Blacknell.net

Politics, open government, and safe streets. And the constant incursion of cycling.

Category: DC Page 17 of 26

DC, what’s wrong with you? There’s a bikeporn contest going on!

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On June 23, 2008

In Cycling, DC

Actually, now that I write that title, I realize that I can address *all* of you, as the contest was not technically limited to DC.   Freewheeling Spirit, proprietor of his eponymous blog and the most excellent Bikes for the Rest of Us site, had to go and cancel his bikeporn contest for lack of participation.

As someone who spends a fair amount of time and money enjoying bikeporn, I find this greatly disappointing.  So c’mon, make an entry anyway and guilt him into opening the contest back up.  This’ll be the entry I send in:

(I had to put it on the other side of the jump, as it may inspire strong reaction if it’s viewed without warning.)

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DC: Boobies Everywhere!

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On June 18, 2008

In DC, Society

And despite this good Texas GOP delegate’s wishes, I’d like to keep it that way, thanks.

Friday Notes: Still Faster Than the Red Line Edition

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On June 13, 2008

In DC, Law, Personal, Society, Virginia

I’m a pretty reliable defender of DC’s Metro system. The people that bitch about it either 1) don’t use it, 2) have never used another metro system in the US, or 3) are from NYC. Which means that its critics have no standing, by definition. But that defense got a little harder this week – a couple of near-shutdowns of the Orange line in VA this week, and apparently the Red Line is a complete clusterf(@k at this very moment. And who’s the only person in VA really trying to do something about this? Outgoing Rep. Tom Davis(R). Strange days. C’mon, Jim.

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SciFi site io9 asks William Gibson questions no one else does, and gets interesting answers as a result (imagine that):

None of us ever live in dystopia. That’s an imaginary extreme. They just live in shitty cultures. And these societies [in my books] seem dystopian to middle class white people in North America. They don’t seem dystopian if you live in Rio or anywhere in Africa. Most people in Africa would happily immigrate to the Sprawl.

I don’t think a writer can hit the dystopic key without being misanthropic. I’m actually not misanthropic. I think people are capable of wonderful things. I’m quite fond of them and enjoy their company.

~

Speaking of Wonderful Things, the Directory Of pointed us to this gem yesterday:

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The New York Times is running a series on the them of American Exceptionalism, and this article on the near-absolutist take on free speech is excellent. I want to write more about that, but I thought I’d throw up the link now, lest it get lost in the ever-growing pile of drafts around here.

WAMU at Noon: All Democratic and Republican Candidates for the 8th CD

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On June 6, 2008

In DC, Politics, Virginia

Today, on The Politics Hour*, Kojo Nnamdi will have on all of the candidates vying for the 8th Congressional District seat. Republican challengers Amit Singh and Mark Ellmore will be on, as will incumbent Democrat Rep. Jim Moran. Personally, as interesting as I’ve found the Republican primary in this race, the real excitement is going to be finally hearing from Matthew “Matt the Democrat” Famiglietti. Mr. Famiglietti’s campaign has been, well, let’s call it “low profile” for now.  I’m not sure of the format, but there may also be some entertainment in store if Singh and Ellmore are on at the same time.

You can catch the show at noon on 88.5 FM, or online at the same time (the show usually goes up as a podcast a couple of hours after it’s over).  DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier will also be on to defend her plan to turn some neighborhoods into the Gaza Strip.

*Note that it is no longer the The Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta. Jonetta went and got herself fired, not long after I’d not only come around on her, but she was starting to grow on me. Ah well. Just please, don’t bring back Mark Plotkin. Please.

Union Station + Photography + Security Guard = Hilariousness

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On June 2, 2008

In DC, Law

A little while back, I pointed out the ridiculous behavior of the “security” guards at Union Station with regard to photography. It’s not just me that has a problem with it, and it turns out that a local news station has been looking into it. So they went to Union Station to interview an Amtrak spokesman on camera. And just as he was explaining that there were no restrictions on photography in Union Station . . . click here to watch what happened next.

Can’t make this up, folks.

Sunday: City Bikes RFK Criterium

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On May 23, 2008

In Cycling, DC

The only pro cycling event held in DC proper, the City Bikes RFK Criterium has shifted from the dog days of August to a Memorial Day weekend event. From the official site:

A full day of bike racing returns to Washington DC with the 6th annual City Bikes RFK Criterium, Sunday May 25th 2008. The fastest women on bikes will once again grace the smoothe, silky, and torturously hot RFK Stadium Grand Prix Race Course. This year, Hub Racing adds a men’s professional category to join its already established women’s pro bike race and multiple amateur categories.

I think the switch to this weekend is a good idea (it is *ridiculously* hot out on that parking lot in August), but that means I’ll be missing this after managing to make it for the last three years. Looking at the confirmed rider list, It also looks like the new date might be putting a bit of a dent in the women’s pro showing, which is a shame. At one point, I’m pretty sure that this race had the biggest prize purse in the US for a women’s pro crit. The women’s race here has, by far, been some of the most exciting racing I’ve seen, and I’m sure that it will be worth a trip if you’re around DC this weekend. More details here.

Tonight In DC: Bike Prom!

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On May 23, 2008

In Cycling, DC

If I were in town tonight, I would have asked you go with me to the Bike Prom.  Really.

Go to sleep, they’re just military fighter jets overhead . . .

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On May 21, 2008

In DC

Per the occasionally informative “Alert DC” messaging system:

Falcon’s “Virgo” exercise is scheduled for late tonight 5/21/08 beginning at 2345 hours into tomorrow morning 5/22/08 ending at 0600 hours. This exercise comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, Civil Air Patrol, and NORAD. Residents in the area can expect flights to occur throughout the night.

I’m not sure how any of us were supposed to know what “Falcon’s ‘Virgo’ exercise” referred to, but it’s apparently a regular test of the air defenses around DC (and other areas).

DC Area Bike Map – Needs Your Input

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On May 20, 2008

In Cycling, DC, Virginia

This Google maps mashup, focusing on metro DC trails, bike facilities, and dangerous intersections (among many other things) was posted to a local listserv this morning. Its already garnered a good number of useful improvements and contributions. Maybe you can add your own? If you’ve got a Gmail (or other Google) account, it’s super easy. Just click and go.

Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB this Weekend

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On May 17, 2008

In DC, Personal

It’s the Joint Services Open House this weekend at Andrews AFB. If you’ve ever wanted to sit in a tank, climb through a helicopter, or see the fighter jets up close, this is the way to do it without enlisting. There are also flyovers by the Blue Angels, parachute jumps by the Golden Knights, and lots of other demonstrations. I’ve been going to these things for most of my life, and there’s always something new and interesting. But if you’re a kid? It’s *really* cool.

It runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Since you’ve already paid for the event with a hefty chunk of your paycheck, there’s no admission charge. Parking for the event is at FedEx Field with shuttle service to Andrews AFB. There is also a shuttle to Branch Ave Metro station. Further details here, at what is one of the more painful sites I’ve come across of late. Note that you’re limited to bringing very small bags.

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