Readable Round-Up

Full Moonset above Crozet, France : 29 December 2012 : Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid

It's February. That's a good thing. February means we're heading into the downhill from dark, dreary Winter into warm, welcoming Spring.

Okay, maybe I'm jumping the gun a little, but the days are getting lighter again and the temperatures are fluctuating slowly upwards. 

My job search continues, but I gotta tell ya, I've had enough of being jobless. Seriously. And, I've said it elsewhere, but job searching sucks. Still, I persevere and am confident I'll find something, either on my own or through the kindnesses of friends. 

Speaking of whom, chapeau today to friends Everett and Natasha for sending me two possibilities. I appreciate all of my friends and former colleagues who continue to keep me in mind and send leads, ideas, and encouragement my way. It is received with gratitude and depths of affection beyond measure. 

I've been up since 6:00 AM, which means I have been reading and have lots to share. If you're interested, here is a brief selection. Click and read as you want.

*******

Johns Hopkins hoping to revive east Baltimore neighborhood on its border

It's Super Bowl Weekend in the U.S. Next to Thanksgiving, it's the biggest eating holiday in America. This year's dust-up will feature the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. In the Raven's hometown, Johns Hopkins University is directly involved in urban renewal in East Baltimore -- the section of the city wherein their world-renowned campus lies. It is an effort worth watching and one that hopefully bears replicating in other urban, suburban, and rural areas.

 Shootings keep gun debate firing; gamers deny cupability

In the last 72 hours, shootings have continued to headline the news out of the U.S. The murders of an attorney in Arizona, a district attorney in Texas, a student in Chicago who only last week participated in President Obama's inaugural festivities, a school bus driver in Alabama (and subsequent hostage-taking of a 5-year old), and a student in Atlanta have all occurred with rapid fire succession and continue to underscore the need for sensible gun control measures in the United States. 

All of this has been unfolding in the midst of testimony before Congress by gun rights and gun control advocates. The National Rifle Association (NRA) continues to clamor the loudest for Americans to retain the right to bear any and all arms. Meanwhile, those seeking reasonable restraints on certain types of guns and the ability to sue manufacturers in an effort to make guns safer are thwarted by NRA-backed legislation that prohibits litigation against gun makers. If we can regulate the safety of automobiles, fertilizer, air transport and travel, and alcohol, why not guns? It only makes sense.

In the same debate, the entertainment/games industry decries its role in gun violence and the mental health sector asks gun control advocates and legislators to exercise caution and thoughtfulness when considering laws targeting the mentally challenged and gun rights.

Positive News is Also Nice, Say Readers...

In other, lighter news, today is World Hijab Day -- an effort started by New Yorker Nazma Khan to foster understanding among Muslim and non-Muslim women about wearing hijab and destigmatizing what is seen by many as a tangible symbol of the oppression of women.

Also from the Beeb, an article on why some countries regulate naming. The very thought in a place like the U.S. is anathema to America's cherished First Amendment Rights (freedom of speech) and would never fly, but in many European countries, there are specific rules about who can be named what.

Not to be BBC-centric, but this article also caught my eye, because No. 5 in this list mentions the Italian Futurists -- a group of forward-thinking artists, writers, and architects from the early 20th century who included people like my partner's great-grandmother, Ruzena Zatkova. If you enjoy articles about how writers and thinkers from the past conceived the future, this is a fun read!

******

Today's news round-up is brought to you by the letter F and the number 28. Have a great day, friends!

Photo Friday: Columbus Day in Spain

Yes, you're seeing correctly. This is a new post on The Chronicles of Tewkesbury. I do still live and breathe, contrary to popular belief. For those out of the loop, I moved away from Washington, D.C., in April 2009 to live in Langley, Washington, just north of Seattle. Before I arrived at my new home, I was offered a short-term, 45-day gig at an international organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Fast forward to today and I'm still in Europe and loving it here!

