so long sucka

by way of pure coincidence, in the last week i finished watching 'band of brothers', a fictional miniseries about ww1 from the american perspective, 'birdsong', a fictional miniseries about ww1 from the british perspective, and i finished reading 'fall of giants' a fictional novel about ww1 from the american, british, and german perspectives.

as a result, i've been thinking a lot about service to and sacrifice for one's country. add to that my work trip to philadelphia, and i think we have a bonafide theme.

that being said, philadelphia remains one of my all-time least favorite cities.  and one of the very few in which i feel genuinely unsafe. but, as always, my co-workers and i attempted to make the best of it!

we enjoyed an amazing array of chocolate confections and other (less chocolatey) menu items, and i even picked up a souvenir (which i very rarely do). these porcelain milkshake glasses just spoke to me!

and of course, we took advantage of the history and made a stop at the liberty bell and national park. it reminded me, once again, of the great men and women who have served and sacrificed. some in uniforms, some with speeches or signatures.  service to one's country takes many forms, not all of which i agree with,.  but i have enormous respect and reverence for those who set about trying to make our country and world a better one.