August 31, 2004
The Choice Is Yours
Hand-made glitter and construction paper posters hang at the front of the Cashier's Office at George Washington University to remind stressy students that a positive attitude will take them farther than a negative one. It's rather amazing how well these signs work. In the past, I've come into this office frustrated about my financial aid, about being run all over campus, shuttled from office to office to fill out forms here, turn them in there, check a box over there, etc. But no matter how angry or negative I am when I get to the front of the line at this desk, these posters remind me that the person I'm talking to isn't responsible for my misery, that she (I don't remember seeing men working here) is only doing her job, that she'll help if she can, and that she doesn't deserve to be mistreated just because GW's bureaucracy is screwed up. Clearly, a little glitter goes a long way.
August 30, 2004
Eating the World
August 29, 2004
DC DMV (blows)
The line at the D.C office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stretches down the hallway on a Friday morning. After standing in this line for over an hour only to be turned away at the info desk, I've got a few suggestions for the DC DMV. They probably all fall under the same main suggestion, which is: Get a freaking clue and stop being so stupid!!!
So here's the deal: If you move w/in D.C. but you need to park your car on the street, you'll need to get a parking permit for the parking "zone" you've moved to. No big deal, right? You just tell them you've moved and they issue you a new permit in place of your old one, right? Wrong. In order to get a new permit you have to a valid DC registration with your current address, which means you have to get a new registration ($72). In order to get a new registration you have to have a driver's license with your current address, which means you have to get a new driver's license ($39)! In order to get a driver's license you must have a gazillion forms of ID and proof of current residency. That last one was the kicker for us: As proof of residency, the DMV only accepts a utility bill sent to your current address, an original lease or rental agreement, or a notarized written statement from the landlord saying you live where you claim to live. Our problem: We don't pay utilities here, so we have no utility statements; all we have is a photocopy of our lease and our landlord is out of town until next week (or the next or next — it's unclear). Stupid us, we thought our photocopied lease would work, even though it says online that it won't work—admittedly our bad; we just couldn't believe they would be so senselessly rigid about this. So we waited in line for an hour only to be laughed at by the mostly nice but slightly surly info desk attendant. We had mail addressed to us at our new address (but no utility bills), official change of address confirmations from the U.S. Post Office, and a photocopy of our lease, but none of that was good enough to prove we actually live where we say we live.
So, my tip for the DMV: Simplify your freaking processes! It's ridiculous that we moved six blocks and now must go through such a torturous process just to switch our parking permit from one zone to another. It's really no wonder the District's population is shrinking—the local government (at least the DMV) seems to be doing its level best to make all the current residents so mad they can't wait to leave.
August 28, 2004
Trolley Square Telephone Box
This bronze sculpture, entitled (I think) "The Trolley Arrives in Mount Pleasant," sits inside an old emergency telephone box on Mt. Pleasant St. near the corner of Harvard and 16th St. At right you can see the plaque below the sculpture, as well as the telephone box in the context of its surroundings (with a big beautiful church in the background; I'll have to figure out what church that is...).
The text of the plaque begins: "Until 1900 Mount Pleasant was still a small village of wood-frame houses about a mile outside the City of Washington. In 1903 the city extended and broadened 16th Street, separating what is now Columbia Heights from Mount Pleasant. At about the same time, the trolley lines in downtown Washington reached up to Mount Pleasant along what is now Metrobus Route 42. These changes connected Mount Pleasant with jobs and commerce downtown, ensuring the neighborhood's rapid development."
The plaque also has a map which I think leads to about 8 other telephone box art projects. Good subjects for future photos, perhaps...
August 27, 2004
Speed Wash
Inside the Speed Wash laundromat on Mt. Pleasant St. near the corner of 16th and Harvard at the top of the Adams Morgan neighborhood (Or perhaps this is the beginning of the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood? I don't know where the lines are drawn or how you tell when you've left one neighborhood and entered another. I guess the DC Map Gallery would be one place to start.) I spent a few hours here yesterday washing bulky heavy things that won't fit in our tiny washer (like comforters and furniture covers). I was shocked to see it cost $4.50 for a load of laundry, plus about $1.50 to dry. Admittedly, I used the large, "double-loader" washers because I had big heavy stuff, but the regular size washers were smaller than the tiny one we have here in our apartment! Whatever; it's crazy how expensive it is to do laundry this way. I now have a new appreciation for our washer and dryer.
