D.C.

Kellie & I took the metro into D.C. to see Anti-Flag at the Black Cat Club the day of the inauguration. I was excited to be on the metro, because I'm a hick. More people were coming out of the city than going in, so the ride in wasn't bad at all. We only had to change trains once.

When we did, we had to go up this escalator, which was temporarily stopped. There was an old lady in front us, walking up, with several small bags stacked on a rolling cart, some of which were held together with duct tape. I started to ask her if she needed help, until I saw the duct tape. However, Kellie is much nicer than I am, and she asked "Ma'am, do you need some help?" and the woman turned around, opened her almost-toothless mouth, and proclaimed "Only from GOD!" Then she told us about the evildoers and how she didn't break the escalator so they had no right to sit in judgement of her.

My first crazy person at the metro station, yaaaaay!

We changed trains and settled in, then when we got off at our stop the whole station smelled like piss. I can't even be nice and say "urine". It smelled like piss. ANGRY, ANGRY PISS.

My first metro station gag reflex, yaaaaaay!

We got to the club with no problem, unless being so cold your nipples almost fall off is an issue for you. We found a leather love seat in the back up on a platform and settled in there for the night. Kellie said it was like watching a concert from the safety of your living room, and she was right. There were Mohawks, there were chains, there were gold tank tops and hobo sweaters... it was a people watchers dream.

There were four (count 'em, four!) opening acts for Anti-Flag. (I am so old school that I keep wanting to type "Black Flag") The first act was a band called Darkest Hour. They came out and said something like "Everybody is talkin about hope. (pace the stage) Everybody is saying Obama is gonna bring us change. (pace pace pace picante) I say "Fuck that!" (drum exclamation point)

Then he sings (I use that term loosely) this song that goes like this:

RAAAAAARRGGGGH
EEAH TEAH IEFA GAAAAAAARRGHHHH
BLUUGAAAAAAAHH
FUFHHH FUFHHH GAAARRHHGHH

Dude. How am I supposed to get behind your message if I can't understand what you're saying? Don't hold the mic that close to your mouth, ew germs! Spittle! And why are you so angry? Gosh!

The next band that came out was called United Nations. It was much of the same. They paced the stage, they were angry, and I couldn't understand any of the words to their songs, which was fine with me. I don't think we have the same political stance, ya know? The best part of their set was when they talked about how they were getting sued because of their name, and "Fuck that! We're not gonna change it! Fuck the establishment, rawrrr, grrr!" Kellie and I amused ourselves with shouting our made up band names in our best angry punk growl. My favorite was "GENEVA CONVENTION!!"

By the time The A.K.A.'s took the stage, I wasn't feeling too hopeful. They ended up being my favorite of the opening acts, though. They were what I consider to be punk. Plus, I could understand what they were saying. To me, punk is all about the message. If you're screaming into the mic then all that tells me is that you're mad that you can't sing.

The next band was called Ruiner. They were more of the same screaming into the mic. They did have a bitchin' guitar player, though. (hee, I said bitchin')

Anti-Flag came out on stage not a minute too soon. They were the perfect punk band. They had a message, and paraphrased, it was something like "Obama is just a man, he is not the answer. He is a step in the right direction. It's up to us to keep fighting, keep lobbying Washington, and keep doing our part to make this country great." Whooooo~ Also, I really fucking love some of their songs. Like this one:





They had a lot of energy, there were some crazy ninja stage moves, and I think they were definitely the most positive band that was up there all night. Yes, punk is angry, but that doesn't mean you can't be hopeful, too.

When we were walking back, it didn't seem as cold. Everybody on the street seemed happy. There was something in the air, and even I recognized it, and it was my first time in D.C. People were smiling, laughing, strangers were talking to each other. It was maybe the first time in my life I felt a connection with a stranger on the street because we were fellow (goddamn) Americans. I won't ever forget the way that felt.

We did get to meet an artist on the street on the way back, selling bumper stickers that say "Stop Bitching, Start a Revolution". He said he and about 30 other artists lived on a commune together. (Jaimie, I thought of you. That bumper sticker is yours, baby. It cost me two dolla, so you best enjoy it. Straight from the scary artist commune to your hands.)

There were way more people on the metro on the way back to the car. We sat next to two girls who'd just left the MTV Youth Inauguration Ball, and of course I couldn't help myself, I had to tell them they looked pretty. They were cool. One of them said she had the same hat I was wearing, and asked me if I got it at Target. I did!! They told us about the ball, and how romantic it was watching Michelle & Barack dance together.

I almost threw up after we switched trains, though. Too much rocking. Too many people. I had to pray to the baby Jesus I'd make it without yakking on some dude wearing a tuxedo. It's my opinion that the baby Jesus has more understanding about spitting up, you know? We did finally make it to the car, and we were so proud of ourselves. What a cool way to celebrate.

Thank you, Kellie, for taking me in, driving me around, and sitting in the back of the club taking pictures with my camera phone until we got the right one.

GENEVA CONVENTION HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!!!