district belle

a belle farewell to the district

2007-10-05T09:12:00.000Z

It's the last day. At the end of work today, I'll be leaving early, way too much luggage in tow, and off to catch a cab for Union Station. Tonight I'll be in NYC. Not in passing, but to stay. It's been a quick process to make the move up, but what can I say - I'm a rip the BandAid off kind of girl.

I will admit, I will most definitely not miss those ever-present politically charged conversations, peppered with names no one else knows or cares to know (especially yours truly!)... nor will I miss having to swipe one's Metro card upon entering AND exiting the Metro system. The thing I will absolutely not miss is the darn zones for the insane DC cab system. Dumb, dumb, dumb...

What will I miss the most? The people. All about the people. I will miss the air conditioned cars of the Metro. I'll miss my favorite restaurants. I'll miss Eastern Market and all of the wonderful local vendors. I'll miss my church and the pastor, who I absolutely think is the greatest. I'll miss my apartment with its washer and dryer in the unit. Man, I'll miss that one... but it's the price you pay for Manhattan, I guess.

And with my move outside of District lines into a land no one can claim is part of the cultural South, I figured it made sense to close out this chapter and formally begin a new one. This is of course going to remain up. I'd never take it down. But with all the changes on the horizon, thought a change was due here as well. My favorites from here though will remain linked in the new blog.

It'll likely be a while before I'm all set up with Internet access and the like, you you know you'll see me here (at the link below).

See you on the flip-side...

simply see you later - not a goodbye

2007-10-04T13:49:00.000Z

Last night was my pre-move gathering with my friends. We met up at Urbana for one last hurrah, since I anticipate tonight to be a scrubbin' fantastic time (as to avoid any fines/penalties for the apartment complex having to clean up after my two months of clearly filthy living). Sitting at the bar, it was comforting to be surrounded by familiar faces. Many that I see regularly. Some I wish I had seen more of in recent days. But I was reminded about the bad thing of being the common thread -- you just don't get to talk to each one enough.

So as the crowd dwindled down, I was a bit sad that so many that came (and thank you all for coming - it really means the world to me) I only was able to manage a brief exchange before they had to depart. As our group momentarily overtook the classy bar at Urbana, I was reminded of all of the fabulous people I've managed to encounter here in DC...

There's the Tour Guide... the longest standing DC connection. One of the few other University of Maryland Summer in Spain participants who was from another school. It's amazing how with some people you don't have to be physically present on an ongoing basis to still be able to develop a relationship strong enough that when you are face-to-face again, you forget there was ever a time where you were not. The TG summed it up perfectly in the card she gave me last night, saying she's glad that even though I ultimately ended up making the move I always thought I would make to NYC that I had a stop in DC along the way. I couldn't agree more.

There's the great group I was fortunate enough to encounter at church... from DrP to Tx to Coop to MM. It was the first time I'd had a chance to really talk a lot with Tx. Lots of special memories of ACL there. And I love talking music with Tx because she is passionate about it too. She'd never think I was crazy for flying to see multiple Tori Amos shows. DrP and I have the Southern connection. She's a Georgia gal and with my mom's family being from GA, we clicked instantly. I'll truly miss her, but she's one of those who will definitely stay in touch, so I know I will be seeing her soon and very soon. It's interesting all of the different levels on which you can truly connect with people.

There's my fellow Junior League New Member Group member, where we randomly found out that 1/2 our group was comprised of DC Bama girls. A Bama connection is hard to beat. And it's funny how one person can be your key ... a connection to a whole different set of people you never would have encountered. Or I guess I shouldn't say that... as one thing I've learned in DC is that it doesn't take long for you to bump into that same crowd from another angle. And it was through the Fashionista that I met WT, who will likely be my first in-house guest in November - and I just can't wait!

There's MsH. My lunch and shoe shopping buddy, who I will miss tremendously. Our frank lunchtime chats have remained a thing off the record for blog purposes, for sure - and definitely served to keep me sane during my time here in DC. Hopefully someday she'll forgive me for my exit just short of her housewarming party. I'll be thinking of you that weekend, and we'll just have to do the celebration separately. Thankfully today we can celebrate with one last lunch. I'll be thinking of you come lunchtime next week as I'm figuring out where on earth to eat my midday meal.

There's Rio, who's that friend who just gets you more than many others do. Where you don't have to explain yourself ad nauseum because they just know how to interpret the silence. I've never had another friend where we met in once city and then proceeded to run into one another in a different city. I hope he finds the warmth of the people of DC to be as rewarding as I have. It's great to have someone who loves photography to talk photos with. That's something on the to-find list once I settle into NYC.

And now the countdown's truly on. The boxes are overtaking me at this phase. I can't get to stuff for the heavy boxes obstructing my path through my little 615 square foot world. All my empty boxes are filled and I'm off to buy more last minute supplies tonight. I've gone through 300 feet of bubble wrap. I'm on my second box of 140 sheet wrapping paper. I have my shirt for tomorrow and a pair of jeans out. That's it. Oh, and five pairs of shoes...

weekend review: when did mötley crüe become classic rock?

2007-10-03T11:25:00.000Z

I'd told Tam all about the glory of the Legwarmers concerts. 80's music... live... people in costume... what more do you need? It seemed like an appropriate send-off to be a part of my last weekend-ing in DC. The Mack and the Fashionista had hit up Goodwill and the Salvation Army. I couldn't bring myself to buy more themed apparel though to add to my dwindling stash clutter, having donated so much to those very organizations. Instead, I pulled back out my short denim skirt and a pair of my trusty legwarmers and made do with what was left in my apartment (which isn't too much). To add a little umph, Tam and I put Buckeye's unused crimper set to use. Too fun. We gained a full appreciation for the time and dedication it takes to properly crimp.

We all convened at AR's place in Balllllllston beforehand. We parked at the mall and walked over and were clearly walking conversation pieces all along the way. We hadn't even left my apartment complex to go over to Ballston before we had our first comments, which continued throughout the course of the evening. Hey, it's nice when you're going over the top to at least be appreciated ;-) GH, who works for NBC, was on hand to also help to document the event. We ended up on the website, including a picture with one of the lead singers.

Unlike my prior outing, the plan was to make it until the last song on the setlist, with my hope being that they would not opt for an hour intermission during this show. However, shortly after intermission this girl in the crowd decided to up and punch one of the Mack's friends in the face - not once, not twice, but three times. In all of the times I've been to such events, crammed in the middle of tons and tons of dancing people, I'd never seen anything like this firsthand. So not even 15 minutes post-intermission, our group quickly was split in half. For the record, I just don't get people who expect to be in the midst of a crowd like that and have some sort of space bubble around them. If that's your deal, um stay further back? Or perhaps just don't leave home...

Anyhow, the rest of the show was a blast... Tam, KK, and SR danced it up with me in fine fashion. I was definitely glad I was able to see them one last time. Very fun.

Sunday my church did a nice farewell for me. It was the first time I almost cried, as Tx came up to give me a big hug, not letting go. Yes, it will be the people I'll truly miss... Tam and I then hit up Kramerbooks for brunch. It seemed appropriate the weekend included both Kramers and Lauriol, my true original DC staples.

And after today, it'll only be 2 days more...

when the black horse upgrades

2007-10-01T18:59:00.000Z

I like those few CDs where you are content to click play on the CD player and let it run its course, start to finish. Put it on repeat? Sure, why not - 'cause it's that good. At last year's Austin City Limits, I was introduced to KT Tunstall. She was playing midday and my friend Tx was all about seeing her.

"KT Tunstall? Who?" I asked, a puzzled look on my face.

"Oh she sings that song 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree'. I'm sure you've heard it," she replied. Hmmmm. I was sure I'd heard it at some point, but was drawing a blank. Since we had been switching off who chose the next stage to check out, I nodded in agreement and figured I'd give her setlist a try.

And boy I was not disappointed. Still a relative newcomer to the musical scene, KT had an instantaneous stage presence typically reserved for those who have long been on the concert circuit. Her brief exchanges with the audience were confident, serving to accentuate an absolutely fantastic setlist. Her stage set-up was simplistic - a few basic rugs and just her and her guitar, oh and her bare feet. I was hooked instantly. What was one of my first post-ACL purchases? That would be Eye to the Telescope, her first major release.

The bigger known cuts from her first album would definitely include "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and "Suddenly I See", which has seemingly popped up all over from the recent movie The Devil Wears Prada to accompanying Meredith Gray's dancing in a poignant moment on Gray's Anatomy. The album has an interesting mix of pop/rock with bluesy overtones, and it works. My favorite from the album is "Through the Dark", the final haunting track focusing on the uncertainty of the future. The lyrics emphasize finding strength to make it through hard times where you just do not know if there's a reason to even expend energy hoping for what you feel you need.

When I saw on iTunes that KT had a new release slated for mid-September of this year, I did the pre-sale right away. And when iTunes wasn't showing it in my pending downloads the morning it was released, I was annoyed and found myself purchasing it - again. On the train ride up to NYC that evening, en route to my interview for the job I will be starting next Monday in Manhattan, I was again much impressed. Sophomore slump? Not here. Although I guess if you count in her live album, Accoustic Extravaganza, this release is technically number three.

I'd been addicted to Hold On since it was put up on MySpace. I remember listening to it one of the first days I was able to go without a cast after my broken foot and I quickly found myself dancing en route to the subway, just smiling back at those passing by gazing at my twitching feet. It's just one of those songs where you have to dance. It definitely serves as a strong and catchy first single track from the album, with energy comparable to KT's prior major singles, "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and "Suddenly I See".

Drastic Fantastic has a mixture of the honesty of Eye to the Telescope with I think an edgy quality more prevalent in Accoustic Extravaganza. The bluesy element fades here, but the combination between pop and rock still remains - without any of the cliche sound often times classified as rock. There are albums with strong lyrics and there are those with fantastic melodies and interesting combinations of musical elements. Drastic Fantastic is solid on both accounts. It starts off on a powerful note with "Little Favours" and from there continues through a series of peaks and valleys, with the ultimate crescendo at "Hold On". Like Eye to the Telescope, Drastic Fantastic rounds out with the overall calmer yet still intinsive lyrics of "Someday Soon" and "Paper Aeroplane".

Lyrics in songs such as "If Only" and "I Don't Want You Now" show a unique balance between the sentiments of a strong and independent woman along with the occasional realities of those moments of doubt, captured especially well in my opinion in songs such as "Saving My Face". With Drastic Fantastic, KT has solidified she's a consistent entertainer who we'll be seeing more of in the years to come, for sure. I love Eye to the Telescope but in my opinion, Drastic Fantastic takes it up - a notch.

----

Check out KT's upcoming tour, including stops in the below cities:

November 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
November 17 - Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
November 21 - NYC, NY @ Roseland

me, myself & my two legs

2007-09-29T18:04:00.000Z

After a looooong cab ride to the Greenbelt metro station from Laurel, MD I'm officially car-free. I almost made it a year with my car, but I must admit it's kind of nice to be back to solely public transit. It will be all too easy to take the payments previously made to Honda Financing and All State and reallocate them to the NYC landlord. No sweat at all.

My kitchen table is officially gone. I finally found someone non-flaky who picked it up last night. My living room instantaneously went from crowded to empty, soon to be filled with even more cardboard boxes.

Tam arrived into town last night. We met KM and headed to Lauriol Plaza, a definite must for my last weekend in DC. It's like things have come full circle. Lauriol was one of the first restaurants the Tour Guide took me to back in 2005 pre-move.

Afterwards, Tam and I headed to DC9 where I'd surprisingly never been and was one of her faves. Friday night is their Liberation Dance Party. Fabulous and occasionally fabulously hideous music. We had a perfect seat to take in some of the fantastic people watching right in our line of sight. There weren't many people on the dance floor, but definitely those there were amusement enough for us. It was good to catch up though. We called it an early night to save steam for Saturday.

Tonight it's time for some fantastic 80's cover action and theme attire, of course. I decided any dancing for this weekend should likely be reserved for Saturday. Thought the healing foot would appreciate that. Cause I'm still preoccupied with 19... 19... 1985!

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

farewell barry white

2007-09-28T13:33:00.001Z

I hurried onto the metro this morning. I can't seem to stop packing. I start and before I know it, it's after midnight. Or, in the case of this morning, I start going through bubble wrap and packing tape right and left - taking on more than I have time to handle and I just happen to stop to look up for 5 seconds to see it is 15 minutes past when I have to leave to go to work. Argh.

I barely made it onto the train. I like that there are so many seats on the train for those wonderful, coveted rides where there happens to be few enough passengers that you actually get to indulge in sitting in one of them. More often than not though, in the early hours of morning rush hour, that's not going to happen. Instead, the fantastic space-hogging layout of WMATA's cars equates to not enough room for all of the passengers cramming in to go downtown on the orange line. I will add that to my list of things I will not miss about DC's metro.

I crammed myself in, just as some guy stomped on my healing broken foot. Nice, guy - thanks. My mood was instantly alleviated as the beautiful booming voice of the Barry White train operator came over the intercom. Ahhhhh. His version of "New Carrollton" was not quite as inspiring as "Vienna - Fairfax", but almost! And to think, he was one thing on my list of one-more-time-pre-move-must-do's - clearly an uncontrollable one at that. How nice of him to offer to help me add that check mark. Much appreciated.

So packing is going well. Last night I signed my intent to vacate with my apartment complex -- so my fantastic 615 square foot slice of Arlington will be on the market this weekend. I made my last run to the UHaul store. Tonight I have someone coming over to take my kitchen table, which should make my apartment more Manhattan friendly.

I'm looking forward to Tam's arrival tonight. As much as I could really use the whole weekend to pack, I think some distraction and downtime is exactly what I need to give me some extra umph to go into the final week of insanity.

The countdown has begun...

operation down-size

2007-09-26T16:02:00.000Z

What do you do when you move from DC to NYC? You try to take a reasonably sized smallish 1 bedroom and figure out as many corners as possible you can cut to eliminate even more of your smallish collection of most prized possesions (saving, of course, all 35-40 boxes of shoes - because those are non-negotiable).

What have I been doing to work towards accomplishing this ultimate goal? The initial step was throwing out all of my CD cases. Liberating. Next, I've been hand-folding all of my clothing and putting them into boxes and as I am doing so, I'm weeding out those things I never wear that I've held on to for many many shameless years. No mas. Poof. Gone. Now in the Trader Joe paper bags and soon to be happily en route to Good Will. What else? I have suits that are 2 sizes too big that I have not worn since college. Where are those going? You guessed it - donation. It's amazing how quickly you can compress your world down!

Next step? I'm selling my kitchen table. It's part of my congrats-you're-a-big-girl-and-got-your-first-real-job collection (circa 2005), but has been more of a large placeholder in my apartment because as I sadly own up to from time to time, I am not quite the world's greatest cook. Someday I'll be cooking, but in the meantime I'm not going to hurt in my wallet for a big hunk of wood that no one's eating on. Hopefully soon to say *POOF*, also gone...

I guess those who focus on the possibility of having spacious living arrangements will cringe at this next comment, but I'm still excited. Give me a cardboard box but let it overlook Manhattan in some way, and I'll be as content as can be. Bring it on ;-)

i felt a change a' comin' soon...

2007-09-24T02:39:00.000Z

Perhaps it's been noticeable I've been a bit on the quiet side as of late. It happens. Sometimes things get busy. Sometimes I'm just feeling on the unsocial side. Or sometimes, it's because I'm having to highly censor life, and there's just not a lot to trickle through.

This time, it's the last scenario...

Rewind... so, a week and a half ago, I had a phone screen (first interview) with my former employer from Miami, but this time for their NYC office. The same team I used to work with closely from South Florida had an opening in their NYC headquarters location. And the job was ideal. Seemingly perfect.

I came across all of this following my Labor Day trip to NYC, as I'd finally allowed myself to admit that what I was doing career-wise was not where I wanted to be. I was getting specialized. Way too specialized. And in something my heart was not into. Somehow, it wasn't until I was practically fully out of the international realm that I realizes that was where I wanted to be. So some emails, some resumes, and I found myself on a phone call with a former colleague, who is also the manager for this role.

Last week on Tuesday evening, they brought me up to NYC for the on-site and final interview. And what a nightmare of a trip up it was... along with a night of missed connections. The interview went great. It was one of those things where you just feel at home. I was surrounded by familiar faces back in the crazy corporate environment I missed so much. It just made sense.

I was afraid it would be a long and torturous process, having experienced the bureaucracy on the hiring process upon other instances. I was surprised to receive the verbal offer last Thursday, with the final offer coming midday Friday. Noon on Friday, I was sitting in front of my manager, giving my two weeks notice.

But didn't I just move? Oh yes. Clearly, it is my joy in life. And back to those lovely cardboard boxes I've gone. Didn't I just sign a one year lease? Again, all details.

So the weekend has become a hodge podge of this and that, heavily focused on frantic get-it-accomplished-ASAP packing. I feel like I may have given a kidney to Goodwill by accident. I've had my car appraised by CarMax, where I will probably be robbed unless someone would like to make me a fabulous offer. I've reserved the loading dock at my apartment complex from when I'm guessing... errrr hoping to be coming back to meet the movers to load up my stuff to head north.

Literally, I'm off in two weeks -- Manhattan bound. People have asked why I didn't ask for extra time to move up. The answer is that in a way, I'm choosing this. I'm not good with goodbyes. Never been a forte of mine, and I don't see that as a negative by any means. Most of my friends learned the news midday Friday, as the Tour Guide sent out an Evite for a farewell happy hour. I hate goodbyes and it's the people that have made DC, and I knew those very same people all knowing the play-by-play prior to seeing if this would go through would make the decision process more difficult for me... and so, here I am.

And that's the scoop, before me and my cardboard box cut hands fall asleep over my laptop. I'm excited about the next chapter. I don't feel nervous. It just feels right.

how to make a beautiful life

2007-09-17T11:22:00.001Z

Birthdays are another of many types of new years... your personal new year of sorts. The Fashionista gave me a really neat symbolic gift... two necklaces. One has a small silver dove, for when I am feeling free as a bird. The other has a pair of silver hearts, so whenever I'm feeling down I can wear my heart on my neck and not on my sleeve. I really like that (today - I'm wearing the dove).

My parents sent me a birthday card. The poem inside, no credit info beyond Hallmark, really struck me as well. Just in case I should somehow lose it, I wanted to include its words here to share as well...

Love yourself.
MAKE PEACE with who you are
and where you are
at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart.
If you can't hear what it's saying
in this noisy world,
MAKE TIME for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try.
Take chances.
MAKE MISTAKES.
Life can be messy
and confusing at times,
but it's also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path
might be a stepping stone.

Be happy.
When you don't have what you want,
want what you have.
BE ACCEPTING.*
That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY.
To know where you're going
is only part of it.
You need to know where you've been, too.
And if you ever get lost, don't worry.
The people who love you will find you.
Count on it.

Life isn't days and years.
It's what you do with time
and with all the goodness and grace
that's inside you.
MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE...
The kind of life you deserve.

(* Original poem said "MAKE DO", but my mom revised and personally, I prefer the revision)

Here's to hoping year 2-8 means many wonderful days in store and, of course, nothing but the best surprises around each bend.

weekend review: 'cause i'm the birthday girl, that's why...

2007-09-14T13:39:00.000Z

I love the places that wish you happy birthday... Friday morning I found emails from Borders Rewards, MyCoke Rewards, and my Allstate Agent in my inbox. Awwww. So nice to feel loved, even by Coca-Cola.

I'll be honest, I didn't get much of anything done all day at work on Friday. With my phone set to vibrate, it was bouncing all around the desk all day as friends called, sent e-mails, e-cards, and posted comments on MySpace and Facebook. I was planning to offset this with working through lunch, but when Rio heard I was lunch plan-less on my birthday, we made impromptu plans to head to my favorite, Cafe Soleil - which we capped off with their fantastic chocolate mousse. I came back to the office to 15 minutes later be whisked into a surprise birthday celebration, complete with homemade German chocolate cake. Yes, more chocolate. I don't know that I can be legally held responsible for not being productive post-lunch with all that sugar.

For dinner, I'd made a reservation for me and the ladies to check out a spot I'd never been to before, Sesto Senso. The DG and I arrived before the rest of the crew. She offered to buy me a glass of wine and we were planning on drying off and catching up before the others arrived. We ran into two gentleman at the bar, one whose cousin owned the place, who insisted on getting us a couple of glasses of wine. Fine. So we were chatting a bit with them before they learned it was my birthday. Well, oh my then, they were insistent on ordering a bottle of Dom Perignon. The DG and I soon found ourselves with two glasses -- one wine and one champagne. Classy... the ladies soon showed up and we bid them adieu and made our way to our table.

What a nice restaurant... our new "friends" sent over some appetizers to begin, which were definitely appreciated by the table. The conversation was quite amusing, centering on one particular friend's recent encounters with um let's just say an especially challenged male on Match.com. He felt the need to explain that he was a habitual liar, even going on to state he wanted to be able to date but yet still keep his wife. Tip for the day... while females do tend to want closure and explanations in situations, sometimes silence is the best option!

Saturday was the Virginia Wine Festival. What could be more appropriate for my birthday weekend? We crawled out of bed bright and early to hike all the way to the end of the orange line to meet up with our bus at the Vienna metro with plenty of time to spare for our 10AM departure. The five of us made our way straight to the back, so we'd span window to window. We were just about to seek out someone to take a picture of us, when one gentleman, laughing, said we had to have a photo. Well, since you asked... instantly, there were 3-4 cameras out, on, and all five of us were smiling in his direction. =) MsH and JS had plans for the evening... the rest of us thought they were nuts, saying our plans for the evening consisted of nada, nada, nada. I said I'm going out... like a light on my futon. I am clearly a psychic (just ask my futon).

The festival was at the Morven Park Equestrian Center. The weather was beautiful, but a tad bit colder than anticipated and wind definitely amplifying the drop in temps. I soon found myself an owner of a threads of peace (?) sweatshirt. How do I always seem to find myself purchasing emergency sweatshirts? Oh well. Virginia vineyards might not be quite on par with California, but not all half-bad. I found myself coming home with five bottles -- three from Lake Anna Winery (Spotsylvania Claret, Lakeside Sunset, and Totally White), Rebec Vineyards (Autumn Glow - a fascinating blend of a Riesling and Cabernet Franc, love it!), and Kluge Estate (Cru - a Chardonnay made from grapes "fortified" with brandy and then aged in Jack Daniel's barrels - truly unique).

We met fantastic and friendly people everywhere we went, from the tasting tables to the line at the port-o-potty, where one time we encountered a couple of nice people, one who shared their recent purchase at the tasting table, a blush called "Fiesta". We later met a gentleman who said his daughter would have fit in perfectly with our crew. She had passed away from meningitis some years ago. It was a sweet moment.

It was close to 5:30 by the time we boarded the bus, where we were greeted by a small package of Hershey's Cacao Reserve. Mmmmm. We had basically devoured them when one of the group noted "um, the expiration date is July 2007?". Pish posh. We didn't let that keep us from our chocolate.

At 7pm as I arrived home, I was definitely happy with the birthday weekend. It was a weekend surrounded by friends and fun. I couldn't ask for more.

And now, I'm just refusing to acknowledge Monday's arrival, because I'm just going to keep living in weekend birthday mode...

thursday's random smorgasbord of ramblings

2007-09-13T20:32:00.000Z

JSNTBOAATMs
(or Just Say No to Bank of America ATMs)

I was just reading the news and apparently Bank of America's ATM's will now charge $3.00 to all non-account owners who elect to have the privilege of withdrawing their wad of one dollar bills from BOA's system. What do I say to that? Boo. Glad I'm reading CNN.com so I know who to not get money from. Um, no. And now, you do too.

Granny Airlines

I am really amused by the recent news articles surrounding the young lady who was supposedly wearing provocative clothing on Southwest Airlines on a recent flight and was pulled aside. She was apparently allowed to board the plane after she pulled her skirt down to make it appear longer. Um, c'mon. I was trying to find a picture of her online, but I saw this on TV and I've seen much worse on planes I've been on. If she's provocative, then I must be flying next to porn stars on my planes. And now there's a second lady?

And what's my favorite part? Southwest used to dress its flight attendants in hot pants in the '70s. Their slogan was "the love airline". I would think the "love airline" would have some love for the crazy insane short skirt this passenger opted for. Guess not.

So, what happened to being focused on security measures at airports? Yeah, hello, that CODE ORANGE warning that blares over the loudspeakers at every airport across America. 'Cause last airport I personally left out of, the person working at the security checkpoint? Yeah, they had basically shut down for the evening. I was wearing my oh so fabulous cast. Did he mention it or check it for explosives? Negative. Wand it? Nope. He did scan my bag normally through the machine and then looked at me, commenting "eh, you don't look like a threat".

But clearly, Southwest has their priorities in order. Postage stamp skirts? Now THERE'S the real threat to America...

(Note - I do not personally opt for the skirts of the teensie variety. Just had to say... and if I did, yeah, I'd clearly not fly Southwest!)

weekend review: birthday x 2 x 3

2007-09-11T12:55:00.000Z

The Tour Guide and I have an annual tradition - the joint birthday bash. 'Cause why not? Her birthday is the 9th and mine is the 14th. So close. We have friends in common. We're social. And who doesn't like an excuse to get all your friends together for a fun night out? Done deal. The tradition started my first year here, when I'd only been in DC for a few months. It's just kept on trucking ever since.

The past couple of years, the venue of choice has been Ozio. But we were Ozio'd out. We wanted to pick something fun and girlie. From their website touting their selection of fruity, girlie martinis, Topaz Bar was a clear winner for this year's option for our third annual bash. Beforehand, a group of us grabbed dinner at Mezza Luna to celebate with the Tour Guide. She was happy to have her boyfriend there (long-distance turned walking distance, as she's put it as of late).

Getting to the bar, we sized up the room we'd reserved. Not bad, but a bit tight size-wise. Nothing to despair though over, as we soon spilled out and pretty much took over the rest of the bar -- as we basically figured would be the case. The bartender told us they couldn't remember the last time they had a crowd like that -- always nice to know your presence is recognized and appreciated! At a venue like that where it's stuffed to the brim with smiling faces, all of which are your friends. What more does one need on their birthday? Presents? Yeah, they're just icing on the cake.

I jokingly told the Tour Guide that most of my friends were apparently going to be wave 2, arriving fashionably late as is the norm. The Fashionista arrived with many of my friends in tow who had been at her place around the corner beforehand. I finally got to meet MsH's friend who is a fellow MSU grad (go bulldogs!). The pictures were great - one fave being MsH icing her head with a drink to try to alleviate her champagne-induced headache.

For the most part, the evening was drama free and ended as the bar closed, they nicely shooed us out the door, and the very nice JS gave me a ride back to my apartment complex. Having stood up and socialized for the better part of the evening, my foot was super-sore and really appreciated the painless journey home.

