monday mixtape miles (davis)

something a little jazzier to fit the mood I’m in after a wonderful weekend in Washington DC with my love. We were there to photograph a delightful little wedding in Old Town Alexandria, and we were able to carve out just enough time for dinner at Kramerbooks & Afterwords WHICH WAS AMAZING AND WORTH TWICE WHAT THEY CHARGED, and a dash-in, dash-out at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. My favorite place on earth, no exceptions, no doubt.

Mom used to take me to the Smithsonian as often as she could during the couple years that we lived in Northern VA growing up. I remember being maybe five years old and experiencing the geology and gemstones room for the first time. I think Mom actually *dragged* me out of there, because I was transfixed. We visited the Smithsonian sometimes every weekend, never missing the Natural History Museum (or, more importantly, the geology and gemstones room)… and I developed a fantasy future wherein I was the curator of the rocks and minerals. That’s why I decided to get a degree in geology. The fictional degree in geology, I mean – the one I still think someday I might go back to school and get.

So why did I choose a jazz playlist for today? Oh, gosh, I don’t know exactly. Mike and I have both been on a minor jazz kick since the moment we walked out of the Dupont Circle Metro Station. And I’m feeling mellow, happy, excited about the week to come, anxious to get to Christmas so Ellie can open her presents, anxious to edit Saturday’s wedding… basically, I’m in a great mood. And this playlist works.

Here we are at the Natural History Museum. LOOK AT MY EYEBROWS. They look fantastic, don’t they?

Enjoy the jazz, and don’t forget to come back tomorrow to see pictures from Saturday’s wedding AND to see what kind of awesome dealio I’m cooking up for my last hurrah of 2011. See you tomorrow!!!