‘White Chocolate Pot de Creme, Masa 14’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’
So you might get stuck with pizza seasoning when you wanted something else. However Sargent Stradanko reminds you that if it’s oregano you can use it in your soup.
By Don
Monthly Archives: August 2010
By Don
By shannon
Capital Bikeshare Coming Soon!
‘so smart.’
courtesy of ‘m hoek’
Capital Bikeshare has been slated to start up in September, and with September starting tomorrow they’re showing that they’re right on track. ARLnow reports that construction has begun on Arlington’s first Capital Bikeshare station in Crystal City, and NBC 4 got a tour of the warehouse where all the bikes are getting ready for service. The bikes are looking spiffy, and the station signs and maps look great too. The goal is to have everything up and running by mid-September, so get excited to see how the whole system comes together over the next couple of weeks.
Update: Thanks to Dan from BeyondDC for letting us know about their fantastic photo set that shows the installation of the first station from start to finish!
By Tom Bridge
The Stalking of Peter Nickles
It’s an open secret that the Attorney General lives in Great Falls, VA and not in the downtown apartment that he rents to maintain his residency in DC that is required by the DC Code, and this isn’t the first time it’s been talked about in this fashion. However, a new video on YouTube (shown above) takes the stalking of Peter Nickles to a whole new level, as the maker of the video tracked Nickles’ evening movements with a video camera to his home in Great Falls on a number of summer nights.
Would it be nice if Nickles had the desire to live in the District? Yes, definitely. But stalking him seems like a creepy way to accomplish what we’re looking at, here.
By Jenn Larsen
We Love Arts: In the Next Room or the vibrator play
Eric Hissom and Katie deBuys in “In the Next Room or the vibrator play.” Photo credit: Stan Barouh.
Ah, the Victorians! Always keeping the naughty bits tightly corseted. Such control freaks. At least, that’s our view of them now. It might come as a shock to learn about such inventions as the “electric massager,” on the scene in the 1870’s to relieve the frayed nerves of delicate housewives suffering from mysterious bouts of anxiety. Even more of a shock to learn before the dawn of the electrical age, physicians alleviated such symptoms of their patients the um, old-fashioned way, through manual manipulation. Yet somehow the resulting “paroxysms” and the accompanying relief were seen as strictly therapeutic and not erotic. Masters of keeping the physical and the sexual realms separate, those Victorians. One side Health, the other Damnation.
MORE: The history of humans sexual fantasies and exploration is a rich subject. The use of sex toys has been recorded hundreds of years ago, which makes dildos and vibrators available today on local stores and even online from sex shops like Plug Lust is not surprising. Read more on the topic with articles published by Fiona Petree.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company‘s 2010-2011 season is titled “A Striptease for Your Subconscious” – and if the first play out of the gate is any indication, this is going to be one wild ride. In the Next Room, or the vibrator play explores this acutely private dance between the physical and the sexual, between control and release. Yes, it’s a play about a male scientist/physician using a primitive vibrator on his female patients (and one male) to bring them to orgasm in order to restore the bloom in their cheeks, and yes there are several scenes depicting this, but there’s a lot more going on. Playwright Sarah Ruhl dances on the edge of fairy tale, weaving the mythology of feminine awakening with just enough sweetness to win over any prudish audience member. The final moment of reveal and revelation might still shock some, but its daringness is rather beautiful.
In the Next Room or the vibrator play presents us with a seemingly ill-matched couple – the practical man of science Dr. Givings (a briskly authoritative Eric Hissom) and his wife, the charmingly impulsive Catherine (a radiant Katie deBuys). Sense and sensibility, these two. The doctor plies his trade in the next room, protecting his wife from his work and denying her the deeper affection she craves. The love they share is blocked, just as the unseen walls separate the doctor’s operating room from the drawing room, as the society separates the physical from the erotic. Into their circle weave other blocked lives, some comical, others heart-wrenching. Continue reading
By shannon
How to Use an Escalator in DC
‘Escalator Equalizer’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’
We love to hate escalators here in DC, particularly when they’re broken down or when tourists are blocking your path as you just miss your train. And since Metro can’t post signs telling people to stand right and walk left (remember why?), this escalator frustration was just something we had to learn to live with and silently stew over.
Enter howtouseanescalatorindc.com. Offering such brilliant tips as “DC escalator = think politics: Left = move forward, Right = obstruct path, Middle = no one likes a centrist make up your damn mind”, this site is the perfect outlet for escalator frustration. I can’t count how many times I’ve wanted to shout at a tourist, “YOU KNOW ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO GOT ON BEFORE YOU AND WALKED UP QUICKLY? THEY WERE NOT IN AN EXERCISE CLASS. MOVE OUT OF OUR WAY” and now someone else has finally said it for me.
Thank you, howtouseanescalatorindc.com, for finally writing what we’ve all been screaming in our heads for years.
By shannon
Nation’s Tri Needs Volunteers Next Weekend
‘DSC_5440’
courtesy of ‘photopete’
The Nation’s Triathlon is Sunday, September 12, and it will shut down many roads downtown. So since you can’t really won’t be able to go anywhere Sunday morning, why not volunteer to help out with the race? Volunteers are needed Thursday through Sunday for a variety of roles.
What do you get out of it? Well, aside from the knowledge that you’re helping others have a great race experience, the race organizers have really sweetened the deal. For volunteering, you’ll get a Nation’s Tri shirt and hat, a volunteer gift, complimentary food and drink, and a Volunteer Appreciation Party on Sunday night. Sign up today!
By Tom Bridge
Anwan “Big G” Glover not actually fired by WKYS
‘”Big G”‘
courtesy of ‘Howard Dickins’
In a statement from WKYS program director Neke Howse, the station cleared the air concerning the rumored firing of on-air personality Anwan “Big G” Glover, she said that Big G will return to Sunday nights after the election. “Big G was not fired, and I’m happy to report that he is still an employee of WKYS,” Howse said. She called the allegation of Vincent Gray’s influence in any action “simply not true.”
WKYS seems to have suspended Big G in light of his endorsement of Mayor Fenty, but due to a station policy concerning the endorsement of political candidates over the airwaves by individual personalities, not due to the involvement of Vincent Gray.
This has been your tempest-in-a-teapot update.
By shannon
DC Mythbusting: Back to School Edition
‘Field trip’
courtesy of ‘clio1789’
It’s back to school time here at DC Mythbusting! Our pencils are sharpened and we’ve got our Trapper Keepers ready (they still use those, right?), and we’re ready to bust some school-related myths. The District’s schools get a bum rap: they’re often cited as the worst-performing schools in the country, and there’s an impression of hordes of students leaving the system for greener pastures (which are typically the suburbs or DC charter schools). But are the country’s worst schools here in DC? And is DC the worst school district in the country? And finally, are students really leaving in hordes?
By shannon
Another Great Vantage Point
‘free-dome’
courtesy of ‘christaki’
You already know what we think the five best vantage points in the city are, but there’s one that didn’t make the list the first time around that must be added: the top of the Capitol dome. See that little railing in the image above? You can get up there! It’s a bit of a tricky process as you’ll need to contact your congressional representative to set it up, and a member of Congress has to actually lead the tour. You’ll also have to sign a waiver that releases the Capitol from liability in the event that you tumble down the 300-plus stairs.
The tour is absolutely amazing: your tour guide will explain the history of the Capitol, and you’ll stop at various spots inside to see the view from inside the dome (you’ll have to resist the urge to drop things on the unsuspecting tourists below). But the really stunning part is when you get up to the very top of the Capitol at that railing– you can walk outside and see the most perfect view of the city.
By Quadruple the lion cubs, quadruple the fun
‘National Zoo Celebrates Birth of Four Lion Cubs’
courtesy of ‘Smithsonian’s National Zoo’
Sometime between 10:30 last night and 2:30 this morning, Shera, one of the National Zoo’s female lions, gave birth to four lion cubs. FOUR CUBS, guys! Zoo staff is monitoring the family and the cubs appear to be eating, moving around, and generally healthy. Keepers do not expect the cubs to emerge from the cubbing den into the yard until late fall, so you won’t be able to see them if you visit the National Zoo until then, but you know if we get photos from the Zoo we’ll post them immediately for your procrastination enjoyment.
