Thursday, October 30, 2008

A Capitol Obsession

I have a bit of an obsession with the US Capitol building.

This bit of an obsession makes me do strange things like sit next to the reflecting pool for approximately an hour a day (even in the biting cold), staring up at the majestic dome, sighing dramatically; or, in the context of an impassioned speech about my dreams of winning a senate seat, pointing at the Capitol (and directly at an armed Capitol guard) and screaming, "YOU'RE NEXT!" repeatedly until my brother said, "Listen to what you're saying, god damnit," and we took off down the street.

So you can imagine how excited I was when a visit to a U Street vintage store yielded this:

(click for details of necklace and my hand)

A Capitol building pendant. Surrounded by pink rhinestones. On a gaudy gold chain. "Was this actually made for me?" I asked the perplexed store owner as I handed over some cash.

It's a perfect souvenir to remind me of this city, and this building, that I adore, sometimes to a disturbing degree.

14 comments:

lalaolive said...

that's an adorable necklace and fixation!

Lopi said...

It's so wrong, it actually is right!

WendyB said...

I always think of the Capitol as being surrounded by pink rhinestones.

Anonymous said...

Clearly made for you. Make sure it never leaves your person again.

allison said...

Oh my. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to pass by the Capitol without thinking of it framed in pink rhinestones.

I'm kind of excited.

Katy said...

That's amazing!

Elizabeth said...

That is superb!

emmag said...

I remember working in one of the House office buildings and walking to the Metro after work. Sometimes I would glance back and see the dome of the Capitol illuminated in the dark and my heart would actually catch in my throat. It is a powerful building! One of my favorite of the menial jobs I did working as a House staffer was giving tours of the Capitol building. Get yourself a picture of you in front of the capitol with your member of Congress if you can - the second best souvenir. That pendant is without a doubt the best.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

When I lived by the Capitol as a teenager and post college graduate, I spent a lot of time sitting on the steps and by the reflecting pool. I've never seen a rhinestone necklace commemorating my special place... You transplants have all the luck.

Staci said...

That really is the coolest necklace I've ever seen!

TheSundayBest said...

Your obsessions make it alright for me to love what I love.

That sounded seedy.

I meant SAFETY PINS.

That still sounded seedy.

Crap.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, and the perfect amount of funny for an accessory to be. I wish I could have that exact necklace, only with Toronto's City Hall.

Kori said...

I'll be visiting DC (and getting a tour of the capitol) over Christmas break - I can't wait! Although I'm afraid my heart may be broken if I don't find my very own Winona-esque capitol necklace as a souveneir. I may be doomed.

echidna girl said...

I'm glad you found a great treasure. I hope we'll be seeing a full ensemble to go with the necklace.

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