New Orleans Confidential: The Twilight Edition

Sunset at Jackson Square: The Basilica of New Orleans
on the banks of the mighty Mississippi

A few hours after lunch in Meridian, we arrived in the Crescent City--New Orleans. (Or N'awlins, to the locals.) I've been to a lot of big cities in the U.S. in my short life, but none quite like this one. Let's just say that Rue Bourbon was "interesting." If your nasal passages weren't being assaulted by the none-too-subtle odor of last night's vomit and libations, your ears were being assaulted by overly loud jazz and blues at one bar in competition with the overly loud jazz and blues next door. You're accosted by hawkers for peep shows, licensed charity solicitors, and Mardi Gras-festooned fellows who ask to have their picture taken and then demand a buck for the privilege. You can walk past a prostitute leaning in a doorway putting on polka-dotted panties over fish net stockings or be propositioned by a guy with a tuba. Fun.

Okay, truthfully, not all of New Orleans is that tawdry, tacky, and cheap, and Bourbon Street is only one part of Sin City, but this place makes Las Vegas look like kiddie camp by comparison. That said, I'll be exploring the French Quarter a bit more tomorrow and hope to bring you the sunny side of New Orleans. In the meantime, here's the sunset from Jackson Square and a few photos of some of the architecture and characters that lend N'awlins its charm.



Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09

Two Things Challenge: Solemn / Playful

Ron Henderson, owner of Pulp, passed away from cancer February 15, 2009

This week's Two Things Challenge was Solemn / Playful. I chose as my interpretations a picture of a tribute to Ron Henderson, owner of Pulp on 14th Street. Ron's little shop of cards and unique gifts is a staple in the DuPont Circle / U Street Corridor / Logan Circle shopping district and a fun, happy place. Sadly, Ron's battle with cancer ended in February this year. His employees posted this tribute to Ron in the entrance of Pulp. If you get a chance, stop by the store and sign the condolence book on the counter.

Promoting world peace by pillow fighting!

The second photo was taken the same day in DuPont Circle at the World Pillow Fight Day. It was a blast to watch grown-ups and a kid or two pummel each other with pillows around the fountain! In fact, I think three things: First, D.C. should have a pillow fight every week. It would be a great way to relieve all the stress around here and everyone would go away with a smile on their face. Second, Congress should be required to come down to the circle once a month and let us pummel them with pillows for taking their sweet time about legislation. And third, all wars should be fought with pillows.

If you want to see how others interpreted this challenge or if you'd like to join in, visit Two Things Photo Challenge.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential / Janet Kincaid, 04/09

Red Shoes a la Rothko

Red Shoes a la Rothko

Out walking along Georgia Avenue the other day, I saw a woman talking on a cell phone. What drew me to her were her red shoes. I asked if I could take a picture and she said yes. I'm calling this one "Red Shoes a la Rothko."

*****

Today's photo From the Archives is a snap I took as my family (parents and siblings) was making the drive cross-country from Utah to our new home in Virginia. This was taken just outside of Laramie, Wyoming, in June 1988.

Ominous : Laramie, Wyoming : 1988

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

Doyle's D-Day

Terrence M. Doyle, USN (Ret.) and a photo his son took of him
collecting sand on the beaches of Normandy, France

This past weekend, some friends and I went out to Middletown, Maryland, to see the fall colors.* Our wanderings that day took us through Boonsboro and Antietam.** On the way home, we stopped at a produce stand on the outskirts of Boonsboro where we met this man. I was taking a picture of some of the produce and he said to me in passing, "Isn't that produce beautiful? What a country! I love it!" Then he ran off and we continued admiring the apples and squash and gourds.

Not long after that, this same cheery guy came by and we started talking a bit more. His name is Terrence M. Doyle and he's a retired Navy helicopter pilot, Civil War reenactor, and civilian defense employee. Terry is holding a picture his son took of him at Normandy scooping up sand from the beach to bring home as a remembrance.

I only caught fragments of his story and why he was scooping sand at Normandy. I'm confident after he reads this entry, he'll email me more details (and, when I have them, I'll amend this entry), but my understanding is his father participated in the D-Day operations in 1944.

This is the third in my 100 Strangers series.

UPDATE: Terry sent me an email this morning with the specifics about why he was digging sand at Normandy. To read his email, visit Standing Room Only.

* We also met City Daily Photo blogger Bernie of Middletown Daily Photo. Cool guy and very gracious host. I'll post a picture of him next week.

** Or Sharpsburg, depending on which side of the Civil War you fall on.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08

Study in Blue

Gentleman in Blue on a Bench :
Laurel Avenue : Takoma Park, Maryland

Again, random photos with no particular meaning except these are a variation on a theme of blue! Hope you've enjoyed yesterday's and today's entries. One of tomorrow's entries will feature things yellow and orange. How droll, no?

River Visual : Roosevelt Island : Washington, D.C.

Blue Bead Bento Box : S&A Beads : Takoma Park, Maryland

Ethereal Dusk :
Washington DC Mormon Temple : Kensington, Maryland

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08

Dancing In the Streets

Dancing Jogger Guy, Chinatown

Yesterday, while wondering through Chinatown, I came across this guy again. I've seen him before. I call him "Dancing Jogger Guy." He literally dances in circles across the crosswalks in an intersection. He'll make the rounds in an intersection for several light revolutions. He's a character and one of these days, when I see him again, I'm going to ask him why he exercises in such a unique manner.

While trying to take this picture, a young woman approached me. She was wearing a t-shirt that said, "Stop Bitching! Start a Revolution!" She was rather insistent that I buy a shirt from her and asked me if I bitch a lot. I said, "Yeah, a bit." To which she said, "Well, then stop bitching and start a revolution!"

"Okay, fine," I said. "Move out of my way! I'm trying to take a damn picture! There! Is that revolutionary enough for you?"

She moved on to the next person.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential (Janet M. Kincaid, 05/07)