What We Locals Sometimes Take For Granted

I was at a party tonight at the National Portrait Gallery's Kogod Courtyard for a promotional effort called "DC Cool." I expected all the mayoral candidates to be there, but didn't spot a one. Maybe they showed after I headed home, and more about that tomorrow at washingtonian.com. But here's the point of this post: beautiful night and I walked from 7th Street to 23rd Street, almost to home. This was a good walk because it gave me a chance to admire some of the city's sights and architecture - after dark, under the lights; what we locals sometimes take for granted.

THE CONTRAST OF THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY AND VERIZON CENTER

THE NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING (I WORKED HERE FOR 3 YRS AT THE BEGINNING OF MY CAREER)

THE HAMILTON, FORMERLY AWESOME GARFINCKELS, WHERE I USED TO TAKE BUYING CHANEL SUITS FOR GRANTED

THE SCENE OUTSIDE OLD EBBITT GRILL

TREASURY. WHEN I WORKED FOR UPI I USED TO BE SENT OVER HERE IN THE MORNING TO GET THE DAILY "BALANCE," OR THE "NUMBERS" USED BY GAMBLERS. BEAUTIFUL BUILDING, HOWEVER.

THE HAPPY FACE OF DEMOCRACY AS TOURISM

THE IMF BUILDING (I BELIEVE) ADJACENT TO FOUNDING FARMERS