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DEAN'S QUARTERLY NEWLETTER, Vol. 8, No. 3, 03/01/2005

HIGHLIGHTS OF WINTER 2005:

Settling into Beltsville, Maryland: Resigned to my new location in suburban hell, I have at least found solace in a couple of groovy little places to hang out. One is sort of a 1960s style coffeehouse with a bohemian atmosphere and clientele, and the other is one of the better brewpubs in the region. When not at home or venturing into the city, you might find me at these places, particularly at the less distant coffeehouse, which features interesting conversations, live acoustic music, and various other odd events such as poetry readings. Unfortunately, only a few geriatric hippies with whom I might feel affinity frequent the place and the remainder is people less than half my age, students from the University of Maryland, many of whom bury their heads in their laptop computers. Still, this is often what passes for socializing and alleviation of loneliness these days.

Still, I’m getting spoiled by the short 6-minute commute to work. Although I think I’d like to move back into the city after my lease expires in the fall, when the time comes around, I’ll probably be torn between moving and staying.

Minnesota in December was milder than the Decembers I remember from my youth. I generally avoid Minnesota once temperatures drop and days get short, and this was the first time in 12 years I came back for nostalgia of character-building winters. Prepared for temperatures to make my nose hairs cling (below zero Fahrenheit), I instead saw 30s, 40s and even 50s for most of the 12 days in early December. On one of those milder days, my brother and I, observing two intrepid fishermen cutting a hole into thin ice to drop a line, figured we were just observing nature’s way of trimming the heard – of humans, that is, not fish.

Overall, it was a relaxing visit with no big agenda aside from visiting family and friends. Here are some photos:

My mother and I on opening day of a new light rail extension in Minneapolis

My mother Dolores and stepfather Ben

Brother Dale, and nieces Sarah and Rachel

Sister-in-law Lynn with Ruby the dog

My father Wally and stepmother Sue

Trip to Nassau, Bahamas: This was just a short four-day rest in early January.

My new address in Maryland is as follows: New telephone numbers:

Dean Oman Home: 301-931-1144

10405 46^th Ave., Apt. A204 Work: 301-504-2317

Beltsville, MD 20705

For those wishing to visit Washington DC, my new location is not nearly as convenient as my old place, which was within easy reach of all the attractions. Still, friends and family are always welcome, and my new apartment is larger and more comfortable than others I have had.

COMING UP NEXT QUARTER: Eurailing with my nephew Joshua

Check in and let me know what’s up with you.
You can contact me by clicking on this E-mail address: mail@deanoman.com.

Review previous newsletters:

Autumn 04 – Dean’s News Vol 8, No. 2, 12/01/04 – Boston, Orlando, plus new digs in Beltsville, Maryland

Summer 04 – Dean’s News Vol 8, No. 1, 09/01/04 – Toronto, Minnesota, San Diego, Chicago

Spring 04 – Dean’s News Vol 7, No. 4, 06/01/04 – Italy, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, New York City

Winter 03 – Dean’s News Vol 7, No. 3, 03/01/04 – Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, Arizona

Autumn 03 -- Dean's News Vol 7, No. 2, 12/01/03 -- Minnesota

Summer 03 -- Dean's News Vol 7, No. 1, 09/01/03 -- California and Toronto

Spring 03 -- Dean's News Vol 6, No. 4, 06/01/03 – Minnesota, Boston

Winter 03 -- Dean's News Vol 6, No. 3, 03/01/03 – Arizona, California and Colorado