Ben’s Next Door

Almost everyone that lives in or near DC knows about Ben’s Chili Bowl. Lately it has gotten quite popular with tourists, ever since Obama had a half-smoke there a couple months ago. Now locals have to wait in long lines to get their greasy burgers and chili dogs.

If you don’t feel like waiting at Ben’s, why not try Ben’s Next Door? The owners of Ben’s Chili Bowl purchased the restaurant space next door, and opened a new trendy restaurant, with chef “Rock” (winner of Hell’s Kitchen) as head chef.

I’ve heard the crab cakes are phenomenal at this place, and best of all, you can get a limited Ben’s Chili Bowl menu from the bar. So far, the menu has been described as ‘gourmet comfort food’. However, the menu has been in constant flux, as this place has yet to have their official grand opening.

I think I’m going to try this place in the next couple weeks. A friend of mine is a hostess there, and says that they are steadily getting a consumer following. I need to stop by before they get too packed and booked up.

Avoiding the Dentist

Out of all my doctors, I dread seeing the dentist most. Maybe it's because of the trauma of getting my cavities filled as a kid. I always do my two annual cleanings, but when it comes to actual dental work/procedures, I totally put it off.

I had an old metal cavity that was breaking apart. I should have had it replaced over a year ago. Now, that old metal filling has cracked my tooth, and I need yet another crown! Ugh. Not only is it painful to get a crown, but I will now have two fake teeth. I feel like I'm one step away from dentures.

Over the course of the next couple months, I have to go to the dentist on nearly all my days off work. I have to get this new crown, and replace all my old metal fillings with the white ones. I’m going to be in so much pain – I’m not looking forward to it. But I guess it’s a necessary evil. And I guess its also punishment for my procrastination.

I’m Unconnected

Maybe you’ve been wondering why I haven’t posted since late last week. Well…I’ve been unconnected. I haven’t had a phone, internet, or cable tv for the last couple days. Why? Because our lovely dog chewed our Verizon FiOs cables the other day. Albeit, Verizon techs should have buried the line – but in their defense, our dog is also a psycho when she’s bored.

Despite the snow that we’re getting today, I hope Verizon can fix our cables. I’ve already missed House MD – now, I’m going to miss American Idol. =( I can live without tv, but its horrible not having a phone or internet at home.

*Update: It looks like we might be getting rid of our dog this weekend. Her psycho behavior has cost us so much money! One of Aaron's coworkers is coming by, with his family to take a look at the her. Now Aaron is threatening to get a motorcycle to replace the dog. Will the insanity ever end?

I’m no Paparazzi

Well, I won’t quit my day job. I was unsuccessful in finding any celebs in DC yesterday. I walked around for about an hour or so, searching all the ‘hot spots’. I did notice though, that there was definitely someone important at ‘The Palm’ in Dupont Circle, and ‘Camelot’ strip club. There were plenty of blacked out Lincoln town cars, and they did not have diplomat tags.

I guess a good paparazzi would have hung-around the place and waited until a celeb appeared – but hey, I only get an hour for lunch!

I will try again today, but my guess is that most celebs have already headed back home. I wish the tourists would head back home too! They are totally messing up morning rush hour on the metro...wandering around with their maps and huge backpacks.

Welcome Back!

So I hear most bloggers out there are gossiping about Inauguration news – especially the ones who’s home-base is DC.

Sorry to say, I have no news for you. I spent the last two days in the house being totally lazy. I did watch the Inauguration on television, and no one could have paid me enough to come down to DC this past Monday or Tuesday. Hordes of tourists are still in the city today, so I can’t imagine how crowded it was earlier in the week.

If there’s one thing I’m aware of as well, is the amount of celebrities in DC! I’ve already heard stories of people spotting Beyonce, Matthew Lillard, David Arquette, etc. around town. Two hotspots being Ben’s Chili Bowl and Busboys and Poets.

