tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110303582024-03-13T09:23:23.912-04:00Comings and Goingsmusings about Washington, DC, and anywhere, and anything else (politics, food, the environment...)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-41824088653150466512011-09-25T17:27:00.026-04:002011-09-26T21:02:04.780-04:00Nook Color: the e-reader/tablet for the masses?You've heard about the recent run on the HP Touchpad tablet, but users have to wonder, will this product be supported in the future? If you have problems, where can you turn?<br /><br />Well, folks who actually purchased a tablet/ereader like, say, the Nook Color (NC for short), don't have such concerns, as Barnes and Noble stands behind its product, with both in-store help as well as telephone customer support. (In addition to other goodies for Nook users who use their tablets in a brick Barnes and Noble, such as discounts and free 1-hour reading of e-books, in addition to access to its free wi-fi.) Oh, and don't forget Free Friday!<br /><br />Just as important, the Nook Color is itself a well built and designed device, which only costs $250 [brand new] at Barnes and Noble and other retail outlets; you can occasionally find refurbished ones cheaper at overstock.com. It has a gorgeous touch screen (touch capacitive), which is quite responsive, with pinch to zoom. Yes, it has web access via wi-fi, which means no extra monthly bills. Web and many apps can be seen in either portrait or landscape orientations. Frankly, it's been $250 well spent, as I've had a hard time putting it down the last few months. As its capacities have been increased, with access to flash as well as some apps made available (with a few useful ones), it's been easy to spend loads of time on it. All good reasons why the Nook Color is the only other tablet next to the iPad that's come even close to being a real success, with over 3 million shipped. (And this was before the Touchpad fire sale.)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBhLD2QyUrw/Tn-e3CBm6DI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/TfCvjttQFCA/s1600/home%2Bscreen.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656414325274241074" border="0" alt="nook color home screen" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBhLD2QyUrw/Tn-e3CBm6DI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/TfCvjttQFCA/s320/home%2Bscreen.JPG" /></a><br />The screen generally looks as good as the photo of the home screen above, if not better. (Forgive my photographic skills.) Its backlit, with a high pixel density, so photos and text appear clear and bright. Makes me wonder why so many people on the (often dark) subway platforms put up with the similarly dark Kindle screen (and its weird flaking when the user turns from one page to the next).<br /><br /><p>Admittedly, I was inclined to view this product favorably when I first found out about it a few months ago, as I like the cute name, the logo, as well as the kiosk setup in Barnes and Noble (as well as a live salesperson) to answer questions and allow you to try it. My opinion of the device increased when I bought it home, and opened it. Its packaging is sane and does not inspire wrap rage, as I only had to crack open the (hard cardboard) box, and slide the tablet out. No risk of getting cut, or of breaking the Nook Color while attempting to open its box. All electronics should be packaged so smartly. </p><br /><br /><p>A screen that's close to 7 inches long is much easier on the eyes than a smartphone when attempting to view websites or read e-books, yet small enough to easily put in your purse. </p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6KolvLDbqA/Tn-ixabx7kI/AAAAAAAAAyY/hRNE2KCK53Y/s1600/ebook%2Btext.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656418626793762370" border="0" alt="ebook text" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6KolvLDbqA/Tn-ixabx7kI/AAAAAAAAAyY/hRNE2KCK53Y/s320/ebook%2Btext.JPG" /></a><br />The text is quite clear when reading an e-book, and the pages turn swiftly with a flick of the finger. (No buttons needed for this.)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tha8aEBa9A4/Tn-jLEIXzvI/AAAAAAAAAyg/x39m8rHV3tI/s1600/get%2Bit%2Bdone%2Bapp%2Bscr%2Bin%2Blandscape.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656419067483377394" border="0" alt="app with navigation buttons at bottom" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tha8aEBa9A4/Tn-jLEIXzvI/AAAAAAAAAyg/x39m8rHV3tI/s320/get%2Bit%2Bdone%2Bapp%2Bscr%2Bin%2Blandscape.JPG" /></a>One of my favorite apps, Get It Done, a free one which I like better than Springpad (and some other similar list making apps), as this one does not require me to sign in to use it, and is quite intuitive. The American Airlines app is another nice free app.<br /><br /><p>In fact, using the Nook Color in general is quite intuitive and easy. The NC comes with a short (paper) user manual, and has a more extensive one pre-loaded, which can be accessed on the home screen.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX26oKxJ3dY/Tn_BQAmxCQI/AAAAAAAAAzA/eRyXaC4WBAY/s1600/web%2Bw%2Baccess%2Bbuttons%2Bat%2Bbottom.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656452137785297154" border="0" alt="youtube screen with navigation buttons displayed" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX26oKxJ3dY/Tn_BQAmxCQI/AAAAAAAAAzA/eRyXaC4WBAY/s320/web%2Bw%2Baccess%2Bbuttons%2Bat%2Bbottom.JPG" /></a><br />The navigation buttons at the bottom of the above screen can be accessed by pressing that half circle with the arrow that's always in the middle of the screen, at the bottom. </p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoLHCJbS0Uc/Tn-mPGwCRyI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yvUQiMgZmU8/s1600/youtube%2Bvideo.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656422435440969506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoLHCJbS0Uc/Tn-mPGwCRyI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yvUQiMgZmU8/s320/youtube%2Bvideo.JPG" /></a>The same screen (a youtube video) without the navigation buttons. Oh yeah, video runs pretty well. The browser in general, while not the fastest, is decently fast. (Faster than my smartphone browser, in fact.)<br /><br /><br />Downloading books takes only seconds. While I've purchased a number of books, Barnes and Noble also offers e-book samples (which also take only seconds to download), which can be stored on your device, and viewed as many times as you like; they tend to range from 20 to up to 50 pages. You can access PDFs, as well as the epub format used by libraries, but I haven't tried the latter yet, or the loan-me feature. (However, it's been noted that Kindle only recently allowed the epub format; it was the first popular e-book reader--what took so long?)<br /><br /><br /><br />Many tech types have purchased a Nook Color because its stock operating system is based on Android, giving them an opportunity to have a cheap yet decent tablet that's completely to their liking. But as you can see, your Nook Color straight out of the box is an excellent value--an excellent e-book reader with instant access to Barnes and Noble's extensive online offerings, web/video access via wi-fi, and many fun and productive apps. (Oh, and the children's book features and online magazines are also highly rated, and more publications are being made available all the time.)<br /><br /><br /><br />My only real beef is the battery life, which could be better. (Someone commented about the crappy battery life of Android products--perhaps this will be improved with the rumored upcoming Nook Color 2?) This becomes noticeable because the more the features improve, the more you use the NC, and the more the battery life goes down. The other, more minor, quibble is of the boring covers available for the Nook Color from Barnes and Noble; I choose to get mine from javoedge.com, which has a greater variety of pretty, useful covers, which is appropriate for my pretty, useful Nook Color.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-45645076067975294812011-03-03T21:32:00.041-05:002011-03-03T23:02:44.495-05:00Fresh World supermarket--a fresh concept (aka eatin' good in the 'hood)?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxCYI4uAVBU/TXBPvFbkLQI/AAAAAAAAAwU/0AkObDH-Qoc/s1600/freshworld.exterior.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580047608642284802" border="0" alt="Fresh World market exterior" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxCYI4uAVBU/TXBPvFbkLQI/AAAAAAAAAwU/0AkObDH-Qoc/s320/freshworld.exterior.JPG" /></a> It's still a relatively new store, this Fresh World market. A friend said a mutual friend comes here weekly to get stuff; I said I heard about it from someone else, which brought on a trip to this market on Marlboro Pike (in a former Giant supermarket), a spacious experiment of a store. Experiment because I don't know of any other international food store of this size in Prince George's County, and certainly not inside the Beltway, and not providing such a variety of foods, at reasonable, often less expensive than elsewhere. Which is saying something, considering there's an Aldi's in the next parking lot!<br /><br />One (gawking) trip turned into another, and another. When you hear that Asians tend to eat more fruits and vegetables than Americans, you get visual confirmation merely from stalking the produce section, with its array of both exotic and familiar edibles, often at nice prices:<br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CYuVCf_-S4/TXBV2WLs6AI/AAAAAAAAAwk/Itr9RokluSo/s1600/freshworld.fresh.spinach.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 102px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580054330468001794" border="0" alt="packs of fresh spinach" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CYuVCf_-S4/TXBV2WLs6AI/AAAAAAAAAwk/Itr9RokluSo/s320/freshworld.fresh.spinach.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etLUXfxnQGo/TXBWby6zULI/AAAAAAAAAws/DPEAerZ3gvg/s1600/freshworld.freshcoconuts.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580054973836906674" border="0" alt="varieties of fresh coconut" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etLUXfxnQGo/TXBWby6zULI/AAAAAAAAAws/DPEAerZ3gvg/s320/freshworld.freshcoconuts.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPrjxXuFXZs/TXBWzZlC-EI/AAAAAAAAAw0/bKcw4WS4mwg/s1600/freshworld.lettuce.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580055379351631938" border="0" alt="lettuce" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPrjxXuFXZs/TXBWzZlC-EI/AAAAAAAAAw0/bKcw4WS4mwg/s320/freshworld.lettuce.JPG" /></a> The produce sale prices here are cheaper than Shopper's--and the regular prices, too!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--F18noc8VcY/TXBXlYgWoYI/AAAAAAAAAxE/IIblnF2ssYs/s1600/freshworld.freshherbs.produce.section.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580056238056972674" border="0" alt="fresh herbs" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--F18noc8VcY/TXBXlYgWoYI/AAAAAAAAAxE/IIblnF2ssYs/s320/freshworld.freshherbs.produce.section.JPG" /></a>More fresh herbs for the same price as other grocery stores (even if the herb's name is sometimes misspelled).