no, seriously. after swimming three and a half miles it was just what a i needed before i crashed. i'm so hooked on baked and wired - we're talking at least a cupcake a week for the past month or so. will i ever get to try georgetown cupcake?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
last night a cupcake saved my life
no, seriously. after swimming three and a half miles it was just what a i needed before i crashed. i'm so hooked on baked and wired - we're talking at least a cupcake a week for the past month or so. will i ever get to try georgetown cupcake?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
free wine!
did you know that if you are a member of the uva alumni association you can get free wine tastings at jefferson vineyards? free tastings and discounts on wine purchases. sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
ranking the starbucks
with their brand floundering, starbucks has really been pulling out all the stops lately. and i can't say that i complain. first they introduced a brand new roast - pike place. it's in direct response to everyone's complaints that starbucks coffee tastes burnt. this coffee is fresher and much smoother. too bad it's not much cheaper. they also started a perks program with their starbucks card. if you register your card online (duh, who doesn't?) then you can get lots of fun freebies. and i just noticed this morning that they're giving out free itunes songs every tuesday. today - counting crows!
all of this marketing is clearly working on me. it's gotten me to cross the street and go to starbucks every morning. ok, maybe it's because the seattle's best in my building mysteriously closed last week. coincidence? i think not. anyway, going back to starbucks got me thinking about my love/hate relationship with the coffee shop. their new coffee has me loving more than hating lately, but some of the shops out there are just painful to go to.
so i present to you, my superlatives of thedc area starbucks i've been to:
best overall starbucks: metro center, 11th & e.
this was my starbucks when i worked over on 11th street. any given morning there were at least 10 people working. and not just working, but working well together. and the store was set up well to handle the flow of customers from the in door to the out. i definitely don't miss that office (gross), but most morning i miss that starbucks.
worst overall starbucks: route 7 (next to panera).
this has the potential to be a great starbucks. it's rather large and there's lots of seating (even tables outside). the problem? well it must be the management because the staff there are all incompetent. regardless of when i go in there it always takes ages for me to get my drink. now with starbucks literally on every corner it's easier to avoid that one, but you'd think after all these years they'd get their act together.
best seating: charlottesville, on the corner.
the coveted chairs downstairs in the window were always hard to get (i think i sat there once in my four years), but luckily there were plenty of places to sit upstairs (haha. i joke). but when you could snag a seat it was nice. especially to just sit on the couch and read. it was a little disturbing when lots of people got talking, but it looks like they got that under control now. figures they made it better now that we left!
most inconsistent: gainesville, route 29.
this is the starbucks that i inevitably stop at every time i drive down to charlottesville. the problem is i almost always have to use the bathroom too, so i'm forced to go in. because you know this is a fancy schmancy starbucks - it has a drive thru! the inconsistencies arise when you choose to go into order or to drive through the, well, drive thru. the process is seamless when you drive thru, but when you go inside it takes forever to order and/or get your drink. what's the deal?
most animated staff: georgetown, m street.
it seems like forever ago that i worked in georgetown. in reality it's been just over a year. weird. and since we brewed starbucks coffee in that office i didn't go up the street to get coffee every morning, but when i did it was worth it. the staff at that shop were crazy (in a good way). they always seemed like they were truly enjoying themselves, which always makes it more pleasant for the customer. [side note: this is not the starbucks that had a triple homicide back in 1997.]
best bathrooms: new york city.
ok, so maybe they don't have the best bathrooms. but if i'm looking for a public restroom in new york city odds are i'll end up in a starbucks. mainly because they're on every corner (literally). but also because they keep them clean (enough). i just hate how the prices for the same drinks are more expensive up there. it makes no sense.
most cramped: pan am shopping center.
luckily this one is never too busy [knocks on wood] because if it were it would be insane. there's room for about five people in line and after that you're out the door. the one redeeming factor is the outdoor seating. but it's not like i'd use it because everyone just sits there and smokes. gross.
and you know what? there are probably so many i'm forgetting or i've never been to...
all of this marketing is clearly working on me. it's gotten me to cross the street and go to starbucks every morning. ok, maybe it's because the seattle's best in my building mysteriously closed last week. coincidence? i think not. anyway, going back to starbucks got me thinking about my love/hate relationship with the coffee shop. their new coffee has me loving more than hating lately, but some of the shops out there are just painful to go to.
so i present to you, my superlatives of the
best overall starbucks: metro center, 11th & e.
this was my starbucks when i worked over on 11th street. any given morning there were at least 10 people working. and not just working, but working well together. and the store was set up well to handle the flow of customers from the in door to the out. i definitely don't miss that office (gross), but most morning i miss that starbucks.
worst overall starbucks: route 7 (next to panera).
