Saturday Sighting: Obama and Me

One of the cool things about living in Washington, DC are the "celebrity" sightings. Friday I was walking down Connecticut, iPod on (learning German... "Woher kommst du?"), when a woman in a black trenchcoat and an earpiece puts her hands up, stopping the sidewalk traffic. Out from the Washington Sports Club (a local health club chain), come a group of men in black, including in a black athletic wear and a baseball cap, Obama! Off he went into his getaway vehicle. It all happened so fast.

I wasn't quite this close, but almost. This is from the Obama campaign office in the building where I work. While I vote in DC, I'm thinking of volunteering for the campaign since I spend almost 1/3rd of my current life in the swing state. Obama's looking especially shiny. It must have been the workout.

By the way, this morning while I was on my way to German class, the streets were blockaded for, I presume, Bushy. *Yawn*

Sunday Sickness: Bad Behavior, Part Deux

Ok, so if only the bad behavior ended there. Today, while Wood and I were at our favorite breakfast spot, there was a shooting down the street. Nice, huh? This is the second shooting in my neighborhood in the last two months and apparently muggings happen weekly. Welcome to the big city.

When we got on a bus, these two women started going at it, too, cussin' up a storm. I think they were having some dispute over a seat. From the looks of them, my guess was that one of them had to squeeze into a seat and accidentally sat on the other and then the daggers started flying.

To make up for bad behavior, I gave this elderly woman wearing mismatched socks on and no shoes sixty cents for the bus. While we were waiting for the bus, she proceeded to recount in detail her last several medical procedures. (I'm not sure the karma I received there was worth it.) As a veiled excuse to get away from her, I gave a dollar to one of those Street Sense guys. He proceeded to tell Wood he was blessed to have a girlfriend (a.k.a. "hot girlfriend") like me.

That was the excitement in my 'hood.

Friday Frustration: Bad Behavior

Ok, so here is a sad memorial in my neighborhood. I'm not really sure if it is a memorial per se, but someone was hurt, nonetheless.

So, am I surprised to see that a driver struck a cyclist? No. Why? Because so many people are so self-centered that they don't see other people or cyclists. I can't count the number of times that I am in a crosswalk on Columbia Road and a car speeds through it. I play a regular game of "chicken" with the cars these days, just to make a point.

Today at the gym, there was a woman alternately talking on her cell phone and texting while she was sitting on a crunch ball. Note: this is the Northeast and my gym is affordable, so that means that my gym is very small and crowded, so I'm sitting about a foot away from this woman having to crank up my iPod to drown her out.

Also today at the gym, another woman asked how many sets I had on the leg extension machine.

"I have two more."

"Two more!" She exclaims.

"I just got on."

"I was just asking." She made a face at me.

Huh?

Then on the way from the gym to the bus stop, there was a guy who decided it was alright to drive on the sidewalk. In downtown DC?

Huh?

Is it city living? Is it DC? Is it "people these days"? Or is it me?

Monday Mania: The 100th Post

Something you should know about me if you don't already. I need lots of sleep. Most of today I've been feeling the effects of my sleep deprivation. Last night my bus from NYC was an hour late, so I got home at just before midnight. So today I've been feeling pretty grouchy.

Fortunately for you, I have lots of fun pictures to share from my weekend in NYC with one of my best friends, Moya. Here is her glamorous self.

It was a rather quiet and unseasonably cool and rainy weekend, but we did see some important landmarks.

In particular... Carrie Bradshaw's apartment building on Perry Street. This brownstone in the West Village plays an apartment on the Upper East Side on TV and movies.

(Sorry for the poor color on both of these... for some reason my camera was in low res mode.) Here's a set of stairs that often doubled for her stoop, in the proper resolution. Notice they actually look brown as in brown-stone?

And another landmark... for fashionistas, er, Project Runway fans. Tim Gunn was no where to be seen.


And these next few are for my boyfriend, who likes to "eat his way" across New York. A Mexican food cart outside the Jackson Heights Subway stop in Queens.

