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

   
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.