"Take two and hit to right."

Tuesday and Wednesday saw Chris off of work, so what better way to spend that time than to travel up to Washington, DC and be in the audience for NPR's Talk of the Nation live at the Newseum?




An early departure Tuesday got Chris into Alexandria, VA and the Brannon household at 11:15am. Then it was a quick trip to Merrifield and Sweetwater Tavern for lunch and to fill up some of the gobs and gobs of growlers James owns (with his neighbor Paul). Insane.

Afterwards, it was a trip into DC for a leisurely stroll on Theodore Roosevelt Island on the Potomac. Sadly, Chris was unaware that this was a National Park, so he did not bring his nerdy National Park Passport to get stamped. Drat. Next time....

Wednesday, it was a Metro ride into DC proper for an afternoon of National Public Radio groupie-ness with Neal Conan and Talk of the Nation. But first, breakfast at newfound favorite greasy spoon Lincoln Waffle House for some good waffles, eggs, and delicious sausage. Then, some sauntering through DC streets to the District Chophouse & Brewery for beers and a pizza. And finally, our main destination for today's quest: the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue NW for the weekly live-from-the-Newseum Wednesday broadcast of Talk of the Nation.

Broadcast from 2p-4p daily, but on Wednesdays they take a break from the "home office" on Massachusetts Ave NW to come to the Newseum. Giddy. An email RSVP to reserve seats and Newseum Press Pass members James and Chris are there to schmooze and hobnob with broadcast and political elites. Usually, they are in a larger studio, but this week for some reason they are in the smaller studio at the Newseum where This Week with George Stephanopoulos is taped.

Chris got his Neal Conan book autographed. James got the Neal Conan placard autographed. And the producer remembered us from the last time we were there and asked for Chris's contact info so she can mail Ted Koppel's placard as he fills in next Wednesday at the Newseum broadcast. Sa-weet!





Enjoy the beginning of the broadcast:


And here's an interweb link to the first 1/2 hour of the program. Pay special attention to the absolutely stunning voice heard live on the air at about 27m 35s:
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=92138264&m=92138261

Afterward, it was dinner at Gordon Biersch (10% discount for members of the American Homebrewers Association) for some grub and brews. Then sadly, it was 7pm and time for the 4 and 1/2 hour drive back to Greensboro.

A whirlwind trip, but one full of groupie-ness and fun.