Photo by DC Metroblogger

Yesterday my Butterbean (aka Clock Stopping Hottie) tried out the new iPhone courtesy of Tom’s techno-lust.

She loved the damn cool interface and the video resolution rocked her world. I swear she even watched the “Dick in a Box” video a little too closely and a few times too often.

But here is why I know I am a lucky guy. After playing with another man’s gadget, she said, “I really want it, but we need a new fridge more.”

Of course that could just be Carl’s damn good hooch wine talking.

Regardless, Butterbean is still all excited, especially now that Mayor Fenty returned his ill-gotten bounty: three 8 Gig iPhones he returned today.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

What pain, what anguish, what overcoming sadness we all feel this morning after last nights Metroblogging DC 3rd Anniversary Barbecue. Last night, a childhood hero died.

Elmo fell to the pinata Jedi skills of MBDC’s very own WebJedi: David.

But David was not the first to swing at Emlo with death in their eye. First was Chip Py, the spiritual leader of Free Our Streets to strike the Sesame Street star. Then is was a lady’s turn to tackle, not tickle dear Elmo.

And then David ended the reign of Elmo.

Not to worry, Elmo did not feel pain, being decapitated quickly, and his remains were treated with respect and dignity worthy of his status.

And so were the MBDC Y3 BBQ attendees. With bacon-wrapped shrimp starters and burgers & dogs main course, everyone left happy, even philosophical, especially after fondling Tom’s iPhone.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The City of Falls Church has posted a number of tips on how to avoid mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. I am discussing them in a six-part series.

The City of Falls Church is the bomb diggity when it comes to educating people about how to prevent West Nile Virus (WNV). Here are some handy documents they have on their site to help you get your ducks in a row:

WNV Checklist
Mosquito Tips During Home Construction
West Nile Virus Information for Kids

In addition, the site has a number of links for more information about the disease, both for education and prevention. Go check it out and have a fun, safe, mosquito-minimized summer!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

There’s a gigantic Oreo cakester standing in front of Union Station right now, with sparkly birthday candles sticking out of it to celebrate Oreo’s 95th year. In its shadow, Oreo Guy is giving out high-fives. Please do not try to eat either of these.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

With the Simpsons’ Movie coming out in just a short 26 days, the DC area is getting their very own Kwik-E-Mart in Bladensburg, just off Kenilworth Ave. No word yet whether or not we’ll be able to get a Squishie there or not. Has anyone seen the redone 7-11?

* actual facility is in Maryland, but inside the beltway.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It really bothers me we moviemakers use standin cities in their movies, and this weekend’s Live Free or Die Hard in an absolute travesty. DC Is represented by a number of cities that are nothing like DC with giant buildings, a DC where 14th street is an alley, where no quadrants are used, where FBI HQ is actually attractive.

It really amazes me when you go to a flick where the milieu is so important and yet so abjectly broken.

Damn if I don’t hate the movies sometimes.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The City of Falls Church has posted a number of tips on how to avoid mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. I am discussing them in a six-part series.

I know my neighbor’s cat never forgets to spray, but that’s not we are talking about. That’s just stinky and unwelcome but will continue until the cat dies. You can’t break old habits when it comes to cats.

DEET is the common name of a chemical that is one of the most effective mosquito repellents ever invented. In fact, DEET has a much longer name but I have decided not to post it because it looked too highfalutin’ for me to include.

What to look for in a good repellent is something like 25% DEET. That will give you several hours of protection under normal circumstances. The lower the concentration, the less time it will be effective. That’s kind of common sense, I guess.

My only concern with DEET was the potential carcinogenic effects from slathering it on. A few years ago I was taking a trip to Thailand to become a Buddhist monk and was concerned about such things as dengue and malaria. Which of these would have the worst side effects, I wondered? I never did find out but I used my 100% DEET death liquid as necessary to keep the stings away.

Whatever product you use, be sure to use something and keep those suckers at bay.

Check in tomorrow to read about Tip #6: Useful at-Home Information.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Bye Bye Tickle Me Elmo!

Look what we have for the pinata Jedi in you: a Sesame Street Elmo.

