I Met Barack Obama!
OK… not really! But I did take a week or two off and went to one of my favorite places, Washington DC, with my youngest (almost 17 now, how time flies) son, Chad. To be blunt… they don’t even allow you to get within 1/2 mile of the White House without a cavity check… but hey, we did see the Marine One helicopter(s) fly over once or twice!
Jake – I’m just waiting to hear you ask how we didn’t try to drown each other… Duke… Tarheels, it definitely made for a few interesting conversations from passers by, but since Tarheel Blue is the color of the year… I win!!
A Few things I Learned about Niche Products in DC
I am a people watcher type person… the kind that looks at everyone who passes and hopes to spot trends that can be used in my business life. Being in DC was most definitely a great opportunity to do this, since people come there in droves!
1 – Portable Devices are Everywhere!
Living in Charlotte and not getting into the hustle of a busy city often, I did not realize just how many people use personal electronic devices every day! From GPS units to iPods and Smart 3G phones, electronics were literally on almost every person I saw! I even spotted a GPS on a bike, powered by a small solar cell! It was cool as hell!
2 – EVERYONE Owns a Digital Camera & Cell Phone!
When I say everyone… I mean it! We saw every age range you can think of… There was not one group that didn’t have a digital camera in their pocket or hands! At one point, Chad turned to me and pointed out a girl who could not have been more than 10 years old, texting someone on a cell phone!
3 – Portable Transportation was EVERYWHERE!
From 1-2-3 seat bikes to Segways… it seemed there were just as many people on some form of personal transport, as there were walking!
Everyone Should Visit DC at Least Once
This trip for myself, must have been at least the 10th time I have gone and walked through DC. I am a history buff and truly enjoy getting there and just wandering aimlessly for 3-4 days. If and when you DO go… make sure you bring an umbrella, a rain slicker and some very good walking shoes! I used the “How far did I walk” website and measured that on Thursday alone… Chad and I walked more than 19 miles in the 8-9 hours we were in town that day! To say the least… my 43 year old bones were squawking for some relief at the end of the day!
Does anyone have a favorite area in DC that you would recommend to everyone? For myself, it has to be Arlington Cemetery! I know… who would think you could enjoy walking around a cemetery, but this 43 year old tears’ up every time he hears taps at the tomb of the unknown soldier. The history in that one area alone makes the trip worthwhile every time!
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I have been doing my part to "Build the Internet" since 1994, when I built my first website! Since then, I have built hundreds of niche websites for myself and many others, focused on design, applications, ecommerce, search optimization and internet marketing.
Hey Mark,
Great Post! I love to visit DC, too….am a history buff as well.
I have found the Script Critics site helpful and will continue to visit there.
I like the way you changed your site so that the blog is on the Home Page. It just makes sense to have your new content showup on HOME.
I couldn’t make this comment on the home page, but found that I could when I clicked the blog tab at the top.
Just wanted to thank you for telling me how to change the font size on the Simple CSS Bans/WP template. You posted on Rochelle’s blog in response to my comment.
I have been afraid to do anything with the CSS file, but I tried changing the font size from 12 to 16 under #cont wrap and now the font is easier to read. Font size 12 is usually fine for me, but in this template, it appears more like size 8 or 9.
Thanks again for your help! I am making progress and learning.
I forgot to tell you….my favorite place to visit is Arlington Cemetery, also. It is a beautiful place with the cost of freedom shown by the tombstones that stretch as far as you can see. It is not so much the beauty of the place as the way it makes me feel about our country and about those who have died for it (us). It gives me a chance to see from a different prospective and to appreciate those heroes and their families who gave their all.
@ Julie -
VERY glad to hear the font issue is working out for you on the simplecss theme. I dont know if you use Firefox or not, but there is a plugin called Firebug that makes finding and editing css or any page code, super-simple! I have been building sites for years and still use it every day!! Here is a post and short video I did last year about it, showing myself walking through a quick edit.
I think Arlington is one of the most Hallowed Grounds in our Country! Like yourself… I feel its an honor just to walk through and realize the loss of others, just so I could be there that day! My Father (Vietnam) and Grandfather (Omaha Beach, DDay) are war Veterans and I was always eager to sit and talk about it with them both. One day… I hope to travel abroad and visit the memorials in other parts of the world as well. Makes you very proud to be an American!
M
@ Mark,
Great post. The only time I’ve been to DC was for the funeral of a family member. It wasn’t the time to walk around and enjoy the scenery. Perhaps someday I’ll get back there. From what I recall, though, the town was a bit dicey. Of course, this was in the early 90s, so it could have improved.
@ Julie,
One of the best things you can do to help learn modifying your css stylesheets is to make a copy of the original file, then play around with it. Make a single change, save it, and look at your site to see what you did. That’s pretty much what I do if I can’t figure something out. If you break your site, you always have the original code to go back to.
Rochelle
Yo Marky Mark… man… Dark blue would definitely look better on you than powder blue haha.. I’m gonna have to talk to Chad, and the next time you visit the hypnotist, we may just have her plant some Duke love in your head so you will come around haha. Btw, Misty and I hear it all the time as well.. her being a big UNC fan, we get those looks also!
Btw, has Chad ever been to Cameron to a game? If not, you need to send him and he can invite me, since you wouldn’t wanna go haha!
Dude, I really need to get up to DC.. I haven’t been since I was way too young to even remember it.. I think EVERYONE should visit Arlington Cemetery… I think many of us tend to forget the price that was paid, and still being paid for our freedom!
Glad you all had a great trip… I would definitely be on overload as I’m a huge people watcher myself!
Great to see you taking time off. It seems as though you are online 24/7.
Obama is kinda saturated but I went for promoting Barack Obama as a content site. I’m getting tons of traffic but no conversion. I suspect that when he is not president the site will grow fast.
The Rich Ski Bum got 80 days of skiing in this season. Woho
@ Bill –
Shoot me an email man… I have an Obama site as well, be glad to swap some links with you!
24/7… I wish it was only that much!!
LOL
I lived in Virginia close to DC for 12 years, and I really enjoyed being there. My favorite places included the Jefferson Memorial and the Air and Space Museum, which has now relocated to near the Dulles Airport. If you are going into Virginia, go to Great Falls National Park. Yes, it has great falls upriver from DC on the Potomac.
DC has some great special events, not the least of which is the Fourth of July fireworks and the festivities on the Mall all that week. Of course, you can check out the museums while you’re there…
Great city, DC!
great moment you have there :) I1m wondering when I can go to USA…I`m from Indonesia…hmmm guess I`m juts dreaming :D
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