<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlXFkH8e7EE/TXBYWFG9e1I/AAAAAAAAAxM/xy8ItaAKvrc/s1600/freshworld.produce.section2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580057074663783250" border="0" alt="Asian greens such as yu choy" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlXFkH8e7EE/TXBYWFG9e1I/AAAAAAAAAxM/xy8ItaAKvrc/s320/freshworld.produce.section2.JPG" /></a> Some of the wide variety of Asian vegetables, especially greens such as yu choy. </p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITf-zMYUMJg/TXBZBcVC4-I/AAAAAAAAAxU/xAhZOqzLAdA/s1600/freshworld.korean.cabbage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580057819631248354" border="0" alt="Korean cabbage" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITf-zMYUMJg/TXBZBcVC4-I/AAAAAAAAAxU/xAhZOqzLAdA/s320/freshworld.korean.cabbage.JPG" /></a>Korean cabbage, large and flat, next to "regular" cabbage, both at a great price. There's also lots of packaged tofu at inexpensive prices.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfgkjwflwxo/TXBc3R3T85I/AAAAAAAAAxk/mByfhDJnJxk/s1600/freshworld.produce9.freshturmeric.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580062043070002066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfgkjwflwxo/TXBc3R3T85I/AAAAAAAAAxk/mByfhDJnJxk/s320/freshworld.produce9.freshturmeric.JPG" /></a> On the left is lemongrass, and on the right is <a href="http://www.theediblelibrary.com/tea/fresh-turmeric-tea/">fresh turmeric</a>--how often do you find that? (Of course, I had to get some turmeric.)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHjkQCKLtHw/TXBaouBtMWI/AAAAAAAAAxc/9VyOOPj4s5c/s1600/freshworld.produce9.frozendurian.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580059593908498786" border="0" alt="frozen durian" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHjkQCKLtHw/TXBaouBtMWI/AAAAAAAAAxc/9VyOOPj4s5c/s320/freshworld.produce9.frozendurian.JPG" /></a>Even frozen durian--which is not for the faint of heart! (Not that I've personally tried fresh or frozen durian, but made the mistake of buying (but not trying) durian-flavored wafer cookies; couldn't eat them because of the stench that flew out when I cracked open the wrapping. And this was a dried, processed durian product!) No way I'd try a fresh or frozen durian, as it would make me faint outright from the smell.<br /><br />And that's just the produce section! Don't get me started on my favorite section, the tea area (and its reasonable prices for good-quality ordinary green tea):<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8p0xCWFrMg/TXBeEYE9ACI/AAAAAAAAAxs/KuyLwVquqrQ/s1600/freshworld.tea.section2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580063367587758114" border="0" alt="green tea" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8p0xCWFrMg/TXBeEYE9ACI/AAAAAAAAAxs/KuyLwVquqrQ/s320/freshworld.tea.section2.JPG" /></a> There is also a wide variety of Thai tea, as well as more tea and coffee than you can shake a stick at. Oh, and there are aisles of Jamaican/Indian food, as well as Latin American/Peruvian food, Japanese and Korean noodles, Asian snacks and desserts, as well as American breakfast cereal, sundries, Mexican cheeses and beverages, seafood (which was larger than the meat section), and the wonders of the frozen food aisles. There's also a pasta section, which even includes whole grain pastas, as well as pizza and spaghetti sauce, as well as breads (with a focus on Latin American breads and pastries), with a smattering of Filipino breads. Hey, where'd the yummy Filipino purple yam bread go?<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVHjzF877fU/TXBghWNyFII/AAAAAAAAAx0/rNc0dm3w4rc/s1600/freshworld.intl.frozen.desserts2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580066064327382146" border="0" alt="frozen Asian dessert pops" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVHjzF877fU/TXBghWNyFII/AAAAAAAAAx0/rNc0dm3w4rc/s320/freshworld.intl.frozen.desserts2.JPG" /></a> Not sure if they're pictured here, but I enjoyed the black sesame frozen pops--tempted to try varieties like the taro and jackfruit flavors shown above. </p><p>Now, you hear complaints about some international stores about the smell, especially from the seafood. There are occasional problems with that here, but as the store is fairly large (and relatively neat), you only notice it when you get close to the seafood section. Even Mom mentioned that other grocery stores had this problem at times, if the seafood's not also kept on ice. </p><p>With its wide variety of foodstuffs, and the diversity of clientele, as well as neighborhood people shopping, this store has potential to be an asset to its community. It's in a fitting locale, in the same shopping center as a large (and also reasonably priced) gym, the <a href="http://www.capitalsportscomplex.com/location/">Capital Sports Complex</a>, the former Run 'n' Shoot. Speaking of the nearby fitness center, seems that many of the fitness minded flock to this market. Hope that many more join them.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-40562383869120646372010-12-09T23:04:00.009-05:002010-12-09T23:47:42.232-05:00Holiday spice and everything nice, without sugar!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TQGqAaZ_CHI/AAAAAAAAAv0/sxgxQg2zYEI/s1600/cinnamon.blend.teas.herbal.n.black.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548903139962194034" border="0" alt="Bengal Spice tisane and Hot Cinnamon Sunset black tea" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TQGqAaZ_CHI/AAAAAAAAAv0/sxgxQg2zYEI/s320/cinnamon.blend.teas.herbal.n.black.JPG" /></a>It seems almost like a dare, a challenge--the claim that <a href="http://www.harney.com//Hot-Cinnamon-Spice/products/225/">Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Sunset</a> black tea blend is naturally sweet. Of course, this raised my hackles when I read this boast, but I decided to buy some anyway, as I've enjoyed Harney's quality tea in the past. I was pleasantly surprised--it's true, there is no need to add sweetener to this tea! A hot cup of this brew will have your home or office smelling like Christmas in no time, and you enjoying this beverage repeatedly. It's no surprise that this is the company's best-selling tea, and I brought a some as gifts for a couple of people (as well as gifted myself). What a great way to enjoy the warming taste of <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68">cinnamon and its gift of health</a>.<br /><br />The only other beverage that is in the same league, in intensity of flavor and fragrance, is the Celestial Seasonings' tisane (herbal blend) <a href="http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/detail.html/herbal-teas/bengal-spice">Bengal Spice</a>, which I've also enjoyed many times, but always like a chai, with milk and sugar. This time I decided to try it naked (it could never be plain), steeped only with boiling water, no sugar added. Another hit! (And cheaper to boot, available in any grocery store.) If it only came in a tin during the holiday season, I might buy some as a gift...<br /><br />* * *<br />What's with the recent spate of <a href="http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=632066307001#/Nutmeg+High+Part+1/632066307001">nutmeg scare</a> <a href="http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/young-people-using-nutmeg-to-get-high-113010">stories</a> in the local news outlets? Why now? I can't imagine meth use (or any other drug use) is going down during a recession, so what gives?<br /><br />I'm offended by such utter ignorance parading as news, because my mother, most esteemed baker among her family and friends, always almost used <a href="http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nutmeg07.html">nutmeg</a> in her baked goods--cakes and pies--and the delicious practice was handed down to me. Later I discovered that nutmeg is also used in savory dishes, especially in spinach dishes. Perhaps if the nutmeg-toking young'uns actually cooked, sometimes with nutmeg, they probably wouldn't be tempted to (or have the time for) foolishness such as getting high.<br /><br />I'm saddened when only scare stories of a common, natural substance (which is harmless when used sensibly) are promulgated, as this means that its benefits will be overlooked. I first remember reading about the healthful properties of common kitchen spices in a December 1997 <em>Vegetarian Times </em>article, "<a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n244/ai_20262565">The Baker's Trio: our favorite holiday spices do double duty as flavorings and healers</a>."<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TQGudc284sI/AAAAAAAAAv8/IyGYCKUS1QI/s1600/vegetarian.times.cover.dec.1997.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548908036883276482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TQGudc284sI/AAAAAAAAAv8/IyGYCKUS1QI/s320/vegetarian.times.cover.dec.1997.JPG" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-75670523726009882292010-11-28T23:55:00.010-05:002010-11-29T00:53:12.904-05:00Cyber Monday? Is it a good deal?Frankly, not sure what the fuss is about Cyber Monday, as if you have Internet access, you can find great deals any time of the year, when you need them. It might be better to keep in mind which retailers offer good deals and service (important with electronics, which is probably the biggest engine for both Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping).<br /><br />For instance, a couple of months ago, my cheapie Polaroid tanked on me--a plastic hinge chipped off, making it impossible to keep the battery door on without a rubber band. The Canon (a basic PowerShot AS1000), while a good camera in many ways, requires a two-finger trick maneuver to open the battery door, making it impractical for me to use--maybe it's meant for guys, so it's in reserve (maybe I could re-gift it?).<br /><br />Anyway, I was in need of a decent camera, and knew that online was the best way to go, as retail stores tend to do a switch and bait with regard to digital cameras. (I assume that switch and bait occurs on a more massive scale with Black Friday sales, but I digress.) I perused some of the regular bargain sites, and knew that I wanted the basic Panasonic Lumix point and shoot available, whatever it was, as I've seen photos and video shot with the higher end Lumix cameras, which had me drooling. Anyway, saw the <a href="http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FH20K_11002_7000000000000005702">Lumix DMC-FH20</a> on the <a href="http://www.costco.com/">Costco</a> website, and had to get it.<br /><br />Not only because of the camera's features, such as being lightweight with a slim profile, image stabilization, 14.1 megapixels, an 8x optical zoom, and a 2.7 inch LCD screen (and more!) as explained in this video from <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/">B & H Photo Video Audio Pro</a> (the New York superstore that's a knowledgeable source for digital, audio, and video equipment with decent prices, too)....<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QEbeCPSkGNM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QEbeCPSkGNM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />...I am also impressed by the bonuses that Costco throws in for the price of its Panasonic Lumix cameras, such as a camera case, a (long-life) lithium battery and recharger, and a 2GB SD card, as well as a 90-day return policy and free technical support, all of which makes the low Costco price frankly lower than other online outfits (including <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FH20-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B003962DXE/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1291009862&sr=1-3">Amazon</a>). Because many online Costco deals last for two weeks, it's best to check Costco's site (and others) periodically, so no waiting until Cyber Monday is necessary to get that deal!