My Night in White

I took the subway into D.C. to meet up with the girls. I love watching people on the subway. There are the young’uns that are going to get their drink on or the chick that’s by herself and meeting up with friends. You know her face will soften as soon as she sees her friends but on the train by herself she has on her “Walking Face” as I call it. This is the face that says, “Don’t eff with me cause I’ll kick your ass”. I do the same thing when I’m in the city because there are a lot of freaks. If you look mean enough they might just leave you alone.

I meet up with the girls and we headed to Ozio’s. I thought I had been there before but I hadn’t. Getting a drink in there was not easy plus this was the first place we went to and I hadn’t had one drink yet to chill me out. The majority of smokers in there were smoking cloves, which smells better than regular cigarettes. We didn’t stay long before we decide to leave to find what other bars were around. When we left I realized it didn’t matter what type of cigarette it was they all smelled the same in the end and I could smell it on me.

Eight years ago I worked in this area but I never hung out there at night. It didn’t seem to have changed too much. We walked up 19th street and stopped at Rumors but didn’t go in. We continued on and I wanted to get a closer look at Luigi’s. I had been by this place so many times when I worked down here but now I know the history. My Great Grandfather had this place built for his workshop. He was a cabinet maker from Poland and many of us still have some of the furniture he made.

We decided to stop at Oodles Noodles for something to eat. I was so excited because I hadn’t eaten there in ages and I love their Noodles on a Boat. It was just as good as ever even eight years later. Next we went to Rumors. I had never been there but I had heard plenty. I was telling the girls that Rumors always reminded me of my cousins because I had heard a story of a fight they were in there and they came home with black eyes. No sooner had I mentioned this and tensions flared between two dudes but the fight was thwarted. We found our way to a table and copped a squat near the dance floor. I felt like I was in a college bar. The people were fun to watch especially some of the girls. They would walk in with their chests all puffed out. I couldn’t help but laugh every time this happened because it happened a lot. They would then stand near the dance floor and start shaking their booty. One heavier set chick in her eighties outfit would throw her arms in the air and shake her butt and she did it a lot. We had to turn away... it wasn’t pleasant.

We decided to leave Rumors and walk by Ozio to see what was going on there. On our way there we were stopped by a dude passing out promotional flyers. I kept walking since the girls took the info from him I figure I wouldn’t need it. But he called out after me, “Hey! Ms. White Pants…” I took the flyer and he was happy. Ozio was hopping and there was a line out the door and a cover now so we walked on.

We stopped at the corner outside the Daily Grill and there was a dude, who had friends inside, he crouched down like he was playing football and he was ready to receive something. So I turned and jumped into a crouching position like I was gonna run to him. He said “Come on, I got ya!” We just laughed and we walked on.

We crossed Connecticut and walked up towards Lucky Bar and MCCXXIII (1223). We met a homeless man and we all gave him a little donation and he asked us if we needed a dance partner. MCCXXII had a huge line outside and we noticed it was mostly men and wondered if they would let the women just walk in. Lucky Bar seemed pretty tame and there was a nameless place that had a small line and you had to be on a list to get in. Pam was determined to find out what this place was but the bouncer just ignored her. She eventually found out the name but it escapes me at the moment.

I was ready to call it a night and the girls agreed. The homeless man saw us coming and said how beautiful we were and did we need a dance partner. It old him he was full of it but he said “Hey, if ya’ll was ugly I would tell ya… You’re Ugly!” We thanked him and walked on.

We recapped the evening on our way to the subway and deemed it a successfully fun time. I have to say my favorite was when the dude was ready to catch me because it was the moment that made me laugh the hardest.

We said goodbye as my train arrived. I was lucky to get a seat with all the bustling with activity on the train. The young’uns were just heading out even though it was midnight and a good portion of them got off at Dupont. A man got on and started drawing everyone and even asked a woman to pose for him. Another woman noticed him sketching and decided to stand for the rest of her ride so she could look over the his shoulder and see what he was drawing. He was frantically looking up and down the train looking for his inspiration so he could sketch them before they got off at their stop. So many had left the train that he was having a hard time finding his inspiration so he put away his tablet, crossed his legs and his hands and waited for his stop.

