Monday, May 12, 2008
Home Where the Buffalo Roam
This past weekend the sweet Wisconsin pavement passed under me. I saw road signs that said "Next Exit, Wisconsin Fun." It was tough to resist taking each and every exit. Among the many beautiful views, the one that takes the cake is the one of Lake Mendota's waves crashing on the student union's terrace of colorful chairs.
Friday, April 25, 2008
LA, Atlanta, Reunions, Oh My!
April Showers bring May Flowers...
so I've been showering myself in the love of friends. First stop: Los Angeles for a possible job hunting mission near the Union Station (pictured with palm trees). Can't beat the Getty Center's free art and gardens. Love the BOP staffers, beaches, and public transportation ain't so bad.
Second stop: Atlanta, aka Hotlanta. Met with my two best girlfriends from high school for a weekend of crafting, eating, and general merriment. We caught a Braves v. LA Dodgers game. My LA team lost. Loved the aquarium. Learned to knit. My friend lives in Cabbagetown, a cozy hub similar to my capital hill but built around an old cotton mill gone condo instead of the US Capitol. Hospitality and friendship was bar-none.
Last stop: A University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Student Senate Reunion in D.C. These are my people!! A critical mass of personalities live in D.C. and we finally reunited after months of waiting. My empty threat of moving to LA spurred us into action planning the reunion. I erroneously made this threat after falling in love with John Vanderslice all over again. You may recall that John sings the song "Dear Sarah Shu," and you may recall that John swooped me into his D.C. concert a few weeks ago for free. For the foregoing reasons, I wanted to move to LA -anything for John. And, it just so happens there's a great BOP crowd in LA, too. Regardless, relax because I am jolly in DC after a month of adventure.
so I've been showering myself in the love of friends. First stop: Los Angeles for a possible job hunting mission near the Union Station (pictured with palm trees). Can't beat the Getty Center's free art and gardens. Love the BOP staffers, beaches, and public transportation ain't so bad.
Second stop: Atlanta, aka Hotlanta. Met with my two best girlfriends from high school for a weekend of crafting, eating, and general merriment. We caught a Braves v. LA Dodgers game. My LA team lost. Loved the aquarium. Learned to knit. My friend lives in Cabbagetown, a cozy hub similar to my capital hill but built around an old cotton mill gone condo instead of the US Capitol. Hospitality and friendship was bar-none.
Last stop: A University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Student Senate Reunion in D.C. These are my people!! A critical mass of personalities live in D.C. and we finally reunited after months of waiting. My empty threat of moving to LA spurred us into action planning the reunion. I erroneously made this threat after falling in love with John Vanderslice all over again. You may recall that John sings the song "Dear Sarah Shu," and you may recall that John swooped me into his D.C. concert a few weeks ago for free. For the foregoing reasons, I wanted to move to LA -anything for John. And, it just so happens there's a great BOP crowd in LA, too. Regardless, relax because I am jolly in DC after a month of adventure.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Clever Tourism
In the past few days, I have learned a few new clever tricks for tourists. They all involve buses.
It all began when my cousins visited and mentioned taking the actual tourist bus, the one that costs $28 and allows you to hop on and off at will. As a local, I feel compelled to guide (midwest) visitors myself. While I cannot offer the same historic perspective over a microphone, I can offer cheap, way cheap prices.
Tip 1: Circulate around town for $1 for hours. This bus offers three simple routes. One from Georgetown to Union Station, one north and south from Union Station to Southwest, and one around the National Mall. Don't forget to get your transfer ticket for a free pass for hours. Look for the giant red buses near the red bus stations. What can the circulator offer you? Great views of the key parts of town. Plus, you can say you circulated around DC. (Not to be confused with a great dance move, the perculator.)
Tip 2: Take the Dulles Bus for an unintended purpose. For $3, you can take the Dulles airport 5A bus from Rosslyn metro stop to L'Enfant metro stop, or visa versa. This route goes past the Tidal Basin with beautiful views. For those who prefer to leave their walking shoes in the tent, wear your heals and still feel as if you've circled the most popular DC destination in Spring. For $3, I vote to take the bus twice! From Rossyln you could walk to Georgetown; Or from L'Enfant you could walk the Hirshorn Smithsonian and see my favorite modern art video about simple machines.
