Posts Tagged ‘last’

Does any one knows why U2 stopped singing Ultraviolet since 1993, until last concert in Barcelona?Thx?

April 8th, 2012

Question by : Does any one knows why U2 stopped singing Ultraviolet since 1993, until last concert in Barcelona?Thx?
It is such a great song and were like 16 years that U2 did not play it live. I would like to know the reason… hope is not because of that famous phone call to Bush in Washington DC concert.

Best answer:

Answer by Jim
The song was never one of U2′s more popular tunes. I’m probably one of their biggest fans and “Achtung Baby” is my favorite album of all time. That being said, I never cared much for “Ultraviolet.” It’s lyrically weak and not very strong of a tune.

However, if you watch the Adam Sandler flick “Click,” the song is played during the film’s climax.

What do you think? Answer below!

Music | Posted by admin

FM Static “Last Train Home” (Official Lyric Video)

March 13th, 2012

FM Static’s new album “My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go” will be out on April 5th, 2011 from Tooth and Nail Record. Check out one of their singles “Last Train Home” here!
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Radio | Posted by admin

President Obama Speaks on an Economy Built to Last

March 10th, 2012

President Obama outlines his blueprint for an America built to last, which includes a strong manufacturing industry, at the Intel Ocotillo campus. January 26, 2011.
Video Rating: 3 / 5

Did a Daily Show segment with Jon Stewart calling out Republicans for their absurd stance on President Obama’s contraception coverage compromise and employee exemptions turn the tide in the debate? The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down. www.huffingtonpost.com Jon Stewart destroys Bill O’Reilly over Common: www.youtube.com Subscribe to The Young Turks: bit.ly Find out how to watch The Young Turks on Current by clicking here: www.current.com The Largest Online New Show in the World. Google+: www.gplus.to Facebook: www.facebook.com Twitter: twitter.com

Washington | Posted by admin

Who Was the Last Vice President to Preside Regularly over the United States Senate?

March 2nd, 2012

Question by flazatty: Who Was the Last Vice President to Preside Regularly over the United States Senate?
The United States Constitution provides that the Vice President is also the President of the Senate, but specifies that he has no vote unless the Senators are equally divided. In the early part of our history, the Vice President generally presided in person, but nowadays, the Vice President only presides for ceremonial purposes (e.g. swearing in new Senators) or when it is necessary to break a tie vote. On other occasions, the President pro tempore or another Senator designated by the Senate serves a presiding officer. Who was the last Vice President to preside regularly over the United States Senate?

Best answer:

Answer by xpatinasia
Joe Biden.

Give your answer to this question below!

Washington | Posted by admin

One Last Christmas – Matthew West Official Music Video

October 31st, 2011

To give now visit: www.matthewwest.com. This is the video my new Christmas song – “One Last Christmas.” This song is inspired by the true story of the Locke family and their son Dax. At just thirteen months old, little Dax was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He was given two bone marrow transplants as a part of emergency treatment; one from each of his parents. The doctors then told his parents that Dax would most likely not make it to see Christmas. This song is about the love of a family, and the coming together of an entire community to make sure that this little boy could have one last Christmas. His dad, determined that his son would see Christmas, put up the decorations early. The neighborhood caught on, and did the same. The whole town soon followed suit. A website was built telling his story. Soon, pictures were sent from all over the world of Christmas decorations that had been put up in his honor. Dax did lose his battle with Leukemia, but not before he got to see one last Christmas. Today, this little boy’s legacy lives on, and his parents are making sure it does. They were so touched by the care they received from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, that they now have a desire to raise enough money to run the entire hospital for one day in honor of their son, Dax. The total cost to run St. Jude’s for one day is .6 million dollars. Already, they have raised a quarter of a million dollars. This Christmas, it is on my heart to join forces with the

Music | Posted by admin

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 03

August 3rd, 2011

Check out these Washington music images:

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 03
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
Note: this photo was published in a Mar 30, 2011 blog titled "Download Immigration Tango Movie Free."

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 45
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
Note: this photo was published in an undated (Mar 2010) "Vi.sualize.us" blog with the same title as the caption that I used for this Flickr page.

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Music | Posted by admin

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 74

July 30th, 2011

Some cool Washington music images:

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 74
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
Note: this photo was published as an illustration in an Aug 2009 Squidoo blog titled "Dance Workout."

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 68
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
Note: this photo was published as an illustration in an Aug 2009 Squidoo blog titled "Dance Workout."

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Music | Posted by admin

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 31

June 28th, 2011

Some cool Washington music images:

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 31
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
(more details later, as time permits)

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 62
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
(more details later, as time permits)

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Music | Posted by admin

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 33

June 1st, 2011

A few nice Washington music images I found:

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 33
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
(more details later, as time permits)

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 51
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
(more details later, as time permits)

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Music | Posted by admin

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 48

May 24th, 2011

Some cool Washington music images:

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 48
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
(more details later, as time permits)

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Last tango in Washington, Aug 2009 – 41
Washington music

Image by Ed Yourdon
(more details later, as time permits)

*****************************

Every photographer knows that serendipity doesn’t announce its arrival in advance; if and when it occurs, you better have your camera with you, or the moment will be lost. In my case, it occurred just before 8 PM the other night, when my taxi deposited me back at my downtown Washington hotel after a rather frustrating and inconclusive effort at photographing elsewhere (the results of which may or may not appear on Flickr at some point in the future).

I heard music behind me, out in a square on Pennsylvania Avenue known as "Freedom Plaza," and turned to see what it was. Tango music was coming from a couple of speakers that had been set up, and people were dancing out on the square, in the soft dusk that was falling over the city. I strolled across the street to see what was going on, and was stunned by the simplicity and the beauty of the scene: a few dozen people dancing the intricate coda and rhythm of the tango, with Pennsylvania Avenue behind them, and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop to it all.

I knew nothing about the individuals photographed here, and I know even less about the tango. But I could see that it was a tight-knit community, and that they took their dancing very seriously. What struck me most was the diversity of the community: young and old, tall and short, handsome and beautiful mixing with the not-so-handsome and not-so-beautiful, and various races and ethnic backgrounds. I eventually spoke to one of the dancers, who told me that, over the years, several of the people in the group had danced in various other parts of Washington; but they’ve been coming here, she said, to 14th Street and Pennyslvania Avenue, for at least 10 years. And I imagine they’ll keep coming for many years into the future.

I sat quietly in one place; I would like to have moved around, to photograph people from different angles and perspectives. But I didn’t want to bother them, didn’t want to interfere with the magical aura they were creating. All I could do was wait for them to whirl and flow and glide past me, and then do my best to capture what I was seeing. I took about 225 photos before it got too dark to continue — and many of the pictures were shot at ISO 3200 and a very slow speed, so they may be a little soft and noisy. But about a third of them were keepers; and that’s what you’ll see in this album.

By the way, when I gave up photographing and went back to my hotel, I spent another hour eating a quiet dinner in the restaurant. And when I went back up to my room at 9:45, I discovered that my room, on the 7th floor, faced out over the square … and they were all still out there, in the dark, still dancing. As the narrator said at the very end of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, "… and some people dance."

Music | Posted by admin