Last night we took my cousin Katie down to the Ellipse to see the National Christmas Tree. We met up on the metro, which Katie handled like an old pro, and then scurried down from Farragut North, past the White House, to see the beautiful tree. It may be cheesy, but it puts me in the holiday spirit every single year.

Lucky for us, our timing was perfect. As we circled to check out the ornaments on the 50-states little trees, a bagpipe-playing Santa came out of the elves workshop right in front of us, piping some Christmas tunes and ho-ho-ho-ing. It was pretty legit as far as holiday displays and music go.

We were freezing at that point, so it was time for some dinner — Katie’s favorite: Chipotle. What a great and totally festive way for us to spend the evening 5 nights before Christmas and almost the winter solstice.

On a side note, the lights on the tree are MUCH improved from what I remember in past years. AND the train display was running it’s path around the base of the tree. AND it wasn’t so crowded that you couldn’t get up to the front to bask in the yule log warmth.

Iowa’s tree! You’ll have to take my word for it. The camera-phone doesn’t deal well with the varying light levels… MERRY CHRISTMAS!
   

I took a quick jog down to the White House last night, not to shoot this blurry, ghostly, holga shot (it’s an old one), but just to get in a quick jog and see what was going on at the Obama house. Not much to see once the sun goes down, but it is still elegant in the evening nonetheless. And the weather has slowly been getting milder, so the streets were pretty packed with people, anxious to be outside without needing 4 layers of bundle to keep warm. spring fever!

Yesterday, approximately seven minutes after my family had finished eating our belated Thanksgiving dinner, we began the trimming of the Christmas tree — our meals were still being savored, and we had already moved along to the next holiday. I suppose, however, that is just the nature of things this time of year, always in a rush to what is next. Advertisers had already declared it Christmastime weeks ago anyway, and intrepid shoppers are already trading Black Friday war stories. And the tree process, which at one point was a day-long endeavor and involved sharp objects and getting inevitably covered in sap, has been distilled down to unpacking a single box, putting three pre-lit tree sections together, and plugging in an electric cord.

So, while the transition from turkey and Pilgrims to mistletoe and Elves did feel a little abrupt this year, I’m not complaining, as it did not detract from the pleasant enjoyment of trimming the tree with family. It’s an event which always pulls on my nostalgic heart strings. This year I shot a series of pictures with my old Pentax K-1000 that my father passed down to me awhile back. The series can be seen here (along with some other “bonding” shots from the weekend). My personal favorite ornament is the yellow bike pictured above. Having parents that were both avid cyclists earlier in their lives leaves you with some fun little velo tchotchkes. This bright yellow fixed gear ornament, complete with “true track geometry,” is no exception.

We’ll have to see how long I can keep the holiday spirit up. A trip the the White House Christmas Tree is always good for reinvigorating the cheer, and I’m sure it will be in order soon enough. Long time followers of Juxtaexposed will recall that the White House tree, or more accurately the yule log, was the topic of our first post almost two years ago.

   
One of the more interesting protests I’ve witnessed took place this weekend.  This being the 4th Annual World Naked Bike Ride.  The WNBR is a protest against our dependence on foreign oil and a rally for improved cycling conditions in America’s cities.  The DC WNBR started at Franklin Square in downtown DC, rode to the US Capitol, and finished out in front of the White House.  All the participants said it was a lot more fun to moon Bush but they would make due with the new Administration.  Upon arriving at Lafayette Square I am sure they ruined the days of the many tourists who were peering through fence trying to catch a  glimpse of the President.   Despite the name the riders were not technically naked, as that would be lewd and illegal, instead they wore an assortment of underwear, loin clothes, socks, and body paint.  I hope their ride was a success.  While I find their cause quite valid I’m not so sure about the execution.  Regardless, it made for a VERY VERY funny (…and kind of awkward) event to photog.
   
HERE is a link to my other photos from the start of the protest.
   

   
We saw these guys at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market on Sunday : The Who Farm, or the White House Organic Farm Project. They were collecting signatures on a petition asking president-elect Obama to allow an organic farm to be planted on the grounds of the White House. They do have a pretty cool bus with a garden on top of it — and lots of people were stopping to talk to them.