Fawn H: August 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Fear Itself

I feel like, for the most part, I'm a pretty calm and laid-back person. I don't think about danger as much as my mom and grandmothers feel that I should. I mean, I don't do stupid things like walk around by myself in the middle of the night in downtown DC, but I'll make solo journeys from one country to another without thinking twice.

Friday night/early Saturday morning, I was in deep REM sleep when I was jolted out of bed by the loudest house-shaking blast you've ever heard. The first thing I thought was, "Someone's bombed the Capitol!" Why this was my first thought, I have no idea, but I was poised and ready leave all my earthly possessions behind, grab Duncan, and hop on the evacuation bus (more on that later). However, as the early morning brain haze and adrenalin rush equalized, I realized it was just a thunderstorm. Being from the South where we live and breathe summer thunderstorms, it should've been just another stormy night. But I guess somewhere in my subconscious lies this fear, especially since I'm only a stone's throw away from the Capitol.

I hope this doesn't serve to stir my mother's fears. I really do feel safe here. There's an absurdly small ratio of police to citizens, and they sure are not wasting their time giving out tickets (see here). I live just a couple of blocks from a police station, and a police car drives up my street at least every 10-20 min at night. There's also an emergency broadcast bus that does its test every Sunday (Duncan hates it), and I suppose if there were a true emergency, you're supposed to get on the bus to evacuate. I just thought it was funny that the bombing thought was the first thing that popped into my head. At least you know I'm prepared. :)

Friday, August 21, 2009

Crime, Punishment, Ducks, and Poe

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered a $6 after 6 (regularly $20) deal for DC residents at the Museum for Crime and Punishment, so C and I decided to take advantage. They have Al Capone's and Bonnie and Clyde's cars, old punishment devices, bios on famous most wanted people, CSI labs, etc. A few pics:

Heat sensitive photo

Bonnie and Clyde's car

Don't think I would've made it in the stocks

Most Wanted

Don't mess with the law

#2 definitely did it

This past weekend, my friend Katie was visiting some friends in Baltimore, so she decided to come visit me, too! She was my first visitor, so it was a test of my skills as a DC tour guide. Not sure how I did, but we had fun. We walked went to Dupont Circle, ate at Lauriol Plaza (my favorite Mexican in the city), visited the Smithsonian Castle, hung out on the Georgetown waterfront, and rode the DC Duck. The Ducks are WWII vehicles that can go on land or water. We got a pretty interesting tour around the city and then floated down the Potomac. They even gave us duck bill quackers (which the 20 children on the tour loved). We ended her visit in Baltimore. She showed me around her city with some food in Little Italy, Charm City Cakes (which will not allow visitors or let you see in the windows), Lexington Market, and Edgar Allen Poe's grave. We fit a lot into 2 short days, and it was great seeing a familiar face!

Capt. Bucky getting ready to take us into the water

Katie on the Potomac

With my quacker

In Baltimore

Edgar Allan Poe's grave

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Football is in the Air

Those things in the picture are what the UPS man brought to my house yesterday. Tickets - 4 sets of beautiful tickets. I couldn't help but get excited. In one month from today, the Crimson Tide will be back on the field in Atlanta to take on Va Tech. I've been preparing myself today by watching highlights from last season - gives me chills.

Sadly, I'm also having to remind myself that I won't be using most of those tickets. I knew that was part of the deal when I moved, but it still hurts. The Tuscaloosa sun, rows of Crimson clad fans, houndstooth, "Yea, Alabama," sea of tailgaters, touchdowns, Eli Gold, and the greatest tradition in college football....sigh...my favorite time of year.

I've gone to at least one game every season for the past 10 years, and I'm not stopping now. I'll make it to at least one. (Unless I make friends with someone with a private plane that can fly me into Tuscaloosa every Saturday...a girl can only dream...) There's a large group of alumni in the DC area, so I'll be spending my Saturdays with them, cheering on the Tide. Roll Tide Roll!!