A Capital Fourth at the Capitol Fourth

[bironic]

I'm not usually one to go all out and celebrate Independence Day. As a kid we would barbecue and then set off some crackers and sparklers in the back yard, the end. Lately it's just been lackluster viewing of the Boston, New York and/or D.C. fireworks on TV. A few years ago a friend and I did go down to the Esplanade to see the Boston Pops concert. Well, to hear the concert over speakers, we were so far away from the Hatch Shell where the performance took place, but we were sitting right by the river for the fireworks afterwards.

But this year, I figured that since I'm in the nation's capital, I should do some capital-y celebration-type things. And I ended up having a perfect Fourth of July.


     





When I woke up I figured if I sat at the computer I wouldn't get up again until I headed over to deelaundry's for dinner, so I threw on some warm-weather clothes and walked to the Metro with vague plans of finding out whether the White House really doesn't let you tour unless you're a "group of ten or more" who wrote your congressperson six months ahead, and generally experiencing a bit of downtown D.C. on the holiday. Being an idiot, I didn't bring sunscreen or a hat; I wasn't planning to be outside much.

Long story short, the White House really doesn't let you tour unless you're a group of ten or more who wrote your congressperson six months ahead of time (unless you're an individual lucky enough to get grouped together with others by said congressperson); so after finding that out at the White House Visitor Center, I walked the few blocks over to the National Archives to see a military band concert and dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by people dressed up as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin.

There was a lot of red, white and blue.





"Thomas Jefferson" voices his complaints about George III.





Closeups of the reenactors.





Forty-five minutes after the ceremony ended, there was a parade down Constitution Avenue. I'd gone across the street to sit in the shade for the Declaration reading, knowing I burn at the snap of a finger, and ended up having a prime viewing spot right on the curb. I think that sort of thing is not possible for something like, say, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, when people start gathering behind police barriers as the sun rises.

After the police on their motorcycles and horses came the military. That's one thing about being in D.C.—there are a lot of soldiers and military facilities around, just integrated into public transportation and life in general. But at times like this, I find it easier than I would have expected to forget about political beliefs and cheer in support of the people who are out there putting their lives on the line, regardless of whether you believe in the war they're being asked to fight. Especially when seasoned and recent veterans with prosthetic limbs and blown-off noses come riding down in open-topped cars, their kids beside them.





Revolutionary War soldiers.





Lots of superheroes. I think these were the Watchmen?





Arthur is happy for the parade!





Did I mention there was a lot of red, white and blue?





Dignified women reenactors in hoop skirts.





An Anacostia Rollers skater wearing a foam muscle suit emblazoned with "Obama" across the chest.





There were many school marching bands.





Also a great variety of international and intercultural dances and music, including drummers from Brazil and China, dancers in bright green and yellow feathers from Bolivia, swing dancers, singing cowboys, and these enthusiastic performers from I think Lima, Peru. (Sorry the video is so short; a few seconds in, my memory card filled up.)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr912nbjPSU)


Then, as planned, I made my way home, got my things together, noticed the start of an impressive sunburn on my forehead, slapped some aloe on it, and headed to Dee's, where Mr. Laundry proceeded to make a seriously delicious barbecue dinner. Then she was kind enough to lend me him and their weekend houseguest, hannahrorlove, for a trip down to the Mall for the fireworks. I really wanted to see them, since I'm probably only here for the one summer and that's sort of the Thing To Do on the Fourth. I didn't care about the concert going on across the Mall with Jimmy Smits and Barry Manilow and whoever else; the crowds were thicker down that end, anyway. (The Metro authorities said they expected about 800,000 riders after the show.)

And the fireworks were great! We found a fantastic spot at the base of the Washington Monument just at the crest of the hill on the side where the fireworks were launched.





We just lay back and watched. They were so close that in addition to feeling the booms in the center of my chest, the expanding explosions looked like they were coming right toward us, in 3D.








And then we waited about 45 minutes for the crowds to thin out and braved the Metro to get back. THE END.



Today I'm taking a break and staying in. Have Remix to beat into submission and a chicken to roast, and one of the worst sunburns of my life on my knees to slather in aloe. What're you all up to?