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-14667339063540788072010-11-26T20:18:00.009-05:002010-11-26T20:46:58.841-05:00Holiday shopping, at Capital TeasAlthough the Christmas sights, sounds, and smells at the <a href="http://www.nationalharbor.com/intro.htm">National Harbor</a> today were nice, like the <a href="http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/entertainment.htm">outdoor holiday market</a>...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TPBc9mNfSII/AAAAAAAAAvc/EneZqA5jRXw/s1600/xmas.market.natl.harbor.11.26.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544033354591979650" border="0" alt="outdoor holiday market at National Harbor" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TPBc9mNfSII/AAAAAAAAAvc/EneZqA5jRXw/s320/xmas.market.natl.harbor.11.26.10.JPG" /></a><br />And the Christmas tree (oddly enough, however, overshadowing the statue The Awakening, already in an awkward place)... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TPBdaoVbYFI/AAAAAAAAAvk/j6rrbM7EIX0/s1600/xmas.tree.natl.harbor.11.26.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544033853378355282" border="0" alt="Christmas tree at National Harbor" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TPBdaoVbYFI/AAAAAAAAAvk/j6rrbM7EIX0/s320/xmas.tree.natl.harbor.11.26.10.JPG" /></a> I was at National Harbor to stop by one of my favorite stores there, <a href="http://stores.capitalteas.com/StoreFront.bok">Capital Teas</a>, to pick up a couple of things. One of those things being a non-tea related item, a grapefruit soy candle by <a href="http://www.votivo.com/">Votivo</a> (like to have a nice, safe, scented candle around for the holiday season), which I'm highly pleased with. And, of course, tea. But not the fabulous decaf blackcurrent tea, which I haven't yet completely drunk up, but a nice cardamom black tea, because I don't currently have any cardamom in the house, and I love cardamom in hot drinks, especially tea. (Actually, I enjoy cardamom in my food and drink, period.) Perhaps because the harbor is not really a place for discount sales, the area was full of holiday shoppers, yet it had a pleasant, civil ambience. Which is why I went there and avoided other shopping areas like the plague (even the grocery store--I wasn't taking any chances).<br /><br />Perhaps because drinking tea promotes calm clarity the store selling it had a pleasant buzz, though it was almost full. Thus, when I got home with my small haul, I had a pleasing cup to look forward to this increasingly chilly day...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TPBg4EHjbrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/tmICvXIC3Sc/s1600/capitalteas.tea.11.26.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544037657587445426" border="0" alt="hot cup of cardamom tea from Capital Teas" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TPBg4EHjbrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/tmICvXIC3Sc/s320/capitalteas.tea.11.26.10.JPG" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-7102821026421194672010-11-26T00:07:00.003-05:002010-11-26T00:15:01.185-05:00Christmas is on the way...Before the Black Friday sales actually start, before hearing Chuck Brown's rendition of <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5pz1w3bG90">Merry Christmas Baby</a></em>, you know Christmas is coming when you see these lights after the Thanksgiving meal, as I have every Thanksgiving evening on the way home from auntie's house...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TO9BjXvJ9II/AAAAAAAAAvU/pc8tXSRuDEY/s1600/thanksgiving.night3.11.25.2010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543721742239396994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TO9BjXvJ9II/AAAAAAAAAvU/pc8tXSRuDEY/s320/thanksgiving.night3.11.25.2010.JPG" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-83688672966836594762010-11-25T14:20:00.002-05:002010-11-25T14:26:31.342-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TO63XTfLltI/AAAAAAAAAvM/mmKZTgp62so/s1600/leaves.nr.home.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543569802335590098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TO63XTfLltI/AAAAAAAAAvM/mmKZTgp62so/s320/leaves.nr.home.JPG" /></a>Enjoying Thanksgiving today with family and friends (over the river and through the woods...oops, wrong holiday), making sure to provide a small gift to the hostess, a jar of <a href="http://jenesaisrein.blogspot.com/2008/11/easy-pre-holiday-prepthe-sauce.html">homemade cranberry sauce</a>, so easy, yet homey and personal at the same time. Very thankful for those family and friends, although we sometimes have our, ahem, moments. Hope your Thanksgiving is as fantastic!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-28169605570853152522010-11-22T21:38:00.057-05:002010-11-22T23:18:48.433-05:00Relaxing...high above the city (the Bishop's Garden)<p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOspwYHcD4I/AAAAAAAAAsM/NqlmXqEcxF8/s1600/view.from.mt.alban.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542569677493636994" border="0" alt="Mount Saint Alban highest point in Washington DC" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOspwYHcD4I/AAAAAAAAAsM/NqlmXqEcxF8/s320/view.from.mt.alban.JPG" /></a> At the highest point in Washington, Mount Saint Alban, on the grounds of the <a href="http://www.nationalcathedral.org/">National Cathedral,</a> is a hidden gem known as the <a href="http://www.allhallowsguild.org/what/gardentour.html">Bishop's Garden</a>. While only three acres, and a few feet from the intersection of Wisconsin and Cathedral Avenues, this verdant space seems miles away from the fuss of the city.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOssPl2zsGI/AAAAAAAAAsc/h0xdZU4JLdc/s1600/bishops.garden.entrance.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542572412781178978" border="0" alt="an entrance to the Bishop's Garden" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOssPl2zsGI/AAAAAAAAAsc/h0xdZU4JLdc/s320/bishops.garden.entrance.JPG" /></a> On the other side of the gate is a spacious area, perfect for reflecting, quiet rendezvous, etc.:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOss63GArrI/AAAAAAAAAsk/A_PImqY4uv4/s1600/open.area.of.garden.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542573156142722738" border="0" alt="open garden area" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOss63GArrI/AAAAAAAAAsk/A_PImqY4uv4/s320/open.area.of.garden.JPG" /></a><br />An even more intimate public spot awaits the other side of the open area, the gazebo:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsuL0MYvaI/AAAAAAAAAs0/hdtqeeaUl38/s1600/gazebo.up.close2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542574546933562786" border="0" alt="gazebo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsuL0MYvaI/AAAAAAAAAs0/hdtqeeaUl38/s320/gazebo.up.close2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsuoQdy3oI/AAAAAAAAAs8/obkdPUCfAJ8/s1600/from.inside.gazebo1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542575035559108226" border="0" alt="from inside the gazebo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsuoQdy3oI/AAAAAAAAAs8/obkdPUCfAJ8/s320/from.inside.gazebo1.JPG" /></a><br />The gazebo is an informal border between the open area and the smaller, yet interest packed, garden itself, which is patterned after a monastery garden in the English fashion.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOswI6tTf4I/AAAAAAAAAtE/HrnKnLcnlYw/s1600/bishop.garden.explanation.sign.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542576696165891970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOswI6tTf4I/AAAAAAAAAtE/HrnKnLcnlYw/s320/bishop.garden.explanation.sign.JPG" /></a> Naturally, this means there are quite a few types, and colors, of roses in a relatively small area, even on a crisp November day:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsw31DdxII/AAAAAAAAAtM/j2isLWF5ZZg/s1600/rose.n.more.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542577502102078594" border="0" alt="drooping orange rose" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsw31DdxII/AAAAAAAAAtM/j2isLWF5ZZg/s320/rose.n.more.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsxkfQ8moI/AAAAAAAAAtc/MjDMKyc8Wuw/s1600/rose2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542578269347158658" border="0" alt="another orange tinged rose" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsxkfQ8moI/AAAAAAAAAtc/MjDMKyc8Wuw/s320/rose2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsydtWPnNI/AAAAAAAAAtk/7H9Sr2ecBDY/s1600/rose3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542579252380015826" border="0" alt="pink rose" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOsydtWPnNI/AAAAAAAAAtk/7H9Sr2ecBDY/s320/rose3.JPG" /></a><br />as well as other traditional English flowers, such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxglove">foxglove</a>.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOszNd-pV1I/AAAAAAAAAts/OHYsQ2GsS_8/s1600/foxgloves.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542580072888227666" border="0" alt="foxglove flowers" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOszNd-pV1I/AAAAAAAAAts/OHYsQ2GsS_8/s320/foxgloves.JPG" /></a></p><p>At the margins of the garden are interspersed various religious carvings:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs0TOQfF2I/AAAAAAAAAt0/dFXTs2IO-Jw/s1600/carving.nr.path.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542581271258928994" border="0" alt="carving" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs0TOQfF2I/AAAAAAAAAt0/dFXTs2IO-Jw/s320/carving.nr.path.JPG" /></a> </p><p><br /><br /></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs1LGBz8NI/AAAAAAAAAuE/xQBXPEIqwWg/s1600/carving.over.pond.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542582231122571474" border="0" alt="carving over pond" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs1LGBz8NI/AAAAAAAAAuE/xQBXPEIqwWg/s320/carving.over.pond.JPG" /></a><br />And items such as a replica of a medieval baptismal font, surrounded by rosemary:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs2BMiENmI/AAAAAAAAAuM/ma-2s1ZxH8I/s1600/baptismal.surrounded.by.rosemary.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542583160581404258" border="0" alt="medieval baptismal font surrounded by rosemary" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs2BMiENmI/AAAAAAAAAuM/ma-2s1ZxH8I/s320/baptismal.surrounded.by.rosemary.JPG" /></a><br />Speaking of herbs, they're here in abundance--sage, thyme, lavender, and of course, rosemary...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs5ANQrZOI/AAAAAAAAAuU/55FcnRSfg7g/s1600/purple.sage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542586442131924194" border="0" alt="purple sage" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs5ANQrZOI/AAAAAAAAAuU/55FcnRSfg7g/s320/purple.sage.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs5R2K8_AI/AAAAAAAAAuc/o-2g5BsmRhg/s1600/thyme.bush.spilling.over.path.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542586745171540994" border="0" alt="thyme bushes" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs5R2K8_AI/AAAAAAAAAuc/o-2g5BsmRhg/s320/thyme.bush.spilling.over.path.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs5r-gszuI/AAAAAAAAAuk/O3dETk1xBpE/s1600/lavender.flowers.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542587194086837986" border="0" alt="lavender" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs5r-gszuI/AAAAAAAAAuk/O3dETk1xBpE/s320/lavender.flowers.JPG" /></a><br /><strong>Last, but not least, the Herb Cottage...