Model Hall in the American Art Museum

This rather cool looking room is on the third floor of the American Art Museum. Once upon a time, it was part of the U.S. patent office and displayed various gadgets and whatnot.

This was where the Declaration of Independence was once displayed and where Lincoln's inaugural guests arrived for the soiree.

Love it? You can rent it out for special events.

Luce Foundation Center for American Art

Within the Smithsonian Museum of American Art is the Luce Foundation Center for American Art. The Center is described in the brochure as "the first visible art storage and study center in Washington."

It is housed in this gorgeous three-story section of the museum. You walk up narrow stairways with nouveau railings and go from one tiny corridor to the next that is just packed with art.

The art is arranged more like bookshelves in a library than your typical museum setup. They pack an enormous number of works into this space. A person could spend years in there.

On the bottom floor is a coffee shop, so if you do spend years in there, you won't starve to death.

Chinese New Year at the American Art Museum in DC

These little goobers are making paper lanterns at the Museum of American Art.

The lantern-making was part of a series of events for the Chinese New Year. There were also martial artists, dancers, dragons, storytellers, and lots and lots of goobers.

All of the entertainment was, of course, free. Unfortunately, I showed up a bit late and didn't have the heart to elbow these kids aside. So, no paper lantern for me.

American Art Museum's Contemporary Art Collection

This weekend I discovered the contemporary art collection at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. I don't know how I missed this on previous visits.

I'm not a big fan of a lot of modern art. In the "art for art's sake" vs. "art with a purpose" argument, I fall squarely in the more utilitarian category.

The American Art Museum's collection definitely has something to say, and doesn't require a masters in art appreciation to enjoy it.

The neon in the photo outlines the United States, It is filled with televisions showing all sorts of snippets from pop culture. It is how we see ourselves, how we sell ourselves, oversimplifications, stereotypes...

There's also a great piece by Duane Hanson. His stuff gets me every time. You may not recognize his name, but I'll be you've seen his work.

SmartBikes in Washington, DC

If you've ever been to France, you might recognize the concept of the SmartBike.

For an annual fee, you have access to these bikes. There are several bike stands all over the city. You just pick your bike up at one stand (using your member card) and drop it off at another stand.

The bike rack is connected to some sort of big brother creepy-in-a-cool-way facility that knows which bikes are where. You can even check bike availability on their website to make sure there are bikes available.

Now if only DC would get rid of some of these cars and put in bike lanes.

Joseph Henry at the Smithsonian

This not-so-handsome devil is Joseph Henry. His statue stands in front of the Smithsonian.

Never heard of Joseph Henry? Neither had I until I ran across this statue. Henry was, apparently, a phenomenal scientist. Had he been an actor, we'd probably all know who he was.

In addition to breakthroughs in the fields of electromagnetism and acoustics, Henry served as the first secretary of the Smithsonian - hence the placement of his statue.

So now we know.

Ice Skating in the Sculpture Garden

Each winter, The National Gallery of Art sets up an ice skating rink in the sculpture garden.

For a very reasonable fee, residents and visitors can spend a couple hours flying across the slick ice - or hanging on to the railings for dear life.

Daytime is often crowded with children. Nights tend to be slightly more adult friendly.

To warm up, ice skaters can head to the cafe for a hot chocolate or make a post-skate escape to a nearby Chinatown bar.

The Metro, Washington DC's Subway System

The DC metro received quite a bit of flack during the inauguration. It just isn't set up to handle that many people. Truth be told, we've been having some trouble just keeping up with rush hour increases since the cost of gas went up and people decided to ditch their cars.

While rush hour is jammed, the worst time to ride the metro is on the weekends. Tourists have no clue what they are doing. They struggle to feed their metro card into the slot. They block the escalators. (Walk on the left, people!)

Minor inconveniences and possible need for expansion aside, I love the metro. It is easy, relatively inexpensive, and can take you all the way into Virginia or Maryland. I even love the cavernous metro stations. They are totally spooky when empty and ready-made for filming sci fi or thrillers.

If you are coming to DC, keep a few things in mind. Do not bring a car. You don't need it. Day passes only work after rush hour. You should avoid rush hour anyway. Metro cards won't save you any money, but they are convenient if you are going to be here a while. They also work on the buses. Never, ever stand on the left side of the escalator. Don't go near Chinatown metro when there is a game at the Verizon Center. There will always be at least one broken escalator at the Q street entrance of the Dupont metro.

Inauguration Hangover

It's the morning after and the hangover has surely hit everyone, President Obama included. The mess on DC streets yesterday is fitting symbolism for the messes our new government is inheriting.

Lots of work to do, but I've still got 15 minutes before I have to get real and leave for my job. So I'll just take that time to bask a bit longer and share another pic from yesterday's festivities. Unforgettable.

President Obama, Inauguration Day!!!!!!!!

