For the newbie, it must be sort of overwhelming to hear terms like 'cloture' and 'previous question' tossed around like 'day' and 'night.'

Even better are the shorthand items for location, like the Ohio Clock (the corridor just off the Senate floor), Will Rogers (his statue is just off the House floor), the Elm Tree, Swamp Site, and more.

But when it comes to weekend work by the Congress, one of my former colleagues and I worked out a pretty simple code.

Sunday sessions are "rare" - as in The House voted in a rare Sunday session to....

Saturday sessions are "unusual" - as in the House voted in an unusual Saturday session to...

"It's always fun being here on a Saturday," chirped a female newspaper reporter yesterday just off the House floor.

"Really?" asked another woman in a serious manner.

"No!" the first one answered with a big laugh.

But actually, it is sort of fun to be at the Capitol on the weekend when the House and Senate are in session. Not as many reporters show up, usually something interesting is going on, and you don't have to work as hard as the Monday to Friday grind.

"The Capitol Carry-Out will be open from 8am until 2pm on Saturday, November 7," read the email notice of where we can get some vittles while covering the debate.

Sounds convenient. But I might have to go down to the Tune Inn, have a burger and sit at the bar. They'll have CSPAN on if needed.