Keri Goin' HAM!!!!

Always had a thing for long legs and a cute face...

Cheers.

"I Can't Feel My Face"

"...you have to finish."

Classic.

Cheers.

Intro 2 the Introduction of Jungluv Scene...

...how am a I going to explain this...?

F- it, this is the summary...

• He enters the house, wearing a suit
• You can tell he's coming from work, not just cause of his outfit but because of the tone of his voice and his topic of conversation
• Over the course of his talk, he grabs a Stella from the fridge and heads upstairs to his bedroom...talking all the while...intermittently cursing
• In his bedroom he begins to change from suit to comfortable house clothes (sweats and a hooded sweatshirt)
• As he changes, his mannerisms change...into Jungluv

...and the thing is, this synopsis isn't doing it any justice. Matter of fact, you reading this won't do it justice cause I want it to seem seamless. I could act this out, or better yet be myself. Like this is a random Tuesday and the essence of Jungluv lives inside him without him even trying.

...all this from a picture.

Cheers.

Yeah...I Think Its Time

5 Megapixel Camera...I'm done.

Cheers.

I'm Single

This my isht...

Cheers.

The Caps Lost Tonight...

I feel like its still niggas that owe me checks/

I feel like its still bitches that owe me sex/

--Kanye West

"I Put On", 3rd Verse

...and I'm pissed.

Not cause I'm some die hard hockey fan. Quite the opposite, I'm as band-wagon as they come when it comes to the sport. I guess I'm mad for two reasons.

The first involves what the Caps mean to sports in D.C....they're the only bright light. You have a team whose owner can't get out of the way of the team and its operations ('Skins). You have a team whose star player can't get out the way of himself (Wizards). And you have a team...well I don't follow baseball like that, the Nationals just suck (even though they have a winning record right now and Stephen Strausburg on deck). It just seemed the Caps got it right. Their owner, Ted Leonsis, seems to be a genuine guy who cares about the team and knew enough to set the team on a 5-year plan to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They have a team captain in Alex Ovechkin who is arguably the best pound-for-pound player in the NHL. And you have an overall team (Ovie included) that is young enough to make a run for some years to come. This was the year, they had all the pieces in place and everything was going according to plan. I believe this was Ted's 5th year of owning the team and they had the best record in all of the NHL (home-field throughout the entire playoffs) and were just coming off a season where they were one game-away (decided in overtime I believe) from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.

But they lost in the first round after being up 3-1 in the series and playing Game 7 at home.

But second, and most importantly, this seems to be how the world runs. Putting aside the very fact the D.C. may in fact be a cursed sports town, it just seems like in getting to the promised land (in sports, a championship; in life, whatever your ultimate goal may be), you end up paying too much for it.

It's like you realize that its going to be tough and strenuous and nerve-racking and sacrificing. And you're up for it. You're beyond pot-committed, you're all-in. And all the setbacks you can imagine end up happening just like you expect. And even though they truly set you back, you expect them and look at it as part of the price...part of the growth...and you move on, knowing that even in the loss, you're still moving closer to the ultimate goal.

Then you get to the point where you think you get it.

Then you get to the point where you truly understand yourself, and the world in which you're operating/playing within.

Then you get to the point where your colleagues and peers understand just how serious (i.e. good) you are, and the respect follows.

Then you see the real path to get to the promised land, and you understand all the peaks and valleys you must travel through to get there...and you KNOW you're more than capable and READY to handle them, for you've been through the trials and tribs already...you're battle-tested and ready to run through the fire, barefoot over the coals...

...and then because of...something that has less to do with your performance, but the (bad) luck of the situation, it is taken away from you in a heartbreaking fashion that doesn't make you question your preparedness, or your understanding, but whether or not it was MEANT for you to get there or whether you'll ever get there.

Its at that moment that things change. you realize how much you've over-extended yourself in pursuit of a goal that, because of things out of your control, may never be in the cards for you to have. Worse yet, even if you do get to the goal, you wonder can you ever really be proud of yourself, cause it most likely won't be because of you, but how the cards fell.

Its at that moment you hate yourself for devoting yourself to this.

Its at this moment you develop contempt for the goal.