An automat in the East Village. I promise we won't waste one of our meals on this. I guess hipsters eat there.

And a sentiment... also from the East Village.

Sunday Snapshots: The Neighborhood

Since the post I just posted (see below) was sans photos, I thought I'd share these:

Aren't these doors pretty? Sights like this are everywhere in DC, which is one thing I love about the city. I think this is an international labor union of some kind.

And you gotta love the metal elephant statue among the lilies in front of this townhouse on Biltmore. Even better is that he has these strange spikes all over him. Random statuary in DC is common, too.

Saturday/Sunday Summary: Doing Less

Part of my commitment to slowing down has been, well, less blogging. So, while we are getting some pretty killer thunderstorms (the sky is the color of peach ice cream), I'll summarize my "crazy" weekend with a few photos.

Kicking it all off, I worked late on Friday, staying until after 6pm. (During the summer, our office closes at 3:30pm on Fridays.) Then I met Wood at the gym. I had a 7pm appointment with my trainer Darryl. Later we ate at Mixtec, which was the most over-priced, bad Mexican I have ever had. In fact, I just wrote a scathing review since no bad Mexican should go unpunished. Yes, I am a snob about Mexican food. And boy, do I miss Red Iguana.

On Saturday, we slept until 11 or so and then went to get brunch at Tryst where we shared a chaipuccino, my very favorite frozen drink. It made up for the bad Mexican, but it undid the good I did with my trainer. (Not the animal crackers you get with your coffee at Tryst!)

We watched the Euro Cup at Wood's place. (The Ruskies beat the Dutch and as of the time of this posting, they will be playing the The Spainards.) Then we went grocery shopping. Wood got his blood pressure taken at the new Harris Teeter! His b.p. was at first a bit high, but we attributed that to all of the fun we were having.

Later we watched our NetFlix pic Walk the Line to which Wood commented in all seriousness, that I am his June Carter. (Awww.) I didn't let on that I do believe that is the sweetest thing he has ever said to me.

Today, we got up, watched CBS Sunday Morning and then I took a field trip to a part of town to which I have never been---a sleepy neighborhood called Brookland, near Catholic University. I was checking out some real estate, which I've been known to do, just to see what kind of interesting opportunities abound in DC.

Friday Finale: Transportation Nightmares in DC

The following two images sum up why you can't win with public transportation or parking your car in DC.

This morning there were power outages at several Metro stations and two fires at Metro Center. When I got to Farrugut West station today it looked like this: pitch dark except for the train.

Not to mention that we had a derailment on Monday.

And here's the other curiosity: DC Parking Enforcement. Notice where the car is parked.

No wonder I got so many tickets when I had a car.

Saturday/Sunday Senses: A Sunny Day in NYC

My younger brother Nick and I went to NYC for the weekend. Straddled by two rather rainy days, Saturday was absolutely glorious! I'd never taken the Staten Island Ferry, so he, his friend Amanda and I did. Here's a terrific shot from the ferry, just in case you didn't believe how perfect of a day it was.

Earlier that day we stumbled upon Trinity Church, also looking gorgeous in such lush surroundings.
Right as we walked through the grounds we heard wedding bells. I love how urban this wedding looks. Goes to show there are surprises around every corner in Manhattan.

Wildcard Wednesday: Prince of Petworth

My younger brother is coming to town tomorrow. In fact, he's getting on a flight in less than three hours. So I'm running around getting ready.

I was reading the blogs I regularly read and I wanted to point you to one that I love for its simplicity in its appreciation of the everyday in DC and its role as a community builder.

Check out Prince of Petworth, if you have a chance. I aspire to be this guy.

Wildcard Wednesday: Warehouse Theatre

Here's where I went last night: The Warehouse Theater.

I went to what can be described as an open-mic for performing arts. It was mostly dance, really. Works in progress. Mostly modern dance. Some solo routines. All about the length of a pop song. A discussion with the choreographers ensued afterwards, but I had to get home on a school night.

