Poopie Dog by www.petlvr.com

This evening, Dr. Fiona McClure, a veterinarian at Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic, will be giving a lecture on inflammatory bowel disease at the PetMAC Marketplace in Arlington from 5-6 p.m. Please visit www.petmac.org or call 703/908-7387 to get more information or to RSVP.

Nothing says “date night” like a pre-dinner discussion of IBD.

From the PetMAC web site:

Dr. McClure has been an internal medicine specialist for 8 years and during that time she has had a special focus on gastrointestinal disease and endoscopic techniques. She will cover the range of symptoms, potential causes, diagnostic options and treatment options for IBD, which is a very common disorder found in dogs and cats.

Oh, yeah – a $10 donation to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is required for this event. So not only is it educational but it also helps our little animal friends in their time of need.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

We solute you, crazy wig-wearing, perma-tan, bringing berrets back into fashion, anti-nuke lady.

What ever it is you do, keep on doing it, because some day we could all live in a world free of nuclear, genocidal weapons. No more cold wars, no more super powers, and no more crazy dictators threatening nuclear war if they don’t get some r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

You’re an inspiration to all of us knowing that we can all follow our dreams, even if it means living in a tent pitched right smack in front of the White House. All you need is a big laminated sign, a tent, and a screw or two loose. Come to think of it, is there room for another tent next to yours? My dog and I would like to move in with our big sign and protest people who take the elevator up or down one floor. It has GOT to stop.

In all seriousness, kudos to guenno for this detailed shot of one of our city’s institutions. Show me another country where someone can live in a tent within a stone’s throw of the president.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It’s that time of year again – kids coming to DC on school trips, their first ventures into a real city without Mom and Dad. The parent chaperones who drew the black spot when it was time to find volunteers started out hopeful but have become weary through the trip and now just want to find a liquor store.

Imagine being 13, dragging your half-asleep ass off the tour bus and seeing me as the first life form in DC since you left Schenectady this morning. Or Allentown. Whatever. Your parents signed you up for an educational experience and Mr. Rodarte, that nerdy kid’s father, has been yelling at everyone to settle down and be quiet for the past seven hours. He especially wants to know which child keeps making “that noise” everyone except him keeps laughing at.

I was waiting at Judiciary Square for my lovely wife and got overrun by two busloads of slack-jawed middle school kids. No doubt, they took me as a bum, since I sported all the things they were familiar with from after school specials about homelessness – an old torn coat, old beat to hell work boots and black trousers – all the better to hide dirt, even though I knew they were a little past due for the laundry.

In reality, I was ready to go down in the tunnels of the Metro system to take part in their rail safety Citizen Corps program, but these young people today don’t know Citizen Corps from mashed potatoes. Each one of the kids made eye contact with me and quickly looked away upon meeting my steely gaze. I was dressed like that so as not to booger up my regular work clothes, which are not really that much nicer but are good enough that I did not want to take them into the sooty tunnel.

So to those kids who are new arrivals here, visitors to our fine city for some school-related educational trip, I welcome you. If I could, I would personally greet every single one of you at every tour bus stop around town with the same gaze I gave my young friends the other day.

We love the tourists here in DC. Even the wide-eyed impressionable ones who claim that everything sucks and that Mr. Rodarte is being unfair. Welcome, kid. I hope you like our city. Have some fun, spend some money and don’t worry about your chaperones. Once you enter the work world you will find that almost every job has a Mr. Rodarte who uses public humiliation and threats to control you. (See this recent example from my own life.)The upside? Even as an adult you can make those noises that piss him off.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When I wrote about my Opening Day Baseball Fiasco last week, I felt I was spitting into the wind a bit. But, I also took the time to send Stan Kasten, President of the Nationals, a letter about my experience at the game. I made the right decision, apparently. He responded personally to my email, apologized for the snafu at concessions, and asked that I contact his office later in the week when he was back from his trip. When I called and spoke with Cheryl, his assistant, she was very contrite, and apologized on behalf of the team with a not-insignificant amount of Aramark Gift Certificates.

The biggest surprise, though, came last Friday night when Mr. Kasten himself came by our seats to apologize in person. That’s the big deal here. It’s not often you see the President of the team in the upper deck visiting people who’ve written him, and that gives me an awful lot of hope for the franchise in the long run, even if this year’s 2-7 start doesn’t.

Thank you, Mr. Kasten, for your attention, your apology and your visit. I am much obliged.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Clown Juggler 3

Originally uploaded by acaben.

This was submitted to us by Ben Stanfield, and, given all the discussion a few weeks back on the Elephant parade, it’s very apropos:

Last night was opening night of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus at the DC Armory. Attempting to relive some of high points of childhood and hoping to get a few good pictures, I made the trek from Rockville to Southeast DC. I’m not sure when it happened, but sometime between my last circus visit (about 13 years ago) and last night’s show at the armory, they’ve managed to sanitize it. To suck the circus essence right out of the circus.

Sure, it had some of the hallmarks of a circus: elephants, clowns, acrobats, even white tigers. But there were elements missing, too. It was a packaged and plasticy affair. There was no seediness, nothing to add that slight twinge of sadness combined with wonder. No one looked like a carnie. Instead of having 3-rings and a ringmaster with a booming voice describing every death-defying moment, circus-goers were greeted with a Disney-esque narrative about how great it is to have an imagination that was so syruppy and fake it grated on every last nerve.

There was hardly any explanation of any of the acts at all, much less any talk of any of them being dangerous, suicidal, or death-defying. Even those performing high in the air without a net were accompanied not with Karl King circus marches and gasps, oohs, and ahhs from the audience, but cheesy lip syncing from a not-very-talented woman singing about dreams and imaginations. Blech.

Though it wasn’t, by any means, the greatest show on earth, kids will still love the elephants and be terrified by the clowns. (Who, by the way, were unable to get the audience to laugh at anything they did. Not that surprising since apparently their idea of a good clown gag is a fake food fight.) If you get there early, you’ll see the best part — a chance to wander around the show floor and see the clowns, acrobats, dancers, and elephants up close, without the sacharine narrative and cheesy music. The not-so-greatest show on earth runs through Sunday at the DC Armory.

Tickets in the cheap seats are $14, cheaper than the plastic light-up toys and cotton candy. Incidentally, plastic and sugar are the only things you should expect from the show overall.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I got an email from a fellow environment lover about a really cool thing going on in Arlington this weekend, billed as the Conservation Celebration:

Get supplies and information on green cleaning, native plants, rain barrels, and compost bins. Check out a real biodiesel car and tour Arlington County government’s only geothermal building – Taylor Elementary. Hear Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson or plant a tree with State Delegate Bob Brink. Drop off any of the following (clean) material for local organizations to reuse and recycle: bubble wrap, packaging peanuts, Styrofoam blocks, batteries (all but car batteries), yogurt cups and tubs (#5), cell phones, ink jet printer cartridges, lids and bottle caps of any kind, yarn, and fabric.

Location – Taylor Elementary, 2600 N. Stuart St., Arlington, VA 22207
Time: Saturday, April 14, 9:00 a.m. to noon
For more information click here and dig the pdf document!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

What I expected to win
courtesy of The Washington Post

When a cow orker today sent me this link to the reader’s poll about the peep dioramas it took me all of three seconds to be certain which would win: The Rosslyn Station peeps, of course. Everyone loves hearing about themselves, and it doesn’t even have to be positive attention – when Jonathan Coulton appeared at Jammin Java and played “I hate LA” he commented that he got more requests for that song in California than anywhere else, and the most applause and excitement for it in – you guessed it – LA.

