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Showing posts with label US Capitol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Capitol. Show all posts

Friday, October 4, 2013

A Furlough Day At the US Capitol (Part II of II)


Continued from Part I -- Photos from a day at the Capitol trying to capture the imagery of the shutdown.  Several furloughed Government employees gathered in front of and behind the Capitol with signs expressing their frustration at the shutdown.





This is the face of frustration.  










Hopefully they can put their signs away for good soon......

A Furlough Day At the US Capitol (Part I of II)


I spent a good part of October Third at the Capitol trying to capture the imagery of the shutdown.  There was a large Capitol Police presence as noted above, and several protesters.   


I didn't recognize this Senator but people were pretty interested in what he had to say. 



Arkansas Senator John Boozman addresses the crowd.

 "Freedom" statue on top of the Capitol Dome.

 I was surprised at the amount of Government employees willing to carry signs and pose for pictures.

This individual had a lot to say and said it for a couple hours.  One thing he pointed out was that NASA uses mind control on US citizens.  

Oh no he's not going there......

Yep, he went there.

Two women were selling "Furlough Cookies," until.......

The Capitol Police put a stop to it.  He did let them rip the word 'buy' from their sign and continue to ask for donations. 


I just don't know what to say about this one....

 I thought it was getting weird......

Then Jesus showed up.




Continued on Part II........

Saturday, June 15, 2013

One Million Bones On The National Mall


I was walking across the National Mall the other day when I found myself dodging bones.  Bones everywhere!  I've seen many things in DC, but nothing like this.....


Seems they were part of the One Million Bones project who's mission is to raise awareness of genocides and crises occurring in Sudan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia.



One Million Bones was launched In 2010 and resulted in 1,000,000 bones being spread across Washington DC's National Mall in early June, 2013, in remembrance of genocide victims and survivors, and to raise awareness of the issue.






I got to walk through this!  I can't take credit for this shot.  It's from http://www.onemillionbones.org/ where you can find out more about this project.
Also, check out http://theartofrevolution.org/ for more info

Hashtag #onemillionbones on Twitter will lead to many more pics.
Piles of bones...........




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Yet Another Hidden Gem in Washington, DC-- National Capitol Columns

So the main reason we went to the Arboretum was so see the National Columns. Little did we know just what an experience we were in for!

The columns were initially placed on the East Portico of the US Capitol in 1828. They were quarried from sandstone near Aquia Creek in Virginia (like 5 minutes from my house!!!), but they were later removed to make way for addition to the east side of the Capitol in 1958, eventually finding their way to the National Arboretum.
The columns as seen through a fountain near the entrance to the Arboretum.

The stately dignity of the Corinthian columns rising above a miniature reflecting pool, set in a quiet meadow surrounded by wildflowers, reminds one of quiet, serene utopia, tucked away and hidden from the world. 

Although looking at the columns made me feel like I was looking at the remnants of a world gone by, the National Capitol Columns have only been in their current location for just over a decade.


A serene meadow of wildflowers surrounds the columns. 

Pathway ending at the columns.



When the columns were removed, so were several of the steps from the east side of the Capitol. These steps were later  recycled here along with the columns.
Quarry marks from Government Island are still visible on many of the old Capitol steps.
A reflecting pool fed by a small stream running down a channel in the steps. 


Across the meadow is a capital, or top portion, of one of the columns. Here you can see the detail that the stone carver incorporated into the design. Acanthus leaves are visible and the many layers of paint applied while the column was in place at the Capitol are evident on portions of the stone as well.
The Arboretum actually rises above DC providing a great view of the Nations Capitol.
This flag was at the entrance to the Arboretum.
Even after four years here, we still are able to find new places to see and things to do in Washington DC!!!!