Good Deal or Not? “carriage house in impeccable condition” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This carriage house is located at 424 11th St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Rare opportunity! Incredibly unique Capitol Hill carriage house in impeccable condition! Very open, spacious two bedroom home. Dramatic LR ceiling, beautiful refinished hardwood floors throughout, countless windows providing exceptional light, CAC, FP, large shared patio. This home has everything! Easy pkg. Great chance to invest by hot H St. corridor!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I think the “countless windows” claim is perhaps a bit dramatic but otherwise seems very cool. $549,000 sound right for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Dear PoPville – How do you endure daily Office Life?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

“Dear PoPville,

I realize this isn’t exactly an advice column, but I think this online community might be particularly suited to help me understand a problem I’m having.

I have a great job that is interesting and allows me to make a positive impact on the world. My co-workers are fantastic and the benefits are excellent. The problem is that I cannot stand working behind a computer for 7 or 8 hours each day. It makes me stir-crazy, unfocused, and — at its worst — depressed. I have tried everything: I get up from my workstation at least once an hour for tea, a bathroom break or a quick run to a nearby store, walk at least 30 minutes outdoors at lunch in good weather and have an active life outside of the office. I’ve even manufactured my own sort of standing desk out of some old boxes (my supervisors will not spring for something fancier) to try to break up my movements and work during the day. These all provide some relief, but not enough to restore my sanity.

Unfortunately, my chosen field is social science research, and there aren’t a lot of opportunities to not be sitting at a desk. It is to the point where I am considering a career change, despite the fact that I love the work I do (just not how it is done). I’ve thought about speaking with a career counselor or even a therapist, but neither is really an option in my current budget. Is there something I’m missing? How do others cope?”

Some people are gonna jump down your throat because the economy is so bad and there are many looking for work. Screw them.

I think you need to start looking for a new job. Absolutely do not quit your current job but I def. think it’s time you started looking for a new job that is not in an office environment. Do you know anyone who has a non office job? Ask your friends if they know of any folks who don’t work in offices to learn about some options that are out there. You’ll need to take a serious look at your finances and see what is feasible, as it is quite possible your new job will require a pay cut.

On the other hand if it is not feasible to take a pay cut or there are no realistic alternatives – I think you may want to focus on afterwork pursuits. Sports leagues, volunteering, reading, art, music whatever brings you joy. Have something to look forward to at the end of the day.

For those that work in an office but hate office life – do you have any tips to make office life more palatable?

Dear PoPville – Having Trouble Getting a pre-drywall inspection

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

“Dear PoPville,

I am a first-time homebuyer in the process of purchasing a newly constructed townhome in DC. As the process nears completion, I requested that the developers allow me to do a pre-drywall inspection. Such an inspection is crucial in identifying problems with the foundation, framework, electrical work, and plumbing that can be easily hidden with drywall and insulation. The developers flat out denied my request for the pre-drywall inspection. They stated that they’d allow me to do a walkthrough of the property before the drywall and insulation was installed but that I could not bring an inspector with me. I know nothing about DC building code or proper craftsmanship so having me simply walkthrough the property and look around would be utterly useless.

When I mentioned this to the developer’s realtor and expressed my concern about having this inspection denied, he got snarky with me and said he doesn’t understand what I’m worried about; shoddy construction? That’s exactly what I’m worried about! He then goes on to tell me that the District of Columbia will inspect the property and that the developer would be offering me a home warranty, so I really shouldn’t be overly concerned. While he may put all the faith in the world in DC inspectors, I don’t and the last time I checked, home warranties don’t cover structural issues.

I’m now reevaluating whether or not I want to continue with this purchase. Has anyone else in PoPville dealt with something like this? What recourse would I have if something goes wrong that could have been discovered during the pre-drywall inspection?”

Anyone ever have trouble getting a pre-drywall inspection before? Is a pre-drywall inspection common? Is the developer or the buyer being unreasonable?

Win 2 Tickets to Bob Dylan/DBT Show at Merriweather Aug. 16th!

