Its 10 days shy of the 6th month anniversary of Obama’s inauguration but I figured I’d remind everyone what give or take a bazillion folks looked like. I tried to do a little Googleing to see what the accurate number was and am getting estimates anywhere from 800K to 3MM, soooo a bazillion sounds about right. Happy Friday!
My photo-walkabout today brought me by Dupont Circle where the Arrest Bush protest/demonstration was going on. It was quite a lively affair to say the least. The largest and most popular aspect of the demonstration was “Give Bush the Boot”,which basically consisted of a massive inflatable President Bush and many many many pair of shoes that people took turns throwing. People really seemed to get a kick (get it) out of being able to do this. The other “features” of the event were: a large headed Condi, a giant Constitution that you could sign (just no walking on it with shoes!), and a stage/speaker set up that proclaimed it was the “End of an Error” but it was inactive while I was in the park. Pretty much it was all about the shoes.
Other things I came across around the city today:
-pretty sweet Obama art
-a hot mama 4 obama
-a really really long line at Ben’s Chili Bowl
-entertaining street vendors with lots of Obama gear
-a reenactment of sorts at the African American Civil War Memorial
Another shot of the crowds of people at the We Are One pre-inauguration concert yesterday… The entrance gates to the areas around the reflecting pool were closed at capacity around 2:30 pm, so we had to gather farther back towards the Washington Monument. I’ve read articles today guessing the attendance between 400,000 – 500,000 people.
I figure I’m going to be taking about a bazillion photos in the coming days so I thought I’d do a tri-photo post instead of a stingy single photo post…enjoy!
Lori and I met over at Tryst on Friday night for a few post work drinks. This minivan pulled up on 18th St. and started opening up shop. They had Obama signs, posters, hats, shirts, pins, and American flags all for sale at presumably obscene price, the one thing that they didn’t have, and keep in mind yesterday was the coldest day DC has seen in something like a decade, was customers. Hats off to them for their entrepreneurial spirit but sometimes you just need to bow to mother nature and realize that people are not, 5 days before the actual inauguration, going to stop in the freezing cold and buy patriotic paraphernalia (and don’t you need a permit for that sort of thing anyway?).
We watched the less than successful street vending from our comfortable perch at the window bar in Tryst. Special on the menu for this chilly January evening were three pleasantly warm drinks:
The Vermonter – Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, the Hot Vanilla Russian – Vanilla Kahlua and Vodka with hot coffee and steamed half n’ half topped with whipped cream, and the Caramel Apple – fresh steemedhot apple cider and caramel with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. These are all delectable…very very delectable (we made sure to try each one…a couple times). If you happen to be in Adams Morgan I’d whole heartedly recommend stopping in for a pleasant winter warmer. Tried to figure out if the selection of drinks had any thing to do with President – Elect whose, now famous, Shepard Fairey portrait is prominently featured on the menu but could not come up with any particular connection. Anyone more politically in tune think of any relation of these drinks?
Just up the hill at the corner of 18th and Columbia Adams Morgan Mainstreet/Adams Morgan NOW are hosting a series of Republican Elephant pinata bashings. This photo is from the 1st of the bashings that occurred last night at 5:30p. Since then they have hosted 3 more bashings but don’t fret there are still opportunities available for those in need of getting out some pent up political anger. The schedule for the remaining times is as follows:
- Grand Central, Saturday 7p
- Tom Tom, Sunday 9:30p
- El Tamarindo, Tuesday 12 midnight
So go, get angry, shout into the mega phone about how Bush disappointed you in the last 8 years, smash the elephant pinata, subsequently eat some candy, stop by the kiosk and write down your hopes and message for the incoming administration, and generally enjoy yourself while doing so.
Today marks the beginning of what is sure to be a crazy inauguration weekend!! I noticed that traffic into the city last night was already picking up (maybe since many hotels required a 4+ night stay?) and I’m positive tonight will be even worse. Maybe the low temps of 8 degrees F will keep some people inside… Anyways, coming up on Sunday is a free inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial, although it’s during the afternoon and presumably on the opposite side of the memorial, not the back side as seen in the photo. Artists that are going to be there include: Bono, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Bruce, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Usher, Shakira, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, and a few others that I missed from the list. Most importantly, Jennifer Nettles (from Sugarland) will be there!!!! –though I might be the only person in DC excited about her and/or country music at this time. Hopefully her act will not be conflicting with Sunday fun-day football…
We like to bring you the GLAMOROUS (thank you Fergie for my knowing how to spell that word) side of DC whenever possible… so here is the port-a-potty status down on the National Mall : Lined up and ready to go, just like the loooong lines of tourists that will await them in 6 more days. There has been a lot of discussion lately in the news about the bathroom problem… But I dunno, what do you think? Judging from that picture I see way more than enough for 1.5 million possible visitors! Will you be attending the inauguration festivities?