Nationals Park is Where I Call Home

Well, DC, you gave developing Southeast and Southwest along Maine Avenue a shot (if you want to call this area Anacostia, you can), but lack of interest and a weak economy have stifled your efforts.

The Washington Post has this article on the disappointing growth for the area around Nationals Park.

I don't really have much to comment on it because I'm not surprised. There just isn't enough to draw people to the area when there isn't a Nationals game, so why would someone building a store there. Even the liquor store went bust a while back...or did it just get robbed to many times. Heh, why cross hairs.

I might be doing a 180

After reading a few DC blogs on Kal Penn's new job working for the Obama Administration, I realized that I might someday run into him...especially if he likes the gay bars.

This ignites in me my obsessive fantasy with meeting celebrities and being their best friend.

So could Kal and I be best friends even though I think he's a hack?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Coke Commercial Being Taped on Connecticut & L, NW Now

As I walking back to work from lunch, I noticed a film crew at Connecticut and L, NW by Farragut North Metro Station.

I asked one of the crew members what was going on and she said it was for a Coke commercial.

So I strolled around a bit to see if I could see anyone famous and who did I see...

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist!

If he's acting or now a consultant for Coke, I don't know which.

Either way, Pepsi anyone?

DC's Best Commercial

Sorry, Eastern Motors. The throne for most catchy and just plain messed up commercial in the DC region has passed to....

Afros Cut!!

**Video plays all three Afros Cut commercials**

Stadium Traffic Scares My Neighbors

The Washington Post has this article on the fears many of my Southwest neighbors have with likelihood of traffic congestion following the completion of the National's new stadium.

I say in the words of our fearless leader, "Bring em' on!"

I see nothing but blue skies and blooming roses in this situation. Here's my list why:

1. The thousands of visitors will mean boom times for our nonexistent restaurants and shops.

2. And with all these people floating around we'll have a whole new class of people to despise.

4. More cars mean more smog. It is about time our air matched the color of the nearby Anacostia River. Royal Brown.

5. We'll get to watch the progression of our neighborhood turn from crackhouses to trendy condos and back to crackhouses, all within a few years.

6. Higher chance of SW pedestrians being hit by cars. Money in the bank for the injured.

7. Last but not least why this is good news: I don't drive and I don't use the Navy Yard Metro. I could give a fuck!

Good Times.

Crazy Cab Ride

When I take a cab I really enjoy talking to the cab drivers from other countries. Most are polite and have very interesting histories. So last night as I left the club at 3 in the morning, I took a cab home. But this cab driver was a black American, so I couldn't use my usual first question of "what country are you from?".

As I rode along, I noticed that the cab driver had two books on his dashboard: "Idiots Guide to the Internet" and "The Truth of Roswell". Noticing the book on Roswell, I decided I could use it to strike up a conversation.

We talked a lot about the cover-up, if aliens are here now watching over us, what the government knows, and all that other alien conspiracy-type talk. As the ride entered its last leg, we noticed a guy on the road waiting for a cab. Since we were close to my house, I said it would be fine for us to pick him up.

The conversation continued and our new passenger, who was also a black American, joined in. As the cab pulled up to my house, the driver made one final point claiming the validity of the Roswell book. The forward was written by Senator Strom Thurmond.

This is where everything started to turn wacky, and so for it, I am going to write as if it is a script.

Me: So why does having a forward written by Strom Thurmond make it good?

Cab Driver: Because Strom Thurmond was a great man.

Me: Umm, didn't he run for President in the 1950's in order to keep segregation alive in the south?

Cab Driver: Well, what does that have to do with anything?

Me: Well, he kind of did that because he was racist against black people.

Passenger: Yeah, but didn't he have a black daughter?

Me: Yes, an illegitimate daughter he kept in hiding.

Passenger: Thomas Jefferson had black children too. He was a good man.

Me: He may have had black children, but he still kept them as slaves.

Cab driver: Well, Strom Thurmond still was a good man because of his efforts against aliens.

And scene.

Different, huh? How did this happen? How did I get into a conversation with two black men who were defending Strom Thurmond?

Oh well, whatever.

Update: Pope Coming to DC

Today, a generous though anonymous reader (my Mom?) left a comment on my Pope in DC post from a while back informing me that there is a way to stay connected to the Catholic community even if you are not the most active.

The organization is called Stay Young - Adults and is sponsored by the St. Thomas Apostles Church.

I have to tell you, I am wowed by the information they have on their websites. Both seem to be very friendly and inviting and I suggest you sign up if interested.

Now you are probably wondering what this means for me as a recent Quaker convert. Well, I don't know, but I think I am going to put off Quakerism for a bit and go back to my Catholic heritage.

Will I be attending mass? Let's not push it.

I will see about attending one of the Stay Young events though, especially if Pope tickets are involved.

Am I a walking hypocrisy or what?!?

D.C. Not in Top Ten "Most Dangerous Cities"

What a turn around this city has done in the past ten years. So, okay, I don't know personally what that turn around has been since I've only been a two year resident, but from what people say, Washington D.C. is not the crime haven it once was.

Now we have a list that proves that [CNN Article]. A list DC seemed to be a permanent fixture to is no longer.

This has much to do to the gentrification of many neighborhoods, including mine, but also more importantly to a more effective city government.

The Pope is coming to DC

I'm a little excited that his holiness will be coming to DC in April. Now I know I am not the best Catholic, or even a good one, but still something about the Pope lights a fire of faith in me. No, not about that God stuff, but the faith in knowing I was born into the right religion and others weren't.

Anyway, I received this email from the archdiocese about tickets to his mass at the National's stadium:

Thank you for your interest in obtaining tickets to attend the upcoming
Mass that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, will celebrate in
Washington, DC during his Apostolic Journey to the United States. We
share in your joy of this special blessing.

The Archdiocese of Washington has not finalized plans for distribution
of tickets. In the past, our custom for major events has been to
distribute tickets primarily through our parishes and organizations with
whom we collaborate in the pastoral care of the local Church.

Once a decision on ticket distribution is made, it will be announced
publicly, including at the archdiocesan website, www.adw.org, and in the
Catholic Standard and El Pregonero newspapers.

Looks like I need to find a church to join and fast before all the other stragglers beat me to it!

Amy Sedaris Coming to DC

Amy Sedaris is coming to the nation's capital on November 29th. She'll be speaking at some synagogue for an hour at $15 a pop. I've already got my ticket.

Here's where you can get yours: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15003F44EEA2C6E8?artistid=1167324&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=52

GWU Gone Crazy

This story is hilarious and sad at the same time. It comes from a great blog called, Why I Hate DC. Here you go: http://whyihatedc.blogspot.com/2007/11/higher-learning.html

Know Your D.C. Bum: Michael

I've always felt the plight of the regular D.C. bum is one that needs to be addressed by this city. More than anything I have always wanted to know a bit about their situation. I've decided to use this blog to meet a few of the impoverished and share their stories with you.

Here's Michael. He currently asks for change outside the CVS on Connecticut Ave. & K Street, Northwest.

Me: Michael, where are you originally from?
Michael: D.C.

Me: How long have you lived on the streets..err been in this situation?
Michael: Few years.

Me: Like how many?
Michael: Ah like ten.

Me: Why do you pick this area to ask for change?
Michael: Anywhere else to go.

Me: Ok, so nothing particular?
Michael: Nah.

Me: Who are the biggest givers?
Michael: just people.

Me: Like white people, black people, women?
Michael: just people.

Me: How can more people in D.C. be more assistance to you?
Michael: Well,...try to find me a job. More shelters, a whole lot more. There ain't no shelters around here.

Me: If you could be anywhere in this world, where would you be?
Michael: Where I be at, haha, way far away from this joint..way far away.

So not the most insightful interview. I wanted to be delicate for my first time. By the fourth question, we got to be a bit more comfortable with each other. I'll try to be more ballsy next time.

I want to thank Michael for speaking to me. If you see him on the street, give him something. He's a real nice guy.

Eastern Motors... Your Job's, Your Credit

I may never buy a car off you, but I love your jingle. I don't quite get the "Your Job's, Your credit" part. Whatever.