observations

Today was the day for interesting observations.

Middle of the afternoon I had to run a quick errand and was walking down I street when I see this older man standing stock still in the middle of the next block...and then I see hands wrapped around him. As my light changed and I got closer, I saw this very executive looking man being hugged by a younger homeless man. By the time I was near enough to hear anything they said, the homeless man had let go and the executive was frantically trying to get to the next crosswalk. I figured he must have given him some money, but the guy still asked everyone for 37 cents (so exact).

Second, just in front of my office building, a cab hit another car while crossing the intersection. I didn't quite see it, only heard it and then saw the cab pull away a little, so I can't quite say what happened.

Oh, and the final interesting point of note, was that all of the elevators in my office building were "broken," to use the technical term of our engineer. Only in the afternoon. But when I went down to run my errand, the elevator went all the way up to the penthouse, stopping at every floor, and then back down to the lobby...again, stopping on every floor. And of course, when I went up, we first went all the way to the garage and then back up to my floor.

I always wondered what the penthouse looked like. Honestly...I kind prefer the third floor better.

there was a chill in the air

This weather is throwing me for a loop, and it's actually starting to get a little annoying. Those who actually know me, and also some may have surmised this already, but I've discovered after one winter in DC that I'm not so much of a fan of this cold weather. Therefore, my body needs time to get ready for the cold weather, sort of a...shutting down, if you will. My mind also needs to come to terms with the fact that for a few months, there will not be so much exploring the city or going out at night when the temperature drops even more.

This isn't happening. It's back up to somewhere in the 60s now. Which is great, because I can go walk around DC, but I'm a little tired of all this teasin'! I also want it to be cold (I know, contradicting myself) so that when I'm down in Texas, I will be extremely appreciative of the heat. No fun if it's the same temperature here as it is there.

Ok I'm done. The good news is that I can still walk down to the National Gallery for my postponed lecture on Picasso and won't have to take the metro. I don't like taking the metro when my destination is conceivably within walking distance. Unless it's late. Or cold.

I can't believe this is the weekend before Christmas Eve. One more week to go and then I'll be on vacation! I wasn't going to take my writing with me...but I'm starting to think that I will. I'm already imagining my favorite coffeehouses and working there to kill the afternoon hours.

National Gallery

Sort of last minute I decide I do want to attend the lecture at the National Gallery on Picasso and Matisse. The other ones I've attended have been quite interesting. So I finish getting ready and haul it down to the National Gallery (from Dupont Circle area), and make it there just in time to get in line and be sure I have a choice in seating.

I walk in the door, have my bag checked and start to head down to the auditorium. And then what do I see? A notice that the lecture is postponed until next weekend.

I guess the good thing is since I didn't want to just turn around and walk back out, I got to look through the National Gallery's East builidng for a bit, which is something I haven't done in awhile. I had no idea there were so many Picasso's here. Not sure the Matisse cut-outs interested me very much, but his paintings did.

I recommend checking out what's up currently at the Gallery. And look at the West building too. The Streets of New York exhibit is great, if it's still up. I can't remember how long that one is supposed to go for.

chill in the air

I was so incredibly cold last night it was ridiculous. My friend and I went and saw Casino Royale (second time for me) last night and then got some dinner thankfully near my apartment. It was difficult making those last two blocks home. This morning while out running an errand I saw a formation of geese overhead flying south. I guess it's truly time for me to go into my self-imposed hibernation. This Texas girl is still not ready for the cold to last more than...a week at most.

The good news is that while sequestered away in my apartment, I should have more than enough time to write, among other things. I have also played quite a bit of piano lately since I received my keyboard as an early Christmas gift the other day. I think it helps to focus creative energies on something else. After a few days of indulging my inner pianist, I wrote like a madwoman. Or...I guess I should say edited somewhat like a madwoman. I've been working on this new idea and went back and edited the little that I had.

They may raise them tough down South, but we are not brought up with defenses against the cold. Case in point: a little bit of ice, or maybe 3/4" of snow will pretty much shut down the entire city of Dallas. Here, from what I've heard, there are voluntary snow days. You're snowed in (from a Southerner's point of view) and some crazy people still decide to brave the danger for their employer. Or their paycheck.

The luck that I have of living a practically a less than 10 minute walk to work excludes me from these voluntary snow days. If I was not excluded, I would probably work from home until the groundhog sees his shadow.