I want to get back into the groove of writing by way of blogging, so I thought I'd start with something easy like Photo Friday. A week and a half ago, my partner Maya and I were in Madrid on Columbus Day weekend. Turns out the Spaniards celebrate Columbus Day, too. This gentlemen and his compatriots were playing mariachi music in the Puerta del Sol and I snapped his photo.

Mariachi : Puerta del Sol : Madrid, ES

Happy (Photo) Friday everyone!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

When My Brother Emails Me...

...I know it's going to be good.

When the emails arrives, it's generally just a subject line and then a link. For example, these are the last five things he's emailed to me recently.

1. 10 Things Not to Say When Firing an Employee. The list includes things you shouldn't say while letting someone go. I read through the list and couldn't believe some of the things people would say. They're almost as bad as stupid things people say and do in interviews, only worse, because they're patronizing. I'm glad they included this one:

5."This is just as hard for me as it is for you." There are few absolutes, but it is absolutely true that it always harder to be fired than to fire. Don't ask an employee who is looking at unemployment to feel your pain.

I know a few people who have had this line said to them and each of them, to a person, has said that it was the ultimate insult. Having heard that line myself once, I know it's often everything you can do not to look at the person delivering it and say, "Somehow I really doubt that, you ass."

Moving on...

2. If you're into mysteries, this article in the Telegraph UK was fun. It features an interview with one of the quintessential mystery writers of the 20th century, P.D. James. Coincidentally, this morning I had an email from Shelfari saying that the top award winners of 2009 include C.J. Box's Blue Heaven. If you want a gritty mystery, I suggest Box. His books are excellent!

Now I just need to figure out how to get his last three books. Amazon.com here I come. Could this be an excuse to get a Kindle?? Hm.

3. Then there's this article about Carl Jung and The Holy Grail of the Unconscious from The New York Times magazine. It's rather lengthy and I confess I haven't read the entire article, but I'm working on it. What I have read so far is quite interesting. If you enjoy psychology, definitely give this a look.

How do you feel about that?

4. Some of the stuff my brother sends me isn't always fun, but it is educational and even a little frightening. For example, an article from CNET about bat flu that was fascinating, largely because I learned about an animal disease lab not too far from Manhattan, NY, on Long Island known as Plum Island. As if that wasn't somewhat frightening enough, the article mentions a new facility slated for Manhattan, KS. The one upshot to Nation prepares for deadly bat virus was, I was able to forward it on to a friend who works in public health and may be moving to Kansas in a year or two. Job opp.

Now, where's my hand sanitizer?

I've saved the best for last. In fact, his email this morning was the inspiration for this blog entry.

5. As many of you know, I lived in Austria 20 years ago. What you may not know is, Austria is the official home of Wiener Schnitzel. No, not the tacky hot dog joint. I'm talking about the gustatory wonder that is breaded and fried veal or pork. This morning's email subject line simply said: "Another reason to visit NYC..." Then there was the usual, lone link, which led to this:

I ♥ schnitzel!

Look out taco trucks! The schnitzel has arrived! I'll tell you, New York City has everything. If you're living in the Big Apple and you see this truck, please have a schnitzel for me.

Now please tell me that last link made you smile? Compared to the first link, it should have or you're fired! And leave the schnitzel behind, because that will definitely hurt you as much as it hurts me. In the waistline.

*****

Finally, as this is Friday, here's this week's photo. Happy (Photo) Friday, folks! Have a great weekend.

Modestes : Museum of the Int'l Red Cross/Red Crescent : Geneva, CH

Photo sources: Drive-in Theater.com and Schnitzel & Things.
Photo copyright for Modestes: D.C. Confidential, 11/09

A Christmas Carol USPS Style

Modestes : Museum of the International Red Cross/Red Crescent : Geneva, CH

As if the Grinch and Scrooge weren't bad enough, now the USPS is killing the spirit for thousands of kids. Yeah, okay, I know, you found a pedophile writing to kids. Not cool. But that doesn't mean you should shut down the entire program. Boot the pervert and move on, but don't take the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus with you. Sheesh.

