Blooms

It has been a fantastic couple of days here in the DC area. The sun is out, the snow is melting, the Terps destroyed Duke at home, and gay couples can legally marry in our nation's capital. One by one, the united states seem to be falling away to the inevitable, and hopefully (hopefully) the example set by our capital city will now be followed more willingly, and lovingly, the way it should be.

Joy, like the cherry blossoms in April, can open and blanket a whole city, transforming it entirely, if only for a small while. And that is how I feel right now.

After a long, hard, cold winter, spring is finally, finally, finally coming for our country.

picture courtesy of The Guardian

"My heart weeps for what Marion Barry might have been"

Last night, HBO premiered for TV a documentary on the infamous DC "Mayor for Live," Marion Barry. I didn't watch - I was well asleep by then - and that didn't bother me.

That's because I'd already seen the documentary when it was first premiered at the SilverDocs documentary film festival in Silver Spring this past June. I remember very clearly being there, among a raucous crowd of fans and haters (the only two responses that Barry seems to illicit), in a line that wrapped inside the theater and out.

There I was, at the AFI Silver Theater that night, when Barry stepped out of a limousine with an entourage of women and security. There was Barry, with that dark suit, with that awkward gait, with a woman on his arm, and always grinning. There I was as he walked that long line, smiling and shaking hands with everyone, among women who professed their love for Barry, among women who told him how happy they were for what he had done for their city, among men who told him they were proud of him for always landing on his feet.

Landing on his feet is the theme of the documentary, the Nine Lives of Marion Barry. If you're actually counting the number of 'political lives' Barry has lived, you're surely going to reach double digits. The Marion Barry I know is the sad but ever-persevering saga he has lived as a city council member for Ward 8, a saga filled with tax evasion, ethics charges, stalking accusations, cocaine usage, and a failing kidney. During city council meetings, he seems hardly lucid. That this man had an illustrious past filled with accomplishments seems but a myth. This was a man I would watch on TV, and in the newsroom, and be embarrassed for. This is the Barry I know - a joke. So when I stood on line in June, and watched his fans cry and smile and hug and thank him, I was left to wonder where the love came from.

Nine Lives was, for me, an educational experience. I saw the love, and then saw the reason why. Barry did a lot of great things for many of the citizens of the District, the primary one was his focus on finding jobs for the poor communities. He was a civil rights activist, and then a leader in standing up for the lower class, and providing a voice for those so-often ignored. This is one-half of his legacy, but does not, in fact, fully explain the reasons for the love he garners. He is able to speak to and for those communities, the black community of DC, the under-privileged of DC, because of his sins. Those unconquerable sins that still haunt Barry - drugs, alcohol, and lust - prevented Barry from becoming a legend, but because of them, he became even more a man of the people, he became one of them. He was a troubled man, but he was their man.

As pointed at by filmmaker Dana Flor during a panel discussion that followed the film, DC acts not just as some backdrop, but the struggles of the residents of DC are the subplot. It becomes clear though that during his rise, Barry was intrinsically tied and bound to the lives of the people of DC. Sometime during his peak though, he lost touch, and the filmmakers portray the cause of this disconnect to be the unconquerable sins he could not escape. It seems that if Barry had any self-control, he could have been legendary.

"My heart weeps for what Marion Barry might have been," NBC4 reporter Tom Sherwood said in that panel discussion.

This troubled, always grinning man is also an opportunist to the extreme, and for that, he garners hate. Perhaps he grins because, despite himself, he gets away with everything. Perhaps he grins because he has no idea he's doing anything wrong. Neither answer provides much sympathy.

There was no hate for Barry that night in June, though. Following that panel discussion, Barry addressed the crowd that attended the film. The 73-year-old politician didn't apologize for what he had done, nor act grandiose. He simply thanked the filmmakers for being fair, thanked those who attended, and thanked those who surrounded his life.

That was the night I met Marion Barry, the night I had a drink with Marion Barry, the night I took a photo with Marion Barry, the night I went to Jackie's bar in Silver Spring and enjoyed some free food and drinks, and the night I learned much more about the city in which I lived. Last night, I went to bed and did not watch the movie about the city of DC, but I did sleep there.

This documentary was very good - though I suppose it could have been stronger. But for me, it did well in serving its purpose to educate me as to why the people of DC love this mythical man, as well as illustrating his lasting legacy on this city.

Officials asking for public's help in critically missing job

The District of Columbia's 4th District Officers are asking for assistance from the public to locate a job reported missing this morning from the District.

The job was last seen talking on the phone as it attempted to find breaking news in the DC-metro area. Witnesses interviewed by district officers say that the job was last seen at around 12:30 p.m. on Monday June 29th, walking out the door of the newsroom.

The job is described as a news and information-gathering position that includes making calls to sources and taking calls from reporters and the general public. Job position also known to assist reporters in setting up and scheduling interviews as well as story assignments. Often seen assisting reporters and other assignment desk personnel in researching news stories, finding file video, as well as helping in the scheduling of photographers.

Police officials do not believe foul play was involved, but both police and family are concerned for job's safety and welfare. The job and the job position holder had been together for over 1 year.

Anyone who has information about the job's whereabouts or information about other potential jobs is asked to email the job position holder's non-emergency contact at adamzwiner@gmail.com.

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From the Office of Public Information
District of Columbia

Getting to Work

In the morning, in the winter, in Washington D.C., everything far away looks baby blue and gray.

Up close, from above, my lace-ups look worn down. I should get new ones. I could get a good deal if I look hard enough. There's gotta be a solid shoe store going out of business somewhere in this town.

I walk out the door and pick up The Journal on my way up the stairs. It's in my face now. Out of the basement, and into the recession.

For some special reason I can walk at normal speed on the icy sidewalks. It's a simple technique. You just lower your weight and bend at the knees, and take baby steps, using dry patches when you can. You can't change your speed or direction suddenly or you will lose traction.

I've seen people slip and fall a lot over the past couple of days. One of my boss's bosses broke his back from slipping on ice.

I make it to the Columbia Heights station and slide into a train just as the doors close. Everyone in the car looked up at me, I guess because I was almost running as the doors shut and my scarf got caught in the door.

I switch lines at Gallery Place and get a seat on my new train. I start reading my papers. One article catches my eye, having to do with Financial stocks leading a 2% gain in the markets yesterday. It's already old news to me. I know it's just a hiccup, and the market will correct itself in a matter of hours.

If you can time it right, the volatility of the current market can be extremely lucrative if you buy low and sell high and fast. The thing is, you can make 10 great moves, but it only takes one bad call to undo all of your hard work.

I think back to a customer of mine at the bank. I don't remember his name, just how he used to have this cool, relaxed smile. He was a charming guy and I mean it when I say it was a pleasure serving him. I heard he lost money in the market. The last time I saw him he had this different smile. It was like he was hysterical. And there were moist bags under his eyes, I could tell because they were shining a bit. I haven't seen him since.

The President is calling me a wimp, via newsprint. We need to toughen up, he says. Washington can't handle snow, and Obama is cashing in points and building his image in all the little ways. Respectfully, I have to say I'm more impressed by Putin's judo skills and KGB background than by Obama's ability to pick on the easy target.

Suddenly I notice the stench of the car. It's the smell of garbage day. Not a trash can, but garbage day. The smell of a full bag of garbage that has matured properly, hitting fresh air, and blowing fumes in your face. But it's in an enclosed train car. I struggled to remind myself of that fresh lemon scent every train carried during inaugural weekend.

But the party is over.

You know you're from the District if...

by Adam and Jason

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM DC IF...

- You know the threat of rain will add an hour to your commute. Snow? the city will shut down.
- You go to a sports bar to watch a presidential debate.
- You don't think calling a football team "the Redskins" is racist. What? It's honoring their tradition!
- You've never rooted for a winning baseball team.
- You know the two people who eat for free at Ben's Chilli Bowl*
- You get angry at having to pay for a museum.
- You're invited to Wonderland but don't expect drugs.
- You know why there's one yellow seat per metro car.
- You've finished your WaPo Express sudoku on the escalator ride up L'Enfant Plaza.
- You know not to expect Chinese people in Chinatown.
- You've seen Ian MacKaye at the local Whole Foods.
- You're "sXe 4 Life." or until you turn 21.
- You're 32 and still going to the Positive Youth Fest.
- You're used to your cafes being attached to bookstores, or your bookstores being attached to cafes. Actually you're not sure which it is.
- You've been hit on while hanging out in the Fruit Loop.
- When you were little, you thought the Mormon Temple was Disney Land. You're still convinced.
- You know you're likely to see an 18-yr-old and a senator having a beer together at the Hawk and Dove.
- You're not shocked by the 9:30 Club bouncer with the massive 42" gauge pierced ear studs
- You've seen the monuments at sunrise. After all, you know better than to go during the daytime.
- You're taxed without representation. GODDAMMIT!

* Bill Cosby and Barack Obama.

A Year End List I Agree With

As the year end music lists come in, I will certainly have some things to say. (Here's a teaser - Fleet Foxes - they're not that great. Fleet Foxes are to CSNY as Yeasayer are to Jethro Tull). So this is a list that has nothing to do with music.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/12/51-things-i-mis.html?csp=34