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2013, December: 22 Days

My last day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum will be Friday, January 24. With the holidays, this means I have only 22 more days in the office. This makes me sad, so it's time to ponder some of the things I will miss after ten years here. In no particular order...
  1. Team Luce: Jenni, Katie, Lindsay, Bridget, Ed, Tierney, Mary, and Erin - you have been the best thing about working here. You helped make the Luce Foundation Center and the museum great, you made my job easy and fun, and you rock. A lot.
  2. Maria: Coffee & Clyde's, beer & bitching. I buy the same piece of clothing in more than one color just to annoy you. Come with me!! :(
  3. My bosses: Eleanor, Claire, Rachel, & Betsy - you let me play in the Luce Center, you trusted me with The Art of Video Games, you gave me the freedom to experiment and do crazy things. Thank you!
  4. The rest of you: social media groups at American Art and SI, public affairs & programs people, the video & IT teams, and more. The folks here care about what they do and work their butts off to do it. You all deserve raises.
  5. The art: The Smithsonian American Art Museum has a fabulous collection and an amazing building. I'll miss being able to hang out with Henry Sturgis Drinker whenever I want.
  6. The happy hours: Ella's, Vapiano's, Handi-hour, exhibition openings, and more. I love love love drinking with colleagues.
  7. H Street Starbucks: New baristas are always confused by my name being "George," but I love that you know me and and my misto.
  8. C.I.S.S. (Craft Information Sharing Session, aka Stitch and Bitch): Alli and Katie, can I still participate via Skype?
  9. Wegman's and Fresh Market: When Wegman's finally opened a store in Maryland, Christian and I were there at 6am with the news crews on opening day. With your 600+ types of cheese, you made grocery shopping less painful. Fresh Market, you play classical music at me and force me to spend a fortune on fancy snacks in plastic boxes. I will miss you both deeply.
  10. Endless sushi: Baltimore has more sushi restaurants than you would believe possible, and they all seem to thrive. Our favorites have been Yama Sushi in Hampden and Fuji San in Hunt Valley. Yama gives you a "free roll on the house" even after you order enough food to feed twelve, and Fuji has the most generous nigiri.
  11. Shenandoah National Park: It's always been my dream to live close to Yellowstone, but I have enjoyed spending time in Shenandoah. Beautiful hiking trails, great driving, fabulous breakfasts, and proximity to Virginia wineries.
  12. Niagara: Christian and I have visited Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake every winter since we were married in 2008. We drink ice wine, enjoy the "museums" on Clifton Hill, eat steak, and admire the Falls in snow and ice. This trip will not be so easy from Idaho Falls, so it may be a while until we can do it again.
I'm getting ready to say goodbye, East Coast! Image credit: Man with the Cat (Henry Sturgis Drinker), 1898, Cecilia Beaux, oil on canvas, 48 x 34 5/8 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Henry Ward Ranger through the National Academy of Design, 1952.10.1.

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