The Warehouse Theater has been called "An Avant-Garde Kennedy Center." It's mostly empty at the moment as they are slowly shutting down this location due to rising property taxes and will relocate in Columbia Heights. You can read all about that here.

There are still a few things going on there. The next of these "open mic" nights is Tuesday, June 3rd. $5 is a good price for a fair amount of entertainment value and for an hour or two that feels like you are no longer in DC.

Thirsty Thursday: Bizarro Sights around DC

On my way to work yesterday... Another protest taking place in front of the "Hinkley Hilton." They weren't protesting the other white meat.


On the way home Tuesday, at Connecticut and K Street. This demolition has been taking place for over a month. The slowest demolition EVER!!!

Here's the same building two weeks ago. Different angle, and more intact. I've heard of halting con-struction because of funding, but halting de-struction? Bizarro, indeed.

Monday Mallardy: Chatty Girls

Wood and I caught Mr. and Ms. Mallard hanging out in a fountain near the U.S. Navy Memorial. I love how they make the city their own. After all, it was 80 degrees out. Time for a swim.

I don't know what Ms. Mallard is chatting about in this pic, but the Mr. doesn't seem particularly engaged. Perhaps he is thinking about sex or food. I guess gendered relationships are universal across the species. My girl cat Lucky is quite a chatty catty, too. Romeo on the other hand is very cuddly, but not very talkative, but sometimes I think that's because he's the big, sweet, slow boy in the class. (And he's quick to pounce on Lucky but as he is neutered, I'm not sure if he understands why he pounces.)

Wood can attest to my regularly talking his ear off, and he's a good sport about it, God bless him.

Saturday/Sunday Scenarios: States, Scientology and Suburbs

Notes from this weekend.

On Friday, my galpal Jessica and I had dinner at a great little Peruvian joint Inti. Half-way through our shared flan, I realized it had become a miniature custard version of the United States (including Hawaii!)

Saturday, on our way through Dupont Circle, Wood and I encountered a lively anti-Scientology protest. As you might guess, taking place in front of the Church of Scientology at 20th and R St.

Sunday, Wood and I went on a field trip to the end of the Orange Line in Vienna to meet up with his pal James to look at bikes at REI and have a hearty burger at Five Guys. James rather innocently described the area as having "everything you need" since the new construction everywhere you looked had a Safeway and Blockbuster and a Romano's Macaroni Grill within a stone's throw. Throughout the day, Wood and I had been contemplating our possible future home base and decided it definitely was NOT going to be in Fairfax County. I'm thankful every day that my sweet and amazing boyfriend have the same sensibilities and aversions in this regard.

Upon returning to "the District," we were approached at a bus stop by a woman who asked us, "What do you think about the European colonization's effect on the African mind?" We discussed it with her as well as a native Chinese guy who was in town on vacation where he lives (San Francisco). As odd as it was, we decided the daily assault was preferable over the slow death of the strip mall.

Monday Musing: Starbucks Story

I frequent the Starbucks around the corner from my office and near the Balston Metro station at 901 N. Stuart Street in Arlington. There is a big, white guy with brown hair, probably mid to late twenties. When he first started working there, I remember asking for a "skinny" peppermint mocha.

"You know what a skinny is?"

Having ordered "skinny" lattes since he was a pimply pre-teen, I paused and said "Yessss. It has skim milk." This I know because I am from the west coast, and long ago in southern California I remember hearing drinks ordered that way. After all, people in L.A., of course would be the first to call something "skinny."

"No, it's with sugar-free syrup and skim milk." This snot-nosed barista informed me. Boy was I schooooled.

Little did he know that Starbucks had only co-opted the term to promote its own lo-cal drinks. (See its December press release.) Coffee dictionaries offer my definition. By the way, for "the skinny" and some venti-ing on the subject check out the Starbucks Gossip.

Anyhoo.... That was a few months ago...

