DC bucket list

In Florida, if someone had a question about where to go, or what do to do, they would come to me. I don't want to sound uppity, but I know my Florida history and I'm very good at remembering facts. So several people dubbed me "Captain Florida" and "knowledgeable about pretty much everything" (which to me, means I know a little tiny bit about a whole lot of stuff and the result is that I look smart). I really like knowing what is going on in the community around me and being able to share my knowledge with people. So it's a challenge moving to a new place, especially one so LARGE, and with so much going on. I'm researching and asking people for ideas and in an effort to make it a little easier on myself, and to also encourage people to visit, I'm going to list all the things I want to do in my time here (however long that is). As my office is fond of saying, this is a 'living document,' meaning it is not complete and is still growing. If you see something on the list that looks awesome to you, claim it for your visit (I'm looking at you Em and Jodi!). 

1-12. Smithsonian museums - there are actually 12 museums in the Smithsonian collection. I've been to the Air & Space and the Hirshorn Art museum, but I haven't finished them. And of course they also have rotating exhibits. And it's all free. I'm really excited about the American history and natural history museums. 

13. Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt, WWII, Korean,  other various monuments. I would love to have a picnic when the weather is warmer...

14. The Kennedy Center - There are free performances every day at 6pm, ranging from high school plays to choirs. 

15. National Arboretum - you can see the original pillars of the U.S. Capitol that was burned in the War of 1812. A co-worker also told me they do full moon tours - but you have to sign up months in advance. 

16. Great Falls Park - 800 acre park with waterfalls!

17. Mount Vernon

18. farmer's markets - the market in Old Town in Alexandria is supposedly the oldest continual market located in the same spot - Washington sold his produce from Mount Vernon here!

19. Ben's Chili Bowl - a diner that has survived a lot and has become an institution in DC. The chili dogs are supposed to be excellent!

20. Waterfront Fish market - This is right across the street from my work. At lunch, there is a crowd of working class people that gather around for crabs, seafood chowder, and crab cakes. It has what Dad and I would call ambience. Apparently it really smells like a fish market in the summer. I don't know what people expect.  I mainly want to go there because my coworkers seem really scared of it. But if it's good enough for the workers, it's good enough for me. And probably more affordable too. 

21. Busboys and Poets -a coffee shop/cafe/ bookstore/poetry lounge. meant to 'serve as a meeting place for the progressive social movement.' named after Langston Hughes - the poet busboy. 

22. old stone house - the last pre-revolutionary house in DC on it's original foundation.

23. the national geographic museum

24. The spy museum

25. The Holocaust museum

26. chinatown

27. Cherry Blossom Festival - March 28 - April 12

28. The Eastern Market - flea/farmer's market

29. Arlington Cemetry

30. Amish Country - Lancaster, PA is about 2.5 hours away

Well that's it for tonight. I will do more on VA and MD later.

the saga of the bark collar

The first week I moved in to my new house, a neighbor came and knocked on my door. She asked me if I might be able to keep Ruby inside. It was 9:30 at night, she was barking at something and the neighbor had a sleeping 9-month-old. Because the back door has a doggy door, it's difficult for me to control her habit. So I bought her a bark collar. I started out with a citronella spray collar. Every time she barks it sprays citronella. The smell, sound and spray are supposed to surprise her. Well. the dogs conspired and got the collar off while I was at work. Then they chewed it to bits.

After a couple days without a collar (and a lot of barking) I went back to the store and got a SHOCK collar. Well, it works, I guess. But the dogs are too smart. Again they got it off of Ruby, this time in the snowy yard. Luckily it's waterproof.

So the next day I put it back on her. Once again, I got home that afternoon and Ruby was collarless. I didn't have to look far. In the middle of the living room was her shock collar. they had chewed it and it was missing the battery. I found the battery, the collar still worked (although it's probably not waterproof anymore) and I soaked it in Bitter Yuck.

Today it was still on Ruby, although it had been loosened. 

I'm hoping she just learns her lesson and I won't have to deal with this anymore. 

Snow!

As Bing Crosby sang in White Christmas, "It won't be long before we're there with snow..." 

sidewalk on the way to work ~ 7:30am

same sidewalk on the way home ~ 4pm

view from the boss' office

my house!

New year's in New Orleans

This is a little late (about 17 days), but I wanted to share my experience in New Orleans.
I had the good fortune to travel with Kim, who is extremely knowledgeable about NOLA. We got to stay with her friend in the Lower Ninth Ward and see and hear a local's
perspective. Her friend is passionately involved with reviving her city. It was amazing to hear the love she had for her home and neighbors. Most people nowadays are not that connected to their neighborhoods. This pride in NOLA defines many people. I guess you have to be that passionate to come back to such destruction and to be strong enough to rebuild.

Water damage (and termites) in a house Kim's friend bought at a tax sale

After we left Kim's friend, we started the real tourist stuff. We met up with my friends, hung out on Bourbon Street, ate beignets, and had bloody marys with pickled green beans.

