Just back from a trip to DC with my 11-year-old nephew, to see the sights. All in all, a great trip. The Kid is a good travelling companion, cheerful, self-possessed, interested. Went to the Spy Museum, where we crawled through ducts to eavesdrop on conversations, watched a film on how to pick a lock, and saw a dog poop transmitter. (No, it doesn't transmit dog poop. Think about it.) Saw the Hope Diamond, flew in a flight simulator (he was pilot, I was gunner), touched a moonrock. Saw the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials in the rain. I told The Kid this country had had maybe 4 great men as Presidents. One was Mr. Lincoln, I said, and the other 3 are suspect.