Topic: Personal
We didn't make it to the Smithsonian today, but we did have a very illuminating afternoon in the Phillips Gallery where they have the original of the Renoir " Luncheon of the Boating Party", one of Bruce's favorite paintings, as well as quite a collection of impressionist works. The Phillips also had a considerable collection of modern art for us to snark over. We neither of us really seem to feel modernism.
Incidentally, about impressionism - in the movie "Clueless", one of the rich high school girls in the story is described as a 'Monet' - "She looks fine from a distance, but close up, it's a mess."
Now back to the blog entry.
We went to Second Story Books after the art gallery, and if I wasn't growing faint and crabby from hunger, we might still be there. Bruce added to his collection of reading materials, being as how his apartment can not quite pass as a used book store. Yet.
We have been walking everywhere, the weather's nice and crisp, Bruce likes pointing out interesting views and landmarks to me, and I enjoy his company. Although there's plenty of cabs and the Metro, we still prefer the physical immersion (and the exercise) we get from walking through the city streets, through the parks, and through traffic circles trying to get out without getting killed by embassy cars (which they could do with immunity if they wanted to).
Bruce pointed out to me that DC license plates say, on the bottom, "Taxation Without Representation". I love that open, expressive, and justifiably dour attitude. It's all about the free speech, no?
About today's photos:
(1) Pink and Blue: Magnolias against the sharp blue afternoon sky, a flash of color in winter
(2) Magnolias against the red-brick of the Phillips Collection building
(3) magnoliashadows.jpg: From the inside of the gallery, the magnolia tree outside cast its shadows across the white canvas shade across the window facing the light in the afternoon sun.
(4) We walked by a cleaner's today, where they claim to use "organic solvents". Organic, like benzene? 'Cause you know, aromatic compounds really does the stains in. Brilliant! We pointed, we laughed, we took a photo so you too can point and laugh.
