Once we finally arrived in Baltimore, the SO and I were picked up at the airport and taken to meet the Volvo.
I call it the Volvo because when you’ve spent four months hearing about a car, a girl has certain expectations. The SO and I had a bet going as to what color the car would be when we arrived. I took “black,” and he took “red.” Unfortunately, he was right. Fortunately, I got to drive a very sporty red car around all weekend, and I’ve always kind of wanted to do that.
In addition to the leather seats, amazing amount of trunk space and seat warmers, the VolvoS60 has safety features galore. There was a blind spot light, a setting that made sure the car adjusted to traffic patterns so you wouldn’t rear end someone, and it’s impossible to hit a person in the car. Impossible. (However, it is possible to hit a deer. Being an Alabama girl, I’m terrified of hitting deer – those things can kill you – but wasn’t sure I wanted to admit this to the Baltimore Volvo dealer. In hindsight, keeping that info to myself was probably a wise idea.)
Driving through D.C. – even in rush hour traffic – seemed much safer in the VolvoS60 than it ever had when I was tooling around in my Explorer Sport during college.
However, every time I slowed down in traffic, the SO – who has some doubts about my driving skills and seems to think I’m something of a tailgater – kept saying, “Was that you or the car? Who did that?”
“That was me. I can drive,” I said, again and again. The truth is that I have no idea if it was the car or me on a couple of occasions, but it was awesome to know that I had a back-up system.
From the dealership, we went to Jaleo, where I introduced the SO to fried, bacon-wrapped dates, and, in addition to salmon and fingerling potatoes, we ate some of the most amazing mushrooms I’ve ever had. I didn’t even know I liked mushrooms that much until then.
In the morning, we had a kegs and eggs breakfast at Gordon Biersch before the game. This was impressive on two fronts: 1) I’ve never seen the SO have two beers before noon, or possibly ever, and 2) The SO has never seen me eat that many eggs.
“You’re going to eat my eggs, too?” he said.
“It’s one of two items on the buffet, and I’m really hungry.”
Then we walked to the stadium. Our seats were great, we got free t-shirts and even though Georgetown ultimately lost, it was a great game to watch. I really did think we could win as the Hoyas rallied in the second half.
Georgetown alum Bill Clinton was also at the game, which was very cool. Although, I have to admit that once I knew where he was (which was in my direct line of sight), I was torn between staring at him and the game. The SO had the same problem. Yes, I know, bad Hoya fan. [Insert hand slap here.]
After the game, we went to the Hirshhorn (the SO’s only request for the trip), had lunch at the Tombs, walked around campus, took a nap (we got up so early and the Tombs was so crowded) and met friends at the Guards for dinner and drinks.
I’d tell you more about the evening, but apparently I got a little more into the spirit of college nostalgia than I realized. There were lots of drinks.
In the morning, we met another friend for brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill before taking the car back to the dealership (I didn’t cry as I handed over the key, really) and went to the airport.
Overall, it was a great weekend. I loved getting to see old friends, watch a great game and share my Alma mater with the SO. Driving around in total VolvoS60 style was pretty nice, too. However, all I’ve heard about since we got back is how the SO’s desk chair doesn’t have a seat warmer with three settings.
“Could you do something about that?”
“Do you want a heating pad?”
“It’s not the same.”
“Sorry, hon, even though it’s Southwest I think we would have had trouble checking a removed car seat on the plane.” (Not to mention some questions from the Volvo dealership …)
“I guess it would be too low to reach the desk,” he finally admitted.
Yes, dear, that’s the only reason more people don’t use car seats as desk chairs. Although, I’ve been missing the seat warmers, too. And having to manually turn my mirrors in if I want to protect then when I leave the Hyundai? Not with these delicate, delicate hands.
Clearly, we’re not having any trouble adjusting to life without the VolvoS60. No, none at all. We’ll get through this – even though our extremities are so, so cold.
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