August 26, 2004
Beware
A sign posted at the corner of 19th and S Streets in the Dupont Circle neighborhood warns residents of a recent spike in crime. DCist rounds up the latest on this—a waiter was shot (and killed) at 18th and R the other night, and several other crimes have been reported in the area recently. Local celebrity blogger Bob Mould also has some thoughts on the subject. Scary stuff. Looks like we moved out of this neighborhood just in time, huh?
August 25, 2004
Coke Habit
A large sign advertises coke inside a McDonalds somewhere in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. We almost never go to McDs for anything, but we had a hard time finding public bathrooms at appropriate times on our drive to/from Atlantic City, so we ended up here. Nothing's better than a french fry twisted coyly around a straw!
August 24, 2004
AC Beach
A lifeguard boat on the beach in Atlantic City. Next time I go (if I ever do), I'll plan to take more beach fun stuff—like sunscreen and a beach towel and maybe a cooler. The beach may be kind of rough (shells, rocks), but it was still beautiful and refreshing.
That's it for the AC photos, but if you haven't had enough, check out the whole album (or at least 18 more shots from it) in Atlantic City: The Boardwalk Goes Ding!
This album comes courtesy of the magic of Jose and PicPages 1.0.1. This is the first time I've used it, and it works like a dream; almost too easy. I played with the stylesheet a little to try to integrate it into the ai look and feel, w/out complete success; I'll play w/it some more on the next album. Aside from that issue (which is really just due to my rudimentary friendliness w/CSS), I can't praise PicPages enough. If you have some images you'd like to put online in an online photo album (and if you have access to a server where you can FTP files and which allows you to run PHP stuff), PicPages makes it a snap.
August 23, 2004
Winnings!
A winning voucher from a slot machine in Atlantic City. This was the result of a $20-input and only 5-10 minutes of play—a pretty good return on investment. The magic button-pusher and lucky winner here was L's brother, using L's sister's money, so they split the winnings.
Gone are the days where you play pennies or nickels or even quarters. The slot machines in AC don't accept coins at all. If you sit down at a nickel machine, usually the lowest amount you can play is a dollar (20 nickels). The machines accept cash in the form of bills, or you can simply insert these gaming vouchers and play off your winnings. When you win, a voucher like this is what you get; no more coins dinging musically into trays. The casinos also have ATM-style redemption machines where you insert a voucher, the machine scans it, then spits out your cash. All this technology has probably eliminated some casino jobs, but it also probably gives casinos more money because it's easy to slip a voucher in your pocket, then leave the casino w/out redeeming it.
Overall, most everyone came close to breaking even for the weekend. I ended about $30 down, but the only way I was able to limit my losses was simply by not playing anything—I lost basically every time I played. The big winnings went to Mr. P, who entered a no-limit Texas Hold'em poker tournament yesterday at 2 p.m. The tournament had a $40 buy-in, with unlimited re-buys in the first hour (or something like that), plus one available "add-on" after the first hour. Six hours (and countless hands) after beginning, having invested a total of about $100 in the game, Mr. P walked away w/a $600 pot. Not bad, not bad at all! Congratulations, Mr. P!
August 22, 2004
Atlantic City at Night
The Atlantic City Boardwalk, viewed from the beach at night. Like Vegas, AC is probably at its best after the sun goes down. During the day, it looks rough, dirty, dilapidated. At night, it sparkles and dings. One lasting impression I'll retain from our trip was the near constant noise everywhere. In the casinos the slot machines are constantly blaring and dinging and beeping and whirring, even as the sound systems blare various musical choices (usually top 40-ish rock or dance, it seemed). On the boardwalk, every casino and many businesses in between had speakers blaring some music or another, many of them at insane volumes. The beach was somewhat quiet, the steady crashing of the waves a sort of natural lullaby to offset the casino cacophony.
August 21, 2004
Atlantic City Surreality
Mirrored and lighted tunnel to the self-park garage at the Tropicana in Atllantic City. This was the first sight that greeted us after we got out of the car and began our two-day debauch in the East Coast's Sin City. Gamble gamble gamble, then gamble some more! Not so fun if you have no money and/or don't enjoy the gambling thing that much; very very fun if you do.
August 20, 2004
Lupa Eats Chair
Lupa decides the chair is more tasty than her bone. Lupa's person was one of my fellow interns this summer.
August 19, 2004
Summer Work Product
A stack of documents related to the biggest case I worked on this summer in my summer internship with the public defender's office. I began researching legal issues related to this case way back in May, then produced two memos on that research, and wrote a motion to suppress statements based upon it. I also analyzed and wrote memos about discovery information we gathered and were given by the state, researched and took steps toward retaining forensic experts to testify on behalf of our client at trial, and researched and spoke with experts about a computer forensics issue related to the case. To top everything off, during my last week of work, our office had to conflict out of the case because new evidence suggested a former client was implicated. It was a sad thing to work all summer on such a big case, only to have it disappear w/out any resolution. In addition to my concern for our client's rights and best interests, I also became personally invested in the work I put into the case and would like to see whether that work produces any positive results. That's still possible, of course; a private attorney has taken over the case and he will be arguing the motion I wrote in a couple of weeks, so I'll check with him to see how things go.
August 18, 2004
14th Street Bridge
A view of D.C. from the 14th Street bridge heading East across the Potomac. I think this bridge has another name, but I can never keep them straight. Here's a map of where the bridge is located—it's the one just above the "Potomac River" label.
August 17, 2004
Hot Type
An old typesetting machine sits on display in the entrance to the Washington Post's offices on 15th Street in downtown D.C. I didn't notice when this machine was actually used, but I'd say about 60-80 years ago. I could be wrong, though. Printing has changed so dramatically in just the last 20 years that even 30-40 years ago some papers were probably using stuff like this. This history of the Post doesn't tell me much. Maybe I'll wander back by there soon to find out more about this machine...
August 16, 2004
Public Art Menagerie
Representatives from D.C.'s two different "public art" campaigns in which artists decorate large figurines that are then parked around the city for people to enjoy. Here we have a donkey and an elephant from the "Party Animals" exhibit from 2002, as well as a panda from the current "Pandamania" exhibit.
(Yes, I've posted about the pandas before. They're bright and fun and easy to take pictures of. I've got even more...)
August 15, 2004
How Are YOU?
Sidewalk stenciling on 16th street. We moved today, so the answer to this question for us would be: Tired and sore.
August 14, 2004
DC Masons
Masonic Temple near 16th and S streets in D.C. And if you think this is massive, check out the one in Alexandria, VA. A local rumor says that there's a mechanical George Washington robot inside the Alexandria temple who shows around visitors. However, since you have to be a high-level member to get that treatment, this rumor continues to go unconfirmed.
August 13, 2004
Fine Dining Detritus
A leftover bag from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and an empty Budweiser bottle sit abandoned in a flower bed in front of our apartment. I'm told the steaks are good at Ruth's Chris. Maybe when I win the lottery I'll find out, and then perhaps I, too, can throw my trash in the street.
Note: Jose has released a little PHP program called picpages 1.0 that allows you to easily publish an entire folder of photos, customized to look as you choose. I hope to be installing it here soon for those times when I'd like to post more than one photo of a single event.
August 12, 2004
Visions Cinema
Visions Cinema on Florida Avenue, Washington D.C. For roughly the past year we've lived just a block away from Visions. When we moved here we were really excited about that because we'd already travelled into Dupont from Silver Spring a couple of times to see movies at Visions, and we'd wished it wasn't so far. Funny how things work. Since we moved here, I think we've actually been to Visions only once or twice. We saw MoveOn's film about the build-up to Iraq (Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War), and possibly something else, but for whatever reason we just haven't made it back very often. Now we're moving further away from Visions, even if it is less than a dozen blocks. Maybe being farther away will mean we visit more often.
August 11, 2004
Neo-Nazi Lies?
Marker graffiti on a Washington Times vending machine on our block. Remember, the Washington Post is "hidding the real news" and the Times is apparently full of neo-Nazi lies. No wonder Washington politics are so messed up. ;-)
August 10, 2004
Tread Canyon
Two escalator treads sit beside the Dupont South metro escalator waiting to be installed. As is probably the case with most escalators, it seems the D.C. Metro escalators are in need of constant repair. That's no surprise, since they run 24/7. I have an idea to save the city money: Turn the escalators off in the early morning and late night hours when they're not used as much. Install a motion-sensitive device at the top and bottom that will allow the escalators to start when someone steps on, but will allow them to stop if no one has ridden for a few minutes. It might not save much, but every bit counts, right?
FYI: If you simply ride the Dupont North escalator (meaning, if you don't actually walk up any steps under your own power and just stand there the whole way up), the trip from top to bottom takes over two minutes. If you walk up the whole way at a moderate pace, it takes less than 30 seconds. Just FYI.
