So today once I got off of work and walked outside, I realized not only was it not dark out, but there was no thunder, rain, mist, clouds! Only a spec of clouds amongst the sea of blue skies and rays of sunlight! I loved it so much, i decided to walk home. For those of you familiar with DC, I walked from the Farragut North Metro stop area to the Petworth/Georgia Ave. Metro Stop area. I knew the sun was going to set within the hour so I figured I would enjoy the sunlight instead of being stuck in a metro the whole ride home. I even stopped by to get some ice cream!
This was such a calming and relaxed walk for me. I have noticed that the east coast feels like I am on a race racing against time to go to work, eat lunch, do all the task before the day is done, get home, check mail and other social networks, go to sleep etc etc etc. Walking really slowed this down and reminded me when my mother and I would walk to the store on weekends to get the weekly groceries, walking home from school as my friends and I would take hours to walk a couple of blocks, or walking around Berkeley as I soaked up the sun when I found out my class was canceled.
I have been told I should buy a camera and take pictures of places I go and people I see. I never did. I decided to document my walk home from work. Nothing fancy. As I was taking pictures, I realized how blessed I am to live in such a cool place. I really take for granted the history and landmarks of the places I have lived simply because I am there all the time.
Check out these pics:
Walking it out,
-DM
Ever since I stepped foot in DC, there is not a day I go without seeing someone with some type of Obama merchandise. Buttons, shirt, sweater, beanie, backpack, handbag, and yes, even shoes and sandals! At first I was super excited because I felt the energy and excitement in DC. So many people wore their merchandise with pride.
It was an amazing sight! But ever since Inauguration Day, it started getting a little salty. Buttons for $5 dollars, shirts for $30, picture frames for $50, magnets for $6, stickers for $3! The scariest part about it was that people were buying these by the dozen! There was no price on the satisfaction of having Obama's name and/or face somewhere on your body....and sadly, street vendors knew that.
I understand the significance of being there and having a button that says "I Was There". That is a moment I would want to share 40 or 60 years from now with the younger kids in my family. But now, April 14th, people still wearing all the obama gear everywhere I go. I do not know whether they still have this sense of pride....or if they just wear it because they spent so much money on it months ago.
I trust Obama as president, but not enough to spend so much money. If all those people that spent all that money dedicated an hour per dollar spent door knocking or phonebanking, their contribution to Obama would of gone DIRECTLY to Obama instead of someone who is trying to make money off of him. Those hours would of also been more valuable than any button with the picture of Obama and MLK Jr. on it.
I guess I can't complain since i do live in DC. I am glad people feel ownership of the executive branch on our government since that has not happened in years. But no matter how amazing of a job Obama does, there will be street vendors and store owners with dollars signs in their heads trying to milk your last prideful dollar.....sigh....
waiting for 2012 election,
-DM
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