Inauguration 2009: Be Heard

With five days and counting, President-elect Obama is providing Americans with an opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions with the incoming administration. Worried about the economy? Think health insurance needs immediate attention? Do you want the new president to focus first on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Here’s your chance to have a say.

Share your ideas on any issue facing the new administration, then rate or comment on other ideas. The best rated ideas will rise to the top — and be gathered into a Citizen’s Briefing Book to be delivered to President Obama after he is sworn in.”

Filed under: Around Town, featured, Inauguration 2009, inspiration point, dialogue, public opinion, take action

Inspiration Comes From Unexpected Places

Huddle

Art is science made clear.
-Jean Cocteau

The last three months, instead of falling back on going to exhibitions and looking at other people’s paintings and sculpture, I’ve started making my own.

The last time I took an art class was in 1990. When I walked into Utrecht on 13th and I Streets, it was like visiting a foreign country. Lucky for me the instructor mailed us a list of recommended supplies, and I ran into a very helpful salesperson.

So now I paint in my free time. I love playing with color. I examine the details. I’ve learned more about myself than technique.

Putting paint to canvas inspires me in other areas… like figuring a better set up for a news conference or the lede to an article I was struggling with.

Filed under: art, featured, inspiration point, color, create, unexpected

Reflections

There’s something about the naked potential of a day off… a free day… a holiday.

Though I toyed with the idea of doing some work, checking email, reading a report — before the temptation could seduce me — I grabbed my Shuffle, shoved my house keys in a pocket, slung a camera around my neck and headed out into a glorious day.

And I was struck by reflections. On Connecticut Avenue, the Mayflower Hotel reflected off of the curved windows of the office building across the street. The Sumner School reflected off the National Geographic Explorer’s Hall (above). The University Club reflected back from the original National Geographic building. The Smithsonian Castle reflected off of the tranquil pools of the Moongate Garden.

Everywhere I looked, something else reflected back.

I wrapped up the day with an evening showing of the 11th Hour. Though I felt the movie dragged a little and the message got a little convoluted in the end, it did get me thinking about the disposable society we live in and my contributions to waste. It’s actually been on my mind for a while now.

While I’ve made some lifestyle changes, I’m still not doing nearly enough. As Michael Jackson so eloquently put it, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change.”

So how did you spend your Labor Day?

Filed under: Around Town, inspiration point, moving pictures