Victor and I went to brunch at Luna Grill at Dupont Circle. Actually, brunch was serindipidy; I'd forgotten they serve it on Saturday as well as Sunday. Not that I needed Hollandaise sauce, but I so rarely have the opportunity to eat Hollandaise sauce, that, well, what the heck.
Then we checked out the August Sander and Aaron Siskind photography exhibits at the Phillips. I really liked Siskind's work...the abstract designs, the depth and texture. (The last show I caught at the Phillips was Edward Weston. When I played at photography, I found myself trying to turn common objects into interesting abstractions using angles or closeups and things like that. I never had a great eye, though, and I was a terrible slob in the darkroom...too impatient...and since the classes I took were photojournalism rather than art, I didn't have great incentive to concentrate on being technically good. Our rule of thumb was "f8 and be there." Because of my shortcomings I really admire artists who do so well what I did so poorly.)
Anyway, the only bad thing at the Phillips was that I got nailed for being the Asshole with a Cellphone that everyone hates. We were meeting up with a friend later in the afternoon but hadn't firmed up plans, and of course his call came in while we were in the Georges Rouault room. I tried to be very quiet, unobtrusive, and quick (my phone was on vibrate, not ring) but the docent was on me in about a nanosecond. I felt about three inches tall, and I apologize profusely to all patrons I disturbed.
Other than that, though...more serindipity. We had time to kill before meeting our friend, and walking back through Dupont Circle we found ourselves in the park just in time for the Pets-DC Pride of Pets dog show. This ain't no prissy dog show with purebreds marching around the ring with snobby people in suits...classes include Best Costume and Least Obedient. (I think our dog has a good chance of blowing the competition out of the water in that category, and next year we may enter.) Two great costumes were a dachshund wearing a hot dog bun (while his owner was dressed as a mustard bottle) and a spaniel dressed as a cicada.
Glad you enjoyed PETS-DC's Pride of Pets fun dog show. I do hope you and your dog can attend next year. The Least Obedient category has always been very competitive but I admire your confidence and resolve. So you've got a year to practice (or not) to ready your canine to claim the blue ribbon and trophy next June. --chip
Posted by: Chip at June 29, 2004 03:20 PM