It's been a fabulous birthday, and the festivities are just beginning... I'm looking forward to dinner with my girlfriends on Friday, the Wine Festival on Saturday, and who knows what else lies in store!

weekend review: taking it to the east side

2007-09-04T15:06:00.000Z

Ever have a weekend that might have been too good? One you can't quite put all down in a post with many details you outright shouldn't? A trip from which you just have no desire whatsoever to return to reality? Where you'd like to just have conveniently lost that return Amtrak ticket somewhere on the subway platform? Oh so tempting... yeah, you get my point here...

So I was thankful that my last minute planning at least was as early as morning of, as I waited in the huge snaking line coiled around Union Station. I was trying to get something to eat when I noticed the mob of people and decided to nix that. Managed to miss priority boarding - man, gimp benefit definitely foregone there. Oh well. Trip up was uneventful though, thankfully. I'd texted Tam (to make sure I had a place to stay) as well as Bama to see if he was up for an East Village meet-up as we'd discussed at the reunion a few weeks back. Specific details? All TBD.

I did quickly learn what I do prefer about DC's subway system over NYC's -- the beautiful and plentiful escalators. A NYC staple? Not so much. I did make friends with some nice fellow passengers, one a hippie who helped by carrying the back portion of the suitcase and another who just grabbed my suitcase and took it up to the top of the stairs (and, thankfully, did not keep on running clear on out!).

The plan was low-key. By the time I made it to Tam's it was close to 11:30. We sat for a bit and chatted. Around midnight, a text came in from Bama (who went to UA and I'll go with Bam here for the sake of simplicity) to see what was up. Tam and I had talked about hitting a nearby bar, low-key, so that was the plan. We wandered over to Sidewalk, which was pretty quiet when we got there. Before too long, Bam was there with his friend. From there, we headed to Bam's where we ended up watching a couple of episodes of Flight of the Conchords (the magical bling bling...). Amusing - how many new shows I have missed. Somehow, the low-key evening managed to close out closer to 6AM. But then again, if history is any sort of indication, no surprises there.

Saturday Tam and I hit 7A again for brunch and shopped in SoHo. I found some comfy flats that weren't too too granny-esque and we ended up doing dinner at Brick Lane Curry House. We felt very guilty when the server proudly brought out rice pudding along with the desserts we actually ordered. We got it to go hoping to find someone on the street to give it to. Sadly, I think it's still chillin' in Tam's fridge.

After some power napping, we headed over to try another karaoke spot recommended by Bam, Planet Rose. The decor and set up was perfect for karaoke. Loved the big plush zebra print couches. And the workers were much more personable than those we'd found at Sing, Sing during my last East Village excursion. There was a birthday party there which made the place more crowded and meant there was random candy strewn all about the place. Interesting. Tam did Amy Winehouse, I attempted a little Joss Stone, and Bam stayed out even though tired to bring down the house with some Lisa Loeb - too funny.

Sunday we mixed up our brunching options, branching out to check-out Essex. Tip would be to opt for reservations (Tam and I weren't aware here). From there, we were off to Coney Island. I'd never been and wanted to check it out before some things began to close. The Cyclone at Astroland seriously scared me - and I love roller coasters and they don't usually freak me out. This one? Exception. The aquarium wasn't half-bad, especially the sea lion show.

To amuse ourselves, we opted to check out the sideshow. It was a riot. Sword swallowing... a contortionist... guy hammering nail into his head... wolf man... man swallowing fire... and, of course the favorite - Serpentina. Her act was a semi-suggestive dance with a 15 foot white python, a dance which was heavily enjoyed by the audience member who appeared to have made mannnny a trip to the Freak Bar at the entrance. At any moment possible, he would let loose with a loud "Serpintiiiiiina!". At first it was a tad obnoxious, but it became increasingly amusing as her act continued.

Sunday evening we had reservations at Balthazar, sister restaurant to Pastis. It was quite good - everything we had, from the bread to my main course to the dessert, was superb. The plan was to try to do something afterwards but after returning back to Tam's place, I was crashed out on the futon within no time.

With a 3pm train back, there wasn't much time to do anything on Monday. A quick brunch at Sidewalk, a brief adieu, and before I knew it, I found myself back on the platform at Penn Station, headed back out once more.

See, the funny thing about stepping out and letting loose of what you view as your true self is you sometimes find yourself with ultimately more of who you are in the end. So I'm glad I made the change to head up for the long weekend. All those parties I was planning on going to and opted out of? Apologies for missing, but what a weekend.

the art of spontaneity

2007-08-31T16:48:00.000Z

I am a planner. I'm not a super big believer in astrological signs, but I pretty much am your textbook Virgo, I will concede. I live by my planner and have my weeks planned typically before they begin. I put out my clothes the night before I go to bed. It's who I am.

But sometimes you just have to get out of "you" and do what feels right. So, as I walked from the Metro and into work this morning, I decided a change in venue for this final summertime long weekend was in order. I walked in to work, jumped online, and purchased an Amtrak ticket to NYC.

No set plans, but I've got a place to crash with Tam so I'm good to go. I'm running home shortly to pack up for the trip. This is truly a first. I'll still have the oh-so-stylin' cast in tow, but I'll have real shoes as well. I'm looking forward to it.

It's a shame how refreshing traveling for pleasure is. I used to think the novelty would wear thin, but these days, I just don't know.

you put your right foot in...

2007-08-29T18:07:00.000Z

I went to the doctor's this morning, bracing myself for a sad report of mucho more cast-laiden weeks ahead. It was to my surprise that he came back, x-rays in hand, to report that I was healing fabulously and should be able to transition fully to normal shoes... yes TWO normal shoes... by mid-next week. Fantastic. Homework is all that fun normal PT-ish stuff, like rotating the ankle, yadda yadda... but yeah, I'm on my way to putting the plethora of shoes that are such an intimidating presence in my closet back into rotation. Super. And just in time to be able to wear shoes to my birthday party. Could the timing be any more perfect???

And let me say, it's been interesting spending the last week commuting via metro in cast. I figured that people would be pretty accommodating about letting you sit down, etc. Um, no. Someone had told me they would do all possible to avert coming in contact with your line of sight. Oh so true. Wise, wise words. I've seen it in action. Have I sat down once on the commute in? Um, no. My favorite was when one day I had the nerve to lose my balance (seeing as at that point it was my first day back on the metro and balancing even slightly on the right foot was a no go) and ever so slightly bump into the person behind me, I got the look of death. Sheesh. I can't wait until I'm fully mended and can become a part of the general in-a-rush-hustling-to-get-from-a-to-b populous.

On a different note, people find it strangely appropriate to comment all sorts of things to you solely based on your cast. This phenomenon was not limited to my high school reunion. Oh no. It expands out to include all sidewalks, alleys, and the likes that permeate the greater DC metro area. No place is safe. So as I'm on my way out of this sad little woe is my foot rut, thought it was appropriate to compile a listing of the top 5 comments (ranging from quasi-pick-up lines to just flat-out stupid utterances of the English language) overheard during my last couple weeks with a fractured foot...

Comment #1: "Well, you really wear that cast well" ... followed by big goofy grin - man at drag brunch at Perry's, clearly with girlfriend (nice)

Comment #2: "Your's is better than mine" - man sprinting by in a white cast, rather than my oh so trendy black one

Comment #3: "I remember when I wore my cast. When I took that thing off at the end of the day it smelled fuuuuuuunky" - department director at work commenting on the beauty of functionality and yet stinky side effects of the walking cast

Comment #4: "Do you need any help carrying that? I can help you, you know" - random guy on metro, with ulterior motives (denied...)

Comment #5: "Oh wow, it really must suck to walk around DC in that thing in the August heat..." - about fifteen to twenty of DC's brightest and finest males clearly available. Suave points? Maximum.

Those are the best without being incriminating as you know is how I tend to roll...

I'm looking forward to putting on my iPod, complete with shoe 1 + 2, and going back to blending into the masses on the metro. I don't want Joe Schmoe feeling comfortable engaging in conversation. Especially not before I've made it into the office and had breakfast. Big thumbs down.

Hurrah to impending normalcy. Three cheers for eventually getting back behind the wheel. You know Target and Linens and Things will be at the top of that to-hit list. So ready. Oh so ready.

weekend review: when brunch so is a drag, sass style

2007-08-27T13:28:00.000Z

It was officially the weekend o' sass. I can still say that and smile with a week to go. Friday was Sassy's official farewell. I'm not going to get too sad here. After all, it's soon. But it's never easy to have a friend leave the area - let alone one which is pretty much one of the ones you've known the longest and, oh yeah, was also the roommates. Oh the stories I could tell... but yeah, that goes both ways - so silence is the name of the game ;-)

Friday the Fashionista and I coordinated a farwell for Sassy at the F's place. She pulled out the grill, sans hickory chips this go 'round. Good to see such a great turn out. The Fashionista had written a great poem to summarize our thoughts on the impending adieu...

Our DC times with Sassy have come to an end.
We're so very sad, but wish only the best for our friend.
From kickball to Junior League to random nights out.
Not having Sassy here makes everyone pout.
But Columbus is calling, and she's gonna do well.
We know this move is brilliant, positive, and swell.
So we'll have one empty spot at the flip cupping table.
But LJ said she's gonna learn, and we know she is able.
We promise to gChat and write on Sassy's wall.
We promise to take trips and email and call.
There are so many things we want to say but can't list.
So, this stupid poem's purpose is to say Sassy you'll be missed.

From there, the group split to head on elsewhere for the evening, but all-in-all it was a fine farwell to our good friend, and a perfect beginning to the whirlwind tour of DC and VA's finest orchestrated by my former roommie.

Saturday the goal was to hit the Market Lunch. We'd read a while back that the East Hall was to be reopening in it's temporary new site and we were salivating at the thought of some fantastic piping hot bluebucks at Market Lunch. Sassy, having never had brunch at the Market, definitely made this as a priority addition to her weekend line-up. Upon arriving, we found the Market swarming with patrons, eager to be a part of welcoming the vendors back on opening day. This was further amplified though by the media swarm around Mayor Fenty, who we finally realized was standing just a few feet to our right. We were sad to find upon finally making our way through the mob to the Market Lunch that they were not re-opening until September 15th. So sad. They said they had more work to be done to be ready for full hot food service. Understandable, but sad. it was good though to see familiar faces of the workers. It's nice to see that even all this time later, the team remained the same. And yes, we'll be back.

Sunday, Sassy really wanted for us to hit up the weekly drag brunch at Perry's in Adams Morgan. My co-worker compared the line to get into the brunch to that for Pasta Mia. The plan was originally to meet up at 12:30, but at my co-worker's urging, we revised to 10 to be there before the brunch started. Very smart plan. We were towards the front of the line and were comfortably seated and eating as others were waiting for hours trailing off down the long stairs upstairs to the restaurant. The food was pretty good, some including items that I just can't do for brunch (sushi? a bit much...). They did have grits, which warmed my soul. The show was very entertaining, although I agree with the Fashionista's assessment that it would be a plus if they at least knew the words to lip sync along. Clearly, not the focus of the event. It was pretty funny, although I will say complaints would be the huge lag-time in between many of the numbers, poor lip syncing skills, and poor costume choices on some of the performers who should have been opting to show less of what they have to offer. Highlight though was this cute little girl dancing up on the couch with one of the performers during Proud Mary, although I'm pretty sure I'd never in my life bring my small child to such an event.

After an all-too-quick afternoon nap, we were back off for round two. Last night we were off to Wolf Trap for the Indigo Girls show. I'd almost opted out, thinking the lawn plus a fractured foot might not be the most comfortable combo. I decided though to get my own covered seat and hang with the gang pre-show on the lawn for that fabulous Wolf Trap picnic experience. The picnic was complete with an impromptu reuben Sassy and I grabbed at Giant (where the worker couldn't begin to fathom the concept of splitting a sandwich - insane), smoked gouda, fresh salsa, chewy Chips Ahoy, and of course the screwtop wine.

While there, we witnessed a proposal by a lesbian couple. I had to reflect on the events of the day. I remember a time not too long ago where I would have squirmed a bit at such a sight - primarily due to lack of understanding and the difference between the other party and myself. Watching the couple, their excitement, and noticing the genuine emotions in their eyes, I was a bit puzzled as to how can anyone not recognize that as love. The comments about the crowd composition at Indigo Girls shows is always pretty consistent, but so what? It's an audience of people passionate about music, passionate about causes, and passionate about life. And while my romantic interests may be towards the male gender, I'm fully plugged into the remainder of that line-up.

And what an amazing show. I'd only ever seen them at the first year's Lilith Fair, so I had never seen how a show of theirs would go solo. So many performers rely on flashy lights and set designs to drum up energy for a show. Something has to be said for two women taking the stage, nothing but various stringed instruments in hand with the stage itself bare - not even a rug of sorts in sight, and able to effortlessly energize the crowd. That's what defines a true musician. Amazing.

Setlist: Hammer + Nail / Ozilline / Fill it Up Again / Dairy Queen / It's Alright / Devotion / Run / Money Made You Mean / Power of Two / Shame on You / Ghost / Hand Me Downs / Watershed / Chickenman -> Bitterroot -> Chickenman / Lay My Head Down / Three County Highway / Get Out the Map / Little Perrenials / Pendulum Swinger / Perfect World / Closer to Fine / Accoustic Song (?) / Galileo

I loved their closing comment. As we all stood, cheering and clapping, they said, "We really appreciate it. Ya'll give us a good life".

As I crawled into bed slightly before 2 AM, I had to echo the sentiment. What a good life and, hopefully, a great send-off to a great friend...

weekend review: reunited & it feels so good...

2007-08-20T15:28:00.000Z

It was the trip that almost didn't happen. I got to the airport to find the fabulous back-up of delays for flights inbound from NYC and Boston. I asked the gate agent when they'd know if we would make it out for the evening or not. When I told him it was for my 10 year reunion, he said "oh, well you have to go." My reply? "I don't know. At this point, somehow it is losing its lustre." Some 2 hours late and 20 minutes of the flight crew not being able to fly due to time on the clock we finally managed to leave DC. I was just hoping this wasn't a bad omen of what lied in store.

Groggy and not feeling my normal social self, I was hoping to arrive into a sea of unfamiliar faces to grab my luggage. But then, isn't the theme for the weekend supposed to be the return of familiar faces at every corner? I was quickly reminded.

With an arrival of almost midnight DC-time, I was surprised to encounter DK outside of baggage claim. He asked what I was expecting for the reunion. "Honestly? I haven't got a clue." He'd already run into JW who'd flown in from LA and mistaken him for another of our GHS classmates. JW walked through the door shortly thereafter. I knew the weekend should be amusing to say the least.

Saturday night included the formal program at a church followed by some more mingling at The Furniture Factory. Carless and unable to drive, I felt 15 as my Dad drove me up to the church. Hot.

So what was the reunion like? Interesting. Verrrrrry interesting. I try to keep posts from being too incriminating, so I'll keep with the theme here. Let's summarize it as follows...

Yes, there were those typical reunion things... there were classmates who'd married other graduates from our class, some who'd changed a great deal, some who looked just like they did in 1997, all the normal stuff. We paused to remember the few classmates who had since passed away. We had one classmate who'd been married 8 years, another with 5 kids, one who is a published author and even a classmate who will be representing Nigeria in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Awesome. We were always a class of overachievers though. And that has definitely not changed.

It was interesting to find everyone friendly with the exception of a select few who were (shock) their normal icy selves. Some things never change. Thinking back to those high school days, there were so many things that seemed to be of such extreme importance that have long since paled in proportion to everything else that has since happened. Guess it just seems odd to find those who still seem to cling to some of those trivial things after all these years.

The program went well... including some humorous class awards and class slideshow (old pics and even before and after pics from senior year class picture to now). While waiting for JSP to kindly give me a ride to point B, I helped clean up. I had a kind offer to be carried down the stairs of the church hall. Now that aspect of having a fractured foot I will miss. I wish I had a dollar for everytime I was jokingly called gimpy. I'd have been able to lay out of work at least for the day today... :-) but sadly, no such luck.

For Huntsville, I'll say the Furniture Factory wasn't half-bad. There was live music and it was much easier to converse with people than the tables during the dinner/program. We reminisced. Talked to people living all over, doing all sorts of things from one end of the spectrum to the next... from running their own business to pursuing dreams of acting. I learned a fellow classmate is in DC and was living only a short walk away from my old place on the Hill, and we're planning to meet up once back in the District. DK helped me to get up on top of the table for an aerial view of our class - who said the cast gets in the way of socializing? I also have an invite for a meet-up in the Big Apple. Love the Deep South reunions up in Yankee land. Perfect.

At 2AM, my dad picked me up. Awesome. At 4AM, I finally crawled into bed - exhausted, pleased, and amused. Sunday morning I woke up to homemade biscuits and Yellow Label. Ahhhh, the comfort of the South.

It was a great weekend. I'm glad I decided to come. I'd said this would likely be the only reunion I'd opt in for but now I'm not so sure. Just might be in for round two in another decade after all... and here's to hoping to more smiling faces to meet up with those occasional times I do make it back to H'ville.

i invented post-its

2007-08-17T17:11:00.000Z

When I think of high school reunions, I think of Romy and Michele's and Gross Point Blank. Both absolutely fabulous. Yeah, the above clip is a prime example as to what not to do at your high school reunion. So hard to believe it's been ten years. I'm curious to see everyone again. I know I've changed. My friends love seeing old pictures from high school, where I had permed hair, braces, and anywhere from brown to blond to red hair - depending on what year you chose. If I remember to bring back some old pictures, I'll have to post some here for amusement's sake.

I was reading online and apparently many women view high school reunions as more stressful than meeting future inlaws. Hmmmm. Interesting. I was also amused by a listing of do's and don'ts. I foresee an amusing Monday posting, perhaps a top 5/10 listing. Stay tuned, and have a great weekend ;-)

back in the saddle again

2007-08-15T20:13:00.001Z

So today was the day. I came into work and left not too long thereafter, treating myself to a cab to head over to visit my orthopedic surgeon. I was supposed to have worn the old school plaster cast for two weeks but based on self re-evaluation, I'd deemed that it was time to bump the transition to walking cast up by a week since I was already trying to walk anyhow on the cast um not quite so designed for walking.

I usually could care less about doctors. They are usually just that... doctors. My orthopedic surgeon though, he's pretty cute, so he makes the effort of hobbling over to his office at least visually appealing. Which would explain why my face must have gone white as a ghost when, as he was using the saw-type thingie that lookied like a much more evil version of a pizza cutter, he commented on my hairy legs. Eeeek! Not that one could have rectified the situation, but it did take a bit of restraint not to audibly gasp.

I'm sure I pushed it a bit... I was so excited to be able to walk sans-crutches that I walked the three blocks back to the office to deposit the crutches (yay) and then another couple of blocks for a meeting in another building. It was after the walk back to my office that I thought it was perhaps time to sit still for a while... at least until half-price burger night tonight ;-)

In all seriousness though, it felt great to be able to see such a variety of scenery. Sassy mentioned last night riding with the DG in to work and not having ridden on the metro in a week, I was momentarily confused, inquiring as to whose car they were riding in. How quickly our routine can be thrown. It was nice to see DC the way I love to see it, on foot - and preferably two. For the timebeing, guess I'll be taking in each slice even more in all it's glory as I amble by at a slower pace -- but I'm so relieved to be back.

(Much love to my friends for their lovely cartoon drawings... the Fashionista for the top drawing and MsH for the bottom. *So* looking forward to our Friday coffee/catch-up run, MsH!)

la campeona

2007-08-15T13:07:00.000Z

I'm pretty proud of my last DC resident success. I went over to one of my final runs to the old row house on the hill. After some initial annoyment to my mail not being properly forwarded to my new address, I was pleased to see a statement from the DMV. You'll remember my prior post regarding my encounter with the DMV. Who won their contested parking ticket? Oh yeah. That would be me. Just had to gloat.

And now I'm off to the orthopedic surgeon. Fashionable white plaster cast is about to bite the dust. ;-)

and the low key trend continues...

2007-08-14T12:40:00.000Z

As I'm gearing up to pack for the reunion this upcoming weekend, it struck me some of the upsides of being in a cast. I'm a big time shoe afficionado. I just realized space required to pack said shoes gets halfed when you only need one of the shoes. I thought of an alternate pair of shoes to bring in place of the original cute high-heeled sandals I'd planned on wearing. I was sad to only find one of the two sandals until I realized, perfect anyhow - I'd found the magic left shoe! Lovely drawing, by the way is courtesy of my sister... it's me waiting for the bus or, as is more likely the case these days, a ride from one of my super fabulous friends who've made this experience significantly less painful.

I've been frantically trying to clean and organize the place. I'm ashamed to admit to some of the stuff I've thrown out, although loving the vacant areas that have been left behind post-purge. The slow trickle of guests have also been a catalyst, along with the supposed arrival of the Titan come Thursday evening.

Last night though, I felt fifteen again. I went upstairs to the Mack's place where, along with the Fashionista, we proceeded to watch the season premier of The Hills. I took the elevator up to their place, post bath and in PJs. Lovin' it.

left shoes galore

2007-08-12T16:27:00.000Z

It's been a wiiiiiiild weekend (sarcasm).

Titan: What's new with you?
LJ: Nada. I'm being anti-social. Because I can't be social.

I can't remember the last time I stayed in on both Friday and Saturday night. It's a whole new world. I don't foresee it being the norm for me by any means, but it's been a nice forced change. So what have I been doing with my newfound time in? I've most definitely been maximizing my monthly rent investment. I usually joke it's an expensive place to house a bed. I've been using it for much more than that this past week.

Friday night, the Tour Guide made the hike to VA for an in-home visit. Friday was our firm's annual picnic. Somehow the hot August afternoon along with my plaster cast did not seem like a recipe for fun. A friend helped me make a run to Target, where I learned that the automated shopping carts do not function quite as fast as a go-cart, but can generate enough wind to bring on a chill. Brrrrrr.

The Tour Guide brought over some fabulous toaster oven brownie muffins as we began planning our third annual co-birthday celebrations. Being Virgos, we've got the planning thing down to a science. It's how we operate. The Tour Guide did note that my place was becoming a graveyard of discarded left shoes. I had to laugh. This past week, the poor right mate to each pair might as well not even exist.

Saturday I went to brunch with TGT, a friend from college who I really think I have not seen in five years. Wild! We did brunch at Boulevard Wood Grill. The French Toast with it's Grand Marnier whipped cream was just perfect. And what did the wild Saturday evening entail? Some unpacking... reading a bit more of Jennifer Weiner's The Guy Not Taken... and finally watching Gone With the Wind (ummm yeah, that was a commitment - but quite good).

And much thanks to Coop for his help pretty much all of today with moving over stuff to the new place from the Cap Hill rowhouse. He gets serious kudos, as well as not half-bad pizza from Brick's (with the exception of Coop's half with anchovies - ewwww), for all his hard work in moving stuff for me -- including moving um me up the long staircase of the house. Thanks to him I'm three small items away from being d-o-n-e!

So yeah, I'm 99.9% moved and 100% tired. Off to the futon to prop up the foot. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

as courtrose place turns

2007-08-08T13:00:00.000Z

I was quite tired last night when I arrived back home. The doctor confirmed it's a fracture in one of the bones on the top of my foot along with a badly sprained ankle. End result? Lovely plaster cast for 2 weeks, walking boot/cast for another 4 weeks, and then 6 weeks of therapy. Beyond that, he's going to work with me on what we need to do to stop this cycle... since he said this shouldn't be such a chronic problem for me. I was pretty impressed with him. If anyone needs a good orthopedic surgeon, just let me know. I have a name now to share haha. Oh and after this, I promise the random shots of my feet will stop being included. I never broke anything as a child, so this is my first cast. Boring and plane jane - yes, I know. But I guess at 27 you're considered to be past the threshhold of being offered the hot pinks and electric blues of the world.

The Fashionista was a saint and gave me a ride from my office back to my apartment. After the long day, it was absolutely a luxury that was muuuuuch appreciated. While there, she signed her lease for our 'hood. It's official. We're now living in Courtrose Place. Ahhhh. Let the drama ensue ;-) After all, can't beat such a high percentage of your friends living in such a small radius. I'm about to get spoiled.

I discovered my old boss also commutes in to my office passing right by my place, so I have a way in and out of work now. My arms, ribs, and lower back are jumping with glee. I just can't say enough about all of the kind people I've been encountering. The people opening doors, helping with getting my Diet Dr. Pepper and my iced lattes... all the little things that add up so much. Even the sweet drawing I positively LOVED on my Facebook graffiti wall by the Tour Guide. Very fabulous.

Tonight's plans are the only of the week I haven't nixed. I'm off with the ladies to restaurant week. I'm 99.9% sure I'm not ordering steak and considering it's a steakhouse, I'm thinking I'll be getting the traditional odd-ball look. Oh well =)

crutch buns + wontons

2007-08-06T21:37:00.000Z

It's been a funny day. I took the day off to relax, actually follow the doctor's advise and prop up my foot with an ice bag, as well as to try to keep from having to go into the office on painkillers. Hopefully I'll be able to stick to the original plan.

While here, I started looking around online for some sort of pads to put on the crutches since I've walked next to nowhere so far and already am mighty sore. I've always mentioned I needed more upper arm strength. This is a cruel way to get some. I was beyond amused when my mom was searching online and found a website called Broken Beauties. They've got it all... fashionable covers so you can completely cover your crutches (their "crutch muffins" - haha - yeah, I thought that one was a bit much) or just what they call their crutch buns, which just covers and adds extra padding to the part that goes under your armpits and the part you grasp with your hands. I opted not to get the leopard print, as amusing as I found them to be.

And now the delivery extravaganza has begun. Peapod arrived an hour ago with a ton of groceries (*poof* - I've got groceries again). And soon, Cafe Asia will be here and I'll be the proud owner of crab wontons, a spicy crab roll, and an eel and avocado roll. WT's on her way here for some girlie downtime.

Work with me... I'm making the symbolic lemonade.

officially va-bulous

2007-08-06T02:46:00.000Z

It's been one long day. Scratch that... one long weekend. The move started rolling on Thursday, and hasn't really stopped since then. However, it's pretty much come to a screetching halt for the time being. Today during my last run to the car, my ankle flipped ... sending me crashing to the floor and my clothes flying all over our front porch. I couldn't stand, so I crawled into our den area where I almost passed out. Nice.

Rio came and helped me get to the emergency room - an adventure which ended up encompassing some four hours. The Fashionista was telling me that apparently it runs a bit slower since GW is a teaching hospital. Hmmmm, good to know.

Interesting things to note based on the experience and/or comments...

