Not in Kansas Anymore (DC Sites)

"Girl from the South", a blogger who has just left DC, writes:

"We decided that you weren’t a jaded Washingtonian until you no longer felt awe or inspiration when gazing upon the Capitol Building or the White House."

I love DC. It's no Cozumel, but it suits me just fine while I'm workin' for a livin'. (Cue Huey Lewis: "Livin' and a-workin', workin' and a-livin', I'm takin' what they're givin' cause I'm workin' for a livin'." [Obligatorytangentinatangent: This link is a 1982 video but you can find him rockin' out just as fine on the same song in this current video, if you don't mind the poor production quality of a bootleg.])

I do react when I see the Capitol Building or the White House but I'm not sure I've ever felt awe or inspiration. Because my reaction has very little to do with what goes on inside these buildings.

I've lived in the DC metro area for over 20 years (first in the MD 'burbs then in the VA 'burbs) and I've always had the same reaction when I see these sites, as well as the Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, etc. I think "this is surreal" because it boggles the mind to think that I am living in a place that is so familiar to the rest of the country--nay, the world--whether they've set foot in DC or not. Regardless of what the politicians do or don't do and whether you're a fan of the current political spectacle or not, we live in one of the most recognizable places on earth.

This city has so many famous landmarks; so many recognizable features. Think how many movies and TV shows feature it. The news uses these sites daily as backdrops. It's in every school child's text book. It's on the money in your wallet. That's the Lincoln Memorial (well, duh) on the 5, there, for example. DC is inescapable.

To me, driving into the city and past one of these buildings or monuments is like when the screen turns to color and we're in Oz: FREAKY. I don't take it for granted and I never get used to it. I think it's way cool. I'm happy that Dorothy and Girl from the South found their way home. I'm not trying to get home. I am home, flying monkeys and all.

The Pope/Marketing

The pope is coming to DC in about a week and locals can attempt to catch a glimpse of him in his fancy pope-mobile if they check the schedule at:

http://usccb.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/ways-to-see-the-pope-in-washington-dc/

It seems to me that this would be a perfect opportunity for a marketing tie-in. Surely, one of the local pizza places could do a "Find the Pope in the Pizza" contest, no? I see 30-second spots with Father Guido Sarducci, of course, as the spokesperson, much like his original discussion after the US tour so many years ago by a previous pope.

See transcripts at
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/79/79aupdate.phtml

This could be huge. His vision come true. How could it not be great?

Update: You can get a Pope bobble-head! Check it out!

Doesn't Everyone Want to Be Immortalized in Wax?

In the creepy and different category...

From About.com:

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Opens in Washington DC
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum opens in Washington DC on October 5, 2007! The world renowned wax museum features very real looking wax figures of historical icons and modern day celebrities. Don't miss the grand opening special admission price of just $10 on October 5th and 6th...

I'll Take Manhat--er, DC

I had the pleasure of attending a conference in NYC this past week. No, I wasn't part of the UN meeting and no I wasn't there to protest at Columbia.

I was plunk in the heart of the theater district (aka Broadway) and the neon lights certainly are bright except I don't think it's neon anymore. It all looks like flat panel screens running advertisement loops and animation so everything is bright and moving around you at all hours of the day and night. And there's always plenty of noise. Kinda like being in a pinball machine. Then there's the sea of people around you constantly which takes some getting used to, even if you're used to other cities. This is a whole new level of crowd.

All in all, I really did have a good time there, even if it wasn't what I'd call relaxing. I got to see the Broadway show "Curtains" and it was light and funny and had quite a surprising number of song and dance bits in it. Impressive and catchy, too. And lots of famous folks in the cast.

I stayed at a "boutique" hotel a block off Broadway and here's a photo of a hallway on the way to my room. Yeah, it was that dark and shadowy. I got the feeling I was in a Baretta episode. Here's another shot of the lovely establishment. Inviting, no? And such a deal! Only $289 a night!

I am not a New York gal. This not so surprising admission comes at a time when I've had a chance to think more and more about DC. Here I am planning to leave it within the next 10 years, hopefully for a tropical clime, and I guess I'm just starting to really feel that this is home.

I've lived in the DC metro area for 20+ years and I've always heard that DC is cold, hard, unwelcoming, unfriendly, boring, congested, mediocre, lacking vibrancy and I guess I've always bought the press at some level. But the more I'm here the more I think "What the hell are they talking about?" It just doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Yes, the traffic is heavy so, okay, I'll give you "congested" but the rest of it, NO!

I've found the vast majority of people here to be friendly, helpful, pleasant, even inviting.

The options the area offers are amazing. There's so much going on for every taste, budget and interest every day of the year! The restaurant choices alone should keep anyone happy.

And in thinking about the restaurants I begin to think that what DC isn't is about fluff. There's not a lot of extra frivolity and maybe that throws newcomers off. But there certainly is plenty of quality, understated elegance, and even sumptuousness if you seek it. DCers are not effusive but they definitely get the protocol right. It works for me.

Manhattan is nice once in a while but for every day, pre-retirement living, I'll take DC.

10 Things to Remember on the DC Beltway

1. If the city is to your left, you're on the outer loop. Think geosynchronous orbit. If you don't know where the city is, you don't belong in DC.

2. People will always telegraph their intent unless they are on the phone, reading directions, putting on mascara, fiddling with the radio, yelling at their kids, flirting with the girls in the next car, checking stock prices in the paper, etc. Watch for telegraphing where it occurs.

3. Don't confuse a telegraphed intent (car begins to drift left) with a turn signal. Trust what the car is doing more than what the signals are indicating or not indicating.

4. It doesn't matter if a driver shouldn't be doing what they're doing by law. The only law on the beltway is survival. Yours. So get mad all you want but don't expect them to change.

5. Corollary to #4: The left lane is only the fast lane if people get out of your way in the left lane. Otherwise, any lane is the fast lane.

6. Go to the bathroom before you get in the car, make sure you have gas before you get on the beltway and keep a snack in the car because you will get stuck in unexpected traffic.

7. Just because there's no visible reason for a backup doesn't mean there won't be a backup.

8. Just because the traffic jam clears, doesn't mean the traffic in front of you will suddenly realize this and pick up speed.

9. Bob and weave. Nuff said.

10. Don't play chicken with the merge lane. People are crazy here and they'll kill you if it means they can get on the beltway. This doesn't mean they understand the concept of how to properly merge. See #4.

Bonus: When everything else fails, pop in a CD and sing your heart out, complete with gestures. You'll enjoy the experience more and it'll look like your yelling at the people around you. :)

Stop the War! Join the Demonstration Sat., Jan. 27

From http://www.unitedforpeace.org/


IT IS TIME FOR CONGRESS TO ACT!

With support from MoveOn.org, True Majority, Working Assets, the RainbowPUSH Coalition, the National Organization for Women and hundreds of other national and local groups, word about the Jan. 27th antiwar mobilization is reaching far and wide. Momentum is building and people from all walks of life and every corner of the country will be marching on Washington, DC, on Saturday, Jan. 27th. Our message will be clear, our voice will be strong: End the war in Iraq, Bring all the troops home now! We urge you to join us!
LOGISTICS: Assemble on the Mall,between 3rd and 7th Streets, at 11 am. March will kick off at 1pm.
On Mon., Jan. 29th, we will take our message directly to the new Congress during our lobby day.