</strong></p><p>All this herb gazing when done viewing the garden means it's time to visit <a href="http://allhallowsguild.org/cottage/index.html">The Herb Cottage</a> as a last stop before heading out. The cottage, outside and in, is as quaint as you'd imagine.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs61XYdqbI/AAAAAAAAAus/3pT6V1jvzwk/s1600/herb.cottage.entrance.sign.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542588454893627826" border="0" alt="entrance to The Herb Cottage" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs61XYdqbI/AAAAAAAAAus/3pT6V1jvzwk/s320/herb.cottage.entrance.sign.JPG" /></a>Don't let the cuteness fool you--this is a great place to pick up inexpensive garden and herb gifts.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs8Is7ApjI/AAAAAAAAAu0/L144V-jmWDo/s1600/goodies.for.sale.in.herb.cottage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542589886604813874" border="0" alt="fragrance and personal care items for sale in the herb cottage" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs8Is7ApjI/AAAAAAAAAu0/L144V-jmWDo/s320/goodies.for.sale.in.herb.cottage.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs8fXH7C1I/AAAAAAAAAu8/RkgoXgEezkA/s1600/goodies.for.sale3.herb.cottage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542590275890383698" border="0" alt="jams and preserves for sale in the herb cottage" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs8fXH7C1I/AAAAAAAAAu8/RkgoXgEezkA/s320/goodies.for.sale3.herb.cottage.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs8xQbtZoI/AAAAAAAAAvE/WNUPwFfBJv8/s1600/goodies.for.sale4.herb.cottage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542590583331972738" border="0" alt="more preserves and teaware for sale" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TOs8xQbtZoI/AAAAAAAAAvE/WNUPwFfBJv8/s320/goodies.for.sale4.herb.cottage.JPG" /></a>Some products are even produced especially for the Herb Cottage, such as many of the jams and preserves seen above. I had to get a couple of items, under the rubric that I needed them, which was somewhat true--I was running low on coriander, so I purchased whole coriander seed, as well as hard mill soap, both under the Bishop Garden label. (Can I call it a brand?) And even had a couple of bucks over from a $10 bill after the purchase. Shockingly, I didn't buy any of the tea there, some of which is served at the Cathedral's <a href="http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/tourAndTea.shtml">tour and tea</a>. (Then again, I haven't taken that tour. Yet.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-80723518804141247112010-11-10T23:27:00.004-05:002010-11-10T23:43:59.689-05:00Spicing it up at Cafe Citron<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TNtxDut7-zI/AAAAAAAAAsE/4gL5fn_LgPI/s1600/cafe.citron.upper.level.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538144475676408626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TNtxDut7-zI/AAAAAAAAAsE/4gL5fn_LgPI/s320/cafe.citron.upper.level.JPG" /></a> <em>Dancers in the upper level, under the chandeliers.</em></div><div align="left"><br />OK, perhaps there were more people than usual (so I was told) at <a href="http://www.cafecitrondc.com/">Cafe Citron</a> tonight for its weekly Wednesday salsa lessons. It was held on the upper level this time (apparently, the lesson's usually in the basement), which didn't especially bother the unflappable instructor, Orlando, though he'd have preferred the usual location. Truthfully, I need to take the 'remedial' salsa lessons he offers there on Mondays at 6:30, because when dance steps are involved, I get easily flustered, as I'm more a freestyle dance person. I still have a hard time believing that Orlando didn't dance at all until 2003--who'd ever know by seeing him on the dance floor?</div><br />And no, my difficulties were not due to drink, but they do offer them. I particularly enjoyed the mango mojito, which was very fruity and hit all the right notes. The fire and ice, not so much--it reeked of pure alcohol, although it allegedly contains fresh ginger. Both drinks came from the bartenders in the basement, which apparently was the place to be, as it was pretty full, although the street level also had many people. Like many places in DC, Cafe Citron is larger than it initially appears, lending a mysterious, fun vibe, and a variety of moods, a different one for each level. The upper level is more sophisticated, while the street level great for a nosh in a colorful environment, and the basement is more intimate, made for talking, drinking, and dancing. <br /><br />Even the bouncer at Cafe Citron is friendly, which is a good sign of a good time. An even better sign is the random conga you periodically see around the club--of course, in addition to all the other people there, which is the best sign of a good time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-19807878149622518422010-11-02T19:26:00.009-04:002010-11-02T20:01:24.331-04:00The choices we make...(the election and stuff)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TNCecP6SHyI/AAAAAAAAAr8/pMJd2k4R98U/s1600/polling.place.parking.lot.sign.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535098150182854434" border="0" alt="sign at polling place" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TNCecP6SHyI/AAAAAAAAAr8/pMJd2k4R98U/s320/polling.place.parking.lot.sign.JPG" /></a> Went to the polls today, and there was a light, but steady, stream of voters. Perhaps more people voted early than expected, accounting for some of the apparent lack of urgency. In any case, had to vote, for Gov. O'Malley to remain in office, because the former governor Erlich is spewing nonsense about the health care legislation passed in Congress, claiming that it's bad for Maryland. Bobby Haircut doesn't understand that NOT having nationwide healthcare coverage is bad for Marylanders and other Americans. Of course, Republicans in other states are also aiming to attempt to roll back the healthcare legislation.<br /><br />Frankly, I don't think any of the pundits and political prognosticators know how this mid-term election will turn out. The Republicans will gain some seats, but who knows how many, really, until all the ballots are counted. (Fairly, I hope.)<br /><br />However, healthcare legislation (or lack thereof) is not the only issue that's affected, and been affected, by Republican governance. Take the issue of the Republican party and the NRA (please--never understood why the National <em>Rifle </em>Association is so obsessed with handguns). A recent <em>Washington Post</em> investigation mentioned that because of legislation passed in 2003 (by a Republican Congress), federal gun-tracing data is no longer publicly available. So, the results of choosing a Republican president and Congress years ago is still affecting us, in making it more difficult to trace guns used in crime.<br /><br />Even more puzzling is another choice mentioned in that same article: (often) women choosing to purchase guns for others (often men), <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/23/AR2010102302994.html">a practice referred to as a "straw purchase</a>." Of course, these men are not legally allowed to purchase guns in Maryland, which is why they approach someone to be an intermediate. Of course, the question I ask is why you'd choose to remain with someone who asked you to buy a gun in the first place!<br /><br />This isn't only a question of criminals getting their hands on guns illegally, as these guys, I believe, are testing the loyalty of their girlfriends. I say this because such guys can easily go to Virginia and buy a gun at a gun show themselves, as these venues are, unfortunately, still unregulated. It seems they're trying to find out if these women are "<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ride-or-die+chick">ride or die" chicks</a>. The question is why any woman would choose to be one.<br /><br />The choice, this or that, a question posed by the rap group The Black Sheep years ago in their song, <em>The Choice is Yours</em>.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K9F5xcpjDMU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K9F5xcpjDMU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-83684612718868303812010-11-01T11:24:00.011-04:002010-11-01T11:56:29.902-04:00Wine in disguise, yields a Shiraz surprise...<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TM7cFfllTqI/AAAAAAAAArs/LyyKojcAi28/s1600/blind.tasting.10.29.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534602979021508258" border="0" alt="wines wearing brown paper bags" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TM7cFfllTqI/AAAAAAAAArs/LyyKojcAi28/s320/blind.tasting.10.29.10.JPG" /></a> <em>The unknown wines (cue the music from the Gong Show).</em></p><em></em><br /><p align="left">Just in time for a Halloween weekend, I received an invite to a private blind wine tasting. The event was hosted by the amiable Laurent Guinand of <a href="http://www.giramondowine.com/">Giramondo Wine Adventures</a>, and sponsored by Yellowtail Wine. There were similar tastings taking place in 19 other cities (Boston, NYC, etc.) and a video simulcast featuring John Casella of <a href="http://www.yellowtailwine.com/">Yellowtail</a>, which had an audio quality appropriate for the weekend (not so great--extremely dark, shaky video might have made it complete), along with many folks <a href="http://www.winetwits.com/">tweeting</a>.<br /><br />Anyhoo, there were six other tasters, a fun lot in all, who were all much more experienced tasters, but after sniffing, swirling, tasting, hashing and shouting our opinions, we basically came to some of the same conclusions. One of my favorite folks complained, rightly, that the wines seemed "overcooked." All four wines were drinkable, and the third was preferred to the others, though Laurent mentioned that they didn't pique his interest. </p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TM7eTqF1nbI/AAAAAAAAAr0/S4kFekhpnxc/s1600/wines.being.tasted.10.29.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534605421382573490" border="0" alt="the four red wines" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TM7eTqF1nbI/AAAAAAAAAr0/S4kFekhpnxc/s320/wines.being.tasted.10.29.10.JPG" /></a>Tada! After we all sampled the wines, it was revealed that all the wines were Shirazes, specifically Australian Shirazes. Kristen correctly guessed that wine #4, with the forthright fruit, was the Yellowtail. Wine #3 (I forget the brand) was the most expensive, was liked better than the others, but not worth its price.<br /><p>We were all shocked that as different as these wines were from each other, that they were Shirazes from the same small area of the globe. While they were drinkable (I thought that #3 was good after it settled a while--it definitely needs to breathe), they showed no depth or nuance, which probably accounts for their boring Laurent (and me as well). Perhaps the grapes are so overheated in their little corner of the globe that acidity and other factors that increase complexity inadvertently cook out. (Similar to green tea leaves that are exposed to boiling water, which can "stew" or "cook" them, driving out their best flavors.)</p><br /><p>Nonetheless, looking forward to another event (that is, if I'm invited back), which proves that education can be fun!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-62578758220549745412010-10-31T17:34:00.004-04:002010-10-31T17:39:21.626-04:00Happy Halloween!If you weren't ready for Halloween, seeing this guy I saw on the subway Friday (whom I'd seen before, various times) would get you in a festive mood...