Is everyone having a nice holiday? Hope so, hope so. On NPR this morning, they had various correspondents reading the Declaration of Independence. It struck me that much of the content directed to King George 230 years ago, could serve as a similar reminder to the current King George. Okay, okay, don’t get your bloomers in a twist, it’s Independence Day and I’m entitled to a few liberties. Still, you should hear it and then try to convince me that the current state of affairs don’t mock the intent of the document.
I wasn’t sure it was actually going to happen until yesterday but I’m going on “vacation”. Eric and I are going to Washington DC for a week. For more years than I can remember, I’ve wanted to spend a week at the Library of Congress doing -you guessed it- research. So, that’s why I say “vacation” (my idea of a vacation is just one of the reasons the former Mr. Fasanella divorced me). When I told Miracle, she hooted with laughter saying she just knew my idea of a vacation amounted to a total geek-out. I think she’s jealous. So, I’ll be skulking about, driving the people up there crazy next week with my odd requests for archaic pattern and anthropometry books. If there’s anything you think I should be looking up, by all means, sing out. I imagine we’ll also swing by the Smithsonian. There’s three or four hundred years worth of patented goofy sewing gadgets to catch up on.
In sum, although I’ll be checking in, comment moderation and responses to emails and queries will be tardy and haphazard. I won’t be doing any shipping of books. You can still order if you like. In fact, if you order between 7/4-7/12, I’ll throw in free shipping (refunded) on all domestic orders. Also, if you happen to be in the area and want to meet up, speak up! (Susan, I can’t find your number). I’ll have my cell with me, 575-635-8131 which anyone can call during regular office hours if I am not in my office (office: 575-525-1577) or if it’s an emergency, like the site has gone down and I might not know it.
Have a great week.
Please, please – a full report on any geeky gadgets and great pattern info sources encountered in your travels. Am heading to the US in 2008 and like you I have my own definition of “vacation”.
Sort of on and off the subject, I was searching yesterday for some kind of art or photography that had to do with the Declaration of Independence. I ended up on this site, America’s Story from America’s Library. It’s geared toward kids, but I found many, many interesting things to keep me from my original task!!
Enjoy your week at the LoC. Geeky or not, your idea of a research vacation is terrific! I live here in DC and do it on days off all the time. If you have an appointment at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum to visit behind the scenes, great–but if you had planned to visit as a regular tourist, I believe it’s closed for renovation just now. If that’s the case, maybe you’d like to visit the Textile Museum with your “found” time. Also remember the Natural History museum is a good source for rare books on anthropometry, given their interests in physical anthropology. So, oddly enough, is the Dept of Transportation. Seems they commissioned many studies for the standardization of sizes for flight attendant uniforms in the 50s and 60, and the DoT has those reports of thousands of physical measurements of FAs–but you can get those through inter-library loan. So spend your time at the glorious LoC!
I’m so envious. What a great opportunity (I love libraries, and that’s the Holy Grail [almost]). Enjoy–and try to ignore the fact that King George is in the area.
I actually like the International Spy Museum:
http://www.spymuseum.org/
but I don’t know if you would be interested in that type of thing. There are also a lot of vegetarian places to try out (i just cant remember any).
Another museum suggestion–if you really want to see bare bones and can spare some time from your Library of Congress research agenda, visit the National Museum of Health and Medicine. It’s off the beaten path and is located on the grounds of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in NW DC. Short cab ride from Silver Spring or Takoma Park on the Metro Red Line.