I was beat when I got home. Read a few emails but too tired to respond so I crashed. I was hoping to sleep in but the best I can usually do is 9am if I’m lucky. When I woke up it was nearly noon. Whoa! I feel better than I have felt in a long while. Today I will attempt to hang my curtains and just chill out because tomorrow will be jam packed. I’m taking Mini Red to the Skins game.

GO SKINS!!

Sleeping with the fishes??? We'll be sleeping with the sharks!!!

I have schedule Mini Red and I for an immersion tour: Sleepover With The Sharks at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. How cool is that?

I had mentioned it to Mini Red and told her they also have a Wild Extremes Sleepover in the New Exhibit Animal Plant Australia: Wild Extremes. She said she would prefer to sleep with the sharks. So today I called and expected them to tell me they were booked but they weren't. WAHOO!

I haven't told her yet and not sure when I will. She called me when her Dad picked her up and I didn't want to tell her then because I want to experience her excitement. I have been so overwhelmed with excitement that when I left the office to pick up my lunch I had a huge grin on my face and I was nearly dancing.

I can't wait to receive the information packet so we can get ready. I may not tell Mini Red until we are on our way. We'll see if I can contain myself and keep it a secret.

A Bit O Dis and a Bit O Dat

In reviewing my favorite blogs I found this article from Smouie Kablooie at Metblogs stating that Duane "Dog" Chapman was in DC yesterday. I showed Mini Red this and she cried:

"Mom this was my chance to meet him and you could have taken me out of school to go there."

"WHAT?!?! I don't think so Sista!"

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This morning I stopped at Starbucks on my way in since I'm out of coffee at home (oh travesty!). I saw the homeless guy walking in that direction and I figured he would be there when I walked out of Starbucks. I debated whether I should get him something to eat or drink but I hate assuming anything. It was a good thing I didn't.

He was standing there when I walked out and I asked him if he would like a muffin or something and he said he wasn't hungry. I was surprised by this and said I was sorry but I didn't have any cash to help him out but he stopped me and said he had money but he had been up all night. At this point I was so confused and took this as a no thanks all around.

I hope I didn't offend him… he didn't seem offended. Maybe he isn't homeless but I know he lives under the highway… Oh I'm so confused. I don't understand what I could have done to help him out or if I offended him or if he was trying to tell me something else. I have a headache now.

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My desk, at work, has moved, as of yesterday. A lot of people were out of the office the past few days and they came back to find one dude has left the area and now I'm nearby. On top of this we have new people everywhere. Our work areas are cubicle like (I call them stalls). If someone says something heads pop up, it reminds me of Whack-A-Mole.

This morning seems to just be in complete chaos and everyone is curious about all the changes? So Whack-A-Mole seems to be in full swing.

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Trish always has interesting information. Remember the Cougar post? Well she told me about this book called "If The Buddha Dated". I expected it to be a funny little book but it's got some great information. When I bought it I also bought "If The Buddha Married" for a friend of mine.

I'm only at the beginning but I highly recommend it for more than just relationships. It is really good for a self-exploration on many levels.

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My office email has an auto population feature when typing in an email address. When you start typing the name it populates from the address book. It's been noticed recently that if Red is typed in my name auto populates. Too cool!

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I bought a deep auburn henna dye for my hair tonight. What's the worst that could happen? It only last 4–6 weeks. My girlfriend and I plan on trying this on Sunday. The only difference is she is covering gray and I'm talking about a temporary change of color. Everyone seems to be going more brunette lately, e.g. Cameron Diaz or Brittany Spears.

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Mini Red had her second swim lesson tonight. She is doing so well and the improvements are already evident. Unfortunately, I got stuck sitting near these PTA Moms tonight. Uggggh. They were discussing belly-dancing classes. One said she made a deal with her husband to practice for him late at night if he would bring the kids to swim lessons. Ewww! That was along the lines of thinking of you parents like that. Double ewww.