Tomorrow is the first of three--count 'em, THREE--Thanksgiving events we're going to participate in. Can we say "gluttony," boys and girls? Tomorrow's early Thanksgiving is in France and features $200 turkey. I'm going to attempt to make crescent rolls and mash potatoes for 20. I have neither baking sheets and cooling racks nor pots and pans big enough for such a project, but I'm going to make the best of it and try not to think about the fact that all of my cooking equipment is gathering dust in my cottage in Washington State. Wish me luck!

Happy (Photo) Friday, folks!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 11/09

Facebook. Or, How I've Eaten My Own Words. Again.

Bread : Paris, FR

Remember back here when I said I wasn't going to get sucked into Facebook? Yeah, well, I lied.

Here are my status updates for the last couple of weeks.

My to-do list is longer than I am tall. And that's not difficult, because I'm not very tall.

I should be in bed, but instead I've been bitten by a mosquito THREE TIMES and now I'm up and wide awake. Dirty bastard mosquito!

Is it Friday yet? I need a vacation. Or a day off. I'd be fine with just that.

Wanted: Postcards.

Still six documents in the queue to be edited, because one was added to it today for a total of seven. But, no more headache or tummy ache. I've had a bath and some dinner and life is good.

Headache. Tummy ache. Dark and grey and rainy outside. And six documents in the queue to be edited. Bleh. I need a sick day, but no chance.

It's official. I'm declaring tomorrow a non-day. Monday will be moved to Tuesday and consolidated with Wednesday. That is all.

I'm starting a movement. I'm demanding that the international community (whoever that vague, amorphous entity may be) allow Hulu and Netflix users the right to stream their favorite television shows and movies regardless of their location outside the United States and the District of Columbia. In other words, I WANT TO USE MY NETFLIX SUBSCRIPTION AND WATCH THE MOVIES IN MY "INSTANT QUEUE," DAMN IT!

FB: What Pinky and the Brain were working on in their quest to "try to take over the WORLD!!!"

J. M. Tewkesbury is having a good outfit day. Where is Bob Crowe when I need a new head shot?!

Do you ever have days when all you want to do is get out your coloring books and crayons and spend the day coloring? Me, too.

"Today is a rather day."

Monday. Plechy.

Hm. I'm sensing a theme... Damn Facebook!

In the meantime, the above photo was taken in Paris this summer. Happy (Photo) Friday, friends!

Rumors of My Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated...

Jet d'eau and Carousel : Geneva, CH

(Click image to enlarge.)

Still plugging away in Switzerland. My original contract ended on June 30 and I started a new one the next day. I'm here at least through August 31, but possibly longer, if I want. The $64,000 question is: do I want?

Creeping irrationalities slither in and make me doubt myself and whether I'm a value-add. Solid rationalities stand opposite and say, of course I am. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth.

Anyway--getting back on track with this sad and lonely blog, today is Photo Friday. The photo above was taken last Friday, at the edge of Geneva's harbor at the southern end of Lac Leman--Europe's largest freshwater lake.

Happy (Photo) Friday, friends!

Doing Lunch

Sikh Lunch

Took this photo today while I was downtown and waiting to meet a friend for a bite to eat at The Brown Bag at 14th & K.

Happy (Photo) Friday, everyone!


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 03/09

Back in the Saddle

Good mornnnnnning Washington, D.C.!

Yes, I'm back. Haven't written for ages. Don't know what I'm going to write about, so I'm gonna go with the flow.

I've been on the road and seen some kewl stuff.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame: First Stop on the Road Trip

Like the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Custom chopper a la Lincoln.
Click image to enlarge and check out the details.

Or, Lincoln's Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

The Nauvoo Temple at dusk.

Or, the Mormon's newly reconstructed temple in Nauvoo, Illinois. (For the record, I behaved myself like the good little Mormon girl I use to be and I did not mock. It was hard.)

