
Besides touring the capitol with Chance and Jenny (who were in SLC today and I got to give them a tour of the Church Administration Building -- some day I'll even post pictures), Allie and I walked around D.C. for miles and miles enjoying all the architectural delights my heart could ever desire (I hear that's just because I didn't make it to the ugly 60s building -- then I would have architectural horrors). Here is Allie in front of the Library of Congress. Some day I plan to go in and this time I will remember not to wear a belt (darn security).

I have an unnatural love of friezes and Corinthian columns.

After the tour of the capitol, there was a protest happening against the health care bill. Allie and I went to that for 15 or so minutes. I took pictures for my blog, she took notes for her job and then we left to continue on adventuring. Isn't the little protesting boy cute?

This was as we were walking away from the protest. It was actually really cool experience-wise. I met and saw all kinds of people and appreciated that we have the freedom to do things like that. It made me feel ridiculously patriotic.
Allie and I then headed over to the Cannon building where Chance works (because while we protested, they went and ate lunch) and saw Congressman Flake's office. I LOVE old buildings. They have such character. It's embarrassing to see Chance's office and then take him to mine in the COB that looks like it got remodeled in the 70s and no one's bothered to realize life and style has moved on since (or was better a couple hundred years before).

Chance had to keep working, so we took Jenny with us to get delicious cupcakes. Jenny thought I hated them, but what she doesn't know is I just bought them to eat the frosting off the top because that's how I am. I can vouch with sticky certainly that the frosting was delicious.

Allie and I parted with Jenny and headed to the International Spy Museum where, lo and behold, Allie knew someone working there (because she knows people EVERYWHERE! Maybe more than I do, even).

Since her friend was doing the spy mission thing whatever it was, we decided to do that. Her friend is a fabulous actress and adorable guide through our bomb-finding mission, but things like that (interactive) stress the snot out of me. I love being a passive participant at things. I'm glad we went, though, because aside from having to DO things, it was fun. And not only did no one die, but we totally rocked the mission.

We came out and it was dark. Since I wanted to see the monuments at night, we headed back over that way. I like to use the zoom on my lens so I don't have to cross the street to look at signs. This is one of many pictures I took from across the street to see where we were going.
I just decided that now I should mention how I know Allie because it doesn't fit in ANYWHERE with the story and I sort of like that.
Once upon a time Allie wrote for the 100 Hour Board (dun, dun, dun!) and a friend of mine filled out her dating application and asked her on a date and she agreed. Long story short, we decided to make it a double date but then he dropped out so she found a different date and I invited another couple and we all went to see The Osmonds 2nd Generation at the Conference Center. Which concert we still mock aspects of to this day. I love that sort of bonding, the kind that's mockable. And Allie didn't go out with her date again and I didn't go out with my date again and the other couple married each other and Allie and I have been friends forever -- the end. Which means I was seeing THREE internet friends (Allie, Jenny and Chance) last weekend.

Our first monument! Washington's! I'm sad it's closed so we didn't get to go inside. Next time, though (because I'm realizing there can always be a next time). It was night, so I thought it would be a great idea to be on f1.8 right? Right!

Then I took this picture of the Lincoln Memorial as I laid on the grass by the Washington Memorial. I wanted little stars, so I put the aperture on f22.

THEN I forgot I changed the f-stop and WHY were none of my pictures turning out and how is life so horrible? (I have ZERO good pictures of the war memorial. NEXT TIME!) Then I took this picture and realized 1. Oh no! Star effect! F-stop!! and 2. Holy snot, my lens is dirty.

WHEW! Fixed f-stop. Thank heaven! The first time I was in there, NONE of the pictures were turning out and people were getting pictures with their cell phones and I could NOT figure it out and it was maddening. I am awesome.

Then we walked by the water to get to the Roosevelt Memorial. It was a gorgeous night. Actually, the whole weekend had perfect weather. All for me!

And back home here's a picture of Allie's husband Carl because I did see him this weekend, but he stayed home Saturday to get the emissions test done on Allie's car because he's a good husband.
















































































