Monthly Archives: October 2008

We Love Arts
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We Love Theatre: Second Line at the Atlas

Second LineMy Lovely Wife and I went to see Second Line, by Seret Scott, at the Atlas Performing Arts Center last week. What a great show. From the show’s website:

Spanning a 20-year period of tumultuous social change, Seret Scott’s Second Line is the story of two black college students whose lives are shaped by the stormy events of the 1960s and ’70s. Bennie and JoJo are in love, but their commitment is tested by the upheaval of the civil rights movement and Vietnam.

The story chronicles a 20-year love that was certainly tested by time, as the description says, but moreso by conflict. Outwardly by the ones listed above, but more deeply by interpersonal dynamics and differing opinions on their roles in society. Was it more important to be active in achieving change in society or was it more important to keep your head down and rise from within? Is there a greater obligation to oneself or to society? How should one go about satisfying that obligation?

Continue reading →

Downtown, Life in the Capital, Talkin' Transit, WMATA
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Talkin’ Transit: Hikes and Bikes

Photo courtesy of M.V. Jantzen
Biking on Steps, courtesy of M.V. Jantzen

Lots of odds and ends for this rundown. We’ve got VRE hikes, DC bike angst, and more Metro news than you can shake a SmarTrip card at.

VRE: Looks like after some review, the VRE will not be raising fares by 15 percent in January, but only a “modest” 7 percent. Which, I’m sure for VRE households like mine is a lot easier to swallow. But it’s also more likely that we’ll see another fare hike again in July of next year. The original plan was a 10 percent bump for July along with the January spike; VRE didn’t say anything about the summer hike but with the lower rate boost in January it only makes it more likely the July hit will remain the same. Unless fuel prices drop dramatically, that is.

Continue reading →

Technology, The Daily Feed
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OLPC News 8.2 Update Happy Hour

A toast for the 8.2.0 Upgrade

A toast for the 8.2.0 Upgrade

Do you own an XO laptop? Want to upgrade it to the new Release 8.2.0 – the new software build that will roll out with G1G1 2008? Then you need to join us for an adult XO mesh:

OLPC News 8.2.0 Update Happy Hour
Thursday, Oct 16 @ 6pm
Looking Glass Lounge
3634 Georgia Ave NW (map)

Release 8.2.0 is a funky fresh update to the XO that makes it so much more usable and interesting for children and adults – a must for any OLPC supporter.

Business and Money, Talkin' Transit, The Daily Feed, WMATA
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Who’s selling Metro ads?

Photo courtesy of frozenchipmunk

foggy-metro, courtesy of frozenchipmunk

Maybe the better question should be, who’s not selling any metro ads?

For the umpteenth time today my westbound train on the orange line took me past the Dunn Loring stop and an ad for Hancock, opening July 2nd. What was a movie ad that was far past its expiration date has now aged so much that it just needs a small sticker to turn it into an early DVD release promotion.

Aside from the trauma caused by an early-morning exposure to an unshaven Will Smith in a grubby hat and bug-eye sunglasses, I am bothered by this question: there’s really not someone else willing to pay a few bucks for this spot? I suppose it’s possible the studio – in a fit of optimism – bought the space for a full 3 months past the movie’s release date, but it seems unlikely to me.

WMATA’s ads are sold primarily by CBS Outdoor, though a special marketing company handles the in-tunnel ads. The take from advertising across the system is what most of us would consider a pretty notable sum – $33,000,000 in 2007. However that comprises only 2% of WMATA’s total revenues, compared to passenger revenue of 36% and subsidies of 39%.

The question is, I think – could it be higher? I’d try to get some more information on WMATA’s advertising arrangements and dig a little to see if they’re really maximizing their return but it seems they’re unlikely to accomidate me.

The Daily Feed
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XM Staff in DC Unceremoniously Dumped


XM Satellite Radio Headquarters
Originally uploaded by Mr. T in DC

Marc Fisher reports this morning that XM Satellite Radio employees based in DC got an unpleasant surprise upon logging into the company’s payroll system this morning- they found that their last day of employment was listed as today.