Sha na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye forever to George W. Bush. I can hardly believe it is over.

Today was madness. We walked from north of Dupont Circle to the National Monument. For those of you not familiar with DC, that is roughly from 20th and T street down to 16th and A.

On the way we picked up our free inaugural Krispy Kreme. By about K street, we had already reached the throngs of people. It was surreal. Streets with no traffic, just thousands upon thousands of people walking jubilantly in the same direction.

We stood just under the National Monument and watched on a jumbo screen. When Bush came out, everyone heckled him.



When Obama came out, the crowd went nuts.




I was amazed at how chill everyone was. The crowd was so thick on the way out, it took us an hour to walk about a block. Everyone was tired and cold as hell, but no shoving matches or drama at all. Lots of love in that crowd. We are, as the sign says below, "one nation under a groove."

We Are One Concert, 2 Days til Inauguration

We joined hundreds of thousands of people today to watch Obama's inaugural concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Crowds spilled out from the Foggy Bottom metro station and poured down the streets toward the national mall. Military police, mini-tanks, and random volunteers kept people going in the right direction.

Dozens of vendors sold Obama hats, t-shirts, buttons and whatnot. The border patrol ran the concert entrance, glancing beneath our coats before letting us through to the mall.

We waited outside in the bitter cold for hours, entertained by the occasional short film on the jumbotron. Finally, the celebs started coming out. The list seems endless - Denzel Washington, Marissa Tomei, Forrest Whitaker, Ashley Judd, George Lopez, Kal Penn, Rosario Dawson, Jack Black, Jamie Fox, Queen Latifah, Tiger Woods, Steve Carell, Tom Hanks, Laura Linney and Martin Luther King Jr. III made speeches.

Bruce Springstein, Herbie Hancock, John Cougar Melloncamp, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Will i Am, and Mary J. Blige were among the performers. I hate to say it, but I think Garth Brooks got the crowd going more than anyone.

It was cold and they were laying it on a bit thick, but I'm glad I was there. Can't imagine what the crowds will be like for the inauguration.

Obama Sighting, 5 Days til Inauguration

The president elect had a meeting right next to my office today. The news went viral. Next thing you know, hundreds of office workers poured into the streets to catch a glimpse and cheer him on.

I didn't have my camera with me, so this really awful, fuzzy picture I took of him at a foreign policy conference will have to do. My forty minute wait (with a coffee break) ended with a glimpse as he drove by and waived.

It was actually kinda fun. Despite the frigid temperatures, the crowd was exuberant. It was like a little pre-inaugural party in the streets. People who normally wouldn't even look you in the face were chatting and joking. It was a bit like Halloween or a really good New Years street party, or this:

Final Preparations, 6 Days til Inauguration

Bleachers now line Pennsylvania Avenue. Those white monstrosities in the photo have sprung up out of nowhere behind the Whitehouse.

Construction workers are everywhere, outnumbered only by security personnel. Every hotel in town is booked. Hundreds of inaugural balls and events are taking place and every one of those venues is in a mad rush to the finish.

Every caterer in town is in overdrive. Every florist and party planner is running on caffeine. Taxi drivers are preparing for nonstop work and nonstop gridlock. Metro employees are preparing to run on a rush hour schedule all day long.

Mayor Fenty requested, and the outgoing prez granted, an emergency in DC so that the city could receive additional funds to finance all this madness. I hope they're ready.

Hotel Obama, 7 Days til Inauguration

The Obamas are currently residing at the Hays Adams Hotel. I've never been inside, but it looks quite posh.

Doesn't look like I, or anyone else, will be getting near it for a few days. They've set up a huge security perimeter. The place is crawling with cops, secret service...

In case you had not heard, the Obamas are staying at the hotel because the outgoing commander-in-rude has the former Australian prime minister staying in the official Whitehouse guest digs.

So the Obama's must view their future home from across the park for a while. And the rest of us must put up with the gridlock caused by all the road closures around the hotel.

Getting Around DC, 8 Days til Inauguration

DC traffic is not the worst I have ever seen, but it gets pretty damn bad. Just the Whitehouse Christmas tree caused gridlock for blocks.

The inauguration gridlock has already begun. Commutes are getting longer and more frustrating. The list of road and bridge closures on inauguration day (and in some cases before) is enormous.

I can't imagine what it will be like to try and drive here, but I think the subways may even turn out to be worse. They hardly stand up to normal DC service. This weekend there were several delays, one for a track cracking. That doesn't sound good.

I'm so glad Chris and I can walk everywhere.

Drunken Madness, 9 Days til Inauguration

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, in his infinite wisdom, arranged for bars in DC to be able to stay open twenty four hours a day during the inauguration festivities. According to the Washington Post, more than 200 bars have registered to be able to party non-stop.

Sweet!

