On a Clear Day in DC

32 Replies

At the in-laws. Can’t talk. I mean, it will not look too good if I remain attached to my laptop or my Blackberry or my fake iPhone, aka CONNECTED, the way I am at home. I can hide in the bathroom and tweet though.*

* I am absolutely not kidding about hiding and tweeting from the restroom… I sent a picture of the ladies room from Old Ebbitt to Wicked Shawn because she has been made to notice my strange habit of checking out ladies rooms wherever I go. I get excited about nice bathrooms…

And I absolutely love restrooms that make political statements, but only if they are left-leaning, liberal ones like those at the Luna Grill & Diner in Dupont Circle.

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So we “visited” the White House today. It was over in 30 minutes. No sightings of President Obama. I was absolutely crushed over that. We did get to see all the fancy rooms looking even fancier now with all the Christmas decorations. (This of course begged the question of: What do people SEE when there is no Christmas tree inside every single room?) We spent more time in the UNofficial gift shop across the street including having our pictures taken with the cardboard POTUS and the First Lady. Apparently, one of the requisite poses is of the famous photo taken of JFK at the Oval Office with John Jr. poking his head out through underneath the desk. Is it just me or has Monica Lewinsky forever ruined that iconic image for you too?

Nothing is allowed when you tour the White House; you are allowed basically your cellphone (which has to be turned off), wallet and car keys. When I saw a sign that says

PASSHOLDERS BEYOND THIS POINT ONLY.

I was so tempted to risk being tackled by the secret service and take a picture of it, for you, because the P was missing. Instead I have this underwhelming photo to show for:

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As a result of our trip to the White House, I spent the entire day out and about, including a jaunt to the trendy Dupont Circle, without my purse, i.e. NO lip balm, NO lipstick, NO compact, NO hairbrush, NO Kleenex, NO hand lotion, NO touch-up.

The horror.

I did take way too many pictures of the Washington Monument. What? I like reading the articles.

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This is turning into a travelogue, so I will stop, BUT not before I show you the most interesting thing I saw today. Kudos to my husband for pointing it out as a good blogging fodder:

At the Air and Space Museum, there is a small exhibit calling your attention with the intriguing question:

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Can you be a Stewardess in the early 1950s?

with 8 flaps emblazoned with categories such as Height, Weight, Age, Race, Marital Status, Education, Appearances.

5’2″ to 5’6″, 135 lbs. max, White, Never married, 2-year college or registered nurse, AND… [our favorite] Attractive – “Just below Hollywood” standards.

I have a phone (with a camera, like every other phone nowadays) and I am not afraid to use it…

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32 thoughts on “On a Clear Day in DC”

  3. Renee Fisher

    Ditch the White House (she says, too late). Sorry, B. Go to the Newseum. Fantastic. Amazing. Also expensive (not part of the Smithsonian), but ah well. Have a great holiday. Try to stay out of strange bathrooms.

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  8. Nance

    My only White House experience has been as a protestor, exercising my rights at the front gate while Nixon watched us all on television from the living quarters. I’d actually really like to see it all, now. And the Smithsonian is awesome! Cool Christmas trip.

    Recalling the stewardess era, I’m not surprised by any of those criteria except the “never been married” one. WTF? The FAA’s own airborne temple of the pseudo vestal virgins? The history of the American twentieth century is so full of weirdness.

    Merry Christmas to you and your brood!
    Nance recently posted…A Christmas Card- 2010My Profile

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  9. Meg at the Members Lounge

    Before the days of high tech, I used to keep a flask in my overnight bag when at the in-laws house. My husband sends them to FLA for 6 months now, thus, I am lounging in PJ’s and reading blogs this morning! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  11. Jane

    My in-laws are visiting, as well. So I feel your pain. And thank goodness my father-in-law’s glasses broke (boy, that sure make me sound mean but please, read on…) or I wouldn’t have the time to check in with my favorite bloggers and wish them a Merry Christmas! They’re at the eye glass shop as I furiously type and read until they get back. Have a happy, happy Christmas dear blogging friend!
    Jane recently posted…Yes- Dear Bloggers- There IS A Santa ClausMy Profile

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  14. Ry sal

    Had I known were into bathrooms I would have sent you a list to check out! Now I know..Wicked too! Did you eat the astronaut ice-cream… Or is that reserved for twelve year olds?

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  15. Tom G.

    I totally understand hiding in the bathroom to Tweet or comment on blogs. I have to do that at home so as to avoid the wrath of my lovely wife. It always makes me feel like one of those alcoholics that hides a bottle of booze in the toilet tank. Of course, that might also be due to the bottle of Dewars hidden in the toilet tank, but the point is the same.

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  16. Andrea

    I love when husbands point out blog fodder. It means they get us, if even for a moment. I have never been to Washington D.C. Can you believe that? I must go. My family must go. But . . . we shall go in warmer weather, is all I’m saying. 😉

    Love that bathroom too! I may redecorate one in my house to match.

    Have fun!
    Andrea recently posted…Sick of YouMy Profile

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