A loom in the woolen mill in the Amana Colonies, Iowa.

Or, maybe the Amana Colonies in Amana, Iowa, which we thought were Amish, but in fact were German Pietists. Don't ask me what a Pietists is. I don't know. I do know they aren't called that because they eat pie.

America's Corniest Destination. Seriously.

Or, the Corn Palace Convention Center and Visitors Bureau in Mitchell, South Dakota, where the exterior facade changes each year and is made entirely of corn cobs and husks. True story.

The Badlands are bad, man. Like way cool, dude. Check it out.

Then there's the Badlands outside of Wall, South Dakota. If Disney had a miniature version of the Grand Canyon and you sat in a little car to tour it, that would be the Badlands.

Wall Drug: Featured on the Today Show, GMA,
People magazine, blah, blah, blah...

Speaking of Wall, South Dakota, there's Wall Drug. A veritable emporium of... of... of... schtuff. Lots and lots of schtuff. Good donuts, though.

The Big Boys: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

Or, how about Mount Rushmore. Coolest memorial outside of Washington, D.C.

Not so much into road trips?

So, what to write about? What to write about?

I could write about how badly the movers damaged my belongings. Or, the dude on the ferry to Whidbey Island, Washington, who did a weird little jig in an attempt to discreetly(?) readjust his nuts. Maybe I could blather on about the air raid sirens in western Pennsylvania that woke us up at 4:30 in the morning. Or, how about how I left the park ranger at Mount Rushmore speechless when I asked him if he could point out to me "this memorial thingie that's suppose to be here."

Nah? Dullsville? How's about I just shut up and let you look at the pictures from my trip? If you want to see more, visit D.C. Confidential.

Oh, and just in case you missed the memo, I'm moving to Langley, Washington, for a year. Maybe more. We'll see. I'll be leaving town for good around April 12 or so. I have feelings about this, but I'm not sure where to start, so give me a while. I'm sure I'll find a way to articulate them shortly.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential/Janet Kincaid

Traveling in the States

Rope on Deck : Aboard the Susan Constant : James River : Jamestown, Virginia

Last week, I took two days and went down to Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. I've posted a series of photos about my adventures on my photography blog, D.C. Confidential. These three photos have proven to be the most popular in the group.

Draw the Shutters : George Whyte Plantation : Historic Williamsburg : Virginia

Belfry : Re-creation of Jamestown Fort : Jamestown, Virginia

Happy (Photo) Friday everyone!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Asymmetrical

Fate

Lately, I've been shooting less recognizable elements in places known far and wide. For example, these two photos. The first is the ceiling in the shops at Union Station, while the second is the tunnel leading from the west side of 395 to the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial. The one below I originally titled "Fuzzy." Then, based on a comment from a friend, I thought about calling it "Light at End of Tunnel?" but decided that was too long. Now, I think I'm going to call it "Crisis or Hope?"

Crisis or Hope?

Happy Photo Friday, friends!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Birdie! Birdie!

Fly! Be Free! : Corner of L and 19th Streets NW
(Click on image to enlarge.)

Flying Footballs. Sidewalk Scroungers. Rats with Wings. Flying Rats. Whatever you call them, pigeons are ubiquitous. I will say this for D.C.'s pigeons, though: they're generally a pretty pristine looking group. Worst looking pigeons in the country? San Francisco pigeons. Those poor buggers look like they've been drug around the block a few times and then some out there.

My Pancake! : Corner of L and 19th Streets NW
(Click on image to enlarge.)

Want to see more photos? Visit D.C. Confidential. Open 24/7/365!

Happy (Photo) Friday!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

Return of Photo Friday

Walk Away

I've been remiss the last few months, so in celebration of the last day of the work week, I give you the return of Photo Friday. This year, I'm participating in a project with six other people where we dream big. We're artists, writers, photographers, mixed media folk. I'm representin' for the East Coast. In fact, now that I think of it, I'm the only participant who lives east of the Mississippi. Hm. My point is, I'm working to improve my photos and start selling my work. That's my big dream this year.