Singer's awesome shoes at a bar on Bourbon
It was hard for me to rectify these two different sides of NOLA - the residents that live here all the time and the loud, impolite tourists. It was just amazing to see the utter emptiness that still consumes some areas of the city and then the throngs of people on Bourbon.


I love New Orleans because of the unique culture there. If a natural disaster like Katrina had happened anywhere else, the resulting art and culture would not have been as profound. They have been able to keep Katrina in the minds and hearts of people through song, poetry and art. I suppose that is one positive result amongst all the devastation.

two pairs of tights and a blue wax owl.

My stuff finally made it's way to VA! There are boxes strewn around the house, and I have no idea where anything is, but its all here. Now I have to sort and organize.

 It's kind of like opening presents on Christmas morning.  unwrap - it's a wooden spoon! unwrap - it's a scarf! unwrap - it's a blue wax owl (yes I own a blue wax owl). Every item has 3 sheets of heavy paper on it. It's no wonder that it looks like I have so much stuff. Also, I don't know what I'm going to do with all these boxes. Illegal dumpster run? I don't know the recycling procedures in this area yet.

We have been celebrating my new roommate's birthday over the last couple of days. She had a friend come into town and we went out Friday and Saturday. It was a good time, we ate at two really good restaurants and hit up bars in Arlington and the District. You could spend a lot of money fast if your not careful. I'm going to have to make myself stick to more of a budget once everything gets settled. But it was Amanda's birthday, so it was a special occasion. That's also why I wore a dress out in the [literally] freezing cold. I didn't want to be the uncooperative roommate. I did wear 2 pairs of tights though. 

Again I PROMISE to post pictures soon. But I would prefer to do it when my house looks a little more put together. sorry. 

PS I'm going to start post the temp when I blog. it's currently 40 degrees out, but Friday and yesterday the wind chill was in the negative.

Made it!

I'm officially a resident of Alexandria, VA! Dad and I made it here around 1pm on Sunday, after a long, but not terrible, drive. Ruby was very good in the car. She slept most of the way, with her head propped between the two front seats. She only tried to breach the cockpit a few times, slowly sneaking over the partition. 

Once here, we poked around the apartment then went to Old Town Alexandria. This is the historical strip that has many restaurants and shops on it. We had lunch at the Hard Times Cafe, where chili is top. It was ok, I probably won't go back anytime soon with all the other options. That night I went to a sports bar in Crystal City with my roommate to watch the Carolina basketball game with some of her friends.

Monday we checked out Del Ray, which is the community I live in. Downtown is about a 15 minute walk from my house. We ate at Mancini's and window shopped. Then we went to Target to make an initial run and then to Ikea and Costco. That night we set up the cabinet I got at Ikea (there is no pantry space) and went to Al's Steakhouse, a sandwich shop. After Al turned the lights out on us (it was 7:45 and he closes at 8), we went home and spent some time with my roommate. 

Tuesday we ate in Del Ray again at the Caboose Cafe and then took the metro into DC. It's less than a 15 min walk to the metro station and then a 15-20 ride to my stop for work. We wandered around the station (its one of the big ones) trying to find the exit for my job. after exiting the wrong way, we found the right way back in. Then we walked towards the mall and went to the air and space museum. We saw only a small portion of it, but it was interesting (and free!). I can't wait to go to the American History and Natural History museums. After getting home, Dad took Amanda and I to Thai Peppers in Del Ray. It was the first time Dad and Amanda had Thai food, but I think they enjoyed it. We ducked into the Majestic Lounge for a drink, and it was not what I was expecting. It's a doorway in an alley off the main street. It has a great sign (I promise I will take a picture). It was much more swanky than I expected, with graceful lighting and expensive drinks (something I have to get used to). They have live music 4 days a week. If you come visit me, we will go here!

Wednesday Dad and I got up late and puttered around the house, then went for a ride down US 1. We drove by Mount Vernon and ate at a diner called the Magic Skillet. It was ok. After that we came home and puttered some more. Dad leaves this afternoon, and I will be on my own. I'm sad he's going, but I will be glad to have the extra blankets on my bed. It's supposed to be extremely cold for the next couple days. I'll update soon on my roommate, house and how Ruby is doing. I will also put up pictures soon!

good bye stuff, see you in a week.

At this very moment, there are men packing my belongings. Putting my books, clothes, random collections of junk and records away. Its really odd to watch strangers touching my stuff. They have no connection to my belongings. I have to wonder what kind of odd things they have packed in their days. How does my stuff compare? Is there anything I own that makes them giggle?

 One guy did come out of the bedroom and held up my ratty monopoly game. He asked me if i had played the new electronic one yet. I said no, but it would probably be a lot less messy. He told me not to play it. It's credit cards that you have to slide and it's not fun at all. I guess I will keep the monopoly game we played as girls, tattered money and all!