this has the potential to be a great starbucks. it's rather large and there's lots of seating (even tables outside). the problem? well it must be the management because the staff there are all incompetent. regardless of when i go in there it always takes ages for me to get my drink. now with starbucks literally on every corner it's easier to avoid that one, but you'd think after all these years they'd get their act together.
best seating: charlottesville, on the corner.
the coveted chairs downstairs in the window were always hard to get (i think i sat there once in my four years), but luckily there were plenty of places to sit upstairs (haha. i joke). but when you could snag a seat it was nice. especially to just sit on the couch and read. it was a little disturbing when lots of people got talking, but it looks like they got that under control now. figures they made it better now that we left!
most inconsistent: gainesville, route 29.
this is the starbucks that i inevitably stop at every time i drive down to charlottesville. the problem is i almost always have to use the bathroom too, so i'm forced to go in. because you know this is a fancy schmancy starbucks - it has a drive thru! the inconsistencies arise when you choose to go into order or to drive through the, well, drive thru. the process is seamless when you drive thru, but when you go inside it takes forever to order and/or get your drink. what's the deal?
most animated staff: georgetown, m street.
it seems like forever ago that i worked in georgetown. in reality it's been just over a year. weird. and since we brewed starbucks coffee in that office i didn't go up the street to get coffee every morning, but when i did it was worth it. the staff at that shop were crazy (in a good way). they always seemed like they were truly enjoying themselves, which always makes it more pleasant for the customer. [side note: this is not the starbucks that had a triple homicide back in 1997.]
best bathrooms: new york city.
ok, so maybe they don't have the best bathrooms. but if i'm looking for a public restroom in new york city odds are i'll end up in a starbucks. mainly because they're on every corner (literally). but also because they keep them clean (enough). i just hate how the prices for the same drinks are more expensive up there. it makes no sense.
most cramped: pan am shopping center.
luckily this one is never too busy [knocks on wood] because if it were it would be insane. there's room for about five people in line and after that you're out the door. the one redeeming factor is the outdoor seating. but it's not like i'd use it because everyone just sits there and smokes. gross.
and you know what? there are probably so many i'm forgetting or i've never been to...
Monday, April 14, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
springtime!
i love when the seasons change! and especially when it makes a change for the warmer :) here are some of my favorite "firsts" in the spring.
1. the first trees blooming.
this happened weeks ago, but now the city is in full bloom! and i've was one step ahead of my allergies this year so (knock on wood) i haven't been sniffling too much.
2. the first baseball game.
it might be a while before i get over there, but i'd rather wait until it's warm enough to enjoy the game. i mean i don't like baseball that much.
3. the first outdoor happy hour.
and that will be tonight (or this afternoon?) at harry's. per a circulating work email: we have five tables reserved with bottle service at 6:00. i believe at a thing called harry's. to clarify, bottle service means miller lite bottle service. and while i can't complain about outdoor drinking, it's days like these that i miss working one block from the georgetown waterfront.
4. the first ice cream treat.
anyone who knows me well knows that i eat ice cream just about everyday of the year (seriously). but it's spring and summertime when i have more of an urge to go out for ice cream. today the urge hit me hard and i frolicked over to potbelly for one of their delicious ice cream sandwiches. and at $2.50 for two cookies and some ice cream (in sandwich form, of course) you can go twice as often as going to the other price-gouging ice cream shops in the city.
5. the first day of the pool.
i saved the best for last. this is my favorite day of the year. i won't be in town this year for the first day, but i'm looking forward to a summer full of lazy days and lap swimming at the pool.
1. the first trees blooming.
this happened weeks ago, but now the city is in full bloom! and i've was one step ahead of my allergies this year so (knock on wood) i haven't been sniffling too much.
2. the first baseball game.
it might be a while before i get over there, but i'd rather wait until it's warm enough to enjoy the game. i mean i don't like baseball that much.
3. the first outdoor happy hour.
and that will be tonight (or this afternoon?) at harry's. per a circulating work email: we have five tables reserved with bottle service at 6:00. i believe at a thing called harry's. to clarify, bottle service means miller lite bottle service. and while i can't complain about outdoor drinking, it's days like these that i miss working one block from the georgetown waterfront.
4. the first ice cream treat.
anyone who knows me well knows that i eat ice cream just about everyday of the year (seriously). but it's spring and summertime when i have more of an urge to go out for ice cream. today the urge hit me hard and i frolicked over to potbelly for one of their delicious ice cream sandwiches. and at $2.50 for two cookies and some ice cream (in sandwich form, of course) you can go twice as often as going to the other price-gouging ice cream shops in the city.
