The $5 Milkshake

Yesterday was another gorgeous fall day here in the District.

Not wanting to waste great weather, my roommate Tamara and I embarked on a mission to enjoy the Sun and city to its fullest. We walked down to Eastern Market and headed north to Capitol Hill.

Tamara had one thing on her mind, a good American milkshake. Tamra, a German, is not accustomed to this fine delicacy but wanted to indulge herself. We found ourselves heading north on SE Pennsylvania Avenue, close to Capitol Hill and stumbled upon Good Stuff Eatery. Good Stuff Eatery, the brainchild of Chef Spike Mendelsohn is a tribute to everything that is right, and wrong with the American diet. The burgers, made with only the best meat sizzle next to the freshly cut Irish potatoes before they take their greasy plunge. However, the line was full of people waiting to clog their arteries for one thing- their milkshakes. Waiting in line to order is a test of patience and strength. Despite having had an excellent slice of pizza next door at Spike's other venture We, The Pizza only moments before, I was suddenly craving a delicious burger and seemingly fresh cut fries.

We decided to indulge in the "Black and White" a classic vanilla milkshake with pure hot fudge around the cup. We ordered our milkshakes (nothing else, just two milkshakes, please) and waited nearly 15 minutes for delivery. The wait, while epic, was worth it.

As we sat outside on the Sun and devoured our lactic nightmare, I was reminded of the infamous diner scene from Pulp Fiction. John Travolta knows a good milkshake when he tastes it. Although a little bit over $5, the milkshake was truly worth it. My biggest complaint is that I was rendered almost utterly useless as we schlepped around the US Botanic Gardens from all of the sugar and glucose pumping through my veins.

The one thing besides ownership that these two stores have in common is their commitment to a sustainable model and recycling. Both are green in their operations, recycling the majority of their waste and purchasing their ingredients from sustainable sources. I'll be making more trips to "We, The Pizza" and "Good Stuff Eatery."

I think with ventures like the aforementioned, DC definitely can be the next Foodie capital.

Exhaustion

Deficit spending

Lame ducks

Equality

Defense

Homeland Security

Social Security

Investment

Finance reform

Infrastructure

Entitlements

Foreign assistance
Political bickering

Pork

.....

The list could go on and on. There is hardly enough time, money, interest or motivation to sustainably fix the problems we're plagued with in the Western world. Not just limited to the United States.

I wish I had the answers. Even if I did, few would listen.

All the Single Ladies...

I recently applied for a position with the International Monetary Fund and came across this gem from their "Life in Washington, DC" section:

While many young professional appreciate the fact that the city's single population is well-above the U.S. national average, families with children will also find a wide variety of activities.

Oh, how true.

The Tea Kettle Movement

Thomas Friedman from the New York Times wrote an excellent opinion piece in today's paper about the alleged "Tea Kettle" movement. Knocking on the Tea Party, Friedman goes on to explain that while the movement may have the ability to affect votes, it does not have the ability to affect the American future. Why, pray tell? Because, and I quote:

The Tea Kettle movement can’t have a positive impact on the country because it has both misdiagnosed America’s main problem and hasn’t even offered a credible solution for the problem it has identified. How can you take a movement seriously that says it wants to cut government spending by billions of dollars but won’t identify the specific defense programs, Social Security, Medicare or other services it’s ready to cut — let alone explain how this will make us more competitive and grow the economy?

And how can you take seriously a movement that sat largely silent while the Bush administration launched two wars and a new entitlement, Medicare prescription drugs — while cutting taxes — but is now, suddenly, mad as hell about the deficit and won’t take it anymore from President Obama? Say what? Where were you folks for eight years?

