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

Category: Personal Page 41 of 59

Awakening: Gone By Wednesday

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On February 18, 2008

In Cycling, DC, Personal

At the tip of Hains Point, where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers come together, there is an amazing bit of fancy, completely out of character for DC. And that’s why I love it, this sculpture called “The Awakening.”

Unfortunately, it’s been sold (apparently it was only “on loan” to Hains Point for the past 28 years . . .), and will soon be relocating to Maryland, where it’ll likely get lost amongst commerce. If you’re in the DC area, and have never seen it, you owe yourself a trip down there in the next day or so.

Update:  Went down to Hains Point with the hope of getting one last ride past the old man (and some shots of the usual lunchtime training crew going past it), but they’ve already blocked off the tip of Hains Point.  The crew working on it, however, was very cool and letting folks get in close for whatever shots they wanted.  Not sure if it’ll be like that tomorrow, though.

The cones and tape and construction equipment really changes the feeling of the piece. Instead of awakening, he looks like he’s getting sucked down to his death.

Overnight Music: Jawohl, Frankfurt!

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On February 13, 2008

In Music, Personal

From my Frankfurt playlist (circa 1986):

INXS: Guns in the Sky:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFkZFc5ZXg[/youtube]

Falco: Rock Me Amadeus:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC7sAF19r98[/youtube]

Chaka Khan: I Feel For You:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cVtDW6_XRQ[/youtube]

Friday Night in Arlington: Rally for Homeless Vets

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On February 8, 2008

In Personal, Politics

I didn’t hear about Operation United Reveille IV until yesterday, and I think I’m going to check it out. Adapted from the Circle of Friends for American Veterans site:

WHAT: One of a series of city rallies in creating massive public awareness about the problems and solutions for homeless and American Veterans. A sequel to OPERATION UNITED REVEILLE I, II and III which generated media blitzes in 36 cities, spotlighting local veterans’ programs, drawing Members of Congress and featuring color guards that opened every rally.

WHY: Approximately 300,000 men and women who served in American uniform are on our streets on any given night, including about 3,000 troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Veterans’ Administration funds only about 12,000 beds for homeless veterans. About one-third of the returning troops have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but only about one-half of VA medical centers treat for PTSD, and of those offering treatment, that were surveyed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), seven out of eight are unprepared to handle the caseload.

HOW: The Circle of Friends has become one of the foremost veterans’ advocacy organizations in American by reaching over 50 million people through media coverage all over America. Molding public opinion helps shape public policy by “putting the heat on politicians, so they see the light.” As in 2004, candidates for federal office all over the nation will be challenged to endorse a “Veterans Bill of Rights.” Transitional facilities report greater public contributions, volunteers and referrals after being featured during TV newscasts and their programs receive positive coverage in the newspapers.

WHEN: Friday, February 8th at 7pm.

WHERE: American Legion Post #139, 3445 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. Call 800.528.5385 if you need details.

WHO: Sponsored by Circle of Friends for American Veterans, Center for American Homeless Veterans and VETERANS’ VISION Publication. Every rally will be opened by a color guard presenting the colors. Veterans’ transitional facilities will be invited to be highlighted for every rally. While no endorsements will be made, every major Presidential campaign will be invited to have their candidate or a representative speak and say what they promise to do for American Veterans. [emphasis mine].

I hope my fellow local Dems will join me.

Thinking of a Master Plan (Overnight Music)

By

On February 6, 2008

In Personal

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZElWBsoyvUo[/youtube]

21 years? Man, that’s something to realize. Direct link.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNBjKWV65Qc[/youtube]

17 years, but even further away. Direct link.

Things I Don’t Care About

By

On February 3, 2008

In Personal, Politics

  • Barack Obama
  • Hillary Clinton
  • The Superbowl

Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Friday Notes: Still Wet, Still Cold

By

On February 1, 2008

In Personal, Society, Travel, UK

Yesterday’s examination of Arlington’s call to “respect mah authoritah!” (warning: sound at that link) reminded me of another public document apparently following the design principle of “there can never be too much Red, White & Blue” – the new passport.  Despite the fact that I was aware of the coming ugliness, I failed to renew my passport in time to take advantage of the old stock.  Now, every time I open it, I expect it to act like one of those old musical cards, except this one plays a Toby Keith song.  As you’ve probably heard a dozen times by now, yesterday was the first day that the US government started requiring passports for travel between Canada and the US.  A little sad, really, when even countries like Germany and Poland (they’ve got a slightly different history . . . ) can manage to avoid such silliness.

~

Speaking of travel – this is an excellent resource for vegetarians on their way to Japan (or a good sushi bar).  It explains, in detail, how to make sure your meal arrives veg friendly (and that your options range beyond seaweed and rice).   I wish I’d seen this before I went to Tokyo, where I found ordering veg food a surprisingly difficult process.

~

Looking for some new online reading?  Check out WWI: Experiences of an English Soldier.   A relative has the full collection of Mr. William Henry Bosner Lanin’s letters home from the European theater, and is posting them exactly ninety years to the date they were written.  It’s a really fascinating way to revisit the Great War.

Thursday Night Music

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On January 31, 2008

In Personal

If this were a world with reincarnation, I’d happily return as any of the leads in these:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAAFMKWHfAY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRmqZRPgK1w[/youtube]

Going Once, Twice . . .

By

On January 29, 2008

In DC, Personal, Virginia

Bill Stewart auctions off a Dremo's tap

Bill Stewart auctions off one of the old Dremo’s beer taps. The final semi-public night for the place had Bill and Andrew auctioning off most anything in sight. It was a curious mix, with the majority of attendees apparent onlookers, a few serious buyers (at least a couple of people were clearly buying for other bars), and a number of folks interested in specific low-value items (that would be me).

The first sale of the evening was a new Camel-branded metal ashtray for 25 cents. Notable sales included $250 for the metal silo (known as the Sin Bin, for those of us recalling the Bardo days), $15 for the (ex) parrot, and $100 (plus an unknown amount in transport costs) for the Dremo’s totem.* Ridiculous little items went, too, including a $1 paper Spaten flag, menus, etc. Surprisingly, none of the pool tables sold (if you’re willing to spend between $500-800, I suspect you could get them to part with one between now and Thursday). Much to my annoyance, a Dremo’s employee beat me out on the sole item I was interested in, but I did end up with a bit of classic Bardo art (I’ll have to take a picture and post, sometime).

Greg Kitsock (WaPo beer critic, among many other things) was there and taking notes (as well as winning a Foggy Bottom poster for the princely sum of $3), so I’m sure you’ll soon be able to read more about it.

(The last night actually open and serving was a brief affair, for me. Saturday turned out to be a long sad day after a great but long Friday night, and it was all I could do to haul us into Bardo’s for one last drink. The final round consisted of Dremo’s James Brown Ale and Dogfish 60 Minute IPA (they were out of Racer 5). After I noticed the fifth girl with glitter on her face, I realized that there were probably more people in the bar that had never been than not. This bittersweet fact turned to a bit of pleasure when we exited to find a long line of Clarendon Ballroom refugee tourists shivering on the sidewalk, waiting to be let in.)

*The Dremo’s totem was rescued by a long time customer who “just didn’t want to see it in the dump”, and will soon be making its appearance in his backyard (as soon as he figures out how to get it there). He told me that if they want it back when (if?) they reopen, they can have it.

We Now Return To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

By

On January 28, 2008

In Personal, Politics

Well.  Erm.  Hmm.  Sorry about that.  Wasn’t planned.

I do not expect, however, to have anything to say about tonight’s State of the Union (because really . . . why?).  However, if you’d like to hear my take on a SotU address, check out this post from 10 years ago.  Not exactly the most insightful analysis, but it does remind me that I’ve rethought and shifted my policy positions over the years.

Itaewon

By

On January 15, 2008

In Personal, Travel

My only trip to Korea involved less time on the ground than it took me to get there (and yes, Korea was my destination). I shot B&W film, which was quite appropriate, as I only remember Seoul in shades of grey.

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