I love living in the DC area — this is one reason why:

[Raine1967]

My husband works very close to the capitol building and often takes walks around it for lunch. Today being a spectacularly sunny dat with the ice melting and we have reached a balmy 45 degrees, he said he was going for a walk.

I went out myself to walk the dog.

When I got back, here was his message to me:

I decided to take a walk around the Capitol building at lunch. There was a woman there struggling with some sort of protest display - she had an Israeli flag, a Gadsden flag, and an upside-down American flag. The wind was creating havoc with them.

Oh yeah - she was also wearing an Uncle Sam hat.

I wish he's gotten a picture of that hot mess.

[Xyzse]

1. I mean, I am 5 minutes away from Pennsylvania avenue from work.

I've been lucky not to see any of those yet.

I'd have a hard time not laughing and get myself in to soooo much trouble.

[Raine1967]

2. Springtime is especially fun, people are just stir crazy and need to get out of the house and into

DC I guess.

Keep in mind, this was one woman. Just one person. Once the weather gets nicer (cherry blossoms!!! ) I will be having lunch with him more often.

Yes, Cherry Blossoms are another reason I love living here!

[Xyzse]

3. Very true.

I just work in DC, I try not to get in to too much trouble...

You are absolutely right though.

[Raine1967]

19. We live on the other side of the potomac and hubby

is in the private sector, so that is a good thing — otherwise… well, we'd be doing the same: trying to not get in trouble.

[HappyMe]

4. Wow!

She should have made a sign that says "Whatever it is, I'm against it."

[Raine1967]

11. You gave me an ear worm of this song:

No I must share it!!

[HappyMe]

13. lol!

I like that song.

[Lochloosa]

5. It would have been easier if she had just carried this one...

But don't tell her

[Raine1967]

10. She was on a vigil — or something.

and all alone…

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Daily antics ahead:

Scott Lively Calls For SCOTUS Vigil Until Court Rules On Same-Sex Marriage

[Raine1967]

8. I'll ask hubby to start taking more pics. He walks past the SCOTUS often.

In nicer weather we meet at the LoC for lunch.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

12. There's a snack bar at the Supreme Court

Incredible as it sounds, I had never been inside the building until about two or three weeks ago. You can eat there. Not the selection of the Senate Office Buildings, but the interior is gorgeous. They serve breakfast until 10:30 a.m. They have hot cereal, bagels, etc. Grits is/are on the menu.

The cafeteria where the workers eat? I'm sure there is one, but I don't think I can get into that one.

[Raine1967]

15. Is that open to the regular public?

Sounds like you work near where hubby is at!

Personally, I think my favorite is the LoC. Incredible beauty and architecture. I think it's often overlooked in DC.

Plus it's pretty quiet, I like that.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

23. Yes, it is. You have to go through the scanner to get into the building, so

don't try to bring in a pocket knife or anything else that could get you in trouble. Since the Supreme Court is also an office building, I assume there's a cafeteria where the workers chow down.

My two favorite interiors in DC are the Great Hall of the LoC and the lobby of the Willard Hotel.

The Great Hall is not the main reading room, which ain't too shabby, but the huge room that greets the public. I was there at Christmas - sorry, the holidays - to see Magna Carta. The Christmas holiday tree was set up, and the room was just beautiful.

I always head over to the Willard Hotel to look it over too. Sheesh, what a swell joint. The lobby is also decked out for the holidays. It's always worth a visit. I let the staff know I'm just there being a tourist, and I ask their indulgence for a few minutes. Last year, they invited me to have some hot cider and cookies. I take pictures, but no one is recognizable in the pictures I take. I respect the visitors' privacy.

Over the weekend, I found a paperback copy of Gore Vidal's Lincoln, and Willard's Hotel shows up a few pages in. 150 years ago tomorrow (March 4), Lincoln had his second inauguration.

I work nearby. One of my coworkers used to enjoy eating in one of the Senate Office Buildings. The cafeteria we went to had quite the selection. It too is open to the public.

[Arugula Latte]

7. I had a great time when I lived in DC.

Last edited Mon Mar 2, 2015, 05:51 PM - Edit history (1)

I liked the interesting "politicians -- they're just like us!" kind of glimpses, like, I'd ride in an elevator with Bob Dole or see Alan Cranston walking on the national mall or the Gore kids strolling across Mass Ave. to the VP residence or Clarence Thomas in a supermarket (okay that last one was disturbing more than anything). I liked the international flavor of DC, too.

[Raine1967]

9. Most disturbing to me was seeing Cuccinelli in a deli across the street from

where I was working. The studio was next door to the Heritage Foundation HQ.

He has really yougly vibes.

DC is like hollywood for Wonky people.

My former congressperson lives in my neighborhood, I just saw him yesterday having lunch at my fave Tex Mex place.

[pinboy3niner]

14. I once ended up on a street corner waiting for a light to cross with Ted Kennedy

What struck me then (1977) was that he had no apparent security.

[Raine1967]

17. A friend of mine who lives in DC was walking around Chinatown/Gallery place the other day.

HE was listening to a Stephanie Miller podcast skewering a former POTUS candidate and was laughing while he walked.

Stopped to cross the street, and said former candidate being skewered on the podcast was standing next to him…

It was John McCain. HE said it was a surreal moment even for him who has lived here for many years.

(McCain just looked like a grumpy man walking the streets of DC) =))

[mahatmakanejeeves]

24. That, I would not expect.

Shopping at the Walgreens, maybe?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. I think it was Paul Begala who said

"Politics is show business for ugly people."

[Raine1967]

18. I think you are correct!

Still, that lady protesting cracks me up.

[femmocrat]

20. I loved living in DC when I was much younger.

It was a great place to be young!

[TuxedoKat]

22. I totally agree!

Playing softball on the ellipse after work in the summer, jogging at lunchtime around the mall, visiting the National Gallery of Art and the Hirschhorn during other lunchtimes, meeting friends for drinks after work on Friday, etc. Great memories.

[kwassa]

21. Visited my niece on Capitol Hill on Sunday ...

but the weather was a total mess!

When will this winter end?

The history there is amazing. The house she lives in was built in 1834.