Golly it’s been a busy few days, art-wise. Amongst everything else, I’m trying to catch up on my commissions backlog. This is for @hanthenerfherder so look to them if you want to use it for anything! 😡
Dad jokes honestly have this amazing way of perpetuating themselves across time and space, and I have an example from my own life that warms the cockles of my cold, dark heart.
So, when I was fourteen, I went on a cruise of the Baltic Sea with my best friend’s family, and one of the few American families I met laughed when I told them that we were from near Washington, DC. They said they had a long-running family joke about DC– once upon a time, they had gone on vacation there and thought it was funny how everything started with the word ‘National.’ While exploring the National Mall, they saw a beautiful gold-domed building slightly off the beaten path, near the National Gallery. Figuring it was an important monument or museum, they went off the Mall and up the road to explore. When they got there, they saw it was a Starbucks. The dad paused, and then said, “Well, I guess it’s the National Starbucks.”
Apparently, the whole ‘National Starbucks’ become a joke with them, I imagine the kind of dad joke that the dad reflexively makes every time anyone mentioned Starbucks or something like that.
Well, let me tell you, ever since I first heard that story, almost ten years ago now, I point out the “National Starbucks” whenever I’m on the Mall with friends and family and recount the tale. It’s become one of MY reflexive dad jokes, and I know that If I ever have kids, they’ll probably start saying it, too. Maybe the probably 30+ people who have heard me tell the story will do the same.
Not long ago, I was out with friends, and we were thirsty, so one of my friends recommended, “Why don’t we go to the National Starbucks?” Everyone in the group knew what she meant because they’d all known me for awhile. I just love that this weird unfunny inside joke from some random family from New Jersey who visited DC ONE TIME has spread to my social network in DC. Dad jokes are immortal.
In closing, spread the word of the National Starbucks next time you’re in town.
I just started working in DC, so I need to find this and start doing this.
Kimchi and Justice 