Posted 6:52 PM by Marco

On Monday night, Daylight Savings Time must have caught up with me, so it took a while before I fell asleep, but I did not set an early alarm, and snoozed until almost 0600.
So I barely made the 0725 to DC on Tuesday (MUCH more crowded than the 0651), but I figured I needed the morning sleep, and it was nice to walk to the train station in brilliant morning sunshine, rather than dawn.

Around 3:00, I found a post office a couple of windy blocks away.
I am glad I carried a magazine; it ensured that I would be the first person on line, waiting for either of the two clerks to finish.
So, my taxes are now postmarked, and I can soon credit my cash and debit my payable accounts.
And, just like on a summer day, the warm, damp wind brought needed rain.

For the next several weeks, downtown hotels seem pretty full (and my new regular Grand Hyatt is sold out), so I have booked a Park Hyatt, midway between Foggy Bottom and Georgetown at 24 and M.
Compared to the Grand Hyatt, across the street from the Convention Centre and its crowds (as well as from our office), the Park Hyatt is an oasis of calm.
And, maybe because my rate this week is well above our lowest negotiated rate, they assigned me an "Executive Suite."
Maybe not all that convenient; no shower, but a huge tub with a wide ledge (the only safe way to enter is to sit on the edge and swing my legs in), but MUCH bigger than a typical downtown hotel room.
And my bed has a duvet.
OK, the gym is not as good, but it is free.