Its at this moment that you DON'T quit, but develop a sort of apathy for the goal and the sport itself. Yeah, you still remember all the lessons from when you were driven, but success or failure means less...its just a game/process and its gonna happen the way it happens so there's no use in getting all riled up about it.

Its at this moment...that you finally end up achieving the goal. And you know what, you care less. Note, I'm not saying "you could care less", I'm saying you develop this shell around yourself that prohibits you from caring to the degree you cared before. Why? Cause you know that the value of the goal will never match the cost you shelled out to get there.

That's how I feel right now.

Cheers.

WTF?!?!?!?!

Cheers.

Boomerang 2010

So HBO had me on Sunday...

I was really on my way to head out to work, but I was making breakfast, and 'Wanted' was on. Then I checked the guide, and 'RocknRolla' was on right after. So, after RocknRolla, I was like, 'I really have to get going'. Then of course, they had to hit me with Boomerang. Watching it, I was thinking about how awesome this movie was...and still is after all these years. How many of the stars were very popular at the time, and have since fallen off (Eddie and Robin). How some of the stars were virtual nobodys at the time and are now at the top of their game (Halle and Chris). How awesome it would be for them to do a remake.

Who would play what role you ask...?

After much deliberation with Shayla, I came up with this list (the ones in parentheses were very good recommendations made by Shayla that deserved mentioning...and may even be better than the original pick):

The role of Eddie Murphy will be played by Will Smith (Jamie Foxx)

The role of Robin Givens will be played by Halle Berry (Jada Pinkett)

The role of Halle Berry will be played by Taraji P. Henson (Joy Bryant)

The role of Martin Lawrence will be played by Mike Epps

The role of David Alan Grier will be played by Tyler Perry

The role of Grace Jones will be played by Naomi Campbell (Erykah Badu or Tolula Adeyemi or Robin Givens)

The role of Chris Rock will be played by Chris Rock

The role of Eartha Kitt will be played by Tina Turner

The role of the chick with the jacked up toes or the hatin' chick next door will be played by Vivica A. Fox

Those are all the major characters, right? Let me know if I forgot one or if you have a better suggestion.

Cheers.

"Watch Out for Boobie Traps"

Hilarious.

...who knew Mom could be so prescient.

I'll leave it at that.

Cheers.

It's Time for a Montage

Jogging in D.C., specifically to the Capitol and back from my house, definitely has its perks. Most notably, this specific jog through Capitol Hill put on full display one of the best things about D.C.--we get 4 full seasons.

Among the things I've seen in my jogs thus far (i.e. since I've moved into my house), I've seen auburn leaves, 8 foot snowbanks, cross country skiers, rabidly mad, republican healthcare protesters, 40 mph wind gusts and now the cherry blossoms are just starting to peek out. I'm sure I'm also in store for torrential downpours (spring) and 100 degree humid heat (summer) in the future, but that's all part of the beauty. All of it, viewed as a whole, provides a superb backdrop for getting in shape.

That said, if there's ever a movie done of my life, I'd like for this period (Fall 2009-Fall 2010) to be a montage--where its shown as one whole jog to the Capitol and back, but the weather throughout the seasons changes showing all the crazy beauty I've witnessed. All throughout, it cuts to and from the various events of my life that happened during this period...if that makes any sense.

Cheers.

"I'm Beamin'" - Lupe Fiasco (prod. by The Neptunes)

And in this episode of Frankfurt Freddie's cop-out blogs...

Cheers.

Fakin'

The thing is is that I get a bunch of ideas during the day, but by the time I actually get home to blog about it, I forget...or at the least can't relay it as eloquently as I would have when it was fresh on my mind.

So here I am again, falling behind on blogs.

...and falling asleep behind the computer.

Cheers.

2Q10

Goals for the coming quarter:

• P90X
• Taking and passing the two MAI challenge courses I've ordered (i.e. that means studying the course booklets well enough over the next 3 months)
• *MIND over mind* (can't tell ya'll everything)
• Prep course

I also have to volunteer at an elderly home, but I don't know the frequency I'd do it and I want to limit my goals to four a quarter (compounding--1Q10 was to successfully continue my New Year's resolution).