Filled with tasty candy, not crap recordings, this Elmo will be up for a beating come 6pm today. A beating at the hands of tipsy MBDC readers slowed by burgers and dogs yet hyped up on watermelon.

Will he survive or be kicked to death? You’ll only know if you join us for the MBDC Y3 BBQ!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

In just one more day before you too can enjoy MBDC BBQ like Tom here.

Good food, great times, and gregarious bloggers will be converging on Sunday’s Metroblogging DC 3rd Anniversary BBQ, starting around 6pm.

If you’re Joe-cool enough to show, be ready to get all piñata Jedi with choice paper mache representations of your childhood heroes.

We will not be taking prisoners.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The City of Falls Church has posted a number of tips on how to avoid mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. I am discussing them in a six-part series.

Wait a second – it’s here to stay? Oh, crap. Then why are we talking about this? Are we doomed to a long life of misery and encephalitis?

We very well could be, but that’s not the point. We have so many more dangerous prospects in our future, ways to die have not even thought of, that we should not get our undies in a bunch over this. However, we should think strategically.

It’s just true that West Nile Virus is not going anywhere, but there are things that we can do to lessen our chances of getting it. These might include wearing long pants and long sleeves (I won’t), using mosquito repellent (I rarely do) and using a bug zapper. The bug zapper goes against my philosophy of not harming others, so I am zero for three.

The Falls Church web site also has a fourth suggestion: ensuring that “windows and screen doors are in good condition and free of holes” I don’t know about you, but my window screens are full of holes. That’s kind of how they were designed.

Check in tomorrow to read about Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Spray.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Andy Carvin shot this footage last night during the presidential debate, copying the style of the newly popular Dramatic Chipmunk. Correction: Andy informed me that he did not shoot the Sharpton video and that it came from PBS. That’s okay, Andy. We still think you are the shiznit. See both videos here:

Click To Play

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I waited until I’d had a nice lunch before I joined the line here at the Clarendon Apple Store, which stretched down into the shopping center from their front door past the various outlets into the alley between South Moon Under and the Barnes and Noble. Folks got here early, and the smart ones brought chairs. Me? I’m just the guy with the extra battery and an umbrella. Conditions are currently fair, but threatening rain.

AT&T, though, can bite my shiny metal ass, as their wifi node at the Barnes and Noble oughtta be free today for all those people who’re about to spend $60/mo for two years with them, but instead it’s $4/2hours.

Bastards.

Nice folks in line, come join us. I’m around the corner in the black polo typing on my MacBook Pro.

Updated at 4:25p: The line’s probably 120 or so now, and has been relocated to the horseshoe here:

Folks are pretty low-key, and Apple’s been great about checking on everyone, up to and including bringing us all some water, which was really kind. There’s a good mix of folks getting 1 or 2 phones, and everyone’s been really great. Not shabby.

The line is gone from the store as of 8pm. All the Apple folks look a bit weary, but good.

This entry sent from my iPhone.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

(Above, left) I just want to say “Thanks” and “Hugz” to the Foggy Bottom Garden Club for the awesome short-barrel garden planters on the residential sidewalks between Rock Creek Parkway and GWU. They make my walk to work every morning a bit nicer. (Above, right) And another “Thanks” and “Hugz” to whoever was having that yard sale on Eye St yesterday with the box of free stuff. As you can see, Mr. Red Ceramic Bun Bun is liking his new home on my desk with Mr. Blue Beanie Rat and the plushie Oscar Mayer wiener mobile.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Downtown Silver Spring by Chip Py

Free Our Streets, a loose association of Chip Py and DC Metrobloggers has started to make a difference.

Through our efforts, Montgomery county citizens are now aware that the developers of Downtown Silver Spring feel they have bought control over basic First Amendment rights on Ellsworth Avenue for $1 a year. And MoCo voters are not happy.

The questions they’re asking has led PFA Silver Spring LLC, a development partnership including the Peterson Companies, Foulger Pratt and Argo Investment, to change their stance on photography. But that change is just a start, a first, baby step. As the Baltimore Sun explains:

Last night, the development team, PFA Silver Spring LLC, issued a new policy, allowing photography in the area. And on July 4, it plans to display a “Welcome Photographers” banner on the site.