Well, turns out we’re not quite as big a bunch of self-absorbed bunch of media whores as LA. By 0.4%

The actual winner
courtesy of The Washington Post

Nope, we’re bigger pervs. The peeping peep is our big winner. The WaPo’s actual winner, it’s worth nothing, is 8th. Out of 22. And I’m at least a little bit right – the number 3 place is a full 8% behind the Rosslyn creation

Now, this is an ongoing poll so I suppose the final vote could change, but I’m assuming by now we’ve settled into our averages. Personally, I voted for the Reservoir Dogs diorama, but I’m still on a Tarontino-Grindhouse high.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Or, rather, it could be said that it pays to be unionized and insist on overtime. Today’s Examiner has all the details concering Overtime Pay and the Metro, which doled out over $100k to train and bus drivers who worked overtime. Moreover, the way that Metro’s overtime system works, it adds to the employee’s pension benefits for their overtime:

Metro Board of Directors member Ray Bricuso said the rich overtime system “needs to stop. An employee who makes $65,000 can work a lot of overtime their final years on the job and make $100,000 a year. That would increase their annual pension to about $80,000 for what is really a $65,000 job.”

Boy wouldn’t that be nice.

What I really want to know is: If those guys are making $65k/yr to drive the train, should the stops be a little smoother? Shouldn’t the voices coming from the speakers be a little more audible and understandable? If the human factor is what makes Metro great, and I would agree that the strength in the system is its people, then shouldn’t we also see an increase in the skills of our system’s employees? Too many trains I’ve been on stop in a herky-jerky way, throwing passengers willy nilly, occasionally resulting in accidental contact. But, for $100k? I would expect perfect stops and perfect starts.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

As I exited from the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge, bound for Constitution, I had the most glorious view over the massed cars waiting for the light. The stark black tree trunks and branches against the seafoam green baby leaves is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time. The return of real Spring, and with it the sunshine that my body just craves, is the most relieving thing to a sufferer of seasonal depression. So, despite being late, tired, stuck in traffic and sneezing like it’s my job, the return of high-contrast Spring to the DC area is most definitely welcome.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

CEO Kristina Bouweiri

An anonymous tipster to our Suggest a Link database writes in that Reston Limousine has launched the Make It Better blog by CEO Kristina Bouweiri.

She is focusing on how regional transportation can “become better and more enjoyable” with an understandable focus on vehicular traffic.

Now how driving can be either “better” or “more enjoyable” without either nuking slow right turners, fixing deadly winter potholes, or quicker NoVA snow removal is beyond me, but give Ms. Bouweiri credit for trying.

Trying to both stimulate debate about Washington transportation issues and by doing so with this crazy blogging thing. Kudos Ms. Bouweiri & welcome to the Internet!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

If you take a DC taxi from downtown Washington to Dulles Airport, what do think the fare should be?$50? $60? $70?

Better yet, what have you been charged, and why did you pay?

I ask this as I just had my very first Dulles taxi ride where the driver used actual mileage for the rate.

DC cabbies are supposed to use miles but they never do. Hacks always want to offer me an imaginary fixed price that varies wildly.

So what is the real price from McPherson Square to Dulles? $51 dollars.

How close were you?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

That sound you hear in the distance isn’t the screaming of a politician. Oh no. It’s John Stossel’s unending orgasm of glee. See, 20/20 got unfettered access to Deborah Jean Palfrey’s records as part of an interview they did with her that will air next month.

Folks, this one’s gonna be more fun than a barrel full of monkeys with knives.

Included with the records are 46 pounds of phone records from her DC pimping business. Yeah, the same one that catered to politicians in this town.

Oh, this one’s gonna be a real good time, let me tell you! So, what’s your guess? Who’s on there?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I have a theory. Everyone has an Art, even if they don’t know what it is yet. It’s that one thing you’d do whether you got paid for it or not, it’s your outlet, the thing that lets you create something purely for the sake of creation. It could be very traditional, like drawing or music, or completely off-the-wall like balloon animal sculptures. (Of course, if you can make it pay, then so much the better, no?)

One of the great things about DC is that between all the various educational institutions, non-profits, networking organizations, and just generally well-connected people, you can find a way to pursue your Art no matter what it is. My Art became clear to me a few months ago- stand-up comedy. Fortunately, DC happens to have a world-class comedy club right downtown, and they offer classes! (Longtime readers will remember that Trudi Jo Davis took a similar class about a year ago.)