The issues that upset the Tea Kettle movement — debt and bloated government — are actually symptoms of our real problem, not causes. They are symptoms of a country in a state of incremental decline and losing its competitive edge, because our politics has become just another form of sports entertainment, our Congress a forum for legalized bribery and our main lawmaking institutions divided by toxic partisanship to the point of paralysis

I found this to be a rather poignant observation, factual as well. We have heard the screams of "big government", "hands off my healthcare" and "cut taxes" but no actual plan, or way of coming about it. This signifies continual empty promises from a movement too busy being dramatic to formulate cohesive actions.

There is, however, a real Tea Party movement that may actually be of interest to the common-sense, forward thinking American. This ideology which permeates throughout moderate America is interested in long term results for the American future. A movement which recognizes over spending but realizes that we need investment for the future. Debt, as Friedman notes, is not necessarily the cause of our challenges; but simply the symptom of something worse.

I believe this misguided notion of "taking back America" (from what exactly is still TBD) is doomed from the beginning because they do not seek to actually fix the issues that plague us. Similarly, the Republican Party, in a tip-of-the-hat to their 1994 colleagues (and in some cases, themselves) gesture recently released the so-called "Pledge to America." A 21 page document similar to the "Contract for America" released during the '94 mid-term elections. As is par for the Republican course, the document outlines few actual plans for the future, but rather lofty goals to "cut spending and taxes." Jonathan Chait over at The New Republic summarizes the plan nicely when he wrote:

...the Republican program has consisted of a combination of specific, detailed plans to increase the deficit alongside vague assertions of intent to reduce it.

It's time America correct her myopic vision and begin planning for the remainder of the 21st century. Political bickering is the bane of this country's existence. I would challenge both parties and third party contenders to put on their big boy pants and actually come ready to play ball.

Hello there

I've been away from blogging for way too long.

I've decided to return to writing, sharing my thoughts and general introspection on life, careers, livability and success.

I'm still in Washington, DC, but now "between positions" (unemployed has certain stigma attached, so i'm told). My position in my previous International Education job ended in August when the program ended. Six weeks out and interviewing like a mad man.

I let my priorities fall to the waste side; including this blog-which is an exercise in self-observation. I'm going to return to blogging, even if my followers are few and far between.

Not all was lost, however. I've joined the micro-blogging sensation Twitter and have been 'tweeting' with relative frequency in the meantime. Mostly professional, pragmatic thoughts and observations coupled with re-tweets and links. I invite you to have a look over my Twitter page...

Thank you for reading.

Onward Foot Soldier!

I'm pretty sure my blog is going to be taking a rather new perspective on things. At the ripe age of 24, I've become rather numb to the political discourse in this country. Republicans are corrupt. Democrats are corrupt. The whole system is awash with something that just pisses me off. Therefore, I'm going to probably blog much, much less about political things and more about life in Washinton, DC and my experiences on being a foot soldier of gentrification.

I recently started a job in Northern Virginia (Tyson's Corner for those who know the area well) but moved to the Gallaudet/Trinidad/Capitol Hill North) neighborhood, which is in the NE section of The District. If you're not familiar with the various neighborhoods in Washington, DC, let me elaborate some.

Gallaudet University is the nation's national Deaf/Hard of Hearing university, a small federally charted institution. It also lies on the West Virginia Avenue run, which is probably one of the areas of the city one doesn't want to walk alone at night on. I happen to live off of the university. I was suspicious of moving into this area of town, however, the rent is cheap, I've got this kick ass balcony over looking a large garden (!!! green in the city-think an oasis from concrete!!) and I was in a pinch when looking for a place to live. I was nervous to walk around at night, worried about things getting stolen or what not. I've lived in my house for two weeks not and those fears have become less dominant. On my way to the New York Avenue metro stop every morning, I say hello to families out on their porch watching the kids board buses heading for DC public schools. On my way home, those same kids are outside playing. I've come home late at night several times and have been the only one out; it's quiet, well-lit and police cars often patrol the neighborhood. I feel safe for the most part. That's not to say that I'd recommend the faint of heart move in, but, its not as bad as people told me it would be.