Today, I’m going on my own little celebrity stalking excursion of my own. First, I’m off to The Palm restaurant, then up through Dupont Circle, then off to Olives, Georgia Brown’s, The Capital Hilton, and the Mayflower Hotel. I’ll keep an eye out for camera crews. Hopefully I’ll have some celeb pics to share with you tomorrow.

Wish me the best in my celeb ‘hunt’. It starts at 12:30, during lunch. =)

Worst. Friday. Ever.

Needless to say, I’ve been very busy this week. That’s why I haven’t been posting. I’m swamped at work, as my coworker is on extended leave. And when I get home, I just crash and go to sleep.

I’ve been looking forward to some relaxation this weekend, since it’s a 4-day weekend (I’m off Monday for MLK-b’day, and Tuesday for Inauguration). Unfortunately, this has turned out to be the Friday from “H-E-Double Hockey Sticks”. Here’s why:

1. It was freaking 9 degrees when I left the house this moring!

2. Caught the metro nice and early today. Of course, there was a delay. We get to “Rhode Island Ave.” station, and the doors malfunction on the train. We have to unload. Mind you, that station is an elevated platform OUTSIDE! Because I was one of the last ones to offload the train, some lady threatened to beat me up. Yes. First time as an adult I got threatened to be beat up. lol. Got to work late.

3. Stanley Steamer came to clean our carpets, but their machines froze up because of the temperatures. In the end, they used up all of our hot water, and left our doors open, so our HVAC was running on auxilary power. I don’t want to see our water bill and heating bill this month. After all that, their machines wouldn’t work, they cancelled our appointment and we had to be rescheduled.

4. My mom’s neighbor’s son stole my mom’s purse this morning. We know this kid, his mom came to my wedding! He asked to use her phone (as a ploy), and then came in her house and stole her purse. Lots more details, but I can't go into the specifics on the blog. She filed a police report, but is clearly shaken up. I hope they find the stupid kid. This is really odd as she lives in a great community in the suburbs. This sort of thing is rare in her area.

So, I hope nothing else bad happens today. I just want to go home, put on some sweat pants, and watch a movie with a good cup of espresso.

“No Pants” Metro Ride

So, what did you do this weekend? Whatever it was, I’m sure you didn’t have as much fun as the ‘No Pants” metro riders. Links below. Not to worry, its safe for work. I hope metro employees cleaned those seats afterwards. I mean, Saturday was not only freezing, bur rainy too. Ew! What on earth were they protesting anyways?

No pants article (thumbnail)
No parts article (full)

(Did you notice this photo was taken at "Foggy Bottom" metro station? How Cheeky...)

Metro – You Drive me Insane

In light of the recent crime wave in the Wheaton area, my husband suggested that I pay a little extra and get a reserved parking permit for the ‘somewhat safer’ Glenmont Station.

Mind you, I live about 5min driving from Glenmont – however – I have to travel some 40min away to Wheaton to park and take metro, because the Glenmont parking fills up by 7am. I take the train at 8am/8:15am.

I called metro today to inquire about the Glenmont Reserved Parking. Hey, $55 a month, in addition to the regular parking fee, isn’t too bad I guess. Problem is – there are over 500 people on the waitlist for reserved parking at Glenmont. The next person to get the parking permit joined the list in 2003! Which means, it would be nearly 10+yrs before I could get a reserved parking pass. WHAT THE HECK?!

On top of that, plans for a new Glenmont parking garage has been scrapped. So everyone that lives close to Glenmont has to continue traveling to crime-ridden Wheaton to get to work.

I guess my options are:
- Go to Glenmont at 7am, and get to DC an hour before the start of my work day.
(mind you, my job will not let me adjust my work schedule. I have to work 9am-5:30pm)
- Drive into downtown DC each day, and pay for garage parking
- Find a new job within driving distance in the suburbs
- Buy a taser and pepper spray to protect myself at the Wheaton station.

(sigh)

Cover Your Mouth Please

It’s that time of year – people are sick! They are sneezing, coughing and hacking all over town. My coworker returned from her vacation with a bad head cold, and my husband has been nursing his cold for the last 2 days. Disgusting!

