- Colbert's guest editing Newsweek to coincide with his trip to Baghdad to do his show. Pretty cool and should be a funny issue, well...his insertions at least. Whose Bright Idea Was This?. Why I Took This Crummy Job. A Reader's Guide to the Colbert Issue.
- Now I have to go to New York....A MoMA Retrospective of Tim Burton's Career.
- So, sad but true: shots fired in DC...not that big of a deal/not surprising/not really news. Shots fired in downtown? That's news and slightly more worrisome, especially near the Mall. But shots fired at the Holocaust Museum? Now that's really not good. I wonder what brand of whackjob it will be this time. 2 People Shot at the US Holocaust Museum.
Update: And white supremacist wins! You can always count on them for the crazy and the whole really helping their cause by being crazy. Good job whackjob, way to live up to the stereotype. Two thumbs, way up.
Showing posts with label DC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DC. Show all posts
10 June 2009
28 May 2009
Musings, Part Z
- Fallingwater as a Lego set? Count me in! A Frank Lloyd Wright Masterwork- In Legos.
- Up! Looks awesome and I'm glad critics seem to like it. Pixar's Small Wonder. And a brief history of the company: "Up", Up and Away With the Kids. And Giacchino's done the score again? Awesome. And the director did Monsters, Inc and worked on Wall-E? Awesome. 'Up' and Away With Pixar's Pete Docter.
- Interesting times we live in: Bush v. Gore Foes Join Forces to Fight Gay Marriage Ban.
- In Praise of Broadway's Orchestrators. You know, you don't think about it much but a composer can't crank out all of it for a show. A symphony maybe, but a show? Not quite.
- Benny Goodman! Born on my birthday. When I decided (apparently, at least that's the story my parents tell) to be born late I must have been planning even then to follow my dad and play clarinet so I'd have to be born on a famous clarinetist's birthday. How Benny Goodman Won Over America.
- I wonder where the closest one to DC is...Company's 'ATM for Books' Prints On Demand.
- DC's just exploded with Lincoln related exhibits at museums for the bi-centennial. And now the Archives got a letter written by him. Lost Lincoln Letter Donated to National Archives.
- Up! Looks awesome and I'm glad critics seem to like it. Pixar's Small Wonder. And a brief history of the company: "Up", Up and Away With the Kids. And Giacchino's done the score again? Awesome. And the director did Monsters, Inc and worked on Wall-E? Awesome. 'Up' and Away With Pixar's Pete Docter.
- Interesting times we live in: Bush v. Gore Foes Join Forces to Fight Gay Marriage Ban.
- In Praise of Broadway's Orchestrators. You know, you don't think about it much but a composer can't crank out all of it for a show. A symphony maybe, but a show? Not quite.
- Benny Goodman! Born on my birthday. When I decided (apparently, at least that's the story my parents tell) to be born late I must have been planning even then to follow my dad and play clarinet so I'd have to be born on a famous clarinetist's birthday. How Benny Goodman Won Over America.
- I wonder where the closest one to DC is...Company's 'ATM for Books' Prints On Demand.
- DC's just exploded with Lincoln related exhibits at museums for the bi-centennial. And now the Archives got a letter written by him. Lost Lincoln Letter Donated to National Archives.
20 May 2009
Musings, Part X
- Not That High School Musical. Glee is actually not bad, it's got a pretty good cast from what the pilot shows and it was actually a pretty fun hour.
- I hope he's screaming in agony in hell: The Fuhrer Returns to Berlin, This Time Saluted Only By Laughs. I think the combination of the play, and the banners that replace the swastika with a pretzel (genius, by the way) is the best thing that can happen to Berlin. They acknowledge the burden but slap the man responsible in the face, well, metaphorically. Satire at its best.
- Well, whenever I get homesick I can just go here: Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor.
- Hubble! A Space Mission Worthy of Our Attention.
- Designing 'Up'-Well-Rounded Boy, Meet Old Square. I still think Carl's adorable. Grumpy old man or not, he's cute. And he's a balloon salesman? Awesome.
- Do two occurances qualify as a curse? I have now been to a concert at the DAR Hall here in DC twice now, once this past October for Jason Mraz and once last night for Keane. Each time there was a woman near me who was either high off of something (I'm going with drunk) or just really was the type of person who needed to go to a concert in a club without seats so everyone was being loud and dancing along. Last time the woman wanted people to be standing because heaven forbid we use the chairs we paid for and some of us are still getting used to the concept that concerts mean more than staying still and quiet while appreciating the music quietly until a piece is over (and make sure it doesn't have multiple movements because clapping after one? total faux pas). Last night the woman must have not had any bones because she was all over the place dancing, security managed to calm her down though I think, all I cared about was that she was out of my line of sight.
Beyond that, the concert was great. Wow are they energetic. Lights, always moving. You could tell that the lead singer was absolutely drenched in sweat by about the 5th song. Putting aside the energy he put into the performance, those lights have to be incredibly hot, they're certainly bright enough on my end. Great group, great songs, great supporting acts. Mat Kearney (the one I'd heard about) even quipped about his claim to fame saying that you write these songs for yourself and friends and someone decides a doctor should make out to it and you say of course that's what you wrote it for. Grey's Anatomy used "Breathe In, Breathe Out". I think my ears have fully recovered.
- Also, trying to ride the Blue/Orange lines of the Metro through the downtown stations around 5:30 is akin to suicide or hell or a highly concentrated new Disney attraction line. Crazy, insane, I'm so glad I live on the Red line, though it has it's crazy times as well.
- So, I confess I have read the first 3 Twilight books. I have an electronic copy of the 4th and I guess I'll read it one day (I've skimmed enough to get the main details) but I'm currently in no hurry. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Yes, it's an interesting take on the whole vampire-human thing with werewolves thrown in because they always seem to be the other piece of the triangle. I liked the first but then...they got whiny. Bella got on my nerves and I never cared for Jacob. And I like vampire stories in general, it's kind of fun comparing the different ones and how they deal with the whole human-interaction thing: sun, no sun, how to kill them, blood issues, etc. Maybe my problem with vampire book series is the style of Meyer's writing and her tone. Perhaps these books will be better, there are certainly more of them and hey, adults are the focus, not teenagers who I suppose are inherently whiny. Vampire-Loving Barmaid Hits Jackpot for Charlaine Harris.
- Question: Who's the Longest-Running Fictional Character Ever? Sort of who you'd expect.
- By the way, love the originality of NCIS: Los Angeles. I was really pulling for a new intialization, as NCIS was the spinoff from JAG. Alas, not to be.
- Rocky and Bullwinkle's on Hulu? Score.
- I hope he's screaming in agony in hell: The Fuhrer Returns to Berlin, This Time Saluted Only By Laughs. I think the combination of the play, and the banners that replace the swastika with a pretzel (genius, by the way) is the best thing that can happen to Berlin. They acknowledge the burden but slap the man responsible in the face, well, metaphorically. Satire at its best.
- Well, whenever I get homesick I can just go here: Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor.
- Hubble! A Space Mission Worthy of Our Attention.
- Designing 'Up'-Well-Rounded Boy, Meet Old Square. I still think Carl's adorable. Grumpy old man or not, he's cute. And he's a balloon salesman? Awesome.
- Do two occurances qualify as a curse? I have now been to a concert at the DAR Hall here in DC twice now, once this past October for Jason Mraz and once last night for Keane. Each time there was a woman near me who was either high off of something (I'm going with drunk) or just really was the type of person who needed to go to a concert in a club without seats so everyone was being loud and dancing along. Last time the woman wanted people to be standing because heaven forbid we use the chairs we paid for and some of us are still getting used to the concept that concerts mean more than staying still and quiet while appreciating the music quietly until a piece is over (and make sure it doesn't have multiple movements because clapping after one? total faux pas). Last night the woman must have not had any bones because she was all over the place dancing, security managed to calm her down though I think, all I cared about was that she was out of my line of sight.
Beyond that, the concert was great. Wow are they energetic. Lights, always moving. You could tell that the lead singer was absolutely drenched in sweat by about the 5th song. Putting aside the energy he put into the performance, those lights have to be incredibly hot, they're certainly bright enough on my end. Great group, great songs, great supporting acts. Mat Kearney (the one I'd heard about) even quipped about his claim to fame saying that you write these songs for yourself and friends and someone decides a doctor should make out to it and you say of course that's what you wrote it for. Grey's Anatomy used "Breathe In, Breathe Out". I think my ears have fully recovered.
- Also, trying to ride the Blue/Orange lines of the Metro through the downtown stations around 5:30 is akin to suicide or hell or a highly concentrated new Disney attraction line. Crazy, insane, I'm so glad I live on the Red line, though it has it's crazy times as well.
- So, I confess I have read the first 3 Twilight books. I have an electronic copy of the 4th and I guess I'll read it one day (I've skimmed enough to get the main details) but I'm currently in no hurry. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Yes, it's an interesting take on the whole vampire-human thing with werewolves thrown in because they always seem to be the other piece of the triangle. I liked the first but then...they got whiny. Bella got on my nerves and I never cared for Jacob. And I like vampire stories in general, it's kind of fun comparing the different ones and how they deal with the whole human-interaction thing: sun, no sun, how to kill them, blood issues, etc. Maybe my problem with vampire book series is the style of Meyer's writing and her tone. Perhaps these books will be better, there are certainly more of them and hey, adults are the focus, not teenagers who I suppose are inherently whiny. Vampire-Loving Barmaid Hits Jackpot for Charlaine Harris.
- Question: Who's the Longest-Running Fictional Character Ever? Sort of who you'd expect.
- By the way, love the originality of NCIS: Los Angeles. I was really pulling for a new intialization, as NCIS was the spinoff from JAG. Alas, not to be.
- Rocky and Bullwinkle's on Hulu? Score.
01 April 2009
Ramble: My After Work, Downtown DC Wandering Adventure
Yesterday afternoon I had some time to kill before my usual Tuesday night out for dinner so I decided to take in the city in a way I hadn’t done in the almost six months previously, when I had more time but no job so it was all about the conserving. That and it was cold(er) and the cherry blossoms weren’t blossoming. But oh were they blossoming yesterday. If you’ve never seen them, a cherry blossom tree is covered in small white/pinkish/pink flowers that bloom, peak, and give way to leaves all the space of a few weeks. We’ve got a lot here in DC and the main place to see them is around the Tidal Basin. Quite picturesque, all of it. You can get great pictures of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial with/through the trees. I’ll try to post some if they’re decent enough (though my camera decided to be low on battery, probably should’ve charged it). The Cherry Blossom Festival is always a big draw for tourists and the Post has reported quite good crowds this year, probably because it’s free and something to do with the family. There seemed to be a good mix of tourists and locals yesterday, the day before the peak but as today is all rainy yesterday was a good day to go. The locals you can pick out because, like me, they look like they’ve come from work. I didn’t even bring other shoes like so many women do, probably because I don’t wear insane heels and prefer comfortable, low heeled, if slightly clunky, dress shoes or low heeled boots. Anyway, my feet held up fine.
Not to romanticize it or anything, though I know I am, I really felt part of the city yesterday, even though I was all on my own and listening to my iPod most of the time (which I credit to my generation, at least I was enjoying nature, not all of us do). I was really just in the middle part, Tidal Basin through Gallery Place, but I still felt part of the fabric of the city and the country. It’s a slightly odd feeling. I could feel slightly superior when overhearing conversations from tourists about things to do or which tours to go on, someone actually thought they could get on a White House tour at 5 in the afternoon, as if. I belonged in DC and as long as these tourists respected my city, they were welcome to wander around it. I could pop into a museum for one exhibit because I’d seen the rest and was visiting close to closing and didn’t need to rush to see everything because I had a schedule to keep to. I could just wander if I wanted or sit and watch people.
But back to the wandering. I went up to the Washington Monument, deciding to take that route as opposed to a less scenic, more car filled one (and was reminded, yet again, why it’s stupid and slightly mentally unbalanced to try to drive in downtown DC, especially with so many tour buses around). I actually got the closest I’ve ever been to it, actually touched it. Never did that before. I should really go up it one of these days but they give out the tickets so early. I hereby vow that sometime this summer, I will go up the monument. There. Anyway, it’s really tall, especially if you’re standing right up against it and looking up. Just tall.
After that I walked over towards the American History museum side of the Mall. Decided I had time so I popped into the museum for the Lincoln exhibit. I went last fall when they reopened the museum (finally, that thing was closed forever but at least you can tell they did a lot of work, looks quite new in the main section) and the exhibit was slated to open sometime this year (or last, I don’t really remember). Anyway, it was a good exhibit. They have his top hat, which he wore to Ford’s, and lots of other stuff that’s spread out throughout panels on his life and a big one on the conspiracy. They even have a couple casts that were done during his life, of his face and hands. The latter weren’t really all that big, by the way. Good exhibit. Yay Lincoln.
