on your MARK, get set, go!: AMERICAN HISTORY 101

Hello All,

After Charleston, SC , I made my way to Washington, DC. I had been there on business, but never to experience our nation's capitol. I was impressed! I was able to spend some time with my old Clemson pals Abby and Josh. It was so great seeing both of you. Also, I had a Spring Hill College Reunion! (site of my first freshman year of college before transferring to Clemson). My friends Blaire and Blake, from Spring Hill, played both host and tour guide extraordinaire! I can't thank you both enough for the past few days!

If memory serves me correctly, Blaire beat me out for freshman class president at Spring Hill College in 2002. Thank heavens they didn't have any hanging chads in that election. Had I somehow won, I'd have led that place into the ground. Blaire on the other hand, is on Capitol Hill dominating Congress. We couldn't go 10ft in DC without some SUIT waving her down for a minute to talk. What an impressive woman! Blaire Bartlett. Remember the name.

Blake is working on the Senate side. Also, doing quite well for himself. His security clearance badge got us right into The Capitol Building, past all sorts of security, and out on to The Speaker of The House, John Boehner's private balcony! This overlooks the Presidential Inauguration podium, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and much of DC! The view was spectacular. There was one thing prettier than the view though. That would be the 15 out of 10 knockout that is currently serving as Boehner's secretary. I didn't say anything coherent to her as I walked past her to get out to the balcony, but lord knows, I tried. Blake, for goodness sake, you are a handsome guy. Ask her to dinner! If not for you, do it for me!

Over the course of a few days, I went to pretty much every single monument and memorial in DC. I also spent from dawn to dusk in many of the Smithsonian museums. Silly me, I thought there was one place called THE SMITHSONIAN. Yeah, that's not the case. Hope Diamond. WW II stuff. Dinosaur bones. Pretty cool stuff. This experience as a whole was so impressive to me and probably long overdue. If you have not made it to our nation's capitol to take a look around, you are missing out!

Thanks so much Blaire and Blake!

After DC, I made my way to Baltimore to catch up with my cousin Daniel, and my friend Susan to tour the University of Loyola, Maryland. After the tour, our guide handed me a survey that she was giving to all prospective students. I was confused. She was confused. Turns out, she thought I was 17 and looking at colleges! That's when Daniel chimed in and reminded everyone within shouting distance, that I was half way to 60! What a punk. I had a great day touring the school, which I thought was gorgeous, and hanging out with Daniel and Susan at Baltimore's Inner Harbor and 9/11 Memorial at the top of Baltimore's World Trade Center. I finished my day off here by trying a crab cake. For most people, this wouldn't be worth mentioning. However, I have the diet preferences of a toddler, and this was my first crack at a crab cake. Loved it! I'll have another.

Peace out Baltimore!

Mark/Chops

PS.. Rowers, Head of The Charles is this weekend! Both Clemson and BC High Crew are going into the weekend as high seeds! Good luck to both. Don't crash at the world's biggest regatta like the author of this blog did many moons ago!