Somehow I evaded illness for the entire year of 2008. I didn’t catch one cold. The only thing I had was a weird cough in September that was halted by some Robitussin.

I’m determined not to get ill. I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it’s horrific. I get the worst nasal congestion, and it usually turns into a sinus infection, which spirals into me having to use about 4 days of my sick leave to recuperate.

Its ok though – I have a plan. I’ve been disinfecting every door knob and faucet in our house. I disinfect my desk at work every morning. I’ve been doubling up on my Vitamin C and Echinacea. And, I’ve even resorted to wearing my scarf around my nose and mouth on the metro. I don’t care if I look funny. I refuse to be bed-ridden for 7 days.

Typographer Matthew Carter @ the Corcoran

Matthew Carter (designer of such fonts as Verdana, Georgia, Snell Roundhand) will be at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Monday February 23. I actually had the privilege of meeting and talking to Matthew Carter when he gave a special seminar at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County campus in 2002. It was amazing to discuss typographic creation and techniques with him. He’s a really smart man, and designs many of the fonts designers and non-designers rely upon daily.

I highly recommend this lecture – especially for graphic designers. Hm, I wonder if he’s seen the “Font Conference” video..

It’s Armageddon Week on the History Channel

Have you heard about this ridiculous program? Click here for details.

This series on the History Channel predicts that the date of Armageddon is Decmeber 21, 2012 – and it chronicles what events may occur on that date. Funny enough, this date is also our 10th wedding anniversary. Hehehe.

Basically, I think this program is just meant to terrify viewers - not provide solid evidence or background. I have to say, I will NOT be one of the people watching this program. I’m very confident about knowing the truth regarding Armageddon. Major details are located in the Bible book of Revelation. The problem is, many people think parts of the book of Revelation are literal, when parts are in fact figurative/symbolic.

I find it rather interesting that, in a climate where most people are ‘anti-religion’, the History Channel would broadcast a series with such extreme religious overtones. And despite how many agnostics/atheists there are, thousands of people are tuning into this program. This is just proof that humans have an innate need for spirituality. Everyone, in some way shape or form, is interested in why they are here, and if/when it will all end. The problem is, satisfying answers will NOT be found on the History Channel – or by alchemist/divinator Nostradamus!

I normally don’t go into religion or politics on this blog – but here’s a site that gives more 'food for thought' regarding Armageddon. I’m not trying to be controversial, nor am I trying to spark a religious brawl in the comments section. This is just my 2cents.

When the Brain Goes on Auto-Pilot

Friday afternoon, I drove home from the metro as I usually do. The only problem this time – I didn’t remember driving home! My brain was on total ‘auto-pilot’ the entire ride. This has happened to me before, particularly on roads that I travel often.

I read about this once on MSN.com. The brain is great at recognizing repetitive movements. If you do something often enough, like drive the same route home, you can virtually think about other things while the brain still focuses on your destination.

I don’t think this is healthy though. In fact, the article I read, stated that it’s imperative that one introduces new things to the brain on a daily basis to help avoid Alzheimer’s later in life. Taking a new route home makes the mind more alert. You could even do something as little as changing your morning routine. If you normally brush your teeth before getting dressed – try getting dressed first.

If you change your morning routine, you’ll notice that at first, you’ll do things a bit slower. It’s because the brain is conditioned to do things faster the old way. The new way may take longer, but the brain will be more focused.

It’s important to keep the mind alert and active. It’s important to learn new things daily – which is why reading is key to healthy brain activity.

Just a little Monday morning tip. =)

Productivity

This is my accomplishment for the day. Random Doodles.

Green in 09’

One goal I have for 2009 is to make a little more effort to “go green”. I’m not going to start shopping exclusively at Trader Joe’s or only eat Organic – I just want to be little more cautious about recycling and saving energy.

To get me in the mood, I must get this shirt from Threadless.