I’ll let the Metrobloggers who were at the graduation show last night chime in to tell you about it themselves, but I will say that if comedy is something you’ve ever wanted to try, there’s no better place to get your feet wet than at the Improv. I took a four-week course with Matt Kazam that covered everything from writing the material to overcoming stage fright to dealing with hecklers, followed by an open-mic at SoHo off Dupont Circle, and then finally last night’s show at the Improv.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs Continue reading →

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Tonight I am experiencing a very unique DC moment, an ANC meeting.

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission is Washington’s nod to local home rule and as a new homeowner, as of two hours ago, I am now very interested in my local government.

My local ANC sounds like it has its financial act together, its sitting on $91 thousand in cash. Better yet my new next door neighbor is my ANC commish.

Past that I am glad my clock-stopping hottie and I split a bottle of wine together before we came. Now all this government yacking sounds at least half interesting.

Ooo, The Fuzz is about to talk, gotta go.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

The Onion News Network has a hysterical take on the pandas at the National Zoo, including the recent addition of young butterstick…

Controversy In Captivity

Yikes!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Did you attend the Washington Post Bloggers Summit or better yet, the drunken after party? While I didn’t feel any lasting effects, either from the WashPost or the booze at the time, it seems that the Post didn’t forget us.

Now several DC Metrobloggers are getting press releases from Euro RSCG Magnet, a PR firm that the Post has hired to publicize its Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive website.

First was a plug for the Joshua Bell Experiment, that was topical if a little tardy. Then today came a more obscure note about the WashPost going HDTV on us:

washingtonpost.com, the award-winning news and information Web site, today announced high-definition (HD) podcasts, designed to be viewed on HD television and computer screens, are now available on iTunes. In a first for a news organization, the award-winning documentary videos created by the washingtonpost.com multimedia team also conform to the highest specifications for the new Apple TV, making it easier than ever to view extremely quality news content anywhere, any time users want it.

Could this be a good sign that DC bloggers, and blogging in general is getting more respect, or is it yet another attempt by PR firms to shape thoughts and ideas best left to independent thinkers?

I’m hoping the former, as I’ve come to learn firsthand with my humble OLPC News, blogging is moving into the mainstream, so much that the line is already blurring on what is “mainstream media” or not.

DC bloggers, are you getting the Euro RSCG Magnet emails too? If so, what do you think?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

Across from the White House exit of the McPherson Square Metro station is a new coffee fix.

Mojoe is a full service espresso and coffee bar, complete with flavors for those who like them.

Today is a little chilly but by summer, when chairs and shade are promised, Mojoe should be a perfect afternoon caffeine counter point.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

This shocking sight greeted me this morning at the corner of 17th and H Street: a gaping hole where a building once stood.

Soon there will be another but at the moment the block looks lacking.

Gone is the size, the form, the warmth of short, squat, massive DC. A gap toothed skyline in its place.

And soon, yet another construction crane leering over the city.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I love the arrival of spring, except for this one thing: the ubiquitous stink of new mulch everywhere. I lack words for how much I loathe the way it smells. I think I’d prefer if they fertilized everything with cow manure. Why does it smell so bad? What’s the magic ingredient of suck that goes into mulch to make it so repugnant? Fresh mown grass? Fantastic. Sawdust? To a woodworker like me, it smells like home.

Mulch? I am certain that’s what Satan’s armpits smell like after a long day of tormenting souls in on of the hotter parts of Hades. On the day he forgot his anti-persperant.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Photo by DC Metroblogger

How is this for a fire hazard: a tub of propane tanks just waiting for some drunken fool to ignite as they stumble around Wonderland’s beer garden.

If you too live by the cheap gas, you might be interested in a strange DC sight: the Propane Taxi.

This is a propane tank delivery service that will bring you refills right to your door, or tub. Just don’t drop a tank on your toe, John.

The emergency room wait for care on that foolishness is long I hear.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs