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Is Hibernating an Olympic Sport?

February 16, 2010 by ajw93

Hello, world! Yes, we here in your nation’s capital have finally begun to dig out from Snowpocalypse 2 and Snowmageddon.  It is pretty crazy around here, with the Feds staying shut for four out of the last five work days, then a three-day weekend, and delayed starts.  And that’s just for us grownups.  Some kids still aren’t back to school, due to dangerous subdivision conditions.  I can relate.  I once lived so deep in the country that school was cancelled just for the ten or so of us in my neighborhood, due to impassable roads.  Everyone else had to go to school.

There are giant piles of plowed snow everywhere.  I’ve seen some that are eight feet high or bigger.  Traffic has been downright nightmarish, what with the aforementioned giant piles of snow blocking driving lanes.  Not to mention parked cars.  It’s crazy.  Luckily, I don’t drive very much so I haven’t had to deal with it so far.  I mean, it did take me 90 minutes to get home on Friday, but I was hanging out on the bus, catching up on my RSS feeds.  So much less stressful than trying to drive.

What did I do during all that ridiculous and fantastic snow time?  Let me tell you:  not much.  I enjoyed my “snowcation” like nobody’s business.  My house is clean, my filing is done.  I cooked a lot.  Boy, those meatballs I made turned out to be delicious.  I made bread.  Twice.  I baked brownies.  I shoveled snow.  I went for lots of walks to combat cabin fever, until it got too windy to go outside.  Luckily, by then the Olympics were about to begin.

Did I mention that I love the winter Olympics?  I love them.  Love.  Love!  There’s always a lot of upstaters to root for, which makes it fun.  And every time the winter games come around, I think, “Boy, if I’m an Olympian in some parallel universe, I bet I’m a luger.”  Because that looks like some serious fun.  Of course, it’s dangerous.

On a lighter note, that opening ceremony!  It was nice to see one with a reasonable number of participants, for a change.  Excellent use of LCD projectors.  Stage trap doors?  Not so much.  And the fourth torch-bearer, just standing there?  If I were Wayne Gretzky I would have motioned her over so she could participate.  After all, he got to light the outdoor torch all by himself.  Have you ever seen the Olympic torch relay?  I have.  It came through town on its way to Lake Placid.  It was very, very cool.

And seriously, is Alexandre Bilodeau the Mary Lou Retton of Canada, or what?  Just awesome.  I was verklempt.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying watching the coverage on my HDTV, let me tell you.  (Except for Al Michaels, who appears to be drunk on the air.  And why does Bob Costas hate the wardrobe department?)  Super slo-mo + HDTV = awesome.  And it’s downright ridiculous how incredibly gorgeous Whistler is.  I mean, there ought to be a law.  If Whistler were president, it’d be Babe-raham Lincoln.

Lastnight’s men’s downhill event reminded me of my own “agony of defeat,” on a trip to the Adirondacks in high school.  In elementary school, I had about ten ski lessons.  Six years later, having not touched a ski in between, I was wary.  But my friends said, “oh, you’ll be fine!”  I remember being on the lift with JDM and he said cheerfully, “watch out for the moguls,” before taking off down the black diamond trail.  I looked around thinking, “uh, what’s a mogul?”  Found out quick!  I fell and nearly killed myself several times, before my expert-skier friends finally realized I had no idea what to do and no way to get to the bottom without taking off my skis and walking down 2,000 feet.  Thankfully one of them volunteered to help me out and we took a slow, winding run to the bottom.   The poor guy practically had to carry me, I was so frightened.  Thanks, TG.

What’s your favorite not-Olympic moment?

  • Lyric of the day: “Why are you so far away?”
  • Flashback of the day: The Miracle on Ice.
  • As I write this, what’s playing?  Greg Kihn’s “Jeopardy,” off  Kihnspiracy.
  • Photo of the day:
Statement of the Obvious

Statement of the Obvious

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

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Super Storm

February 7, 2010 by ajw93

WOW!  Hey, y’all.  DC has been slammed with two massive snowpocalypse storms in one winter, a once-in-a-lifetime event.   And we survived!

The flakes began to fall on Friday morning.  Our office closed early and I was able to make it home before the serious accumulation began.  In fact, after stopping at the bank, I had a dreamy walk through my dream neighborhood, and walked right through a little flock of robins – those beneficent birds of good omen.   Sure enough, the electricity and cable stayed on here in the building, and as always our maintenance crew stayed on and worked like troopers to keep our walkways and doors clear.  (Even though my kitchen sink is currently clogged, I certainly didn’t press them to fix it now now now.  They had more important things to do!)

