Twice on Sunday Bonus Photo - Twilight Kayaker

This week's bonus photo from my archives is a shot I took last Fourth of July while I was standing around on the bank of the Potomac River waiting for the fireworks to start. None of my fireworks shots turned out to be worth a damn, but I really like the way this one came out.

(Taken with my Nikon Coolpix S200)

Day 13/365 - My Grindstone

This is where I work. I’m an attorney for a small (and generally ignored) agency of the U.S. Federal government. It’s not as sexy or important as some of the big agencies are, but it’s not a terrible place to work. The pay is good, the people are nice, and the work doesn’t drive me crazy or make me miserable. That’s really all I’m looking for in a job.

I’ve never understood why some people invest so much of their self-image into their job, or why they expect fulfillment or affirmation from their work. For me, a job is just that -- a job. It’s a means to an end and a way to pay the bills. If work was wonderful, they wouldn’t have to pay you to do it.

I show up, I do my work, they pay me, and I go home and do the stuff I really enjoy and that I find stimulating and fulfilling. Work isn’t Disneyland, it’s my ticket to Disneyland.

(Taken with my Nikon Coolpix S200)

Day 12/365 - Reflecting on Greatness

Got this shot of the Washington Monument's reflection rippling across the Tidal Basin as I walked home from work today. Politicians have been routinely badmouthing DC for over 100 years, but the city really gets a bum rap. It's actually quite a beautiful and amazing place to live and/or work (although I only do one of those within the District myself).

Never ceases to amaze me how every election cycle it's the same old thing. There are always a bunch of blowhard politicians running the District down. It's always "Washington is a mess", "Washington is what's wrong with this country," yadda yadda yadda. Yet despite the fact that these bilious buffoons loudly profess their hatred for all things DC, they sure fight like hell to be able to live and work here.

I guess it's a bit like Brer Rabbit pleading with his captors to not throw him in the briar patch. 'Pleeease don't throw me in that briar patch. Oh no, anything but that!'

(Taken with my Nikon Coolpix S200)

Day 5/365 - Columbus Day

This photo shows floral wreaths commemorating Columbus Day placed by various historic and cultural groups in front of the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain at the main entrance to Union Station in Washington, DC.

I took advantage of the Federal holiday and the great weather and went to the National Zoo this morning to shoot some pictures and then swung by Union Station to grab some Italian food for lunch in honor of Christopher Columbus -- patron saint of guys who refuse to ask for directions even though they don't really know where the heck they're going. Walked home from there afterward to burn off some of my pasta.

Grand total for the day -- 443 photographs taken and 7.9 miles walked. Pretty productive for a day off.

(Taken with my Nikon D80)

Day 1/365 - Inauguration

For the inaugural shot of my 365 Project, I decided to use a self-portrait of me being silly in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC. My office is two blocks SW of the Capitol and although I've been working in DC for ten years now, seeing that gleaming white dome never gets old.

I've been toying with the idea of a 365 project for a while and thought I'd wait until a special occasion like New Year's Day or my birthday to start, but then I remembered that every day you're alive is a special occasion. Plus, after thinking about it I realized that today is the 14th anniversary of my honorable discharge from the Navy. I don't regret joining the Navy, but I don't regret leaving it either.

I figure my personal liberation day is definitely worth commemorating.

(Taken with my Nikon Coolpix S200)