If you're in the DC area...

check out the free Norman Rockwell exhibit, Telling Stories, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum until January 2nd. And if you're not a fan of Rockwell's work, well then I hate to tell you, but you don't have a soul.

Rockwell was a masterful storyteller who could distill a narrative into a single frame. His pictures tell stories about the adventure of growing up, of individuals rising up to face personal challenges, the glamour of Hollywood and the importance of tolerance in American life. He created his pictures with strategies similar to those used by filmmakers.

The pieces in the exhibit are from George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's personal collections. It's pretty amazing how many Rockwell's they own between the two of them. Ah, to be rich...

If you pay them, they will learn?

This just doesn't make any sense to me, but I guess it's what the world is coming to (man, that makes me sound old). Washington, D.C. officials announced a new incentive program that will pay middle schoolers up to $100 a month for, well... being students. The pilot program, called Capital Gains is similar to one being run in NYC and gives students the opportunity to earn cash money for attending class, doing homework, getting good grades and staying out of trouble. Isn't that what kids are supposed to do? I would've loved to have something like that when I was in school. Instead, my incentive for doing all of that stuff was keeping my parents off of my ass... a "program" that seemed to be pretty effective. But I guess in a city where only 36% of middle schoolers are proficient in reading and 33% in math, it's worth a try.

DC area wonders

Back in July, the New 7 Wonders of the World were announced and RatBat Bear wondered why some didn't make the final cut. It's always tough to make a list like that - too many tough decisions to make. I don't understand how Letterman does it every night.

The Washington Post followed up by asking its readers to vote for the 7 man-made wonders within a 4-hour drive of DC. Just like the New 7 Wonders of the World, I'm sure you could argue that something should have made the list that didn't. For example, the Brooklyn Bridge - one would think that there is another site within 4 hours of DC that people would rather see. Then again, I've never seen the Brooklyn Bridge, so I don't know.

The good news for me is that I've been to 4 of the 7 regional wonders. National Cathedral - check. US Capitol - check. Lincoln Memorial - check. Fallingwater - check. It's funny because if I would have read this a few months ago, I would have had no idea what Fallingwater was. The LOML and I headed to Pittsburgh for a wedding this summer and she recommended that we swing by on our way. Besides the shitty weather, it was a great pit stop.

The other 3 are in NYC (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge). I've only been to the Big Apple twice - once to pick up a friend at the airport and the other to see Letterman. Looks like I need to head up there again.

In the meantime, if you're ever in the DC area and want a tour guide, give me a shout... it'll only cost you a pint and a shot of Tullamore Dew at Murphy's.