Driving up 395 in the morning, right past the Pentagon, I always remember that I’m going to work inside a giant bulls-eye, just a few blocks from the White House, and just a short distance from the Capitol. Of course, now there’s a Google Maps Hack that will show you just how much damage various nuclear weapons would do to the metropolis. 100 Kilotons of nuclear detonation would pretty much level the city. One megaton would pretty much destroy the whole area.

Creepy.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Now, I realize this is more a post for the currently-non-existant Baltimore Metblog, but this is earthshaking to all those Baltimore fans out there who are DC residents. Rafael Palmeiro, who just stroked his 3000th hit will be suspended for steroid use later today, according to a source inside ESPN. Palmeiro recently appeared before the witch hunt Congressional tribunal, and denied such use. This could be a huge problem if Congress decides to consider Palmeiro in contempt of Congress for lying to them in the hearings earlier this year, and given local douchebag congresscritter Tom Davis’ (R-Vienna, VA) stance on such things, it’s entirely possible he could be jailed or fined for his testimony.

Either way, bad week for the O’s, bad week for baseball. Let’s just hope that Congress decides to leave well enough alone…

Update: “Rafael Palmeiro is in denial mode in a statement he made. To sum it up, he has no idea how a banned substance entered his body. Must be the Baltimore water.” — Greg Gugger, ChicagoSports.com

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Nats had a wretched July. Seriously. Horrific. Since the All-Star break in the middle of July, we were the worst team in the majors. However, yesterday, they broke their losing streak at six games, picking up a 4-2 win over the Marlins. Capitol Punishment breaks down the suckage and makes some good suggestions about what to do about it. Of course, they’re home at RFK this week, playing the Dodgers (hey LA, wanna wager on the series?) and San Diego, before heading out on the most crucial roadtrip of the season with games against Houston (current wild card leader), New York and Philly (our divisional rivals). If you can spare some good thoughts for our boys, or a few extra voodoo pins in Guzman’s doll, we’d appreciate it.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Here’s a news flash for those around McPherson Square:

The CVS at 15th & K streets NW, Store #2075, has only one working register.

Yep, only one, as the rest are malfunctioning. And the working one, at the photo center, can’t process Debit Cards. So if you’re headed out for say, Poland Spring Water and Planters Mixed Nuts (buy one, get one for $0.01!), you might wanna head to the Rite Aid at 15th and L Streets NW.

Oh and pity the folks who need a prescription from there today. They will be expecting something extra as not even the pharmacy register is working and the lights in the store keep flickering on a off. Rumor is the store might be haunted.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Last night we decided to try out a new restaurant in Logan Circle – with the soft breezes it was the perfect temperature for a dreamy walk to Merkado Kitchen.

“What did you say?” my husband Chris was craning over the table to hear me.

“I said this could be a really romantic spot,” I shouted.

I was prepared to possibly not like Merkado Kitchen. There were a few mixed reviews online, but then again, who takes any of those seriously? ;)

We went for a late dinner around 9:30pm, thinking perhaps it would be calm. No such luck – the place was packed. We headed to the bar to wait with some far too syrupy mojitos and to ogle the beautiful people. The dining room has very high industrial ceilings and a bare floor, which leads to some ear-cringing decibels. The warm orange walls and flattering lighting adds to an overall feeling of vibrancy.

Though we had an initial upset when Chris’s salad turned out to be just a plate of watercress (when they say “salad of greens” they really mean greens), the food turned out to be absolutely delicious. I had a very yummy ceviche (which more than made up for the blah ceviche I had earlier in the week at the over-rated Rosa Mexicano) and then a firey yet creamy grilled squid stuffed with crabmeat in a coconut curry sauce. The salad fiasco was salvaged by Chris’s entree of a lovely salmon over shrimp and dashi risotto.

At about 10pm the sound level normalized as most diners had finished and left, and we got to enjoy the rest of our meal in relative quiet. It was at that point that I really began to like the place. The warm glow of the walls with their kooky murals, our relaxed waiter, the open kitchen – I could see it being a great place to relax and try out some innovative new flavors. Just not at peak times, unless you’re with an equally raucous group of friends!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The second Tamarind Flickr event is set for this coming Saturday night at El Tamarindo in Northwest: “a fusion of food, friends, photography, art, music, and poetry.” We saw some great photography last time, and we’re planning on getting back up that way this Saturday. We hope to see you there!

el tamarindo restaurant
7331 georgia ave n.w.
washington, d.c. 20012
202/291-0525

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

when pigs fly

Originally uploaded by tbridge.

When it comes to barbeque, there are two schools of thought. North Carolina, and Tennessee. The third school ought to be Dixie Bones off I-95 in Woodbridge. Their sunday $10 buffet has placed me in such a food coma today that I’m not sure I’ll ever recover. Four kinds of sauce, three kinds of meat, amazing mac and cheese, potato salad, cole slaw and rolls, the world has not seen this much deliciousness outside a condemned shack.

If you get a chance to head south on 95 for some amazing barbeque, but don’t want to head too far out of the District, this is your spot. Expect a bit of a line, though, they usually fill up.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Good news to all the folks stuck in body-cavity TSA searches at National Airport

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Okay, this one is just too weird. A guy on a plane from DC to Syracuse, NY is accused of exposing his wang to the flight attendant, but it appears that he was actually wearing underwear?

Gibeau was on his way back from a Florida vacation. Police searched Gibeau and found five Polaroid photos of his penis, according to Bragg’s affidavit. Gibeau said he was bringing the photos to his girlfriend to show her the contrast between the sunburned areas of his body and the areas that weren’t exposed on the beach.

Of course, carrying around explicit polaroids isn’t the brightest of ideas…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

You notice this cool weather? Realize its gonna be nice all weekend? Then its time for you to work off all those beer + lime + ice drinks and come out to the DC Tri Club Sprint Tri #4.

That’s right, this Sunday July 31, at Haines Point registration for the race starts a 6:00am, with the first swimmers hitting the pool at 7am. Its $5 for DC Tri members, and if you beg really nicely, they might even let non-members participate after you learn the secret DC Tri Club handshake.

Then the real fun will begin. You have a 400 meter pool swim, 18 mile bike ride, and 3 mile run ahead of you, with guys like me behind you, breathing down your neck with the speed and skills we learned in NYC Olympic Triathlons. Don’t let that intimidate ya though, we’ll all be cheering each other on, because that’s what the DC Tri Club is about.

Look for the club tent near the entrance to the golf course parking lot on the Washington Channel Side and give me high-five. We’ll both need it to wake & sober up first.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Thanks to Sean in Los Angeles for pointing out Eric Richardson’s new tool: Singularist.

Why, you ask? I was curious too. Here’s what Eric says:

I hate the editorial “we” on sites that claim to be “blogs”. I want to hear a writer’s voice, and I think the we sucks that right out of the content. It sounds pretentious. Get off your editorial high-horse and write like real people. Other local blogging sites — Metroblogging, for instance — seem to understand this.

Huh. So much for that haughty voice…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Folks, the life of a systems administrator isn’t always a pleasant one. Generally, when you’re doing your job, no one knows you’re even there. As such, when your presence is required, it’s usually associated with bad things. This is no way to go through life. Six years ago, someone staged the very first Systems Administrator Appreciation Day, and it’s since become an annual holiday for Systems Administrators Everywhere. Thanks much to Jason DeFillippo, our intrepid Systems Administrator here at Metroblogging, for he rocks pretty hard core. Thanks a lot Jason!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Every so often there is commotion about building a new MLK library in downtown DC. The current library is a mess, not so much for its design, which is actually pretty open and nice, but due to the complete lack of maintenance or simple TLC given to it since, oh 1975. Inside, the carpets are worn, the books missing or torn, and the staff sad and wanting.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There are a slew of developers who are dying to trade a brand new library for the prime block that the current library occupies. They’ll build a new library as part of an overall block re-design that will add office space around the library. I think this is a great way for DC to upgrade its library at little or no cost to the city.

Still, I actually question the need for a library to begin with. Now before I have a mob torching me in effigy, I have a very simple question to ask

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The folks in LA know a thing or two about traffic, that’s for sure, but only in DC would we build a road that would be so crammed full of cars and traffic that it would back up nearly almost all the way around the city when the drawbridge goes up. Hell, I’ve been forced to invent profanity just to adequately express my rage when some douchebag in an urban assault vehicle decided he needed to merge into my lane on top of me. But of course, that’s the best part of the whole process here in DC, leaning on the horn, swearing like a tranny longshoreman, and flipping the bird. What’s your favorite remedy in these situations?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When Macy’s bought Hecht’s a while back, there were a lot of questions in the air. Will they close stores? Will Macy’s take over the world? Will Hecht’s become Macy’s? Does it really matter what they call it? Are department stores even relevant in this age of Amazon.com?

Well, the answer to two of those questions is now public.

The Wheaton Hecht’s will close for good.

And Hecht’s will now be Macy’s.

