Borrow a Bag of Bags

I needed to package the CDs I burnt to send as inquiries to photo agencies. I decided that a nice brown wrapper would look the cleanest and be the cheapest. I didn't have any bags so I called up my friend M.E. Sprengelmeyer. He said to stop over and he'd run me some down from his apartment. Then he told me to check out yesterday's yard sale on the way home.

William Eggleston-esque Yard Sale

I checked out the remnants of yesterday's yard sale at the corner of 18th and Park Rd NW. It reminded me of a place I might have bumped into the photographer William Eggleston.

Recycled Packaging

It makes me feel good that I can put paper bags to such good use. I think they have a great nostalgic look. Too bad postage isn't recyclable.

Photo Ring

This is a ring I bought a long time ago in Jacksonville, NC. I bought it in a pawn shop. I like it because of it's classic crown ring design. I think I've only ever seen design like this in plastic and costume jewelry before. Why are the plastic cases for CDs called "jewel cases?" Today I burnt six sets of three CDs. The three CD set contains 555 images that I am sending to a couple stock photo agencies on Monday.

Life = Onion?

I think because of it's layered qualities, the onion is the perfect metaphor food. You can compare it to life, years, seasons, etc. This onion has been growing in my fridge door for a while. Seeing its green sprouts reminded me to go to the grocery store every time I opened the door for iced tea. I kept ignoring the sprouts. Eventually, a whole new onion had grown in the fridge door and I didn't have to go to the grocery store. Just kidding.

Photographer Takes My Picture

This is my friend Matt getting his picture taken by Texan photographer Michael J. Madsen. Me and Matt were leaving the National Gallery when we ran into this guy. He said he came up here from Texas to do a project taking photos of people in DC and asking them what they remember about Ronald Reagan. He said it was a spur-of-the-moment idea and he hopes he gets some good material out of it. As a fellow photographer I hope he gets some good material too.

Reagan's Supporters ... May Arrive Too Late

I guess this guy voted for Reagan a while ago. He showed up again today to show his support.

Reagan's Funeral Procession

This is as close as I could get the the funeral procession. Good thing I'm tall, have long arms, and good aim. I am glad I got to see the coffin with my own eyes. They were near the Washington Monument on Constitution Ave below the White House. They got there about 6pm and were off parading by 6:15.

Reagan's Viewing Line

I thought I might be getting in line to view President Reagan in the Capitol Building, but I found out you can't bring cameras ... also it is a closed casket. Plus, while walking through the National Mall we saw authorities roping off the viewing line ... it was 7 blocks long and at least 20 rows thick. I guess I'll be taking pictures outside.

Dave's Paper Plane

This is Dave at work in the Corcoran College Library on H St NW. Dave has been making this paper airplane for approximately two months.

Bird Food

I needed a snack earlier today. I gave the end of this bag of cashews to the birds.

Business as Usual

This is my friend Andrew working in the office at Swing's Coffee Shop on 17th and G Sts NW. The company is around 80 years old, so is this typewriter. Swing's is a traditional kind of place and also an old area business. This Tower Typewriter requires no electricity, and is streamline designed leaving out the 1 key for less drag. "It isn't made with one. You have to type the lowercase "L" key for a one," Andrew told me. That typewriter is the closest thing to a computer (aside from the copy machine, stereo, telephone and cell phones, and the occasional Nintendo Game Boy) in Swing's office.

Mt Pleasant Meal Deal

This is my favorite meal in the neighborhood. Half a chicken, rice or french fries, and a cup of lettuce and dressing for $7 even, at El Pollo Sabroso on Mt Pleasant St. The only bank close isn't mine, so I had to buy a 2 liter at 7-Eleven with my card and get $10 cash back. Now I have a full stomach and bus money.

Ronald Regan Building

Over the past week I have been noticing the Ronald Regan Building and National Trade Center while passing it on the bus. Yesterday, I specifically remember thinking they could have done a better job of carving the building's title into its rotunda (and caused the letters to look less cramped) had they used a smaller font for "and." I was at my friend Andrew's and his brother Matt was using the internet. Andrew looked over at the screen and said, "Ronald Regan is dead!" I guess I felt relieved. Ronald Regan is the first president I remember as a child. It was a safer time ... the end of the Cold War. Even democrats can mourn the death of this jelly bean eating movie cowboy. I remember I first learned of Ronald Regan from a MAD Magazine and my mom.

Nice 'Stache

I went out with a bunch of new friends tonight. Well, I've met them before, I just forgot their names. We walked up and down 18th St in Adams-Morgan. It's great to see that much activity from time to time. The thing is, I don't live far away and I'm usually annoyed with the activity. The sidewalks are impossible to walk on. Most of the time I see 18th St as a club-filled tourist trap, but tonight it was fun. This is Ian trying to pick up the "CitiBank chick" during a routine ATM stop. Turned down dude? Oh well, she had a mustache anyway.

National Bird Bath and Photographers' Monument

I was down at the WWII Monument again today. There are a lot of photographers down there. I saw all kinds of cameras, large and medium format, 35mm, digital point-and-shoots and SLRs. It's a regular photographers' convention. I saw this bird down there this evening taking a bath, the same type of bird that was stuck in my chimney for a few days.