Students Need Help from Internet to do Laundry

According to NBC 4, as college students return to their one room cells this semester, they'll be introduced to a whole new way to do their laundry. Well, not really...

Many schools have begun using an online laundry service known as e-suds. Basically, it sends you an email or text message when your laundry is done. It's being marketed as a tool which will help laundry room efficiency in the overcrowded dorm rooms and supposedly do away with that b*tch down the hall throwing your clothes on the floor...or the geeky pervert trolling the laundry room for women's panties.

Of course, this service just assumes that college students "forget" about the laundry they have in the dryer..nevermind the lethargy that dorms induce. I mean, would you rather be funneling a beer behind your RA's back, or folding your laundry?...come on now people...

Any college students care to comment?

Thar She Blows

We all have our obsessions and one of my worst ones involves the weather. I always know the weather report; I can remember the scientific names for all the different types of clouds, and I can feel when a front is coming in before even hearing about it on the news. Ok, maybe i'm a freak, but that's just my thing.

Today, the news has been littered with accounts of Hurricane Katrina making landfall down South. Local news correspondents are practically blowing away down there. I can't get enough of the shoddy camera angles, blurred by sheets of rain and debris. It looks pretty damn dangerous.

I've been through a number of hurricanes myself, although I experienced them on the Jersey Shore which never feels the full effect of serious storms. Maybe the reason that I like bad storms so much is because I have vivid memories that I associate with them, for instance:

Hurricane Hugo, Sept. 1989 (Category 5): Made landfall in late September. I was 5 years old, and I remember having to go into the neighbors yard and collect the shingles that flew off our house. Bear in mind that the Barenegat Bay was in the back yard (literally) and I couldn't swim yet...Also, our entire living room was flooded and I watched my toys slowly sinking to the bottom of the muddy water (I thought it was the coolest thing EVER...my mom was not pleased)

Hurricane Andrew, Aug. 1992 (Category 4/5): This storm killed 15 people in South Florida and also destroyed our summer home, which was falling down on its own without the help of Andrew. All I can remember is the insurance man coming to the house and almost shitting himself about all the damage...little did he know that my brother and I had inflicted most of the structural damage years before Andrew finally finished it off.

Hurricane Floyd, Sept. 1999 (Category 4): I've never had a "hurricane day" off from school until Floyd hit. That's the only reason I remember it.

Hurricane Isabel, Sept. 2003 (Category 5): With all the hurricanes i've lived through, i've never felt as unsafe as I did during this one. My friend Mik and I decided to go driving around DC in her Jeep Wrangler (w/ a soft top!!!) We were inches from being impaled by a rogue stop sign that had been blown off its post. DUMB! I've never seen something so eerie in DC. Dupont Circle was abandoned, all the electricity had gone out, and shop owners boarded up their windows. It was quite a sight!

Nice Legs Gramps

I never thought I would say this, but skorts are back....for men. That's right, apparently they are perfect for sleepwear; or if you happen to be a 60 yr. old riding in a red wagon. Hey, I don't judge. Check it out for yourself!

'Lil Kim Spotting...

Ok, so maybe my eyes were deceiving me at 7:30 yesterday morning, but I could have sworn that 'Lil Kim was driving my bus. That's right...the diva herself. Not only did she have the hair and the sunglasses, but she also had the attitude to boot...and plenty of it.

She was too cool to notice me standing there, and even blew through the stop sign, finally screeching to a halt about a block up after shooting me a "you not gettin' on my bus guurl..." glare. On the contrary...I was gettin' on her bus. If you happen to be riding the Fairfax Commuter Bus #322 to Franconia-Springfield, be sure to keep an eye out for her.

My Fear of the Rubik's Cubicle Dilemma...

I just read an article on the Phat Phree that perfectly illustrates how i'm feeling today. I never thought that I would miss college, but i'm starting to feel like Will Ferrell in Old School when he realizes that he'll only be with one person for the rest of his life--yeah, i'm a little freaked out. I'm in serious need of a trust tree right now.

Is this all?? Is this what I fantasized about when I was sitting in some boring lecture? The only thing that seems to be changing is the lunch menu and the weather...gahhh!! Maybe i'm just stuck in a momentary funk, but go ahead and read the article...

Ok, now- i've only been out of school for 4 months and i'm already stuck somewhere between Stage 2 (There's something happening here) and Stage 3 (and what it is ain't exactly clear). Some days I think to myself, "geez..this is right where I always thought I would be. I live in the city, i've got a cool job, I have fun friends, I live on my own (except for those 8 roomates, but who's counting), I can drink myself stupid (or at least until I run out of cash), and I don't have to answer to anyone." Wait...yes I do- there's the boss, the landloard, the credit card company...on and on and on....

It's only a matter of time before I start drinking wine out of a box, wearing a moo-moo and playing bridge. Damn, I already drink wine out of a box...AND i've started going gray...shiiiit

Yesterday, Washington Post printed an article entitled "The iPod: A Love Story Between Man, Machine." It basically goes through the emotional attachment that people have with their iPods because of the memories that people associate with music.

