Cherry Blossom Festival

A+ Weekend

Ms. Carly came to visit a couple weekends ago, busting out of Pullman for an early Spring Break. We had a fabulous weekend touring more restaurants from her list than monuments, roaming the market, and dancing the night away. Carly's friend Sam joined us for a couple evenings...look at those crazy Montanans!

Arlington National Cemetery

From the front gate to JFK's grave, the cemetery is packed with school groups, tourists, and foriegners taking pictures. But on the beautiful hillside over-looking the whole city, very few of these people walked the short distance west of JFK to pay respects to the justices of the Supreme Court. There are no eternal flames there, but we live with the decisions they made every day. People don't gather around their graves because they didn't make speeches at the Cow Palace. People probably don't gather their because they didn't spend months fundraising in order to run for public office. People don't gather their because so many can't even name the justices on the current court. Potter Stewart's gravestone simply says: "A good lawyer who did his best"

At the back of the cemetery, where most tourists don't make it, rests the nurses. It's very quiet back here. Just a short walk south-west of here are some fallen troops of the Confederacy. But as you leave the nurses and head towards the gate, the graves become more an more fresh. Some headstones just months old.


The tomb of the unknown soldiers overlooks the city, and is kept in constant compamy. However, these are not the only unknown soldiers on the grounds. Sailors and Marines who lost their lives on the battleship Maine also rest here.

National Conservatory: Escaping the city

Taking a lunch break on Capitol Hill can easily take you on a mini-vacation--if you let it! The other day my colleagues and I took a break between meetings at the conservatory. Nearly every type of ecosystem is represented. In 45 minutes, I traveled to Arizona, Farms, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and a jungle.

Blue Moon in a museum?! I'll take it!

National Portrait Gallery

A couple weeks ago I visited the gallery. This is the same building where Lincoln held his second inaugural ball (I am quickly learning that anything worth it's tax dollars is somehow related to the late Lincoln). Since it is a gallery of photos and paintings, I didn't take many photos. But this photo (left) is a scene from the confederate side of the Civil War. J.E.B. (my 5 times grandfather) is sitting on the left. At the Gallery I learned that he was shot near Yellow Tavern, Virgina. In present-day, that's near Richmond. Next month on my road trip I plan to go visit that spot. There is a memorial built to him.

I also discovered that the man who painted the first five official presidential portraits (all on display at the gallery), were painted by a Stuart from a town not far from J.E.B.'s hometown...relation? Hmmmm.....

Two portraits made me chuckle, yes, chuckle. First, Juliet Gordon Low. She's the reason we sold hundreds of overpriced cookies, cooked in a cardboard box, and went to camp. Yet, her portrait displays her in pink gown that spared little opprtunity for ruffles and ornaments. What kind of skills did she teach her troop? The second painting that I found beautifully hilarious was titled "In the Sierra Nevadas." There are portuding mountain faces, waterfalls, deer--the whole bit. Gorgeous. But it was painted in Rome! Showcased in Berlin. By the time it got to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, someone finally pointed out that the artist had infact never been to California. For humor's sake, it's worth noting that the painting is about six feet wide.

Washington Monument

Last weekend I went up the Washington Monument. By law, it will always be the tallest building in the city (just over 555 ft). I appreciate that law because no matter where I am, I know where I am! Living in the grid system is great too. Cardinal directions are a cynch around here. As long as you remember your alphabet, you can get around in no time!










View to the north. Can you even see the tiny-tiny White House? (Hint: 12 o'clcok)







Looking to the west at the Lincoln Memorial.






South at the Potomic River.








East, across the Mall to the Capitol.

Library of Congress

To be perfectly frank, I did not appreciate the Library of Congress when I walked through the door. Every inch is decorated--and at first glance--you have no idea what any of it represents. There are names on the ceiling, Roman looking figures, Lady Liberty, and babies sculpted into the stairwell.

But I happened upon a tour just before it started and now I can say thank you to the Library for proving that Europeans are not the only ones that can play up the symbolism. The babes on the stairwell, if you pay attention, are all doing different tasks. One is a farmer, another a vitner, and then a scholar. These babes contribute to several other pieces in the Library attempting to offer knowledge to those from all walks of life. The names on the wall and ceiling you think are random historical figures, are actually influential Americans organized by profession. Why is Franklin's bust in the center of the entrance? The first lending librarian of course!

I didn't take many photos here because I know I'll be going back. But the Library is also home to one of the last Gutenburg Bibles. It sits on display juxaposed to one of the last hand-written bibles known to exist. And like every other building in this city, the Library has a round room full of statues and paintings. These statues and paintings represent the different areas of knowledge (i.e. Mathematics, Philosohpy, History).

I will probably take that tour more than once!

The first Library of Congress was inside the Capitol when the British invaded in 1814. All the books served as little more than kindling. So the main building of the Library is appropriately named after Jefferson, who donated his private library to Congress. Congress gave him one dollar for a fat book, and fifty-cents for a skiny book. That first collection represented international knowledge, and the Library still makes a point of collecting the works of hundreds of languages.

