After getting up early, and getting hurriedly ready to go into the office, I realized that I didn't have a clue where the office was, nor precisely how to get there. I made a frantic call to their receptionist, and picked up directions, and walked to the Metro Station in Dupont Circle, hoping that this would somehow get me to the Maryland office in time.

Waiting for the subway

Luck was with me, and I breezed into the office on the stroke of nine-thirty, which was exactly when my first meeting started.

The morning was pretty easy - just some information about time-sheets, expenses - that kind of thing. By 11.30, Dave - the other consultant on this trip (he's based in Kansas) - and I were told we were free already, until 1.30! This is a great schedule they've setup for us. I was given a little office of my own for the week.

Unlike my San Francisco office, this one had a view. Unlike San Francisco, the view was not worth having!

What a nondescript view - Officeville, Maryland

I left for lunch, by myself, around noon. What a dreary place, I had to wait five minutes to cross the bloody road to go to a kosher deli in the little strip mall. As I ate there, surrounded by other suburban corporites, I felt a distinct sense of alienation with my job.

After another meeting at 1.30, we were let go - by 2.30! Immediately, my mood picked up - an unexpected half-afternoon of freedom! I caught the metro back to Dupont Circle

Coming out of the depths of the subway

Of course, I went straight to Starbucks!

Webcasting from Starbucks, Dupont Circle

I passed the rest of the afternoon doing a little shopping, and working out in the hotel gym, where I really blasted my chest. By this time, the sun was slanting down casting a yellow glow on the neighborhood, which looked pretty from my window.

It was delightfully cool as I strolled through the lovely residential streets leading to Dupont Circle for dinner. I went to Fuzios, a chain that originated in San Francisco, and had a great Italian meal for only $16.00. My first business day in DC was over and, with only three hours of meetings, it hadn't been half bad!

On my way to dinner