I've only had my iPod for a couple of months, but I seriously cannot commute or walk anywhere without it. I start to get anxious when I know that the battery is running low or when I have a big trip coming up and haven't loaded more songs onto it. I've even walked the entire way (uphill) from my Rosslyn office to my home in Cathedral Heights just because I was having so much fun playing DJ that I didn't want to stop.

"Every time I download a song to it, and every time I listened to that song, it forced me to go back somewhere where I haven't been to for a while."

I find that I can dictate my mood for the rest of the day based on what i'm listening to on my commute. Let's take this morning for instance- before leaving the office last night, I loaded some old school Mariah Carey tunes that I haven't heard since I was a kid. Magically, i'm back in the summer of '93 in my moms car belting out the high notes with my sister... In reality i'm standing in an overcrowded bus on my way to work with a stupid grin on my face, thinking back to those songs and the memories I associate with them.

Who knows where this digital music phenomena will take us. NPR also has a story today discussing how wedding singers/DJ's may become obsolete now that couples can hand select all the songs at their wedding using their iPods. Not only is it saving money, but also getting rid of the fear that Uncle So-and-So is going to request The Chicken Dance...scary...i'm not sure what other implications this will all have, but i'm enjoying the ride!

Lovely Weather- eh?

Chris reminded me yesterday that the Brits often discuss the weather because there simply isn't anything else to talk about. I've been finding it difficult to keep up correspondence lately because there's really nothing new or exciting to report on my end. For this reason- I bring you the weather. DC is beautiful today!! It's the perfect temp with a light breeze, and not a cloud in the sky. This of course means that i'm taking way too many smoke breaks to get out there and enjoy it...hey, can you blame me?

I also wanted to include the above photo (courtesy of adrummer_boy at Flickr). It reminds me of why I love DC. It depicts sunrise @ the C&O Canal....gorgeous.

Stadium Madness

DCist has done a great job of keeping us in the loop about the progress of DC's new stadium and the controversy it's creating all across the city.

Most recently, architects have begun working on plans for a brand new stadium. When the National Association to Restore Pride in America's Capital asked DC residents for their ideas on what the new stadium should look like, they were met with some humorous results. These are two of my favorite entries.

The Chili Bowl
The Chili Bowl restaurant on U Street in the heart of DC's once-thriving Black entertainment district (across the street from the famous Duke Ellington outdoor mural) has long represented the symbolic center of Black political power. No candidate for public office in DC would ever fail to make a highly publicized visit to this city landmark. Nevertheless, this part of town is now home to a majority of DC's relatively recent Hispanic arrivals. Hispanic Night at the stadium would no longer accommodate all of this rapidly growing DC population segment.

The Pothole
A favorite gripe of city residents and the multitude of commuters from the suburbs, is the city's supposed inability to keep its almost 1200 miles of freeways, avenues, streets and alleys properly paved. Potholes have for years been a symbol of the inability of the city government to provide even the simplest of city services. Seldom mentioned is the basic contributing factor that DC is a "mid-Atlantic" city, with significant precipitation and winter temperatures cycling above and below freezing dozens of time per winter.

Pernice Brothers @ Jammin' Java

It was only three days ago that I happened to hear the Pernice Brothers via Seattle's KEXP radio station; but thanks to my good fortune and the watchful eyes of my friend Maria, I was able to attend a live performance last night at Vienna's Jammin' Java.

I only really knew one song (My So-Called Celibate Life) prior to seeing them, but this song has had complete control over me the past couple of days. I can't go ten minutes at work without listening to it. It comes off of their 4th and latest album entitled "Discover a Lovelier You," and judging from what I heard last night, there are plenty of other songs on the album that deserve equal attention. Bottom line- listen to this band...now!

As a venue, Jammin' Java was great! It was adequately spacious with good acoustics, and although i'm a smoker, I enjoyed the fact that it was smoke free. It was also nice to travel a little outside the city limits for something a bit different, so if you're looking for a new spot to enjoy some good music and coffee, Jammin' Java is the place.

-Photo of performance courtesy of Maria Vastola-

Hot Town, Summer in the City...

...back of my neck getting dirty and gritty. Been down, isn't it a pity; doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city. All around, people looking half dead; walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head...

The National Weather Service has issued the following heat advisory:
HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON ARE FORECAST INTO THE MID 90S.COMBINED WITH HIGH HUMIDITY...THIS WILL CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES AROUND 100 DEGREES. THE HEAT INDEX IN URBAN SPOTS OF BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON COULD HIT 105 DEGREES DURING THE MIDDLE AFTERNOON.

...and babe don't you know it's a pity the days can't be like the nights in the summer, in the city...

Springsteen's "Born to Run" Album Turning 30

As a native Jersey girl, I can't help giving a little shout out to The Boss. He's come a long way since The Stone Pony in Asbury Park (where I saw my first concert).

Next month "Born to Run," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Charts in 1975 will officially be 30 years old.

"Oh-o, come on, take my hand," Springsteen sings, "Riding out to case the promised land." And there, in a line, is Born to Run. You take what you find, but you never give up your demand for something better because you know, in your heart, you deserve it. That contradiction is what keeps Springsteen's story, and the promised land's, alive. Springsteen took what he found and made something better himself. This album is it.
- Greil Marcus, Rolling Stone, 10/9/75.

NPR Features 930 Club Performances

I've recently become somewhat obsessed with National Public Radio, particularly the "All Songs Considered" online music program. Not only do they offer in depth interviews with the bands/artists, but they also broadcast live performances.

I've been pleased that many of these broadcasts take place from DC's 930 Club, which is far and away my favorite concert venue.

So if there's a show that you really wanted to see at 930, but just couldn't get tickets...check out NPR's show and chances are you'll find the live recording.

Gentle Giant Dies at Age 32

Actor Matthew McGrory, made famous by his role as Karl in Big Fish, has died at the age of 32.

He played a human Sasquatch in 2001's "Bubble Boy," an alien in "Men In Black II" (2002) and Tiny in the Rob Zombie horror movies "House of 1000 Corpses" (2003) and its sequel released this year, "The Devil's Rejects."

Fountains of Wayne...Not Just a Band

According to Roadside America:

"The obliquely named Fountains of Wayne is not just a fictional Sopranos scenic backdrop or 1990s power pop band. It is a real place where you can shop for real outdoor cement fountains, and it is an enduring fixture in northern New Jersey.

Its surrounding assemblage of faux Roman statues and gaudy bird baths stand along an overburdened highway, where the locals usually drive as if they are fleeing a nuclear attack."

Next time you are driving Westbound on Route 46 in NJ, make sure to stop in! Oh, and don't forget to hit Santa's Pizzeria "One of many multi-tiered displays, with the Jolly One working the ovens."

....Only in the Dirty Jerz...

The Future of Space Exploration?

While the exact future of space exploration remains "up in the air," many have their own ideas on how to fund the next generation of space vehicles. Introducing Zipshuttle...courtesy of Chris Abraham.

Soul Meets Body

Death Cab for Cutie has just released their first single off the new album "Soul Meets Body." It's available for download on iTunes, and a preview is also available via their website.

I had the opportunity to see them live at the 930 Club
last fall (Ben Gibbard pictured left at said performance); it was a great time. Their new album will be officially released on August 30th.

They've also just announced tour dates and will be in DC again this fall on October 23rd (930 Club)...don't miss it!

Sister Act

According to WaPo, a Catholic nun was abducted yesterday while hanging laundry outside of her convent. Apparently the nunnappers took her for a brief joyride and dropped her off a few blocks away in Southeast DC.

DC police chief Charles Ramsey declared: "There is no excuse for that. . . . Unfortunately, we have some criminals who prey on others." Criminals who prey on others...in DC?? No way!!!

While the motive for this incident is unclear, I can't help thinking that the crooks in this case are somehow seeking retribution for years of Catholic School torment at the hands of nuns. I speak from experience here...there's no telling what the psychological effects of a wooden paddle are.

TV Shows of My Childhood

I'm feeling a little nostalgic this afternoon; particularly after a histerical discussion with a friend about TV shows we loved as kids. I haven't thought about "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" in at least 10 years.

Other shows mentioned: "Clarissa Explains it All," "Guts," "Double Dare," "Salute Your Shorts," and "Are You Afraid of the Dark."

Quality programming.

Trouble at my Alama Mater

This morning WaPo ran a story on AU president Ben Ladner, who is under suspicion of fraudulent use of University funds.

"According to the letter received by The Post, the Ladners charged the university over the past five years for their son's engagement party, presents for their children, a personal French chef, vacations in Europe, maintenance of their personal residence in Maryland "including garbage bags," and wine up to $100 a bottle for lunch and dinner."

I could have told you that something wasn't stirring the kool-aid with the finances at AU. Although Ladner is credited with increasing AU's profile, it appears that he's been skimming a considerable portion off the top.

I liken Ben Ladner to Warden Norton from "The Shawshank Redemption." Not only do they share similar physical qualities, but they both use institutions to their advantage, resulting in their ultimate demise. Oh, and let me state for the record that Ladner's wife Nancy goes by the name Kiki...umm, yeah.

Character Building

When I was little, everything that I did "built character." Wait...let me rephrase that- everything that I didn't want to do built character. Whether it was eating peas at diner; delivering newspapers in a snowstorm; or picking up after my dog. I've had a lifetime (or at least 22 years) of character building.

I often wonder where all this character has gone. Maybe it's lodged somewhere in my brain; carefully crafted- one pea, newspaper, and dog-poop at a time. I think it's character that gets me in and out of interesting situtations.

Take my most recent trip to Richmond for example: I managed (with the help of Aimee and Katie) to get a fridge stuck in the small confines of a cellar door. Exhausted from a day of hammering nails, bug bites, and veterinary pursuits- I was not mentally or physically prepared for this debacle. It was a true character building exercise that ended with us using a car jack to get the fridge unstuck and past the top step of the stairs (genius!!!)

Thank god for character.