After a tough day on the bus, don't forget to keep your transfer so you can bus it up Independence and into Eastern Market for some Tunicliffs or Finn McCools.
Just two tips for those with DC in their dreams.
It all began when my cousins visited and mentioned taking the actual tourist bus, the one that costs $28 and allows you to hop on and off at will. As a local, I feel compelled to guide (midwest) visitors myself. While I cannot offer the same historic perspective over a microphone, I can offer cheap, way cheap prices.
Tip 1: Circulate around town for $1 for hours. This bus offers three simple routes. One from Georgetown to Union Station, one north and south from Union Station to Southwest, and one around the National Mall. Don't forget to get your transfer ticket for a free pass for hours. Look for the giant red buses near the red bus stations. What can the circulator offer you? Great views of the key parts of town. Plus, you can say you circulated around DC. (Not to be confused with a great dance move, the perculator.)
Tip 2: Take the Dulles Bus for an unintended purpose. For $3, you can take the Dulles airport 5A bus from Rosslyn metro stop to L'Enfant metro stop, or visa versa. This route goes past the Tidal Basin with beautiful views. For those who prefer to leave their walking shoes in the tent, wear your heals and still feel as if you've circled the most popular DC destination in Spring. For $3, I vote to take the bus twice! From Rossyln you could walk to Georgetown; Or from L'Enfant you could walk the Hirshorn Smithsonian and see my favorite modern art video about simple machines.
After a tough day on the bus, don't forget to keep your transfer so you can bus it up Independence and into Eastern Market for some Tunicliffs or Finn McCools.
Just two tips for those with DC in their dreams.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Cherry Blossom Season
Spring - the season of new beginnings. It could just be that Cool Hand Luke (see previous post) is so cute, but there was a girl in a cherry tree that gave him a run for his money.
With family in town, I spent much of my weekend enjoying the sweet scent of cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, sweat of runners on the cherry blossom 10 miler, and tourists in the Smithsonian museums.
Can you guess where these tourists were located in our Nation's Capital?
1. A tourist on the phone said to someone on the other line, "I'm coming out of the Universe."
2. A tourist on the phone said to someone on the other line, "I'm near the calcitrates."
3. "We're Circulating."
4. "I love Ballarina stationary."
5. Which way does the arrow go? Where is my card? You don't need to put the card in to exit!
When you've given up, here are the answers
1. Air & Space Museum
2. Natural History Museum
3. Circulator bus - the best bus invention for tourists, ever.
4. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Gift Shop
5. Metro. And you do need to put the card in to exit.
Returning to my roots as a DC tourist made me appreciate this great city all over again. Spring is great.
One Day Anniversary
In the year 2008, I have wireless internet at home. Today is my one day anniversary. My wireless and I shared a beautiful day together so far. What a wonderful world.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
My Baby: Cool Hand Luke
Since I do not have Internet at home I do not stalk my friends on Facebook like a proper friend should in the year of 2008. Tonight I took a look and noticed that somehow so many of my friends have married or had the question popped to them with a huge heirloom diamond. Instead of participating in the institution of marriage (for now), I've decided to move straight into motherhood.
A baby was born on Fat Tuesday, 2008. Born is defined as found in a cake. My baby was inside the Fat Tuesday Cake, under the purple frosting. That is where I found him. The color purple is the color for justice. My baby is supposed to bring me justice this year. I named him Cool Hand Luke after inspiration from my office/cubicle neighbor. Luke enjoys getting his picture taken. I think he is starting to look like me already.
Finer Things in DC - in the spring!
My one-of-a-kind IKEA shelf. Thank you to my neighbor, Mr. Rogers, for that. Also pictured, the Library of Congress with spring tree, and the Jefferson.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
New Room
Hello All,
I've moved to a new room and have a new roommate. We are working on getting internet in our home. That will greatly improve my posting frequency. Curses to my oldish labtop, though. We are not getting along well currently. We will have to have a serious relationship talk tonight. It needs to treat me better. I carry it in a nice pouch, restart it and cleanse it from viruses. What does it want from me??!?!
In other news, I'm looking forward to upcoming family visits.
