Monday, July 6, 2009

Honestly???...

Picture 1 (above)

Picture 2 (above)

So, what is different between the two pictures above (something is missing)?

Give up? Here's a hint...

Apparently there were three individuals who thought they were the only ones attending the firework show on the National Mall (which, we all know, is in Washington, DC...the capital of the United States). While you cannot see too well in these photos, all the other hundreds of thousands of people in attendance were seated, except for these three individuals. And what did they cover? None other than the Washington Monument. Not only were the thousands of people behind these individuals shouting at them to sit down, these three kept looking behind them and saw many other people motioning for them to sit down. About half way through the show, someone went up to them and asked them to sit down (which thankfully they did-finally!) Obviously, I was very bugged by these people (I took time out to take a photo and am writing a blog about it). My question is...what were they thinking?

What is your first reaction when you are in a huge group of people who are all sitting down at a very popular landmark on a very important day in a very important city for a very important opportunity? Honestly, is it possible someone can be that clueless? This post seems unnecessary and childish, and I realize that perception is reality, but I was very bugged! Now that I have it all out on the table, I can let it rest.

To focus on the bright side, they did sit down and I got to see the remainder of the firework show over the Washington Monument, which was a very fun and enjoyable experience. I also learned that the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans" can be some very valid, important, and respectful advice as well as just plain, simple common sense! (And yes, there was plenty of room for them to sit down).

Quotes

"[Confucius] taught that the country which develops the finest music, the grandest poetry, and the noblest moral ideals--that is, the country with the most exalted culture--will always yield the greatest power in the world."

-Letters from the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears



"Who is such a reprobate as I! And yet it seems that even I am in Somebody's hand!'

-Mr. Henchard in The Mayor of Casterbridge



"...[T]he magnitude of [life] is not as to [one's] external displacements, but as to [one's] subjective experiences."

-Thomas Hardy in Tess of the d'Urbervilles





"...I have a new love for that glittering instrument, the human soul. It is a lovely and unique thing in the universe. It is always attacked and never destroyed--because 'Thou mayest.'"

-Lee in East of Eden