Now, please, go on about not caring about department stores, we realize this was keeping you up nights.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

That’s how badly the Nats are playing right now. They’ve lost 8 1/2 games in the standings since they lead the division at the All-Star Break. We just got swept by the Atlanta Braves, and we’re headed to Florida to face the Marlins, who have beaten us like rented mules this season. All of this has Chris Needham forming the Bridge Jumpers Club, and several other DC Baseball Bloggers on the verge of joining up.

The only good news? We’re still in the wild card hunt…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

My office is at the corner of 15th and I Streets NW, which makes it just about smack in the middle of the McPherson Square Metro Station. The Vermont Avenue exit is one block to the west, the 14th Street exit one block to the east.

My question to you: Which exit should I use?

Logic says it doesn’t matter which one. They are both equal distant and as I’m catching a train, neither will give me any physical advantage in departure or arrival time. Yet still I find myself going to the station in the direction of travel. Vermont Avenue if I’m heading to NoVA or 14th Street if I’m headed to Capitol Hill.

Does it matter?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I came home from the grocery last night before all hell broke loose, parking my car out of the way of the gigantic tree that always seems to lose part of itself during heavy storms. The sky was still but a light grey, but the smell of rain was faintly present in the thick-as-molasses air. I let them cat out briefly, knowing he would come scampering back toward the door as the first heavy drops fell from the overburdened clouds.

I love that moment just before a storm rolls in, pregnant with possibility for disaster and destruction, that tense moment before all hell lets loose, electrical potential in the air like the smell of a grilled steak. The wind comes up suddenly, taking the atmosphere from calm and uncomfortable to harried and a bit cooler. Then comes the low rumble of the distant thunder, at first you hear it softly, then as it grows close, the noise is insistent, loud and subsonic at times. Then comes the rain, large drops falling first, thwacking against the glass in my windows as I sit on the couch.

The cats sit and play in the window while the patter of the drops against the panes grows more frequent, sounding like children playing with a telegraph. I look out at the storm, peering through venetian blinds, to see the layered ripples on the puddle that always forms in front of my stoop where the drain comes down from the upstairs apartments.

When the rain finishes, and I let Guinness out again, the sky has that yellow/orange tone that seems so magical after a storm. I consider bringing out my camera to capture it, but I know that some images just can’t be captured by CCD, and step out in the much cooler air. The plants seem to have gotten more green in the storm, as the Queen Anne’s Lace has perked up a bit after the rain. It must be fifteen degrees cooler now than it was at the start of the storm, some 45 minutes before.

Ahhh, how I love a good thunderstorm in the summer.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

We here at dc.metblog are dedicated to give you, our loyal readers advice on all things DC. My speciality happens to be ways to get toasted. In that role, here’s an advance look at you’re Friday night options with time saving commentary:

For the cheap-o: DC Independence Division End of the season Party

The boys of summer are headed out to the beach, leaving their kickballs on the mall, and management squabbles for the fall, so here’s your last change to talk 2005 season smack and flip cup even grandma.

DC Independence Division End of the season Party

Irish Times, Open bar from 8-11, $5 League members, $20 Guests

For the lonely: Four Minute Dating You’ve Got Mail Singles Party

Professionals in the City has a Four Minute Dating You’ve Got Mail Singles Party at Clarendon Ballroom. And like other events, while they promise to introduce you to 15 members of the opposite sex during an hours worth of four minute dating, they screw it all up with a very passive “twist” at the end. You’ll get to write four “notes” to hotties you like, which will be mailed to their intended recipients. Mailed?! As in the United States Post Office?! Y’all ever hear of email or cell phones?

Four Minute Dating You’ve Got Mail Singles Party
$20 if you register by 5pm, Clarendon Ballroom, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

For the bling bling: H20 Friday: Pink Effect – Champagne toast for ladies in pink

Apparently, H2O is now “Dc’s Premier restaurant and lounge” and can set the scene for the start of your weekend, since if the inside gets too hot for you, mingle, dance and sweat under the moonlight on their outdoor patio. Me, I’ll be there for the Open Bar till 11pm and the Pink Effect Party in the white room, where champagne and strawberry toasts go for ladies in pink. Oh and as an added bonus, Peruvian Independence celebrations are in the Latin room.

The Late Night Happy Hour @ H20
Free Entry: Guest list or No Line No Cover Passes (till 12pm)
Every Friday, Open Bar till 11

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Kate Ziegler is 17 and a senior at Bishop O’Connell High School here in the greater DC area. She’s also the fastest woman in the world in the 1500m freestyle. She recorded the third fastest time in history yesterday in Montreal at the World Championships, just behind Janet Evans’ monster record and Hannah Stockbauer’s herculean effort five years ago.

Way to go Kate! Promise us you’ll show us the medal when you get back next week!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs