My parents were dealt a double blow in July when Andrew and I moved out of the family home in Fairfax and into a two-bedroom apartment in Rosslyn, Virginia (opposite Georgetown across the Potomac River). Andrew's stay was only temporary; in October he moved into a condominium in Washington. His departure set off a desperate search for a suitable roommate -- a search which finally ended when a polite young man from Wisconsin moved in with me. While I can no longer ride a mountain bike to work as I once could, I can hop on my bike, pedal across the Memorial Bridge, and be playing soccer on the Mall with an international mix of players within minutes. Sometimes I don't recognize the person I've become when, for example, I find myself shopping around for placemats that match my apartment's décor. While I'm writing about my apartment, let me extend an open invitation to any reader who's considering a visit to the Washington area. I'm in a great location, and yes, I do have a spare bed. I don't have any spare bedding at the moment, but I'd welcome an excuse to go shopping for some. (Photo - 117KB)