16. The District

First, I've missed a day. Although there are no rules, and what rules there are are only arbitrarily created and are most often broke by their arbitrary creators. Such is the case here. I wanted to make at least one post a day, and as of yesterday, I have failed to do so. I will endeavor to do better.

This morning, I've read a Washington Post review of a theater group's performance of Macbeth, a favorite play of mine and maybe yours. I emailed it to a friend who has recently taken a job in Washington, DC. This friend and I have been to another theatrical performance, here in Louisville at Actors, and while our tastes are different and separated by a generation, there is a common enjoyment of live theater. The DC company in the review has two more plays planned this Spring, Animal Farm and Hamlet.

I've had a fascination with our nation's seat of government since a trip I took there with some of my 6th grade class at Prestonia Elementary. Most of the kids on that trip were from Ms. Norman's 5th grade class, but they needed four more kids to make a full roster. I had been in Ms. Norman's class in 5th grade, but we didn't make the trip, so she invited me and three others. What a time I had. Our school group was accompanied by the appropriate adult chaperones. Upon arriving, we divided into groups of five students, each with a chaperone. My group's chaperone was Ms. Norman's then-husband Mike. Since the other chaperones were all parents, the other groups had someone generally 20 to 25 years older than they were doing the chaperoning. Mike was maybe 15 years older than we were and was something of a free spirit.

We visited places all up and down the Mall, the various buildings of the Smithsonian, as well as the two houses of Congress, the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court. At least we stood out in front of the Supreme Court and staged a mock-protest, just to say we had done so. Since my grandfather had been big in the Louisville local of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and their national headquarters was on the beaten path, just to the northwest of the Senate wing of the Capitol building, we visited there as well. All the other groups had set schedules. We ran pretty freely.

I've been back a few times. I have some favorite places, and there are some places I haven't seen yet such as Henry Adams' monument for his wife at their grave site. I've mentioned before my interest in and concern for the Historic Congressional Cemetery on E Street SE, in the direction of RFK stadium. I've not made it to the Folger Library, so if for no other reason, I have to go back there sooner or later.

I've lived almost my entire life in Louisville. I've also lived briefly in Frankfort and Lexington. The only other city I've ever wanted to live in was and is Washington, DC. It is a beautiful city with lots of history and lots of politics, two of my three favorite subjects, the other being religion. In the series West Wing, the inner workings of the epicenter of our Republic's government are shown in a dramatic presentation of the office of the President, as well as the City itself. I've begun with a friend watching episodes, in order, of the entire seven-year series, which he received as a Christmas gift. It has rekindled my interest in the District. I've longed subscribed to newspapers, newsletters, and articles pertaining to events there. Hopefully, this will be the year I get back, at least for a visit.

Finally, speaking of Washington, today marks the 3/4 point of the George Bush presidency, assuming he completes the term and doesn't declare himself Supreme Ruler anytime soon. At the latest, two years from today, we will be inaugurating the next Leader of the Free World. Redemption draweth nigh.