Queen Elizabeth, Snipers

"The GSFC Security staff and particularly Chuck Lombard did a marvelous job in planning and coordinating the efforts of at least six different security organizations and in supporting the Secret Service in keeping our guests safe. It is hard to overstate how complex an operation this was and how well it was executed." -Goddard's Center Director

No wonder the Queen's visit seemed packed with a variety of uniformed and plain-clothed but clearly undercover types. Glad I didn't look suspicious. According to a friend who's talked with people in the know, the snipers divide the field of view between them and then scan for anything suspicious. He said they look at people's hands, not, as we might expect, their eyes. Let's face it, if you're going to do something dangerous, it's gonna be with your hands. You almost expect to hear whoopwhoop sirens interspersed with loudspeaker announcements to "STEP AWAY FROM THE QUEEN... KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM..."

Yeesh. What a way to live.

Coming Face to Face with the Queen!

I queued up early and the Queen walked right past me. Like two feet away. We made eye contact and I mumbled out a "Good morning" to her. I don't think I remembered to say "Ma'am" as the protocol people had instructed. No matter. She was right there, with that fixed smile on her face. I took these pictures-without a zoom! Big yellowish-green hat with flowers--that was her! This is totally freaky. Yowza!

Meanwhile, there was every type of law enforcement known to man including cops on horses, cops on motorcycles, cops in cop cars, cops in SUVs, cops on foot, cops in helicopters, secret Service, SWAT, even two snipers on the roof of the adjacent building. Between them and the media it was quite the circus! Still, it was an amazing moment in time. It makes me appreciate how much this 81 year old has to put up with just to be out and about. I guess there are a few perks to the job, too, though. ;)

God Save the Queen

Apparently the Queen (Liz) will be visiting my place of work in the next few weeks.

Peeve: I'm guessing I won't get an invite as I, like Kathy Griffin, am not on the "A" list.

NotPeeve: I don't have to work on my curtsy or my Queen-appropriate pleasantries.

Awesome: Her majesty has the best jewelry.