And thirty hours later, my neighborhood was covered in two feet of snow.  The streets were almost devoid of cars (thankfully), but filled with people, wandering bewildered through this winter wonderland.  I set off for a few mid-blizzard walkabouts, thoroughly enjoying the scenery.  A passing stranger, smiling, handed me a giant snowball.

Even the parking lot was a winter wonderland

Even the parking lot was a winter wonderland. Click through for my Snowpocalypse 2 photos!

So, we made it through.  During the seemingly endless hours of snowfall, cameraderie won the day.  Folks checked in on each other, and volunteered to help dig neighbors out who couldn’t do it themselves.  Residents Volunteered their SUVs to shuttle medical personnel.  For plow men, money was falling from the sky.  And for once, most drivers heeded the advice of experts to stay off the roads during the storm.

The area did see some traumatic events.  Several buildings collapsed under the weight of this heavy, wet snow, including a church and an ice rink.  (Luckily though, no injuries were reported in those collapses.)

So now I’m happily ensconced with coffee in hand, watching the Super Bowl pregame show on NFLN and hoping for a snow day.  All in all, it’s been quite an adventure!

Stay warm, stay safe, and GEAUX SAINTS!!!

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Feds Declare Unscheduled Leave for Friday*

February 4, 2010 by ajw93

*cross-posted from dc.metblogs.com

The second snowpocalypse of the winter of 2009-2010 has already begun, even though flakes are not predicted to begin falling until tomorrow. In case you can’t see outside from your cubicle; it’s partly sunny and around 35 degrees outside just now, here in NW DC. Perfectly nice weather. (I just went to CVS.) However, the federal government has decided to declare Friday, Feb. 5 an “unscheduled leave” day already, due to concerns about commute troubles and other worries.

This grocery cart doesnt have snow tires

This grocery cart doesn't have snow tires

The flakes are supposed to begin tomorrow sometime around mid-day, and wreak complete havoc on the evening rush hour. With inch-an-hour snowfall possible starting during the workday, it’s conceivable that Metro could close its above-ground stations (due to 8″ or more snow) before the rush hour period even ends.

If you are planning on going out for supplies and haven’t yet, please be sure to allow plenty of time for standing in the check-out lines, and try to bring your most Zen-like patience with you. I’ve already heard several co-workers talking about long lines at grocers last night and this morning. During December’s Snowpocalypse, several major grocery stores in Arlington and Alexandria became almost completely devoid of meat, in addition to the usual staples of milk, bread, and toilet paper. Since it’s Super Bowl weekend on top of the snowstorm, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that chips and dip will be thin on the shelves this time around, too.

Once the snow stops falling, please wait for the roads to be cleared if you can, before attempting to drive (especially if you are even the least bit intimidated by snowy conditions). If you must head out, please clean off your entire car of snow…don’t drive around with two feet sitting on the roof, it can slide off and hit drivers behind you, causing major accidents. If you’ve got a sidewalk going through your property, please be courteous and shovel it so that others may pass by. In some jurisdictions, this is required by law.

Try to be ready, be patient, and enjoy the snow! Do some sledding, build a snowman, have a snowball fight. Be safe, DC! Happy flaking!

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Monday Mix

February 1, 2010 by ajw93

1. It is Super Bowl Week.  Last night was the Pro Bowl; the best bits of what little I saw:  Matt Schaub throwing 2 TD passes (Wahoowa!), and Michael Irvin spouting off about, well, everything.  Hilarious.  I sort of love him.  (I wonder if Goodell thinks he can move the thing back to HI, have it the week before the Super Bowl, and still expect players on Super Bowl teams to report.)

UPDATE: Just now I went to the Texans’ website to get a link and learned that Schaub was named Pro Bowl MVP.  Double Wahoowa!  That’s got to be a first for pro ‘Hoos, right? Plus, the ‘Hoos basketball team beat the crap out of Carolina last night.  He must have been sending out vibes or something.

2. Speaking of reporting:  Nats pitchers and catchers report in three weeks.

3. The Caps have won ten in a row!

4. My first “undesirable” has finally turned up on Facebook.  I have re-thought my privacy settings.

5. It is picture-postcard beautiful outside today.

6. I have just donated blood.  Makes me even whiter than usual!

  • Lyric of the day: “You might be the one that I’ve been seeking for; you might be the strange delightful”
  • Flashback of the day: JS’ yellow Trans-Am.
  • As I write this, what’s playing? AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You),” off For Those About to Rock.
  • Photo of the day:

Red Barn, Clermont-ish

We all need a red barn once in a while

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Doppelgängers

January 29, 2010 by ajw93

So, it’s “Doppelgänger Week” on Facebook.  This means that we’re all supposed to change our profile pictures to someone famous whom we resemble.  Of course, mine is the young Sarah Ferguson.  People used to tell me that all the time ca. 1986.  One friend’s grandmother never even bothered to call me by name; she just called me “Fergie.”  I am extremely disappointed that SR did not choose Steve Jobs, but his choice was a good one.  In contrast, JDM (no, not that one, the other one) chose perfectly.  One acquaintance, on meeting him, said later, “How did you get Lieutenant Dan to accompany you?”  Needless to say, it’s been quite entertaining when logging on these past few days.

In the news yesterday, we learned J.D. Salinger passed away; he was most famous as the author of The Catcher in the Rye, and man oh man did he ever speak to the youth.  We, the jaded kids of the Reagan years, related like nobody’s business…but so did our parents.  And so did our kids.  So, thanks, Mr. S, for The Catcher in the Rye and all your other work.  We’ll miss you, but we’re glad you came through here.

These two bits of news, unrelated though they are, have put me in mind of other Doppelgänger moments I’ve had in life.  There’s KR — who could forget a) his John Taylor haircut or b) that Labyrinth costume?  There’s the aforementioned SR; once I actually was able to identify Steve Jobs by name, I immediately thought how they looked alike.  It continues to by my first thought every time old Steve is on the news — even for a product as dumb as the iPad.  And there’s PB, who basically could body-snatch Michael Rapaport and no one would notice.

And finally, there’s DJG, who looked exactly, and I mean exactly, like Tim Quirk.  And I don’t just mean a passing resemblance; they’re both big, tall, blond dudes who are almost exactly the same size…and the wry humor!  And the adorable wives!  And the, uh, unusual vocal technique!  The first time I ever saw TQ — he was singing on Pennsylvania Avenue at some festival or another — I literally had to stop walking with my friend, totally ignoring her, and go back and look again, because I thought I had just seen DJG up there, and it made no sense.  The first time I ever talked to Tim I became even more certain that they’d been separated at birth.  It was freaky.  True Doppelgängers!

There’s a method to my madness:

Enjoy some yuppie-post-punk-pop and think back to when you first met Holden Caulfield (or, when you first saw Sunset Boulevard, or when you first heard Cereal Killers).

  • Lyric of the day: “a little out of touch, a little insane. It’s just easier than dealing with the pain”
  • Flashback of the day: Passing notes with JEP, KT instead of paying attention in English classes
  • As I write this, what’s playing?  Too Much Joy’s “William Holden Caulfield,” off Cereal Killers (obvs).
  • Photo of the day:
Enola Gay

Is mother proud of little boy today?

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When it rains, it pours

January 28, 2010 by ajw93

Argh.  So, I’m already experiencing the stress of a potential move.  I’m trying to wrap my mind around going to grad school, which I really, really, really do not want to do.  The family is dealing with the loss of a dear relative.  I’m concerned that the Saints won’t win the Super Bowl.  I ran out of garlic powder last night.

And now, today, on the way to work I noticed that my brakes are squealing and squeaking.  60,000 mile service is already imminent and that’s expensive enough.  This means an additional expenditure that’s difficult to afford just now.  I like working at my employer, but at times like this the pay cut I took to get here just kills me.  Do I return this morning’s headhunter call?

When it rains, it pours.  Why isn’t it raining men, or money?  Or men with money?

  • Lyric of the day: “love sings when it transcends the bad things”
  • Flashback of the day: those 2 weeks when all the girls were pulled out of P.E. in sixth grade…if only the boys had watched those films with us, we might have a better name than “iPad” to deal with.  Sigh.
  • As I write this, what’s playing? Foo Fighters’ “All My Life,” from HFStival 2005
  • Photo of the day:
Roller Coaster

How my life feels right now

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Help Me Decide

January 27, 2010 by ajw93

Here’s the debate: to move, or not to move, to a higher apartment?  Last night’s tenant’s meeting revealed extensive remodeling plans for my building, and we’ll all be kicked out.   Of course, the very reason I live there in the first place, is that my last apartment complex was gutted for reno’s and we were all kicked out! It’s deja vu all over again.

We’ll be forced to leave in about 18-24 months.  And stay out for 12-18 months.  Sigh.  I just renewed, but can change apartments basically any time.  If all goes according to plan, I would want to move back in — Del Ray is too awesome to leave.

We tenants who showed up to the meeting, about 20 out of more than 200 residents, were of course the segment of the population who are interested in staying.  We peppered the management with questions about new rent, and I was quite blunt about the previous reno I’d been through.  I think the managers were surprised at how direct our questions were.  But hey, guys?  There’s people in this building that have lived here since the the place was new!  We’re not kidding around about being long-term renters!  In the end, they did promise to give us specific new rent numbers and they promised the apartments would be about the same size.

Look.  I understand that they’re going to charge more, that’s fine.  But at my last residence, it was 40 percent more, for a 25 percent smaller apartment.  Uh, no.  However, that complex did have prices that were well below market; this building is only maybe 5-10% below.  And really, the building will be much better; freight elevators, pool open all year, garage parking, green space, washers and dryers, etc.  And no more electropocalypses (I hope).  So…move now, or just suck it up and stay where I am?  If I move now, I’d get this back:

North-East view

North-East view from my apartment, as it was when I moved in

(I lost the view of the Dome to new construction.)  But where shall I go in the interim?  It’s all very stressful, and I don’t want to think about it.  What shall I do?

Oh, and it turns out I owe $14 in Federal taxes.  Argh.

Come on, world…give me something to take my mind off this stuff!

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I Can’t Top That Headline

January 27, 2010 by ajw93

Oh, DC Examiner.  What will happen to you when your parent paper finally loses the Reverend’s interest and folds completely?  And how will we get through our commute without seeing headlines like this:

DC Examiner

Washington Examiner, Jan. 27, 2010

on our way out of the train station?  Where would the excitement be, in a world without you?  I despair.  Help us, Rupert Murdoch, you’re our only hope!

More seriously, the Metro truly is in terrible condition.  We commuters hear of these incidents and just sort of look at each other in desolation.  Or we would, if we weren’t all wearing our Metro Stare.  Still, I’ll continue to ride till the weather warms up in about a month and I can pull out my bike again.

But actually, I do have faith in Metro.  Until the last year or two, it had improved so much in the 17 years I’ve lived here.  The fact that the infrastructure is basically falling apart, though, will only make the danger grow over time.  Which leads me to wonder:  why do Americans believe so desperately in getting something for nothing?  Sigh.  I think I’ll make my escape off the Hill before the motorcade gets started, and go home to watch the Caprica pilot tonight instead of the SOTU.  We can all agree that watching Eric Stoltz is way more interesting (and less depressing) than anything any old President has to say, right?  I thought so.

  • Lyric of the day: “Baby, baby, baby, light my way”
  • Flashback of the day: Q-bert
  • As I write this, what’s playing? Franz Ferdinand’s “No You Girls,” off Tonight.
  • Photo of the day:
Father and Son relax after an exhausting bout of dartboard-hanging

Father and son relax with a drink, after an exhausting bout of dartboard-hanging

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Black Sky with Alpenglow

January 26, 2010 by ajw93

Yesterday was one of those odd winter days…the January Thaw.  65 blonking degrees, sort of rainy, and very windy.  The wacky barometric pressure made my hands ache.  It was all very odd.  The oddest of all, though, was the light when I left work.  Black skies!  But still there was alpenglow on the tops of the buildings from the sun waaaayyyyy off on the western horizon.

By the time I got off the train, all this strange light had turned itself into a gorgeous sunset, with a weirdly-bright waxing moon reflecting off huge, billowing clouds. I had to capture the view from the platform before running off to the bus stop.

  • Lyric of the day: It’s amazing what we can do with love, with some matches and gasoline, do with love
  • Flashback of the day: When the sky turned black black black during Henry Rollins’ set, then went blue again when he was done
  • As I write this, what’s playing? Seven Mary Three’s “Cumbersome,” off American Standard.
  • Photo of the day:
Sunset over GW Masonic Memorial, Alexandria, 2009

Sunset over GW Masonic Memorial, Alexandria, 2010

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Dept of Badly-Dressed Men

January 26, 2010 by ajw93

Hi guys!  You know I love you, right?  You know that I want you to look your best, right?  Well, I do.  Of course I do.   To that end, here’s a Pro Tip for you:

When buying a new topcoat, it’s important to note that the sleeve tag and those pretty “X” stitches on the vents are not actually there for decoration.  There’s a reason they’re easy to remove; it’s so they can be easily removed!  The folks at the shop will gladly take the tags off for you and open all the vents; there’s usually a little seam-ripper tool located right by the register for exactly this purpose.  It’s all so that you don’t go out in public looking like this gentleman I spotted on the Metro this morning:

We don't need to know that it's a Nautica

We don't need to know that it's a Nautica

(This also applies to sport coats and suit jackets.)

And as a bonus, please make sure that your shoes and belt match.  Brown <> Black.  Seriously.  Even I, a t-shirt and jeans girl if ever there was one, can match up shoes/bag/gloves appropriately.

That is all.

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