But Py insists photography is not his sole concern. All types of free expression should be permitted, from political campaigning to handing out fliers and other literature, he said.

“They are telling us it’s OK to take pictures on the street, but we don’t have any other First Amendment rights,” he said. “They don’t want to talk about public-private rights on a street. … We are asking for some First Amendment considerations in our town.”

Free Our Streets is asking for PFA Silver Spring LC to welcome photography, videography, and other filming on Ellsworth Drive, consistent with First Amendment rights as they would apply on any other public street. Not a watered down “photography at our discretion, if we like you” policy for Ellsworth Drive.

The Downtown Silver Spring development includes $187 million in county and state funds and the once completely public property Ellsworth Drive, public investment that should come with public rights.

And so the Downtown Silver Spring Photo Walk is still on. A declaration of photographic freedom on July 4th.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The City of Falls Church has posted a number of tips on how to avoid mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. I am discussing them in a six-part series.

That’s right – in the fight against mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, you have friends in your city or county’s health department, park maintenance team and even some housing and human services agencies.

However, you are a key player in this fight. When you come across dead birds and standing water, don’t just walk by and assume someone will do something. Call it in to the health department to make sure something gets done.

If you see that pool of water or rotting bird corpse again, call again to let them know that somebody dropped the ball. And if it’s still there the next day, call again and use some colorful language like “jerkwanker” or “fucknut.” These words don’t have to have established meanings; they just have to be spoken in such a way that people understand through context what you are trying to communicate. It’s great fun!

But know that your local city and county officials are working hard and may not be able to address every concern in as timely a manner as you would like. They are on the case, but it is a team effort to get a handle on this problem.

Check in tomorrow to read about Tip #4: West Nile Is Here to Stay.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Clever name

Originally uploaded by tiffany bridge.

As seen on my way to work the other day… you’ll probably have to click through to make out the name on the truck…

Peed Plumbing.

I wonder if they do emergency service?

(Why yes, I AM 12 today. It’s Friday, and time for frivolity.)

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Thirst quenched yet?

Walking through Capitol Hill, I spied this occupied front stoop. If you look closely, that’s 10 water jugs.

10 five-gallon water jugs or 50 gallons of water drunk.

50 gallons would be 100 days of water at an average of two quarts/liters of water per day. Or 50 if it were two, maybe 30 if it were three or more. Regardless, they would need to be a thirsty household.

Or is this the sign of a mystery “water club” I’ve heard government workers share?

What’s your theory?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

logo courtesy of Lowes

If you are active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel, or a family member, and planning on using this weekend to work on some home improvement projects Lowes wants you to buy from them – and save 10% across the board when doing it. It’s an early Independence Day sale just for our men & women of uniform and will run through the end of the business say Wednesday. Just take your military ID to one of the area’s Lowes stores.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I figured you needed a sign. You needed a big neon sign to remember this weekend’s Metroblogging DC 3rd Anniversary BBQ.

On Sunday we will be celebrating three years of Metroblogging DC in the best way possible: going all piñata Jedi on some poor paper mache pig, while eating his well-cooked cousin.

The question is: will you be there? Are you brave enough to reveal yourselves to those you mock? And will you be taking photos?

You know you want to…

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

So, anyone tune into WETA for the All-American at Howard? Wonkette live-blogged it: part 1, part 2 (Content warning: some unwholesome words, adult situations).

Just to be clear, Barack Obama wants you to know that he got tested with his wife, and not with Joe Biden. Also, Mike Gravel is really against the war on drugs. And Hillary thinks Tavis Smiley is funny.

But I have to say, Mike Gravel is definitely it. Don’t believe me? Watch him on YouTube. That’s the video that will rocket him to the White House. Note emphasis on ROCK. Seriously. He will rock the vote. Mike Gravel rocks. Gravel is like the Ron Paul of the Democrats. In 2006, I’m voting Mike Gravel!* I’m just wondering, was that pond in DC? If so, where in DC?

* Disclaimer: I’m not voting Mike Gravel.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs