Photo by DC Metroblogger

Could you do his job? Could you hang out over I Street NW, 10 floors up, suspended only by two thin ropes?

Could you then focus on cleaning my window? Clear your mind of distractions and daydreams that might get you killed?

Could you then do it again and again, untold number of times over untold number of days?

I know I couldn’t. That first step, the leaning out over traffic 100ft below, that would freeze me in fear, never mind the washing.

Props these men then deserve, for they clean where I fear, clearing my view for distractions and daydreams.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Jessica Stover grew up around here, on the south side of the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, and now she’s hoping to take on Hollywood and get her movie made. She’s a screenwriter who’s decided that pretty much everything that the film industry is putting out there is complete and utter crap:

Dear Studios, You have failed me repeatedly. In place of a refund for every terrible movie you have tricked me into, I instead require that you show me a very great film done very well. Luckily, some people tell good stories that stick with you and they will make us a movie. Of course I’m speaking of Stover and TSL. The end. PS: Stover says she’s my new friend for life and I believe her because it’s true. PPS: Basic Instinct 3, really?

Using the new social service Eventful Demand she’s asking for demands to have her write her epic masterpiece for the silver screen. Now, I dunno about you, but sticking it to Hollywood for some of the utter trash they’ve put out lately sounds great to me, and helping a local lass to gain fame and fortune sounds like a good start to me.

Demand Jessica Mae Stover in your DC with eventful.com!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Cindy Sheehan’s “Camp Casey” is moving to DC this September to become “Camp Democracy” at “Fort Fedup” on the Mall. Great.

Just great.

Another national movement who seeks redress from their government through means that seek to deprive the local populace of their resources. It’s not just that I disagree with Sheehan (though I do), or that I think she’d do well with some real grief counseling (which she could use), or even that those who are using her grief for their own personal needs ought to be ashamed (which they should), but that for the most part, movements that descend on DC do little for those of us who actually live here.

For us, they are sound and fury often signifying nothing. It’s not that we’re not involved in issues, far from it, but those of us who are here realize how little an encampment in front of the White House or the Capitol or on the Mall do. Despite the massive immigration protests in May and April, where are we on the issue? Nowhere. Despite massive marches on cities across the US, are we any closer to resolving Iraq? Nope. WTO and World Bank protests? No results.

But yet, still they come and march on DC. Seeking redress.

What will they find?

Update:

David Swanson from the Camp Democracy group has said they’ll be between 3rd and 7th on the Mall, and also between the American History Museum and the Washington Monument. Apparently he also has an inflated idea of how many people will show up. Here’s hoping they can keep out of the kickball/softball games.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

“Bob, where do you think our man hole is?”

“Well Dave, I’m not sure, I know its somewhere around here but they just repaved this road, and I think they buried our hole.”

“Yep, guess they did. Looks like we’ll have to dig it up.”

“Alright, I’ll get the jack hammer.”

“Great way to start Friday, jack hammering at 7am.”

“Yeah, Bob, it is. But at least we don’t have to fill this hole today.”

“Right, let’s leave that for next week.”

“Better yet, let’s just leave it.”

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

While you might be cheering for France or Italy right about now, DC has its own World Cup going down in Adams Morgan.

Two teams in fancy uniforms are dueling it out at the soccer field behind Calvert Street. Teams that have no care that the field was once a cemetary.

As one player said when I asked: “I worry more about the people 4 feet above the ground than those 4 feet under it.”

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

This is the first time I’ve been reminded by wall-scratchings to keep myself in the moment and stay mindful.

It does bring up an interesting point. I don’t think I’m alone in liking the Metro’s signage letting me know how soon the train is coming, but aside from scratching that desire to know, how useful is the information? I’d say 99 times out of 100 I’m going to continue to wait for it and not change my plans. So what’s the point of the knowledge beyond playing along with our modern need to know How and When even if that information really leaves us no more informed than before?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

President Bush graced RFK with his presence last night, supervising the 5-2 loss to the Padres, along with Condi Rice and Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. However, like many Washington fans, it’s said he left in the 7th inning. Mr. President, I know the Nats aren’t the greatest team in baseball, but really, you used to be part owner of a team, shouldn’t you stay til the end of the game? Isn’t that the whole point?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Despite their really amazing website and the promise of a State Fair/Carnival atmosphere, I just couldn’t justify to myself that $15 is what it would take to get inside the Atlas District’s newest bar/attraction, Palace of Wonders. I love Americana, and the sideshow carnival is absolutely a core and interesting part of that subcultural interest. Even though Trixie Little was there to stamp her approval on this pseudo-burlesque outfit, I just couldn’t do it.

I just can’t get excited enough to pay that much money to make it through the front door. Call me when the crowds subside, and I’ll make it my own.

Besides. I need more exercise before I can handle a corndog.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Now let’s imagine that you are a wanna-be Olympic-distance triathlete, and after your morning bike ride through Rock Creek Park, you decide to complete your brick workout with a nice run up through the National Zoo.

Usually this means charging uphill from Rock Creek to Connecticut in a blur of sweat and breath that makes the waddlers coming down hill cringe in pain. That is when it’s not Taishan’s birthday.

Today, it was total stroller derby as wave upon wave of panda passionate parents bore down on me from the heights of Connecticut Avenue, their brood clutching panda dolls, wearing panda stickers, and yapping panda facts.

And once I reached Connecticut, the waves did not abate. Up they streamed from Woodley Park Metro (even though Cleveland Park Metro is closer) filling the sidewalks on both sides of the streets. Even when back in Mt Pleasant I could not run the sidewalks, they were long ago usurped by baby strollers and baying kids.

Today, it’s total panda-monium at the National Zoo.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

While you’re in Lafayette Square teasing Code Pink Fasters with Ben’s Chili Bowl goodness, check out what this craftsman is up to.

He’s chipping away at granite, deepening the inscription on the monuments to make up for the slow loss of stone to acid rain.

Slowly, surely, he is remarking our national treasures in the timeless manner of a stone mason. If you see him at work, stop and ask about his work.

You might just learn something.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Mark your calendars for Wednesday nights the next six weeks at NIH Presents Science in the Movies featuring six Hollywood films that have dealt with significant issues in Science and Technology over the last few years. The movies are free to the first 400 people who claim tickets at the amazingly swank AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring.

Each movie will run, complete with subtitles in some cases, starting at 7pm starting next Wednesday and continuing for six more Wednesdays through July and August.

The films are:

July 12th – Copenhagen

July 19th – Citizen X

July 26th – Dirty Filthy Love

August 2nd – My Sister’s Keeper

August 9th – Smile

August 16th – Wit

Better still, each movie will be followed by a lecture on the topic featured in the movie, by an expert pre-eminent in their field. Enjoy the free movie, learn some stuff afterwards. Sounds like a great idea to me. See you at the movies!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Are you headed to Park Plaza anytime soon? Maybe late at night or during a massive thunderstorm?

If so, I wouldn’t suggest trying to enter the giant apartment complex at Columbia Road and 16th Street NW through the Columbia Road entrance.

Right about now that doorway is full of debris while it is widened and you’ll have better luck with the smaller and almost hidden entrance off Rat Harvard Park.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

While you are feeling the extra hot dogs from Tuesday, down at the White House the Code Pink crew are starving themselves. As Troops Home Fast they are now on Day 4 of different levels of fasts.

From hard core only water to fasting in turns, they are going Gandhi to try and effect change at the house in their view. This weekend you might wanna stop by and say “Hi”.

Bottled water or big-ass cheeseburger is up to you.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

… and finds it wanting… (please be aware that the language in this entry could be classified as “sailor-grade swearing.”

But I have to admit, despite attending DCist’s excellent party for the little guy last night, I can’t give a flying fuck about a baby panda. Seriously. It’s a baby panda. It’s moderately cute. But really, are panda bears that damned interesting that there is a whole reservation system just to see them? I just don’t get it.

Maybe someone can explain to me the lure of the pandas in the comments here, because, really, people, Pandas. Seriously. What the fuck?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Are you having afternoon hungers? Might you need a chocolate fix or a sugar rush this Friday afternoon?

Then check out the new girl’s candy bowl at my work. Complete with Hershey Bars, Snickers and even Sweet Tarts and Blow Pops, it’s a teen’s dream and my dentist’s nightmare. I bet its way better than your M&M-only bowl at your office front desk.

Yes, I took a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup while taking this photo – man cannot live on bread and water alone!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I pulled up behind this vehicle yesterday while running some errands and took a picture because I was so tickled by the design, not to mention jealous over how much easier that would be on my back. In an interesting bit of synchronicity I just came across this article in Wired about bikes that are not usable in the Tour de France… and there’s this model at #6.

Despite what seems like a more pleasant riding experience – and I’m just guessing here since I haven’t tried one – I don’t see a lot of recumbents around. Is that a reflection on their popularity in general, the nature of the riding areas around here, our average demographic or just my head in the sand?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I’d say Harris Teeter’s reputation as an upscale grocery is in danger.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Let’s say you’re at the newly rebuilt Argyle Convenient Store at the corner of Mt Pleasant Ave and Park Road NW and you have an itch. You even got the urge to scratch. Now you can do it automatic like the Tik Tok Easy Shop.

Yep, the DC Lottery now has lottery ticket vending machines.

Similar to the auto lotto machines I saw in San Francisco, I am surprised that a over 18 activity can be so easily accessed by youth. Not that lottery addiction, like say smoking, is a major juvenile problem, I am surprised that in this slot machine defeating town, the DC Lottery got approval for the kid-friendly machines.

I just hope that if Junior does manage to buy and win, he gets an adult to claim the prize pronto. Learning that D.C. Lottery winners have $2.6 million in unclaimed prize money makes me sick.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

So, a friend of mine sent me a note about Jesse McCartney‘s upcoming XM gig. Next Wednesday, he’s doing a live gig at XM Radio, and apparently if you email live at xmradio.com, with JESSE MCCARTNEY in the subject line you can go, too. The event’s over at their DC studio.

My problem is that I haven’t the foggiest idea who this kid is.

Seriously.

Someone help me.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Dear Ms. Mizeur,

Congratulations on your very impressive political website. It is quite first rate, all Flash animation that takes a few minutes to load, even on my fast connection, and plays video without my prompt, perfect for office viewing.

And while that photo of the Silver Spring(?) Metro Station in the background of your main page really expresses your stand on the issues of our day, I have to say you might want to rethink one small aspect of your online campaign presence; your Google ads.

I see them on the site I write for, http://dc.metblogs.com and while I can understand your desire to identify with Maryland, hence the big flag, you may want to make sure said flag is in focus.

The blurry image, especially one so large and prominent, might make great fodder for an opponent’s attack ads: “Ms. Mizeur – out of foucus, just like her Google ads”

Sincerely,
A District Resident

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs