assessing the wRecKaGe: A Goodbye Letter to DC

DC,

It's time to break up for a little bit. It's definitely not you. It's me.

As you know, we've had a pretty fantastic relationship over the past 3.5 years. You were my first City that I really felt was MINE, and for many years, I loved nothing more than declaring my love for you (often loudly, usually post-a-delicious meal). I was even happy to be called a Washingtonian, over the giggles of my much cooler NYer friends (although not Washingtonienne, because that calls to mind that terrible slutty staffer tell-all from the mid-00's).

But the time has come for new adventures, new opportunities, and a new place to explore and fall in love with. I'll probably become one of those obnoxious denizens of SF who can't imagine living anywhere else because of the food, the tech, the trees, blah blah. I'll come back to you, Washington, but I might be grudging about it this time around.

So since that might happen, I want to preserve in my flighty brain the feeling of love I have for you now. DC, what follows is a list of reasons and stories about why I love you. Some of these things dont even exist anymore, or the people who mattered have moved away, but this is an (admittedly incomplete) list of what made MY DC.

The terrible snow collection services that turned Snowmaggedon into one of the most fun weeks of friendtime imaginable. Cinnamon gelato shake and hand roll bento box at Teaism. The view from the Kennedy Center roof. The walk from the zoo to Pica Taco, and the feeling of unbridled joy at getting a fish taco after a day in Amazonia. Being the Sloth Whisperer.

Knowing that in any social situation someone will get your West Wing reference. People caring deeply, passionately, about the issues that matter to them.

Working three blocks away from the best sister in the world. Lost nights with Rachel, Seth, Stacey, and Suzy, even though she didn't watch Lost. ROOMS. BBQing at Rachel and Ben's. Shabbos dinner at Jason and Gavi's. Cookie day shenanigans. Free/cheap good theater around the corner because you know someone who works at the Theatre J.

Sukkot at Jonathan's parents, and the fact that Mat would come from NY just for that. The Jefferson library room at the library of Congress. scratch that -- everything about the Library of Congress. New years parties where your friends will hang out with you even if you do look like a lobster. Living in a place where you're guaranteed to be visited by your best friends.

Barbara Cooks Spotlight series at the Kennedy Center. The dance music at Saint Ex. Slushies and 70s dance music at Little Miss Whiskeys. Politics and Prose's bargain floor. Joint birthday parties. Picnics in Meridian Hill park. Eastern Market mornings, followed by Good Stuff Eatery lunches.

Cheese platters and cocktails at Ripple in Cleveland Park. Taramosalata and fig cocktails at Agora. Bibimbap and sojoutinis at Mandu. Swirl margaritas and the sounds of 20-somethings getting drunk all around you at Lauriol Plaza. Shrimp and grits at Eatonville brunch. THE DONUTS at Tabard Inn brunch.

Unexpected views of the Capitol and the Washington Monument that remind you you're in DC. Cherry blossoms, before they fall into the water. Walking from the Cathedral south along Mass Ave until you hit DuPont. Realizing that finally you know your way around the intersection of New Hampshire, Q, and 18th.

Barney Frank, Susan Sher, Bobby Flay, Mark Bittman, David McCullough, at Sixth and I. Taylor Branch and Sarah Vowell at Politics and Prose. Sondheim at Signature Theatre. Classic shows made into something new and wonderful in Arena Stage's theater in the round.

Signature theatre's open house. A day of free theater? Yes please.

Bottomless Bellini brunch at Urbana, followed by an afternoon of West Wing watching. Toasty warm late September-early October evenings. The black and blue burger at Ray's Hellburger. Not needing a car. Pepperoni sauce at Graffiato. The spinach appetizer at Rasika. Trivia near the piano Truman used to play in the Press Club. The Georgetown waterfront on a pretty day.

The feeling that anything I could possibly want to do could be achieved within "the radius" of Dupont. Greek-themed Hanukkah parties, because if you defeat a country in war, you def get to eat their food. Crafternooning. Hamantashen-making while watching Sister Act. Lunchdates and chevrutas with Jason.

Seeing Brandeisians everywhere you go. Running into everyone you know at the Whole Foods on P St. And at Soviet Safeway. The dog park at S and New Hampshire. Running into the Mayor (even if he is embattled and corrupt) at Bens Chili Bowl. Veggie chili cheese fries at a Nats game.