By Prince Of Petworth

I don’t often get jealous but I’m already jealous of whoever wins this one…

Tu 8/16
Bob Dylan and His Band
w/ Drive-By Truckers & Leon Russell
Merriweather Post Pavilion · Columbia, MD
6:00 PM Gates
$77.50 Reserved Pavilion ‧ $57.50 Reserved Pavilion ‧ $40 Lawn

As always just let me know why you want to go in the comments and I’ll pick a winner late next week.

Ed. Note: Congrats to Nan for winning the Jason Mraz tickets.

Props to the Cops – Vol. 27 – Officer Copeland and CST Team

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

“Tonight [Wed.] Officer Copeland was on patrol in the 5000 Block of North Capital Street Northwest when he heard gunshots coming from the area of First Street Northwest. Officer Copeland immediately alerted units in the area and they converge. Officer Copeland and members of the Fourth District Crime Suppression Team began to canvass the area in the rear of the 5000 block of First Street Northwest. The officers heard what the believed to be someone “racking” and loading a semiautomatic handgun. The officers then heard a door slam. This area was in a very secluded area that can only be reached on foot. The members continued to look in the area and found several fresh cartridge casings in the area and were able to determine what apartment the suspect fled into.

The members then obtained an Emergency District of Columbia Search and Seizure Warrant for the apartment. Once the members entered the apartment they were able to seize a .380 semiautomatic handgun and ammunition matching the cartridge casings that were found outside the residence. A suspect has been positively identified and members are currently working on obtaining an arrest warrant for him.

The recovery of this handgun and the identification of the suspect were only through the coordination and determination of Officer Copeland the C.S.T. Team and the United States Attorneys Office.

Great Work Officer Copeland and all members involved.”

The narrative sounds like something out of George Pelecanos novel. Awesome.

Random Reader Rant and/or Revel

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC

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. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am.

Dear PoPville – How feasible it is to go through a pregnancy and to raise a child without a car?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Matt.Dunn

“Dear PoPville,

My fiance and I are thinking about starting a family sometime in the next year or two. We have been happily carless in Shaw for 5 years and are wondering how feasible it is to go through a pregnancy and to raise a child without a car? For example, do pregnant women (and new parents) make a lot of unplanned trips to the doctor, for which we would want a car? How have your readers made it work?”

Both of my neighbors who lived for years without cars both got one when they were pregnant. For those with kids or are pregnant (Ed. Note: Congrats to those who are) what have your experiences been like? Has anyone done it without a car? If so – do you use bus or metro? How far away (minutes by foot) do you live from bus/metro?

Sweet Ride Vol. 7 and 8

By Prince Of Petworth

The reader writes about the one above:

“Phone photo quality may well be too poor for your purposes but when my wife and I stumbled across the attached Datsun Fairlady (heck of a model name) we both thought “sweet city ride”. Was parked on Euclid and Champlain, right across from City Bikes. It was sunset, so the light was poor, Heck of a car, though.”

The one below was found by a reader in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Fruits (and Vegetables) of Your Labors – Vol. 4 and 5 – Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


“Sunday harvest in Columbia Heights”

A couple of great harvests from Columbia Heights.

If your garden has been kind to you, send a couple of photos with your neighborhood to princeofpetworth(at)gmail with Fruits (and Vegetables) of Your Labors in the subject line.

“Today’s harvest – arugula, tomatoes, eggplants (these little stripy ones are like eggplant-flavored sticks of butter!) and about 9 feet worth of cucumbers. So I made cucumber kimchee and half-sours. Both are pretty simple “quick” pickles.

1. Cut cucumbers into small spears. Put them in a strainer, toss with a couple teaspoons of salt and let sit about 10-15 min. Rinse.

2. for Kimchee – mix about 1 t. of salt, 1 t. sugar, 1 Tablespoon each of soy sauce & fish sauce. 1/4 t. (or more if you like it hot) red pepper flakes. thin sliced ginger & about 4 garlic cloves, thin-sliced red onion & scallions. Toss with the cukes and let sit 1/2 hour or longer. Probably good with sliced hot peppers if you like them.

3. For half-sours, just mix the 1 t. salt & 1 t. sugar with sliced garlic & onion, some fennel seed, or fresh fennel or dill, if you like. Add a little water and let sit.”

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