August 09, 2004
New Apartment
The front steps of our new "house." The steps going down on the left are ours; the main steps go up to the main house in which our new landlords live. That's right, L. and I are in the middle of moving from one basement to another, and this after I once swore (many years ago) never to live in a basement again. Ah, the city life! This new apartment is only about 6-8 blocks away but we'll save $300/month by moving. It's not really as nice as the place we've been living—for example, it doesn't have new appliances or tile or carpet or paint on the walls (but at least everything has been cleaned since the picture at right was taken!) — but we'll save $300/month by moving. It also comes with all utilities paid, including access to a free wireless network—hooray! Plus, there' s a dog park right across the street so walking the dog will be a breeze. And did I mention we'll save $300/month? ;-)
August 08, 2004
Dash Bus
Inside the Dash Bus in downtown Alexandria,Virginia. If you're in D.C., Old Town Alexandria is a great little getaway, and the Dash Bus makes it easy to get there. Just take yellow line on the Metro to King Street or Braddock Road and the Dash Bus will take you right to the Potomac for only $1 more.
August 07, 2004
Whe Flash
A sticker obscures a street sign in the Kalorama neighborhood of D.C. I have no idea what this means, but it's freaky. Apparently, they have no principles of design.
Stickers appear all over the city, randomly, saying random things. They're like tiny little shouts in the wilderness of the urban landscape, anonymous, silent, impotent, yet also bold, defiant, seemingly full of potential. Who sticks them, and why? Is there a certain segment of the population, say 14-18 year-old males, who are more likely to place stickers on random city surfaces? Do the stickers ever have any effect? Are they part of the irreconcilable remainder, "the otherwise contradictory systemic anomaly"? Are the sticker people refusing the program, or are they just exercising the "choice" that keeps them in check?
August 06, 2004
Vacuum
The command and control center on our vacuum. We're moving soon, so the vacuum is going to get a serious workout.
August 05, 2004
Zaytinya
Zaytinya, "a well known restaurant in Washington, D.C." L's sister took us here for L's (late) birthday dinner. It's a beautiful place, and the food is . . . . Well, it was great, but not nearly as good (to me) as Jaleo, its big sister restaurant just a few blocks away. But don't listen to me; I can only enjoy feta-like cheeses in small doses, and those weren't the doses you'll find at Zaytinya. For a better idea of what you'll find, see the reviews from the Washingtonian and the Post. What's great about it is that it's a Greek/Mediterranean tapas place, so even if you order something that's not thrilling, not to worry—just order something else. The softshell crab was great, though. I'm not sure you can ever go wrong w/softshell crab...
August 04, 2004
Dulles
Looking up a concrete pillar supporting the facade of Dulles Airport in NOVA (Northern Virginia). This is part of the departure zone (click right for larger image). Dulles is, far and away, the most depressing airport I can ever remember going to. I've never flown in or out of it, so I'm not speaking from vast experience, but I've spent enough time in the baggage claim area to loathe it. While the ticketing area upstairs isn't bad (it seems to be seriously under construction somehow w/lots of plywood barriers everywhere), the baggage claim downstairs is dark, dirty, smelly, under construction, far too small, decrepit and decaying. Like I said, depressing. Add to that the fact that Dulles is a good 40-60 minutes (depending on traffic) from D.C., and you've got only one possible conclusion: Do not fly in or out of Dulles. Yeah, it might cost a little more to fly out of National, but it's right on the Metro so the convenience has got to be worth a good bit. BWI (Baltimore) is always an option, as well.
August 03, 2004
Can Collection
A wall of vintage beer cans decorates the wall at the Brickskeller. I met an old friend there last night and caught up on everything from labor history to obscure Russian films. Good times.
Have I mentioned that I love the Brickskeller? If you go and are overwhelmed by the beer list, I can recommend:
- Victory Golden Monkey Tripel (a very alcoholic but tasty beer from Pennsylvania)
- Tusker, a Kenyan lager that's just slightly sweet
- Wurzeberger (sp?), a German wheat bear that doesn't quite compete w/Tucher but comes inn the same large (16.9 oz, I think) bottles and requires a very artful pour; it's also a great deal at only $5.95 or so
- Unibroue Trois Pistoles, a Canadian beer that's hard to explain, but if you like Belgian beers, you'll probably like this
- Young's Oatmeal Stout, a nice creamy stout that goes splendidly w/a burger
August 02, 2004
Happy Dog
Sisu smiles for the camera. She's moped through a week of L's absence, but she seems to mostly forget to be mopey if she's taking a walk outside. I sometimes think it's cruel to keep her here in a city where she's so rarely outside and never off a leash. She needs a place where she can run, and preferably a place she can play in water. And then I think, hey, I need a place like that, too! As the Rolling Stones said, "You can't always get what you want..."