It’s also common for lion cub births to be spaced several hours apart, so the keepers are watching to see if there might be more cubs from Shera. Shera’s sister, Nababiep, is also suspected to be pregnant (no high-fiving the Zoo’s male lion, guys) so there could be even more cubs coming soon.
UPDATE: Now with video goodness:
By Samer Farha
Call for Your Next Train
‘See-thru Metro #2’
courtesy of ‘ianseanlivingston’
Metro is set to unveil a new service later today where you can call them to find out when your next train arrives.
In order to use the service, you would call Metro’s information line (202-637-7000) and say “Next Train”. The system will prompt you to say the name of your station, and if a station has more than one line, to say the line you want.
Metro is continuing its effort to expand the ways that riders can get information. “Metro is working to help customers make an informed decision about their travel plans by providing them with multiple ways to get up-to-the-minute train information,” says Metro GM Richard Sarles. I suppose, in the absence of trains running more frequently, know when they are coming is the next best thing.
Oh, and in case you need some help understanding how to use the service, Metro has this YouTube video that’s sure to help. I’m guessing they didn’t use Renderman for that.
By Ashley
Food Truck Tracker
‘CH Day 2010 Food Trucks’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
Looks like everyone’s still on vacation (hello…some of us still have to work in August!) but you DOT folks are going to luck out today–Lobster Truck is in your ‘hood! Remember to drink plenty of fluids while in line.
By We Love Music: Amphetamine Reptile Records 25th Anniversary Bash
all photos by author.
I think it is obvious, from all of my writing about it, that I love music. As you probably know, I try to share write-ups of all the great concerts that I go to in the DC area with you here at We Love DC. The shows that I share here represent about half of the shows that I see annually. I also spend a lot of time traveling the country and sometimes the world attending special concert events like Spiritualized at Radio City Music Hall, or Hallo Gallo (Michael Rother + Friends of Neu!). These shows don’t always get written about because I consider them my vacations. Some shows though are just so rare and unique that I feel compelled to share them here, even if they have nothing to do with DC. Such is the case with my trip to Minneapolis last weekend to attend the Amphetamine Reptile Records’ 25th Anniversary Bash.
Amphetamine Reptile Records is an indie record label that specializes in a particular brand of aggressive, depraved, barrier-busting rock and roll known as noise-rock. The bands on Am Rep pushed the noisier tendencies of hardcore and metal into a thousand different directions at once, producing some of the most creative, exciting, and challenging music known to man. Infamous for their crazed personalities and stage antics and famous for their musical innovation, the artist stable at Am Rep contains some of the most influential rockers you’ve never heard of. Grunge, alternative metal, and math-rock (just to name a few) would not be the same (or possibly have even existed) without Am Rep path-finders like The Thrown-ups, Hammerhead, Helmet, and Today Is The Day. Am Rep consistently put out amazing records that defined the noise-rock genre during their 15-year golden age. Since 2000, the label has been semi-retired, returning to the deep underground, releasing the occasional 7″, 12″ or album. Noise-rock is a genre near and dear to my heart, and Amphetamine Reptile Records is without question my favorite record label of all time. So when they announced that a slew of defunct Am Rep bands were reuniting in Minneapolis to celebrate the label’s 25th anniversary, I had the trip booked before my wife even had a chance to return my call to discuss it. If there is one concert worth being in doghouse for, it was this one.
Continue reading
By Dave Levy
Mike Wise Will Accept One Month WaPo Suspension For Dumb Twitter Stunt
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Yesterday, Mike Wise of the Washington Post and The Fan wanted to prove a point about how people use Twitter, and how people will believe anything a credible source tells them on the social network. For his experiment, he tweeted out some fairly believable rumors that he had fabricated, and watched as several respected sources ran with the news. Then he had to apologize (“I’m sorry you felt that way”) for his irresponsible journalism and being an idiot.
Abusing the trust of his followers and the Post’s social media guidelines does in fact have its consequences, as Wise just announced on his radio show that he will accept a one-month suspension from his employer. He was trying to point out that the Twitter universe has a different sense of credibility; all that he proved was that many journalists still don’t get how this culture works.