Cheers.

This is a Bit Much...

...and a tad stalker-ish if you ask me.

In a nutshell, its a cologne for men that smells like sweaty vagina. This looks like some European isht. Even if it isn't...smh

Cheers.

5 Rapid Fire Blogs

Gotta get these off before the week is out. Got 4 more blogs that follow this one that I just posted.

Yes this is blog #5 and yes its a cop out. But you know what...?

%&()%^&#(#&$#)$#$) you.

Chea!

Cheers.

Jack Thriller is Hilarious

Tried to embed it but I can't find the code (guess its cause he wants you to do to his youtube page).

So here's the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqDjr3KYexY

Cheers.

12 Weekends in D.C.

I've always said, "New York is a great place to visit." And I mean that because despite the multitude of things you can do year-round in the Big Apple, you can still get jaded with not only the city itself, but also other cities you visit when you realize they don't have the same level of amenities and hours of being open that New York does. I think living in D.C. as opposed to N.Y. appeals to many a people for the small fact that N.Y. is just a 3 hour's trip away when you just want to get away.

Got me to thinking, how do people feel about occasionally visiting D.C.? And see, therein lies a difference. Let's just say for an entire year you visited N.Y. once a month for a weekend. N.Y. is so large that even after this year, you would still feel like you only scratched the tip of the iceberg of what you could do, or what you could have done each weekend. Put another way, there is no one best thing to do in N.Y. on a given Saturday. There are a number of things you could do that you would have a riot of a time at. I'm not sure the same can be said for D.C. Given 12 weekends in D.C. (one a month), I feel that not only would you pretty much have a grasp on what there is to do in the City, but also target the best thing to do each weekend you're there. So, of course I made a list. Tell me what you think.

(in no particular order)

• Cherry Blossoms & Monuments/Museums
• Early Nationals Game; Late Lunch on Barracks Row; Walk though historic Capitol Hill to H Street for dinner & nightlife
• Georgetown & Waterfront Cruise (show at the Kennedy Center?)
• D.C. Nightlife - Adams Morgan/U Street/Dupont Circle/Penn Quarter (Wizards or Caps game?)
• Trip out to a couple of the wineries in Virginia
• Trip out to Baltimore
• Weekend doing stuff in the MD 'burbs (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Rockville, etc.)
• Weekend doing stuff in the VA 'burbs (R-B-C corridor, Tysons Corner, Falls Church, Annandale, etc.)
• Historic Anacostia & Smithsonian overstock warehouse in Suitland
• Biking/walking the trails (Rock Creek, GW Parkway, Capital Crescent

...and that's my point, I could only come up with 10. I'm sure spur of the moment things/events might come up to fill the void, but even after that, you pretty much get the idea of D.C.

Like I said, if ya'll know anything else that should be included, Let me know.

Cheers.

I'm on a Horse

We were talking about this commercial yesterday. Aside from the fact its utterly hilarious ("...two tickets to that thing you like"), supposedly it was done all in one take with no CGI. Something like it involved a lot of cranes, moving platforms and a lot of takes.

And I already use Old Spice (High Endurance; I haven't bought the original scent in like forever).

Cheers.

Biergarten Haus on H

I've been waiting forever for this to open. And finally, it seems with the Spring comes new beginnings.

Hopefully I'll be able to keep my Hofbrauhaus stein there.

Cheers.

Who Said you Can't Learn Anything from an Online Class...

And in this Episode of Fred's Metro Musings...

Should I ever become a photographer of enough status to have showings/exhibits in galleries...I should do an exhibit called, "The Look of Lust" where it's pictures (some in black and white) of people's faces (close-ups) as they're caught in the rapture.

Cheers.

Question of the Day

Is there any feeling greater, than the satisfaction of a want that is the result of an addiction?

Cheers.

Hiatus, Explained

For those of you tuned into my blog (i.e. there you go talking to yourself again Fred), it appears as if I broke my New Year's resolution. Yes and no...?

