Mason In DC

Historic Places

Dc is famous for its historic monuments. Each monument signifies another important event from DC’s rich history. I thought I’ll give you a quick overview of DC’s main historic sites.

The White House

It is a symbol of the president’s power. This broad, white neo-classical style building was designed by James Hoban and construction was finished in 1800. Though threatened by war and fire, it has stood strong and been improved and expanded through the years. Even if you are visiting DC just for a few days, the White House should be a definite business.

The Capitol

In 1792 an architectural design competition was held to decide over the design of the Capitol. William Thornton, a physician and amateur architect, won and his design stands strong to this day. Construction of this landmark was finished in 1807 and it is considered DC’s major architectural monument. Housing our countries representatives, it represents the importance of our nation’s law making respectfully.

The Lincoln Memorial

It is considered by some as the most inspiring monument in DC. Representing one of our nation’s greatest leaders, it is an impressive sight. Some might say it is inappropriate to represent a present known for his humility with a giant statue, I think it’s an incredible sight none the less. It is said that Lincoln’s hands are shaped like an A and an L in sign language.

a few more landmarks coming soon….

DC Culture

So I thought I’ll tell you a little more about the cultural attractions here in DC.

First, we got the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts where the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera, and the Washington Ballet all perform. I have actually never been to a performance at the Kennedy Center, but I heard it’s an incredible experience.

Next, the United States Marine Band performs at the Marine Barracks near Capitol Hill. The famous Washington native John Phillips Sousa was the band’s director and composed many famous American songs.

In theatre, Washington hosts many theatres that perform both historic and modern American plays. The most famous of which is the historic Arena Stage.

Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Miles Davis are just a few of the music legends who played at our very own U Street Corridor, “Washington’s Black Broadway”. Don’t forget that DC has its own music genre called go-go. Remember chuck brown’s 1979 “Busting Loose”?

Last, there is one place I can’t forget – the historic Ford’s Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated. It is both a beautiful Museum and a bustling performance stage today.

Enjoy!

shity day

So my neighbors were moving out the other day and the moving truck was parking on the sidewalk right outside my building. I went out to the street, and right when I walked past the moving truck one of the movers, who was sitting in the truck, dropped his burning cigarette right on my head. I told him to watch it. But you know what he answered? “You watch it”.

I wish people would stop being idiots.

My DC day

This is the first post where I’ll tell a little more about my personal DC life.

So is there anything different between a DC day and any other city’s day? maybe a little.

It takes me about 30 min to walk to work each morning. But you know what? I enjoy every second of that walk.

To start with, it’s the care the city council gives to all the public streets. I mean, you can just feel they are taking care of the city. The moment I step out the door, the fresh air rushes into my lungs and if it’s the right season, the cherry trees are blossoming.

So I keep going on my walk and passing right through Constitution Avenue. First, I walk pass by the White House to my left and the Washington Memorial to my right. Occasionally, I sight the president on his way and one day I even got to greet him good morning. Next, I pass by the Museum of National History to right followed by the Museum of Natural History and the Justice Dept. building. The National Gallery of art is next only to be dwarfed by Capitol Hill.

Senators, ministers, foreign ambassadors and judges. I get to walk past the leaders of our country almost every day.

Then, I get to my office and get greeted by my secretary.

Where else do you get greeted by your secretary?

Who’s here?

So who exactly lives in DC other than the president?

About 600,000 people live here. But during the day a few more people come and the population exceeds one million. As of 2010, the Washington Metropolitan Area is the seventh largest metropolitan area in the US.

About 8% of the people who live here identify themselves as gay and in 2010, the District began issuing marriage license to same sex couples.

About 50% of the population is African-American, 38% is white, 3% is Asian and 9% is Hispanic.

It’s all about the people!

DC History – how it all started by an angry mob

So here’s a little history lesson about Washington DC. So, back in 1783, a mob of angry soldiers besieged the Congress while they were meeting in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Council refused to protect the Congress from the angry soldiers who demanded payment for their service during the American Revolutionary War. So what happened? They decided to move the Congress somewhere else.

Where to? A place where the Congress does not have to rely on anybody else to deafend it. Meaning, a place not in any state in the US, its own special district meant solely for governing. So they decided this should be somewhere along the Potomac River, where President Washington decides. They named this self governing area District of Columbia after Christopher Columbus and they named the city in honor of President Washington – Washington.

And that’s how a mob of angry soldiers started the making of the capital of the greatest nation on earth, the United States of America.

Fast DC Facts!

A few fast facts about my city:

1. It originated from an angry mob (see earlier post).

2. Residents of DC pay tax to the federal government but do not have a voting representative in Congress.

3. It rains a lot over here, 39 inches a year, more than Seatlle.

4. It’s where the football huddle originated. True story.

5. George Washington never got to live in our White house. It was being built while he was in office.

6. Ever seen a movie where the president answers the red phone in the Oval Office? The red phone is actually in the Pentagon.

7. 535 miles of bookshelves. Good luck trying the wipe the dust off the shelves at the Library of Congress.

8. 15% of DC residents speak another language other than English at home.

9. why are there no skyscrapers in DC? Back in 1894 the fire department didn’t have the equipment to protect the tall buildings so they set a height limit for buildings. The congress later made it official.

10. According to the Brookings Institution, DC was voted the most walkable city in the US. Most walkable?

My First Shoutout!

Hey guys, bloggers and visitor… My name is Mason & this is my first post in a line of what i hope to be a great collection of interesting post in my Masonindc website. As you probably gathered my website is all about Washington DC which is of course the city i live in.

I Love Washington DC for its complexity and diversion. hand in hand with suited black tie guys there those of us just living the life, working and having a lot of fun. From a distance DC might seem like a serious city and it really is but it also has a fun and exciting part.