5. the first day of the pool.
i saved the best for last. this is my favorite day of the year. i won't be in town this year for the first day, but i'm looking forward to a summer full of lazy days and lap swimming at the pool.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
greetings from florida
yes, i'm on vacation in sunny florida. it feels like the middle of august and i LOVE it. but i don't want to make anyone too jealous...
my grandfather has lived down here in boca for about 15 years now. not long after we started coming down to visit we discovered a frozen yogurt place just a mile from him place. it's kind of like arch's, but without the gooey brownie and with tons more flavors (most of them being some sort of combination of fat-free/sugar-free and low carb, yet still delicious). so as you can guess every time i come down i go every single night (obviously).
but the point of this story is not my obsession with frozen yogurt (which dc does not have enough of). i've been coming to this same yogurt place for over ten years and i just now noticed that the owner is a splitting image of john waters (his doppelgänger, if you will). tragically i don't have a camera down here with me, but he is absolutely the boca raton version of john waters (read: jewish, overly tanned and very loud).
my grandfather has lived down here in boca for about 15 years now. not long after we started coming down to visit we discovered a frozen yogurt place just a mile from him place. it's kind of like arch's, but without the gooey brownie and with tons more flavors (most of them being some sort of combination of fat-free/sugar-free and low carb, yet still delicious). so as you can guess every time i come down i go every single night (obviously).
but the point of this story is not my obsession with frozen yogurt (which dc does not have enough of). i've been coming to this same yogurt place for over ten years and i just now noticed that the owner is a splitting image of john waters (his doppelgänger, if you will). tragically i don't have a camera down here with me, but he is absolutely the boca raton version of john waters (read: jewish, overly tanned and very loud).
Sunday, March 30, 2008
sad news
yesterday my sister's roommate ashley fell off of her horse. she was airlifted to the uva hospital and it the doctors are 99.9% sure that she is permanently paralyzed from the waste down and will never walk again. this being less than two months before graduation. although look what happened with kevin everett this fall - you never can say never.
my thoughts go out to her and her family and friends.
my thoughts go out to her and her family and friends.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
hotel cafe tour
last night we drove up to annapolis to catch a show at rams head. and not just any old show - three and a half hours of straight music. it was like an indie/folk/rock/popish combination of music. five artists - no breaks.
for those of you who haven't been to rams head think birchmere on a much smaller scale. but even better than the birchmere - the food's better, you can eat in a separate restaurant and you have reserved seats.
since i bought us tickets the day they went on sale (obviously) i managed to snag some first row seats. it was totally awesome and awkward at the same time. and we definitely made it more awkward when we started passing notes across the table. it had to be done - there were too many crazy characters not to be commenting.
first up was meiko. i'd heard one of her songs (how lucky we are - aka shitty apartment) and knew i liked that one a lot. it was her first night on the tour (the artists change constantly over the five week tour). you could tell she was a little nervous, but her singing didn't show it. she's a cute little indie girl, but sings with what sounds like a british accent. that might sound weird - but it works for her. best part of her set was when she asked the audience if anyone had a bobby pin. sus totally came through in the clutch.
next came eric hutchinson. it was three years ago when i first saw eric hutchinson - at the rams head! he's pretty good (ha!). the only problem is i've seen him so many times that some of his jokes are getting kind of old (mainly this one). but i still love his music and he puts on a killer show. plus he was playing all alone, which i think is when he sounds his best.
and then the organizer of the whole tour came out to play - cary brothers (one guy - first name cary, last name brothers). and you've probably heard some of his stuff. he went to college with zach braff, which lead to his song "blue eyes" being on the garden state soundtrack. and then there was "ride" on the last kiss soundtrack.
and ingrid was there! i've also seen her quite a few times - but i thought she was great last night! she's so quirky - and i love it! and i even liked "keep breathing" last night - usually i switch it when it comes on my ipod. also she rarely plays the hat (my favorite) - so i was happy she got around to that one last night. and she plays the ukulele. seriously.
last up was joshua radin. he's the quintessential sensitive singer-songwriter (which is exactly why he's on this tour). i have his cd and i can't get enough of it - his voice is so soothing. although i was surprised to hear how deep his voice was when he spoke - nothing like when he sings. also, i kind of love how he smiles/smirks as he sings. and his duet with ingrid is pretty hot.
and then there's the band. where do i even start with them? first there's the emcee/guitar player - jason kanakis. i know him from somewhere, but i still haven't been able to place him. it's kind of killing me. and then there's the drummer (didn't catch his name). just think an italian looking peyton manning. he was weird. but he played the box, so i can't hate too much. and then there was the guy in the back (again, don't know the name). he played 42 different instruments. well maybe not 42 - but at least the keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and guitar. and i saved the best for last - the bass player. think josh kelly + javier bardem. we had a hard time keeping a straight face when he was on stage. he made the most awkward faces and movements. he also had the largest hands i have ever seen - they were easily twice the size of mine.
for those of you who haven't been to rams head think birchmere on a much smaller scale. but even better than the birchmere - the food's better, you can eat in a separate restaurant and you have reserved seats.
since i bought us tickets the day they went on sale (obviously) i managed to snag some first row seats. it was totally awesome and awkward at the same time. and we definitely made it more awkward when we started passing notes across the table. it had to be done - there were too many crazy characters not to be commenting.
first up was meiko. i'd heard one of her songs (how lucky we are - aka shitty apartment) and knew i liked that one a lot. it was her first night on the tour (the artists change constantly over the five week tour). you could tell she was a little nervous, but her singing didn't show it. she's a cute little indie girl, but sings with what sounds like a british accent. that might sound weird - but it works for her. best part of her set was when she asked the audience if anyone had a bobby pin. sus totally came through in the clutch.
next came eric hutchinson. it was three years ago when i first saw eric hutchinson - at the rams head! he's pretty good (ha!). the only problem is i've seen him so many times that some of his jokes are getting kind of old (mainly this one). but i still love his music and he puts on a killer show. plus he was playing all alone, which i think is when he sounds his best.
and then the organizer of the whole tour came out to play - cary brothers (one guy - first name cary, last name brothers). and you've probably heard some of his stuff. he went to college with zach braff, which lead to his song "blue eyes" being on the garden state soundtrack. and then there was "ride" on the last kiss soundtrack.
and ingrid was there! i've also seen her quite a few times - but i thought she was great last night! she's so quirky - and i love it! and i even liked "keep breathing" last night - usually i switch it when it comes on my ipod. also she rarely plays the hat (my favorite) - so i was happy she got around to that one last night. and she plays the ukulele. seriously.
last up was joshua radin. he's the quintessential sensitive singer-songwriter (which is exactly why he's on this tour). i have his cd and i can't get enough of it - his voice is so soothing. although i was surprised to hear how deep his voice was when he spoke - nothing like when he sings. also, i kind of love how he smiles/smirks as he sings. and his duet with ingrid is pretty hot.
and then there's the band. where do i even start with them? first there's the emcee/guitar player - jason kanakis. i know him from somewhere, but i still haven't been able to place him. it's kind of killing me. and then there's the drummer (didn't catch his name). just think an italian looking peyton manning. he was weird. but he played the box, so i can't hate too much. and then there was the guy in the back (again, don't know the name). he played 42 different instruments. well maybe not 42 - but at least the keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and guitar. and i saved the best for last - the bass player. think josh kelly + javier bardem. we had a hard time keeping a straight face when he was on stage. he made the most awkward faces and movements. he also had the largest hands i have ever seen - they were easily twice the size of mine.
Friday, March 21, 2008
observations from the week
1. it's spring break and you know what that means. tourists. lots and lots of tourists. look out for loud and obnoxious kids on the metro, lots of escalefters and the chain restaurants to be packed. seriously, i don't get that last one. why would you travel to a new city just to eat at all the same restaurants you have at home?
2. dogfish has red & white on tap. seriously. i don't think much more needs to be said about this one.
3. now a literal observation. my office is across the street from the renaissance hotel. the duke basketball team is staying at the renaissance hotel. at about 4pm yesterday i noticed a bus with a police escort idling in front of the hotel. i mentioned this to the guys in my area and they all sprung up to see the commotion. all the players were getting off the bus in suits and filing into the lobby. and how did we know it was duke? well one of the guys i sit with conveniently keeps binoculars at his desk. so sketchy, i know.
4. what's with the weather this week? it's been a different season every day. (yes, i realize there are five days in a week and only four seasons. just roll with me here.) if i go to bed one night and it's seventy degrees how am i to guess that early the next morning it will be blustery and cold?! needless to say, i have been severely inappropriately dressed each day.
5. i swam a lot in the last week. like probably ten miles. i'm so going to dominate all those 50s and 100s i just signed up to swim next month! woooo!
and now i'm looking forward to a weekend of music, basketball and food!
2. dogfish has red & white on tap. seriously. i don't think much more needs to be said about this one.
3. now a literal observation. my office is across the street from the renaissance hotel. the duke basketball team is staying at the renaissance hotel. at about 4pm yesterday i noticed a bus with a police escort idling in front of the hotel. i mentioned this to the guys in my area and they all sprung up to see the commotion. all the players were getting off the bus in suits and filing into the lobby. and how did we know it was duke? well one of the guys i sit with conveniently keeps binoculars at his desk. so sketchy, i know.
4. what's with the weather this week? it's been a different season every day. (yes, i realize there are five days in a week and only four seasons. just roll with me here.) if i go to bed one night and it's seventy degrees how am i to guess that early the next morning it will be blustery and cold?! needless to say, i have been severely inappropriately dressed each day.
5. i swam a lot in the last week. like probably ten miles. i'm so going to dominate all those 50s and 100s i just signed up to swim next month! woooo!
and now i'm looking forward to a weekend of music, basketball and food!
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