The lady who took my vitals told me my foot looked "deformed". Now I'm sure that is the kind of classy comment they teach you to use first when dealing with people. Lucky for her I kind of agreed...

A fellow patient noted that she always takes a snack to the emergency room. Smart girl. We arrived around noon and it was about 3:15 when we left. And no, I did not appreciate the staff members discussing their impending purchases at Potbelly. Drool. Very cruel.

One fellow patient noted to Rio that at least I would only have to walk around the corner to make it to/from classes. Why does everyone think I'm oh say 19?

The patient next to me was pushing the doctor to give them anti-depressants. When they said no, he pushed saying that he couldn't sleep without them. Lots of back and forth. I felt totally up in his business. But with my foot throbbing, appreciated the distraction.

I noted to Rio that I wished I had repainted my toenails, which I had already noticed the other day were chipping. I believe I will be attempting to remedy that tomorrow. Can't deal.

The x-ray technician told me I was the "exception to the rule". When I asked why, he told me that I was the first x-ray he'd done on feet that day which wasn't caused by being drunk. I said, "thanks?".

Oh and verdict was it's a fracture... not quite a break. So I guess I can no longer pop off saying I've sprained my ankle countless times but never broken. Argh. Upside is that I no longer live in a house with a long neverending staircase. I always say I have no arm strength. That's about to get remedied. Downside is I can't drive (it's the right foot). My new building has a bit of a hill to get to the metro, so haven't quite figured out that one yet. And my high school reunion is coming up, so those fabulous heels I bought might be a no-go and instead, crutches be my newest oh so fab accessory. But perhaps the orthopedist will have better news for me.

Mucho kudos to Rio and the Fashionista for all their help today... especially Rio for spending basically the whole day helping. Sometimes I have a hard time asking for help when I need it. I've learned during this move though and in today's ordeal just what great friends I have. I'm truly blessed.

More on the weekend in general later... but for now, totally konking out from the Percoset.

(Zzzzzzzz...)

downside of housing with character

2007-08-02T15:05:00.000Z

When I moved to DC, I was adamant about moving into housing that was different. I'd lived in community upon community in South Florida where there was building after building of vanilla apartments, only differing by square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, the view, or perhaps the presence of or absence of vaulted ceilings.

Looking at apartments in DC was a breath of fresh air. Most I viewed were individually owned condos. Generic cream colored carpets gave way to beautiful hardwood floors. In giving up central A/C, I gained redone ceramic-tiled bathrooms, more individualistic layouts and in some cases, even traded in those blah white walls for a splash of color.

I think my most recent rental though is what sent me back en route quickly to vanilla, and high-rises at that.

Top Five Issues to Brace Yourself for When Your Row House is Over a Century Old:

1) Moths. You just can't escape moths. It seems to come with the territory. I resigned myself to purchasing cedar balls and airtight storage bags at the Container Store to be ready for battle. And, even then, you will still have them occasionally fly at your face. Like happened to me last night. Fabulous.

2) Temperamental Plumbing. You might have a garbage disposal, but you will find yourself encouraged to carefully contemplate what you put down the disposal - if you even venture to dare to put it to use. If you gamble with something a bit more extreme, be ready to dig it out. Or see it come flying up towards your face, one.

3) Busted Wiring. Be prepared to be told wiring cannot be fixed because of the fragile and feeble state of your home. Why is there no front porch light? "Oh, we couldn't ever get the wiring in that portion of the house to support something requiring that much energy". Was that an acceptable answer to three single girls? Umm no. The key to any old home is knowing when your landlords are just being cheap. And it will happen.

4) Forced Ranking on Appliances. Back to the wiring. You may have to accept that we all have choices, and occasionally that extends to appliance usage. Sure, you can run your A/C so you remain cool and refreshed after a shower. However, you will have to sacrifice all of the above and be willing to (gasp) sweat a bit if you actually want to plug in another electrically draining appliance, such as oh say a hairdryer. Clean body or dry hair. Your pick. (And guys, if you can't imagine having thick hair that would take an hour plus to air dry, you don't get a vote here - sorry!).

5) Window Unit Serenades. If your house hasn't had a major overhaul, be prepared for the glory of the window unit. Yes, I do realize we could be A/C-less, but that's an alternative we shall momentarily ignore. If your landlords have not opted to truly install window units, be prepared for poor insulation, high gas bills for radiators in the winter, and loud street noises (how many street crashes have I heard early in the morning? I've long since lost count). And no, shoving paperback books underneath does not qualify as installation.

Recommendations? Know when limits of reason have been surpassed. Feel free to push back (DC laws do favor tenants - remember that!). And definitely push for a pre-move in cleaning. We should have heeded that last one for sure. Think through all of the above before you sign next to the X on your lease.

Disclaimer: I do acknowledge this will vary from locale to locale. Perhaps you won't be so blessed to encounter the above as we did.

Bring on Virginia, baby!

a patchwork quilt

2007-07-29T21:27:00.000Z

Today as we had brunch, as excited as I am about my new place, I will admit I started to realize just how bittersweet the moment was. I'm really going to miss my roommates.

I've really enjoyed having people around me in so many ways. Granted, I'm still not Suzy Sunshine in the morning. I'm perfectly content to arrive at work without having uttered a single syllable (and no, emphatically mouthing lyrics to my blasting iPod do not count as syllables in my book).

However, I've loved the post-weekend catch-up sessions. Few group dinners. Elaborate desserts, including homemade truffles whipped up at the hands of the DG. Funny stories I won't elaborate on here, but let's say thought-to-have been intruders, narrowly avoided calls to the police, and learning the white noise functionality of a rattly window A/C.

And can't forget the fun theme parties... too many to count, as is the case with the photos of the same.

I feel blessed though. Life's all about connections. The people, places, and events that lead you on to a whole new sea of faces and experiences. Sassy was one of those first DC connections, who led me on to meet the DG. And while our year at our "haunted" row house has had its ups and downs, oh my - have we had a time.

Life's a funny thing. Sometimes we understand what's come our way and sometimes we don't. And sometimes it's only months, even years later that we get why we went through something. What it added to who we are. Who we're meant to be.

And sometimes we get so wrapped up on people and how we thought things were supposed to be a certain way in our relationships. Likewise when that person presents themself on that street corner, as they many times do, you realize how unsuited you were from square one and how much better things have been since you went that other path. And that does not necessarily mean that person is a bad person or that you couldn't be friends... but yeah, you *get* it. It's always such a big bridge to cross to realize we surprisingly don't always know what's in our best interest, no matter how much we typically believe we do.

So when someone from my past came up to me earlier, it was good to see them but simultaneously refreshing to see I'm happy with where I am. Where I want to be - no questions. More than happy. Like I said, we don't always get it. More often than not, we question.

But there's just that occasional window, if only a sliver, of contentment. Where it all just gels. And that's why now, flip flops kicked out in the metro, there's a smile on my face.

Cause life is good. Oh yes, it's all good.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

riding sideways, taken in by the scenery

2007-07-26T12:46:00.000Z

Well, after years of it being on my list, I finally made it out to California. And just before my time to do so ran out... turns out, AW's husband is going to be changing jobs and they'll be moving from sunny Orange County. I came one month shy of missing the trip!

The trip was so much fun. I'm still dragging from the timechange, lack of sleep, and the like, so this will be a brief one. So what did we do? We tried California cuisine. Checked out a local wine bar, where the worker accomplished her goal of getting me to think I might not hate all merlots. Visited the Santa Monica pier, including a ride on the ferris wheel with its fantastic aerial view of Santa Monica. Shopped up and down the Third Street Promenade, enjoying a nice Italian lunch at Trastevere. We headed to Hollywood, stopping to walk up and down the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard and feeling sufficiently touristy. We went into the Kodak Theatre and to the shops in the Hollywood and Highland Center. We had a dinner of fantastic appetizers at the Grill on the Alley, after getting past a snooty hostess who seemingly scoffed us for not having reservations, who proceeded to walk us in through a sea of empty tables. Interesting.

We woke up super early (3AM) to venture Southwards to Temecula, which would be the personal highlight of my trip (so well worth going into the red on sleep). Our flight was with Grape Escape. So much fun, it was easy to forget we were floating around in what amounts to a larger, heavier version of a wicker basket up to a maximum altitude of 3,000 feet. Nice! After our champagne toast at Wilson Creek Winery (I highly recommend the almond champagne for a mean mimosa - and I don't particularly care for champagne, FYI). From there, it was brunch, wine tasting, and a little pool-side napping at South Coast Winery. It was then back to Wilson Creek (now that it wasn't 6:30AM-8AM and they were open...), where we ran into the most classless bachelorette party. They sadly did not come with volume control. We wrapped up our Temecula run with a stop at Ponte, a really nice winery with a beautiful al fresco restaurant overlooking their vineyard. Absolutely exhausted, we capped off our evening with a fabulous California Mex dinner at Miguel's, followed by catching the early evening showing of I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, which was funny enough to even keep our heavy eyelids open!

We went to Laguna Beach. Enjoyed lunch overlooking the water at Las Brisas. Took in the artsy atmosphere of Laguna, from cute shops to fabulous galleries. Trip back to DC included a layover in Las Vegas. While my first visit to Sin City did not include venturing into the city, I did manage to squander $3 on slot machines (Wheel of Fortune - in light of my mother's stint on the show back in its first year, I thought it was appropriate) only to watch a man win $10,000 around the corner. For two hours, I slept on the cold hard floor in Las Vegas to make the most of my delayed flight. And it was good sleep at that. After 2:30AM, I boarded the plane and was en route to the East Coast again.

11AM I walked in my doorway, luggage in hand (muuuuuch heavier than it left out) and eyes heavy from the overnight flight. Thankfully I didn't originally decide to opt to head into work post 7AM flight, so no issues when my now 10:20+AM arrival left me in no shape to head into the office. I tried, unsuccessfully to head to bed, so instead I headed to run errands. What was the top of the list? Purchase two DVDs... Pretty Woman and Sideways. Go figure.

"I want the fairy tale." - Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman

they call me the wanderer...

2007-07-19T01:39:00.000Z

Tomorrow after a long time of claiming I was gonna do it, I'm finally off on a trip to California. I can't wait. I'm ready to be settled into my seat (aisle only will do), iPod on, book in hand ... nothing but blue skies ahead.

I cannot even remember the last time I saw the now Mrs. AW. We interned together in South Florida back in 2001. I think we met up at some point in the interim. Somewhere along the way, it all became a big blur. She's planned out all kinds of things for my visit and I'm pretty much all packed up and set to jet.

I do feel like the recurring theme as of late (as it tends to be) has been traveling. I love to travel. I was telling the Aussie that I think in his recent road trip across the US, he managed to likely see more of the US than I have in my 27 (almost 28) years of residing here.

It made me think... the Cajun gave me a book as a present once. You may have seen it. It's called "On and Off the Beaten Track: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die". Wow. I was intrigued. One other night when I should have been doing something else, I found myself scanning the listing and checking off the places I've been...

(The below is how they had everything grouped or broken down... including sites I actually visited within cities they listed just in their entirety)

1) Windsor Castle - Windsor, Berkshire, England
2) Canterbury Cathedral - Canterbury, Kent, England
3) The Lake District - Lancashire and Cumbria, England
4) London, England (Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral)5) Oxford University - Oxfordshire, England
6) Bath - Somerset, England
9) Stratford-Upon-Avon - Warwickshire, England
10) Salisbury Cathedral - Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
11) Stonhenge - Wiltshire, England
12) Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh, Scotland
13) Vienna - Austria
14) Paris - Ile-de-France, France (Arc de Triumphe, Basilique du Sacre-CoeurCentre Georges Pompidou, Eiffel Tower, Hotel des Invalides, Louvre, Musee d' Orsay)
15) Catedrale Notre Dame de Chartres - Ile-de-France, France
16) Chateau de Versailles - Versailles, Ile-de-France, France
17) The Walls of Carcassonne - Languedoc-Roussillon, France
18) Heidelberg's Schloss - Heidelberg, Rhineland, Germany
19) Rome - Lazio, Italy (Coliseum, Pantheon, Roman and Imperial Forums, Spanish Steps, Vatican City)
20) Sistine Chapel - Rome, Lazio, Italy
21) Il Duomo - Milan, Lombardy, Italy
22) Florence - Tuscany, Italy (Church of Santa Croce, Il Duomo, Piazz della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio)
23) Basilica of St. Francis - Assisi, Umbria, Italy
24) Venice - Veneto, Italy (Palazo Duale, The Grand Canal, Basilica di San Marco, Piazza San Marco
25) Verona - Veneto, Italy
26) Anne Frank House - Amsterdam, Netherlands
27) Oude Kerk - Amsterdam, Netherlands
28) Red-Light District - Amsterdame, Netherlands (just baaaarely)
29) Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam, Netherlands
30) Van Gogh Museum - Amsterdam, Netherlands
31) La Mezquita - Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain
32) The Alhambra and Parador de San Francisco - Granada, Andalusia, Spain
33) Seville - Andalusia, Spain
34) Avila - Castile and Leon, Spain
35) Salamanca's Plaza Mayor - Castile and Leon, Spain
36) La Catedral de Toledo - Toledo, Castile La Mancha, Spain
37) La Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
38) Madrid - Spain (Bullfights - ick, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, El Rastro, Palacio Real, Prado, El Retiro, Tapas, Plaza Mayor)
39) Lugano - Ticino, Switzerland
40) Castle District - Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic
41) Old Town Square - Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic
42) Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park, Colorado, USA
43) Everglades National Park - Florida, USA
44) Key West - Florida, USA
45) The Delano - Miami Beach, Florida, USA
46) South Beach - Miami Beach, Florida, USA
47) Walt Disney World Resort - Orlando, Florida, USA
48) The Breakers - Palm Beach, Florida, USA
49) Art Institute of Chicago - Illinois, USA
50) The French Quarter - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
51) The New Orleans Restaurant Scene - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
52) Mardi Gras - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
53) The Freedom Trail - Boston, Massachusetts, USA
54) The Natchez Trace - Natchez, Mississippi, USA
55) New York City - New York, USA (American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Empire State Building, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Times Sq/42nd Street, Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central)56) Historic Downtown New York - New York, USA
57) Museum Mile - New York, New York, USA (Met, Guggenheim Museum)
58) Biltmore Estate - Asheville, North Carolina, USA
59) Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina, USA
60) Heart of Charleston - South Carolina, USA
61) Low Country Cuisine - Charleston, South Carolina, USA
62) Graceland and the Elvis Trail - Memphis, Tennessee, USA
63) Memphis Rib Joints - Memphis, Tennessee, USA
64) Nashville's Music Scene - Nashville, Tennessee, USA
65) Monticello - Virginia, USA
66) Colonial Williamsburg - Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
67) The National Mall and Its Monuments - Washington, DC, USA
68) The Smithsonian and Beyond - Washington, DC, USA
67) Old San Juan - Puerto Rico, Greater Antilles (U.S. Commonwealth)

I'm a numbers person, so let's see. That puts me at 6.7% of the book. Ouch. I have some work cut out for me ... clearly more to see. As I suspected, of those sites deemed "must see" only 40.3% are in the US.

Clearly, more to see here in the grand ol' US of A. This weekend, I'll be knocking off another one (Hollywood). Oh and yes, I know it will be grimy and not pretty (I get it) but I also know I darn better see someone famous or I'll be mighty disappointed.

weekend review: that stoop over on perry

2007-07-17T00:36:00.000Z

(or why you can have 2 hours of my time but not my $2)

I must confess ... I have a secret love - la gran manzana. Perhaps DC's my residence of choice, but NYC never ceases to be one of my all-time favorite destinations. I think I love visiting NYC much more now that all of the frantic must-do's have long since been checked off of my list. Are there some museums I still have yet to see that I haven't yet? Sure. But no need to knock them out anytime soon.

The train was scheduled to arrive in at 10:29PM. I figured that was plenty of time to arrive in, drop things off at my sister's place, and squeeze in some karaoke action. I told Tam we should make it a low-key evening. She asked me since when did karoke become low-key?

She'd planned to make a run to Buttercup Bake Shop for cupcakes so we'd have them waiting for us. I was trying to find her frantically at Penn Station only to learn (1) she'd gone all the way uptown to find them having closed 5 minutes earlier and (2) she'd been stuck over 30 minutes waiting for one of the two trains to make it over to meet me.

To switch the night over to a better run of luck, we booked it over to Magnolia Bakery. We were pleased to see no line and an open door - all good things.

Afterwards it took us a bit to catch a cab (we did make a friend while waiting, as this random guy proclaimed he wanted to carry us over to the other side of the street with his own two hands). After some cupcakes and some $2 Chuck, we were ready for some karaoke. Sing Sing didn't have quite the finnesse of Karoke 1, but it wasn't half-bad. Tam sang some Fiona Apple and I sang some Dixie Chicks. It's always fun when there are people in the bar who get behind you. One guy subsequently invited us to join his group, which was in a private room for his brother's birthday. We opted to pass and instead enjoy watching these two guys bounce from getting down to some R&B to several Red Hot Chili Pepper songs, 'cause the two are clearly so so similar...

Saturday we hit Clinton Street Baking Company. Well worth the 1hr+ wait. Definitely second those recs to get there when they open or if you're staying nearby, carry-out's the way to go. Anyhow, fantastic pancakes and fantabulous ginormous biscuits, proving not all NYC establishments opt for the canned variety (being from the South, we're owning our biscuit snob rights - no shame). We hit the designer consignment store Tam had read about, Tokio7. Shortly thereafter, I had a cute Rebecca Stewart cotton dress for our SATC tour among other items. Niiiice.

The tour was so much fun. The reviews had been positive, with even those complaining a bit on the price loving the tour. The bus was packed, including these girls wearing random neon-colored faux hair clips. Clearly, they were NOT dressing for the tour. Ick. The tour itself though? So fun. We drove a bus around the city, with a guide pointing out spots from filming. She then played the complementary clips from the show on the TVs on the bus. We made a pit stop where Charlotte bought her rabbit. We ate cupcakes from Magnolia in the park in front of the store ('cause *clearly* Tam and I had not had any of those!). We took pictures on the stoop of Carrie's apartment. We had cosmos at Onieal's Speakeasy, which served as Aidan and Steve's bar. It was such a fun girly NYC afternoon!

We then hit up our favorite NYC pizza place, John's Pizzeria near Times Square. We decided we wanted to try Baraza, a Latin bar in the East Village. The mojitos were fantastic and the bartender a trip. He went from salsa dancing to the Latin music to totally going nuts during the random series of Michael Jackson songs.

At the insistance of my co-workers, Tam and I opted for 7A for brunch on Sunday. She was thrilled to see they served breakfast from 2AM-5PM. They had some interestoing varieties of butter, from traditional to strawberry to a fantastic rum butter. Good stuff! We spent the day wandering around in the Village... shopping and just lookind around. The only thing keeping it from being just absolutely perfect was the heat, but we didn't let that stop us.

I was on the last train to DC from Penn Station. Going in, I knew it was set to arrive at 12:30AM. A tad on the later side, but I figured I'd sleep on the train, cab home from Union Station... no biggie.

I arrived to Penn Station to see my train was 1:20 late. I optimistically assumed the one referred to minutes. I was mistaken. Over an hour and a half later after having sat on the super clean cement floor at Penn Station and having fought off the temptation to just curl up, we finally were allowed to board.

I was pumped to find a window seat. I didn't even mind that I learned the seat was mega-busted... you could slide the whole seat out horizontally. Whatever. Mine. I was prepared to snooze, snooze, snooze until these two ladies came up and sat down - one next to me and one on the row in front of me. Grrr. Yack, yack, yack...

I coughed a lot. Cleared my throat. You know, all the usual subtle "hey you, I'm annoyed!" tricks. Apparently the lady next to me was a midwife. She was yapping about how her primary customers were Amish. Amish and oh yeah, the Anarchists! Something to do with Social Security Administration.

I've left out the best part. I don't think she'd showered. Not just that particular day. In like at least a week. Maybe hadn't showered ever. All I know is I smelled her long before I visibly had a neighbor. She was wearing what was close to the satin attire of traditional Indian dress, but she was not Indian. She was just earthy, stinky, loud midwife. Finally after I drowned her out with my iPod for a bit, she ran out of stories.

Right then, the A/C kicked into overdrive and any hope I had of sleeping was dashed by my shivering limbs. Just then, I noticed her somehow tuck her legs underneath her rear and drape her body in some random means, a "pose" which she would hold for the remaining 2 hours of the journey. So add contortionist to the above listing. I was clearly heartbroken when she exited the train with her items in downtown Baltimore, leaving me with at least a slice of the journey to enjoy just the regular, oh-so-fresh canned train air.

We pulled into the station around 2AM. From nowhere, I all of the sudden came to life and made a mad dash to get towards the front of the massive line for cabs. The cabbie was visibly annoyed when he couldn't squeeze another warm body in to head to NE. At that late hour, my sympathy was not brimming over.

We pulled up to my place and I handed him the smallest bill I have. He asked if I had anything smaller. Ummm no, I said. Not unless you want $3 for the whole trip. All of the sudden, he randomly claimed the trip was three zones and not 2 (lie). When I told him no, I've done this before and you are wrong, he started babbling.

"Well," he said. "I forgot - extra charge for luggage." Um, no. For a duffle bag I could have sat beside me. A duffle bag I traipsed all over Penn Station with for some three total hours. No. Sorry. You don't customize your fare based on what you happen to be able to offer.

"No," I said. "You owe me more money. That's just sorry. You are making this up as you go along" I was tired. Calm and collected? Out the window. I was shaking. And emphatically arguing (ok, borderline yelling).

It was apparent that this was going nowhere and the extra $2 that this jerk didn't deserve was never going to be mine. In my hand, I had a hodge podge of one dollar bills and quarters that comprised $2 less than what was rightfully mine - since at this point, the tip rightfully his was $0.20 and a recommendation to change to a non-people-related prodession. I finally reached over to open the door, just tired if this man and wanting him to be g-o-n-e.

I wanted to write down his info and turn his sorry self in, but I know the drill. You practically need a hair off their head, a fingernail clipping, and their right kidney for that to go anywhere. I am now motivated to find that list of details. Once I do, you know where they will be posted.

As I stepped on the curb, I thought I had left my keys on the seat. I reached back in and he barked "you have everything."

"Um, no - don't tell me that. You don't know that," I said. "You can wait a second so I make sure I have my keys. Even if you are sorry, you are going to do that. You don't get to rush me."

I walked away and he did a u-turn. I shot him a look of death. I hope he enjoyed something fantastic with that unwarranted $2. You know, perhaps two fine menu items off of the fabulous McDonald's dollar value menu. Perhaps two cups of fine sweet iced tea but that would assume some touch of taste.

Grrrr.If you see a cab saying "Iron 17" on the side, just say no. But no late trains, contortionist B.O.-riffic passengers, or thief cabbie can ruin my fun trip to visit my sister in her new East Village pad.

As the bartender at Baraza would have lovingly sang... A, B, C... easy as 1, 2, 3... I'll be back.

switch off the preppy

2007-07-12T15:05:00.000Z

Last night, we were celebrating. WT and AM signed their lease for a place on the Hill. Clearly time to head to our favorite local bright yellow, fruity-themed Mexican joint. Sadly, we learned the main pianist only plays weekends. Clearly, that means that we'll just have to head back again soon.

Today it’s home to pack for my weekend trip. NYC, here I come. My sister’s moved into her new place in the East Village. I cannot wait to check out a new area of NYC… never really hung out in this area. My co-workers were telling me this morning of all of the fun things to see and do (hmmm and the fabulous shopping – dangerous). With my trip to California coming up next week and my move around the corner, I decided to go luxury on this one and opt for Amtrak over Vamoose. A bit more pricey, but I can get some high quality snooze time in this way. Big smile from this direction at that thought.

Tam asked what I wanted to do. Requests include Friday night karaoke (yesssss – love it) and the Sex and the City tour. The tour promises to be cheesy, but we’re gonna love it. I am sad though as I’ve learned today that to my horror Magnolia may be closed down (something about health violations?!?). If so, you can bet we will be souring NYC for a substitution on the cupcake-age.

We’re discussing now though proper attire for the tour, as apparently the attendees dress like their favorite character. I always test out to be Charlotte in those personality profile quizzes, so I’m seeing Charlotte in my future… although dressing as “conservative Charlotte” is not in keeping with the overall recommended attire for the excursion. My mom’s email to me upon helping Tam move was “When you come up here. Think funky and not cutesy or you will stand out too much…”

So, with the exception of our Saturday excursion, consider me taken to Funkytown ;-) That I can do too!

And as a sidenote, I do believe this is post numero doscientos for me. Wow, that's a whole lotta posting...

lj - version 2.0

2007-07-09T14:14:00.000Z

I knew it had been a while since I’d posted, but over a week? Yeah, not so on top of this these days. Lots of changes. It’s almost like if I were a computer, I went through a system-wide upgrade of sorts. So far though, no complaints. System functioning well and if anything to report, more smoothly than before. (And yes, I did just use an IT-related metaphor.)

Somehow, finding time to sit down and post these days hasn’t happened like it used to, but I’ll find my rhythm eventually. It’s been a busy last week+. Saturday (June 30th) was what may turn out to be our last party at our quaint little row house. We learned though that the poorly insulated, 100+ year old home doesn’t stay cool too well in full-on DC summer heat. Good thing the theme for the party was Bayside Reunion, which allowed for a t-shirt and tennis skirt, substituting for a cheerleading skirt. Funny side note, minor almost wardrobe malfunction as just a few minutes before guests started to arrive I realized my skirt was um see through? Yeah. No good. Thank goodness I was able to improvise a little impromptu solution.

And, thanks to the Fashionista, I had a fabulous, bedazzled-rific pair of faux-Keds for the occasion. She went all out... buddy bands, Malibu Sands ID cards, etc. Very appropriate for the occasion. Thanks to the Mack, we were even able to have Seasons 1 and 2 playing on the TV throughout the evening.

Tuesday, July 3rd was KE’s birthday celebration at the Big Hunt. I’d never been upstairs. It was kinda fun to realize you could look down on the level below. It proved prime real-estate for us to check out the Fashionista’s ex, who had randomly shown up there of all places. The Big Hunt’s definitely not the classiest of joints, but you can always count on an interesting crowd and fabulous music courtesy of the juke box. No complaints here.

For the 4th, it was off to Arlington to hang with my soon-to-be upstairs neighbors (cup a’ sugah?) at their pools. Sassy and I took the promise of a pre-poolside bagel at Brookyln Bagel as extra incentive to arrive on the earlier side. Upon our arrival, Franky and the Mack gave us the scoop on the layout of the terrain. That portion there on the left-hand side? That’s where the international crowd tends to hang. Usually poor sunlight access, so nah. Over there to the right? That’s where the “cool kids” are. They all practically wear make-up to come to the pool. It’s like spring break. On crack.