So, here is this week's photo. And if you haven't gotten your Obamicon, you can get yours here.


Happy (Photo) Friday, friends!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

Score!

My favorite photo from the entire trip--a bald eagle perched on driftwood,
Fort Casey State Park, Whidbey Island, Washington (Click on image to enlarge.)

While I was in Washington State a week or so ago (was it only a week ago?! Seems like ages. I digress), I managed to take nearly 500 pictures. Thank goodness for digital technology or I'd really be broke. Here are just a few of my favorites.

L: Illegally parked seagull in Mukilteo
R: Ginormous driftwood (aka: A friggin' TREE) in Ocean Shores
(Click images to enlarge)

L: Space Needle from Queen Anne Hill
R: Pike Place Market
(Click images to enlarge)

Happy (Photo) Friday, friends!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Sarah Palin and Other Redundancies

This woman just will not go away. And if she's the hope the of the Republican Party, they're doomed. From yesterday's Sketch Book by Dana Milbank in the Washington Post, here is Palin: 'Just Getting Started'.

Continuing on a Rhapsody on a Theme of Palin in G-minor (as in "Go away already"), Jonathan Capeheart in the Post's PostPartisan round-up also mentions Sarah Palin's Next Act and, in a follow-up, begs someone, anyone, Beuller, to please Make Her Stop.

Moving away from that now, as if there isn't enough divisiveness in the world, a Catholic priest in South Carolina has told his parishioners, if you voted for Obama, forget taking communion. Hm. I don't seem to remember Jesus saying political choice was a prerequisite for partaking of the Last Supper or any subsequent iterations of his final act before his crucifixion. For your amusement (or head shaking. Whichever) here is SC Priest: No Communion for Obama Supporters.

Finally, I'm hesitant to highlight this one, but as I find this kind of sentiment has no place in our great country, I'm going to include this piece. It's a collection of recent news stories about racists who are gunning for our new president-elect. The most disturbing stories are the ones involving kids. A note to those who would espouse these kinds of sentiments: you're fomenting treason and terrorism, which makes you no different than bin Laden and his band of criminals. Think about it. Here is Racists React to Obama Victory.

Not wanting to end on that sour, sad note, today is also Friday, which means a photo is in order. How about this one?



Happy Friday, everyone.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

She's Baaaaaaaaaaack!

1:38 a.m. EST

Where should I be? Where would any sane person be at this hour?

If you answered, "In bed, asleep" you win the door prize. (Not sure what that might be at the moment. I'll get back to you on that.)

Yep. I'm awake. Went to bed at 10:30 p.m. Woke at 1:30 a.m.

Now that the election is over, it would appear that my prescient prognostications regarding my pending return to business-as-usual on this blog have indeed panned out. I'm rarely right these days, but every once in a while I have a flash of brilliance.

And by flash, I mean grease fire in a pan that you extinguish by throwing a lid on it. As for brilliance, that's another matter altogether.

*****

I stayed up so late Tuesday night. You know Tuesday night? The night we elected Barack Obama president? Yeah, that Tuesday night. Anyway--I stayed up so late that night, on Wednesday afternoon, I thought I'd steal a little nap. I laid down around 3:00 p.m. and promptly fell into a sporadic, but dream-rich sleep.

My entire dream was consumed by the sound of then-candidate, now-President-elect Obama giving his "Yes We Can" speech set to music by will.i.am of The Black-eyed Peas. I'd been listening to it just before I laid down and I guess the dream part of my brain liked it enough to loop it, over and over and over again. It is a speech that will go down as one of the great, influential speeches of the 21st century. Read it again and be inspired to participate in this next chapter in American history.

It was a good, uplifting dream.

