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You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. But please no personal attacks and no need to correct people’s grammar. This is a place to vent and/or rejoice about daily life in DC.
Category: Open Thread
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Dear PoPville - Valet Problems Part Two
20 May 2013 10:16 AM
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Crushing Review of CVS at 7th and Florida Ave, NW
20 May 2013 10:43 AM
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Recent Comments
7:46am
Yeah, I called the cops, but he still won't use a glass... 
janezebel
7:41am
I live on Fairmont and PEPCO has been the reason that there is no parking for residents...
Yes, hello, 4th District? A woman in a red and gold sports bra, blue hot pants and big...
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Mat
7:35am
Holger, I'm in your camp and am one of the 25 neighbors who signed your petition to...
Rave: Asked to come in for an in-person interview for one of the positions I phone-interviewed for last week!
Super Rave: It’s the position of the two that I really, really want.
Rant: My pet rabbit is on a chewing spree. He’s peeling layers of paint off the walls and chewing them. How is he not dead? I’m sure there’s lead in that paint.
Pepco’s new Indian account is going well!
Rant: Passed a dead dog in the middle of the road on the way to work, and I’m feeling really irrationally guilty about it, like I should’ve stopped and checked for a collar or something…
“Seen a man standin’ over a dead dog,
By a highway in a ditch.
He’s lookin’ down kinda puzzled,
Pokin’ that dog with a stick.
Got his car door flung open,
He’s standin’ out on Highway 31.
Like if he stood there waitin’ long enough,
That dog’d get up and run.
Struck me kinda funny,
Seems kinda funny sir to me,
How at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe.”
–”Reason to Believe”, Bruce Springsteen
Rant: I am such a crybaby at these Olympics, which is really out of character for me. Good thing I live alone.
Rant: Seeing all of these emails for new fall arrivals and realizing my fall wardrobe sucks.
+1 on the Olympics teary-eyed-ness. That US women’s gymnastics yesterday was incredible, and those Russians really turned on the water works when they knew they weren’t going to win.
I cried looking at the Russian women feeling so heartbroken, then cried again when we won the gold. Living alone definitely has its perks.
ughhhh. I wanted to cry so hard but my apartment’s stupid Nigerian security guard wouldn’t stop harassing me in the TV room!
Rave: I won $50,000 on a lottery scratch ticket last night.
Lucky, lucky
))
Get out!
for real??? how are you going to spend it? my favorite game.
Congratulations! I must admit, I’m slightly jealous.
Damn you!! If you only knew…what game was it? Congratulations!!
Where did you get the ticket?
omg that’d be so much student loans gone *sobs*
That would be all but about 4k of mine. My life would completely change.
Rant: The problem in a nutshell – Do something to make sure my power never goes out! Wait, you want me to pay part of the cost of the solution? I don’t think so!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/pepcos-storm-response-inadequate-most-dc-residents-say-in-poll/2012/07/31/gJQArLBrNX_story.html
Somebody else should pay to fix my problem!
Why is it that this appears to be the new american mantra?!?
Rant: Man the apartment search was tough. I never want to go on Craigslist to look for anything ever again. Some of the listings were very scary around the $1400 range (still paying a mortgage).
Rave: Got an apartment thanks to a last minute opening in one of my father’s buildings, I am paying 200$ under the market rate though, but at least it takes away a ton of worries…
Rave: Snoop Lion is writing a song called “No Guns Allowed”!!
Your man said he is now Bob Marley reincarnated.
Rant: BoA informed me that they cancelled my CC because the database of a merchant I shopped at had been compromised. They wouldn’t reveal the merchant’s name.
Rave: 22 days till lift-off!
Regarding your rant: that has happened to me twice with my credit card company. I appreciate that they were trying to protect me (well, probably themselves) from fraud but it really pissed me off that they wouldn’t (or were not allowed to, according to them) tell me which merchant(s) compromised my information.
If I’m dealing with sketchy merchants I’d sure like to know who they are.
Rave: 30 days till vacation!!! Ukraine and Greece. Now, we were all super helpful for Claire’s shopping in Istanbul, do you people have suggestions for what to buy in Greece? Going to islands and Athens.
Yassas! Greece is awesome. What islands are you going to?
santorini and naxos
Never been to Naxos but Santorini is great. If I were you I would take the jet ferry over to Mykonos if possible, it is a lot of fun. But while is Santorini, here are a few suggestions. DEFINITELY go to Oia and/or Fira and check out the sunset, get there early because it will be packed. We did a half day trip to the volcano, Thia and the hot springs but be warned that unless you are a very strong swimmer you might have to sit out the springs, the boat stops about 50 yards out and you have to swim to it and back to get to it. As for food, I highly recommend Santorini Mou for an authentic dinner and a great time. If you want more of a high end restaurant, you can pick from many but I really liked my dinner over looking the caldera at Floga. For shopping you will end up in Fira and Perrisa. While in Fira, make sure to hit up Lucky’s for some souvlaki, gyro and falafel.
Enjoy!
BTY, make sure you rent a small car and you can drive stick well. You will need it.
Even better than a car, we rented ATV’s on Santorini. They were cheaper than a car, parked anywhere and really fun to tool around on. No need for a map, everything was really well marked and we went all over the island. Also, make sure to get the fish pedicure. I know they are technically not the cleanest things in the world, but it was a cool experience (there is very nice and reasonable place in Oia called Fish Kisses or something like that).
Second the Oia suggestion…its the most beautiful town (and where you see all the iconic pics). We spent a half day there in May and it really wasn’t crowded at all. Not much to do there but its worth the view and glass of wine. I think the bus ride took about 45 min from the main town.
So far we are only staying 2 days in Oia, and we are on a budget. Was planning on doing that 3 hr hike to Fira, but spending most of my time on a beach in Naxos. I did hear that ATVs are available everywhere. I guess will decide on a spot.
The fish thing…sounds interesting…i’ll have to think about it!
Thanks for all your suggestions guys!
I wanted to do ATV’s but a car made more sense given out situation (luggage…).
If you really want to hit the beach, make your way to Red Beach (a world famous beach) be careful because you will have to climb rocks to get there. Also note that the sand is very hot there. When you get there you can take a boat over to the exclusive white beach.
Lastly, if you have time, check out Perissa for more of a laid back seaside town atmosphere. It is also home of the black beach. Stuff is much less expensive there. In fact if you are on a tight budget, I might suggest staying there and driving to other spots.
well, not THAT much on a budget.
wanted to stay in Oia to avoid renting a car. I hate hate hate driving on any given day, and especially on vacation.
i’ll be sailing through greece for most of september – would be crazy to randomly run into a poper on santorini!
Athenians are mean and surly. They only sell crap from China.
The people in Oia, Santorini are lovely, though they want coins and not bills, but they won’t give you coins, so you never have coins to give back. It’s a vicious cycle. Anyway, I mostly bought baked goods and honey.
Go to the TripAdvisor forums for Santorini, the posters are exceptionally knowledgeable.
Yes, trip advisors forums are addictive! I have been reading them non-stop, that’s how we decided on Oia and Naxos, so helpful. Thanks for advice on coins!
Be easy you all, Athens is alright. I mean it wasn’t my favorite but it is a major city so it will have its edge. Hit the Acropolis and DEFINITELY check out the new Acropolis museum, it is very nice. Placa is really touristy but it is what it is. If you drink wine, get some bottled local wine, it comes in a plastic bottle similar to a water bottle, you will thank me later.
Greeka is your friend as well.
Virtualtourist.com is great too.
Get out of Athens as quick as you can. Gypsies, bums, and besides the Acropolis and some decent eats, it’s not that great. The islands and the Peloponnese are where it’s at. Greek handmade linens are surprisingly underrated — the craftwork of their doilies are lovely. Also, olive oil, wine, head scarfs, the mati jewelry, etc. ENJOY!
Ignore the naysayers.
Athens can be be a blast, and the all-night parties make it a great place to get over jet-lag (Athenians start late and go late). Later, while drunk, go to the all-night diner in the meat market, Papandrea’s, where beautiful people leaving the clubs rub shoulders with butchers coming in to work. but Look for the neighborhoods of Psyrri or Gasi for clubs and restaurants, hit Monisteraki for (next to Plaka) for the best gyro in the world, catch a cab down to Piraeus/MICROLIMANO and eat at a fishtaverna (Jimmy and the Fish is good), prefereably on a Saturday afternoon, when lunch runs from roughly 2PM to 7PM. If you’re not in a party mood but wide awake, a lot of restaurants don’t even start serving until eight, wander around the base of the Acropolis until you find a taverna with a view you like. The food will be mediocre but tasty and the wine hit-or-miss (always get the house wine, if it’s a miss, it’s at least cheap), but it’s a very friendly place to dine out. Avoid restaurants mentioned in cheapster guidebooks as they are sub-par.
Hit a couple of museums (go the the Acropolis at off hours). Enjoy the chaotic energy of the place. If you have to take cabs to anyplace not famous, bring a map or a phone number — Athens cabbies are the worst anywhere.
Even Greeks will tell you that you haven’t seen Greece unless you’ve been to the Islands, but don’t look at Athens as a hassle to be avoided, it’s a ton of fun.
And this website is great: http://www.athensguide.com/index.html#basic
This is dated but I trust the critic a great deal
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php/topic/29583-dining-in-athens/
I traveled all around the Mediterranean, and the only place the cabs were comparable to ours was in Athens. The cabs themselves are old and falling apart, so in that respect most DC people will be used to them.
Whoah, awesome! thank you!