By Kirk
PEPCO Continues to Suck
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
According to a tipster, readers on South Capitol and 2nd St SW may be without power from 8pm to 7:30am tonight due to transformer repairs in the area. This is all well and good, except that PEPCO neglected to notify customers in the neighborhood that they would be without lights or AC, this evening. The reader that reported this saw some PEPCO repairmen in the area and asked them what was going on. They informed her of the maintenance work and she called the power company, who was kind enough to inform her that her house would be affected. After a search around PEPCO’s website and an odyssey through their multiple, automated and impenetrable customer support lines, I can find no listing of scheduled outages or maintenance. This means that customers are not being notified that their service will be interrupted. But then again, why should PEPCO have to tell you peons about that kind of stuff. It’s not like anyone needs power, or anything.
By Samer Farha
Featured Photo
‘beetle’
courtesy of ‘dr_kim_veis [”o ]’
The VW Beetle. An icon of design, a symbol of a generation, and captured here in all its glory on film.
Flickr pool contributor dr_kim_veis [”o ] uses film well, capturing the Beetle with tones that are hard to replicate using a digital camera. The square format and the smilie sticker just add that excellent finishing touch to this shot.
By Kirk
“Honor” doesn’t Include Bag Taxes
For our second Glenn Beck rally related post of the day (forgive me) the GW Hatchet reports that a pair of rally goers didn’t take kindly to DC’s tyrannical bag tax:
“Though the rally was a mostly peaceful gathering, two rally attendees got into a heated argument with an employee at the GW Deli over the D.C. bag tax, which ultimately resulted in the tea party member throwing a sandwich in the deli employee’s face.”
The deli employee, obviously being the author of said bag tax, was a perfectly reasonable target for anti-tax rage. The rally goes, being voting members of the District of Columbia, had every right to be angry. All in all, an entirely measured and well reasoned outcome.
I nominate Eric Johnson and Meegs Benavidez
By Ashley
Casa Nonna to Open Soon
‘Red Pistou Pasta With Shrimp’
courtesy of ‘Tschi’
From the folks behind BLT Steak comes Casa Nonna, an Italian restaurant opening this September. Located south of Dupont Circle, the restaurant will have a Roman influence both in the food and the decor. Think terra cotta floors, oak in the bar and lounge, tables built using reclaimed white oak and trattoria-style chairs that will make you think you’re lounging in the Piazza Navona.
At the helm will be Executive Chef Amy Brandwein, a Roberto Donna protege most recently of Fyve in Pentagon City. Her menu will focus on local and seasonal ingredients, but will be all Italian, all the time. Dishes will be served both a la carte and family style and will include house-made pasta and Neopolitan-style pizza fired in their mosaic-tiled pizza oven.
They plan to open in the next few weeks in the former California Pizza Kitchen space at 1250 Connecticut Ave., NW.
By Patrick Pho
We Love DC Does Top Chef DC: Episode 11
Photo from Bravo TV
Sure it’s a tad late for a recap of last week’s Top Chef DC, but this feature-length article also includes some interesting tidbits from Karen Lange, one of the lucky tasters that was at Nationals Park during taping.
The Never Ending Cycle of Craziness Amongst Cheftestants
We knew Angelo would be a headcase from day one but at the beginning of the episode Amanda reveals more details about Angelo’s strange quirks: daily affirmations, talking to himself, and creating altars of his idols that he prays to:
“When I was young, I used to cut out pictures of all the famous four-star chefs. I’d light candles, and every single day I’d like kneel and go pray before them.”
Angelo you have taken the weird on the show to a whole new level: matras while you cook, daily affirmations, maybe you should stop giving advice to the other contestants and try helping yourself.
It almost makes you wish Alex was still on the show.
By shannon
So You’re Saying We’re Nerds?
‘Geek/Nerd/Dork/Dweeb Venn Diagram’
courtesy of ‘yat86’
We already knew that we’re rich, smart vegetarians, but now we’re officially nerds, too. The DC metropolitan area is the third brainiest city in America (after Denver and Durham), based on our numbers of computer science and math degree recipients, science degree recipients, and grad students. And if you’re really into the numbers and statistics (which we’re guessing you are, since you’re most likely a nerd), you can check out all the data that matches up DC against other cities.