Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Lady Interrupted
There is tons of work that still needs to be done still to finalize the now Summer issue of the magazine, but today was just one filled with interruptions. To start, I was asked by Mr. Yellow to attend a breakfast/press session this morning at the National Press Club. The session or "breakfast" was to last from 8:30 until 10:30. Well, being thatDC is now the new Seattle with all of the rain and slight (and I use this term loosely) flooding, morning rush hour traffic has been horrific. Amazing what a few street closures in and around downtown can do.
I managed to cut through side streets (oh yeah I'm driving a rental) and do a whole new way of navigating downtown, only to still get caught up in traffic near the National Press Building. I made it to the breakfast just as the organization giving the event gave its closing remarks. I was escorted in and saw Mr. Yellow glance at me from his seat. It was hard to tell if he was a bit disturbed that I didn't make it on time. However, when we met up to greet each other he didn't say much. He just said "rough morning eh?"
For the time that was left of the breakfast, I managed to gulp down the last spot of pineapple juice and turn down the left over muffins that looked dry. I made a few new contacts through some brief networking and I made a maddash out the door. I wanted to stop by the nearby Freedom Plaza (on a few steps away) to drop in on the HIV testing event held by the DC Dept of Health. At the time I arrived folks looked as if they were still setting up the testing spot while a lil program was going on.
For the past week or so, I have been talking to myself about having a test done. I'm ashamed to say that in all the years that I have been having sex, I never had one done. Well, I had a test done for any STD detection when Iwas about 14 once my mother found out I was having sex. However, I never one specifically done for HIV. I tried to stay for the community event for as long as I could to get tested, but once I got a copy of the program and it looked as if the testing wouldn't get start until the afternoon, I sighed and made my way back towards the car. I knew I needed to get back to officeto complete a few things and I did want to at least beat Mr. Yellow back tothe office so he wouldn't get suspicious of my whereabouts...not that I think he really cares... but I at least want to remain professional and on top ofthings like I have been...yanno... not lingering outside of the office for toolong during work hours.
Well, as I continued back in the direction of the National Press Building,near where I parked the car, I was abruptly approached by a DC policeofficer. She ordered everyone that was walking in that direction to back upand cross the street (towards Freedom Plaza where I just came from.) For a minute I stared at her a bit befuddled by her request. Suddenly, I instantly went back into my mind and recalled the scene near the NationalPress Building just as I was arriving for the breakfast.
There is a Marriot that is directly next (if not adjoining) to the NationalPress Building. This morning as I was arriving I noticed the presence of police officers, but I thought nothing of it as I figured they were there tojust direct traffic amidst the congestion, which some of them were doing.Then I remembered when I walked out of the Press Building I started to seeSecret Service men.
Sure enough, the police officer's request for me and others to halt where wewere and to cross the street, was in line with the police and Secret Service presence. All traffic, auto and pedestrian, was stopped along that corridorof 14th street. For ten minutes or more I was stuck on 14th Street between Freedom Plaza and the hotel. I realized who was expected to show up at any moment and I rolled my eyes. Lucky for me (sarcasm here) I was the only DC resident among a group of tourists who were soaking up the scene in total excitement. As they were all smiles and thought or wondered out loud if they will see the President, I crushed their happiness by saying aloud "I wish the President would hurry up and get to where he needs to go so I can go to work!"
Only in DC can you really use the excuse AND MEAN IT - "The President mademe late."
After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, finally his motorcade approached the 14th Street corridor and it seemed like it was moving 2 mph. My immediate thought was the fact that White House is only two blocks awayfrom the hotel. He could have walked!!!!! Then I thought about... Umm no silly he's the President...especially not this President. Nope! He's certainly not a "DC Favorite."
While the tourists all waved at the limo driving by, I blurted out "Hurry up and move!" Just as soon as I said it, I got real quiet. The SUVs carrying snipers with loaded guns and sitting with the windows down in a ready to aim position hushed me up real quick! Though all of this was pomp and circumstance, the police, Secret Service, snipers...none of that was a joke.
Once they allowed the foot traffic to resume, I made my way to the car in the rain. It started up again as a drizzle and then a steady light summer shower. I felt my body becoming sticky. Rain plus the muggy weather do not make for a good time. Needless to say I made it to work, even beat Mr. Yellow back to the office. I cooled down some and tried to commence with my work. I managed to follow up on a few calls and that was it.I attempted to complete one last article that is left hanging for the magazine, but my mind was not in focus. Instead, it was drifting along ...something somewhere.
What I am excited about and focused on is the upcoming anthology I am involved with. I received word that things are going going according to plan the anthology will be published this August!!!!
Yet, in the midst of the excitement I am still bit tired...too tired to even be really excited! I need a "happy" pill.
Gosh I can't wait to leave for Miami...
Posted by KomplexPhemale ::
7:25 PM ::
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