benmurray / washington d.c.

Cherry Blossoms

What began as a routine errands trip turned into a little tourism jaunt to the tidal basin to take this year’s requisite cherry blossom photos.  They’re not in full bloom yet, but they’re on their way.  More enjoyable was the annual kite festival that kicks off the two week National Cherry Blossom Festival each year.  The air around the Washington Monument was filled with hundreds of kites trying to avoid or fight each other.

I feel like it’s required of any amateur photographer to spend at least three hours getting the “perfect” photo of these Sakura blossoms at every angle imaginable.  Not one to miss out on the fun, I took a fair shot (even though they look a little sad in this snap).  Take a look.

Photo Experiments

Joined up with the fine folks at Brightest Young Things and photographed an event at Wonderland Ballroom last week.  Read the story and see the photos.

It snowed a little

It snowed a bit in Washington this week.  Two storms, nicknamed ‘snowmageddon’ and ‘snoverkill’, shut down the government, schools and universities for about six days.  It was good fun for a time.  Now we get to dig out…or just skip.

See photos.

Traveling food carnivals on Twitter

I met up with the Fojol Bros, (and snapped this pic of) DC’s newest and most buzz-worthy street food option, on Memorial Day at the Navy Memorial during the parade.  I had wanted to partake in their served-from-a-carnival-on-wheels Indian food for a while but never seemed to match their schedule.  The timing was perfect.

I wouldn’t have found them if it hadn’t been for their Tweets.  They communicate with fans by announcing their location on Twitter, and they were right around the corner.  They move through DC blaring music, donned in kitschy outfits and looking nothing like an authority on anything Indian.  But the food is great, the utensils are biodegradable and the price is right.

I snapped the photo above with one hand while holding a cup of chicken masala in my left, posted it to Flickr! and got a note from the Bros.  They sent it out to some press and it wound up here, in the August issue of DC Magazine.

They’re definitely seizing the power of social networking to build a scrumptious business model.  Follow them at @fojolbros and fojol.com.

Fireworks

Enjoyed the Independence Day fireworks from my roof with friends and neighbors.  Great show.

Inauguration 2009

I’ve been absent awhile, but thought I’d write a few notes about the past week so that I don’t forget it.  While the photos and videos won’t be going anywhere (backups!), I fear the raw emotion felt throughout this city will fade in time.

I’ve always been a sucker for parades.  Whether it was my grandfather’s recordings of bagpipes and drums played on full, the countless parades my parents took me to as a wee one, or my affinity for bright and shiny things (haha), heralding trumpets and banners have always claimed a soft spot in my heart.  It goes without saying that the inauguration of a president ranks right up there with the greatest celebrations in the world.

I even went to George W. Bush’s second inauguration, ticket in hand, just to see how it all went down.  I was so torn between thinking “holy crap this is amazing,” and “wtf? I’m actually enjoying this?  BUSH!? COME ON!”  Alas, whoever it may be, the fact that our nation can transfer power without bloodshed or strife is pretty amazing in comparison to the rest of the world.

This week we inaugurated our 44th president, and the pomp didn’t disappoint.  This time, though, the pomp didn’t matter.  What filled me with emotion wasn’t the revelry supplied by lights and banners or the institutional showmanship, however spectacular they may be.  It was the realization that this style of politics that has jaded me throughout my education in high school and college has finally come to an end.
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Body of War

I attended the Reel Progress screening of the new documentary “Body of War” last night at the E-Street Cinema.  It’s the tale of Tomas Young, a soldier transitioning from a wounded Iraq War vet coping with his injuries to a vocal critic of the war.  Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro directed the brilliant, personal look into his life, marriage, injuries and activism.  Eddie Vedder wrote two moving songs that perfectly fit the film’s tone.

Where most documentaries would shy away from personal tales about recovery like relations with his wife, catheters, erections, etc., this film takes in stride.  It isn’t about numbers or figures, talking heads or political motivations.  It’s just a look into one soldier’s life and his quest to find voice in ending the way and bringing his fellow servicemen and women home.

Tomas was there last night, along with Sen. Byrd, Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro, Ralph Nader and other personalities.  Byrd was featured throughout the film as one of the most critical of the war.  His vibrant orations were a perfect fit to juxtapose the talking points from the White House.  He didn’t refrain from throwing a few fists and yells during the screening either, even if his oratory is a little quiet these days.

It’s opening to the public in Washington this Friday, April 4th.  Don’t miss it.

Maybe Just Ban the Paultards

Astute Wonkette commenters picked up on a recent gem from the Ron Paul forums.

“Does anyone fear that the internet will be attempted to be taken away from us because of the “threat” RP and we have posed? Assuming Paul doesn’t become President, the people “in charge” will have to know that we are all fired up and organizing on the internet for the long haul to make sure the Constitutional candidate in 4 years does win.. I fear they will try to take the internet away, somehow, and then it will be back to hitting the streets, which isn’t bad, but you get my point…”

Yep, I get your point, and think it’s a pretty good idea. Who is it exactly that is “in charge?”

via Wonkette
The Ron Paul Forums 

Lines are for Losers

Wish I could say I’ve never used a line sitter.  But, seriously.  Who wants to wait in line for a committee hearing when you can get some smelly guy to do it for you?