So, last week I was at NBS, also known as National Black Summit, in Winter Park, CO. In a nutshell, a large number of black people primarily in their 30's and 40's descend upon a ski resort for a week (more on that later). Anyways, due to the facts: 1) I figured I'd be out of the loft for most of my time there, and 2) I knew I wasn't going to be jogging or doing push-ups/sit-ups during the week (read: altitude and skiing would be enough fitness), I wasn't planning upon blogging either for the week. As it turns out, two things happened, one that should have allowed me to blog and another that precluded me from blogging anyhow. As for the former, I broke my wrist my second skiing day out there (Thursday), and spent pretty much all of Friday and Saturday indoors. As for the latter, the Internet wasn't working in the loft and I didn't bring my computer (so I couldn't relocate to a wi-fi area in the base village).

So there it is why you haven't heard from me. And yes, I feel like shit and that my two successful resolution months are almost for naught.

...I'm going jogging now.

Cheers.

On today's Metro ride home, I literally choked up reading this article.

Just as much for the reminiscing (i.e. Frankfurt) as for the fact it made me feel how much I don't want to be here now.

Truthfully, I felt more myself and happy with who I am over there than over here.

Cheers.

Man in the Mirror

"...when you can look in the mirror like, 'There I am' and/

still not see, what you've become/" - Jay-Z, "Lost Ones", 1st verse

I think it was a movie. I once heard someone say something to the effect of 'Today was the first time I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the person staring back at me." Something like that happened last night. I don't know, maybe it was cause it was the first time in a while I was clean-shaven (mustache and all). It was just strange. I always remembered looking younger when I was clean-shaven, but looking in the mirror this particular time, I saw a person that looked older than before. Like I said, maybe cause I just haven't seen myself without a mustache in a while.

But there was something else. I kept saying to myself, 'That person is 30." And yes, I know, the last few blogs make it sound like I'm having some sort of crisis over here, but that's not true at all, it's just fresh on my mind right now (I'm not even a week in yet, you know). Anyways, I don't think I've ever 'grown up' in terms of how I think about the man in the mirror. Straight up, I still see the Fred from Newport or the Fred from Young Hall. I'm sure its how parents of famous people look at their kids--how you see them goes beyond what you physically see...you see 'that person' cause you have a deeper understanding of who the person in that body is.

I'm in no way saying that I haven't matured, I'm just saying its like showering. Like looking at yourself in the mirror, its the one thing you've pretty much done in solitude your whole life, so the process in which you shower (or see yourself in the mirror) hasn't really changed since you were young. It's just wild when you realize that that person staring back has been on this earth for 30 years and, while by no means is old, is still no longer young. So you try to see yourself as an 'older' person, and seeing myself without a mustache, I got a brief glimpse.

I'm sorry if this sounds confusing, I just wanted to document it.

Cheers.

Phases

Funny things happen when you pull an all-nighter. Usually around that no man's land time like around 3 to 5, you get to thinking. Me, my mind drifted around the different periods in my life (yeah, turning 30 and all, these things are fresh on your mind), and I noticed an interesting pattern...

I broke up with Shorty-baby shortly after Valentine's Day in '98. For the next two years, there were women that cameo-ed in my life, but nothing serious came along until Yonnie in '00. For roughly the next two years we dated, then she went to 'Semester at Sea' ('02) and we took a break from which we never got back together. The next four years again saw women that were, and are to this day, still special to me, but I never categorized them as my 'girlfriend' until Momo ('06). We dated for a lil' over a year, then shortly after breaking up with her Kadija was introduced in my life and that lasted til the end of last year.

So to recap -

• Non-Girlfriend periods - '98-'00; '02-'06
• Girlfriend periods - '00-'02; '06-'10

OK, so here's where it gets interesting. A look deeper into those 'non-girlfriend' periods saw a monster-load of me-myself-and-I time where the creative/goal-oriented side of myself prevailed. Between '98 and '00, I probably kept at least 6 journals, read a rack of books (outside of those needed for classes), taught myself to rap (the talent of which I've pretty much lost as of now) and was heavily involved with Streeteam. Between '02 and '06, I recorded well over 70 of the infamous Jungluv tapes, organized the ill-fated 'Secret Society' parties (which would have worked under different circumstances, dammit!!!!), made a number of beats on the Motif and, again, read a rack of books (not to mention I also willed myself to take that Real Estate class over at FSU which arguably is the reason I'm in commercial real estate now).