Trinidad (having nothing to do with the tiny South American nation, but rather the last name of a wealthy land owner from the 1860's)/ Gallaudet is comprised primarily of middle class, black families. The neighborhood is 'developing' (not quite up and coming). More and more young people are taking advantage of lower rents and moving in. The District has poured money into the city (new rec/education centers, encouraged gardening clubs, etc) to improve the area and it is working, slowly but surely. Ten years ago this neighborhood was listed as 'endangered' today, its quite lovely actually. So far, I'm enjoying it. Its not exactly convenient to the sort of things I enjoy, but we are only ten minutes away from the H Street Corridor/Atlas District. H Street is very up and coming, lots of hipsters, young people and great cafe's, bars, pubs and locally owned businesses popping up everywhere. I'm excited to get to know the area this summer.

As part of the gentrification project, the city, in conjunction with Home Depot and the local non-profit group DC Greenworks planted four trees in my backyard this morning! Four lovely (all mid 20's people) came out and planted these glorious trees in about an hour in the backyard. The trees are quite lovely and once they take root will really help fill out the garden, which was already quite lovely to begin with. My landlady provided me with some pots so I could plant some shrubs or flowers on my balcony if I so wanted, that's also nice. Being a foot soldier of gentrification is quite nice and hope that I can help clean up this part of the city. I'm thinking about volunteering with DC Greenworks or another organization that helps clean up the city. I think that would be a great way for me to meet people and help clean up.

On a particularly lovely afternoon I decided to walk into the city and enjoy my new home. It was the weekend preceding Earth Day and the Mall was abuzz with plenty of people out and about enjoying the sun. AT&T, my wireless provider also had a booth out promoting eco-friendly charging stations. Basically, this solar and wind powered booth could charge your cell phone. Tiny lockers with a variety of mobile phone cords was set up. You could come in, drop your phone off in the locker, take the key with you and return in an hour to collect your phone...all charged up. This was a great idea as my phone was actually running low on juice AND it was all solar and wind powered. I love it. The Mall is one of my favorite areas of the city, of course. The Smithsonian is quite lovely and their almost secret gardens are a lost charm. This oasis of calm in the middle of the city serves as a respite of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of DC. It was amazing how quite the gardens were compared to the streets and Mall just meters away. Its a great place to collect your thoughts, enjoy some flowers and get a breath of air.

On my way home, I swung through Chinatown and the Verizion center. There I stumbled upon the Red Velvet Cupcakery. I decided to treat myself to a cupcake, cookies and cream frosting I believe. It was absolutely divine, albeit expensive. At $3.50 a cupcake, that is certainly more of a treat than anything else. I'm not sure why we suddenly have this blitz in the cupcake market, but people are loving them. As I walked home, I walked past Union Station and up Maryland Avenue, an area of lovely trees and turn of the century homes. I saw people out and about tending to their gardens and lawns, children playing soccer and people out for leisurely Sunday walks. My only incident still wraps me in awe. On the 700 block of Maryland Avenue, a woman was out putting things in her trash can. I smiled and said hello, and her response to me?

"Stay away from my Kit, Kat & Kabuddle!"

I'm not sure what that means, but she seemed the kind that often talks to herself and probably has a slew of foil hats in her basement to keep the government from reading her mind.

Living in inner-city Washington is going to be an interesting experience. I don't know how long I'll live in this part of the city (I have a six month lease) but I could maybe get used to it. As I am sans vehicle, perhaps I'd like to move slightly closer to the action and a metro stop. But, for now, I'm going to enjoy my garden, lovely balcony and access to H street.

Adios Rush....oh, wait

I'm quite disappointed that Rush Limbaugh isn't moving to Costa Rica. I guess there was some talk about him leaving if health care reformed passed in the US.

Although, a small central American nation shared a collective sigh of relief. They're already strapped for food and prescription drugs there. There are not enough food or drugs to sustain both Costa Rica and Rush Limbaugh.

Alas, we must continue to deal.