June 3 Washington, DC
Today we had two workshops at a place called Decatur House which is just around the corner from the White House. One was about the history of children writing letters and the different ways that Presidents’ respond. The other was about how to use the lesson plans about the White House in the classroom. That was too much like school and I was wishing that someone, anyone would call me and I would have to leave the room. They didn’t, I did. I walked around until it was time for lunch. I bought HB a really pretty scarf. See, I did put my time to good use.
The White House Tour was not as good as I expected. I think that it took me longer to fill out all the paperwork I had to submit than the actual tour lasted. But, I did get to see the inside. Evidently the President was there, but we weren’t a large enough group of supporters. I think that as an organization teachers are for the most part Democrats, but that doesn’t mean that Mrs. Bush couldn’t have made an appearance. Observation: Guys are for the most part big boys. As we were leaving the White House grounds there was a very muscular security guard that was about 7’ tall carrying a small arsenal. Machine gun with sight, side arm, flak jacket, a belt full of….whatever. For the next hour that’s all that these two guys were talking about, they didn’t mention one thing about the White House.
Again we were treated to a nice lunch; build your own sandwiches, chips, drinks. After that we went to the National Archives to listen to another talk about field trips there. I don’t think that the lady realized that we were from California. She was going on an on as if we may really bring our classes there.
Anyway, I left because my feet were getting tired and I wanted to put them up at the hotel for awhile… right in front of the air conditioner. I got on the correct line, but managed to get off on the wrong stop. I don’t think there are too many people that can stretch a 3 minute bus ride into a 30 minute walk. I did. I think that I’ll throw my socks and shoes away before I get home. They’re defiled. Remember those dress clothes (slacks, button up shirt, shoes, belt) I brought to go to the White House? You don’t? I did. Anyway, they’re still in my luggage and I still haven’t worn them. All I’ve been doing is lugging them around. Now I understand where the term luggage comes from. I would really have felt bad if I’d brought a suitcase and a suit.
Van, the guy I’m rooming with came in about 6:00 and heard that there was going to be a dress rehearsal of the entertainment at the steps of the Capital Building. It was in preparation for the entertainment on the 4th. Anyway, we got there and you had to go through a security checkpoint to get into the viewing area. We got some great seats on the steps of the Capital, but of course it was so far back that the performers looking like ants on the stage. Tony Dantzman was the MC. There were some bands playing and singers singing. We were there for only about an hour, but it was really cool. The Washington National Philharmonic Orchestra played about three pieces and they ended the night with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with real cannon fire. At the very end of it the rain started falling. We decided it was one of the things, either that piece has the power to change the elements, or all the musicians were cleaning their pipes on the final note.
Today we had two workshops at a place called Decatur House which is just around the corner from the White House. One was about the history of children writing letters and the different ways that Presidents’ respond. The other was about how to use the lesson plans about the White House in the classroom. That was too much like school and I was wishing that someone, anyone would call me and I would have to leave the room. They didn’t, I did. I walked around until it was time for lunch. I bought HB a really pretty scarf. See, I did put my time to good use.
The White House Tour was not as good as I expected. I think that it took me longer to fill out all the paperwork I had to submit than the actual tour lasted. But, I did get to see the inside. Evidently the President was there, but we weren’t a large enough group of supporters. I think that as an organization teachers are for the most part Democrats, but that doesn’t mean that Mrs. Bush couldn’t have made an appearance. Observation: Guys are for the most part big boys. As we were leaving the White House grounds there was a very muscular security guard that was about 7’ tall carrying a small arsenal. Machine gun with sight, side arm, flak jacket, a belt full of….whatever. For the next hour that’s all that these two guys were talking about, they didn’t mention one thing about the White House.
Again we were treated to a nice lunch; build your own sandwiches, chips, drinks. After that we went to the National Archives to listen to another talk about field trips there. I don’t think that the lady realized that we were from California. She was going on an on as if we may really bring our classes there.
Anyway, I left because my feet were getting tired and I wanted to put them up at the hotel for awhile… right in front of the air conditioner. I got on the correct line, but managed to get off on the wrong stop. I don’t think there are too many people that can stretch a 3 minute bus ride into a 30 minute walk. I did. I think that I’ll throw my socks and shoes away before I get home. They’re defiled. Remember those dress clothes (slacks, button up shirt, shoes, belt) I brought to go to the White House? You don’t? I did. Anyway, they’re still in my luggage and I still haven’t worn them. All I’ve been doing is lugging them around. Now I understand where the term luggage comes from. I would really have felt bad if I’d brought a suitcase and a suit.
Van, the guy I’m rooming with came in about 6:00 and heard that there was going to be a dress rehearsal of the entertainment at the steps of the Capital Building. It was in preparation for the entertainment on the 4th. Anyway, we got there and you had to go through a security checkpoint to get into the viewing area. We got some great seats on the steps of the Capital, but of course it was so far back that the performers looking like ants on the stage. Tony Dantzman was the MC. There were some bands playing and singers singing. We were there for only about an hour, but it was really cool. The Washington National Philharmonic Orchestra played about three pieces and they ended the night with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with real cannon fire. At the very end of it the rain started falling. We decided it was one of the things, either that piece has the power to change the elements, or all the musicians were cleaning their pipes on the final note.
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