*****

I have nothing to snark about tonight. At least, nothing fully developed. My heart is a little too sad to be snarky. But, I'm still tossing around Tinkerbell the Trollop and I have ideas for a post-mortem piece about Prop 8 in California. I've recently been reconnecting with people from my past and I'm not sure what to think. Plus, I've been pondering the words a Catholic priest spoke to me a few weeks back. To top it all off, we're dealing with a little pet crisis here at home, which is not a positive and has cast a pall of sadness over our house. Let's just say it's only a matter of time.

In the meantime, I leave you with the return of Photo Friday. Originally, I was going to include a picture of Bee's cat, Pogeaux, because he was ailing, but as you've probably noted from the entry last night, the little guy died yesterday. Instead, I give you a picture of the Capitol, where preparations are already underway for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Today's Post...

Brought to you by the letter G, the number five, and the color pink.

I'm making my debut appearance as guest blogger over at the fabulous Gunfighter's locale. Check out my post with five pictures about things in pink.

Thanks, Gunny, for the opp!

*****

Getting back on track with Photo Friday, this week's photo is one I took last night on my way home from Krispy Kreme down in Alexandria on Route 1. I decided to take the George Washington Memorial Parkway back to D.C. and en route passed Gravelly Point just south of National Airport.

Nighttime landing : Washington National Airport

Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a landing sequence. I think I'm going back tonight before it gets pitch dark and try again.

Happy (Photo) Friday everyone!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Dark Knight? More Like Dark Bleh.

Tunnel : Beach Drive : Rock Creek Park

On my way home from my parents the other day, I snapped this photo from the "safety" of my dashboard while driving.

And now, for a change of pace on Photo Friday, a review of a movie...

*****

I'm getting old.

If I'm going to spend $10.25 for a movie, I want to get something out of it.

This week, Bee, the EcoFellow, and I saw Batman: Dark Knight. Batman: Dark Bleh is more like it. Or, Batman: How Men Screw Up the World, Then Try to Fix It Only to Screw It Up More and Still Think They've Done Us All a Great Favor might be a better title.

DK had several potentially important, philosophical scenes that really could have been the meat of this movie. As it is, it was just an overinflated comic book story that went on about 45 minutes longer than it should have. Plus, the sound effects sometimes overwhelmed the dialogue and the fight scenes were just a blur of bodies. At times it was hard to tell who was where and fighting whom. This movie was a mess. Oh, and the scene with Bruce Wayne arriving at a fundraiser for D.A. Harvey Dent with three beautiful women on his arm was so gratuitously testosterone laden, it was just stupid and added little to the movie except to let you know that Batman/Bruce Wayne's human flaw is, he has a tiny dick.

In short, this is a movie--as my longer, recommended title indicates--about men who make a mess of the world, try to clean it up, and make a bigger mess in the process. It did no favors in elevating men or women to a plane higher than their stereotypes. Not that I expected it to be on scale with a movie like Match Point or Lars and the Real Girl (neither of which are fair comparisons because this is a comic book action flick), but it was so gratuitously awful and missed so many opportunities to have some deeper meaning, I can't recommend it all that highly. It's certainly worth seeing on the big screen for all the effects, but I wouldn't pay full price. See it as a matinee.

As for Heath Ledger, his performance as The Joker was very good, but I'm not 100% sure I'd call it Oscar-worthy.

Out of five stars, I'll give this a one.

Happy (Photo) Friday, friends!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Reflecting

U.S. Capitol Double Take

I've been doing some reflecting since learning that my Wretched Former Boss was canned last week. I know it's probably wrong for me to gloat about someone else's downfall. I wouldn't wish a vote of no-confidence and being fired on anyone. As someone who's been on the receiving end of downsizing, being told I was tedious to work with, and having a slew of wretched bosses, I wouldn't wish what happened to K.ate on my very worst, vilest enemy. But that's the rub. K.ate wasn't my very worst, vilest enemy. She was/is a good person with a desire to do right by the world who flatters herself and everyone around her to be an advocate for the downtrodden. She prides herself on coming from a place where live and let live is the standard and being someone who embodies that.

