Saturday, January 17, 2009

More than a Tipple



I was talking to the guy behind the counter at one of my favorite (very small) wine stores, Best Cellars on Dupont Circle. He ordered fifteen hundred cases of wine for this week, yet he's afraid he's going to end up with empty shelves. Apparently the inaugural party scene on Dupont Circle is going to be quite intense.

It's all hands on deck at Schneiders of Capitol Hill this weekend as well (another neighborhood liquor store). And I'm sure every other purveyor of spirits is geared up as never before.

It's a good thing that Washingtonians are ordinarily more focused on their work than on partying. We do drink, oh yeah, but usually the effects are tempered by all the hard work, long hours and serious thinking that goes on here. Tuesday will be a different story.

I just hope the structural integrity of the city isn't compromised by all the partying Tuesday night. The surge of energy this morning feels like a volcano that's about to erupt. Though it's still quiet, and colder even than yesterday, I swear I can feel the ground beginning to vibrate. That vibration brings to mind Pompeii. Yikes.

As for Wednesday morning, can you imagine the hangovers? It's scary! And ... I am so looking forward to it (Tuesday I mean, not Wednesday morning).

23 comments:

Kathi said...

Another beautiful reflection photo!
I love your blog and check in daily to see what's up in DC.

Steve Reed said...

I just hope today's Washingtonians are fun drunks, and not ugly drunks, like Richard Nixon.

Reya Mellicker said...

I imagine there will be plenty of both kinds!

mia said...

We decided to not make the trip. :( Please continue to excite us with your stories, makes us feel a part of it. I can't wait. We are having a party here with all the volunteers that worked for Obama. A new day, indeed!

Tess Kincaid said...

Lots of making merry for a very good reason! Keep us posted on the vibrations.

Mrs. E said...

Since I can't be there this week, I am living vicariously through your descriptions and pictures. You're making a lot of us feel like we are there celebrating right along with you!

janis said...

Although I don't watch Oprah much anymore I caught part of her show yesterday. They were talking about the excitment and crowds expected. They started talking about not having enough port a pottys which made me think of an early posting you had mentioning this. I can't remember who said it, but, someone mentioned Depends would be a good idea. Oprah added, be sure you go potty before you get to Washington! It did make me laugh! As far as the wine... Gotta let it flow! This IS a celebration! Looks like as well as the Depends, visitor may need to BYOB!
Keep us posted Dear!

Joanne said...

The anticipation must be seriously palpable at this point.

lettuce said...

i think it must be hard (impossible?) for a brit. to imagine what this is like for you all

but its wonderful seeing and feeling it through your eyes and words

Chimera said...

It is a wonderful time and I, reading further down, I had no idea about the volunttering around Martin luther King Jr. Day! Your photos just make my soal soar! Very excited for you next week!
love T x

CocoDivaDog said...

Hi there,
This morning I went for physical therapy (visit #5 already) on my shoulder.
How is your "it"?
Hope you are recovering.

Peggy said...

My DC daughter mentioned the same thing, as though the city is in suspended animation, just waiting... I hope the release of all that energy is all positive! Stay warm!

ArtSparker said...

The last few days it's started to feel like a different version of "interesting times" to me...that is, it's certainly unlike any other period in history and that we may never be asleep in to quite the extent we were before again. Obama seems to think that things will go better if everyone (not just him) attempts to behave like a grown-up. It's so different.

tam said...

oh I'm so glad you are there to record it all. Its thrilling. Though the thought of crowds on that scale is also a little terrifying. May you all be safe, and may the hangovers be burned away by all those electric vibes. Let the new dawn begin.

Hilarywho said...

Ditto what kathi said ... love your blog & check in daily to see what's up in DC. I discovered your blog recently and enjoy your words and photos.

Bee said...

I hope there will be nothing but "good vibrations" and, truly, that we won't be suffering from hang-overs after the 20th. I am happy with giddy or sober, either; I just don't want to go back to miserable.

Barry said...

As long as those are "good vibrations", I wouldn't worry.

Great photos again, as usual.

Reya Mellicker said...

After any big energetic shift there are always hangovers. Often they have nothing to do with alcohol. I expect it and it'll be just fine.

Tam I have written myself a note that I taped to my bathroom mirror. It says: SHIELDS UP. I'll write that on the palm of my hand Tuesday a.m.

Squirrel said...

Sounds like it's going to be crazy--which is why i decided to stay home. my sister lives in georgetown and tells me about the party plans for her area-- she was trying to lure me down there, but it just sounds incredible. Nyack is having a few public and private parties, but Nyackers are quiet civilized drinkers. Our vintner has had to order much more champagne than usual, ~ still I don't expect much more than a tipple here.

Val said...

i am so thankful to have your window on all the historic happenings there right now! and those beautiful photos too. Thanks Reya, and enjoy it all xx

Ronda Laveen said...

Yes, shields UP! The vortex is slowly but steadily building--even palpable and paticipatory on the left coast. One of my clients told me this morning that she and her husband tried to get tickets to our local inaugural ball simul-party. It had been sold out since early in the week!

Brigid said...

Thanks for bringing the excitement into my life as well. Living in a village in South Africa I don't usually get to feel what is happening in and around the world.
Enjoy Tuesday and have a glass of wine for me.

Deborah said...

It feels as though a new wind is blowing--I'm so excited and happy for you and
for all of us

Love and more