Today, I ordered my same drink which despite having ordered it about a thousand times, I only have finally gotten down how to order it, so I don't stand there grasping for adjectives ("Peppermint, skim, mocha.... uh, tall or is it tall, mocha, skim milk, shot of Peppermint?)

"Tall, SKIM, Peppermint Mocha, please"

And Mr. Snot-nose asks me, I assume politely, since I haven't been schooled for at least a few months, "Do you want whipped cream?"

"No, thank you."

"Well, you should really SAY that."

Huh? I'm getting corrected on my order again? Who's paying whom here?

What a wake up.

Thirsty Thursday: Long Shadows

While today was a shadowless day, I'm glad that we're at the time of year where I can start catching end-of-the day photos like this one. This is me standing waiting for the 96 bus. If you are getting the impression that I take a lot of public transportation, then you would be right. Welcome to the big city.

Food Glorious Food

This post has a one-track mind.

Yesterday, about 24 hours into my fast, on my way back from the Yes! Organic Market (per my last post), I caught a whiff of the strongest garlic aroma coming from one of the many restaurants along the 1800 block of Columbia Road. I kept walking and kept breathing it in for a good block. I wondered if my body was newly sensitized to such an amazing scent. This is the approximate location of its source:

As a practical matter, today I began to plan out my meals for the week. I even decided it was time to introduce my body to something other than my "master cleanse" lemonade, so as to not shock my system tomorrow, so I had a piece of fruit and a yogurt smoothie. As part of my menu planning, I rented a Zipcar and drove to Whole Foods with the grocery list I generated by reading "The Idiot's Guide to Detoxifying Your Body." Now, Whole Foods is usually kind of a treat, and today, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Everything looked good.

I decided I was going tell my penny-counting self not to worry about cost. For that matter, Whole Foods really isn't exorbitant for what you get. It was more the "start up costs" of eating healthfully, that I knew would add up. It wasn't so much the fruits and veggies (although I did buy a yam that cost me *gulp* almost $5), but the miso, the tahini, and the flaxseed. Yeah, I'm just beginning to figure out how to use these things, but I tried to go forth with cooking confidence! This, I'm sure is laughable to friends of mine, like my dear friend Kristen who having given up hope on my ability to make multi-course meals, bought me a cookbook on appetizers a few years ago.

Anyway, I got out of there with a fair amount of stuff and not too outrageous a grocery bill ($61). Add to that the Zipcar ($9 for the hour, plus a late fee of $50 since I wasn't allowed to extend my reservation) Ouch. Ok, I wasn't planning on this grocery trip costing me a RT ticket to NYC, but oh well. It was a stupid expense on my part. Like getting a parking ticket or backing into something. Next time I'm taking the Metro or I'll just walk to my local organic market.

65 Degrees: Unexpected Signs of Life

While I've been running from the cold and running for the 42 Mount Pleasant bus lately, tonight I enjoyed a leisurely and comfortable stroll home. The unintended effect was that I caught the sights you only notice when your heads not down as you brace yourself from the cold and as you mutter to yourself. (I'm beginning to understand why East Coasters are often portrayed this way, being a pedestrian culture that has reliably crappy weather.)

So, things I noticed at approximately 8pm tonight:
1) These completely bare trees, lit up everywhere but where you'd usually find leaves. And then a few steps away....

2) A middle class black woman sitting on the ground across from the homeless guy who lives between the Krispy Kreme and the south entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro stop. She appeared to be visiting with him. He was staring off into space and she was looking right at him. It didn't look or sound like they were having a conversation.

3) A guy in cycling garb who had stopped his bike on the edge of the Dupont Circle fountain and was using old-style resistance equipment (like the metal kind with coils) to do bicep curls.

I'm happy to report these signs of life.

Random or Not?

On my way home from the gym tonight, I came across a dozen or so photos like this scattered on the sidewalk just outside the Dupont Circle Metro. They were b&w and of various couples. Clearly staged.

Did someone drop them accidentally or intentionally?

No one else seemed to notice.