The DC Centurion's Shield: Photography

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Friday, August 10, 2007

The view is worth the hike

An absolutely amazing view of just how big a deal it was last night at RFK. And just what 47,000 people in one place look like. Thanks BobbyBoswell.com

Oh, and if you want another account of the party that left me sleeping on my office sofa last night, go visit Agent Steinz.

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About Those Fun Centurions ....

So I'm sure you're trying to figure something out. Why the DC Centurion? Well, here's a piece of fun info:

The exterior and interior of Union Station are guarded by a series of statues of Roman centurions. When he received the commission for designing the statues, Saint-Gaudens [the artist who sculpted them] asked the Fine Arts Commission if they wanted the statues to be historically accurate and was assured that they did.
When the models were delivered, the Fine Arts Commission were dismayed to find that some of the statues were obviously naked below their tunics -- historically accurate, yes, but not acceptable to turn-of-the-century Washington.
Saint-Gaudens redesigned the statues so the centurions now hold "modesty shields".

That's where the guy up top comes in. I've always thought that whole idea was hilarious. Here we are, two blocks from the Capitol Rotunda, and we could have sculptures of the ideal of manly beauty with everything hanging out? I can hear the Bible Belt fainting in a heap already.

But, you'll also notice the shield of the under-appreciated DC United soccer team front and center, instead of the Roman Eagle adorning the real sculptures as they stand sentinel over Union station huh? Take a look at all these pictures and tell me if it's not an improvement.

But why Union Station? Well, I live in Washington, D.C. I won't call it what it used to be called in terms of the "Free World" but since I live two blocks from Union Station, walk by these semi-nudes every day and sometimes get freaked out by the idea of them coming alive and down to beat on me ... it seemed to fit.

I'm a young, mid 20's professional, and as it says in the subtitle, this is a scattershot blog. I'll be harping on all kinds of fun things. Currently on my list of topics to discuss are the books I'm working on, the movies I see, the food I eat, all of my soccer and other sports fun, my soccer reffing career and anything else that piques my interest.

Check back in, and if you want me to track anything down for you, I'm happy to.

--The DC Centurion

The DC Centurion's Shield

Friday, August 10, 2007

The view is worth the hike

What's behind a Shield?

Vamos United!!!

Shielding the Boys

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About Those Fun Centurions ....