Mae's DC Trip! (Lotsa pix)

[Mae13]

OK, finally got some things together enough to post some of my travel pix from my DC/Virginia trip! If you're looking for nekkid photos, just pass on by; it's all scenery here! I know some of you appreciate my view of the world thru my lens...cheers!

I hope 2002 is prosperous, fruitful, passionate and fulfilling for all of you. May you find or enrich your heart's desire. May you feel the touch of another upon your soul, and may you realize how deeply you can touch others. May you be surrounded by light, love and laughter when it is needed. May your moments of solitude be refreshing and introspective.

*hugs*
Mae

This first one is a whimsical lil fellow I walked past on almost a daily basis in DC heading to my conference. Never did figure out what he was for, but he was cute

 

[venda]

Mae

Would have loved to see you riding one of those horns !

 

[Guest]

My steed

They have a wonderful carousel near the Smithsonian Castle which I took a ride on when I was taking in some sights with a fellow Lit'er...yeah, someone got to see me making a fool of myself and acting about 10 years old! I can't help it, I get on a carousel and *wham!* insta-childhood again I'm silly that way...

 

[Mae13]

OK, having some cookie issues with the new comp...*grumbles about freakin MS products...* That above was me, lol

Anyhoos...the carousel was very close to the Smithsonian Castle...unfortunately I didn't have time to go perusing through the museums, just not enough time! Next time I'll do it, I swear!

 

[Mae13]

The statues...

Around DC are spectacular! I loved the look of them; lots of the classic older Greek/Roman look. This fellow sits and looks thoughtful out by the Capitol Building...

 

[Mae13]

The reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial by twilight...

 

[Mae13]

The Phallus

Lol...really, it is! Viewed from the walk towards The Wall.

 

[Mae13]

Tomb of the Unknowns

Arlington National Cemetary was an amazing place...so many different parts to it! Here is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. Saw the changing of the guard...VERY sharp soliders! Watching them took me back to the days of my own rifle drill team; except we didn't have the bayonets attached, lol!

 

[Mae13]

My sisters...

They have fallen before; they will fall again. Being a nurse does not protect you from the enemy at all times, though our safety is a bit more ensured than those out in the trenches, obviously. All the headstones in this field are military nurses, some dead from conflict, others dying peacefully in old age. You can't see her very well, but the white statue in the background is the Nurse Memorial Statue in Arlington cemetary.

 

[Quisath]

Hi Mae and Happy New Year Sweety. The Pic.s are Nice (of course we like looking at you too) I just wanted you to Check out some of the Black and Whites done at www.nerve.com I think you might like them of the Model that did the Retro work (her name escapes me) Very Classy. (just like you sweety) Give it a Look See and the rest of the community might like them too. Pox Vobiscum All.

 

[Mae13]

Korean Memorial

Very interesting memorial...I will have to go back sometime when it's warmer and they have all the waters running; I know I missed out on many of the full feel of things since all the pools, ponds, fountains and waterfalls were off for the most part. It's easy to imagine this company of fellows creeping through the brush at night, hoping at the end of the recon, they will all be there to share the stories...

 

[Mae13]

The Watchers...

I don't know what the 'official name' for this statue is, I call them The Watchmen in my own mind. It's the trio of soldiers standing on the bluff looking over at The Wall. I have no clue who designed and sculped the statues around the area of The Wall, but they are all SO touching, so lifelike. You can feel the loss when you look at them, it grips your heart.

 

[Mae13]

Night Shots

Here's a shot of The Watchmen by night, the flag in the background...of course with the flash turned off the Stars n Stripes got blurred, but I still liked it.

 

[Mae13]

The Wall

Went there the first time at night; no one around, the way I wanted it to be. It really sneaks up on you; I was walking down a path, looked to the right, and WHAM there it was. You know, I used to hate The Wall when I first saw pictures of it. I thought it was so insulting. The other monuments are so tall, and opulent, and white and pure looking, where it seems The Wall was dark and shamed and almost underground. It seemed yet another slap in the face to those who came home as 'baby killers' instead of heros. Now, it seems fitting. It is such a dark and divisive part of our history as Americans. There are so many lines drawn in the sand it looks like a whipping boy's back. Personally, I don't care so much on the whys or wherefores of the battle in this instant. Those soldiers went when their country called, just as they had before, and have afterwards. They gave their best, and they gave their lives. That's all that matters.

Actually, it was interesting to listen to all the conversations of people walking by The Wall when I went back in the daytime. One guy was telling his girlfriend how this was the memorial to the baby killers who had died. I felt the almost-overwhelming urge to enact physical violence on him. Of course, I restrained myself. Even morons are entitled to their opinions, and obviously he had not the grace, compassion, or brains to realize what a poorly-made comment that was, especially at the site of the actual memorial.

I went back several times. It was a place to permeate you with the reality of the triviality of my concerns in my life. I have my health, my heart, and the freedom to make trips such as this. I should focus on that and not the shortcomings more often.

 

[Olivianna]

Mae,
I loved your carousel photograph...the colors are just amazing...almost surreal.
In the spirit of sharing pictures that are non-sexual in nature...here is one that i love from a recent trip up to montreal.
(ok, it isn't entirely non-sexual)
- O

 

[Mae13]

The Wall by night. You don't realize when you first start walking into it, but it gets so...damn...tall at the center.

 

[Leopold]

nice pictures! change from the norm..

 

[Mae13]

Robert

I found him the first night as well. Panel W2. It was like a physical blow almost, MUCH more intense than when I found him at the small travelling Wall, or the VietNam Memorial in Portland. I still try to figure out what it is that makes me feel so strongly for someone I don't know at all.

I first heard his name ages ago when I was building my webpage. I had been searching here and there through pages related to the POW/MIA issue. There was a place called Operation Just Cause (http://www.ojc.org) where you could 'adopt' a POW/MIA, and build a website for him (http://www.genocide2600.com/~mistress/powmia.html), and take action with a personal name to your elected officials to keep the issue alive. I requested someone in the Air Force (personal bias, heh) and from Oregon, where I was living at the time. I got the information for Robert Wayne Altus at that time. Someone I don't know, have never known, have no connection to. I ordered his bracelet soon after. After receiving his name, it became so much more of a tangible issue for me. Someone I have this odd connection to could still be out there. He was lost on 23 November 71 in Laos (where we really weren't...riiiight); neither he nor his navigator have been found, although accounts suggest it is reasonable to assume they survived the crash of their aircraft. Can you imagine? Possibly over 30 YEARS of wondering if your country has forsaken you!

I guess it all comes down to the fact that if he is still alive...if I remember him enough, and think about him hard enough, and send out my thoughts and my prayers and my love enough, he will somehow know it and not feel completely alone. Is this silly and sentimental? Perhaps...but it will not change my thoughts or my actions. Honestly, I hope he has passed on. I hope he did not survive the crash. The thought of those 30 years between then and now if he is alive is heartbreaking to me. This fact is heartbreaking in relation to ALL those still listed as POW/MIA. Perhaps some of you haven't thought much about it...but I can tell you, without PUBLIC outcry and pressure, the issue will continue to dwindle into nonexistance. Do you know there are still noted POW/MIA's from the Korean War and other conflicts that are still escaping? People who have spent more of their lives imprisoned than free? Something to think about the next time someone brushes it off by saying they couldn't still be alive...

Ah well, Mae will step off her soapbox for now and get back to posting pictures...

 

[seXieleXie]

Mae

beautiful pictures. its always a challange to capture that somewhat mysterious spirit that is unique to each monument, and you have done a lovely job. i know what you mean about The Wall. i think i is all the more powerful for it's stark simplicity.

 

[Mae13]

The nurse memorial by The Wall is another place I spent a lot of time in contemplation. It is an odd feeling of sisterhood sometimes. You know, our society (at least American society) is lacking in the encouragement and uplifting of strong female relationships. Even the miltiary sisterhood is fraught with issues and strangeness sometimes...

Each of the nurses represents such a different face to that which can make up a nurse. The main nurse here, it is easy for me to imagine her words to her patient, gripping him tightly and trying her damndest to be a lifeline for him. I personally am very comfortable with death due to my personality, opinions, and spiritual path. However, I am sure in a wartime situation, I would curse as loudly as the others at the seemingly senseless loss of life sometimes.

 

[Mae13]

A little closer photo of the front nurse, it seems to convey her intensity even better to me...

 

[Mae13]

Flight Nurse

She is looking up, a supporting hand on her sister's shoulder, letting her know that the rotored angels are coming. Although I know many folks often attach the angel connection to nurses, I would think the nurses out in the field would consider the rescue/medevac chopper pilots and crew to be their angels.

 

[Mae13]

My favorite...

My favorite nurse in this group is the one hidden in the back. I saw so many people walk up from over by The Watchmen, stand in front of it, shoot a quick picture, then run off to the next photo op. It's only if you come towards it from the left you will notice her, or if you actually take the time to walk around the back of the memorial. I call her the Despair Nurse.

To me:
She is the nurse caught in that moment of futility for her efforts. When you can't think of anything else to do. When you question your god and wonder what the fuck he/she/they/it were thinking when they allowed man to be such a violent creature, or to be afflicted with such pain and suffering. She just kneels there numbly, the wounded soldier's helmet in her hand. He was probably an uncountable number among numbers of GI's she saw missing eyes, faces, limbs... Boys with their guts in their hands. Young boys with half-bodies now rendered with shrapnel. That moment when you wonder why the hell you go on trying. I think the artist perfectly caught that moment. The moment when you allow a brief second to immerse yourself in agony before pulling it back together, standing up, and doing your job the best damn way you know how. I love nursing (when I actually get to do real nursing, lol) and those brief moments of despair are worth it to me in exchange for the many moments I have to feel good about in my care and love for others.

 

[Mae13]

A view from the other side...

 

[Mae13]

Final one

Hopefully I haven't bored ya'll too much with non-skin pictures I'm working on an online photo album where I'll put ALL my various pictures up instead of just those I cull to place here so as to not be too overwhelming in my postings. Once that's up I'll post the URL.

A final shot of the Despair Nurse at night...it almost looks like godlight is streaming down around her head. I liked the warmth of the orange lights they chose on the bronze used for the statues around The Wall, it made for some great night shots.

Good evening and Peace to you all
*hugs*
Mae