We managed to find a block of five chairs in what we deemed was soon to be prime ray-catching real estate. Our group of perhaps four soon multiplied to at least ten. It was like Girl Talk meets the pool, just adding about a decade to the age group on hand. I think it took me about five minutes to zonk out for some patriotic napping, even with the obnoxious sound of Cornhole in the background. Sassy had to decipher why on earth these macho looking guys were throwing bags at this lame, busted looking board.

Me: “There’s a name for that?!?”

If anyone is reading this is a fan, please explain why on earth people play this? Ok? Thanks.

From there, it was off to the Fashionista’s place for some BBQ action, Bama style. Her hickory chips were on hand, and we were pleased upon arriving to not only find a fine spread of hot dogs and hamburgers but also some tangy and spicy ribs the HD had thrown on as well. Those were mighty tasty, even though they did require an entire bottle of water to extinguish the burning sensation they left behind. Ouch! The rain came, went, and came again… but we kept on trucking. The evening ended with a bit of impromptu swing dancing and a little Cyndi Lauper sing-a-long before Sassy and I decided it was time to head out, even if before fireworks. I wanted time left to finish cleaning up our place since the Titan was arriving the next day.

The Titan arrived in Thursday morning. I met him at my office with a SmarTrip card and metro map in hand. Thursday night was Jazz on Jackson Place. The threat of rain moved us indoors, but it was still a great time. It was AM’s birthday, and I was glad to see that both she and Mag were able to make it out for the occasion. Even my favorite Tour Guide made a guest appearance, super last minute change of plans on her part, but much appreciated on my part. As always, the jazz, wine, and hors d’oeuvres made for a great Thursday evening (and a perfect start to my long weekend!).

Friday was apartment hunting galore. It seemed to be painfully hot, although looking at temps forecasted for today, I think we were much luckier than we perhaps realized. Saturday I showed the Titan Dupont and one of my brunch faves, Kramerbooks.

Saturday was 07/07/07… I thought it was amusing that apparently it was the largest concentration of weddings in decades. Everyone, apparently, wanting to get in on some luck for the big day I guess. I can’t help but wonder… is it a bad sign if going into a marriage, you think you need the random luck of the 7’s?

Saturday night was D’s Lucky Bash, in keeping with the idea that 07/07/07 was a “lucky day”. Party started at 7, of course. We couldn’t decide how to best dress “lucky” and ultimately went with green. Luck of the Irish, right? Sassy, the DG and I all donned our best green shirts and skirts (cause it was so darn hot!) and headed out to Ballston. The party included Jell-o shots in the shape of green 7’s along with the typical party décor faves, such as the black light wallpaper in the kitchen and the flying pig ceiling fan (a definite classic, standard part of anyone’s apartment decorating scheme). I’d just mentioned I’d never been at a party where the cops had made an appearance when literally five minutes later who should appear? Ta-da! We were all herded like cattle from the common area behind the four town homes and told we had to choose one, get inside, and ASAP.

Sunday I was all about meeting up DrP for some quality time at the pool. Her friend’s rooftop had a beautiful view into the city. The evening I caught up with Stang, who’s soon to depart to head down to NOLA. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good friend in the area relocate. I’ll definitely miss her – she was one of the first people in the area I met coming in. Slowly but surely, I’m seeing the DC cycle occur as I’d always heard would be the case. She’ll definitely be missed.

aw, hail no!

2007-06-29T20:40:00.000Z

Buckeye was all about seeing the Fray. She'd sent out an email to see if anyone was interested in getting some lawn seats for the show. I hadn't been too familiar with the Fray, until visiting the Titan. He had their album on along with a live album, and I was pretty impressed. What a great CD. After having heard they were good live, I was in.

Sassy told Buckeye that I'm bad luck on concerts. Well, the outdoor ones at least. See Allman Brothers. See Joss Stone. Yeah, think I'm 0/3 for my recent lawn excursions. Out of curiousity Wednesday night, I pulled up the weather. Not just a large chance of rain, but hail was forecast. Hail. I hate rain. Hail? Hail I can't even process. Weather alert stated: "Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe, especially this evening. Storms may produce large hail and strong winds. Low 74F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%." Lovely.

Nonetheless, Buckeye and I headed up to MD just as planned. The show was great. The opening act, Ok Go, was pretty good... we recognized a couple of their songs even though we definitely didn't recognize them by name. The lead singer was fascinated by cursing since there was a sign language interpreter by the stage and he said that amused them. Hmmm.

The Fray's set-up reminded me of the Killers show (also ironically at Merriweather), with lots of bright bulb lights on miscellaneous sized boxes scattered across the stage. It's interesting to see a show when a band only has one album. They played some new songs (very good - and mentioned a forthcoming new album) along with some amusing covers - Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" and Oasis' "Wonderwall".

On "Hips Don't Lie" they featured their drummer, who was singing Shakira's portion of the song. We were cracking up when he got to parts like "Oh baby when you talk like that / You make a woman go mad" in this super-deep voice. Hilarious. Buckeye and I quickly decided the drummer was the hidden gem of the band...

During their Oasis cover, Buckeye looked over and said "wonder how many out of the people here have no clue of what song this is?". Seeing as the crowd was heavy on the teenie bopper crowd (who seem to have intelligently worn white tube tops -- either based on them not being the brightest bulbs or them doing it on purpose... based on some in the crowd, there was likely a lot of the later), we guessed a significant portion.

Great concert though... we were definitely rewarded for weathering the weather. Hail, schmail. No hail for us. A little bit of rain, but nothing torrential.

that holla-back girl

2007-06-27T17:13:00.000Z

Last night was the end of season kickball party. Free admission and open bar at 18th and Red for all team members. The Fashionista had said there were enough females on their team who would no-show that I should come with. My response? "Consider my arm twisted."

After work, I headed over to the Fashionista's just 'cause. I swung by the store to pick up some Four Emus to contribute, which helped to contribute to our leisurely exit in pursuit of the cab. The F was showing us pics of her crazy connected "Giant" DC world since, as I've said before, DC is the biggest small city ever. We passed around the Paris Hilton perfume ("is this what jail smells like?").

With humidity painfully in effect, cabbing was our option. On the way over, I kept practicing my "name". Was I ever asked my name? Negative. We decided the assumed last name for me for last night, Holla, was a pretty cool one. Oh well - it went unused.

We were amused to see everyone in normal attire. It was weird not to see everyone color coded into their specific team, almost like everyone was a stranger all over again (at least momentarily). The music of course was great and turnout good. The venue was interesting though. Definitely needed fans in the part of the bar against the window. Air circulation was virtually nonexistent. Even one person cranking the A/C down to 50 degrees didn’t seem to help some parts of the bar. Interesting.

Around midnight, Sassy and I decided to check out and turn in. We caught a cab and headed home. We were chatting, catching up since I hadn’t seen too too much of Sassy since her return from Bermuda. We almost didn’t catch that our cab driver apparently clearly had no idea as to where on earth he was going. He was about to continue off in a completely different direction from our house if Sassy hadn’t piped up with “Where are you going? We live THAT way…”. Subtle? Not so much. I don’t think he was liking us, but honestly we didn’t care.

I came home to this message on Facebook from Brando: “I think you need to play kickball in the fall. Otherwise you are in danger of becoming an official kickball groupie.”

My reply: “Ohhhhh I don't know if I'm fully kickball ready. I'm afraid the "serious kids" might eat me alive... Is there a kickball boot-camp? Sincerely, In Need of Help (or running water, one...)

The Fashionista’s response to Brando’s post: ” You should play! Otherwise, as long as you don't show up wearing no clothes every week (a la porn star bizarro Annie), you can be a groupie. Don't listen to Brando!”

Verdict? TBD.

We also arrived home to no running water. Just what everyone wants after a night out. No washing faces, brushing teeth, etc. Luckily Sassy had some “emergency water” we busted out, making it communal and leaving it out in the hallway for common use. She was on the phone with DC water at 1AM, who assured us that they were flushing the system and it should be on within two hours or so. Sassy asked, “so we are three professionals who will need to have water to get ready for work around 7AM. I assume it will be on by then?” She was told that would be the case.

I’d been texting the Titan, and then emailing as his texting is messed up again. Final email from me was: “Oh boo. We're having a crisis here. No running water!!!! Where's the sympathy? Def not with Mr. Titan. (Sniff, sniff)”. Sassy and I felt we deserved some pity, for sure. Sassy had been joking that I can’t wait to get rid of my roommates, to which I kept responding, “It’s not you guys – it’s all the problems with this house!”. It was ironic to come home to find another example of fine hundred year old row house quirks.

Was the water back on this morning? Negative. Or not until it was too late to be useful, anyway. Shower today is courtesy of Washington Sports Club.

weekend review: bust out the crimper

2007-06-26T02:08:00.000Z

Friday I rummaged in my closet to find my finest 80s attire, convinced there was no need to purchase anything additional for the occasion. I met the Fashionista at her place to head over to meet the others. Her hair was in fine curly fashion, complete with bright eye shadow. We both were donning our legwarmers (naturally).

No better way to meet new faces than in themed attire, right? We took all sorts of pics, including some fabulous guitar shots courtesy of Guitar Hero. I was talking with the Titan who in overhearing the group asked what we were doing over there. "Oh, we're just posing for pictures." When he comes next week for Jazz on Jackson, he'll understand the photos.

It was definitely a show where appropriate attire was a must. If I had not been in full garb, I would have felt awkward. The band was great. They played all those traditional faves... Bon Jovi, Madonna, the Knack's "My Sharona". Only complaint was the band electing for a 45+ minute intermission. Don't get what that was about. Luckily, our candy ring pops lasted for hours on end (perhaps not so lucky for our hair - ewww). I headed out with the Fashionista when she made an early exit (her excuse was being Dewey-licious early in the AM, and mine being the apartment hunting I'd planned).

Saturday was the MS State Society's annual Mississippi on the Mall event. The weather was perfect - the sun was out throughout the entire day and it somehow hadn't reached that typical level of June DC humidity. Mag is always up for work over the summers, so seems that MS on the Mall is our annual tradition. Now that AM has moved up to DC, she was able to join us for the festivities. The day included live music by the Wil Gravatt Band, a fine Southern spread of food (fried catfish, hushpuppies, cornbread, fresh sliced watermelon), and representatives from all the Mississippi universities and colleges (GO STATE!).

After the event wrapped, it was over to Old Ebbitt. We wanted to introduce AM to a DC staple everyone should experience at least once. From there, we capped off the evening at Cantina Marina. It was the perfect night for Cantina... don't think I've been there on a more perfect night. The place looked like everyone else thought the same thing -- it was full, but not crazy like Local 16 rooftop this time of year. They had someone playing accoustic guitar, which was just perfect for being down on the waterfront. As we were getting ready to head out, AM was chatting with a gentleman who turned out to be a horror film producer. Um, in DC? We decided our random factor was maxed and it was time to head home.

Yesterday, the DG, WT, and myself indulged in a little Belgian brunch action (Cafe Belga - highly recommend) before heading out to make a pre-party run to the Target. We all seemed to be in a singing mood... highlights were us singing and dancing through the aisle in Shopper's Food Warehouse to Hall and Oats' "You Make My Dreams Come True" and having a guy apologize (and grin) for interrupting our moves. Good times. And I'll save more on the party and fun to come for later.

the water is wide, i can't cross o'er...

2007-06-23T18:14:00.001Z

The joys of moving. The insane stalking of the postings on Craigslist. What if something's been added in the last 15 minutes? Better hit "refresh". Just in case.

And everything seems to claim upwards. You learn "steps to the metro" is something that clearly needs to be quantified as a small to lenthy hike. Maybe the posters need to be schooled on the reasonable limits of being a tad liberal on descriptions.

The places claim Capitol Hill, but are more off of the map instead of anything close to what most city-dwellers would label as Capitol Hill.

One of my favorite posts recently explained the room vacant was downstairs from the landlord, but did have it's separate entrance. They encouraged interaction with their tenant and loved it if it was someone who was willing to stop by to share a bottle of wine from time to time. Nice. Not only did it sound like you could potentially get into one unit directly from the other but you could potentially have some older slimewad hoping to get a "companion" out of the arrangement. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw the next reposting of the ad including that he loves long romantic walks on the beach...

Since I've arrived, I've been a self-admitted city snob. VA? Ewww. MD? Gross - no way. I just signed a lease. Gulp. Across the river. In VA. Just barely... a girl's got limits.

I'm looking forward to the tax savings. The car insurance savings. Parking in a garage where my car will no longer be a sitting duck for bird target practice (FYI to the birds - you've proven many times over that my car might be small, but you've got that aim thing down). I'm not looking forward to smoking again in bars, but I'll deal.

And the pool. If you need me, come August, I'm planning on going MIA in that direction.

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i reckon' a good night

2007-06-22T23:37:00.001Z

Seems more and more that those pre-conceived notions as to how nights will play out? Yeah. They don't seem to quite pan out as planned. Not necessarily for the worse, but differently.

I had a friend in town from Australia so what better reason to round up the troops and hit the town. That among about a thousand other reasons clearly hitting closer to home to each.

Lima was our first stop - a place I'd honestly been meaning to check out since back in the day it first opened. Finally, MsH and I opted to enter its doors at the suggestion of Sel.

It was off to a rocky start, as MsH and I made a mad dash from the metro in the downpour that appeared from nowhere. All of the sudden, the sediment and plentiful icky water that found its way into my nice mules seemed to know no bounds. Yeah. No good.

We were a bit bummed to find nowhere optimal to sit upon our entry, but it was not long before we'd found our way to a great upstairs table with a server who would pay us the utmost attention until the moment we headed out. He was a riot. Down to only mint leaves, MsH had him convinced he'd swiped her mojito while there was mas para beber. So what was the result? A round of white for the ladies.

Minor snafu coming off the metro as my heel was literally stuck in the grate. Thought I was about to be one-shoed for the evening, until we managed to pry out one of my absolute faves. Almost catastrophic!

We then met the Aussie, his fellow mate from Sydney (gotta use my Aussie-isms), and a friend of his from Amsterdam. I actually met the Aussie a couple of Thanksgivings back during a week long trip to Amsterdam. (Ahhhh, the 'dam...). This is a funny story.

Tam studied in Amsterdam a couple years back, so my parents and I decided to go Dutch on our family turkey day festivities. Funniest part was it was me and my pretty conservative 'rents in Amsterdam during Cannibis Cup of all weeks. Quite funny.

So yeah, the Aussie was studying too there for the year. He's younger than me, but I thought he was quite cute. Very Matt Damon-ish. Add in the Aussie accent and yeah... not half-bad. We ended up hanging out a couple nights before I headed back. Fun times. We exchanged email addresses but with the exception of a couple of emails here and there, nothing since.

So this summer he and his friend came over to the States for their first visit. They arrived into LA, rented a car, and have been making their way across the US. I think they've probably seen more of the US than I have!

I didn't want to show up solo, having recently formally gone off the singleton market (as I'm sure you've noticed, I don't talk much about that side of my life here - and aren't likely to start too much now).. Just wanted to get that out on the off-chance that the Titan is reading this. MsH and Sel met them at FrontPage last night. MsH laughed as I walked in and said "Hmmm, he's shorter than I remembered. Then again, I was wearing rain boots in Amsterdam. Not three inch heels..."

We had a blast, chatting with them. We were talking about accents and ang phrases. We were amused to hear that they've gotten some grief as they say reckon' a lot. Haha. Me, of course, being a travel-a-holic was listening and asking for details as to where they've been. They're planning to go to Philadelphia (so they can run up the stairs from Rocky) and then on to NYC.

Final, final stop? The Aussie's then on to Paris, where he'll be living for a year. Job? Nah. Maybe he'll work in a bar. I couldn't live like that... I'm too practical in some ways I guess. But oh how I love to hear of others living it up in such a way.

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plays well with others

2007-06-20T12:52:00.000Z

I love my friends. Okay, so the new job. I had emails and fabulous comments on Facebook, with my favorite coming from MsH: "Can't wait to hear all about your first day! Hope you're playing nice with all the new kids!!!!"

I joke about it, but the encouragement definitely didn't go unappreciated.

So how is it? Love it. I think it can be sort of difficult and daunting to know what you're truly signing on for until you're there - committed badge-toting employee. I could really tell in the interview process that they didn't just tell you all the good sounding stuff. It seemed they actually delivered. The person vacating the role had decided they did not want to be specialized in this specific role within HR, so they were allowing her to move within the organization.

And the people were real. Approachable. I love it when irregardless of the level of seniority you can feel relaxed and comfortable talking with anyone in the organization. And it was just hilarious to find that the head of our department went to Mississippi State. That's happened oh say never?

I'm still getting oriented... meeting all of my points of contact and learning all of the expectations of the role. I was pleased to find the vending machine just around the corner not only has Diet Dr. Pepper, but it's only $0.55. Nice...

So for the first time in years, I'm sharing an office space actually with two others. Perhaps it comes at the perfect time, just as I'm going to be shortly moving back into my own place. Believe me, I still decorated. Just means that sadly, the days of jamming all day to my iPod on shuffle are on hold.

The office space itself is kind of funny. It is an actual office (so not a cube) with these three big floor to ceiling windows. When I came in, they were open. The desks are in a C-shape, one on each side wall and one lucky desk facing out those lovely lengthy windows. First day I took to action, only commenting "Hmmm, must say - I do feel a little like an animal on display at the zoo", as every single human passing would without fail peer in to the space. As soon as I set out my photos and such yesterday, my next task was pulling the blinds.

The office next door has their blinds open (the only other with the set-up). They call it the "fish bowl". It was pretty funny though as I got comments all day for having elected to pull the blinds. I think they must have always been up? Anyhow, it was quite amusing.

Verdict is all good. Quite pleased. Besides, who can complain about anywhere where you can reward yourself with a pair of Citizens jeans for the new job and it still be considered work-attire appropriate?

flying charcoal - beware

2007-06-20T02:08:00.000Z

It's kind of like Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley. Every Tuesday morning, my Russian yoga instructor begins our bright early morning 6:45AM class with us closing our eyes, her telling us good morning, that yoga is special, and that we're special in choosing to do yoga. Today I was still adjusting to the new routine & flow of the new job, so there was no yoga. Instead as is to be expected, I lugged in a huge shopping bag full of photos and a cork board with more, yep, photos. So without yoga, I'll just have to pat myself on the back here. Indulge me. Thanks.

Other random things... never mentioned the weekend. Saturday included a much needed detox session with the Fashionista at Nail Avenue. The nail tech was confused as to why I'd opted to venture to Van Ness from Capitol Hill. My bank account understands.

Saturday evening Sassy and I headed out for some VA party hopping. Our first stop was for a friend's cook-out. She and her roommate are splitting up. We were dubbing it their break-up party. Seemed appropriate. I made "friends" with the self-dubbed bartender, who seemed to have it out for me from the second I told him Miami was not all it's cracked up to be. Don't want to know my thoughts? Don't ask =) The highlight of this stop though had to be the nice gentlemen who were firing up the second grill for the hot dogs I was pushing for over the already overflowing supply of hamburgers. As they were checking if they were properly heated, one guy accidentally flung the hot coal straight at yours truly. I managed to quickly scoot myself back at least a foot, escaping the ball o' heat. Reflexes en pointe? Check.

Stop two was another party at Ballston, ehem I mean VA Square. I guess it's a fine line, but I still say that if I can SEE Macy's in front of me, I'm in Ballston!! Sassy and I had to call Brando, who assured us no, we were not lost. Keep going past Gold's Gym? Yes. Highlight here would have to be the shopping cart, which was being used to tote the grilling and party items from the downstairs picnic area back up to their apartment. Classic. Sassy, the Fashionista, and I managed to catch a ride back into town with the Pitch. And who should be in the Pitchmobile? Noneother than a couple of our friends from stop one. Pitch kindly rolled us out once we were back across the District lines.

The weekend was capped off by a trip back out to VA, poolside. Much thanks to Paris for her willingness to extend her pool invite. With the balmy temps like today seemingly here to stay, I'm all about me some pool detox time.

chapter next

2007-06-18T12:36:00.000Z

It's time. Friday as I left out of work, I felt the page turn. The pavement ahead a fresh new slate... a new chapter that lies in store.

Somehow, seems as far as work goes, places seem determined to make me feel as comfortable as possible in walzing out the door that final time. Sometime I think I'd like to tear up, just a bit. Especially considering I've been known to tear up at Hallmark commercials in recent years.

But perhaps it's then the confirmation you made the right move. The right call. The right step at the right time. I ran out to the restroom before grabbing the last few things I had in my office, the vast majority having already been emptied out over the weekend. As I returned back to the departmental suite and swiped my badge, I saw the light flash red. Glancing down at my watch, I could see it was 5:40PM. With the workday technically ending, the system actually denied me access back into the suite. It was like it was releasing me, sending me on.

It's been an odd end to the last couple of years. The oddest point being resigning the same day as my manager to go to the same organization, without either of us having been initially aware that the other was even interviewing, let alone that specific organization. Life's just funny that way sometimes, I do suppose.

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bruised but not broken

2007-06-14T18:36:00.000Z

I melt in the rain. No, I'm not the Wicked Witch of the West, but it's a fact. Chances I'll move to Seattle? Next to none.

Email to the girls: "Ok ladies... we're under a severe weather alert. It's been raining on and off all day... rest of night has scattered thunderstorms. Just wanted to see if we're still on, etc. I'm partly worried about getting stuck out in the middle of something..."

Response from DrP: "I'd stand in the rain for Joss."

Response from me: "I wish I could say the same... Love Joss, but I'm not doing rain." (Yeah, apparently this statement was as solid as my futile "I'm not staying out late tonight" comments...)

A bottle of red... A bottle of white...

At 4:40PM I decided I was in. Jeans, tennis shoes, snacks, screw-top wine... I was good to go. It all was peachy keen until some 15 minutes 'til the opening act came on, the rain came tumbling down. And oh it kept coming. Foolish me: "Oh, it's lighter behind... See?? It'll pass!". Sassy just smiled back at me. I think she knew I was foolishly being super optimistic. Smart one there.

It was only as DrP and myself, the remaining members of our posse, were running to catch the last bus to the metro (success!!) that we noticed that the rain had ended. Chances that I'll be getting a refund on an unused emergency poncho purchase at CVS? Um, yeah. Non-existent. However, I can personally vouch for their effectiveness. After three hours of concert, it was still helping to simlultaneously keep the rain off my shirt, my head, and functioning to keep my rump as dry as possible (as the rain had long since seeped up through the blanket - oh well - valiant effort Sassy!).

I'd never seen Joss Stone live and I have to say, she was quite engaging live in concert. I was very glad that Sassy'd decided to spearhead our Wolf Trap outting. Joss came out with a snappy fun retro short dress (much a la Edie). DrP said she'd much improved over her show last year at Wolf Trap. She told great stories of words of wisdom from her "mum" and of her experiences with troubles with the "blokes". I was loving the British slang and soul vibe wrapped all into one.

It was also funny to listen to her view on things as she introduced her songs alongside with the powerful lyrics, much a contrast to the world of "The Rules". Ah, the Rules. At the prompting of the DG, Sassy's been reading the lovely book entitled The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right. My take on the rules? It's a time-tested list of random things to have females obsess with like it's some sort of one-size fits all perfect prescription for dating bliss that's going to magically take you to some sort of state of romantic perfection. Um no.

I've harped on it before, but I definitely don't buy into this philosophy. What is the point in conforming oneself to something you aren't? I'm not in the business of false advertising. Granted, most people perhaps tone down aspects of their personalities - but pretending to be something altogether different from who you are still completely perplexes me.

So why you ask am I off on this random tangent in the midst of discussing the Joss Stone concert? While only 20, Joss is on board with this for sure. Her songs speak of the strength of women. It was energizing to hear her stories, her singing live, with us dancing and singing along under our cluster of umbrellas.

I've got a right to be wrong
I've been held down too long
I've got to break free
So I can finally breathe
I've got a right to be wrong
Got to sing my own song
I might be singing out of key
But it sure feels good to me
I've got a right to be wrong
So just leave me alone

Oh and side-note, the follow-up to "The Rules" was released around the same time as one of the author's marriages desolved. I stand firm I'm not any less Southern for saying that I feel "The Rules" are a load of rubbish.

As DrP and I cleaned up our scene, even in our soggy state it was recyclables in one bag, trash (including some previously fabulous but now creepily liquidized Girl Scout shortbreads) in another, and a third housed our now seemingly 10-15 pound soggy blanket and our (then) unopened bag of animal crackers. That whole use Metro to take you to your place to eat and not *as* your place to eat? Yeah. Not quite believers. But our clean patch of Wolf Trap grass surely earned us honorary Cadet status.

Muchas gracias to DrP for lending me her pepper spray ("just in case") for last night. I did do the test spray en route to mi casa, so be forewarned I'm prepped, armed, and dangerous. I think DrP may have come out with the better deal out of the arrangement somehow...

I'm loving the absence of rain. Dry clothing. Dry um all sorts of garmets. Yeah. I think I've served my time in the rain department for quite some time to come.

wake me up before you go-go

2007-06-13T10:57:00.001Z

Three days left. Three days before I walk out of my last day of work to be greeted by a whole new world come Monday morning. A whole new cast of characters.

It's starting to sink in the last couple of days. My office is now barren. No decoration. Super blah. The emails with new requests have died down, replaced with the occasional call or fellow employees stopping by to say they've heard my big news. It is nice to hear all of those positive things people think and never say. Who knew?

This marks the first time I've made a job change 100% because I chose to leave the position/organization itself. In South Florida it wasn't so much the organization but more South Florida itself I was choosing to say hasta luego to.

So what has this whole process meant over the last couple of days? Meant time to go get a new phone (since also come Friday I'll have to part with the organization-issued crackberry). Yesterday it meant downloading way more ringtones than any human-being could ever possibly need, from Skynyrd to Timberlake (gasp - the embarassment) to my favorite SATC ringtone. And way too much time wasted on any and all networking sites.

Take someone used to being busy and give her nothing to do? Um, yeah. She'll go mighty stir-crazy.

But she is looking forward to the self-requested white chocolate mousse cake come Friday. Literally, parting is such *sweet* sorrow ;-)

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i don't care if monday's blue...

2007-06-11T12:56:00.000Z

As I walked off the escalator en route to baggage claim, boom! Someone slammed into me. They didn't break stride as they continued on their forward path. Ahhhh. Back to the city this country mouse has come. Ok, I exaggerate, but yeah - not in Bama anymore. Good thing I had my fried okra about an hour beforehand. Last dose of the Deep South 'til August.

There's something about the airport in Huntsville. I think they're the most touchy-feely airport -- well, I think that's actually somewhat a personal problem... I can fly in/out of DC, NYC, Paris, Amsterdam, or Sao Paolo without problem - but Huntsville? I get hassled everytime. I cleared security with my purse and carry-on, along with a massive shopping bag I was just hoping no one would question. I thought I was homefree. Had my streak perhaps ended?