So, how about that crack HR staff at Sirius XM, eh?

Aside from this being one of the worst possible times for someone to lose their job, and aside from the blow to the NoMa redevelopment efforts that Fisher mentions, the gutting of the DC XM operation is a damn shame for local XM listeners. One of my favorite things about XM is the way it’s been like a collection of really good local stations for Washington subscribers- the Ethel DJs talk about the show they caught last night at the 9:30 club, artists often stop by to do their XM Live sets on the same tour stop as their DC concert dates, and XM Comedy frequently collaborates with the DC Improv on shows, meaning that you can stumble across a lot of great local comics as you’re scanning through your XM presets. A sudden cut in XM’s DC crew puts a lot of that coverage in jeopardy.

Poor form, Mel Karmazin.

The Daily Feed, The Hill
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The last major face-off!

Image courtesy of www.politickeraz.com

Image courtesy of www.politickeraz.com

In case you live under a rock, the last of the presidential debates airs tonight at 9 p.m. EDT on all major networks. Tune in to watch the change-mavericks hack it out over domestic policy.  

In preparation, I’d suggest that you head on over to the Web site Palin as President and try and find all the hidden “easter eggs” in Palin’s oval office. The site is updated daily until November 4th.

If you’re like me and already did early voting, you have permission to tune into the REAL face-off happening tonight between Korto, Kenley and Leanne. The Project Runway finale airs tonight on Bravo at 9 p.m.

May the best fashonista… ahem… politico, win!

Life in the Capital, The District
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We Love College: 529 Plan Choices

I hope my Ziggy will be tossing a hat in 2023

I hope my Ziggy will be tossing a graduation hat in 2023, student loan free

With a Ziggy on the way, I’m now thinking long term. Like 2023, when Ziggy will be tossing a graduation cap into the air. To get there, I’m wondering which 529 College Savings Plan I should be routing all the baby shower festivities towards. Yes, I’m going to be that guy who asks for college tuition in lieu of diapers or daddy gear.

Looking around at the tri-state area, I’m surprised to see that both Virginia and Maryland have well-regarded plans, and Washington offers a sweet financial incentive to invest with the District. The question is – which should I (or you) choose?

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Basement Bathrooms are Too Far

washington dc by wayan
Photo by Wayan

I am at the District Chophouse and I have found my limit. I like basement bars but I do not like basement bathrooms.

Here you have to take an elevator down a floor to relieve yourself. That 3 minute wait matters when you are dancing on one foot.

Can there be a more inconvenient toilet placement?

Modern bathroom design fir disabled people, especially those confined to wheelchairs, is not simple. Comfort and safety are the main elements of handicapped friendly bathroom design. Selecting modern bathroom furniture and accessories, bathtub, shower with a glass shower enclosures a better and safer space, also a toilet that are comfortable and look modern, creates clever bathroom design for disabled people.
Modern bathroom design that blends attractive look, clever solutions, safe building materials and easy access are great for disabled people. The comfortable and functional layout enhance modern bathroom design for people with disabilities and the right healthcare hygiene services for the area.
Modern bathroom design ideas that are handicapped friendly require thoughtful approach and good planning. Functional, simple and elegant bathroom design should be safe and comfortable enough to use. Angles and objects or functions which could cause difficulties or even harm handicapped people should be avoided.

The entrance and exit should be simple, quick and easy. 32 to 36 inches wide entrance are comfortable for a wheelchair user. Folding and sliding doors, heavy curtains and traditional wide doors that can be easily locks and unlocks from the outside are ideal for functional, safe and modern bathroom design for handicapped people.

 

Alexandria, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital
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We Love Food: Two Nineteen

Setting

Setting, courtesy of rockygirl

I’ve been to Two Nineteen in Old Town Alexandria a few times now. And each time, sadly, has been one step less in my dining experience.

