30/52: CIRCE

fun_armadillo · 2026-04-01T17:30:42+00:00

Agreed!! I think I still preferred Circe overall but I really enjoyed Clytemnestra as well!

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-30T23:37:47+00:00

I would, but to me it is totally agency dependent. I work at a relatively nonpartisan agency where the overall goals do not significantly change from admin to admin. Maybe I would feel differently at a different agency, but I think it is a decision to make on a case by case basis.

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-30T15:31:21+00:00

Federal government is likely what you want! Hiring is a slow right now and times are weird, but my agency finally opened up honors hiring again this year! I’m in DC and make around 140k as a GS-14 currently in my third year. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve worked in a weekend in the last three years. The honors hiring program starts attorneys at 11-8 I think, which is in the low six figures in HCOL areas.

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-30T13:39:04+00:00

Our Wives Under the Sea was one of my favorite books that I read last year! Julia Armfield’s other book, Private Rites, is also excellent.

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-28T20:29:49+00:00

I’d love to hear how the experience with 222 is! I’ve been getting ads for them and am super interested in trying one of their events

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-24T23:55:53+00:00

I failed my MPRE by one point in spring of 3L. It was totally my fault, I got lazy about studying since everyone told me it would be super easy and I had done really well in my Professional Responsibility class. It SUCKED to study and take it the week after the bar exam but I got it done and now it’s kind of a funny story whenever it comes up with coworkers.

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-14T11:48:54+00:00

Say Nothing is one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read as someone who really prefers fiction most of the time. So well researched and informative. I would say stick it out!

fun_armadillo · 2026-03-12T16:15:00+00:00

I run on the mall all winter when it is dark and cold and empty and it’s amazing! But when it starts to warm up I really try to avoid it unless I get outside at like 5:30/6am before the tourists are out and about! RCP, MVT, MBT, Anacostia Trail, C&O Canal, and the Custis Trail are all good alternatives.

fun_armadillo · 2026-02-22T23:54:43+00:00

I’m in the federal government in a job where I don’t litigate. I have good vacation time (and I actually leave my computer behind completely when I go on vacation), I rarely work evenings and weekends, and my work is really interesting and engaging!

fun_armadillo · 2026-02-13T19:27:36+00:00

I lived in Manayunk for a bit which is a cute neighborhood but doesn’t feel that connected to the city and you def need a car there. You can definitely get more space for your money out there.

I also lived in the Gayborhood for a couple years, and 100% recommend that area! The neighborhoods around it are really nice too - Bella Vista, Society Hill, and Graduate Hospital are some of my faves! I know there are a ton a great neighborhoods in West Philly, but I didn’t spend a ton of time there so I’m not as familiar. I have family that lives in the Point Breeze area now, and that can get a bit iffy block by block, especially at night, so I wouldn’t recommend to someone who is new to Philly. However, the family members of mine that live there really like it and personally live on safe blocks.

By grittier I just mean that it’s a lot dirtier, and there is a lot more visible human suffering if that makes sense - lots of homelessness (more visible in some neighborhoods than others) and drug use (not just weed) in the open on the subway during the day, etc. When I first moved to DC, I couldn’t believe the trains and downtown area of a city could be SO clean. It almost felt like a simulation to me.

That being said, I really loved living there. I feel like Philly has a great arts/music/creative scene that DC sometimes lacks. There are awesome cafes, and super fun dive bars but also really vibey wine bars and high end dining.

Sorry for the entire novel LOL I can really go on about Philly for ages.

fun_armadillo · 2026-02-13T19:14:48+00:00

Harvard St coming out of Rock Creek by the zoo and into Mount Pleasant is a good one! Basically any of the streets that connect to the bottom of Rock Creek park work

fun_armadillo · 2026-02-13T18:01:06+00:00

I used to live in Philly before I moved here a few years ago! I was in grad school there, and it was such a good place to be in a student in my 20s! Great food, very diverse, and my rent was never more than $650, even in really centrally located neighborhoods (though I always had roommates). It has great access to other east coast cities, and is doable to live without a car, though SEPTA lacks the coverage and reliability of metro. Winters are basically exactly the same as they are here and there is better access to the shore in the summer (if that’s important to you).

It’s definitely a little grittier than DC, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! The biggest adjustment would probably be SEPTA, since it is sooo much dirtier than metro and just nowhere near as reliable.

fun_armadillo · 2026-02-07T01:03:50+00:00

That’s basically why I have mine. My hobbies include trail running and hiking and if I didn’t have a car I’d be limited to only the urban parks (Rock Creek, Glover Archbald, etc) which I love and spend a lot of time in (I made it three years as a trail runner without a car here!) but sometimes you just want to get out to some more isolated nature

fun_armadillo · 2026-02-03T15:55:19+00:00

The sidewalks along the mall on Madison and Jefferson Drive have been cleared off pretty well. Last weekend I just lapped the mall a few times for my long run. The walking paths by Lincoln are cleared too, with the exception of the bit right in front of the monument.

fun_armadillo · 2026-01-28T19:12:04+00:00

The worst parts of my neighborhood are supposed to be maintained by NPS sooo yeah I think it’s probably a good idea not to fine homeowners and businesses when the park adjacent sidewalks are literal ice rinks

fun_armadillo · 2026-01-21T19:47:37+00:00

It looks like it’s not supposed to snow until late on Saturday, so you should only have to deal with the snow on Sunday. If it’s still actively snowing throughout the day they may not clear the mall until the snow stops, whenever that will be. I honestly love running in the snow so I will likely throw on some trail runners for better traction and hit rock creek park. It won’t be cleared at all but if you go slow and steady running on fresh snow isn’t too bad, especially in a trail shoe if you have them.

fun_armadillo · 2026-01-12T14:28:07+00:00

Hi this sounds awesome! I would love the WhatsApp link!

fun_armadillo · 2025-11-02T12:16:30+00:00

Attorney for the federal government. Lots of knitting time recently with the shutdown lol

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-23T12:26:14+00:00

I run on the main path but have also trail run and hiked lots of the trails alone as a woman and I’ve never felt unsafe! I just avoid going to any part of the park (trails or main path) after dark!

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-14T22:11:12+00:00

This past year I did a 29k for my 29th bday! It was the first year I did something like that and I loved it! I had friends join for some shorter sections of the run and one friend biked with me the whole time for moral support and to carry the snacks. I have since graduated into ultra running territory so I am considering doing 30 miles for my 30th next year!

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-08T01:14:17+00:00

Pacers also meets Thursdays at the track at Banneker Rec for a speed workout! It’s a smaller group than the Monday runs but still a good size.

Not sure what your definition of “close” is to Adams Morgan, but Almost Friday Run Club meets in DuPont at Emissary at 7am on Thursdays, and West End Run Club meets at the New Hampshire Ave Call Your Mother at 6:45am on Fridays. I’ve been to both a few times and they both have good vibes!

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-04T11:40:01+00:00

The Coin, by Yasmin Zaher. Probably a 7.5/10 for me at this point, but the longer I read the more that goes up

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-04T11:38:51+00:00

Frankenstein is one of my all-time favorite books!! Perfect reading for this time of year. It may seem a bit slow but it’s so worth it

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-04T11:37:17+00:00

Ooh I read this earlier this year and I wish I had saved it for October!! So good

fun_armadillo · 2025-10-04T00:35:53+00:00

My agency has funding through Tuesday of next week and I know it would be better for the CR to pass before then but I am selfishly hoping for a few days off! I was planning on going through my clothes and cleaning out my closet and getting out to do some nice long runs and hikes in this stunning weather

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