the day.

as i stood on the platform waiting for my second train to take me home, the guy, seated on a nearby bench, expertly strummed away on his acoustic guitar and belted out the lyrics to "A Horse with No Name" by America.

so, standing hear him, i couldn't help but start to sway to the music and sing right along with him. ".....in the desert, you can remember your name cuz there ain't no one for to give you no pain...laaa la la la-la-la-la, la la laaa..."

usually the musicians i encounter in metro stations annoy me, because most of them (save for a select few) pretty much suck. and they're loud. and at 8:30 in the morning, the last thing i want to hear is someone playing a banjo.

but this guy really brightened my night and lifted my spirits. he didn't even have the typical bucket or hat laid out to collect tips from other patrons. he was just sitting on the bench, singing his heart out (and sounding good!) and playing his guitar as he waited for the train. it was awesome.

thanks, scruffy long-haired guitar guy. i had fun.

and yes, that is my guitar pictured above. her name is Lucy. and no, i cannot play her. well, at least not well. that's what happens when you don't have enough discipline. the key to successful guitar-playing is dedication, something that certainly does not come naturally to me.

any of you play instruments? do tell!