It's good to be back. I lived in Washington DC for 5 years after I graduated from college and now after two years in Bulgaria I am back here visiting. To return to a place that you've lived is at times disconcerting.  You know the place but things change.  Some things are subtle and others are big and in your face.

For me its the subtle things that are the hardest. Big new buildings? Strange but no problem. Increase in the cost of the metro? Hate it. Different traffic patterns? Fine, hope that it helps.  Loss of an independent coffee house in my old neighborhood? Horrible. Just horrible. Still the district is looking good.

But I didn't return to Washington DC for these things.

I came to visit my friends and to attend a conference at the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/index.html">Library of Congress</a>.

By far the best thing is catching up with my friends. They are all doing so well.  It's like they are growing up without me.  (And I am so proud of them! Funny how that works.) Friends have gotten married or engaged, moved to new places, started new jobs and generally seem really happy. Frankly I couldn't be happier for them.

The conference at the Library of Congress kept me busy, busy yesterday and it seems likely that this will continue for the rest of the week. So far, so good. The best part? I am learning things.

Anyhow, that's that. More from me later.