Marine One

Today I got to go to the White House with 4 of my colleagues to witness the departure of President Obama on the Marine One helicopter. He's headed to Iowa City to push the health care reform act. It was an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Marine One landing. I wasn't expecting so much wind to be kicked up!

President Obama came out of the Oval Office, walked past the girls' playset, and across the lawn alone. There were about 40 of us spectators, and maybe 20 press photographers.

My colleague Ken H. took this photo - he's a better photographer than I am, and has a longer lens.

The woman on the left is advisor Valerie Jarrett; the man on the right is press secretary Robert Gibbs.

The NARA gang in front of the Truman Balcony.

I've posted many more photos in a set on Flickr, including some covert shots of the Rose Garden and the "Beer Summit" table. We were only supposed to take photos of Marine One, not the Rose Garden, but I might have accidentally hit the shutter from waist height a few times while walking through - which explains why those shots are crooked. ;-)

Go Lil!

Lily has joined a soccer team, and today was her first practice/scrimmage. We were really impressed - for never really having played before, she got right in there, was not at all intimidated, and kept very focused.

Suited up in the Sky Blues uniform.

In the mix.

Game face.

Her mother's patented look of concentration.

After practice we went to Mark's Kitchen in Takoma Park for an early dinner, followed of course by an ice cream. All in all a great day and the prettiest weather we've had so far this year.

My Dad's Blog

As many of you know, my father went to Germany 6 months ago for an experimental stem cell treatment for his MSA (multiple system atrophy). He's been recording the experience and outcome every two weeks or so on his blog, and just posted a 6-month update. This update is key because often the full effects of the treatment only become evident around the 6 month mark.

His blog is at http://msajourney.blogspot.com/

Some encouraging signs, some unwanted symptom progression, and some "holding steady." I'll take it.

Love you Dad.