Lunch Hour

Up to the Third Floor, West Wing, of the National Museum of American History. All popular culture from the 20th century today - and not all American. Besides "sideshowcases" of Judy Garland's ruby slippers and Harrison Ford's fedora and leather jacket, the main attraction was a photo exhibit on the original pop idols. "Backstage and Behind the Scenes With the Beatles" attracted a big crowd, and it was just a great place to relax, with the Fab Four's music playing overhead, and seemingly endless photos of the smiling, mop-headed group wearing that patented "I-can't-believe-I'm-famous" look. Interesting factoid: while it's obvious that the Beatles' fans have aged on average since 1964, it's less clear why men have come to outnumber women, the opposite of how it began.

Another exhibit featured "the First Lady of Song", Ella Fitzgerald. You've got to respect a women who has a sketch of herself with an affectionate note from Picasso as well as a photo with and a baseball signed by Willie Mays. That's what I call diversity.