Hollywood for Ugly People

They say that DC is Hollywood for ugly people.  Which clearly means "they" have never been here.  I mean, we have men who wear nice suits to work every day.  There are few things better looking than a man in a suit that fits well.  It could be from Target but if it fits well, your attractiveness level goes up by at least 3 points.  Also, the whole suit jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up a bit, loosened tie look: amazeballs.*  Sure, the fashions are more conservative than in New York. But if you really look at most of the people in New York, they're not dressed that much different than most of the people elsewhere.  It's only those in the fashion/high-profile industries who dress "spot on the trends".  And black is a trend that is everyone is aware of and takes part in.

Anyway, where was I.....

Right, I realized the other day that I have been in DC for 8 years now.  It doesn't really seem like that long.  So I've decided to come up with a list of things I've learned by living here.

• Walk left, stand right. 
• Also: the bottom of the escalator is not the best place to try to figure out where to go.
• The metro sucks.  But there is a funny song about it. 
• Sure most people are looking for a connection when they meet new people.  But that doesn't mean that they aren't fun, nice people. 
• We don't know what to do when it snows. So we have giant snowball fights.
• There is always something interesting going on.  From free museums (where you can follow guides to get free bits of info) to moonlight bike rides to pillow fights on the Mall to rallies.  Embassies open their doors occasionally.  There are delicious restaurants and fun bars.  Just because one place is considered to be "cool" doesn't mean that you will have a good time when you go there.  But it doesn't not mean that either. 
• Making good friends is hard.  Keeping them is harder.  This is such a transient town.  People move in and out of it all the time.  So you have to love hard when you find people worthy of love and realize that when they're gone you just have to work extra hard to keep the friendship going.  You may change your group of friends but the ones that you keep around are the best.
• Even if you're not a sports fan, you will cheer for the Caps during their exciting (but inevitably fruitless) playoff run.
• Happy hour is the best hour of the day.  And everyone partakes in them. 
• Safeway's have nicknames. I've never heard of a grocery store having a nickname.  
• Regardless of how you feel about the president/vice-president, it is equal parts exciting and annoying when you get stopped by the motorcade.  And it is a valid excuse to be late for work.
• You can play chess against homeless in DuPont Circle.  They will beat you.  Still make a bet with them.

*There are also good looking women here.  Present company included.  I see them but I just don't swing that way. Most often I just am staring because I covet their shoes or dress.