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TM3haCPF8NI/AAAAAAAAArk/ykjRL8EMHMI/s1600/halloween.preview2.10.29.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534327354501230802" border="0" alt="guy on subway selling trinkets that light up" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TM3haCPF8NI/AAAAAAAAArk/ykjRL8EMHMI/s320/halloween.preview2.10.29.10.JPG" /></a><br />Check out this dude's grill, which lit up as well! (Apparently, also ready to help with last-minute Christmas shopping gifts.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-23392882065717771162010-10-29T08:31:00.009-04:002010-11-02T20:03:20.953-04:00ACKC DC (the hot spot for grown-up choc)...<p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMq-9vwHfJI/AAAAAAAAAq0/HgYL9iOzpsc/s1600/ackc+dc+exterior+at+night.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533445060177656978" border="0" alt="outside the entrance to ackc dc" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMq-9vwHfJI/AAAAAAAAAq0/HgYL9iOzpsc/s320/ackc+dc+exterior+at+night.JPG" /></a><br />After a disappointing meeting, I suggested to Barbie that we try the <a href="http://ackccocoabar.com/">ACKC chocolate gallery</a> on 14th Street (which has been beckoning me for a while), so off we went. I should have known that it would be great, if only from the outside, as well as this welcoming entrance was a prelude to the friendly service and delicious noshes and drink...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrABmln80I/AAAAAAAAAq8/Dhem9AxqzjM/s1600/ackc+dc+inside+entrance.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533446225948832578" border="0" alt="inside the entrance to ackc dc" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrABmln80I/AAAAAAAAAq8/Dhem9AxqzjM/s320/ackc+dc+inside+entrance.JPG" /></a><br />Shockingly, I showed a bit of restraint, and didn't purchase any of the chocolates in the display case, this time. (That will be my next ACKC mission, however.) Also showed restraint in that I didn't drool when I swooned over these beauties:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrBhnfn-tI/AAAAAAAAArE/8K7MH_q7lZA/s1600/ackc+blackberry+sugarcremes+nondairy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533447875459545810" border="0" alt="nondairy blackberry sugarcreme chocolates" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrBhnfn-tI/AAAAAAAAArE/8K7MH_q7lZA/s320/ackc+blackberry+sugarcremes+nondairy.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrB11Bm0FI/AAAAAAAAArM/QRmpS0HOGXQ/s1600/ackc+blood+orange+sugarcremes+nondairy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533448222689120338" border="0" alt="nondairy blood orange sugarcreme chocolates" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrB11Bm0FI/AAAAAAAAArM/QRmpS0HOGXQ/s320/ackc+blood+orange+sugarcremes+nondairy.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrCIcLLbzI/AAAAAAAAArU/9oV1oruOYQE/s1600/ackc+fleur+de+sel+caramels.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533448542435897138" border="0" alt="fleur de sel caramels" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrCIcLLbzI/AAAAAAAAArU/9oV1oruOYQE/s320/ackc+fleur+de+sel+caramels.JPG" /></a><br />Enough already! (And this was only a small portion of the goodies.) We each decided on the regular Belgian hot chocolate and a slice of the pear William cake. Although chocolate and pears is a traditional French dessert combination, I'd never tried it before, in part because I didn't think I'd be able to taste the pear flavor against the chocolate. In this case, I was wrong, as the moist cake with chocolate was intensely flavorful. And the hot chocolate, rich and not too sweet. Heck, even the (few) tables there are vividly painted to accompany the rich flavors:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrDbYLKf8I/AAAAAAAAArc/Zg_4_oLcgSQ/s1600/bitten+pear+william+cakes+n+choc.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533449967291236290" border="0" alt="pear william cakes and hot chocolate on table" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMrDbYLKf8I/AAAAAAAAArc/Zg_4_oLcgSQ/s320/bitten+pear+william+cakes+n+choc.JPG" /></a><br />To mix it up, will try a different hot chocolate next time, one of the Divas (named after screen greats), probably the Rita Hayworth. And perhaps a different cake, if the Aztec lava is there when I come. </p><p>As great as the food and drink was, it has an amazing ability to summon the sandman. Barbie mentioned this while we were there (which I didn't notice at the time), but later, when I was on the subway, the rollicking rhythms of the rails conspired with the chocolate goodness to knock me out for a bit. (And I didn't order any of the dessert wines, either--although the sweet South African Shiraz is looking mighty tempting...)<br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-48344976309732287042010-10-26T22:43:00.021-04:002010-10-27T00:29:24.093-04:00Meetings of kindred spirits--unknown to each other...Didn't go to the <a href="http://www.greenfestivals.org/">Green Festival</a> last weekend and eat the vegetarian fare there, among other things (although I enjoyed a tasty, filling vegan brunch that same day at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/everlasting-life-health-capitol-heights">Everlasting Life </a>for $10, which would have been cheaper than any lunch at the festival).<br /><br />Strangely enough, only two weeks earlier across town, there was a gathering of professionals who are also keenly concerned about modern society's overreliance on petroleum--the ASPO (Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas) USA's <a href="http://www.aspousa.org/worldoil2010">World Oil Conference 2010</a>, which convened at the Capitol Hill Hyatt. While I might have liked to attend (I think), the cost was too rich for my blood (even the discounted rates), but various of the discussions and transcripts of some events are can found online at <a href="http://www.energybulletin.net/">Energy Bulletin</a> and <a href="http://www.theoildrum.com/">The Oil Drum</a>.<br /><br />Many of the speakers and participants were knowledgeable energy consultants such as <a href="http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-09-16/exclusive-interview-robert-hirsch">Robert Hirsch</a>, who published the so-called <a href="http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/others/pdf/oil_peaking_netl.pdf">Hirsch Report</a> in 2005 at the behest of the Department of Energy, a document which posits that, according to estimates from knowledgeable investigators such as K. Deffeyes, world oil production could peak earlier than 2016. He was scheduled to speak about his lastest book, <em>The Impending World Energy Mess,</em> among other topics. Other speakers included Rear Admiral Lawrence Rice, former Secretary of Energy James Schlesinger (Carter administration), former CIBC economist Jeff Rubin, and many others.<br /><br />Lest you think the perspective of ASPO members is overblown, reflect on this recent, underreported (as underreported as the ASPO conference) coincidence--in recent months, there have been reports issued by the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/apr/11/peak-oil-production-supply">US Forces Joint Command</a> as well as the <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138-2,00.html">German military</a> wondering about the consequences of dwindling levels of the world's petroleum reserves, and the effects on military operations. (Now the symbolism of <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100505985.html">President Obama bringing back solar panels back to the White House </a>doesn't seem empty.)<br /><br />Apparently, not everyone wants their fellow Americans (and others) to prepare themselves to withstand and thrive when petroleum reserve levels fall off the proverbial cliff. Allegedly, <a href="http://www.aspousa.org/index.php/2010/10/review-october-11-2010/">at each yearly ASPO conference, a couple of local demonstrators dressed as "Chicken Little" (believed to be hired by a Texas or Denver oil man) hand out flyers</a>.<br /><br />Hiring those demonstrators is of the same head-in-the-sand mindset as <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/county-cites-farmer-for-612210.html">the Georgia county that sued a farmer for growing too many vegetables on his land</a>, even after the zoning changed. View the insanity below.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRlXieQohhA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRlXieQohhA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />If the hippie types at the Green Festival and the good farmer in Georgia agree with the engineer and military types at the ASPO conference (and in many aspects, they DO agree) with the need to drastically reduce our petroleum usage within the next few years, how do they, and the rest of us, convince our elected (civilian) officials to take seriously the prospect that world oil reserves may peak within our lifetimes? And, what to do first, as a society, to keep functioning as a society? Perhaps press for <a href="http://www.aspousa.org/index.php/2010/10/electrification-and-expansion-of-railroads-as-a-response-to-peak-oil-by-alan-s-drake/">the expansion and electrification of our railroad system</a>?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-67214665336722260642010-10-22T21:53:00.009-04:002010-10-22T22:31:20.784-04:00Too close for comfort...Decided to stay home to wait for the security alarm person to come by to switch out the old keypad, and the tech asked why there were fire trucks down the street. Huh? Then I went down the street and saw scenes like the following.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJCHBTa-tI/AAAAAAAAAqk/qq2rKgHkUJU/s1600/fire.engines1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 123px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531055980740803282" border="0" alt="various local fire engines" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJCHBTa-tI/AAAAAAAAAqk/qq2rKgHkUJU/s320/fire.engines1.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJBBEy69sI/AAAAAAAAAqU/x_sPGN_G6dA/s1600/firefighters5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531054779087386306" border="0" alt="firefighters about to enter townhouse" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJBBEy69sI/AAAAAAAAAqU/x_sPGN_G6dA/s320/firefighters5.JPG" /></a><br />Even worse was when I went out back, and saw the horror:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJBqUsQIjI/AAAAAAAAAqc/PaGnkibgWkE/s1600/house.fire5.10.22.10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531055487729017394" border="0" alt="charred backs of homes" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJBqUsQIjI/AAAAAAAAAqc/PaGnkibgWkE/s320/house.fire5.10.22.10.JPG" /></a><br />Soon after (in the middle of the afternoon), the power went out; it only came back on this evening, after eight. After talking with a neighbor, I talked with a lady who lived in the third house (whom I later lent a blanket, as she ran out of her house with just nightclothes on this chilly day), which the firefighters used to fight the fire at the other two homes, suffered the least damage. Nonetheless, it was condemned like the other two, because of damage to the structural integrity of her home. Thankfully, she had somewhere to stay for the time being, but she was clearly, understandably, shaken.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJEdQcGvSI/AAAAAAAAAqs/pUiwAmehmBM/s1600/firepersonnel.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531058561784134946" border="0" alt="county fire department spokesman with others" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMJEdQcGvSI/AAAAAAAAAqs/pUiwAmehmBM/s320/firepersonnel.JPG" /></a></p><p>My neighbors and me wondered why the sprinkler system seemed to fail, why the fire got so out of hand. One firefighter said that the effectiveness of the sprinklers depends on where the fire begins--if it begins in the attic (the only place in the house with no sprinkler), then it spreads quickly to the roof. If it begins outside, it quickly spreads upward, again before the sprinkler can really begin to put out flames. </p><p>I was told later by a fireman that the fire began in the back, and that it was probably electric in nature. Which only makes me more nervous. What was the source of the electic failure leading to fire? The fire, from what I can tell, didn't take that long to really get roaring, with the wind whipping around. I called a neighbor to let her know not to come home too early, as the streets were blocked from both directions (turns out, for more than two hours), and the electricity was out most of this time. </p><p>All this chaos got me to wondering just how prepared am I, if at all, for such an emergency. After all, fires are, unfortunately, not that uncommon, especially during the colder months. I did have enough canned goods on hand to not have to immediately crack open the fridge to get something to eat. (And have a <em>manual</em> can opener to open them, if needed.) The immediate streets were closed off for a couple of hours, which wouldn't have been too much of a hardship to hoof if I had to, as I'm used to taking reasonably long walks in the area. But that could have been a problem for seniors or the disabled. (As no one could get in or out this afternoon except by foot, and this is no cul-de-sac.) Having some cash on hand would not have been a bad thing, either.</p><p>Now that the lights are back on, and the fire's been put out, I'll have to check with some neighbors to see how we're going to help the ones who are displaced; there's been talk of taking up a collection. I hope it'll be more than mere talk.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-4467131522109108292010-10-21T19:42:00.015-04:002010-10-21T21:13:55.421-04:00National Harbor--not Disney on the Potomac (quite)<p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDQSwYCWnI/AAAAAAAAApU/e6VlDvYC7Gk/s1600/view.from.gaylord.atrium7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530649363052911218" border="0" alt="view of Potomac from the Gaylord Hotel atrium" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDQSwYCWnI/AAAAAAAAApU/e6VlDvYC7Gk/s320/view.from.gaylord.atrium7.JPG" /></a><br />I wasn't sure I'd like the hotel/tourist trap/convention/local shopping-dining destination known as <a href="http://www.nationalharbor.com/">National Harbor</a> before I came here on business, and what I knew of it was primarily the <a href="http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/?source=www.gaylordnational.com">Gaylord Hotel</a>, the development's anchor. Don't get me wrong--it's an impressive space to hold a meeting (but don't know what its hotel service is like, as I didn't stay in a room, and won't, if I have to pay for it, as it's too rich for my blood), but I find the rest of National Harbor interesting. (Although I'd like to perhaps head to the <a href="http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/spa/index.html">Gaylord's day spa</a> someday.) It's nice to have another, scenic spot in the Washington area that takes advantage of proximity to the Potomac.<br /><br />One weak spot (for me) is the placement of the famous sculpture, The Awakening, relocated from Haines Point. It's too close to the crowded marina for my liking, and appears cramped:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDShA-leAI/AAAAAAAAApc/c6-a7hU-Pqw/s1600/commercial.awakening.at.natl.harbor.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530651807050987522" border="0" alt="The Awakening statue almost obscured by billboard" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDShA-leAI/AAAAAAAAApc/c6-a7hU-Pqw/s320/commercial.awakening.at.natl.harbor.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDS4vTrM5I/AAAAAAAAApk/V4e7OL0nXMo/s1600/awakening.statue.at.natl.harbor.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530652214624465810" border="0" alt="The Awakening statue near marina" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDS4vTrM5I/AAAAAAAAApk/V4e7OL0nXMo/s320/awakening.statue.at.natl.harbor.JPG" /></a><br />It should have been placed further down the shore, in a more peaceful area, like this:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDTci-vf3I/AAAAAAAAAps/UTJeW8ddqZQ/s1600/along.shore.at.natl.harbor6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530652829790732146" border="0" alt="shore at National Harbor" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDTci-vf3I/AAAAAAAAAps/UTJeW8ddqZQ/s320/along.shore.at.natl.harbor6.JPG" /></a>Oh, the parking situation. I didn't have to pay for parking the first few times I came (whew!); the next few times I came (for pleasure), I came via the NH1 bus from the Branch Avenue <a href="http://www.wmata.com/">metro</a>, scared as I was of the ridiculously high parking rates, which can reach $20 if you stay long enough! (And when you can find the parking lots, which I somehow think are mostly for the condo residents.) I've heard that it's easy to get a ticket if you park at a meter, so I'm not eager to try that either. For the 'burbs, the rates are a bit much. </p><p>As the summer's over, there are no more movies being screened over the Potomac Sunday nights (bummer!). However, there are decent walking paths along the shore (see above), and a walking trail to the nearby Wilson Bridge has been completed, if you're in the mood for more of a hike. In fact, there are lots of walking paths, and places to sit down, which makes this a good area for a leisurely stroll. </p><p>Closer to civilization, yet away from the hotel proper (as hotels themselves tend to have the most boring, yet pricey, shopping and dining options), the shops and restaurants are somewhat varied, if upscale. There's an intimate looking outpost of <a href="http://www.mayorgacoffee.com/">Mayorga Coffee</a> that opens early for hot coffee and accompanying noshes. </p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDXVbwf7oI/AAAAAAAAAp0/jKxeLOrpO4A/s1600/mayorga.coffee.sign.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530657105639370370" border="0" alt="outside of Mayorga Coffee" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDXVbwf7oI/AAAAAAAAAp0/jKxeLOrpO4A/s320/mayorga.coffee.sign.JPG" /></a>However, there's also coffee and tea available early at <a href="http://www.aromicafe.com/">Aromi D'Italia</a>, as well as breakfast (and later, lunch) panini/sandwiches, a view of the harbor, and frozen dessert (early in the morning).<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDYRnd27XI/AAAAAAAAAp8/icvs0i5aA0Q/s1600/gelato.display.aroma.ditalia.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530658139574562162" border="0" alt="gelato display at Aromi d'Italia" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDYRnd27XI/AAAAAAAAAp8/icvs0i5aA0Q/s320/gelato.display.aroma.ditalia.JPG" /></a><br />Better, you don't need to run back to a hotel to take care of certain necessities after eating, because on the same level as Aromi and the <a href="http://www.cakelove.com/">Cakelove</a> outpost (which is next door to Aromi, and whose baked goods I have conflicted feelings about), as seen from the following sign from heaven.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDZWtP0MHI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Canr7baMilw/s1600/restroom.sign.natl.harbor.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530659326537248882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDZWtP0MHI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Canr7baMilw/s320/restroom.sign.natl.harbor.JPG" /></a>(Better still is that the ladies room is kept quite clean.) Somehow, though, <a href="http://dessertsbygerard.com/">Desserts by Gerard</a> (a local patisserie located down the road with the most luscious cakes) would seem a better fit for National Harbor than Cakelove. But then, Gerard's prices would probably have to increase. </p><p>I can't recommend Ketchup for a breakfast option, as it wasn't open for breakfast as it stated (on a door); an employee at another Nat Harbor store told me that Ketchup advertises somewhere that it serves breakfast, but doesn't. The manager I spoke with seemed less than friendly, so I won't be returning. (What kind of name is that for a restaurant anyway?)</p><p>Lunch and dinner are available at a number of restaurants, which tend to be on the pricier side. A cousin raves about <a href="http://www.elevationburger.com/">Elevation Burger's </a>grass-fed burgers, and a friend enjoyed dinner at <a href="http://rosamexicano.info/">Rosa Mexicano</a>, but mentioned that it will flatten the wallet. Of course, there are various seafood establishments, including a McCormick and Schmick's, as well as upmarket Thai and Chinese restaurants (Thai Pavilion and Grace Mandarin), so there should be something to please everyone. Also, there's a Rita's Ice and a Ben and Jerry's for ice cream after dinner if you don't want gelato for a frozen treat.</p><p>As to shopping, there are a few upscale stores, some of which actually carry items I might like to splurge on. There's South Moon Under, but even better, Fossil. For the men, there's the venerable Joseph A. Banks, and for the ladies, not just cutey-patootie stores like Charming Charlie, but two, count 'em, two expensive shoe stores. The newer one, <a href="http://www.simplysoles.com/">Simply Soles</a>, has a good selection of quality shoes, at a variety of sizes (not just the size 6's of the world). However, as its goods are in the $300 to $400 range, I don't see myself buying pumps there anytime soon. The local chain, <a href="http://www.comfortoneshoes.com/">Comfort One Shoes</a>, has a nice store here, with a variety of styles for women and men. But again, it would have to be a major sale (again) for me to shop here in the near future. </p><p>Now, the National Harbor project is still a work in progress, as the new <a href="http://www.ccm.org/">National Children's Museum</a> is being built there, as well as as a CVS and a gourmet market, presumably for the condo residents who need more than the snacks that can be procured from Onsite News. Perhaps a sign of the times is a ride that was supposed to be completed this past summer, the Calleva Challenge (a type of battering ram, I think).<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDe1S-7l_I/AAAAAAAAAqM/HNxiKisOOJs/s1600/calleva.challenge.ride.unfi.natl.harbor.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530665349621192690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TMDe1S-7l_I/AAAAAAAAAqM/HNxiKisOOJs/s320/calleva.challenge.ride.unfi.natl.harbor.JPG" /></a> But then, perhaps this is simply in keeping with the Children's Museum that's being built, and this might be somehow related to that, as a type of demonstration, when it's finally finished. As for the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/18/AR2009051803201.html">Disney property</a> up the hill from this battering ram, who knows?