Summer is not over!

So yesterday was September 1 and it seemed everyone on the 'net and elsewhere thought it appropriate to start talking about the fall and how summer is "coming to a close."  I saw the phrase "last days of summer" a lot yesterday.  Well, folks, it's supposed to hit 95 today.  Summer is not over.  All these fall-beckoners make me want to throw on the brakes even harder.  This summer has been way too busy and the fall isn't looking any better.  In the meantime, though, I'm going to enjoy these awesome things about summer:

• Long walks at night.  The mosquitoes may be thirsting for us, but we brush them off and keep going.  What is more lovely than a late-evening stroll with your partner?  I learned to love hot, humid nights in New Orleans and that's still some of my favorite walking environments.

Biergarten Haus – Washington DC

Since I started blogging about when my friends go out to bars, I've come to realize that we spend a lot of time and money in bars!  I'm too busy today to take that into much consideration, but I'm putting in on the back burner.  To the photos! Biergarten Haus, on H Street NE, was a pretty hip joint.  Very laid-back.  Looking at the menu, the beers looked kinda pricey until you realize that they are served in massive, liver-crushing portions. I helped him drink this.  A beer this size requires a team effort. Sad little half-liters.  They get used and taken away.  A bar-goer can have a relationship with a liter glass. A shady one.  Now let's talk light.  There was very little in this bar.  I'm not about flash - at all - so I'm always trying to work with the ambiance.  In all these bar photos I've been taking, that means grain grain grain.  For a shot like the one above, though, I think it works.  What does Sai see in this beer?  Mystery, intrigue, inebriation. There wasn't anything funny.  They're fake-laughing for the camera.  This was much more the vibe last night.  I guess we were all feeling sorta mellow. I love how phones cast just a little wink of light on the people using them.  It's very pleasant.  Here's Sara on the street, just before we all said our goodbyes.  I love taking photos out in the street after being in a dark bar.  For one, a proper exposure can be had.  But also it's nice to capture that see-you-tomorrow vibe. Thanks UV filter.  I love that you routinely do this to my photos.  But I'm not going to go around with an exposed lens all the time.  I'm far too clumsy for that. To wrap this up, here's Sara again.  Honestly, I don't remember what she said this was supposed to be - some form of drinking invented or at least spread around by a friend not present.  It's the worst light, horrible grain, but definitely my favorite image from the night. Today is our big fake wedding photo shoot.  You'll see many of the same people but dressed up in their wedding finest.  I have the most wonderful, gracious friends.  Okay I'm off - I have so much to do!