The first time I had dinner there was in May with my mother-in-law. I’d been wanting to try this French restaurant situated in an old Victorian home first built by Lewis MacKenzie and I wasn’t disappointed. The filet mignon with bearnaise sauce was exquisite, the wine was expertly chosen, and the creme brulee sublime. Since my wife appreciates fine dining as well, I resolved to return with her in tow so we could enjoy it together.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Parking Holiday on Penn


Parking Holiday on Penn
Originally uploaded by tbridge

It’s apparently still Columbus Day on Pennsylvania Avenue today, as both times I’ve tried to buy parking today, I’ve been told it’s not necessary. I figure it’s only a matter of time before I get nailed by an overzealous parking enforcer, but, if I can’t pay for parking (and even the coin slot is blocked) then I can’t really get a ticket, can I?

Petworth, The Daily Feed
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Still Buying Houses?

Are they still buying houses in this market?

Are they still buying houses in this market?

I always thought these folks were kinda fly-by-night, the “We Buy Houses” crowd. Now I wonder if they are still buying houses or if they’ve flown out in this harsh new light.

As they leave, I only hope they take their ugly signs with them. The worst are the “We Buy Ugly Houses” signs. Can someone please spank those visual polluters with a credit default swap?

Downtown, History, Interviews, Special Events, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: “Breaking News”

Courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library

A true and exact relation of the late prodigious earthquake & eruption of Mount Ætna. London, 1669

The Folger Shakespeare Library recently opened their newest exhibit Breaking News: Renaissance Journalism and the Birth of the Newspaper on September 25. The exhibit runs through January 31, 2009 and is free to the public. I recently had a delightful Q&A session with Jason Peacey, one of the exhibit’s curators and a Lecturer in History at University College London, and Amy Arden at the Folger here in DC.

Give us an idea what a visitor to the Folger’s latest exhibit should expect.

Breaking News follows the story of the newspaper from England to America. Visitors will see many things that they recognize, from the kinds of topics covered – politics, natural disasters, extreme religious sects, crime – to the actual format of newspapers from this period with headlines, columns, and serialized issues. One thing that may surprise people is how much of a role wartime reporting played in launching the newspaper; during the 1640s civil war raged in England between the supporters of the king (known as Royalists) and the supporters of Oliver Cromwell and Parliament (the Parliamentarians). Both sides produced their own accounts of the conflict and printed newspapers in an attempt to sway public opinion in their favor. It was a ripe time to be a journalist!

Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, The Daily Feed, The District, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro Says No to Bloggers

metrofail.png

I hate reading stories like these about out local agencies. It just pisses me off when arms of public entities, like Metro & WMATA, clam up in the face of blogger requests. Here’s the details:

“But WMATA’s lawyers think blogs definitely aren’t news media, even blogs like Greater Greater Washington. Why? Because they claim we don’t “publish or broadcast news to the public.” To WMATA’s lawyers, “publish” means “disseminate the information, not merely make it available,” citing Judicial Watch, Inc. v. United States Department of Justice, 185 F.Supp. 2d 54, 59 (D.D.C. 2002), and “disseminate” requires more than simply posting information on a Web site where many people go to read about newsworthy information.”

Essentially, bloggers from Greater Greater Washington sent over PARP requests (think FOIA Request, but for Metro), and Metro told them to get bent because they’re not “media.”

Metro should open doors, not shut them. It only looks worse when you turn people away.

Arlington, Downtown, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The District
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Why I Love DC: Katie

tidal basin during cherry blossoms

All the authors here at We Love DC have written essays on why they love DC. As one of the newbie authors, I was asked to follow in the same tradition. So here it is, why I love DC.

Post-college all my art school and college friends headed for New York. I, instead, decided on DC. People always asked, “Why DC, what is it about DC?” and I always would respond “Well, because it’s not New York.” Which, still, to this day, works as a great reason to love DC. I would argue that we have as many fabulous museums here, as many great free cultural things to do, yet DC is decidedly NOT New York.

New York makes me claustrophobic. The streets are so busy, the sky so crowded with buildings, the hustle and bustle more hustle than bustle. I get overwhelmed there, sensory overload, too much, too fast. I like New York in small doses, but never in long, extended stays. It hits you hard, and doesn’t stop. That is fine for my college friends, but not for me.