</p><p>My final gripe about National Harbor is not with the development itself, but how it and the county have fallen down in promoting its own proximity to history, in Maryland as well as Virginia. For instance, you will find nowhere on the National Harbor website that the harbor is literally next door to the historic <a href="http://www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/oxonhill_intro.html">Oxon Hill Manor</a>, a picturesque site often used for weddings (and, apparently used by a number of Gaylord guests in town for weddings held at the manor). Or that <a href="http://www.nps.gov/fowa">Fort Washington</a> is also nearby. Why couldn't that be a water taxi stop in the summer? Oh well, nothing's perfect, so neither is National Harbor. But it's a scenic, varied place to hang out with family and friends once in a while. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-75968671202636411802010-10-15T20:54:00.015-04:002010-10-15T22:11:34.672-04:00Water and nuclear power--the silence is not golden for Calvert Cliffs<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TLj4cEhPqMI/AAAAAAAAApM/T-XR4wm7G_M/s1600/Calvert_Cliffs_retouched.wikipedia.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 157px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528441703730489538" border="0" alt="Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant in Lusby Maryland" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TLj4cEhPqMI/AAAAAAAAApM/T-XR4wm7G_M/s320/Calvert_Cliffs_retouched.wikipedia.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Lusby, Maryland (photo from Wikipedia)</span> </div><div align="left"><br />A few years back, when <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/2007/09/13/34642/drought-is-sapping-water-power.html">a drought in the South threatened several nuclear (and coal) power plants</a> (nuclear plants are humonguous users of water, which is they tend to be situated near bodies of them) was the first time the impact of water in nuclear power generation really stood out in my mind.<br /><br />Closer to home, an additional variation on this theme exists, as one of Washington area's nuclear plants, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvert_Cliffs_Nuclear_Power_Plant">Calvert Cliffs </a>(pictured above, via Wikipedia) in Lusby, MD, is located in the same town as the nearby <a href="http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/calvertcliffs.asp">Calvert Cliffs State Park </a>(which I fondly remember visiting in middle school), and some residents.<br /><br />As of late, these homeowners' properties have been subject to severe erosion, <a href="http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=114264&catid=158">and some have recently been offered buyouts because of the gravity of the situation</a>, as seen here:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xth3MabZdu4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xth3MabZdu4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Most of the previous news stories about their plight take the tack that the impasse in helping the homeowners stems from efforts to protect an endangered species, the <a href="http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/tigb/intro.htm">tiger beetle</a>. Oddly, none of these stories even mention in passing that a nuclear plant is in Lusby, and question whether it might also be affected by cliff erosion in the area. (Also, no one in the media has questioned the wisdom of purchasing <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/24/AR2010012402962_pf.html">homes near erosion-prone cliffs </a>in the first place.) If folks are so worried about the environmental impact of homes falling into the Chesapeake Bay, imagine how much worse the impact would be if erosion caused part of the land immediately surrounding the nuclear plant to fall into the Bay. Are there any efforts being made to stabilize the power plant's land to keep it from falling into the Chesapeake? </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant is not perfect, and faces other threats, not merely erosion of the nearby cliffs. It shut down briefly this past February because of problems caused by another form of water--<a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Melting-Snow-Behind-Nuclear-Power-Plant-Shutdown-in-Maryland-85220482.html">melting snow</a>. In <a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Bullets-and-Nuclear-Reactors-Dont-Mix.html">a 2009 incident, a stray bullet from an onsite firing range (!!!) struck a command center near the reactors</a>, which, mercifully, caused no major problems, as far as is known. A <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/27/AR2009052703405_pf.html"><em>Washington Post</em> article about the incident</a> quoted Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) spokesperson Holly Harrington, "Firing ranges are common on the sprawling grounds of the nation's nuclear facilities." Bullets and nuke plants sound like a combination dreamed up by a B-movie producer (<em>Bullets over the Bay</em>). </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Finally, if cliffside erosion near Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant potentially threatens the stability of the enterprise (a possibility which apparently even <a href="http://www.safeenergymd.org/index.htm">anti-nuclear groups such as the Chesapeake Safe Energy Coalition are not addressing</a>), what about other nuclear plants across the U.S., which tend to be situated near bodies of water. Might the land near them also be facing erosion issues? Or are we, as a society, simultaneously so scared and complacent about the 800 pound gorilla of nuclear power that we dare not even ask such questions?</div><br /><br /><div id="change_BottomBar"><span id="change_Powered">Change.org</span><a>|</a><span id="change_Start">Start <a href="http://www.change.org/petition" target="_blank">Petition</a></span></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.change.org/widgets/content/petition_scroller_js?width=200&causes=all&color=00B1FF&partner=1654-164"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-91082853330937810932010-10-14T22:34:00.005-04:002010-10-14T22:43:58.477-04:00Sesame Street--helping girls to love their hair!Leave it to the folks at <em>Sesame Street</em>, public television's long-running edu-tainment show, to put out a positive song for our young girls, I <em>Love My Hair. </em>(I wish this had come out when I was young and watching the show.) Oh, better late than never:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/enpFde5rgmw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/enpFde5rgmw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />It's too bad that something like this wasn't first done by TV One or BET (but then, the latter wouldn't be living up to its new self-appointed role as Black Embarassment Television). (Originally saw this gem on <em><a href="http://www.theroot.com/buzz/emsesame-streetem-tells-girls-love-their-hair">The Root</a></em> website today.) Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-75042157127440042762010-10-01T18:42:00.033-04:002010-10-01T20:11:27.593-04:00Happy World Vegetarian Day--you could be a winner! (Or, if you give plants a chance.)October 1 is <a href="http://worldvegetarianday.org/">World Vegetarian Day</a>, and there have been interesting developments in the news lately regarding healthy diet, most notably former President Bill Clinton's interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, in which Clinton related that he turned to a (mostly) plant based diet in recent months to find out if it will help his cardiac condition. Typical of the media, it initially (and sensationally) reported on his weight loss ("Clinton's Weight Loss Secret--Plants"), which was merely a side effect (a good one) of his new eating habits.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R3ied_AD4iE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R3ied_AD4iE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Now, you know this man has had access to the best physicians over the years (and <a href="http://vegetarianstar.com/2008/09/14/white-house-chefs-taught-chelsea-clinton-to-cook-vegan">daughter Chelsea has been a vegetarian for years</a>), but it took the fact that his stent, unfortunately, started to clog up again for him to consider eating a plant based regimen. (Apparently, the reclogging of arteries after a stent has been implanted is not uncommon.) He mentioned a few physicians and scientists by name, notably Caldwell Esselstyn, Dean Ornish, and T. Colin Campbell (epidemiologist and author of the eye-opening book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/China-Study-Comprehensive-Nutrition-Implications/dp/1932100660/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285973929&sr=1-1">The China Study</a></em>) whose studies persuaded him to give (more) plants a try.<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />To help others give (more) plants a chance, the <a href="http://www.navs-online.org/">North American Vegetarian Society</a>, sponsor of World Vegetarian Day, has a contest: if meat-eating folk pledge to give up eating animals for a period of time--day, week, or month--they can enter a drawing to win cash. The bigger the pledge, the bigger the prize if you are a winner, up to $1,000! No matter what, that's a win-win situation, whether or not you win any money. (And don't let <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/01/anti-soya-brigade-ignore-scaremongering/print%20Ignore%20the%20anti-soya%20scaremongers">anti-soy scaremongers</a> deter you from taking the challenge.) <em>Bon appetit!</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-43180251039518036482010-09-14T23:33:00.021-04:002010-09-15T00:33:52.759-04:00Election foolishness (isn't it always?) and more...With all the election brouhaha, it's easy to forget that the employees of the company contracted to run the county bus service (known simply as The Bus) went on strike yesterday, according to the Washington Examiner. A brave move, I say, in these recessionary times, but, unlike many workers, they're in a union, so they have a bit more protection than other workers. Somewhat. The bad thing is that the possibility wasn't publicized ahead of time, so people using The Bus to get around the county (to polling places, perhaps?) are in a bind, and unsure which lines are not running.<br /><br />Of course, polling places and the county courthouse aren't the only places The Bus runs near; there's also a stop near the outskirts of this place, where I got some early junk in the trunk:<br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBHWu6mTLI/AAAAAAAAAok/rtKTOLrrY0s/s1600/junk.in.the.trunk.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516987999405362354" border="0" alt="pumpkin from Clagett Farm in car trunk" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBHWu6mTLI/AAAAAAAAAok/rtKTOLrrY0s/s320/junk.in.the.trunk.JPG" /></a>That's right--pumpkin in mid-September, from Clagett Farm. (It was a gift from an acquaintance whose truck I was helping unload.) </p><p>However, the true junk around here doesn't emanate from the farm; it comes from the politicians. I'm not talking about their posturing on various issues (or the lack thereof), or the annoying robo-calls. No, they've added another level of nuisance to the campaign season this time around. </p><p>Once upon a time, almost all election signs looked like this (my favorite campaign sign this season):<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBJd_9pN2I/AAAAAAAAAos/JMZVTggZeDU/s1600/high.sheriff.campaign.sign.