Out with all the conservative, teetotalling, abstinence-only types who think that this life is for suffering and the next life is for 100 virgins (or whatever their heaven consists of). In with the slightly damaged, drunken, bumbling, hedonistic types trying to figure out how to make this life, if not meaningful, at least hella-fun.

So glad I'm in DC right now.

Obama Merchandise, 10 Days til Inauguration

This Adams Morgan shop window is filled with Obama gear. I particularly like the rhinestone items...fancy.

In fact, the entire city is filled to the brim with Obama merchandise...t-shirts, mugs, hats, purses, posters, calendars, pins, scarfs.

Yesterday I passed a eyeglass store that had a lovely pair of shades on an Obama standee in the window. At Afterwards Cafe you can purchase an Obamania cocktail (Bell's Porter & champagne topped w/chambord).

Last week, I received notice that the official inaugural store is open online for all your collectibles needs. I'm fairly certain that the new prez plans to bring about an economic recovery based entirely on Obama merchandising.

Review of The Blaguard

The Blaguard is a little dive pub in Adams Morgan, just down the street from our apartment. It is Chris's preferred hang out when he wants to watch a football game (as we don't have a t.v.).

Normally the place is chill. There is a small bar downstairs and another bar upstairs. There are plenty of televisions. The bartenders are friendly. And, of course, it is very close.

The night I went with Chris they were having a private party with trays upon trays of food. They still let us in, but we had to go upstairs and it was unusually crowded. I could see where it would be a good neighborhood hangout on a regular night though. My only complaint is that, instead of a pool table, they have some sort of shuffleboard game.

The Blaguard, 2003 18th St. NW, Washington, DC

The Zenith Gallery in Washington, DC

I know I've mentioned the Zenith Gallery in previous posts, but I just stopped in again the other day. While the current exhibit Zenith for Real didn't blow me away like Drama Queens, it still had some very cool stuff.

I particularly liked Donna McCullough's sculptures. She makes dresses out of old signs, drums, cookie canisters, and basically anything metal or tin. You can check out a photo here.

Of course, they had several artists renderings of Barack Obama. It's all Barack, all the time, here in DC.

Zenith Gallery, 413 7th Street NW Washington, DC 20004

Review of Zaytinya

Zaytinya is a tapas restaurant downtown. The decor is minimalist modern. There are a few touches to remind you that the restaurant focuses on Greek and Mediterranean flavors. The defining feature of the restaurant are the huge floor to ceiling windows. Too bad there isn't much to look at outside.

There was a wait for tables when we got there, so we skipped the maitre 'd and headed to the bar. No way I was going to skip the Pom-Fili - white wine, vodka, triple sec, and pomegranate juice. It was sweet and tart and really exploded all over my mouth.

They bread arrived puffed up like little pillows. It was thicker and longer than your standard pita and it was fantastic. The oil provided for dipping was deliciously citrus-infused. Our fattoush salad followed shortly, the perfect combination of tomato, cucumber, red onion, green pepper, radishes, and pita chips topped with a pomegranate vinaigrette. It was refreshing and peppery and made me wonder why I don't make more cucumber salad.

The spanakopita came churro shaped, instead of the usual triangle. The spinach inside was incredibly flavorful. The pastry was very thin and I have to say that, although it was good, I missed crunching into all those layers of philo. We finished things off with a peynirli pide, Zaytinya's version of a pizza. It was made on that fantastic pillow bread and covered with a Turkish tomato sauce, oregano, and haloumi cheese. What gave it an interesting flavor was the cinnamon. Perfect bar food for someone who doesn't really like bar food.

The cost for two was about $50. We could have spent much more, had we ordered the more expensive entrees. If your careful you can manage to get out with your wallet in tact. If not, it will probably be worth it.

Zaytinya, 701 9th Street NW, Washington, DC

Review of Circa in Washington, DC

Circa is one of the first restaurants Chris and I ate at in Washington, DC. It's located smack in the middle of all the Dupont Circle action. It has a nice patio, as you can see.

Inside it is Dupont nerdy hip and gets pretty crowded for happy hours. They have an array of martinis and a very accommodating bartender who once made a friend of mine a limonada con soda, Mexico style.

The food is upscale burgers and pizza, done surprisingly well. The prices are upscale too, which is why Chris and I don't go much. (Frankly, if I'm gonna have a burger, I'd rather gorge over at Five Guys.) Still, if you want to meet up for drinks somewhere the food is quality, this is a good choice.

Festivus in Washington DC

If you are not a Seinfeld fan, you can find out about Festivus on wikipedia. If you are a Seinfeld fan, you will be tickled to know that Adams Morgan had a Festivus pole.

Locals happily participated in the traditional airing of grievances. Complaints included:

• being overworked and underpaid
• cars that don't stop for pedestrians
• big breasts
• Rick Warren
• poor escalator etiquette

What does it say about me that this is the only holiday decoration I got excited about?