What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0248

12351.  Apparently, black-eyed peas and collard greens, a classic Southern dish, are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day to bring luck and financial prosperity for the new year.  The black-eyed peas symbolize luck and general well-being.  The collard greens represent money/wealth because of their green color.  It’s often served with cornbread, which symbolizes “gold;”

12352.  The Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Hardywood.com) in Richmond, Virginia, is the first brewery in Virginia powered entirely by renewable energy (i.e., solar, wind & biomass);

12353.  Kuba Kuba (KubaKuba.info) in Richmond, Virginia, was founded in 1998 by Chef Manny Mendez;

12354.  You might run into Peter Bondra (formerly of the Washington Capitals) walking around the upper concourse of Capital One Arena;

12355.  I can say I’ve shaken Peter Bondra’s hand;

12356.  The craziest (ice) hockey game I’ve (ever) watched in person had 2 fights, 2 penalty shots, a hat trick (by Justin Sourdif) not by Alexander Ovechkin and 2 empty net goals (1 by John Carlson and 1 by Ovechkin).  The game was 1-0 (Anaheim) Ducks . . . then 5-1 (Washington) Capitals . . . then 5-4 Capitals . . . and finally 7-4 Capitals;

12357.  Polenta is like a cross/mix between grits and mashed potatoes;

12358.  Christina is allergic to dolphin/dorado/mahi-mahi;

12359.  Mike Tomlin (the former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers) was born in Hampton, Virginia.  His father, Ed(ward) Tomlin, played (college) football at Hampton Institute from 1964-1968;

12360.  I can say I’ve eaten $105.00 bread (specifically the Olivieri 1882 classic panettone);

12361.  The Olivieri 1882 classic panettone (USA.Olivieri1882.com) is (really) tasty.  It maybe the best bread I’ve ever eaten/had;

12362.  Panettone is (actually) really good when it’s not dried out and hard;

12363.  The Old Bay wings at the Crystal City Sports Pub (CCSportsPub.com) in Arlington, Virginia, are tasty.  They’re crispy and flavorful without being greasy/oily;

12364.  I can say I’ve been to a gender reveal party;

12365.  There are families that (actually) get along, where the parents and children will buy and share a house together;

12366.  I can say I’ve seen Rick Steves (the travel writer) in person;

12367.  Rick Steves was a piano teacher;

12368.  Rick Steves’ travel company, Rick Steves’ Europe, (RickSteves.com) is based out of Seattle, Washington;

12369.  The butter lettuce salad (with no blue cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes & champagne vinaigrette) at CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Wolfgangpuck.com/Restaurants/Cut-Washington-D-C) in the Rosewood Washington, D.C. is (really) tasty.  The champagne vinaigrette is great.  I can’t remember the last time I was so excited about a salad;

12370.  The 8 oz American Wagyu bavette (i.e., Kuroge Washu bloodline from Mishima Reserve) at CUT by Wolfgang Puck is (really) tasty;

12371.  The French fries/pommes frites at CUT by Wolfgang Puck are really crispy and crunchy;

12372.  You can get half off all handcrafted beverages at Capital One Cafés when you pay using a Capital One credit, debit or co-branded card that shows the Visa or MasterCard logo or any Discover credit or debit card that shows the Discover logo;

12373.  External success won’t fill your inner emptiness;

12374.  Define your vision or let the world define it for you;

12375.  Failure is growth.  Your ego is what holds you back;