The Capitol

Visiting the Capitol is a new adventure for those who have, and have not, been there before. The new visitor center, which is below the Rotunda, just opened about a month ago. Just as if I were riding in the singles line at Stevens Pass, I sneaked into a tour without a long wait or needing a reserved ticket. The tour starts with a 13 minute film about democracy, the process of building the Capitol (and rebuilding after the fire of 1814), and the city itself.

Next comes the famous Rotunda. There are so many details that I could not explain them all here--and of course--I could have stayed there for hours admiring each and every one. The painting on te ceiling shows Washington with 13 ladies all serving a different task, symbolic of the early union. The circular walls of the Rotunda have three levels of art work that in some way tell the story of our nation's history.

The picture above is a statue of Dwight D. Eisenhower, a gift from the state of Kansas. Each state is allowed to have two statues in the capitol at a time, plus there are a variety of busts and sculptures from organizations and historical societies. These statues are found in the crypt, Rotunda, visitor center, and of course, Statutory Hall.

Two things to mention here: The crypt was intended to hold the graves of George and Martha Washington, but per their request, they have stayed in Mount Vernon. Washington set so many precedents, we have taken many for granted. Secondly, Statutory Hall is the old House chamber. Quite small, the House members quickly out grew the room. Though on the floor you can still find plaques on the locations where members who later became president sat during their House terms. This is the famous room where you can whisper on one end, and be heard loud and clear on the other. Can you imagine trying to have a private, and better yet political, conversation in that room? The acoustics, to my understanding are a by-product of the many renovations the room has endured.

This picture to the left is something that took me back to a classroom on the second floor of South Kitsap High School. Specifically, junior year, when all I did with life was study for my AP U.S. History class. This is a picture of the old Supreme Court. Today, Federal laws supercede state laws because of the McChulloch v. Maryland opinion that Chief Justice John Marshall delivered in 1819. Also, Taney presided over this court room when the Dred Scott decision stated that slavery could not be outlawed. Perhaps the change in location helped to turn the tides of the courts afterall.


E Pluribus Unum.

Inauguration Weekend Continued

On MLK day I had the opportunity to serve with my teammates at the "Service Nation National Day of Service Breakfast." We had a packed house of around 1,200 of individuals and volunteers (who later painted a school and worked at RFK Stadium for the day) who came to listen to quite the list of speakers: MLK Jr. III kicked it off, also Congressmen John Lewis--a former Freedom Rider, Spider Man's Tobey McQuire, Ashton Kutcher, and Demi Moore. My favorite part was a round table discussion about public service that was moderated by TIME magazine's Richard Stengel. First Lady Shriver (who's brother I had drinks with TWO days earlier--random!), an AmeriCorps Alum, and two other California politicians.

Service Nation is part of the coalition that is lobbying for the Kennedy-Hatch Bill that will expand the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps in response to the growing interest of you people to serve (and avoid looking for a job in a recession!). President Obama hopes this bill makes it to his desk (and it will given it's support in committee) because he would like to double the size of the Peace Corps. President Kennedy once stated that he envisioned 100,000 serving at a time--far more than currently serve.

And as for inauguration day itself, what is there to say? I gave in and bought some hauker's last "I was there" button. It was cold and crowded (so many people it was hilarious! All you could do was laugh!). Some people were rude. Some people couldn't stop crying. But all that aside, it was one of the most memorable experiences in our country's modern times. I am grateful that I was given the chance to feel that upswell of "American-ness" in a time of celebration, rather than tragedy.

"I think I'm gonna like it here"

The title of this blog (which I hear is quite overdue) is not only a tribute to a favorite childhood musical, but also a general statement on life in the big city. And much like when Annie moved into Daddy Warbucks' big marble mansion, I too have moved to a place where the important people wear shiny black shoes, and live and work in big white buildings.

I guess Annie made a big deal of the littlest things when she moved to Daddy Warbucks'. Her new clothes were exciting, her pool was exciting, and even her bathroom seemed exciting. Here's one thing that DC people (I refuse to call them Washingtonians) get way too excited about: snow. It snowed less than half an inch and the city shut down! I wondered why the bus seemed empty this morning. Government workers were told to stay home or telecommute, they shut down the schools, and everyone complained all day. Thank you Pullman, Washington, for your lesson in modesty.

Other than that, the city is tied up in what Daddy Warbucks was most known for: money. This bailout business has the whole city in knots. We can't get through on the phone to legislative aides. The city is at a standstill and all eyes are on the greens.

But I pose this one question to you, realizing of course that I may give away a bit of my political leanings. Speaker Pelosi said we need this bill passed because President Obama "called" on us to do it. If that is so, then why is the White House at the opposite end of the National Mall?

Article 1, Section 1 & 7. Please keep that in mind, Congress.

We Are One: Inauguration Concert, Lincoln Memorial

What a day! I left our fundraiser in Takoma Park, Maryland at 12:30 this afternoon, just hoping to get somewhere near the concert that was announced earlier this week. As a solo traveler, I weaved my way through the crowds with an extra pep in my step--not being held back by a baby, nor trying not to spill my ridiculous beverage from Starbuck, nor waiting for a friend to stop and buy a button of the shirt of a street vendor that proclaims, "I was there."