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516990323263879010" border="0" alt="High Sheriff campaign sign" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBJd_9pN2I/AAAAAAAAAos/JMZVTggZeDU/s320/high.sheriff.campaign.sign.JPG" /></a>Now, we have lots of campaign signs pumped up on steroids, blocking views of the street, traffic, etc.:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBKKkMlpoI/AAAAAAAAAo0/2AwWobWxQeQ/s1600/giant.n.small.campaign.signs.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516991088904480386" border="0" alt="giant Michael Jackson campaign sign" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBKKkMlpoI/AAAAAAAAAo0/2AwWobWxQeQ/s320/giant.n.small.campaign.signs.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBKh_xE_yI/AAAAAAAAAo8/BnRSEmCKFOc/s1600/giant.n.small.campaigns2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516991491442278178" border="0" alt="giant Dereck Davis campaign sign" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBKh_xE_yI/AAAAAAAAAo8/BnRSEmCKFOc/s320/giant.n.small.campaigns2.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBK4nmjDwI/AAAAAAAAApE/TcjqtArhZ-o/s1600/giant.n.small.campaign.signs3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516991880092651266" border="0" alt="giant Sam Dean campaign sign" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TJBK4nmjDwI/AAAAAAAAApE/TcjqtArhZ-o/s320/giant.n.small.campaign.signs3.JPG" /></a> Ugh. Go away. This could, and should, become a campaign issue. After all, what happened to the "Gorgeous Prince George's" initiative?<br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-29686418842755080752010-09-10T16:33:00.003-04:002010-09-10T16:40:08.216-04:00Friday funny--on encouragement...Sometimes, you need a little nudge, or even a push, to do what you know you can do. Of course, this is an extreme--since when did a labrador retriever need encouragement to get in the water?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gaf7ju5bM3I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gaf7ju5bM3I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-5713892908127434712010-09-10T15:35:00.021-04:002010-09-10T16:40:46.876-04:00Safety first...<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TIqKpsB1EnI/AAAAAAAAAoc/G-7styKzlWY/s1600/Union_StationDC.via.wikimedia.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515373142466695794" border="0" alt="Great Hall at Union Station Washington DC" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TIqKpsB1EnI/AAAAAAAAAoc/G-7styKzlWY/s320/Union_StationDC.via.wikimedia.jpg" /></a> </div><div align="left">A recent community women's meeting had a guest speaker, Lisa Adams-Williams, a detective with the DC Police's Sexual Assault Unit. Ms. Adams-Williams spoke on how to avoid being assaulted, as well as what to do if it happens to you.<br /><br />She gave much of the usual spiel about being careful in parking garages, with the additional caveat to be careful about parking near the driver's side of a van, as people have been snatched away from that side of such a vehicle.<br /><br />The most surprising information (perhaps it shouldn't be) was her caution that the restrooms in <a href="http://www.unionstationdc.com/">Union Station </a>are the most likely places for sexual assault attempts in DC, so to be careful to accompany children to the restrooms there, whenever possible, to avoid problems. (And to be careful there yourself.)</div><br />You probably already know that if you are assaulted, that you don't shower or change your clothing, etc., until after you report it to the authorities. She also mentioned that you should first report the crime to the police, then go to a hospital or clinic.<br /><br />Of course, you need to report the crime where it occurred (what happens in DC stays in DC)--if the crime happens in DC, then report it to the DC Police. If you're attacked in Arlington, report it to the Arlington County Police, etc.<br /><br />All in all, a helpful chat, and hope to speak with her again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-8116537286626345522010-08-24T21:13:00.010-04:002010-08-24T21:41:52.978-04:00Back in shape, blah, blah, blah...I've worked out in the gym a couple of times in the week since renewing membership there. I started with ten minutes on the stationary bike both times, then continued to the circuit machines, in reps of five, various times (depending on the machine); I always do the complete circuit, which takes 30 minutes max, and I'm not rushing (and try to gently stretch in between sets, and definitely when moving from one machine to another). I lift the weights somewhat more slowly than most gym rats, in order to truly resist gravity (after all, isn't it referred to as resistance training?), but not so slowly as to become like torture (though <a href="http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/07/14/does-lifting-weights-fast-yield-faster-results">truly slow weight lifting may be the most effective routine</a>). This modest regime works for me, as I have no real aches two days later, although I certainly felt my muscles while working the circuit.<br /><br />* * *<br />Of course, the continuing drama about the overpaid, arrogant, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwxMRPTsYeo">possibly mentally unstable</a> "member" of the 'skins, Fat Albert Haynesworth, makes my blood boil. In a time of high unemployment and recession, this person could not be bothered to make the effort to work out once in a while, and repeately failed to turn up to training camp. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202936.html">Haynesworth now says he has a condition, rhabdomyolysis</a>, that makes him unable to participate fully in training. According to the rhabdomyolysis entry in the online Sports Injury Bulletin, athletes most at risk for rhabdomyolysis are: "<a href="http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/rhabdomyolysis.html">Out-of-shape athletes who begin training seriously in the summer are thus at particular risk; their lack of fitness places more stress on their muscles, and their lack of acclimatisation to the heat raises the risks of heat stress and dehydration."</a> Effectively, if he worked out in the off-season and attended training camp, he might not be suffering from this. Folks are saying that he should be traded, but what team wants his lazy, uncooperative behind?<br /><br />***<br />No, spoiled athletes are not whom I admire--my role model in physical fitness is this shining senior, Ernestine Shepherd:<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w6az9Kb0B-I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w6az9Kb0B-I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-84390359035149507872010-08-20T17:06:00.003-04:002010-08-20T17:10:25.745-04:00Friday funny...on the importance of eating your vegetablesYour mother told you to eat your veggies, scientists are telling you to get 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies a day, and now even canines are getting in on the act, as this little fella is letting his people know just how important cabbage is in the diet...<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/osCumgaAhlI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/osCumgaAhlI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11030358.post-40746105541590206602010-08-17T17:17:00.017-04:002010-08-17T18:03:41.434-04:00Sense in the summer...Finally returned to the community center to renew my (lapsed) three-month gym membership, and noticed the following on the side of the center, its small youth garden in full bloom:<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr_C-uxqcI/AAAAAAAAAoE/1y5LTGma52Q/s1600/bean.stalk.reaching.for.sky.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506493921077864898" border="0" alt="beanstalk reaching for the sky" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr_C-uxqcI/AAAAAAAAAoE/1y5LTGma52Q/s320/bean.stalk.reaching.for.sky.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Beanstalk reaching for the sky</span></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr-yPlpqlI/AAAAAAAAAn8/7uZwrDHTgkg/s1600/cherry.tomatoes.jackie.gleason.impression.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506493633545218642" border="0" alt="grape tomatoes seriously leaning" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr-yPlpqlI/AAAAAAAAAn8/7uZwrDHTgkg/s320/cherry.tomatoes.jackie.gleason.impression.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Grape tomatoes doing a Jackie Gleason impression</span></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr-mnQEB_I/AAAAAAAAAn0/UHN8A0pvL40/s1600/dwarf.sunflowers.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506493433738692594" border="0" alt="dwarf sunflowers" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr-mnQEB_I/AAAAAAAAAn0/UHN8A0pvL40/s320/dwarf.sunflowers.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Dwarf sunflowers<br /></span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr-BCzmn6I/AAAAAAAAAns/pGj1VON2_dM/s1600/sage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506492788300488610" border="0" alt="sage" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr-BCzmn6I/AAAAAAAAAns/pGj1VON2_dM/s320/sage.JPG" /></a><em><span style="font-size:78%;"> Sage<br /></span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr93HXtFAI/AAAAAAAAAnk/iUITeJpzeus/s1600/green.peppers.n.flowers.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506492617726956546" border="0" alt="green peppers and marigolds" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr93HXtFAI/AAAAAAAAAnk/iUITeJpzeus/s320/green.peppers.n.flowers.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Marigolds and green peppers</span></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr9rvtD6jI/AAAAAAAAAnc/uDqrIcEivrM/s1600/thyme4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506492422395521586" border="0" alt="thyme bush" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr9rvtD6jI/AAAAAAAAAnc/uDqrIcEivrM/s320/thyme4.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Thyme (one of the three types there)<br /></span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr9c5XI9dI/AAAAAAAAAnU/bj98sfosK-A/s1600/mass.of.flowers.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506492167289894354" border="0" alt="flowers amassed" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr9c5XI9dI/AAAAAAAAAnU/bj98sfosK-A/s320/mass.of.flowers.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Name these flowers!<br /></span></em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr9DYAnNOI/AAAAAAAAAnM/bUAw_TnrYSs/s1600/anise.hyssop.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506491728840307938" border="0" alt="anise hyssop in bloom" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O2bEyhgFYpg/TGr9DYAnNOI/AAAAAAAAAnM/bUAw_TnrYSs/s320/anise.hyssop.JPG" /></a><em><span style="font-size:78%;"> Anise hyssop in bloom</span></em></p><p>At least the community center (which is next door to an elementary school) had the good sense to keep a garden, unlike <a href="http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=106532&catid=158">Bancroft Elementary in DC, which demolished its garden (which Michelle Obama helped the school revive).</a> The little garden that could shows how much food can be grown in a small space; even most townhomes have this amount of space (if you count the front and back), and many of the herbs and tomatoes can be grown in containers. If I could only rip out the entire monster juniper the developer put in front!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2