Rave: Olympics
Rant: Doping
Ye Shiwen clocked a faster time at the same distance than the Men’s WR holder, Ryan Lochte. GTFOH!!
I don’t know enough about doping to form an opinion on whether the Chinese swimmer is clean or not. But I do think it’s a shame that so many people presume something fishy is going on just because she finished so strong. Last night, in the midst of a “I’m not saying she’s cheating, but . . .” commentary by Bob Costas, he made the point that significant drops in time are not unusual for swimmers of her age. He said Michael Phelps shave 4 seconds off his best time over a 1-year span when he was around her age.
He did that on purpose for obvious reasons. Look at their programs history. You are telling me that a 16 year old girl is faster than a young man? I am not trying to be an ass or anything but let’s be real here.
BTW, Lance Armstrong is dirty as hell too.
I should add, not just any young man but the fastest man on the planet!!
Well, the real cheating appears to be in badminton! Who knew it was such a competitive sport?
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/08/01/8-badminton-players-expelled-from-olympic-doubles/?test=olymp
I think Bob Costas was fighting tooth and nail not to read the teleprompter on that one. He hated the words coming out of his mouth, just as much as I hated hearing them. Shame on you, NBC.
I feel like people are extra suspicious of her because she is from China. Compare her to the Lithuanian swimmer who came out of absolutely nowhere, Ruta Meilutyte (sp?) and won the gold medal. You don’t see anyone accusing her of being dirty.
I would say she’s doping for sure.
The most damning evidence is not her overall time: it is the fact that she swam three lengths at a quick pace but then swam the last length faster than anyone on the planet. It looks very suspicious.
Exactly, she was right up there with the leaders until she decided to turn it on. You mean to tell me that she had that much reserve energy? Not likely at all. Something is most definitely up.
Like perhaps. . . she’s just that much better than everyone else?
It is possible but not probable.
Rant: Not looking forward to the Facebook updates from my right-wing friends who are going to Chick-fil-a today.
Rant: Parking ticket doubled to $100
Rant: Forgot my smart trip card so I had to pay an extra buck each way. Highway robbery!!
Rave: Said parking ticket was dismissed and it only took a hour at the courthouse.
Rant: This wedding is making my bank account look rather sad.
Rave: Getting married in one month.
Been there too. It took over a year before I felt like I was back on sound financial footing. But . . . . the wedding and honeymoon were awesome and totally worth every penny!
Rave: the baby duck picture. So cute! QUACK!
Rant: Phone died while asleep and my internal alarm clock decided to let me sleep in so I was almost a full hour late to work.
Rave: actually caught the last yellow line rush+ train so wasn’t a full hour late to work
Rave: Had a great maternity photo session last night. The baby kept moving while I was shooting which added a great feeling to the photos! Hopefully it was not the flashes bothering her!
Rant: Went to the whole steroids treatment and my arm is still bothering me. Have to go back to the Dr.
I just got turned down for another. goddamn. job. I had a fantastic interview and I even had solid network connections. It was basically a carbon copy of the job I do now. wtf people.
Stupid question, but if it’s a carbon copy of the job you do now, why are you changing jobs?
Relocation
Rave: I love the Olympics!
Rant: I’m so sleepy at work from them.
Rant: Co worker basically coerced me to switch shifts with her this week so she could have the evening off. Then management decides to cut the shift I picked up so I lose hours. Super annoyed because I already lost a shift when I took Monday off for trip. I’m going to have to dip into my PTO which I was saving for vacay to make this up.
Rave: At least I have time to do a few errands I needed to catch up on.
rant: armed robbery at the 12th and u 7-11. not impressed.
Rave: baby duck!
)
Rant: Transitions at work. New boss taking over as old boss transitions out. Eleven people leaving by the end of August. Suck.
Rant: The US women’s gymnastics team! FIX YOUR DAMN HAIR! YOU LOOK SO SLOPPY, LIKE YOU’RE AT A PRACTICE, NOT THE OLYMPICS IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!!! I don’t care if you won the gold–FIX YOUR HAIR!
Rave: Going to the Nats/Phillies game tonight and the Nats/Marlins game on Friday afternoon. The Friday game is for work, which means we are leaving at 2:30 to get there on time.
+1. I know exactly what you are talking about, total disgrace.
Revel: Had a mouse I couldn’t catch for weeks. Went to Yes organic market and bought tons of different snacks/bait to do a test. The Winner — caramel/peanut brittle bar. One less mouse in the house!
This sounds like an Onion parody – having to buy organic snacks for a mouse trap!
Rave: I plan on taking the tip about pick up soccer at Watkins rec today at 8:30. Hopefully there will be some skill out there.
Rant: It took my upstairs neighbors four full days of non-stop banging, screaming, hauling and midnight carpet-cleaning to move out of their small, one-bedroom apartment.
Rave: I am finally rid of the party pigs.