May I see your . . . business card?

I left work pretty late, last night.

This is relevant to the story. Read below.

Today is the big day when we deliver a big product release/update! So, for the last few weeks, on various work days I have been at work late to complete stuff for this project, a 6 month group project.

So, as I got back to my car which is located in the parking lot a few blocks away from my building, I realize that I left my camera on the floor in my office.

Egads!

So, I rush to my car, drive to the building, and park on the side street. Inside I grab my camera, and, when I return to the street, I decide to take some pictures outside my office building near the main street area. Please note that I work in DC proper, near the Capital building, Congressional offices, and Judicial departments. This is a great area to take snapshots, even at night.

For about a half hour, I'm in total glee taking random night pictures of the area, streets, and people.

All of sudden as I'm taking pictures, an "official" looking automobile stops near me. I turn to look at the people.

From the white SUV, a male voice yells out, "You're not from DC, are you?"

I yelled out in bewilderment, "Say what?" I get a little closer and notice two security type of people: male and female. After taking in this observation and staring at the automobile, I surmise that these people were Amtrak police or Amtrak security on patrol.

They noticed that I was taking pictures in their vicinity. Then, I realized that my photography was making them (and possibly others in the area) nervous.

He asked me what I was doing, and I answered that I was taking snapshots. They were concerned that I was taking pictures of the buildings for some ominous reason (read between the lines --- terrorism).

I wondered if they thought I would speak in some foreign accent.

They talked that about how other police personnel will probably stop by and scrutinize this behavior. Then, he asked me if I had a business card? I guess that they don't have the authority to ask for my ID.

To be honest, I wasn't planning to give them anything.

Eventually, they left me in front of my building and street. I figured that it was time for me to leave as well. We do indeed live in a post-911 world. In places like DC and NY, it is a constant reminder.

Oh, what a night! At least, I can peak at the shots I took and the long project is completed.