DC: October 2007 Archives

Last night I watched Game 3 of the World Series at the notorious Democratic and Red Sox hangout, Stetsons.  Stetsons has long been a Washington favorite of mine - good beer, fun atmosphere, and cheap food. 

After a long day of apartment hunting, I had a few hours to kill before the game (all the apartment offices were closed at this point).  I thought about going back out to VA, but it seemed silly to go out of the city just to return an hour later.  So I stopped off at the National Museum of American Art and National Portrait Gallery.  Aside from the preamble written in license plates to the right, the highlight of the museum for me was a video display that including Brian Williams describing the absurdity of Burt the Turtle and Duck and Cover.

I was also amazed to find
an art installation using Vari*Lites!   For those of you don't know, I used to work in stage production.  VLs (as they are known) are my favorite kind of moving light - they're graceful and bright.  See below the grainy shot of the VL5s hanging in the museum (I didn't see where their Smart Repeater was...)


Following that brief sojourn, it was off to Stetsons!  As soon as I walked into the bar, I knew I was in the right place as I got cheers and applause for walking in wearing a Sox hat.  Suddenly, I regretted not bringing my jersey with me.  As we got closer to the game, more and more Sox fans poured into the place giving it an absolutely Fenway-like atmosphere.  People would walk in, see everyone with Boston gear on, and turn around and walk out.  The place roared at every Sox hit.  Pandemonium took over when Daisuke Matsuzaka got his first major league hit, a 2 RBI single!  And the bar grew quiet during the Rockies 6th inning rally, only to grow loud again when the Sox brought the score back up. 

I found myself in a conversation with the people who were sitting next to me - turns out they too work in the political realm, and we quickly discovered we had many mutual friends.  It was a bit of the ol' Jewish Geography, Workplace Geography, and since it was a Sox game - Newton Mass geography (Waban??  No way!).  I even got into a conversation over whether or not the Star Market in Fenway was now a Shaws.  This disturbs me, as I have not actually lived in Boston - rather my parents did & grandparents did.  And yet, I can talk about local grocery stores.

From Me:
"I was wondering if:

1. You had any efficiencies available?
2. How much they rent for?
3. If small dogs (13 lbs Poodle who enjoys watching Television) are allowed?

Thanks!"

Response:
"Hi and thanks for your interest in [REDACTED] Apts.,

I'm sorry but we do not accept pets of any kind, even if they're small,
cute and watch TV.  LOL"

Fantastic.

In 2 weeks, I'm moving back to Washington.  So I'm trying to figure out where in the area I want to live.  Do I want to move into the city itself, but have difficulties parking and possibly sacrifice in-state tuition at George Mason?  Do I want to move to Pentagon City which is less convenient, slightly less fun but more economical and the apartments are much much newer.  Then there's the dark horse - Cleveland Park.  Lovely area, lots of stuff, but also not quite as convenient as the other places.

DIFFICULT DECISIONS!!!!

I also have to consider dog-walkage.  Specifically, where I'm going to walk Julius (the unusually intelligent Poodle), and how easily I can run home, walk the dog, and then get back into town for a Happy Hour/Baseball Game.

Several of my friends (JEFF!  ERIKA!) have made it their respective missions to make me move into the city.  It is difficult to ignore their logic/threats as I consider this whole process.  But I also have to ask myself - is it REALLY a good idea to be walking distance to both Stetsons AND the Brickskeller?  Of course, I lived in Pentagon which was walking distance to a Legal Sea Food and I didn't end up eating Chowda every night (CHOWDA!!!!!!!) but...