Say Cheese!

Here in D.C. there are many things to see and do.


Monuments, museums, a great big grassy mall......



Now that I've been here for a little over two years (an eternity by DC standards), I've seen a good portion of what this historic area has to offer. Of course, there is still much, much more to see and do, but, I've recently taken to noticing some of the infinitely more interesting sights this city has, and has in abundance... that's right-- tourists!




... and tourist buses, and tourist trolleys, and tourists on segways, and on....





Ducks!



Isn't it wonderful! Every year, a new crop of similarly shirted folks flock to the district to revel in the historic wonder and awe of it all. Actually, many of those here on school trips are "like, so bored" and are usually looking for the non-grassy type mall for some prime food-court scoping of other school-aged same shirt wearing kids from across the country. OMG It's, like, the internet has totally come to life. ;)

















The picture above on the left was taken at the Navy Memorial during Rolling Thunder week. Just look at the Vets there in the middle of the photo. Everyone else in the photo seems to be looking everywhere else but at them. I think it is fitting that these guys ride these loud Harleys into town in large numbers. It makes it very hard for a person to ignore something like that!


The picture on the right is of the "tent lady". Actually, tent lady hasn't been there in a while and has had another of her friends sitting in for her. This picture was taken about a block from my old office. The White House is directly behind me. Tent lady and her friends have been camping out there since the 80's. My co-workers think it's hilarious that tent lady thinks I'm a terrorist... because I pay taxes. I heard recently that tent lady is actually an extremely wealthy widow that kind of went crazy crackers after her husband died. Her family owns one of the nearby buildings. I always wondered where she showered. Now it all makes sense. (?)



Of course, I AM still a tourist here. I am still awed by the impressive stone buildings, each one built to be remembered. They serve their duties well as working monuments. There is reason for people to travel great distances to see them. I'm thankful I don't have to travel all that far. Sometimes the traffic and the crowds can give me tunnel vision and cause me to focus on the not so great things. I hope I never lose the awe and the ability to see things from a higher perspective.






This is a picture of my old office (sort of, it's actually just up the street a little bit), as taken from the rooftop of the Hotel Washington. It really does look a lot better from above! I'm sure all of my good friends over there at the Walker Building will appreciate this one! Enjoy!