I stood in a line for a few minutes that I wasn't sure went anywhere, when we found out it was to pet the police horse, I sprinted the other way. A few minutes later I found myself in suprisingly good position, about thirty yards or so from a Turbotron screen that showed the whole concert. Ten minutes later, Denzel Washington introduced Springsteen, and we were off!

Other introducers included Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx, Steve Carrell (who I absolutely could not take seriously!), Jack Black (again, hard to imagine him in the role of historian or political efficiando, Tiger Woods, Queen Latifa, and many more I can't quite recall.

Everyone from Usher to Sheryl Crow, Jon Bon Jovi, and Mary J. Blige sang a song for the Obama family. But you will never guess who got the crowd most excited? Nor do the songs he sang quite match the repitoire you might expect form him. He started with "Bye Bye Miss American Pie," an abridged version, thank goodness. But even Obama was singing along. Then this artist sang "SHOUT!" Which warmed up the cold masses as we danced on the barren lawn of the National Mall (left), before finishing off with "We shall be free." Any guess you this mystery artisit is? Garth Brooks. Yup, the country man himself who didn't sing a note of 'twang all afternoon.

This is the closest I have ever been to a U2 concert. But I can tell you, these guys still have it! Though, it is out-of-the-box. I mean that a group of "lads" from Ireland sang songs honoring America. But there message was great. As we celebrate Martin Luther King tomorrow, there are other people around the world still fighting for the same dreams. Specifically, Bono mentioned Ireland, Israel, Palestine, and Africa (though, I was disappointed to hear him refer to the content as one country...) as places still rought with conflict over pride, equality, and equity.

Overall, it was an exciting day. And even though I am not drapped head to toe with "Obama-melia," I can still appreciate the fact that people are excited to be Americans. There is just no denying it.

Random quotes, advice, and more: a reoccuring post

"This is a street. People drive on it." -a cold and tired DC traffic officer after the WE ARE ONE concert.
--
"Go big." The son of Sergent Shriver describing the advise his father would give.
--
Melissa: "I think I am going to walk over and see the White House after work."

My colleague: "Don't point."
--

The Neighborhood

Pennsylvania Ave. looking out to the Capitol!

My new digs (the gray one). Our door is the one one the left. You enter on the first floor, but we actually live upstairs. My favorite part is the little iron fence. In the morning this street is pretty busy, the Capitol is at the other end!

The living room has lots of light. It's the main room.

"Emancipation" is the primary scultpure in Lincoln Park, about a block from here. It was funded soley by freed slaves in 1868. The first donation was $5 from one woman's very first paycheck.

First Smithsonian: American History

My first Smithsonian, so I started with the classic. It just reopened this fall after two years of renovation. The updates are pretty obvious, as shown here (left) by the addition of this column from the 9/11 wreckage. Other contemporary objects worth noting include President Clinton's "football" and yes, the gavel that set his impeachment in motion. No political comments at this time...

There is an exhibit that shows the changing military over the nation's history. The conclusion I have to make is this: the uniforms of the Revolutionary soldiers were A LOT smaller than the uniforms currently being worn by our men and women of service.

Of course, the First Ladies exhibit is popular. They have the gowns worn by Abigail Adams and Martha Washington! They are gorgeous even in their faded state. You will have to take my word for it since my picture does not to them justice.

Here is an artifact that I didn't know existed. Though, it was very moving to stand next to! It is Thomas Jefferson's handmade, portable desk that he used to write the Declaration. In a sense, it is where it all began!

Random quotes, advice, and more: a reoccuring post

"Go big." The son of Sergent Shriver describing the advise his father would give.

--

Melissa: "I think I am going to walk over and see the White House after work."
My colleague: "Don't point."

--

First few hours

Since I am only here four months, I don't think there will ever be an excuse for being "bored." I set out today to find my office and get some groceries...I came back about six hours later!

This picture is a draft of the Constitution that President Washington edited. The scribbled writing is his comments helping to make a "more perfect union."

Right after finding my office, I just started following these blue signs that list the direction of all the attractions. As is typical, ended up walking in somewhat of a circle.

I noticed a parks ranger on the street, "come on in!" he said. One quick look at the brass plaque on the wall was all it took, this is a historica building right in the middle of the city! It was the home where President Lincoln spent the last hours of his life. It takes all of about five minutes to walk through the renactment (meeting Mrs. Lincoln in the front parlor, no doubt). And then you just stand there...in the bedroom where Abraham Lincoln died. Eerie...

Here is anoter pic from the Archives...the recording machine that brought down Mr. Nixon.

Anyway, I just kept walking...past the IRS, FTC, and hundreds of U.S. Navy sailors standing guard along the parade route for practice. I went to the archives...saw one of the last copies of the magna carta, the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights in the dimly lit Rotunda.



Here is my conclusion on the city's inauguration gift to President Elect Obama: Honey Buckets...and lot's of 'em!