The subject of todays photo is not the ubiquitous golden arches that permeate the American landscape, but rather the beige arches of the Hospitality Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU).  This distinct facade can be found on the 1100 Block of H St NE, next to Taylor Deli in the burgeoning Atlas District.  Unlike most of the (relative) newcomers to the block, which mostly consist of bars, theaters, trendy restaurants, and art galleries, HCFCU has been focused on growing wealth from within the NE community since its establishment in 1965.  This is not to take anything away from the entertainment aspect of H Street – don’t get me wrong, I throughly enjoy the new options – it is just that bars and restaurants have a tendency to deplete my savings rather than help to grow them.
   

   
This picture makes me think of depression era dust bowl farm houses that have been beaten and worn by the relentless weather around them.  Fortunately, I did not have to take a trip in time/space to get the shot as it is actually a carriage house in Dupont Circle.  I love that the shutters are so worn that the paint and upper layers of wood have been wiped away exposing the warmer colored wood core underneath. The only portion of the shutter spared the beating looks to be the upper third which has gained some protection from the overhanging eave.  Sloppy painting on the mullions and scrawny vines that cling to the wooden lap siding are fitting for this desperate scene.  That being said, a steady rain must sound amazing as its drops pelt the tired tin roof.
   

albus cavus (who we have written about before and is generaly awesome) is doing the painting of Eatonville, the yet to be opened restaurant on 14th St….

…Eatonville is owned by Andy Shallal of Busboys & Poets fame.  B&P is named after Langston Hughes (the “busboy poet” from his time at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1930’s).  Eatonville is named after renouned author Zora Neale Hurston (Eatonville was the Florida city where she grew up).  Hurston is a graduate of Howard University and is best known for “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”…

…various artists (w/the occasional little kid spray paint helper) are busy completing all of the artworks that will adorn Eatonville’s walls…

…artists are working in a variety of styles…using stencils w/hand detailing for what looks to be a Warholesque series,…

…some with ladders in precarious positions….

…HERE is a site about the events that they are hosting this weekend in the space (party on Friday and public viewing on Saturday).  Check it out!

   
What is better than messing around with Christmas lights, long exposures, closed apertures, and a zoom lens?  Not much my friend, not much.  Hey, that is even how we came up with our handy dandy logo (with a bit of color tweaking in PS).
   
…it is the little things…

This morning I fought off my hangover with an hour and a half photo walk-about in NoMA.  This developing neighborhood gave me plenty of “urban decay” fodder.  The favorite thing that I came across this morning was this converted school bus that now serves as a mobile ribs stand.  This was parked in a liquor store (which also has a very funny sign) parking lot right next to the Metro/AMTRAK tracks and I have a feeling that this must be delicious.  The bottom right corner of the sign says “I’m as good as the best and better than the rest”.  It is on the sign so it must be true.  My job site is just on the other side of these tracks so once I get the courage up I’m going to give it a shot.  I’ll be sure to report back, this might just be the next big thing in…ummm…food that is served in a ghetto rigged yellow school bus…or something.

Here are the rest of my shots from the stroll.