And that is why I gloat. She is none of that. She, like so many in this town, is driven by fear and an overabundance of self-protectionism. In the process, she ignored her primary responsibility: to manage and collaborate with a team of staff members who put their hearts into making this little non-profit-with-the-mission-that-could shine. Rather than seeing us as assets, we were a threat. Rather than collaborate with us and tie us in with the board of directors in a joint effort, she sabotaged us. Rather than accepting personal responsibility as the leader, she passed the buck and threw us under the bus.

The bottomline is, K.ate got what she deserved and what she got was a board of directors that was increasingly upset with her (lack of) performance and who finally passed a vote of no confidence in K.ate's leadership and fired her. While I'm not sorry she was fired, I am sorry it took the board so long to arrive at this action. It was long overdue.

Restful

Having said all that, I'm going to spend the weekend working in the yard and getting it shaped up. I think on Sunday I'm having dinner at my parents. Yesterday was my dad's 64th birthday, so I see cake in the immediate future.

Happy (Photo) Friday everyone! And have a great weekend!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Guess What I'm Doing Today?

It's Photo Friday here at Tewkesbury Place. I have a new photo I'll show you in a minute, but first, I want to tell you where Bee and I will be hanging out today.

Chick-Fil-A in Silver Spring.

And why would we do that, you ask? Because of this: free food and cow tipping!

I'm going with camera in hand to capture the wild, wacky, and brave who are not beneath a little personal humiliation to get a chicken sandwich.

And now, here's today's picture, which was taken yesterday evening.

Watching the sunset from the stairs west of the Lincoln Memorial

I had another touron experience while at the Lincoln Memorial. Remember this rant with illustrations? Well, obviously, people still aren't doing their homework. Some dude was telling his friends that Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech from the Washington Monument looking west toward the Lincoln Memorial. It was everything I could do to not bean the moron with my tripod. Even though Wikipedia isn't the Encyclopedia Britannica, it's better than just makin' up shit. And believe me, I know a lot about the latter. When I'm not one-upping, I'm MUS.

Finally, I give you this photo from some paparazza in L.A. In an effort to get back at the aforementioned, Jim Carrey put on his girlfriend's swimming suit. I love it! Way to get back at those bastards! Yahoo's omg! is calling this a "fashion faux pas." Obviously they take themselves way too seriously as the fashion police of celebrity taste and don't know a good joke on them and their ilk when they see it. I think it's brilliant!


Happy (Photo) Friday, friends!

Photo copyrights: D.C. Confidential and some stupid-ass paparazza.

Hopperesque

People as Art : National Gallery of Art : Washington, D.C.

I'm posting Photo Friday early this week, since this Friday is a national holiday. I took this picture a couple of weeks ago when I was at the National Gallery of Art's East Building. Rather than taking pictures of the art, I decided to stretch myself a bit, use my surroundings, and create some art of my own. Having said that, let me throw in this disclaimer: I don't think my photography is all that spectacular and awe-inspiring. I do it as a creative outlet more than anything. I think some of it is good, but other than that, it's just pictures I'm taking. Nothing special.

Well, I'm starting to disabuse myself of that notion for three reasons. First, because the other day Bee and I went to Borders Books and I looked at the calendars that are already out for 2009, particularly the ones for D.C., and determined that some of my stuff is as good, if not better, than what's in some of those calendars. Second, I had someone inquire as to whether they could purchase one of my photos. And finally, because a very good friend and artist contacted me and asked if she could paint one of my pictures. Specifically, the picture I'm featuring as today's Photo Friday. I was flattered, but it didn't end there. She compared my photo to Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, which just blew me away! Wow.

A huge thanks everyone who kicks my stubborn butt up around my ears and helps me think maybe my stuff ain't too shabby after all!

MWAH!