on departure and dc.

Tennessee Williams wrote, “There is a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go.” I like that.  It doesn’t really suit my upcoming departure, but still, I like it.  The certainty of where I’ll be the next several months is juxtaposed so caressingly against the uncertainty about what the next several months hold and how they will unroll. 

This particular departure highlights an interesting dynamic between myself and this quirky, slightly-beautiful, slightly-fucked-up, definitively interesting city that I've called my homebase during the past several years: dc. 

A side observation:  I've found that there is a distinct association that can be made between a person and the way they refer to the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia.

If they call it "Washington" they are generally conservative, law-abiding citizens that approve and respect the complete legitimacy of the US government.  They view this divisive little city as prestigious, inspiring and "important". Some of these characters include:  The President of Campus Republicans, your grandmother, and international leaders with hegemonic dilemmas.  Starchy.

If they call it "the District" they are generally liberal, democracy-trusting advocates or lobbyists that "love this city" even tho they are probably fighting "the man". Sometimes they are new to the city, sometimes they are transient,  and most times they are inexperienced.  Some of these characters include the yuppie hipster who moved from Omaha to go to GW, that intern, and DC Statehood Protesters.  Altruistic yet maybe aloof. 

If they call it "The Nation's Capitol" they are simply lame.  Probably wearing a bright orange shirt to match their "Segue" tour group.  Maybe they are a Congressional Page interning with their local congressman. They are definitely standing on the left - that is, in the "subway".  Douchey and/or tourist.

And what, you may ask considering my own usage, is there to say of people who call it simply "dc"?

No matter how much satisfaction leaving dc gives me every time I leave, I never feel “done” with dc; I seem to have a dogged affection for this disparity-ridden, museum-filled, arrogant-yet-promising town of northern charm and southern efficiency.  "dc" is real.  And like other beautiful, harsh realities - it feels great to escape them but oddly-comforting to return to them.  Furthermore, we trust that going back to it or sticking with it is worthwhile, like it's a place with people and politics that are soulful, honest and worth the day-to-day. Ironically, it's soul-sucking on occasion but forming a meaningful grit in our souls. 

Cheers to an impeding departure and eventual return, inshAllah.