Mike: October 2007 Archives
Awesome. Just plain awesome.
Though I wish I could've been back at Stetsons (or in Boston) for the clinch, I'll take what I got. 12:30 AM text messages to all my Sox-fan friends saying "LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER! WOOOOO!!!!!" Responses from, "If only I had bought furniture at Jordans!" to "Yahtzee!" to "Boston you're my home!!!!"
In completely unrelated matters, I voted today. There is a competitive house race in my district, so I voted against the Republican trying to take the seat from the Independent. The Senate race had an unopposed Republican incumbent. So whom do I vote for?
Unfortunately, the write-in box would only let me enter a name of 20 characters or less. So Julius Weinstein Sager had to be shortened to Julius Sager. C'est la vie. State Senator Julius Sager will vote in favor of canine outreach programs, and dog-park legislation. He also may chase any squirrels that choose to reside in Capitol Square.
Though I wish I could've been back at Stetsons (or in Boston) for the clinch, I'll take what I got. 12:30 AM text messages to all my Sox-fan friends saying "LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER! WOOOOO!!!!!" Responses from, "If only I had bought furniture at Jordans!" to "Yahtzee!" to "Boston you're my home!!!!"
In completely unrelated matters, I voted today. There is a competitive house race in my district, so I voted against the Republican trying to take the seat from the Independent. The Senate race had an unopposed Republican incumbent. So whom do I vote for?
Unfortunately, the write-in box would only let me enter a name of 20 characters or less. So Julius Weinstein Sager had to be shortened to Julius Sager. C'est la vie. State Senator Julius Sager will vote in favor of canine outreach programs, and dog-park legislation. He also may chase any squirrels that choose to reside in Capitol Square.
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.
All in all, a successful day. And now, more apartment hunting.
Earlimart's new album Mentor Tormentor has the privledge of being the first of my musical discussion here. Like another one of my recent favorites, Stars of Track and Field, I discovered Earlimart through KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. I think it was actually my sister Lauren who initially introduced me to this fantabulous radio show and podcast.
Mentor Tormentor has a unifying feel throughout the album, which I can almost best describe as a sort of constant energy level. Certainly the songs rise & fall, but their is a continuous feel from the first song to the last song - when intentional (which I believe it is here), this is a sign of a great producer and great mastering work.
The instrumentation is deceptively deep - only upon repeated listens do you pick up on all the various melodies and counter-melodies being played in the background. Lots of solid guitar & piano work, and two vocalists who back each other up in a fashion not often seen since the rock n' roll of the '60s.
Standout tracks for me include Happy Alone, as I am always a sucker for a female-voiced mid-tempo rock song, and Gonna Break Into Your Heart - with it's clever arrangement, and poppy chorus.
Mentor Tormentor has a unifying feel throughout the album, which I can almost best describe as a sort of constant energy level. Certainly the songs rise & fall, but their is a continuous feel from the first song to the last song - when intentional (which I believe it is here), this is a sign of a great producer and great mastering work.
The instrumentation is deceptively deep - only upon repeated listens do you pick up on all the various melodies and counter-melodies being played in the background. Lots of solid guitar & piano work, and two vocalists who back each other up in a fashion not often seen since the rock n' roll of the '60s.
Standout tracks for me include Happy Alone, as I am always a sucker for a female-voiced mid-tempo rock song, and Gonna Break Into Your Heart - with it's clever arrangement, and poppy chorus.
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.
"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...
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...
Operation Destroy Readership? Grand success!
I grew somewhat weary of blogging over at Carpetblogger as I felt it was a little too closely tied to politics. While I am not apolitical (I do, after all, work in politics) - this blog is mostly apolitical I will not discuss policy, strategy, etc. No thanks. I MIGHT talk a little bit about technology in politics, but probably not.
So what will I rant about here? Just look up at the title bar.
Beer.
Baseball.
DC.
Dog-raising.
Mass Transit.
Plus, for good measure:
Judaism
Secular "Hipster" Judaism
Awesome Restaurants
Dating (maybe)
So welcome, and I'm already going to start writing here today. I have some fun ideas (Beer of the week!) but we'll see if I actually follow-through, or if this is merely another broken blog promise or "bromise" if you will.
I grew somewhat weary of blogging over at Carpetblogger as I felt it was a little too closely tied to politics. While I am not apolitical (I do, after all, work in politics) - this blog is mostly apolitical I will not discuss policy, strategy, etc. No thanks. I MIGHT talk a little bit about technology in politics, but probably not.
So what will I rant about here? Just look up at the title bar.
Beer.
Baseball.
DC.
Dog-raising.
Mass Transit.
Plus, for good measure:
Judaism
Secular "Hipster" Judaism
Awesome Restaurants
Dating (maybe)
So welcome, and I'm already going to start writing here today. I have some fun ideas (Beer of the week!) but we'll see if I actually follow-through, or if this is merely another broken blog promise or "bromise" if you will.