Hope all is well
I've moved to a new room and have a new roommate. We are working on getting internet in our home. That will greatly improve my posting frequency. Curses to my oldish labtop, though. We are not getting along well currently. We will have to have a serious relationship talk tonight. It needs to treat me better. I carry it in a nice pouch, restart it and cleanse it from viruses. What does it want from me??!?!
In other news, I'm looking forward to upcoming family visits.
Hope all is well
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Links for Work Colleagues
Wisconsin is so popular already!!
Read the linked article entitled: "Wisconsin Seeks a Less Cheesy Image"
What's your vote. Cheese or no cheese?
Read the linked article entitled: "Wisconsin Seeks a Less Cheesy Image"
What's your vote. Cheese or no cheese?
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Atlanta!
On the trek to Jamaica, my flight was canceled from Miami to Jamaica. I found myself on a flight to Atlanta for the night in order to fly from Atlanta to Jamaica the next day. My good best friend lives in Atlanta! I called saying something like, "I'm going to be in your neighborhood. What are you doing in around two hours?" My favorite Atlanta people showed me good cheese and true hospitality. I hope to return soon.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Ya Mon, I'm Ire.
I've returned from Jamaica with a new hop to my step. Stay tuned for the photo tour.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tourist gone Local
Today while on my jog a tourist held up his hand to me like a cop stopping traffic. Now, I run on the capitol mall so I accept and even welcome tourist questions. I like to test my new city knowledge. To boot, my running speed is such that it is like stopping traffic to slow me down!
The tourist asked, "Where is the White House."
I pointed to his left.
He asked, "What is that White House?," pointing to his right.
"The Jefferson Memorial" I replied.
2 points for the jogger, another happy tourist. YES!
There are two follow up comments to the free items mentioned in previous blogs.
1-Thank you to a reader for this article supporting dumpster diving worldwide.
2-When I ask questions at the farmer's market starting with, "In Wisconsin we.." the farmers respond well. Sunday I happily walked home with a large box of ripened tomatoes for cooking, free. Guess what I'm making tonight? Hungry? Come on over!
The tourist asked, "Where is the White House."
I pointed to his left.
He asked, "What is that White House?," pointing to his right.
"The Jefferson Memorial" I replied.
2 points for the jogger, another happy tourist. YES!
There are two follow up comments to the free items mentioned in previous blogs.
1-Thank you to a reader for this article supporting dumpster diving worldwide.
2-When I ask questions at the farmer's market starting with, "In Wisconsin we.." the farmers respond well. Sunday I happily walked home with a large box of ripened tomatoes for cooking, free. Guess what I'm making tonight? Hungry? Come on over!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
I heart John Vanderslice + Boston
Digital cameras are great. Here you see my Boston experience: The City, John Vanderslice, Harvard, and Tufts University.
Streets of Schuhington
Schuhington is nestled in cozy capitol hill. The Saturday farmer's market is famous for sale of fresh produce, lunches in the inside structure, and a large outdoor flea market. The breakfasts and lunches boast it's most famous crab cakes and blueberry buckwheat pancakes. Though the main structure of the market had a fire in the sprint, a temporary structure pictured here keeps the tradition alive while they re-build. The market is one of my favorite parts of the neighborhood because I can purchase local produce from farmers. Fun to taste the produce, talk to the farmers, and remember my roots. You can find me here every weekend at least once.
Here in Schuhington, you can find many treasures in the main residence. A gold and maroon motif include the pillow, sheets, curtain, and bed skirt. All very exciting purchases for a first time job holder. Also, enjoy the antique desk, my only furniture purchase over $15 to be found in Schuhington. This weekend I added to my dynasty with a free bedside table. My clock is no longer on the floor. Needless to say, I am crowing my self reigning dumpsterdiver/garage sale attendee in all of Schuhington. When are you visiting?
Here in Schuhington, you can find many treasures in the main residence. A gold and maroon motif include the pillow, sheets, curtain, and bed skirt. All very exciting purchases for a first time job holder. Also, enjoy the antique desk, my only furniture purchase over $15 to be found in Schuhington. This weekend I added to my dynasty with a free bedside table. My clock is no longer on the floor. Needless to say, I am crowing my self reigning dumpsterdiver/garage sale attendee in all of Schuhington. When are you visiting?
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