Well, it’s hot as hell today in DC, and I think that the photo above (taken with the Vivitar) is a pretty accurate portrayal of how it feels like the sun is basically exploding heat upon us. This topic, of course, makes this blog pretty lame for discussing the weather… isn’t there anything else to talk about?
Here, enjoy this gross-out video of a giant spider crab molting that I just watched at geekologie.com
The beautiful (in my humble opinion) images that you see below are my submissions to the 2010 DCist Exposed photography show. This is my third year submitting photos to the contest – fingers crossed! The entry pool for the show this year includes 1,130 photos from 435 photographers. Tough competition would be an understatement. Exposed will open on March 6th at Longview Gallery (1234 9th St NW). It is a great showcase of local photographers and most certainly worth visiting.
This image is taken with a Holga at the Dupont Circle North metro station. I love how the long exposure was able to pull a fire out of the evening sky.
We watched the fireworks from Meridian Hill park this year. The gentleman that climbed the Joan of Arc sculpture had the best view in the house. His focused gaze up towards the theatrics is the sky is eerily similar to the look on Joan of Arc’s face as she charges into battle.
My final submission was snapped during my morning commute. It is taken with a Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim, a junk camera with a wide angle plastic lens. Even in the blustery weather that we have had recently, my morning rides always put me in a good mood. I think this photo captures the pure enjoyment of a leisurely ride.
lights, sun, and stucco, originally uploaded by m hoek.
It is a beautiful day in Washington. Unfortunately, I’ll be spending the bulk of my day inside hashing through submittals, budgets, and the like. What I would prefer to be doing is sitting out on our back patio (where this pic was taken) reading a book and sipping on some lemonade…or maybe a frosty brew.
Hope everyone has some opportunity today to get outside and soak in some sunshiny goodness. Maybe if we are luck the weather will continue through the weekend.
Happy Friday!
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!
The House of the Temple is the headquarters of Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasons. It is a very impressive (and imposing)structure located on 16th Street in Northwest DC. Modeled after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it was completed in 1915 and designed by Architect John Russell Pope. Pope was a prolific and important Architect around Washington DC, designing such notable structures as the National Archives, Constitution Hall, the National Gallery of Art, and the Jefferson Memorial. The House of the Temple was Pope’s first major commission in the District and served to cement his name in the city’s rich architectural heritage.
The building is open for free tours but as these are available in the middle of the work day I’ll have to settle for the virtual tour. A very intriguing building and secret(ish) society.
Hip hip hooray, this photo won me DCist photo of the day! It’s really the little things yah know. Though the photo, or rather my recklessness in taking the photo, did garner a bit of hating in the comments. C’mon, I’m coasting to a red light, in a bike lane and taking the photo with a point and click film camera w/o looking through the view finder. No more reckless than talking on the cell phone while driving or blindly walking into intersections while in an ipod trance which it seems most everyone is guilty of.
Regardless it is always fun to see my photos up on a blog outside of Juxta or my flickr page.
This photo was taken with my plastic toy Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim 35mm camera.
It’s the best time of year for the National Zoo. Nice, long daylight hours, hot hot heat, and giant bugs. What more could you ask for?
The Potomac is pretty to look at, right? I suppose that’s hard to disagree with. But now it’s exactly 1 month until I will be swimming in that water for the Nation’s Triathlon, and I’m getting just a tad bit nervous… especially since I’ve heard the Potomac mentioned in the news in the last 3 days, regarding things like toxic algae and dead bodies. Super!!
And then I remind myself that I’m doing this for a great cause and in honor of my grandfather, so won’t you please help me with a DONATION to DO NATION’s (Matt came up with that, I wish I was so clever…) and help fund blood cancer research ?
This gorgeous building is directly across the street from Union Station and is home to the National Postal Museum, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and (most importantly) the Capitol City Brewing Company. I have only been in one of these (take your best guess) but in looking at the National Postal Museum website it looks like it might have some pretty interesting permanent and temporary exhibits that show how critical the US Postal System was in binding the Nation in its early years. This is definitely the place for philatelists (which sounds dirty but apparently is the proper term for a stamp collector).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics website has lots of oh-so-fun statistics about increased unemployment, rising costs of employment, and increased number of seniors that are working full time…good times. I don’t think I’ll be looking to tour this portion of the building.
A trip to the Capitol Hill Capitol City Brewing company is well worth the visit for more than just the signature brews that they offer. When you come in the entrance you see the door of an old time safe that has been sawed in half. Very impressive stuff, it really makes you appreciate the dedication of turn of the century bank robbers. The rest of the space is pretty phenomenal also as they have maintained much of the original decoration from the early 1900′s building. If coming into DC by train it is a great place to unwind before venturing into the city. Since this is the closest and nicest watering hole to my (relatively) new job site I’ve been stopping in with a bit more frequency than I had in the past. Also, you get a pretty good view of the Capitol building if you are sitting along the window.
Hey, look! some people eating on one of the balcony restaurants inside Union Station. I’m surprised that Matt was able to take this photo without being harassed by the security cops about taking photographs inside the station… You can read more about the controversy at Lightboxdc.