Comments

[recrudescence.livejournal.com]

DC fireworks! *homesick*

I...have not written a word for my remix fic. Go you, being productive. =)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I've got about 400 words, and they're going nowhere. I have to think about whether to push on or start over with something else. And only about five more days to do it. Gah!

Aw. Hope you enjoyed these vicariously, then.

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

What a lovely Fourth! Thank you for the photos.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I hope you had a lovely Fourth too.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Mm. Sounds like my usual Fourth celebrations. :)

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Your photos are amazing! I love the second last one, I'm mesmerized by how it's reaching out. Glad you had a great time!

Right now I'm drinking coffee and reading my f-list. *g* I'm also tweaking my Remix right now. Then I will be begging for a beta. :-)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

There's a certain distance at which fireworks look flat. We apparently approached closer than that. It was very cool. Like we were watching not fireworks but Fireworks: The IMAX Experience.

Happy tweaking! Mine is in abominable shape. I have to figure out whether to scrap what I've got and start from something else, or keep going and see if a point asserts itself.

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

thank you for the pics. that looked fun.
I also do some historical reenactment stuff and I'm rather proud of the fact that I know how to sit down and go up and down stairs in a hoop skirt. (There are some tricks to it.)
Jimmy Smits sings?

[roga.livejournal.com]

Beautiful photos, and it sounds like you had such a fun day! Yay :-) Ugh, Remix, man. Thank god there's another week. Or so.

(BTW, I am now fully in American Idol AS A FANDOM OH MY GOD mode, which has made me aware of the existence of one David Cook, which made me suddenly remember that video you linked to a while back, and I am so jealous of your sister right now. Just saying :-))

[yevgenie.livejournal.com]

Awww, that looks like an awesome day! I helped host a 4th of July celebration here in England (hey, any excuse for a party) as the token American. :D It was pretty fantastic, but rather short on fireworks!

[bironic.livejournal.com]

(Aww. They're only on tour for another week, I think. Then she and the band are heading out to open for someone else.) (How she stays employed at her day job, I am not sure.)

Yesterday was indeed a fun today. Today, not so much; I am sleepy and unproductive. Well, no, I cooked dinner and wrote about 1,600 words of story, but it was not Remix, and I really need to work on Remix, or I'm going to have to drop out. I only have two or three weeknights to work on it and then that's it. Good luck to you!

I took this pic for you the other day, btw:

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Excellent! There was an English family at the fireworks here, and that made me laugh. Celebrating the birth of the country that broke away from them in bloody war. (Bloody colonials.)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

He hosted, I believe. That's cool that you do reenactment. Those skirts do look hard to maneuver in.

[roga.livejournal.com]

Sooooooooo pretty! Thank you :-) I thought about you too this week -- saw some Birthright kids, which brought you to mind, even though you are nothing like a typical "Birthright Kid" :-)

Man, Remix. I'll be fine -- I'm really hoping to finish this one less than, you know, an hour before the deadline, which happens to me sometimes (and sometimes later than that...)

(And despite it being "only" for one more week, I'm still extremely jealous. If she could somehow pass along a "Love from Israel! AND PLEASE COME TOUR HERE"... I jest. Okay, I'm pretending to jest so as not to put you in an awkward position, whatever. Ack, I'll shut up now.)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Ah, alas, she just told me last night was their last show. My mistake -- sorry! I did try, though. She said she'll try to remember to pass on the message when they next cross paths. :)

Aw, Birthright people. Not. Well, no, a few of them were nice enough that I still keep in touch. But beware Americans in large numbers, at any age.

*\o/* for you for Remix.

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

once you know the tricks it's not hard at all.

[musicisbelievng.livejournal.com]

nice fireworks! We missed the ones they apparently set off at the amusement park in Baton Rouge, so we set our own off in the Hampton Inn parking lot behind the tour buses.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I'd ask if that was legal, but I probably don't want to know.

*hug from far away, just because*

[nicocoer.livejournal.com]

on the 4th/5th? I. . . was in DC as well, actually. :-/

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Hopefully not getting too sunburnt!

[nicocoer.livejournal.com]

Somehow I AVOIDED getting sun burnt until I got home and went berry picking with my mother. o_0