After that I wandered along the agency/department side of the museums, EPA seemed to be having some sort of shindig, along to the National Archives. I bypassed the Charters Hall because, well, I’ve done it before and there were plenty of people there half an hour before closing (yay for later summer hours) and headed up to the Big exhibit. All sorts of large stuff. Like the Articles of Confederation, coming in at over 13 feet long. All that paper and yet, so ineffective. Setting the groundwork for some of our laws now, I guess. But the Articles were important, without that the Constitution wouldn’t have happened. I wrote one of my best AP history essays on the failings of the Articles. I was also pretty good at the Enlightenment later in AU Euro, lotsa deism. Probably what led to me classifying myself as a kind of Catholic deist for a while (if such a thing exists and you can make the two systems co-exist). Anyway, the exhibit also has a replica of Taft’s bathtub, one of Shaq’s shoes, a big globe, and other stuff. Happy 75th National Archives.
After the Archives I wandered over to the Mall to read some before going off to dinner. If you get sappy/sentimental about patriotic stuff or feel like you’re part of something at the monuments, the Mall is a great place to go to feel all warm and fuzzy. Though I was kinda chilled because it was windy and my coat wasn’t warm enough but that’s a story for catch-22. Saw an ultimate Frisbee game, far too many people jogging in shorts (they are insane) and others just walking as the sun began to set. It was a good time and nice way to end the wandering. Though, one last note, since when does the Sculpture Garden close?
Now back to the regularly scheduled musings.
Not to romanticize it or anything, though I know I am, I really felt part of the city yesterday, even though I was all on my own and listening to my iPod most of the time (which I credit to my generation, at least I was enjoying nature, not all of us do). I was really just in the middle part, Tidal Basin through Gallery Place, but I still felt part of the fabric of the city and the country. It’s a slightly odd feeling. I could feel slightly superior when overhearing conversations from tourists about things to do or which tours to go on, someone actually thought they could get on a White House tour at 5 in the afternoon, as if. I belonged in DC and as long as these tourists respected my city, they were welcome to wander around it. I could pop into a museum for one exhibit because I’d seen the rest and was visiting close to closing and didn’t need to rush to see everything because I had a schedule to keep to. I could just wander if I wanted or sit and watch people.
But back to the wandering. I went up to the Washington Monument, deciding to take that route as opposed to a less scenic, more car filled one (and was reminded, yet again, why it’s stupid and slightly mentally unbalanced to try to drive in downtown DC, especially with so many tour buses around). I actually got the closest I’ve ever been to it, actually touched it. Never did that before. I should really go up it one of these days but they give out the tickets so early. I hereby vow that sometime this summer, I will go up the monument. There. Anyway, it’s really tall, especially if you’re standing right up against it and looking up. Just tall.
After that I walked over towards the American History museum side of the Mall. Decided I had time so I popped into the museum for the Lincoln exhibit. I went last fall when they reopened the museum (finally, that thing was closed forever but at least you can tell they did a lot of work, looks quite new in the main section) and the exhibit was slated to open sometime this year (or last, I don’t really remember). Anyway, it was a good exhibit. They have his top hat, which he wore to Ford’s, and lots of other stuff that’s spread out throughout panels on his life and a big one on the conspiracy. They even have a couple casts that were done during his life, of his face and hands. The latter weren’t really all that big, by the way. Good exhibit. Yay Lincoln.
After that I wandered along the agency/department side of the museums, EPA seemed to be having some sort of shindig, along to the National Archives. I bypassed the Charters Hall because, well, I’ve done it before and there were plenty of people there half an hour before closing (yay for later summer hours) and headed up to the Big exhibit. All sorts of large stuff. Like the Articles of Confederation, coming in at over 13 feet long. All that paper and yet, so ineffective. Setting the groundwork for some of our laws now, I guess. But the Articles were important, without that the Constitution wouldn’t have happened. I wrote one of my best AP history essays on the failings of the Articles. I was also pretty good at the Enlightenment later in AU Euro, lotsa deism. Probably what led to me classifying myself as a kind of Catholic deist for a while (if such a thing exists and you can make the two systems co-exist). Anyway, the exhibit also has a replica of Taft’s bathtub, one of Shaq’s shoes, a big globe, and other stuff. Happy 75th National Archives.
After the Archives I wandered over to the Mall to read some before going off to dinner. If you get sappy/sentimental about patriotic stuff or feel like you’re part of something at the monuments, the Mall is a great place to go to feel all warm and fuzzy. Though I was kinda chilled because it was windy and my coat wasn’t warm enough but that’s a story for catch-22. Saw an ultimate Frisbee game, far too many people jogging in shorts (they are insane) and others just walking as the sun began to set. It was a good time and nice way to end the wandering. Though, one last note, since when does the Sculpture Garden close?
Now back to the regularly scheduled musings.
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