DC, on the other hand, is far more manageable. It has sky; you are never without seeing the sky. Blue, expansive, gorgeous sky. I never feel walled in here; you can always see up, out, and over. The streets are always crowded, but I can usually reach my arms out and spin in a circle without hitting someone. I can maintain my personal space bubble at almost all times, Metro excluded. I also love reminders that big things are happening here, every day, all day. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Jack o’ Lantern, Rodent Style


Ravaged pumpkin
Originally uploaded by tiffany bridge

We brought home a big, round, beautiful pumpkin from our CSA farm a few weeks ago. It was still covered in dirt from the field, so we left it outside, figuring that our neighbors, who adopted the tree pumpkin, were successful at preserving theirs that way.

Yeah, not so much. Apparently the neighborhood wildlife is anxious for Halloween, and decided to get a jump on the jack o’lantern carving. We returned from a weekend away to discover our pumpkin, ravaged by the local fauna.

Guess I need to send my cat, the Widowmaker, back outside to take care of the problem.

Sports Fix
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Sports Fix: A Rough Weekend

RedskinsCheerleaders.jpg
Redskins Cheerleaders by culhane

The end of the Redskins game yesterday was abysmal. Check that. The whole game yesterday was abysmal, but the end defies description. The hapless 0-4 Rams came to Washington and ended up the 1-4 Rams. That’s right, the Redskins couldn’t even beat one of the worst teams in the NFL (sorry Chris) and embarrassed themselves at Fedex in front of 90,000. And they ousted me from my suicide pool, as well. So, I’ll be carrying a grudge.

The turnovers and special teams were big gaping holes in the effectiveness of the Redskins offense. 3 fumbles, abysmal punt and kick returns, and a secondary that gave up the big play with under two minutes to go. The big play in question was a 43-yard pass on 3rd and 13, and that setup the field-goal-as-time-ran-out cliché that was dominate in the NFL this week.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, Travel
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DCA Cell Phone Waiting Area

washington dc by wayan
Photo by Wayan

If you are picking up a loved one at National Airport, say a hot pregnant wife for example, you will be sent on a circuitous route to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. An annoying drive yes, but not the stupid distant cell phone lot at IAD that is closer to Leesburg than the airport.

The DCA parking lot is packed with occupied yet idle cars on a Sunday night, reminding me of a red light district or gay cruising zone. We all stay in our vehicles till we get the private notice that its time to move on.

And I now have mine. Time to roll…

The Daily Feed
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Medstar’s Busy Weekend in DC

washington dc by wayan
Photo by scatteredView

I am dog-sitting for a friend over by Washington Hospital Center and I’m amazed at the number of MedStar flights.

Every hour at least, there is a medevac flight coming or going from WHC. Yes, its a primary trauma center for DC, but I never expected so many trauma patients are flown in. Ambulances would be the assumed transport of choice.

As I write this, another flight is coming in. Good luck to them – the patients and the pilots.

Petworth, The Daily Feed
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What If You Are a DC Kisser?

washington dc by wayan
Photo by Wayan

Walking home tonight, I saw another DC kiss in action – this time someone backed into another car, and post-crunch, sped off. That makes me wonder:

What do you do if your the DC Kisser?

Do you flee the scene as this scofflaw did, or do you stick around and say your sorry, or at least leave a note? The deviant in me says haul ass, but as a “kissed” car owner I am so glad my neighbour owned up quick.

What’s your plan of action?

Crime & Punishment, Foggy Bottom, The Daily Feed, WMATA, WTF?!
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Metro Arrest

This was the scene at Foggy Bottom Metro this afternoon as Metro Transit Police personnel pulled a guy from an Orange Line Vienna/Fairfax train and detained him, for what offense I do not know:


Larger video here.

The suspect appeared to be asleep when I first saw him, but awoke with some poking from an officer, and left the train peacefully. It was when they started to put handcuffs on him that he began struggling, so he was forced to the ground, where the apprehension — and struggling — continued. Then my train arrived and I had to stop shooting video with my cellphone.