Bzzzzz. Wrong. As they called us to board by zone, I walked up to go through. "M'am, can you step aside?". Grumble. "No, I can't". Ok, I didn't say that. But I wanted to. And, as has been my experience the some 2-3x a year I make the return trip to HSV, I was asked to sit down all of my carry-ons and be patted down, all-around. I guess there's some dignity in at least being able for once to retain my shoes in this process. Perhaps.

Anyhow, now I'm back. After more than a week off from work and having taken my first true vacation since I don't know when, I should feel refreshed and ready to face my last week at work. But yeah, I don't.

Very odd. I usually slide with ease from DC to AL, DC to NYC, etc. Just city to city. No true transition. Nothing to notice. Yesterday though, for the first time I can recall since I don't even know when, I felt the change in speeds. Felt the change in cooling methods at the house, trading fantastic central A/C with my rattly obnoxious window unit. Felt the change in geographic locales, as on came the sneezes.

I pulled up my calendar. Most nights? Booked. I picked up the phone and called WT for an impromptu dinner to catch up. Time to get back in sync with the District life I know and love.
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south... DEEP south

2007-06-06T19:44:00.000Z

I think my Deep South must-do's are well on their way to being accomplished. Just made a quick restroom stop at a Jack's. (Yeah... that's about *all* I'll do at a Jack's).

We made a quick stop earlier today at a gas station. Varieties of baked potato chips? One. Varieties of Moon Pies? Three. Varieties of Laffy Taffy and pork rinds? Four.

I've had hush puppies as sides for two meals. Biscuits for two meals (including once at Hardees this morning in Florala - not to be confused witht the Florabama). I've had a ridiculous quantity of sweet tea. I've been to Wal-Mart, and lived to tell.

I've probably spent about as much time in a car this trip as I have the whole year. Ok, I exaggerate (recent trip to NYC nullifies that, I suppose)... but still, a whole lot for someone who's had a car since October and put only some 800 miles on it.

I've been getting mighty spoiled on homemade cooking, down to baked spaghetti accented with fresh basil from my mom's herb garden. Awesome..

Oh yes... I'm getting my dose o' the South. And I'm lovin' it!

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make love, not war

2007-06-04T22:49:00.000Z

The nice thing about being on vacation with your parents is that, in general, you can feel completely comfortable, relaxed, and no need to spend the typical time and energy to get all done up before heading out.

The winds were slightly less ferocious today, but yesterday they were pretty rough. I gave up, pulled my hair back into a poneytail, and we headed out for dinner. Destin has built up so much from where it was 10 years ago. The strips of restaurants and stores just go on and on. Impressive.

Among the restaurants is a new (to me) Hard Rock Cafe. I don't know if I've mentioned, but I collect pins wherever I go, so had to get one here. Got a flip flop guitar pin. Very appropriate.

We ended up sitting at the bar and grabbing a quick bite to eat. While there, we were quite amused by the bar tender. He was quite a loud mouth. One minute he was singing along with the music and the next he would be putting together a fancy cocktail, much a la Tom Cruise in Cocktail (except hmmm much less refined than TC ... perhaps less teeth too?).

The highlight was his stacking tiers of margarita glasses and concocting two different colored drinks - bright orange and bright yellow - and pouring it into the glasses. He then passed the glasses out to the patrons at the bar. Noticeably missing one for someone. Ehem. Me. My mom was amused, sliding me hers. We caught his attention. How old did he think I was? 19. Guess that's what happens when I dress so fancy for the occasion.

destin-ation relaxation

2007-06-04T03:56:00.000Z

Destin's my favorite beach. Growing up, Gulf Shores was the typical summer beach vacation. Destin was the treat. I think we came here 2x, maybe 3x when I was growing up. It didn't matter if the other beaches were overrun by seaweed or the like. Destin was almost guaranteed to remain picturesque.

I was pondering when we were last down this way as we drove in today. Mom remembered. Ironically it was 10 years ago. Summer after my senior year. It included the night Princess Di passed away, and our crew included by boyfriend at the time, one who my current friends would probably not picture me with. He was a drummer... long hair and very unique. What can I say. My family was kind-hearted enough over the years to let me bring a few beauxs to such outtings. Guess it helped to keep life interesting.

It's ironic though to make the trip again now these ten years later. The very summer my ten year high school reunion is scheduled.

I was noting the spacing between buildings. Such spacing, while common up in Northern AL, was definitely not to be found in the likes of South FL. There it was development upon development, maximizing what seemed to be every square centimeter.

Here it's laid back. No crazy beachside bars. No vibe similar to anythig remotely Spring Break-esque. I laid by the pool today. Walked slowly along the rolling tide with my parents. Nowhere to be. Nothing to answer to. And tomorrow, I'm looking forward to another day of the same.

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bama bound...

2007-06-01T14:59:00.000Z

I learned the upside quickly of traveling in warm weather rather than winter. I know it's not rocket science, but it's amazing how much more fits in your suitcase when the weather gets warm. The space once devoted to one thick coat quickly becomes the equivalent of some 10 tank tops and 4 pairs of flip flops. Pretty sweet.

I tried to keep it to the bare minimum, but let's discuss... it's ridiculous how many chargers and batteries one now needs to carry. It's been a while since I've done a lot of photography, so I decided to bring my nice photo equipment (Nikon, of course). That meant I now have my cellphone charger, Blackberry charger, camera battery charger, and portable hard drive charger. I'd have the iPod charger if it hadn't gone bad recently. Pretty ridiculous! I feel like an electronic device assortment platter on legs...

I love my city life, but it'll be nice to have a dose of Bama living. I'm looking forward to riding around in cars - as a *regular* mode of transportation. I'm pretty pumped for central air conditioning (yeahhhh, the not-so-subtle humming noise of my window unit helps to drown out the nighttime traffic, but does get old). I'm looking forward to hearing the occasional thick Southern accent. I'm excited for sleeping late and getting my fill o' Southern comfort foods. Oh yeah - I can't wait.

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the times they are a-changin'

2007-06-01T03:37:00.000Z

I'm on vacation. Officially. The idea was for vacation to start at 5:31PM today, but I found it more in the ballpark of 7:30PM before I left out of the office to run those inevitable last minute pre-trip errands. How is it that I've had my suitcase packed since Tuesday (shhhh on snide comments now), but I still seem to have a million things to wrap up?

I'll admit to being somewhat a creature of habit. I walk the same route to the metro. I do the exact same routine when I walk into the kitchen at work every morning... down to the sweetener in my hot tea, the order in which I wash my hands, yeah... I have my routine pretty set.

I did realize today as I was walking out of the office that I'm officially five working days away from a brand new job. A whole new organization to start at ground zero within and learn. I'm three months away from moving to a whole new scenario, as my roomies and I officially informed our landlord today we'd not be opting to renew our lease for another year. Even me, Miss I'm-not-a-big-fan-of-cats, is now contemplating getting one for myself and returning back to the realm of pet owners. Somehow Miss Creature of Habit is simultaneously charged by all of these changes, seemingly happening all at once.

But in the meantime as that all digests, I'm pretty pumped for over a week to disconnect. Back to Bama she goes. I came home and flipped on the TV and found it quite fitting that the Wonder Years was on. Out of all of the episodes, it was one of the first where Kevin and Winnie's friendship became a bit more.

Mmmmm... Fred Savage... I remember thinking he was the biggest hunk-muffin at the time that show was on. I had no concept that he was on the shorter side. I thought he was the hotest stuff around and, of course, that life would be perfect if I could just find my own personal Kevin Arnold. Very appropriate though in the midst of everything else going on to get lost if only for an hour...

do a little dance...

2007-05-30T20:22:00.000Z

Ok, so now that it has been officially announced at work, I can mention that I'll be starting a new job shortly! I'm pretty excited about the change... it'll be a great opportunity and should be something to challenge me for quite awhile ahead. It's a bump up in responsibilities as well as expansion in breadth of role, so I'm thrilled.

I already had some vacation time scheduled to begin Friday. Most definitely can't wait on that one. Then it's back into the office a tad before formally ending out things here. The odd thing about leaving somewhere is that you learn who really appreciated you and to what extent. Why is it that positive feedback isn't reinforced to the same degree as the negative? Sorry... that's the HR preachiness coming out in me. I'll tone it back down!

Tonight it's off to catch some Shakespeare. What? Doest thou protest a trip to the theatre? Surely ye jest... the Fashionista's picked up a picnic spread that sounds like it wilt be divine...

(long) weekend review: bikini chickens & circus freaks

2007-05-29T13:14:00.000Z

Sassy and I managed to zig-zag across the DC metro area in fine fashion on Saturday. It was the Hill to Arlington and back (via car) ... and then the Hill to Arlington (Balllllllston, to be precise) and back ... and then out to U Street. Whew. That's a lot of commuting.

The first trip to Arlington was to my personal fave, Costco. Where else can you get inexpensive and yet surprisingly decent 8x10 enlargements and, at the same time, purchase enough jumbo franks + buns to feed a small army? Oh yeah. That would be Costco. This time no yoga apparel or Madonna CDs found their way into my cart. My wallet says gracias. Sassy might not be up for a repeat run though. I learned Costco's not her cup of tea. Well, call it my glass o' Lipton!

We ran home and then shot to the metro to go to Ballston (oh yeah, you know how I do love Ballston). As my response on the Evite said, "Oh my. Do I find myself going to Ballston again?". And the answer was, oh yes. I did. The theme of the party was "Grills Gone Wild". Unlike the last couple of parties, this one was a four townhouse party. Impressive. I'm already envisioning the new heights for next year's Jungle Bash...

The ratio of the party was pretty testosterone heavy... I'm not a great guestimator, but I'd say somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three guys to every one gal. Not too shabby. Perhaps this is why the guys seemed to congregate around (1) the kiddie pool complete with fountain at the center or (2) at the flip cup table, but of course. Sassy to me: "Isn't there something funny about a large group of grown men standing around a table trying to flip a plastic cup?". True... very true. And you all know my thoughts on the sanitation issues of the game. The funny thing was that D had set up this kid's toy called mount tiki-soak-ee... it was this carved face whose eyes rolled back... back... and back until water came shooting out of the top. Hilarious. The funny part was watching the guys playing flip cup trying to figure out why it was that they were getting sprayed every so often.

I learned all about beer can chicken. D had put a chicken on the grill that was cooking this way... it had a beer can um up the back, which supposedly is to keep the chicken moist. I think the chicken was there more for looks. It had a foil bikini that had been ever so carefully crafted. I commented about her defined mid-area divide... perhaps she'd had a C section? Again, based on the crowd (mainly male), this comment received some groans. Oh well. Sassy and I had to head out though to clean up for our evening out with the gals.

We had reservations for dinner at Coppi's Organic, one of my favorites. They were wanting something different and to perhaps head out on U Street, so Coppi's was ideal. We decided to go all out, being girl's night, and pulled out the dresses and skirts. Sassy and I thought we were running late, but ended up arriving before the others. She'd never been and looked at me puzzled as we observed the wait staff in front of us. Hmmmm. They looked like quite a motley crew. One guy looked like a flight attendant. Another girl had on a mustache. Another was wearing some sort of hot pink unitard. Yeah. We were clearly confused.

They seated us at our table and we waited for the others to arrive. Our waiter walked over. Helloooooo... looked much a la Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise. Many females would die for those locks. As the other four arrived, MsH was smiling as she realized the "fringe" benefit that came with our table as he came back with our drinks. She took one look at his belt and looked up at him and said "nice buckle...".

It was then that we finally asked what was the deal with the attire for the evening. We learned that it was one of the wait staff's last day at the restaurant and they were having a going away party for her after they closed that night. They let her pick the theme and she'd chosen circus freaks, which was the reason for the bizarre attire we'd already clearly noticed. "What are you?" MsH asked. We learned he was a Man-Child?!? Apparently he had some Depends in his car and other props to finish off his ensemble. Interesting. Sel had them bring out some raspberry champagne to toast to MsH's recent milestone birthday. She couldn't jet off to Greece then to avoid the moment, thankfully! We had him take a picture of us all as a group, before making sure to snag one with him as well.

From there, it was off to Cafe Saint-Ex (thankfully, uneventful -- another story for another time) and then Sassy and I made a pretty early exit. What a fab night out with the ladies!

Sunday Sassy and I had the gang over to our place to cookout. There was a chance of rain, but that had been the case for days so we decided not to let that rain on our parade (hah). People started to arrive, but we didn't want to rush too much into cooking as to allow others to arrive. We were down on the patio contemplating if we should start when winds flashing me back to my South Florida days started to pick up. Hmmmm. Perhaps we should get on it, we thought, and I ran in for the meat. We frantically threw a full round of burgers and hot dogs on the grill and started cooking.

We'd made it through the first round when the drops started to fall. Within about five minutes, the patio had begun to clear out, with only poor Seattle and Dr. P down manning the grill. Dr. P would later come in and it would be Seattle and Sassy holding down the show. It was quite a sight, Sassy holding an umbrella with her rain jacket on as Seattle kept the food a' coming. [Picture coming shortly]. I think Sassy and I are officially ready to grill away in the coming months.

Yesterday was all about relaxing... the pool in Georgetown had my name on it. Now I'm officially beach-ready. Just the little detail of these three pesky work days in between, otherwise known as Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Ick. May they pass quickly. Mentally, I'm already in vacation mode.

momma said knock you out...

2007-05-25T13:02:00.000Z

So WSC gives you one complimentary session with a personal trainer. Why not. It's only right to take advantage of what's free, right? Perhaps not the smartest decision to do so bright and early at 6:30AM the day following Stang's birthday celebration, but technicalities...

For the first time ever, this morning I boxed. Hmmm interesting. Anyone who knows me probably finds this as amusing as I did. Surprisingly, I found it quite fun. He told me "put some force into it". Hmmm ok. Next go 'round I did, and oooops almost smashed him in the face. His reflexed though passed the test.

Thank goodness we're on the cusp of a long weekend. The weather promises to be good and I'm all about some cooking out. If I'd wanted to, I could be going to a cook-out every single day this weekend. I'm coming close though at two. Should be fun and eventful, of course.

In the interim... tick tock, tick tock... is it time to vamos yet?

napoleon, give me some of your tots...

2007-05-23T15:33:00.001Z

Last night, I made my first trip out to see one of the WAKA games. I can't say that I've played or witnessed a kickball game since, gosh, middle school? I headed over to Adams Morgan directly after work.

Overheard en route to the field:
"Yeah, I heard the team we're playing hasn't won a game. Supposedly they're much better though at flip cup."

I thought perhaps they were talking about the team I was going to watch, until I learned the guys I heard were part of the pink team I'd heard so much about from the Fashionista. Their tall white socks with pink stripes at the top were pretty fabulous.

Yeah, so it had been a long day and I didn't get much sleep the night before, but finally opted in to join in since Sassy mentioned we needed to continue with some celebrating (more on that in a future post). We weren't celebrating a win, but we did have a good time.

Last time I was at Adams Mill, it was freeeeeezing cold out and I remember all I wanted to do was get back home and under the covers. It was nice to be there under different circumstances. The whole game part of the process was clearly not the focal point of the evening. The music was fantastic, leading to spurts of dancing. Always encouraged. The Fashionista at one point commented that hearing Sweet Home Alabama on a weekly basis was making it lose some of its lustre. Blasphemy! This is perhaps reason alone why kickball just can't be in the cards for me, clearly. The Fashionista and I ended up splitting some of Adams Mill's finest (mmmm tater tots - taking me again back to those single digit years and fantastic elementary school lunches, right?).

With all the tot and elementary/middle school talk, just had to include this in.

Good times! Although I must admit, didn't persuade me to come over to the "dark side" and sign up next go 'round. Lessons for the evening though include (1) do not wear your work clothes -- you will stand out and attract entirely too much attention, (2) it is definitely far quicker to walk on foot to Adams Morgan than to pay to ride the bus (and you save the $$, can't beat that), and (3) no one can convince me that there is anything remotely sanitary about flip cup - ever!

weekend review: a 3 hour tour...

2007-05-20T20:34:00.000Z

/Hawaiian punch

Friday was Afterhours at the Hirshhorn. Their Afterhours event always features their newer exhibit, a DJ, a bar, and a full-house (seems to always be sold out). AC said "this is soooo Sex and the City". I must agree (with the exception of the girl wearing the micro-hot pink skirt with black tulle overlay... I don't know what that was about). The exhibit this time was actually photography... works by Wolfgang Tillman.

I was pretty excited to see the photos. It was an interesting exhibition... definitely not my favorite. I was a little surprised my the method the work was displayed, including a lot of simple 4x6 and 5x7 shots, simply taped (gasp) directly to the wall with Scotch tape. Ick. But, that said, I think that was supposed to be part of the theme or spirit the artist was going for. Sort of urban, edgy, with several of the photos seemingly capturing people perhaps after having been out say dancing on the town or something along those lines. However, I think the exhibit would have definitely benefited by the photos having titles. Some photos are strong enough to have somewhat of an interpretation on their own merits. I felt like these shots though needed a little assistance that a title would have lent. I loved AC's comment on one pic. "That guy looks like he has blood running down his body. Blood, slash Hawaiian punch?". Yeah. We didn't know.

Saturday was more of the theme party mania. Can we go to non-themed functions? Nah. The challenge was trying to dress for party #2 without looking too random for party #1. I think we managed to pull it off just fine.

Oh those Havana Hill Nights...
First it was Dr. P and her roommate MD's "patio opening". Thankfully, the weather cooperated. Muchas gracias. It was a Cuban theme. Cuban beats were pumping, Che Guevara was on the laptop slide show, and the mojito magic was cranking at the hands of Dr. P and CK. They were already contemplating the next event, as we looked at the bricks from a bordering rowhouse forming the back wall of their patio area. We have Screen on the Green but what's our answer? Flicks on the Bricks, baby. Someone owns a projector. Can't wait for that.

Like Robinson Ca-rusoe, it's primitive as can be...
From there, it was off to a Gilligan's Island party, which was a farewell celebration for one of their roommates. By the time we arrived, the Island was dying down a bit. We were hoping for there to be some dancing involved, but it wasn't in the cards. The tiki torches were a nice touch, as was the coconut cream pie.

Typical Sunday, Hill-Style

MsH and WT joined Sassy and I back on the Hill (wow, making that two days in a row) for Brunch at Bread and Chocolate. Me to MsH and WT: "Brunch is more enjoyable at Bread and Chocolate if first-timers are told upfront that the place is more about the location, the good food, and the people you are with and that it's most definitely not about the service!". This was further confirmed as the staff proceeded to dump water all over and under the table where we were initially going to be seated. Plan B. I said, "Um, can you put us over there?", pointing to another table. They went over to clean that one, and proceeded to dump milk all over the bench. Argh. Me to the server, "Um, never mind. Can we go back to the initial table? The water seems to have dried?". It was too funny. Well, funny now. Then, it was slightly less funny, with the tiger-like growls my stomach was emitting. Not pretty.

Afterwards, Sassy split off to head on home and MsH, WT, and myself made our way back out to the market. What a perfect day for the market! The first stand we went to indicated that the trip was going to hit the wallet a bit. The dresses we found at forever, Heather were too good to pass up. The self-imposed shoe purchase restriction has now been expanded to include dresses, having purchased two over the course of the weekend. Ooops.

It was great to see all of the community still out at the market in full force. Today was the first time I really took a look at the inside of the market. As I've said before, I'm not too keen on a bunch of photos of it in its current state. What I did love was the beautiful blue sky with a smattering of clouds, and the ray of sunshine coming through the ceiling of the main building. It seemed to radiate the emotion of hope and the spirit of the community. This was a shot I really loved.

Continuous since 1873...

We all picked up t-shirts that are being sold to benefit the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. The shirts are $20 and $14 of the cost go towards this great cause. Read about the shirts here. You can order them online or pick them up Saturday and Sunday at their tent in the market. I believe they are usually in front of Port City Java, close to the intersection of 7th and North Carolina.

Just to note, tomorrow's the next fundraiser - Dining out for Eastern Market. If you haven't checked it out, definitely do so. It's a great cause and perfect opportunity to check out some Hill restaurants you've always meant to visit.

barry white, gazpacho, and fondue fountains

2007-05-16T16:46:00.000Z

How's that for a title for your daily hodge-podge of District ramblings?

My day began with a sprint as to not miss the Orange line train at the bottom of the escalator. I was elated as I barely slid into the car in advance of the "ding ding, doors closing" sound. As if that wasn't enough, oh no... there's more. It wasn't just the Orange line train... it was the Orange Line to Vienna-Fairfax, with none other than the Barry White train operator. This is where the non-audio nature of this blog inhibits my communication with you, the reader, but let's just say he has this distinctive, sing-song voice... has very much a Barry White tone to it. My sister and I love him. So much, that the last time I was on his train, I had to text her the second I got off of the train. Her response? "Oh my gosh. I love that guy. Are you in love?" Um, clearly.

My tongue is on fire. Our cafeteria is getting all fancy... today's soup offering: gazpacho. Oh my. I'm a bit of a gazpacho snob. It was my favorite when I studied abroad in Spain. Let me just say, I love my A/C. About as much as I love my A/C, I do not like strange red meat. Spain was definitely lacking in A/C but waaaaay to plentiful at time on the strange red meats. What I learned to love was some gazpacho. It gave me a meal of choice and, at the same time, was cold! Many times, it would even come served with ice in it. It served at least to momentarily offset that lack of A/C. Anyhow, I was skeptical that our cafeteria could swing gazpacho without it coming off as some sort of nasty tomato puree. I stand corrected. [Pero, mas agua, por favor!]

Last, but definitely not least, I was absolutely thrilled (sad, but true) to find a link to a YouTube clip of the Cheese Fondue Fountain from Saturday's Chiluau. Awesome. And, of course, you too now get to enjoy...

weekend review: leis, chili, & ballllllston...

2007-05-14T16:05:00.000Z

(or Jungle Bash, Part Deux...)

Got Chili?
My understanding is it began as their answer to the $35/$40 ticket prices attached to DC's Chili Cook-Off. While there was no line-up of live music, there was the favorite 80s/90s party rock on rotation, complete again with the dancing flower in front of the speakers. Last year's celebration took it to the parking lot, with the party going from the houses out fully into the parking lot. Apparently "the management" squelched that from this year's offering, although I don't know that it was altogether too different. Upon walking up, you knew where to go. Like Jungle Bash, I'd heard plenty about the Chiluau in advance and was looking forward to checking it out, The party was the whole cluster of the four townhouses that were clustered together, with people out in the back spanning the whole "party runway" in between (AKA the sidewalk running back out into the parking lot).

The prime line-up though was the crock-pot line-up. It was a virtual buffet o' chili. I was a little concerned coming in. I don't like beans. I like my chili sans-beans (and I'm part of a select few that roll that way). I thought it might be hopeless when I saw D's comment on the Evite, stating "Attention Hippies: There will be vegetarian chili available. Please take Beano before the party". However, I was pleasantly surprised upon arriving to see the spread in variety, even including chicken. Aweso,e.

Fire it up!
There was actual voting on different categories. Tastiest... spiciest... most creative... best presentation... even a write-in category (my selection was best naming convention). The names were hilarious, including Derrick's Frickin' Chicken Chili, Hotter than Your Mom, Traci's Trucker Chili, and Becky's Bustin' BBQ Chili. My favorite name though was Stinkin' Hippie. It wasn't just Stinkin' Hippie. It was Stinkin' Hippie v. 2.0, stating "No animals were injured during the creation of this chili. Chili does not stink." Good thing I wasn't up from Miami visiting, seeing as the ballot upfront disqualified Floridians from voting. Guess they were aiming to avoid any potential hanging chad fiascos. Best presentation for us was clearly the Velveeta-y masterpiece here at the left. It started off chunkily sliding from tier to tier, but was soon rolling off like buttah!

The host was manning the grill, which definitely got Sassy and I thinking of learning how to tackle our own grill. She's got plans to take it for a test drive before we commit to a formal cook-out at our place. Thank goodness warm weather is here at last. It looked for a long time like the afternoon showers were inevitable, but thankfully they held off for the bulk of the afternoon. It was the perfect day, even if we were in Ballston... (kidding).

"Look at you, you have a baby... in a bar..."
We had a good crew... Sassy, WT, MsH, Buckeye, among others. There was an ecclectic crowd at the event as well. It was hard to keep up with who knew whom from where and how... with people going in and out of four different townhouses, all of which had I believe some four tenants. You do the math! I was surprised though to see a 3 week old baby there, even though yes, it was a cook-out in the afternoon. Something I guess struck me as ironic about that, as I weaved my way in front of the keg (?). One of the partygoers managed to catch my initial flash of confusion on that and I'm guessing that's a Kodak moment that will shortly be surfacing. Of course, we started taking pics. D was wearing a straw hat with clip on flowers, similar to what I'd planned on making but ran out of time to complete. He was happy to contribute to the cause, so shortly thereafter we had flowers to complete our pics. Nice.

The event started at two though so around 5:30, we decided it was time for a change in venue. Sassy'd headed out with a couple of others to a party out in Rockville/Bethesda. I said um no to that hike, but WT and I decided we could handle hitting some spots on the Hill. MsH gave us a ride to the metro. En route to her car, WT decided to snag a photo of the pimped out Transmero we'd passed walking to the party. Of course, the guys working at the auto store decided to come out and talk to us (clearly, when you have loud floral print on, it's kind of hard to blend into ones surroundings). He told WT it was for sale, and she was trying to hold back laughter as she told him thanks, we'd keep that in mind. Guess you had to be there, but yeah, pretty funny. So funny MsH was tearing up!

Back on the Hill, WT and I ran into E2 en route back to my house. Why is it when you are dressed in random theme attire that you all of the sudden manage to see a whole slew of people? He was headed out with some friends and we made plans to meet up later. In between wading our way around through three different massive downpours (spread out just so we'd be drenched and dry out and then drenched again - nice), I managed to show WT quite a line-up of Hill faves... from Finn's to Banana Cafe to the Lounge. Might make her a Hill rat just yet!

my momma always said...

2007-05-14T00:46:00.000Z

There are lots of choices we get to make in life. A career. What type of car we're going to purchase. What we're going to do with our vacation time. What people we're going to let in our odd lives. There are also things we don't ultimately control. It's like there are multiple chutes that we can funnel our way through that are defined. And then there are some things that we are just dealt and for better or worse, we must live within that realm.

Parents - they are one of those things. We don't get a choice in defining who those are... somewhere along the way, they made decisions. Chose each other and to bring you into the picture. It's one of those life equations where you're the end result. Standing there on the opposite side of the equal sign.

Today at church our pastor's sermon focused on mothers. Their seamingly boundless "strength" from the perception of a young child's eyes. The way they can do no wrong, know all the answers to the seemingly unanswerable, managing to instantaneously receive god-like powers from the moment of delivery on that hospital bed. He rationalized that the reason behind these powers was not that they were something supernatural, but the faith lying behind the eyes of the little one peering up at their mother. That was the true reason. And that, over time, the perception of these powers began to fade, leaving the child with the realization that their mother was in the end human, with faults, just like the person to her right and left.

I heard his words and the message behind the sermon was very powerful. But I still believe in the magic of mothers. At 27, I might look at my mom and realize she has faults. I'm sure she can do the same to me. But I also see all of the other things she's managed to do that could never be outweighed by any of those things on the other side of the fence.

I see someone who learned every subject I learned going through school. Someone who always managed to have time to shuttle me around to all the different things I was into, from ice skating to piano lessons. Stayed up late at night recording the main points on biology on cassette tapes, so I could listen to them and better memorize... helped with countless science projects... helped to go to battle with teachers when my voice wouldn't be heard. If there's a stain that won't come out on an item of clothing, chances are my mom knows what to do. People often asked me how I handled my mom teaching at my school. My answer was meet my mom and then you can understand why it clearly is not an issue.

I don't know. I beg to differ. I don't believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy -- all those other things that we lose as we gain in years. But I still believe in the magic of mothers. I hope that some day when a pair of eyes are looking back up towards me, that I too are so blessed with the Midas touch. And even though perhaps that "touch" is all in its perception, it's truly a type of magic that just can't be paralleled.

"Mama says they was magic shoes. They could take me anywhere." - Forrest Gump

I still believe. Oh yes, I still believe.

Being a mother I think has to be one of the hardest jobs anyone can sign on to undertake, and on this Mother's Day - as every year and really every day, I'm really thankful for all my mom's done for me. Thankful she chose to sign on for the task. Thankful that she's my best friend. Truly thankful.

i promise i brought clothes to the party

2007-05-11T12:53:00.001Z

Last night it was another benefit event as a part of the Team Cuttler campaign. I'd gotten The Writer to join in on the festivities, which began with a nice little cruise on DC's public bus system. The Writer's comment to me went something like this: "I never take the buses around here. How does this work? Where do we get on?" as we screamed trying to converse over the random (and very loud) free concert at Farragut Square. Thanks for the thought. Will ear plugs be provided next time? Just a little feedback there.

I'd never been to Bourbon in Adams Morgan. I will admit to having attended the sister establishment of the same name in Glover Park upon many occasions, in large part due to a massive crush (harmless) on the bartender who bore striking resemblance to Dave Matthews. Drool. I chose to overlook the tattoos that adorned his arms. Wonder if he's still there... ok, I digress. So yeah, it was nice to have a reason to check out a new spot as well as to know this was sort of a "bring-your-own-crew" type of party, since it was basically guaranteed that we'd know at least 75% of the attendees.

I'd agreed to sell raffle tickets to help out with the cause. However, I finally learned that they were selling them at the door, which meant I was hard to find takers once they'd entered the bar. Sad. So what's a girl to do? Clearly, make them props. Perhaps if people had them in front of their face, they'd be more quick to pay the $2 per ticket. The Fashionista and I had waaaay too much fun with those tickets. And were really amused to discover that most of the pics seemed to miss that we were wearing clothes altogether, since I was wearing a tube top and she was wearing a strapless dress. I promise, we were both fully clothed, even if the photographic evidence would suggest otherwise.

The Writer offered to help me sell some tickets. Her report back cracked me up. She said it was a summary of who not to date in DC, as she pointed out the guys who with a straight face said "but, I paid $10 to get in, and then I've been buying drinks". To which she replied, "Um, they're only $2?". When they had no reply, she said, yeah, clearly not high on the list of DC's most eligible. C'mon. It's for a good cause.

Ever have nights where the pictures are just far too random for the event? Yeah, that's probably a good summary for last night, from the Bama can-can to all of the fun pics of our friends serving as guest bartenders. Sadly, MF's tip jar didn't surpass the $100 threshold. Who knows what would have ensued then.

But what a fun night. The Writer and I finally grabbed a cab outta there after 11. We've both learned the important lesson of living on the Hill -- never disclose your destination until you're in the cab, seatbelt fastened. As we left out, our cabbie was pulled over by a cop for picking us up from across the road. Interesting. No ticket, but a pretty stern barking reprimand from the cop.

So I must admit, I felt a bit like I was still in college this morning as I am mentally in weekend mode. Oh well. I guess we all have weeks like that.

out for a cause

2007-05-09T13:45:00.000Z

Last night was the Rescue Eastern Market Night. Sleepy and behind at work, I still managed to make it out to support the cause. I met up with WT, Coop, and EH for some quality time at Tunnicliff's. We chose Tunni's since they were donating 10% of their profits to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation's 'Eastern Market Keep it Going' fund. I tell you - I don't know that I have ever seen the place quite like that.

The exterior gave the false sense that it wasn't going to be crazy packed. The interior proved to be the polar opposite. You could tell the employees were a bit frazzled by the massive increase in customers, but they were good sports about the whole thing. When we were finally seated, they had to bring half of our waters in styrofoam cups. We didn't mind the lack in fine china (hah not that Tunni's really has that anyhow - and we love it for that), as it definitely indicated a great turnout.

I ran into E2 and his friend T there. I still say I love the Hill. I love that I run into people out that I know. That happened oh say never in Dupont.

Because we wanted to continue to contribute to the cause, we wandered up Penn a bit for an additional stop at 18th Amendment. I told WT that we just have so many reasons to not stay home to help out so many great causes... Thursday night, we're off to Adams Morgan to support Team Cuttler's campaign to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The evening ended on a humorous note, with WT commenting "oh my! someone lost their weave..." - lamenting what appeared to be the remnants of a hair weave in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue.

I haven't seen final figures for what last night's benefit evening managed to raise, but it has to be good. It looks like the fund was at $170,000 prior to last night's event. I love the fund's slogan... "Our Market; More than a building". Next event - Dining Out for Eastern Market on May 21st.

Just can't put into words how much I love being part of the community there. From someone who's for so long solely claimed her birth state (AL) as home, it's nice to finally have a true second home to claim.

benefit goes gotham

2007-05-08T00:29:00.000Z

(... or why Duane Reade is still my boyfriend)

So, after a quick run back to Dr D's, we were back to Manhattan for our evening on the town. She'd got us tickets to see the closing evening of Jane Eyre. Having never seen an off-Broadway production, it was interesting to see the differences in the presentation styles. The set was much more simplistic, but was still effective. Really glad that Dr D invited me to join in.

From there we headed on over to the benefit. Red Sky was a pretty cool venue. We had the third floor roof top area reserved, which was nice and open but proved chilly as the temps began to drop. Guess my cap-sleeved new dress didn't help, but it sure looked nice!

Cold and wanting to make a beeline for the dance floor, we ended up crashing the birthday party downstairs. The DJ got us out there with the typical 80s/90s selections that somehow seem to work everytime.

I was making faces at Dr D as I noticed the guy behind me who had been dancing closer, seemingly thinking that was going to get me to talk to him. Do guys really think that's going to get them somewhere? Ok, especially considering obviously dancing is not their forte? Anyhow, another great event for such a great cause.

Being Dr D's last weekend, I wanted to make sure we had a great night. As it started to get really packed, I suggested a change in venue. Once she learned I am into karaoke, we were quick to choose the next stop.

Karaoke 1 at Union Square was a blast. I wish there was somewhere comparable on DC's metro line. Although, perhaps that would be a dangerous thing. There were a few different groups there and can't say I've ever seen NYC so communal. Love it.

I chose to sing "Extraordinary" (Liz Phair), which I learned goes a lot lower than I notice when screaming errr I mean singing over Liz. Dr D picked "Baby One More Time". Ahhh Britney. She proved a crowd pleaser. We ended up there as it became a smaller group, and they'd try to get us to join in on their more soulful selections, such as Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing". A bit of selection contrast!

It was rather late as we got off the subway in Flushing. Thankfully, Duane Reade was nearby, since I realized I had $0.50 to my name. Bless you Duane. My cold self and sore blistered feet never loved you so much.

It was way too early when I had to head back into the city for brunch. I met the Master and Suave and crew at Blue Water Grill in Union Square. Fabulous brunch.

The rest of the day was long... from Manhattan to Long Island and back around the city to DC. I was loving my bed as I crawled in last night close to 11. Such a fun weekend. And now off to love on my bed some more. Batteries still aren't quite fully recharged and ready for the week ahead.

uptown girls

2007-05-06T15:00:00.000Z

I love that within 15 minutes of being in Manhattan, I could already smell the cinnamony smell of roasting peanuts from a street vendor. That I'd already been passed by two different people comfortable enough, or more likely indifferent enough, to be jamming and singing aloud to their iPods.

And it's amazing how you can have been away for quite some time, but it's so easy to just head down into the metro and transfer trains, just as if it were yesterday when you were last here. Nevermind that the truth is it was over a year ago.

I love that I've now been to NYC enough that I can come to NYC without having an exhaustive list of must-sees. My must-do's instead was a list of people to see and places to eat and wander through. My ideal way to visit a city once it's become an old friend.

Friday was about the trip in. Ok, so I'd boasted that the 2pm bus would beat the traffic. It still is far superior to the one that leaves after work on Friday, but think I'd take it even earlier next time 'round. Traffic coming out of DC was thick for sure, although it really could have been much worse.

I met Dr D and her friend at Times Square for some pizza at John's, my fave. It was Dr D's last day of rotations, so it was definitely cause for celebration. I remember a visit to NYC that doesn't seem too too long ago where that series of rotations was just beginning.

Saturday we headed to SoHo to enjoy the day. The weather was absolutely perfect. Not a cloud in the sky. Warm, but not hot. And we had nowhere immediate to rush to. Perfect.

On the subway, we were serenaded by a mariachi trio (nice). We thought that would be our slice o' Cinco de Mayo, but ended up continuing the theme as we happened on Gonzalez y Gonzalez - a pretty large Mexican restaurant on Broadway, just on the edge heading into SoHo.

The afternoon become shoes + sugar. I admit to a relapse here in self-induced shoe detox (does super practical and functional qualify as an exemption?). We ended up over at Crumbs, a new cupcake place for me out of the NYC cupcake afficionado scene.

Having been to Magnolia and Buttercup Bakeshop, gotta say this one ranks right up there. They even offered mini-cupcakes (definite plus). I personally endorse the lemon buttercream. Mmmmm.

Since this is getting long and I'm getting finger cramps for deciding it would be smart to click away at this on my Blackberry, think I'm going to break this into two. Perhaps after brunch + latte, etc...

the wheels on the bus...

2007-05-04T13:11:00.000Z

Today I'm off to NYC, the first in my series of upcoming travels. First it's NYC, then it's off to Destin, and then my first trip to California. Promises to be a fun and eventful spring/summer.

I'm headed up to see my friend DP who is about to move to St. Louis to start her residency. She leaves NYC on Wednesday, so I'm just barely catching her before she heads out. We've got a pretty laid back weekend planned out, which I'm looking forward to. She asked what I wanted to do for the weekend and my priorities were (1) NYC pizza, (2) cupcakes at Magnolia, and (3) shopping in SoHo. I think those three things are becoming my NYC essentials. Anyhow, so that's our plan! Along with seeing a show Saturday night and then heading over for the benefit event that is actually how I ended up choosing this weekend in the first place.

I schlepped all of my luggage on the metro this morning. Always fun. Even managed to carry it all as I was concealing a Dunkin' Donuts iced latte I'd smuggled on. After last night going later than planned, it was a necessity - not a luxury. It helps to make a Friday less painful when there's caffeine flowing through your system along with knowing it's only a half-day for you, cause I'm outta here post-lunch.

$$ for the market

2007-05-03T22:12:00.000Z

For those of you yet to see it, next Tuesday there are quite a few local bars which will be donating a certain percentage of their proceeds to the effort to rebuild Eastern Market. If you don't have plans next Tuesday, you should definitely try to make it out to support these great, generous businesses and, most importantly, a really great cause.

And look, even Science Club is on there, so those of you not wanting to head to the Hill, you even have an option ;-)

no one puts baby in a corner

2007-05-02T18:12:00.000Z

One of the most classic film quotations of cheesey(/great) chick flicks of all-time. Period.

I still remember the first time I saw Dirty Dancing. I must have been ten, and I don't think I'd seen any movies classed as PG-13 before. I was over at a friend's house for a sleepover party with some 5-6 other girls. The racier components/innuendo flew over our heads. We were much more interested in the love story, the music, and of course the dancing.

I remember us rewinding the part where Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey sing Mickey & Sylvia's "Love is Strange" and singing at the top of our lungs. How do you call your loverboy? We thought we could mambo just like they did in the movie. The most complicated decision of the evening was who would lead, as we tried to immitate a much more simplistic form of the basic dances we saw on-screen.

Granted, we most definitely didn't try the lifts. [That would come later in college in the prime of my swing dancing kick, with the low point being my head on the cement of the fraternity house basketball court -- ooops]. But we sure had fun.

Deep Thoughts on Life... by Johnny Castle...
I'm gonna do my kind of dancin' with a great partner, who's not only a terrific dancer; somebody who's taught me that there are people willing to stand up for other people no matter what it costs them; somebody who's taught me about the kind of person I wanna be...

Never had I seen DD on the big screen. Until today. Oh yes. In honor of the 20th anniversary of its release, DD was re-released. There were only 2 showings, one today at 7:30PM and the other yesterday at the same time. Along with some friends, our tickets were purchased on Fandango last week in advance to ensure no issues with getting in.

Little wimp. He wouldn't know a new idea if it hit him in the pachenga...

Yeah, so excellent call Dr P on the Fandango-ing. Some of us started off the evening at the Green Turtle (formerly Drinx). Not half-bad, although you could instantly tell they'd just opened and were sorting out the little kinks here and there. It was a short visit though, as we had our minds on the important part of the evening.

As we walked up to print out our tickets from the machine, we saw "SOLD OUT" flashing up on the display. Yeah. Three cheers for planning. The Writer and I jetted ahead to secure a block of seats for the crew. We were in the very back row, which proved to be key for stashing our random pile of daily odds and ends along with allowing us to dance, gesture, and comment to our hearts content with minimal disruption to those around us. Fabulous. Dr P was the last to arrive, but she brought her newest Southernly proper hat purchased for the occasion along with other "squire-ly" items for the evening.

Once the movie started though, the audience participation was clearly fully supported by the crowd. Granted, it was not to the extent of Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it was fun. Acording to Em, it was officially a return to "Patrick Swayze: The Hot Years". Oh yes. The cheering was frequent, with the exception of the initial tension. Gasp. The movie was started much um stretched horizontally. It was like Dirty Dancing meets the Big Screen meets Laffy Taffy. No. It soon flicked off the screen and the screen came in a bit and all of the sudden, things weren't distorted. Much appreciated, Regal.

Back of Audience Member's Shirt:
"I carried a watermelon?!?"

The best though had to have been when the final number came on. Of course the crowd was in an uproar as Johnny declared "no one puts baby in a corner". But the best had to have been as "I've Had the Time of My Life" came on and that final dance number began. A group of about ten audience members were on their feet and dancing all along in front of the front row of chairs.

I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun at the movies. What a fun girl's night out. Refreshing to feel ten all over again, if only for an hour and a half.

i'm not ready to make nice

2007-05-01T15:04:00.000Z

To: DC DMV, Adjudication Services
From: LJ
Re: Violation P113 ("Inspect No Disp Sticker")

Back on Tuesday, April 3rd I received a ticket for not displaying a zone sticker in my car window. I was parked directly across the street from my residence in the proper zone for my vehicle. I was surprised, as there is a sticker in the front left-hand window of my car, where it has been displayed since I obtained the final zone 6 permit back on January 5, 2007 from the Georgetown Office of the DMV.

Enclosed you will find the receipt for payment of this permit for zone 6. Prior to that time, I had a temporary permit that was displayed on the dash in the same location when my car was initially purchased back in October 2006.

I have enclosed a photocopy of the initial temporary certificate prepared at ___ Honda, as all paperwork was handled by the Business Manager at the dealership initially. Should you need to contact them to verify this process, they can be reached at ____.

I have also enclosed two photos of the vehicle, showing the sticker in the window as it was affixed at the time of the ticket.

I hope this helps to clarify that I am registered to legally park in zone 6 and was not in violation of anything at the time of the ticket. Please let me know if I can further assist in this matter and thank you for your attention.

Thanks,
LJ

[And may the best WOman win...]

i'm freezing that frame

2007-05-01T02:30:00.000Z

As I was walking home from the metro after work, I noticed several people go by me with their professional camera gear towards Eastern Market, presumably to take photos.

Why? I don't get it. All day long, we've seen a barrage of photos showing the damage. The news channels clearly have their photos to capture the day's events. I don't have any desire on my part to take one as a momento of what happened today. I must admit, it made me a bit angry to see.

Looking off from 8th Street, I did not need to cross through to get close enough to see the damage. It was sadly perfectly noticeable from where I was. Eastern Market is a large part as to why I chose this neighborhood, electing to the shock of some of my Dupont dwellers to make a change from my red line days. It's representative of the community that is the Hill. That friendly spirit and neighborhood feel that drew us in.

I am sad I will not be in town this weekend to go if, in fact, they do open on Saturday. I read that Saturday was/is to have been Market Day, a fundraiser. I also saw they are pursuing options which would enable the vendors to be able to set up their stores in other areas nearby.

I love the Hill. The smiling eyes. Even the family with kids on bikes that make it impossible for you to speed walk to the metro as you would like.

But I guess the lesson is that community lives on, without a building. In watching the video footage from Fox News, it's obvious that the residents remain a community. So this photographer won't be snapping away at the state of the market today. Instead, I've spent my time pulling out some of my favorites of the market at its best.

After all, these photos represent what it really is - as well as what it will again someday be.

pausing for eastern market

2007-04-30T09:50:00.000Z

I am just in shock. As I made my way to the metro this morning, I saw police off in the distance. I didn't think anything of it though (and really, how sad is that?)

It wasn't until I saw a posting elsewhere online that I learned what it was all about. I can't believe the news of the fire at Eastern Market. The market. I hadn't been in months. I had stuff I did all day on Saturday and Sunday, so I had not had the chance to go over yet and enjoy it at it's prime... with the weather having finally become slightly warmer but yet just before the sweltering summer heat kicks into full gear.

I'm so sad I won't get to now. Man.

As much as I love brunch at Bread and Chocolate, no one can hold a candle to Tom's operation at the Lunch Market - be it the popular bluebucks ... chocolate chip pancakes ... or french toast (all of which are just plain and simple carb heaven).

I'm going to have to thumb through my photos at home and put up some of my favorites of Eastern Market up here. When I think of local things to see and do in DC that really captures the heart of the city, I've always thought of Eastern Market. I think that's why I've taken so many photos there.

Gosh, I just don't even know what more to say. I was totally planning a visit for sure when the Titan came to town. I'm just stunned that my favorite spot to bring guests is momentarily off of the map. Just can't fathom.

Ironically, the DG just cooked us a fantastic spread last night. It was the inaugural appearance of summer grilling, all of which included seafood she'd picked up solely at the market only shortly beforehand.

Please come back to us soon... we'll be waiting. :*(

tootsie roll tango

2007-04-29T23:38:00.000Z

I warned up front it would be an early night. It was the plan. Sticking to it. Period. Guess I am officially the girl who cried wolf. Perhaps that phrase ("early night") should be officially stricken from my dictionary.

It was a long day... dentist appointment (cavity-free dance from me) and a trip to the Ethiopian restaurant with the DG's visiting guest. It turned into the afternoon affair, as we spent well-over 2 hours at Zed's in Georgetown. Quite good, I must say. The DG and I were loving their "spongey" bread. Hah. Although, I wouldn't say that the food was all too different from Meskarem in Adam's Morgan. Definitely one up on the atmosphere though.

So I came home and opted for a quick power nap. I was tempted to stay in but stuck with the original plan to head out for a party in the neighborhood. Less than 45 minutes, and I was ready to head out with Sassy to the shin-dig. The theme was Mardi Gras. I have to sort of agree with Ms. MM who came to meet us there... there's just something fundamentally quasi-off about a post-Lenten Mardi Gras bash.

Just the same attend we did... and beads? Yes, we wore beads. The music for the evening was the perfect mix. A touch of the new, but the bulk being the classic frat rock tunes, complete with an almost catastrophic smashing of one of the speakers to the ground. Thankfully, Belinda Carlyle, Poison, and Bon Jovi were soon back alive and kicking. Along with us kicking it old school on the dance floor.

At one point, a pinata was brought onto the scene. Note to self, no party of ours shall ever include a pinata. Can you say sticky candy fiasco? The pinata was broken eventually right in the midst of the dance floor - because clearly that is the most logical place to smash a star-shaped pinata. After a few people picked up a handful of candy such as DOTS and Tootsie Roll Pops, the sugared litter soon become Tootsie pancakes. That has to be one royal mess this morning for their wood floors.

They had quite the turn out. Their large Hill pad was crammed with people, especially with the in-and-out rain storms of the evening. I ran into all sorts of people, quite a few who it seems had been to one of our parties at some point, knew who I was, and I hadn't the faintest clue as to who they were.

Speaking of clues, there were quite a few people at the party (including the host himself) who it seems our connection was the Clue party I attended with Sassy back in the Fall. I ended up talking the host's friend, E2, for a while at the end of the evening, who I did not realize at the time, but was also a familiar face from that prior party. DC continues to reinforce what a small, small world it can be at times. All of the sudden, seems those houses I walk by on a daily basis now have faces and names to associate. I was having a great time and honestly, would have loved to stay longer and taken E2 up on the dance offer to return to the dance floor - but I was seriously turning into a pumpkin.

After over two hours of dancing and one blister in process, I decided it was time to check out. Actually, more like well over time to check out if we're getting technical, but as always seems to be the case it's just next to impossible to voluntarily walk away from a good time with your friends. I still got up for my prayer pancake breakfast at church as planned, so I'd say successful weekend all-around.

And yet again, I find myself with a stash of additional Mardi Gras beads. Fashionista, we never fail to capitalize on that photo op, now do we?

One of the final humorous statements of the evening was:
Fashionista: "Look at all these different beads. Someone gave me this one. It's pretty cool. What is it?"
Belle: "Um, that's got Captain Morgan on it."
Fashionista: "Oh. Nice."

step into the light

2007-04-28T17:00:00.000Z

There's something a bit comforting in being able to sort of post one's thoughts, etc. without being super identifiable. When I started this blog, I didn't put up a lot of photos on here for that reason.

Slowly though, I've begun to let that go just a little (case and point, the pictures along the right side of the page). Last night's blogger happy hour was another level.

Yeah, so definitely wasn't comfortable with doing some karaoke. The Fashionista and I went together, although she was claiming (ehem) not to be a blogger. I66 put together a good one for his farewell to his HH coordination role.

It was interesting to see people in front of you, face-to-face, that you've been reading about for some time. Very interesting. I'll own up to not having been super-social, but it was good to meet the few I did get to meet.

I was pleasantly surprised that so many others were familiar with my blog here. Always great to hear these keyboard strokes are going somewhere beyond my monitor.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

subway serenades? claro que si!

2007-04-27T15:39:00.000Z

I read in the online version of the Express that DC is going to be auditioning people to perform in the metro during commute hours from June to September (so just the summer months). I'm an avid WMATA-er and I've gotta say, I've said before that I love my iPod. I live by my iPod. But this makes me happy.

I must admit. I think our transit system is kinda flat sometimes. I've always loved it when in Boston, NYC, Prague, Madrid, etc. you happened upon someone who was performing in the subway system. It added a little character to the city.

I think that's why some people think DC's too uptight and stale. I remember Tam telling me that our subway was boring, from the lack of entertainment to the basically standard presentation inside the stations themselves. Only variation seems to be length of escalator as you descend and ascend (now that I think all stations have the time to arrival signs - even if they're now malfunctioning). In NYC, you'll see variation from station to station in the decor along the platform, matching (somewhat or at least typically) to the area of town in which you happen to be. We could use a little more of that.

Bring it on, I say. I'm looking forward to it!

Bring on the song and dance. I, for one, welcome the entertainment in my commute.

(It'll help to save the battery life on my iPod...)

come sail away

2007-04-26T12:53:00.000Z

My last boss in Miami was great. He was from Mexico and had a large family. He was surrounded by all females, from his daughters to the nanny... even the dog. He was very different from my prior boss. Still challenged me to push harder, but he took much more of a hands off approach. I think my time in Miami was the only time during my post-college working days that I had to deal with taking some direct challenges from co-workers that were unwarranted, and he was super supportive and helpful in standing on my side of the battle.

Our line of work, especially at my former big corporate employer, went in peaks and valleys. During the peaks, he would arrive early in the morning and stay long past the other employees. Before the others arrived or after the door had closed behind the last one to exit in the evening, he would crank up the music and Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, and the like would be cranking out of his office.

It was fun to watch him with his family - just in general. Somewhat comforting that even once you "grow up" you don't have to lose that sparkle of who you are. He would instantaneously shave off some 10 years in the look in his eye as he boasted he was off to Mexico to enjoy "tacos and tequila". But of course. He made me feel like less of a chicken as I ran time after time from the hurricanes. Whereas I was just jetting out to anywhere possible with myself and items in tow, he was off with his full team, down to the dog. I even remember getting an email from him after moving to DC where he told me jokingly he was going through his midlife crisis and had bought himself a Porche.

Since moving here, he's sent me job opportunities in NYC as well as the occasional job opening in Miami. He recently left my former employer as well so he could stay on in Miami. I guess some people love the Miami world, myself excluded from that club.

I hadn't heard from him and thought that was one connection lost. Last night though I got an email from El Senor. He's now working for a cruise line (now that has some amazing perks, I would have to imagine!).

And he mentioned opportunities in Miami.

Would I consider?

It's funny. I'm very career-oriented. I would rather have almost any sort of job within a larger corporation over shuffling files in the smaller HR realm of an organization in the South. But I'm not ready to give up my whole world now for the job.

There's a balance. Somewhere where the challenging work and the world I want to live in converge. Will it be DC for forever? Who knows. That's TBD. I'm always looking for that location. But what I know it's not is Miami...

The opportunity would be amazing, I'm sure. But I'm just not at that place anymore. Just not there. And I'm ok with that, but simultaneously pleased with the repeated offer and the fact that mentor's no longer MIA in MIA.

[cross posted on indiebloggers.org]

a big loan from the girl zone

2007-04-24T13:25:00.000Z

Ok, almost the entire new Tori Amos album is online on MySpace. Seriously, between that, meetings, and training today - am I really going to get work done today? Slim chances there for sure.

hey baby - what's your sign?

2007-04-23T13:19:00.000Z

Saturday it was up and out to meet up with the Fashionista and crew to prepare for the benefit event. The theme was all things mystical... so the task was to transform the room from barren generic white-walled party room into party-ready. F's been prepping for this for quite some time and had painted all sorts of fabulous canvas sheets to decorate the room. Educational too... according to her poster o' love compatibility, I was most compatible with Taurus and then Capricorn. Metallic stars soon were hanging from the ceiling, fortune cookies and glow sticks were strewn across each table, and even an electric disco ball was hanging over the dance floor for the evening.

The event was a blast. Seriously, how often do you get to dress up in sequins with long gloves? (This question is clearly for the ladies...) And, as promised, here you'll see my attire for the evening. Subtle, for sure. The entertainment started to show up as well, including the palm reader/hand writing analyst. Hands down fascinating. After the Fashionista gave us our assignments/timetable of activities (which didn't quite end up being followed, but nice to have an idea of a framework anyhow), I made a beeline back to the analyst. He said that I can hold my own in an argument - I could be effective as either the prosecutor or public defender. I'm very loyal and trusting of my friends, which he said probably got me in trouble when I was younger (remember that very well in preschool!). One thing I thought was really interesting was what he said about my ambition... he said that I am very ambitious and push myself, but that I'm capable of even more. Definitely struck me, as I've really been feeling that way as of late at work. He did tell me he thought I'd be a fun date - hah - but then he was quite a flirt with all the ladies throughout the course of the evening.

The photographer for the event, Margaret Allen, was great. Always nice to have the opportunity to meet other photographers in the area. The event was the first time I've really had my photos on display as well (they were included as a part of the raffle). Other entertainment included a magician, a bellydancer, and of course the DJ.

As things started to wind down a bit, we decided to head over to 4P's before heading home. Clearly (once again) dressed for an Irish bar. It wasn't too long before Sassy and I opted to close out for the evening and head home.

8AM yesterday came early... way too early. But as promised, I threw on my pants and comfy Dogfishead tee and tromped to the metro. I met a really nice girl who's here working as an intern at the White House. I rarely meet chatty folks on the metro. Sadly, wrong day to try to be conversational with me. I tried... I really tried. Finally she apologized from keeping me from my Washingtonian. After exiting the metro and one latte later, I was en route back to the scene of the crime to clean up. Slowly, streamers came down, stars were scattered across the floor, and the astrological-themed decor was piled neatly by the couch.

The repeated question of the morning:

Us: "F, do you want this ______?"
F: "No, when am I going to need this many stars and metallic decorations? And if I need them, what the heck am I going to do with them all in the meantime?"

Good point. Only 2.5 hours later of cleaning and over half a bottle of goo-be-gone, we all were heading out. What a beautiful day it was. Shame we were all too wiped out to care about life beyond our bed. Last night, it was ear plugs, eye mask, and Benadryl for me. More sleep to catch up today, but at least I closed the gap there a bit - even if only a bit.

the ss bachelorette

2007-04-21T19:06:00.000Z

In honor of SS's impending wedding, it was time for a quasi-low-key evening out in Georgetown for the ladies - which was perfect for me seeing as Saturday's all about the benefit. It was a nice size group of five - perfect for some location hopping and all. The plan was Mendocino Wine Bar for drinks, dinner at Paolo's, and then from there, TBD. I must admit, following this week's incident, I was a tad anxious about hopping on the Circulator to head over to Georgetown. Thankfully I was able to make it to Georgetown without any brushes with buildings. Always good to see.

Mendocino was nice -- obviously the sister restaurant to Sonoma. I like the variety of the food at Sonoma better than Mendocino, but it was a nice quaint spot so I'll give it the stamp of approval.

Service at Mendocino far trumps Paolo's, where it was like pulling teeth to get anywhere. I think we'd been there for some 40 minutes before we were served our drinks. Not off to a good start. The food was decent, after I sent mine (and the Cajun's) back to be re-heated. After having waited for as long as us, cold past wasn't going to cut it.

It was like a Georgetown check-list though... the third place we hit was also one I'd never been to - Daily Grill. We watched the place go from pretty dead and empty to a massive sea of faces. We opted out when it was clear that the Daily Grill had become pre-Smith Point, choosing to head back to the Hill.

SS was having a great time though -- we got to hear all the details about the wedding, stories about how they met, all that good stuff... things I never really knew. It was a lot of fun to catch up with her, seeing as she's one of my friends I just don't get to see too often. It was nice to celebrate with her. Funny story though... she revealed the rationale behind the wedding date. She said she didn't want it to fall in football season, as their anniversary would run the risk of conflicting with an important SEC game at some point. Love it.

Somehow my early evening turned into um not so early, but we were all together at the end of the evening. Our final neighborhood stop included an odd Native American man who kept telling me that I was not happy (really? news to me) and that I had great feet (?), SS making friends with Tim/Jim, and the Bostonian who told me I looked like Heather Graham. What a fun night.

And now... caffeine. Must have caffeine to get going on the prep work tonight. Oh yes, it's a long day ahead. A long (but fun) day ahead.

arrival of overheard in dc

2007-04-20T19:12:00.000Z

I've been a long-time fan of Overheard in NY. Sure, sometimes it is just plain inappropriate, but lots of times it is equally hilarious. I used to subscribe via Bloglines until it just got to be way too much, flooding my account, so had to nix that.

I was excited to see that DCist is taking the same approach here. I'm assuming this will be a weekly feature. Pretty cool. And since it's Friday afternoon and it's way too pretty outside (finally) for anyone to be stuck indoors working (just plain sad to be sitting here in front of the computer when the sun is seriously in full swing outside), just had to share their quotation of the week... which I found to be quite funny!

[On a metro train]
Drunk girl, looking at the map: "I only left here last May! Since when did they add a light blue line?
"Her friend: "You mean the river...?"

Ok, so perhaps only funny if you ride the metro in DC and are familiar with the metro map. But as an avid WMATA supporter, that's definitely me and amused I am!

back in pink

2007-04-19T14:45:00.001Z

Okay, I just picked up my dress for Saturday's benefit event. I walked into the alterations place, where the lady who was sewing proceeded to look at her co-worker and say "ahhhh pink!" and gesture outward, as the tulle projects from my dress. Her eyes took on a twinkle of amusement. I'm glad I can help to spice up their day. Someday, I will take them something normal to alter. (Someday.)

Last time, it was my pink costume for Halloween (I was Pebbles). There's my pink razr too... and now this. I think it's 365 days of pink. Perhaps I'm subconsciously living up my pinkness since I wasn't uber pinked as a child. Is that it? Or perhaps because I didn't do my time in ballet to get my fill of the tulle known as the tu-tu? I think I lasted two months before I asked my mom if I could stop because it was boring. My attention span as a child I do believe was fairly non-existent.

So tulle glory? This weekend, it will come to pass. There will be plenty of pictures to follow of the dress, I'm sure. I'll save those for the flip-side of the weekend. The pink on the dress is about as subtle as a brick wall, but it's fun - oh yes. It's quite fun.

cyber tag

2007-04-18T16:43:00.000Z

I got this over on MySpace to post on my blog there. Thought I'd plug it in here... why not? You're supposed to post 5 weird facts/things/habits about yourself. Here goes...

Despite being from Alabama, I've never really used the word "y'all" on a regular basis. Hope you guys will still claim me ;-)
Technically, my undergrad "career" included five universities in three different states and four different majors (three if you don't split international business into business and Spanish)
I can touch my tongue to both my nose and chin.
I usually put milk on my cereal, and then proceed to drain it off the side. I like my cereal "moist", but don't really care for the milk. Random, I know.
At last count, I think I had some 70 Tori Amos CDs.

turn your hip hop into wine

2007-04-18T13:08:00.000Z

Yeah, so hip hop funk last night was a bust. I'd promised MsH that I was in this week, and I was - until it turned out that our teacher had a sprained ankle. Hip hop became kickboxing. Boo. And suddenly I was back in my work attire, bidding MsH adieu, and en route to meet up with the girls at Ella's.

That's the thing about plans. I'm a mega-planner, but those plans are always subject to change. Especially when there's multiple options on the horizon.

I ran into Rio at the metro as I was dashing down to the platform. He was headed home to study, but was luckily going onto the train as I was running down the escalator. I'd deleted the back and forth emailing and was drawing a blank as to where exactly I was headed.

"I'm not staying long," I said.

"Suuuuuuuure..." he said with a knowing smile.

Hmmmm. And, sure enough, he was right.

Mix was back in town for some contracting work this week, so we were getting together to catch up while she was in town these two weeks from Indy. It was us single girls catching up with our friend now newly on the married side of the divide. The numbers amongst my friends used to be slanted towards the single side, but slowly the gals seem to be defecting. Where am I going on Friday? Bachelorette party... need I say more?

We talked a lot about the adjustment from big city life to the slower pace of living in the 'burbs of a slightly smaller metro area. Mix is still trying to find the right job so as she's temping, shes definitely feeling the drastic change of speed.
"We just don't stop here," TxDem said.

"I don't do well with sitting still," I said. "If I'm doing something like watching a movie in my room, I'm doing something else at the same time."

Sometimes the speed is too much - and in thinking about it, I get it when people say the hustle and bustle of the city is too much for them. Some people find it draining - and others, energizing. I love the energy of city streets. The excitement of all of the things to see and do here. Perhaps that's why sometimes I think I'm ruined. I don't know that I can ever go back to a smaller town again. It's kind of like a battery sitting in a camera for years on end... I just might lose my charge.

chicken soup for the busy bee's soul

2007-04-16T13:22:00.000Z

I've never worked in a soup kitchen or done any sort of work with the homeless. Living in DC, it's definitely something you see on a daily basis... it was something I saw in Miami as well, but it's not as ever-present in the way that you see it just walking through the streets downtown on a daily basis. So when EB asked if I would join her at her church with others in making sandwiches and then in riding on the van to distribute the food to the homeless, I welcomed the opportunity.

I'll admit to dragging my feet as I left home to head over. With the lingering cold weather and the continual rain yesterday, I was not wanting to leave the warm confines of home - but I finally made it out the door. We began by making lunch bags with a sandwich, mozarella string cheese, granola bar, and pudding. We would serve this along with soup and hot chocolate. Pretty nice meal.

Our route included a lot of the downtown area close to where I work. It's an area I don't typically see on the weekend, so it was sort of eerie to stop at these different points in the vicinity. It was haunting as one man walked up to get his soup and I found myself staring eye-to-eye with a gentleman I pass several times a week on the street. Typically I find him screaming obscenities or doing strange gestures, with a cup in front of him. Yesterday he calmly walked up and thanked me for the soup. It gave me goosebumps to come face-to-face with a familiar face like that.

One interaction really stuck with me. One man had come up, gotten his lunch bag, soup, and hot chocolate and returned back to his blankets on the sidewalk when the winds picked up. EB and I were still inside the van, waiting for the other volunteers to return from taking food over to those who weren't able to get up and come over on their own. The wind had picked up tremendously and, while the rain was not in full force, it was still sprinkling enough to make for a cold combination. He stood back up and walked over and began to shut our van doors. "It's getting cold out here," he said. "You should stay warm in there."

How could he look on from his place there on the pavement and perceive that as being significant? As we sat in the van, heat blasting, I felt really touched by the kindness in his heart, and a little guilty as I burrowed in my pea coat, sitting on a padded seat, indoors.

Homelessness is something I just don't know how to feel about. Last night, I was reminded that it's not always as black and white as people want to think it is. I still don't think the solution is to give money to every outstretched hand. We just can't. It's not realistic. Perhaps that's why I'm not always so vocal to take a stance on one side of the issue or another. I don't know it all, that's for sure, but I know enough to know it's one of those problems for which I just don't know the answer.

But I saw first-hand last night that there are some people who aren't choosing not to work... some of the people we served sell papers, help vendors set-up, etc. - and it's just not enough to afford a roof over their heads.

In discussions with our driver from the Salvation Army, I learned that many of those who are older are not willing to part with what little possessions they have in order to go into a shelter. To them, those bags are their home. Their most prized items. My heart broke as we had to look back at those hungry eyes at the end of our round at the long, snaking line at our last stop and tell them that we were sorry after their having waited, but that we had run out of all of the food for the day.

I saw kind eyes, thankful for every item we handed over. I saw cold eyes, harsh and chilling as the pavement on which they were huddled. I saw hopeful eyes, complemented in one case by a man repeating over and over that he was hanging on "by His grace".

I realized and acknowledged that I was lucky to be going home. To be able to snuggle up under my covers and stay warm and dry. To be able to crank up our radiators. As the wind picked up and I tossed and turned, I couldn't help but think of the man who'd helped close our van doors.

I wish I could return the favor.

[cross posted at indiebloggers.org]

kick some ice

2007-04-13T15:29:00.000Z

What more does one need after a long week other than a nice relaxing and deliciously mindless 93 minutes with Will Ferrell? Nada. Will Farrell cracks me up. Some comedians poke fun at themselves or go on tirades cutting people down and in the end, solely succeed in irking me to no end. Not Will. Whether it's traipsing around NYC as an Elf, screaming he's to be feared ('cause he's the division manager AND he drives a Dodge Stratus), or embodying the motto of every proud Mississippi State fan (more cowbell, of course), he just cracks me up. Take that and combine it with ice skating, my favorite sport, and that's just about as good as it gets.

I was tired and wanting to get out. Rio's in the midst of finals for classes focused on a lot of heavy topics, so a little Blades of Glory seemed to be just what was in order. Now I did like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, but I guess like is being somewhat generous. Maybe I should say I thought it was okay. Anyhow, I was willing to see if this one could come through better than its predecessor. I had faith.

John Heder coming out in a swan costume and the way they followed them around like "a day in the life of" feature just made me laugh, after having watched skating for so many years. Skating was the closest I ever came to sports growing up -- I probably took lessons for some three years. I wasn't one of those people who was crazy into it... so no 6AM runs to the rink for me or ballet classes to maximize flexibility on the ice. I did do one competition and spent some quality time in the lovely harness to get more lift in my jumps. Haha. All-in-all though, great exercise!

Anyhow, the cameos were cracking me up as well. Definitely was just what I needed... my abs were hurting from laughing so much. It did make me want to get my skates back out though. I can't even remember the last time I went skating... maybe in Miami? Gosh, three years or so ago?

Afterwards it was off to Oyamel for some Mexican cuisine. I'd scoped out the place when they started remodeling after Andale folded. They specialize in aperitivos (appetizers), so it's a pretty direct challenge to Jaleo, located right around the corner. I'd really liked Andale, which had occupied the space beforehand. Apparently though not enough of DC did, since I believe that's why they closed.

The space was still arranged the same, although the decor was much more vibrant and there was an interesting second bar area in the front righ-hand corner of the restaurant. At first, I thought they were preparing the desserts there, but then it looked like they were doing other dishes there as well.

I can't compare Oyamel's food with their prior operation in Crystal City, but Rio and I were pretty pleased. The queso fundido con chorizo was excellent. It came with these mini-tortillas which were really good. The tacos were good as well. Some reviews I'd read mentioned them being small for their $3.50 price tag, but the ones we got did come with some great guac and honestly by that point, I don't know that I could have handled much more. We did try their pollo con mole, which I really liked - but I'm typically a mole fan. The chocolate cake (also with mole) was a great finale.

It was not a cheap meal, but it was good and a spot that I had been wanting to hit for a while. I'd say it's a good spot to grab something small at the bar or meet some friends after work. I probably won't be there weekly, but not half-bad.

So is it 5:30 yet?? Guess that answer would be no... [groan]

law & order: parking meter violation unit

2007-04-12T15:22:00.001Z

As I've now just barely passed over that two year mark since my move to DC from Miami, I was just thinking the other day that I'd somehow managed to escape the clutches of DC's obsessive parking Nazis. I know it helps when the bulk of that time was spent with only my two feet as my means of transportation, but that's just a technicality... anyhow, although I now have a car, for the most part it looks pretty parked out on the street. I don't drive it to work and I rarely attempt to park it on the street in the city (that parallel parking resultion? yeah... still to come to fruition).

Last Friday I came home and saw what I thought was another flyer on my windshield. I was a little perplexed, since I did not know what on earth I could have done wrong. Only thing I could think was a violation of the "snow emergency route", but this was before the minute dusting of snow, so yeah - even in DC, that wouldn't be rationale behind the ticket.

I was almost laughing with Sassy when I saw that the ticket was for not displaying the zone sticker... the sticker clearly and appropriately already displayed in my window. I think perhaps instead of trying to get a measly $50 out of me, they should take the same out of their pocket and invest in a new set of spectacles for the individual in hot pursuit to find someone to ticket. The back provided info on contesting (which, duh, I will be doing) and mentioned to be sure to include any photos, descriptions, and/or diagrams with the ticket when submitting. Oh yeah - it's on.

One of the things I'm most proud of from my college days was my parking violation triumph versus the school. I should put it on my resume. Basically what happened was that the parking fines went up significantly at MSU and there was one place I had been parking for a year and half. I came back one day to a ticket. No sign had been posted making it a no parking zone and I thought it was convenient that they decided to pull this as soon as the increase went into effect. It's sort of like this video on You Tube... it's like you want to say, um no?

Photos, descriptions, and diagrams were definitely involved when I contested the ticket. It was a work of art. It was known that it was a waste of effort to fight the tickets since you just ultimately ended up paying the ticket fine plus the court fees, but I thought I had a shot - and I won.

So guess it's time for round two here in the District. Oh and if anyone wants to make a donation to buy the ticket officers some new glasses, I'm happy to include them in along with my masterpiece.

almost rosey

2007-04-12T12:59:00.000Z

Last night I stumbled across a posting of some live MP3s of Tori Amos' performance for RadioEins in Berlin. Those of you who aren't into Tori Amos are probably going to totally not relate and zone out at this point hah (but feel free to skip to the lyrics below -- really like them). You'd have thought I was completely out of music on my iPod (hah, nothing could be further from the truth) the way I voraciously scrambled to download the songs and transfer them over to my iPod.

I didn't listen to them until this morning as I was walking to the metro to head to my Pilates class. The short setlist of six included Velvet Revolution, Father's Son, Silent All These Years, Beauty of Speed, Leather (oh Tori - why, why, why?), and Almost Rosey. Almost Rosey really dug into me... I know I've said it before, but there are certain things that speak to people as almost a language in and of itself. For me, it's always been music.

I came here in the office to pull up the lyrics and found sadly that a lot of the places I'd been checking out the lyrics for the upcoming album opted to skip the lyrics to this one. From the reviews, sounds like this isn't most people's favorite on the album - but live... live, it's fabulous - in my opinion. After scouring for quite some time, finally found them. Once I got them, wasn't going to risk not finding them, so had to post them here. I've bolded the parts I really liked.

Almost Rosey

Uh uh uh hey hey hey
Uh uh uh hey hey hey

Just a minute of your time,
yes I’ve been known to delude myself
So let me put those rose colored glasses to the test
Now is this real enough for you ‘cause
Blondes here don’t jump out of cakes
If that never impressed you much
Come board this lunatic express

Why do they say
Have a nice day anyway
We both know they wouldn’t mind
If I just curled up and died
Oh, lets not give that one a try

Chin up, put on a pair of these roses raise those blinds
Chin up, a happy mask was never your best disguise
Chin up, put on a pair of these roses
In no time
You will feel almost fine
Almost rosey

Uh uh uh hey hey hey

Now some girls here will huddle with,
no,
not footballers that are rich
But we’ll confide in small white sticks
He bounces the Viriginian Slim
Then I just tried once to comply with an authority
That will subsidize my wild side
But at this altar we're sacrificed
Yes you can laugh,
A femme fatale,
In a bride's dress
Now married to the effortless of the cracks
That lie now in between the facts

Why do they say
Have a nice day anyway
We both know they wouldn’t mind
If I just curled up and died
Oh, lets not give that one a try

Chin up, put on a pair of these roses raise those blinds
Chin up, a happy mask was never your best disguise
Chin up, put on a pair of these roses in no time
You will feel almost fine
Almost rosey

Uh uh uh hey hey hey

Now about when Violet died
The cause still unidentified
She thought her love would be enough
But you can’t seduce seduction
Her tentacles of endless want
Reach through my corridors
And tempt me to taste of her power
I sober with the witching hour
And when I hear of one more bomb
Yes we have all been robbed of song
And nightingales who throw their arms up
When is enough enough

Why do they say
Have a nice day anyway
We both know they wouldn’t mind
If I just curled up and died
Oh, lets not give that one a try

Chin up, put on a pair of these roses raise those blinds
Chin up, a happy mask was never your best disguise
Chin up, put on a pair of these roses in no time
You will feel almost fine
Almost rosey

Uh uh uh hey hey hey
Uh uh uh hey hey hey
Feeling almost rosey

I know I'm completely spoiling the album for myself. Come May 1st and then all of the shows to follow in the fall, these tracks may have lost their luster from being worn out on repeat. But I'll take that gamble. I don't know how many times I've replayed this one, but just one more... can't hurt too much...

tell me 'bout it

2007-04-09T18:34:00.000Z

I love the variety of in DC. The different flavors you can get by going from one neighborhood to another. Not wild about one area? Go several blocks in any direction and you're likely to find something with at least a slightly different vibe. I've only recently begun to dabble a bit in the musical offerings along the U-Street Corridor. I'd heard of the many locations with live jazz to add to that must-check-out list (that's ever growing and only very slowly being whittled down) along that strip. I did dinner once at Sala Thai in that area and was pleasantly surprised that the jazz ensemble which was performing was such a highlight, and the restaurant wasn't even a location I'd noted as a must-hit for live music.

Saturday I had plans to go to a friend's birthday, but when Rio texted to say that he and a couple of friends in from out of town were going to go to U-topia (one definitely on my list), I said I'd figure out a way to make it all work. U Street is such a fascinating area to me. I love all of the history there. I always forget that it has a longer standing history than NYC's Harlem. I wish that live music was as plentiful in DC as it is in say Austin.

Walking into the restaurant, I could tell it was going to be rich on many levels. The walls were a deep crimson and there were satin curtains framing the doorways between the different areas of the restaurant. There was a small bar area with some seating around it and then another room, which was primarily more tables with some couches and plush chairs in the back righthand corner. The walls were covered with vibrant paintings of all sorts, all for sale. I really love to see it when the work of local artists is put on display (and also for sale) like that. I didn't check out the price tags associated, but the combined effect with the surroundings made for a rich atmosphere.

The flavor carried through to the food as well. Their traditional gumbo was delicious. The blackened shrimp was good, although it could have used a bit more of the traditional blackening "umph". The sauce was really good though, even if not quite what I'd anticipated by the whole blackened label. Even menu items not touted as spicy came out with a little extra kick, as Rio found when his lamb chop arrived adorned by a big fat jalapeno pepper. Knowing his lack of affection for things mega-spicy, I made sure to point out the pepper before he dug in.

I was supposed to be at the party by then, but I drug my feet in leaving to be able to hear the ensemble kick off their set. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant. This proved to be a plus for saving us from that neverending draft you get by being close to the entrance, but not such prime real estate for enjoying the music. They set the performers up in an alcove torwards the front, so if you ever go to check out the scene there, keep that in mind. I only was able to stay through the first couple of songs. The clarinet had a rich, soulful sound that cut crisply through the room, but yet gelling perfectly with the percussionist and the others in the ensemble. Finally 15 or so minutes in, I had to excuse myself to head to stage two of the evening. But I was quite impressed with U-topia. It's a stop I'll definitely have to make again.

And speaking of soul, I picked up the new Joss Stone album on Friday during mine and Sassy's "suburban" shopping run. If you haven't heard it, I highly recommend it. It's R&B with sort of a dance/pop twist. Her first single is a catchy tune.

I figured I'd start my pre-concert prep-work now, having already picked up tickets to her upcoming show at Wolf Trap. I'm not a big fan of attending concerts and not knowing the music. I have her first album, but that's it. This third one though has definitely been on repeat in my office. I think my co-workers think I have a multiple personality disorder. Just a week ago, I was listening to this classical channel on streaming radio all day long. Now it's Joss. Sing it, girl.

eggs - they're of the devil

2007-04-08T22:48:00.000Z

Hippety, hoppety... I still say, there's something wrong to the core about it being cold on Easter. As Sassy and I got ready for church this morning, the challenge was how does one manage to look somewhat spring-ish when it is freeeeeezing outside? I think we managed to come out somewhere appropriate, although there were quite a few ladies at church this morning who seemed to have insisited upon that springtime dress they just had to have or even open-toed shoes (my toes are cringing now just at the memory, as they're roasting nicely inside their warm fuzzy slipper socks).

Me? Play Martha? 'Cause unbleached flour on the nose is so in...
Our brunch today went off without a hitch, even without the superb contribution of the DG in her element (in front of the stove). Perhaps that's what gave Sassy and I the chance to shine. It's been a weekend focused on today's event. Friday we made a serious run to the grocery store to stock up on supplies. Yes, we stayed in to prepare - that's how committed we were. Saturday we were both doing as much prep work in advance as possible. I kept on rolling, even making chicken paprikash for lunch. Way to put that Hungarian sweet paprika to use. I joke that I don't cook. That's exactly the truth... it's not that I can't cook, it's that I don't cook. Yes, there is a difference. Agreed?

Favorite quotation of the weekend though has to come from Sassy's mom. When she called to get some more of that mom wisdom about how to approach something related to cooking, her mom said something to the effect of most of cooking is just about using common sense. Haha. We thought that was funny. Did that mean we were lacking that when we were stumped from time to time? We knew that wasn't the intended meaning, but we were amused just the same.

We have a running joke though about having to serve deviled eggs. See, Sassy has this fabulous deviled egg dish. Who has a dish like this? I tell you, they must be an endangered species. I may have shared this before, but if so, it warrants a repeat. It has an interchangeable center, where you can opt for a turkey (Thanksgiving), bell (Christmas), chicken (hmmm lame catch-all?), or - you got it - a bunny. I am very anti-egg, which made planning brunch contributions interesting, seeing as eggs serve as quite the foundation for many a brunch dish. Sassy and I worked alongside one another, but I'll admit I didn't fight her when she offered to clean up the sink when it was covered with egg "guts". Ewwww. No thanks.

Bring on the brunch...
The line-up was quite impressive, if I do say so myself. We had Sassy's contributions: ham strada, potatoes (with sour cream, onions, and cheese), carrot cake, and of course those wooooonderful deviled eggs. I made baked pineapple, grape salad, cheese grits (don't diss 'em until you've tried 'em!), and fried up some turkey bacon. WT brought the OJ and champagne for mimosas. D brought a fabulous macaroni casserole and MsH brought a fabulous fruit salad with Cool Whip. It was enough food for an army! If you could only see our fridge. We had to clean house to make room for the prep process. We were so excited to get it back to normal, and now it's instead full of leftovers (only halfway complaining - it's quite good stuff). There's absolutely no way we're going to go through all the leftovers though. Anyone want some cheese grits? We can give you some, along with a bag of Funyuns and some Slim Jims left over from our White Trash party. You see, we're just such kind and giving folks.

The brunch though was great. We wanted to keep it much smaller than our recent soirees and it was nice to be able to really catch up with friends on Easter. We were saying that holidays make it more obvious to us (and most of our friends) who aren't from around here and that for us, times like this and many times in general our friends really are our surrogate family. It was great to get together and chat and even share some really funny stories... from MsH's family story (deli meat?) to DrP's white trash tutorial to my interesting story of meeting the guy my friends now refer to as "mugging guy"... never a dull moment with this crew. Good times with great friends. And from the reviews, sounds like we'll have some repeat attendees if we should make this a regular occurance. Perhaps next time around our third roomie will be in the District to lead the charge!

For now though, Sassy and I have totally vegged out for the rest of the day. We're wiped. We were chatting sitting on my bed and realized there were no lights on and the sun had completely set. Oooops. Desk lamp is now on, although it will be switched off soon and very soon.

cadbury? they be my peeps...

2007-04-06T14:18:00.000Z

Easter is a daaaangerous holiday season for me. As a self-admitted chocoholic, there's nothing about Easter to discourage mass consumption of chocolate. It's the season of Cadbury. I'm sure I've already mentioned being dangerously addicted to the Cadbury mini-eggs (the one with the crisp shell). I bought my inaugural bag while in Chicago, where the Titan and I started the Easter season promptly in Februrary. As I sit in my office (clearly procrastinating from working on this fine cold Good Friday), I have a Lindt Gold Bunny taunting me, a much appreciated gesture from my boss. And then there's my lunch with Rio, where I am excited to again be getting that Brazillian traditional Easter egg. Somehow, perhaps all this chocolatey goodness does not jive with my recent gym kick. I like to think that somehow it all works out.

The Easter sweet item I've lost a fondness for has to be Peeps, although I find them strangely amusing... I was reading the Express this morning, and apparently they have a contest they'll be posting results from that involve Peeps. Hmmmm. Interesting.

Random useless Friday information that's somewhat in season (because why not?)... according to the recent online survey conducted over at marshmallowpeeps.com, Will Farrell is the male celebrity most likely to represent what Peeps would be like if they were to come to life. Jessica Simpson was the #1 female celebrity (no comment - not a fan). The W was the male celebrity most in need of Peeps. This made me smile. A whole lot. Anyone want to catapult a mass quantity of Peeps at the White House? Somehow this mental image is giving me enormous amounts of amusement... Random comment -- did you know they now apparently have sugar-free Peeps? Considering I thought that was basically all that was in a Peep, I'm fascinated.

But it's interesting all of the different Easter/Passover traditions that people have. Last year's Easter-time celebrations were so varied. I think this year's will be more simplistic. But simple can be good. Church and then brunch with a few friends. It'll be a bit colder than desired, that's for sure, but we'll make the most of it.

Hope it's a Good Friday for you, wherever you may be and in whatever form your celebrations may be.

sore to the core

2007-04-05T18:41:00.000Z

Do you have any doubt as to where your "core muscles" are? I don't. I know darn well where they are. Between Tuesday night's Hip Hop Funk class and Pilates and today's 6:45AM Pilates class, I'm pretty certain I have an idea. It was mighty tempting to sleep in this morning, but nope - I got myself going, even with this morning's temps sliding back to the cooler side and with the threat of the crazy man on the lose on the Hill still looming (thankfully that situation has wrapped).

There's something serene about an early morning work-out, even when ones core is so sore that laughing becomes painful. The studio lights were out, with light only coming in from the main cardio floor area. No music. Just lying there on the floor.

I would be lying if I didn't own up to looking forward to an off day tomorrow... sleeping late (yessssss... 6:15AM has never seemed so incredibly late), hopefully heading out of the office early, and then some pre-brunch prep for Easter (road trip to the 'burbs for Sassy and I). I'm still sad our Cherry Blossom picnic on Saturday had to be nixed. Snow flurries tomorrow night? Thumbs down. This DC weather is getting old... pick a season. Any season. And preferably a warmer one...

i'll be your saltine senorita

2007-04-04T02:15:00.000Z

In the week's tradition of follow-through, today I became a card toting gym member (branded guest for 2 weeks, granted -- but it comes at a superb discount rate, so until I cast off those training wheels, I'll own my guest label). MsH and I had planned an advance date for hip hop funk class. How can anything go wrong with a fabulous name like that?

The music was fabulous and the class a blast. It was a bit oh funny to instead of seeing oneself in the mirror in something more hip to hit the town find a stylish pony tail at the crown of your head, sports bra, and Gator (heck yeah!) t-shirt. Hot. Nothing makes you feel like getting down to some R&B/Dance/Rap like that combo. Mega hotness.

Perhaps it was seeing that interesting ensemble looking back at me that held me back... that and the fact that it took me a bit to get the teacher's rhythm down. I'm all over it next class I go to... good stuff, and what a work-out. Yeah, but whereas I can remember getting down with my gals in South Florida or here from time to time and feeling like I could move to the tunes, tonight I was feeling mighty, well let's be blunt, white. Perhaps next go-'round I'll be able to cut it loose a bit more.

Because I'm a glutton for punishment and since I want to maximize my guest pass purchase to the fullest, I decided to stay on for pilates. This is why I was all about the gym membership... whereas I can just say ouch, done, give up at home, somehow I keep on plugging away when there are others watching me. It's like magic. I will admit at the end though as the muscles between my shoulder blades were making themselves known that I was unable to finish the final exercise of the class... but, not half-bad for the end of my second class at my first day in the gym. (I'll pat myself on my sore back now for you. Awww. Thanks.)

As I walked home, still styling in my gym attire, it felt like a good day. Sure, I still might not know that what I'm doing I want to do for the rest of my life. Do I have to know now? Nah. Maybe tomorrow. Things just feel balanced somehow... I'd had lunch with Rio, caught up with MsH over our funk diva session, and managed to work in some fabulous cardio. Don't get me wrong... I love meeting friends out for happy hour. Sometimes though it seems too easy for life to become just one massive series of happy hours. Perhaps that's the change I needed. More balance. A better blend. Whatever it is, I'm addicted.

(And about to pass out. I see some fabulous deep sleep in my future, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty pumped about it. Zzzzzzzz...)

shiny happy people

2007-04-02T12:44:00.000Z

My alarm went off at 5:30AM today. Slightly tempting to snooze, but no, no... up and out. It was a bit chilly, but what a perfect spring day to start a new routing. April's a good time to finally start to hit that list of New Year's resolutions, right? Running in the morning? Been a long time list honoree. I've always heard the morning's when working out fits best, but I've never thought I could do it. I told my roommate's today was the day... idle promise it was not.

The sun was not out yet as I hit the street. The traffic was definitely picking up though. I watched as slowly I was not the lone sidewalk occupant. Gradually there were others running, a trio of older residents walking and chatting (one with her sweater knit cap, complete with the little yarn ball on top - fabulous), and eventually respresentatives from that Cap Hill contingency that's got a strong presence - the dog owners.

I've only watched the sun rise once other time in DC. It was beautiful to watch the sky fade gradually from a deep blue into an intense turquoise, only the clouds remaining as dark blue remnants of the previous homogenous sea of navy. WETA was playing Hungarian Dances No. 3 by Brahams, which was only fitting. Last night, the DG cooked for Sassy and I using the Hungarian sweet paprika I brought her back from Hungary... I'm seeing a theme somehow!

My roommates couldn't believe I actually pulled myself out of bed so early this Monday morning. I told them if I ran my mouth to them saying I'd do it that I wouldn't back out! The DG told me as we were walking to the metro that I was a totally different me... she said she'd never seen me so alert and chipper in the morning. Haha - so beware... eerie side effects!

But yeah, I'm just truckin' along on those resolutions!

International trip? Check! (or Czech? Hah. Couldn't resist...)
Exercise? Check. And getting that gym membership today. Yeah!
Playing the flute? Check. I was a bit anxious last Monday when I pulled out my silver Haynes. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to plug my way successfully through my favorite, Doppler's Hungarian Pastorale Fantasy. There's hope for me yet.
Trip to California? In the works. Looking at prices today.

Here's to moving 2007 along in a new direction!

Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd
People people
Throw your love around
Love me love me
Take it into town
Happy happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine

-REM

stuck on repeat

2007-04-01T13:03:00.000Z

Every now and then, I get in a DC funk. Perhaps that’s where I stand now. Job? Eh, it’s ok. Is it what I want to be doing forever? Current feeling is likely no. I’m antsy and darn it, I’m sad that I’m not jumping on a plane anytime soon to any far away location. I have a love/hate relationship with DC’s small town traits, and right now I’m not feeling the love. I’m feeling the need to change it up a bit.
And I don’t believe in mistakes, per se, but I do think there’s inevitably moments that aren’t your finest. And sometimes those moments repeat. I’m seeing too many of those lately. Ideally, you learn from those not so glistening moments, but other times the pattern seems to instead be to repeat. It’s like the line from the song. Feels like I’m running to stand still. It’s exhausting, draining, and I’m done.

I should be outside now, participating in the Cherry Blossom 5K. I figured it would be a nice way to see the area around the Tidal Basin all in it's full glory (although that Jan warm spell effectively nuked the likelihood that the cherry blossoms would really manage to last long). I was going to work my Tossed and Found shift yesterday (good cause), run a few errands, and turn in early so I could wake up fresh and ready to go early this AM. Did it play out like that? Not so much...

After checking the weather, looked like it would definitely be raining at the time of the race. As much as I wanted to get some exercise and get myself back to feeling "normal" post-Europe, rain and I are not friends so I figured the race was out. Not that it's super sunshiney outside now, but something about the crazy warbling bird that seems to have taken up residence outside my bedroom says that rain storm, yeah, didn't quite come to be.

Last night was KM's birthday so it was 5K? Or heading out on town? Last night, heading out on town was sounding like the better option. Today my body says maybe not so much. Seriously though, it was fun. Always fun celebrating with a friend on their actual birthday. And WT met us out as well, which was fun seeing as I hadn't seen her in quite a bit and we'd had a mix up on meeting out on Friday.

The Pea’s shared some of my portrait work with one of her clients, which I find to be pretty exciting. Perhaps there’s something in store there. Or maybe it’s time to consider a career change. All I know is that while I typically opt for routines and stability, I’m ready to bring on the change. I need it.

spring haze

2007-03-28T16:18:00.001Z

I love spring in DC. I think it's when DC is at its best... people finally seem to come out of their hiding places and the street-side cafes no longer look like a ghost town and are again buzzing with the chatter of the District's inhabitants, out and about - alive again after hibernating for the winter. Perhaps coming back to this helped to ease knowing that returning to DC also meant returning to the reality of work and the like. Or at least I'd like to think that...

I can't remember any other time where I've taken an extra day off of work just to unwind and reorganize. Monday (and Tuesday and today as well...) my eyes flew wide open at 3:30AM, with my body thinking it was time to start the day. No, no, no... I said. SLEEP! You want to SLEEP! Clearly not, as my eyes flipped open again at 4:30, and yet again at 5:30. Does jet lag worsen with age? It was a tad bit worse than usual for me last year when I went to Italy, but this year takes the cake thus far on the jet lag.

The rest of the day was laundry, grocery shopping, catching up on Grey's Anatomy (so important!), and watching the first disc of Season 4 of Scrubs. The bulk of the day was going through the some 300 photos from the trip, fixing them to be presentable and uploading them. It's always a bummer to come in from any shoot but particularly from an extended trip like this one and find the photos to be less than what you were hoping for... I'd committed to print at least five to use for the upcoming ANOM fundraiser, so there was a little added pressure to have some not only turn out well but in theme. I was pleased with how they came out, so think I'm good to go there. I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to put some of my work on display there.

Yesterday, my first full day back in the office, was super long. I hit a wall around 3pm that no amount of caffeine or chocolate could help me to hurdle. Thankfully, I'd made plans to head out a smidge early in honor of TxDem's birthday. She'd thrown out the royal treatment for me for my birthday at ACL in September. I missed her birthday soiree on Friday since I was in Europe, so jet lag wasn't keeping me from drinks at Lauriol Plaza to celebrate. No better day out of the week with the near 80 degree temps to sit on the patio and enjoy some of that famous frozen swirled! Mmmm.

Mexican food made me think of college, when my sorority house roomie, Dee, and I would routinely make a beeline for the local Mex spot we knew oh way too well, "the hat" (really El Sombrero, but we called it the hat). At the time, we thought Mexican food could be no finer. I remember the look on my parents faces when I took them there the first time. This place I'd spoken of so glowingly seemed to not be such a culinary delight in their eyes. I think your taste buds have a different acceptance level in college though. I remember then thinking that no drink could hold a candle to the offerings at Sonic's drive through. Although, I'll admit that sounds mighty fine right now as well.

Anyhow, the last time I saw Dee was back in April 2002, when I returned back to campus for our sorority's final IRD. We've emailed some since, but haven't spoken or seen each other since that weekend. Last night after LP margs, I decided it was time to give her a call. Minor snafu. Didn't have her number. Quick email on the blackberry and problem solved.

It's funny how some people you lose touch with you can't seem to find that commonality again once you reconnect. It's like without the continuity of the relationship, the substance that provided the foundation for your relationship has desolved - no hope of it being reconstructed. There are are other connections though where it seems that the connection never truly fades away. Once reconnected, those years in between seem to melt away. There's something comforting in those few, special individuals that you can experience that connection with. I've got a few others of those - you know who you are. Can't beat that.

Last night, chatting away with Dee, I remembered being 19 again like it was yesterday, with all of the ups and downs that came along with it. There's a closeness you have with someone when you've shared a living space, gosh, probably only amounting to somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 feet x 8 feet (estimation has never been my forte). It's fabulous to make new friends, but it's equally special to reconnect with those you lost touch with somehow along the way.

fresh in from de hell

2007-03-25T17:06:00.000Z

Finally, back in DC, baby. The return trip from overseas always seems to take an eternity. Must say though that when one barely makes it out with SNOW as an issue, sixty-something degree weather is just about as good of a welcome back greeting as a girl could hope for (other decent options would be instantaneous access to my bed or flowers - those never hurt, hah).

Our day almost began horribly... thankfully I set my phone's alarm since the front desk never elected too call for our wake-up call. After being so informative on the time chang, not too efficient to help guests "not miss breakfast, or even worse - flights" as promised by not following through there. Thumbs down.

We then had a MAD high speed drive to the Prague airport. The airport was waaaay out of time and we easily made it in some 15 minutes. How? Cause our crazed driver drove like a maniac winding around the roads, slinging my mom from side to side (even, yes, with seatbelts securely fastened). We especially liked the large skeleton/skull figure he had afixed to his dash. One point, we almost smashed into a truck. It was a great way to settle ones stomach at 7AM.

We had our usual marathon through De Gaulle (or as we renamed it, "De Hell"). We had to take a series of four different buses and go through two additional security checkpoints. Efficient? Not so much.

I especially loved the part where one worker laughed at us for trying to make our flight (ooooh I *so* bit my tongue) or when one of the security ladies rumaging through my stuff took waaaaay too long to ooh and ahhh over my Milka plush bag. Yes, it's cute. Yes, I can be a big kid sometimes. Now will you let me out of your country? Thanks.

Regardless somehow we made it through the secret maze of De Hell almost on time. Even caught some good movies on the flight... Dream Girls (good) and The Illusionist (LOVED it... so much, I watched it twice to see if I could get more out of the final 10-15 minutes the second time around).

I'm so crashing shortly... it's what, 11:05 PM in Prague? Man, it feels like it. I was hoping to start some laundry, but that fabulous non-concrete (like the hotel beds have been...) bed is so calling my name. Not sure which will win.

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a classic cseka finale

2007-03-25T08:53:00.000Z

Between Mozart in Vienna and Dvorak in Prague, I'm feeling a classical kick coming on. It's funny... last night's concert took me back to my high school days, where life was filled with rehearsals, auditions, and competitions. Pulling out that black ensemble and heading in for warm-up.

Sometimes I really miss that. There was a time when that could have been my life. Although, the though of life as one giant audition was not the upside of the lifestyle. That was for sure. I guess though we do encounter our own form of audition in every aspect, just maquerading slightly under different packaging.

I've always had a competitive spirit. Guess it thrived in that environment. Principal flutist... that was the only acceptable place to be, be it in the symphonic band, youth symphony, or all-state band/orchestra.

I remember the thrill of winning the concerto competition to play with the Huntsville Symphony and then the Shoals Symphony as a guest soloist. Hungarian Pastorale Fantasie by Franz Doppler. Absolutely amazing piece. Or attending William Bennett's session at Wild Acres in the mountains in North Carolina and being selected to study with his wife, Michie.

There was a possible double major with music at the University of South Carolina, Rhodes, or FSU. How different things would be.

I don't regret the decision... that's for sure. But I also know I think this was the catalyst I needed to dust off that Haynes flute with the engraved Jack Moore headjoint I've always been so proud of, after a hiatus of some five years. What a shame. An instrument that beautiful is clearly meant to be played, and play I shall.

And as our plane is about to push back at the gate, farewell Praha. Next time, I'll definitely start with you to give you your due.

Bohemia Bagel
Masna 2, Praha 1
Bottomless soda (don't mind if I do!), if you can only find the place amidst the winding streets... beware of uber-spicy mustard! But fabulous bagels. Yum!

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day o' dvorak

2007-03-24T17:19:00.000Z

Once upon a time in a little hotel in Praha over a fine breakfast...

Mom: "I still haven't had my Orangina. But it's just been too cold to care."
LJ: "Well, that hasn't stopped you from Coke."
Mom: "Well, Coke is like the nectar of life..."

Having had our plans to check out the Jewish Quarter squelched, we set off to the Dvorak Museum in the New Quarter area. We were able to see manuscripts, his desk, his viola, even his piano. A Bosendorfer. Who knew he had that in common with Tori Amos?

Dvorak has always been one of my favorites. Vienna boasted of Mozart at every turn. Mozart's nice... but give me Dvorak any day. Somehow I've yet to load my classical music onto my iPod. Will have to do that when I get back to DC.

We bought tickets to see the Prague Festival Philharmonic Orchestra at Smetana Hall at the Municipal House. The program includes Dvorak's New World Symphony and Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, Op. 33. That's the nice thing about a classical music concert... the universal language.

On the way up to the room, we noticed that the time change arrives overnight to Praha. Props to our hotel for posting that in the elevator. We wouldn't have been too happy if we'd missed our flight for it. Yikes.

Camper
Oh yeah... finally got my Camper's I've been in pursuit of for 2+ years

ProMod

Municipal House Cafe
Namesti Republiky 5 - Praha

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every day is a winding road...

2007-03-23T20:43:00.000Z

After some horribly incorrect directions from the hotel reception, we finally found our way to head up to the castle. It was a long series of winding steps up at last to the castle area. I'd heard from BG and the Titan that that was a great spot to catch an aerial view of Prague, and that it was.

The highlight there was St. Vitus's Cathedral. The Cathedral was very open, having much more light coming in through the window than most churches. The stained glass caught my attention especially due to its vivid colors as opposed to the more subdued hues more typical. Perhaps it is because it is from the 20th century.

I decided somewhat reluctantly to climb the some 287 steps to the top of the observation tower. The staircase was narrow and basically completely enclosed with no railing whatsoever, but just couldn't pass up the photo op.

En route to the top, I encountered two waves of groups... those offering encouraging comments, followed by those taunting the steps remaining to the top. There was a group who decided I was Italian (? clearly, see that...), cheering, "you can do it, bella!". They were followed by a group of punks (school group, I think) who barked "you're nowhere close to the top". Ergh. Thanks, punk.

The view from the top as absolutely amazing, though. I saw what my sister meant even more about Prague looking like you were walking around in a postcard. It really did not look real.

We'd planned on working our way over to the Jewish Quarter, where we'd noted quite a few sights on our daily hit list. Our parade was rained on (literally) when we finally found our way there at 4:30 to be tokd they'd just closed and (we *think*) would not open again until Sunday (when we leave out in the morning... argh). We're going to see... doesn't look too likely though. Big bummer.

I do wish Prague had been earlier in our agenda. I'm very glad I decided to add in an extra day of vacation the Monday after we get in. My body's maxing out and thinking the Euro-detox was a mighty fine plan. Mighty fine, indeed.

Sitting here, rain pounding down on the roof of our hotel room (deemed best in the hotel - hah), it's peaceful. Tomorrow's our final day. Much to be seen and done before crossing back to the other side of the water.

Restaurant U Kolowrata
Mala Strata, 118 - Praha (Little Quarter)
3 course lunch - good price, good food
Don't go if in a hurry though, cause they sure aren't!!!

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gypsies + praha + comfort food

2007-03-22T20:34:00.000Z

Long, long day coming into Prague. Mom and I were feeling as gypsy-esque as the gypsey we encountered on the train as we were bumped from area to area on the train.

Figure this... the seats in the firsr car which were close together were deemed first class (AKA we can't sit there) but the third car we were banished to where you had a closed compartment and 6 seats to yourself was acceptable? Random. I guess in peak season that might be a downgrade, but was fine to us. Random.

There were some mighty unappealing cuisine options in our tour guide... and the information from BG and Coop didn't give us a clue on dishes to try. Is it lame to opt for pizza? Oh well. Sometimes the different food and time difference of traveling takes its toll. And the pizza was mighty tasty if I do say so myself. According to mom the hot chocolate at Fuzion was hands down the best she's ever had. Three cheers for comfort food.

Pizzerie Green Tomato
Jindrisska 18, Praha

Fuzion

Hotel Carlton
Taboritska 18

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oh the places you'll go

2007-03-21T21:48:00.000Z

I figured the Hofburg Palace would be impressive, but I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed it overall. The Silberkammer (silver collection) was fascinating. I cannot imagine having that many types of dishes! I don't know that it would have been as interesting were it not for the great audio guide they provided with the entrance fee. We decided the tour set up at Versailles needed to get a clue from the set-up here.

Over lunch, we pondered where to go. There's a lot which would be great to do, like the Prater or some of the gardens, which don't quite work in colder weather. One thing I really wanted to see was the Hundertwasserhaus. It was a bit further out of the city center, but was not too far on the subway for us to keep from going.

I love architecture. I love the fascinating and peculiar buildings produced by Gaudi. If I don't watch myself, my pictures following a trip like this one are filled wth architecture, accented strategically by flowers, people, or the like as a secondary feature.

The Hyndertwasserhaus was absolutely fantastic. Its bright colors were visible from afar and made me think somehow of Dr. Seuss. I think I shot some 30+ photos of the complex, which is some 50 apartments housing 200 or so residents. Time well-spent doing something other than museums, churches, etc.

We've packed up for our third and final stop, Praha...

Humanic
(a shoe lover's dream if it wasn't for that whole euro v. dollar thing. ergh.)

Hundertwasserhaus
Kegelgasse/Lowengasse, Wien

Aera - Gonzagagasse, Wien
Simple neighborhood pub w/ great food

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silver white winters that melt into spring

2007-03-20T17:05:00.000Z

The small villages out from the big cities are often the highlights you overlook in visiting somewhere new. As we drove to Salzburg, our guide was explaining to us the small villages in Austria and their culture. The country has spent mllions of dollars to put up blockades along the freeway to keep the noise and pollution out and to preserve the peaceful nature of their community. Most are closed to buses, meaning obviously they were not an option.

However, one by the name of Mondsee ("moon lake"), is an exception. With the snow in full force, we made a brief stop to walk into the village. There we were able to visit the church where Maria and Captain Von Trapp are married in the Sound of Music.

The altar area and the aisle directly preceding it were closed for renovation. Even so, the church was striking. It was smaller. Certainly not pretentious. The coral pinkish ceiling was not edged in gold or any other material to attract attention. Perhaps it was the simplicity that really caught my eye.

That and I will say that as a child, I loved the Sound of Music. Probably the two movies I loved the most were the Sound of Music and Annie. I wanted nothing more than to dress in the Austrian dress the children wore, sing with the Alps as my backdrop, or to dance in Liesel's place with her handsome admirer. I still remember singing the final song the children sing with my sister, playing all the roles. To see the sites, the area in Salzburg where they sang "Do-Rei-Me", I'll admit, was pretty cool. It made me feel eight all over again.

These are a few of my favorite things...

--

Lunch: Zipfer Bierhaus
Salzburg (Old Town Area)

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snow kissed austria

2007-03-20T10:07:00.000Z

It's not but 7:30... we're pulling out of the city, as gentle but steady flakes fall on the city of Vienna. Our driver had promised as we went to meet the larger bus that the snow should intensify as we make our way up into Salzburg.

As we wind our way up the road (trying not to think of any possibility of sliding our way off of the road), the flakes become larger and the light dusting accumulates to a thick blanket, somehow balancing itself across each tree, branch-by-branch.

I've seen snow, but it was just stunning. Like nothing I've seen before. They had not had snow all winter. The men who clear the road our guide, perhaps halfway joking and halfway serious, noted were not likely available to clear the streets.

The snow began to fall more quickly as we continued our journey. Our guide turned on Mozart overhead and I just relaxed, letting the music and the white blanket overhead envelope me.

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vienna: best & wurst

2007-03-19T20:19:00.000Z

Oh yes, Euro-puns. That's right.

So we might have escaped DC's snow, but the damp cold has set in as we made our way into Vienna. There's even snow forecasted for Salzburg, although since we're just going for the day I believe we will miss it. (Darn)

Today it was all about just wandering the streets a bit. After heading to the tabaq for tickets, we took the central ring which circles the city. The tram reminded me of Amsterdam. Although, the city does not have Amsterdam's bike presence. You could see the Parliament, the palaces, and some other places we plan to visit on Wednesday.

We walked up Kartner Strasse, stopping in and out a few of the shops along the way. We ended at the Stephansdom, a beautiful Gothic cathedral. It is an imposing structure, sadly in great need of some cleansing. There is scaffolding up, so hopefully that's in the works.

There was a service in progress, so we could only watch from the immediate entrance. The church was dark, solely illuminated by candles and the faint glimmer of the sinking sun through the stained glass windows. The exterior wouldn't have led me to expect a lot, but I found myself pleasantly surprised.

I wanted to try melange, their local coffee specialty. I tell you... after these restaurants, cafes, desserts, and the like, it's going to be hard to go back to the US.

Restaurant Fuhrich - Fuhrichgasse 6

Julius Meinl, cafe

Pizzeria - Ristorante Ferrari
Salzgries 15

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