The XX Factor: What women really think.

Washington Cool Watch? Say It Ain't So.

Hanna, I agree with you that the prospect of a celebrified D.C. is deeply distressing. One of the things I've always loved most about Washington is its distinct lack of cool: only place I've ever lived where one can walk the corridors of a large office building—or the aisles of a newsroom—and find not a single woman wearing makeup. Also the only place I've ever lived where dinner parties start at 7 and end at 9, sharp. Such a relief, really, if one is trying to get other things done.

I have a hunch, though, that this won't last. Sooner or later, Obama and his entourage are going to get very, very busy: They, too, will have to wake up early in the morning to get the legislation passed, and there won't be any more late-night parties or mink coats on the Metro. Also, I watched that celebrity concert (on TV, alas) and thought it looked distinctly less than fun: cold, crowded, and something flat and forced about the whole thing. It's nice that Beyoncé sang "America the Beautiful"—when was the last time you can remember the pop-music aristocracy sounding misty-eyed and patriotic?—but I suspect there might have been more dancing in the aisles if she had sung "Naughty Girl." Won't be long before she heads back to L.A. or NYC, I predict, along with the rest of them.