Friend-of-MBDC Mike needs your help! He’s got a suit that needs to be altered by Saturday morning, preferably by a tailor in Northern Virginia (he lives in Falls Church), but DC is an option also if they’re especially fast. In a suit-oriented place like this, surely some of you have an opinion.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good tailor who can do a rush job? Mike is well aware that you can generally only have two out of “good, fast, and cheap.”

My personal favorite is the formalwear shop in Shirlington- they did a fantastic job on my wedding clothes.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Well, it’s really got to suck to be Roy Pearson. First, your pants gets lost, and you have to file a ridiculously wrong $54 million suit. Second, you go to trial, and lose, over that very same suit. Third, you may be out of a job entirely before long, thanks in now small part to your suit.

Never mind all the resources Pearson wasted in that trial, and all the man-hours of local media outfits associated with it, what about the guy’s job?

Should Pearson stay on the bench, or should he get run out of town on a rail?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Double rush hour whammy on the Red Line tonight:

1. Track flaws on a 39-foot section of rail necessitate reduced speeds between Medical Center and Friendship Heights, causing a mild cascade of delays in both directions.
2. More urgently, smoke in Union Station prompted an evacuation and closure in both directions, with shuttle buses being called in between Judiciary Square and New York Ave stations.

I got to Metro Center around 6:30PM, saw the trains backed up and the platforms getting crowded, and opted to try and catch a bus home. Murphy’s Law kicked in as soon as I got to E Street, just in time to see my bus leave the station, crammed full — so I set out on foot, having to switch sides almost every other block for one “Sidewalk Closed” construction sign after another, and catching pretty much every Don’t Walk pedestrian light between Metro Center and Capitol Hill.

I eventually made it home, passing one of Metro’s backup shuttle buses at Judiciary Square, crammed full of cross-looking commuters, its LCD sign naturally saying “NOT IN SERVICE.”

Good luck and godspeed tonight, Red Line riders. I hope you can all make it home speedily.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

image courtesy of WaPo

No, this is not some uninformed anti-globalization rant. (side note: Firefox’s dictionary doesn’t have “globalization” – talk about blissful ignorance!) This is an anti-telephone rant. Specifically, telephone calls from WaPo.

One of the few persistent conflicts my darling girlfriend and I have had through our relationship has been over one of my favorite rituals: Sunday morning with the newspaper. It’s just not a relaxing weekend till I’ve spent an hour or three with some a lot of coffee and the paper.

The problem is that my dear dislikes sales calls in general and repeated “upgrade” calls in particular. And there’s no more sure-fire way to get WaPo to call you and ask for money than to give them a taste of it by opting for the Sunday-only option. They’re pretty clear that you don’t get to subscribe without harassing calls – phone number is a mandatory bit of information to subscribe. So since I’m the household luddite who prefers his news to leave black stains on my fingertips where my darling girlfriend is an online reader, it didn’t seem fair to ask her to suffer for my obsession. So if I didn’t want to scare up 6 quarters and walk a quarter mile to the machine I lived without my newspaper.

Solution? AIM digits, AOL’s new venture into online telephony for those who don’t already have too damned much phone in their life. If you’re one of the poor souls who uses the AOL client then this might make your computer ring, but as a longtime Trillian user all it does for me is generate voicemail that I ignore. WaPo gets to call and leave messages begging for service upgrades, I get my Sunday paper, and my darling girlfriend gets peace and quiet… or at least as much as one can have with me in their life…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

World Bank IMF Protest

Originally uploaded by isisDC.

It wasn’t enough that you hit a woman in the head over the weekend with a brick? You had to go ruin the commute of half the city today? Due to your general asshattery, I extend my middle finger in your general direction. I am, apparently, not alone in my hatred of both you and your antics, though, as my Twitter Friends List is full of vitriol and bile concerning your decisions to march on the World Bank and make this city difficult to live in.

We’re just trying to make our way through life, go to work, do our jobs and go home at the end of the day. Blocking our streets and hitting us in the head isn’t going to win you any converts. It’s much more likely for me to say, “Hit ’em harder, officer, they fucked up my commute!” and walk away while you’re getting the business from John Q. Law.

If that’s what you wanted, then you accomplished it. Enjoy your martyr complex, I’ll be toasting your beating at the bar.

Preferably in Georgetown, where I’ll go, despite my pathological dislike of the place, just to spite you.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Many thanks to Kerry Howley for this item: Lanna Action for Burma is encouraging women around the world to send their panties to the Burmese* embassies in their countries as a means of protest against the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Why? Because the generals who make up the military junta that runs the country are extremely superstitious, and believe that contact with womens’ underwear will deprive them of their power.

In case you’re wondering, the Burmese embassy’s address here in DC is:

2300 S St. NW
Washington, DC 20008

And you can address your, uh, statement of protest to: U Tin Win (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary). Yes, that’s really his title.

* Yes, I’m aware that the “official” name of the country is the Union of Myanmar. But since the Union of Burma was the name the last time there was a democratically-elected government, and since “Union of Myanmar” is the name given to it by the military junta, I’m still going to call it Burma. When there’s a democratically-elected government in Burma again, I’ll call it whatever that government decides the country should be called.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Last night heralded the first skirmishes of the annual IMF/World Bank protests with DC’s first rain in months. And I think that was God sending a signal to the unwashed protesters: its time to get a life.

How many years have there been protests? And what’s been the impact? From what I can tell, not much besides screaming sirens and traffic snarls. These are children of global wealth, and unlike the hardcore WTO protesters, not about to die for their cause.

Smash a few shop windows, or pelt a passerby with a brick, yeah, but effect real change? Nope. Just another bunch of ineffectual protesters.

To them I gladly send the DC MPD Bicycle Corps:

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of the Arlington police

While looking though some Arlington county RSS feeds I came across an entry titled “Free VIN Etching Event” where the entirety of the body was “The Arlington County Police Dept. and the Virginia State Police HEAT Program are sponsoring an auto theft deterrence event. Motorists can get their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched into their exterior windows for free. Motorcyclists are welcome as well.” Well, okay – when? Where?

Unfortunately if you add one of the Arlington calendar RSS feeds you get links in your reader that don’t provide per-event calendar links – clicking this one just takes me to http://www.arlingtonva.us/police which isn’t much help. So I use the search box and find this story about last year’s October 21st event. I’m about to click away and keep searching when I notice this line midway down, emphasis mine.

101 vehicles were VIN-etched in about 4 hours, and one stolen car was recovered.

Wait – a stolen car was recovered? At a VIN etching event? Unless you can think of another interpretation I’m assuming this means someone brought in a car to be etched that was, in fact, stolen. I’ve dropped a mail to the police media representative attached to this year’s event to ask and I’ll let you know what he says. In any case, if you stole your current ride I’d suggest you skip the event.

If you’re not driving a stolen hooptie, this year’s event is scheduled for 10a – 2p on November 3 at the Arlington Assembly of God Church, 4501 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington VA.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I hate to follow up the earlier feel-good with bitching but not so much that I’ll refrain, apparently. If for no other reason but to respond to Prontovega.

Just minutes after I posted that, I got a call from an automated dialer system – Comcast, stating they had an urgent matter to discuss about my bill, press 1 to talk to someone. Having done this dance with them before, I press 1 and open my online banking webpage while I wait.

After a few moments, during which I discover that yes, I have indeed paid them and they have indeed managed to jerk it up yet again, someone comes on the line…. and asks me for my phone number.

You know, the number that just rang when someone called it. Someone who I am talking to now.

But I have done this dance before, as I said, and I know the steps. So I read it to her and state, as always, that it’s pretty annoying to be asked for my phone number when it’s them who called me and maybe they should have some idea who they’re calling. “Thats’ the auto-dialer sir, not me.” I state, as I always do, that I understand that she did not punch the buttons herself, but never the less my phone rang and the person on the other end then asked me for my phone number. “Well, we’re calling about your bill and to ask if you have made a payment or if you would like to make a payment.”

I refrain from a ah-hah, you admit you called moment and state “I show that I paid X amount on 9/28.” I similarly refrain from commenting on how their inability to credit my account doesn’t seem to be accompanied by an inability to cash checks, and how unfortunate that is.

I don’t bother to share how completely delighted I am going to be not to ever have to deal with these chumps again once I transfer the account over to my former roommate, but it brings a smile to my face never the less. While he has no choice of internet providers there, I have several options in my new home and they haven’t gotten around to angering me yet.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers (recently sans Rami Jaffee) took the stage at the 9:30 last night, it was the first time they’d been on tour in two years, and the first time in DC in nearly four. It was pretty clear that they’d not been on stage in a while, but it didn’t show in the music, just the pacing. Long breaks were frequent between the songs, as Dylan tuned one of about six guitars he played during the evening. When he noted some restlessness from the near-capacity crowd, he explained he didn’t use electronic tuning, which seem to mollify the crowd.

It was a great show, overall. Dylan’s vocals were fresh, yet full of a rasp that was not borne of fatigue but rather a unique part of his genetic heritage. The songs were all heartfelt and sincere, Dylan’s voice could lend Happy Birthday a degree of gravitas usually reserved for songs of triumph or mourning. The highlight of the night for me, though, was Fred Eltringham on the drums. The man’s just have a good time. Not in that kinda-creepy Mick Fleetwood way, though, but in more of an “I love my job and everything that comes with it” sort of way. New guitarist Stuart Mathis was simply amazing last night, with a virtuoso’s touch on lead guitar, with soaring melodic solos that were not mere approximations of the studio versions, but added depth and character to the live performance. I don’t go for the jam band philosophy of rock concerts where each song should be 20 minutes long, featuring lengthy solos based on jazz reinterpretations of the cuban cover of the song, it doesn’t work for me. Mathis’ excellent solos captured the essential character of the songs without straying too far afield into the land of the jam band, from whence many concerts do not recover.

The set was a mélange of their catalog, featuring tracks from Red Letter Days, Bringing Down the Horse and Rebel, Sweetheart, but nothing indicated that they’re headed back to the studios for a fifth album, which was a bit of a disappointment. In contrast to the Killers show I saw this summer, the Wallflowers show was entirely business like. There was no set. There were no antics. Just a band getting up and rocking out. It was just what I was looking for, and just what I got. I left the 9:30 with my ears ringing with the last chord (as they still are this morning), and looking forward to their next stop in DC.

Two final notes from the show:

1. Dear TR Kidd & the Visions. Please consider going back to your day jobs. If you don’t have day jobs, please look into them. Your opening set last night was quite possibly the worst live music performance I’ve ever seen.

2. Dear guy behind us who was totally rocking out. I respect your enthusiasm for the show last night. I recognize that you likely worship the man’s entire catalogue, but that was no reason for you to gratuitously shout “WOOO!” in quiet moments. Also, the Night at the Roxbury dance routine was entirely uncalled for.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of Aphrodite

It’s easy to be cynical about people in this city, whether because they have a wide stance, like to chat up the wrong people online, or just in general seem selfish in their behavior. I’m finding that taking mass transit is instead exposing me to people’s little courtesies and kindnesses, and they put my day off to a good start. Maybe they’ll improve yours.

A few minutes into my journey on the bus, a woman got on who clearly wasn’t used to taking it and lacked the proper change. The bus driver was being kind but firm with her and someone sitting near the front said “here, I have change.” She didn’t in fact, have full change for the woman’s fiver – she just had the necessary change to pay the woman’s fare. She refused to take the $5 in exchange for 75 cents – which would have been a sizable ROI – and told her not to worry about it.

A wee later, another fellow stopped what he was reading, leaned forward and waved at someone sitting down and across from him. “You dropped something there.” Not a great sacrifice, not even as much as giving away $0.75, but a small and basic courtesy he could have failed to do never the less.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I am headed out to San Francisco the first week of November for my new job. Since I am a Premier Executive on United, I automatically get an Economy Plus upgrade and 9,500 frequent flyer miles.

But with the new Virgin America flights from IAD to SFO, I am willing to experiment. But only to a point. My boss wants me to be productive for the five hour flight over and the Betrothed Butterbean wants me to be productive when I get back Saturday morning so I have two deal-breakers to a switch:

• I need to work the whole flight to SF, and this means using a laptop. On UA’s Economy Plus seat, I can get my T60 open and have room to type in a semi-comfortable fashion. I also often can get exit rows or first rows due to status.
• I take red eyes back to IAD and I know I can usually sleep a few hours in a UA EP seat at the window. The recline pitch is just enough and the flexible headrests keep me from neck aches.

Now I don’t care for the inflight entertainment, work and sleep are higher priorities, and my laptop batteries will last a whole flight, so the Virgin America inflight games, electrical plugs, and even snacks on call are not decision points.

So that makes me ask those who have flown Virgin America:

1. Can you use a laptop in a VA main cabin seat?
2. Does the VA seat experience allow for decent shut-eye?
3. And is the $25 extra for an exit row or first isle seat worth it?

Bonus if you can compare your Virgin America experience with United’s Economy Plus.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Why anyone would open up their house for the public to walk through is beyond me, but I’m sure glad they do it. If you’ve never been to one of DC’s house tours they are a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. They give you a chance to see inside many of the homes you walk by every day. Sometimes they are surprisingly nice, other times they are a big disappointment, but overall it is a great chance to take in some history of the area and even get some decorating ideas for your own home.

So if you don’t have any plans this Sunday, be sure to check out the Dupont Circle House Tour from noon to 5pm. Unfortunately the DCCA’s website doesn’t list the homes on this year’s tour, but in years past there have been amazing places like the O Street Mansion. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the tour. Check here for a list of places to purchase tickets.

See you there!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Wayan’s DC Photos

Coming back to the office after a morning errand run, look what I found occupying my office sidewalk: a fire drill party.

With a week’s warning, the drill was not unexpected and the timing was not bad either. In fact its a great excuse to go for lunch.

What do you do for your Fire Drill Party Time?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Show me a person who hasn’t had a blood-boiling experience with Comcast and I’ll show you a person who has never had cable TV. Whether they’ve screwed up your bill, showed up five hours late for a service call, or taken three visits to actually fix your problem, their quality of customer service is at the bottom of every industry.

Let’s say for example that Comcast scheduled an appointment to come by your house for an installation, didn’t show up, came by two days later, then botched the installation. You decide to go to the local Comcast service center to complain, patiently wait two hours, only to be told that the manager has left for the day. What would you do?! What would you do?! Stop! Hammertime.

That’s exactly what little ol’ Mona Shaw of Bristow decided to do as she went home and stewed over the weekend, got her husband’s claw hammer, and went back to the service center to let them know who’s boss. According to today’s Washington Post article:

“Hammer time: Shaw storms in the company’s office. BAM! She whacks the keyboard of the customer service rep. BAM! Down goes the monitor. BAM! She totals the telephone. People scatter, scream, cops show up and what does she do? POW! A parting shot to the phone!”

She claims that her blood pressure skyrocketed, she started to hyperventilate, and was ultimately booked by Johnny Law. She was fined $345 and received a three month suspended sentence for disorderly conduct. Poor little ol’ lady. While I don’t think busting office equipment with a hammer is the solution to every problem, kudos to her for letting her voice – and her hammer – be heard.

Photo by yoganerd

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

photo courtesy of atp_tyreseus

If you can’t think of anything more fun than lurching around the District, covered in bits of gray matter and blood, menacing tourists, then, well, [Representative Ron Paul joke redacted] the upcoming zombie lurch is for you.

Pour on the red paint, tear up your clothing, re-enact the zombie dance from Thriller, then walk shamble around the city. Yep, dance.

First, to kick off the event, we invite folks to “Thrill The World!” Starting at 6:00PM sharp, people around the planet will be dancing the same routine to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people to do the same dance, simultaneously & world-wide!

Sadly, my darling girlfriend won’t have the opportunity to veto our attending this event – we’ve got an art show in Dupont at Church of the Pilgrim that day. If you’re free and pride-impaired, put on your best food coloring & corn syrup and go for a walk stumble. If it’s 1/10th the fun of Santarchy it’ll be a good time.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Ingrid Michaelson, singer/songstress, is performing at lunch at the Borders at 18th & L Streets at 12:30 tomorrow. So, if you’re not packed with lunch, go by and see her perform. If you’ve seen Grey’s Anatomy, or caught anything with an Old Navy ad lately, you’ve heard her voice, and tomorrow you can see her down at the Borders.

Or, you could see her open at the 9:30 club tomorrow at 5p. I’ll be at the 9:30, but for the Wallflowers show that opens at 10. Tomorrow’s going to be an awesome day for music here in DC, check some of it out.¹

¹ Not that every day in DC isn’t an awesome day for music, but tomorrow is especially so.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs