What I’ve learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0018

851.  It’s only after you’ve lost everything that you’re free to do anything;

852.  Braden Holtby (of the Washington Capitals) eats at Panera Bread;

853.  Never make the same mistake twice;

854.  Spend less time figuring out why you shouldn’t do something and just do it;

855.  Life’s too short to worry about what might happen.  Ultimately, the people who take the biggest risks get the biggest rewards;

856.  The keys to a good golf swing are keeping your head and back from moving (until the follow-through) and balance;

857.  The Biergarten Haus (BiergartenHaus.com) doles up liter-sized servings of beer;

858.  “Vintage Crystal” is in late September.  For $20.00 (cash only), it’s all-you-can-drink wine and all-you-can-eat food samples.  If you’re just interested in the food, it’s $10.00;

859.  Pacing in an elevator is weird enough by itself, it’s even stranger when you’re not alone;

860.  All we can do is make the best choices we can and put one foot in front of the other;

861.  The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery are in the same building in Chinatown;

862.  You’ll never find the right person if you don’t let go of the wrong one;

863.  A “dram” of whisky is how much (or how little) you want it to be;

864.  “Slàinte mhath” means “good health;”

865.  The Obamas (i.e., Michelle, Malia and Sasha) are fans of “We, the Pizza” (WeThePizza.com);

866.  The Washington Metropolitan Police Department attacks Bumblebee in “Transformers 3;”

867.  Failure is something we all have to live with, but it’s how you overcome it that defines you;

868.  It’s kind of funny seeing (balding) Bruce Boudreau sign his bobblehead’s (bald) head;

869.  The White House used to be yellow.  It was painted white to cover up the burn marks from the “Burning of Washington” during the “War of 1812” by the British;

870.  So much for the European Union, the United Kingdom won’t take Euros;

871.  It’s pretty amusing seeing the Parking Enforcement Unit give the Alexandria Police Department a parking ticket;

872.  If you want to tour the White House at Christmas time, submit your request by the beginning of October;

873.  If you’re trying to get to the Dupont Circle area (from the south), it’s quicker to walk north from the Farragut West Metrorail station than it is to switch lines;

874.  On Wednesdays from early April to late November, there’s a farmer’s market at the Foggy Bottom Metrorail station from 3 o’clock to 7 o’clock;

875.  You can get $50.00 gift certificates to local restaurants for $25.00 at OpenTable Spotlight (Spotlight.OpenTable.com).  The main caveat is that in order to redeem them you have to have a party of two or more;

876.  International flights are awesome. . . . They have free, unlimited booze (at least on British Airways);

877.  Not all airplane bathrooms are created equal (even on the same plane);

878.  Cockfosters isn’t nearly as dirty as it sounds;

879.  Hotel rooms (and bathrooms) in Europe are tiny;

880.  British drivers are crazy;

881.  The major movie premiers in London occur in Leicester Square;

882.  Some consider Piccadilly Circus to be the “Times Square” of London;

883.  In London, you can drink on the sidewalks in front of pubs. . . . The city also provides spittoons on certain street corners, so you won’t urinate on people’s doorsteps;

884.  A lot of Americans, Australians, Canadians, and, surprisingly, Brazilians visit London;

885.  Late at night, the Rainforest Café in London (by Piccadilly Circus) turns into a nightclub . . . weird;

886.  The British eat pork and beans and stewed tomatoes for breakfast;

887.  Some of the beggars in London can be very convincing . . . that or I have “sucker” written on my face;

888.  At Stonehenge, a third of the stones are underground . . . and they’re covered by 90 types of lichen;

889.  Bath is a popular “holiday” destination . . . and former prime ministers like to take up residence there;

890.  The (Cornish) pasty is the English equivalent of the empanada;

891.  “The Bath Bun” (in Bath), claims to make the best cupcakes. . . . Personally, I thought mine was a little dry;

892.  Pimm’s (No. 1 Cup) and lemonade is rather tasty.  It’s like a cross between a mojito and sangria;

893.  The zigzag lines on the streets in the United Kingdom mean “no parking,” (I think);

894.  You can actually get a degree in hospitality/tour management;

895.  You’re supposed to make (and hold) eye contact when giving/making a toast in Europe;

896.  The British idea of celebrating Halloween is to dress up like zombies;

897.  In London, the pubs close early . . . around 10 or 11 o’clock at night in the early part of the week;

898.  No Stairmaster . . . no problem, just climb the steps up to the top of the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral;

899.  Europeans were really small and thin back in the day;

900.  Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington, and Horatio Nelson are both entombed in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral;