Lunchline: The art of storytelling isn't easy

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Monday, May 14, 2012 I love maps. And I love D.C. So, a Library of Congress conference that's all about the mapping of the city is SUPER awesome in my world. If you're like me, check this out. The mind of an architect is an organized one, even when being creative. The skill set required to design a building doesn't typically allow for a whole lot of unrealistic creativity. And when speculating about what D.C. would be like without height limits on buildings, it's considered a waste of time. But Capital Business asked designers to just consider what they'd do if the Heights of Buildings Act of 1910 were rescinded, and the results they got were pretty fascinating. Jonathan O'Connell reports. It's fair to say that the area's churches are against President Obama's support of gay marriage. While not all parishes have taken a stand against marriage rights, Sunday was a difficult day for many in the pulpit. Paired with Mother's Day, many used it as an opportunity to reinforce family values. And while Maryland has plenty of people pulling for a referendum on the issue, Virginia voted against same-sex nuptials in 2006. The Post's Hamil R. Harris and Pamela Constable report from around the region. If I had to use one word to describe most of Southwest Washington's architecture, it would be "oddball." Between the various incarnations of development that have graced that quadrant for the past century, what's resulted is an interesting mash-up of styles that wouldn't fly anywhere else in the city. And in the neighborhood known as River Park, that's especially true. The Post's Monice Hesse spent some time in the unmistakable hood, which you should visit if you ever get the chance. Storytelling is a fine but difficult art. And for people who do it for a living, there are multiple hurdles to avoid to prevent yourself from being labeled a liar. But for David Sedaris, the popular humorist who spins his tales on "This American Life," things are slightly more complicated. He tells stories, but he claims they are about himself, which leads most to believe that they are true. But for others, that's just a useless detail. The Post's Paul Farhi explains the delicate line between fiction and "realism." If you watched the Nationals' game yesterday, you witnessed history. Joey Votto, the Reds' mega-star hitter, bashed three home runs, the last of which was a grand slam, to win the game in walk-off fashion. That, my friends, is a monster day at the plate. It was the first time since 1957 that anyone's ever ended a three-dinger day with a slam to win it. Not surprisingly it was Henry Rodriguez who blew the save, and he's officially having a disaster of a season. The Post's Adam Kilgore has the gamer. Extra Bites • George Lucas isn't exactly known as a nice guy in Hollywood or intergalactic circles, but this is a tremendous move on his part, IMO. When his neighbors complained about his building a movie studio in his back yard, he went with low-income housing instead. • If you think Sylvester Stallone isn't a timeless archetype of male studliness, think again. He's been showing up in classic pieces since the 16th century. • Got any friends who are baseball fans? This might be a good gift. Here's how to get at me. There's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and you can e-mail me at clinton.yates@wpost.com. Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 ©2012 The Washington Post Privacy Policy