1st Annual Chili Cook Off and BABY Parade

Every now and then my work comes together for lunch to celebrate some cause or other. Our last company lunch was our holiday part at Fogo de Chao Churrascerria, a Brazilian-style steakhouse in the District.

Last week we convened in our conference room for a good old fashioned Chili Cook-Off, where the best and bravest of AIA trotted out their recipes. Everyone sampled the chilies and voted for their favorites. There were all different kinds, with different meats, beans, spices and secret ingredients. Sampling chili down the line. What a yummy way to spend lunch!

Unfortunately none of my top three contenders took home the prize, and to tell you the truth I wasn't really paying that much attention to the voting system. Because there was something even more out of the ordinary than a room full of chili.

A room full of BABIES!

We had an abnormally high level of BABY-itis in 2009, and now that everyone is fully recovered, it was time to introduce the newest family members to AIA.

BABY Riley shows off her mug

I was surprised that none of the BABIES fussed very much. The room was pretty calm, even though scores of strangers were getting all up in the BABY business. Maybe the chili powder in the air is a kind of tranquilizer?

BABY Sophie hangs out with Chantal in the cube

Seeing all these BABIES made me want one of my own. For about 10 minutes or so. Someone suggested it was just the cayenne pepper talking. Or maybe all that chili looked like a diaper that needed changing? (sorry)

Lane is already kitted out to work in the aerospace industry

Up next is supposedly a Clam Chowder Cook-off. I think I'll pass thankyouverymuch.

Virginia Wine Country

So Virginia isn't exactly world-renowned for it's wine country. But just 30 minutes outside the district there are dozens of little vinyards that each tout their own line of wines, and make for great day excursions.


It doesn't get much better than wine tasting!

New York City Adventures

Last summer and fall I took a couple trips up to the Big Apple to visit my good friends Adam and Deva. Probably the craziest thing I did in NYC was going to a Britney Spears concert.

You heard me right.

And not only did we go to her show - nosebleed seats at Madison Square Garden - but the three of us spent the day before following Britney's twitter account. Britney kept tweeting hints about showing up at a secret location to give free front-row seats to her show.

After a dozen or so hints, we were pretty sure Britney would be stopping by the M&M store at Times Square. As soon as I arrived at Penn Station, Deva and I headed to the store, and staked out a place to look out for Ms. Spears.

After an hour or so, it was evident that a couple thousand or so other fans were banking on a visit from Britney. Here is the view from our window:


The crowds totally blocked the traffic surrounding the store. Our patience was well-rewarded; although we didn't win the tickets, we had a birds-eye view of little Miss Crazy herself. And the show wasn't bad either!