Now, I'm sure that the concept of one being more productive in the absence of a significant other is nothing new. It's just that when you're in the moment (at least for me), I've found that my overall sentiment is 'happier' during the girlfriend periods. And I'm sure its more than just the sex. I mean, its also that you have a person in which to confide, laugh, and...just be lazy with...exactly!--when you look back, you truly see the value in being alone.

Of course, I'm saying this cause now I'm in not only my 30's, but I believe the next 'phase' of my development (the non-girlfriend one). And the stakes couldn't be higher. I mean seriously, the next 'significant other' one that follows this one will more than likely be the 'wife/family' phase.

Maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better for sitting at home typing on the computer on a Friday night. And yes, I've been VERY productive as of late--still going strong on all my resolutions.

Cheers.

Welcome to the Decade of Pain...

I am truly scared of where this is headed.

Cheers.

Quick! Before I Turn 30...

36 minutes to go...

So here I sit, with just over half an hour left of my 20's, and I think, much to my chagrin, that the Lord answered the question I posted in my prior blog....I think the Lord wants me to learn how to lose without giving up.

So I just finished my last jog of my 20's, and before I started I said (to myself in the mirror), that if I can finish the jog in 6 songs or less, I will find true happiness in my 30's. I was on pace, and then the 6th song that came on was the same 6th song that was on during the last time I posted a similar 'do or die' question ('Smash Sumthin' if you must know).

I knew I had to push it...and I did...but I still came up short...by literally less than 5 seconds.

Did I really push myself hard enough?

Did the Lord make sure that song came on at just the right time so that I wouldn't be able to make it?

Does the question I posted even mean anything?

Had I made it, would I be asking myself these questions?

I don't know...all I can do is take it for a lesson, even if it hurts...much less it being the last thing that's on my mind as I exit my 20's.

...I'm not going to quit.

Cheers.

Epic Beard Man

"Bring da ambalamps..."

video platform

video management

video solutions

free video player

...and this had me DYING!!!!

I Have Soooo Far To Go...

Just can't give up.

...I just wanted to say that.

Cheers.

Thanks to Neecy...

I have a new goal (and I'm going to keep this short cause I absolutely need to get to bed)...

...to bag a Latin chick on Latin Night at Eyebar (Wednesdays) before the year's out.

Never been with a Latin chick before, I'm mad rusty in "club" con-'flirt'-ation and I really have nothing to lose approaching chicks as the only non-Spanish speaking Black dude in there. This goal may sound shallow, but there's a method behind the madness...seriously.

Maybe I'll get into that on another blog. But for now...

Cheers.

Speaking of my Car

A funny thing happened this morning.

So, by the next morning after posting the Corrado on craigslist, I had a number of response emails and you wanna know the number one question...?

'What's the mileage?'

Duh. Well, as easy as that sounds to respond to, in practice its actually more involved. See, while I haven't been keeping exact track, I wouldn't be surprised if I hadn't started the car in over a year. Add to that 30" of snow in the dead of winter and, you guessed it, a dead battery. And *bing* you're two for two now...the odometer is digitized. So that means, in order to respond with the exact mileage, I need to jump the car. Good thing we have three cars at the house. But each one presents its own set of challenges...

• the 1985 BMW - seeing the age on this car, the fact its covered and abuts up to just as much snow as the Corrado, and the fact it probably hasn't been started in the month of February, this car probably needs a jump too. Even though starting this car is as simple as getting the key from out my pocket, rather than trying to dig this car from under the snow, attempt to start it then move into 'jump' position, I figured one of the other two cars would be a better bet...
• Dad's Mercedes - Getting the key was as simple as asking dad, who upon being asked said, 'Yeah, the keys are on the counter in the kitchen'. However, finding the battery is a whole 'nother exercise. First, just try to find the lever to pop the hood. After searching high and low throughout that damn car, and asking dad (who didn't know cause he'd never popped the hood on the car before), I finally just started pushing and pulling unlabeled buttons and levers under the steering wheel. Finally, this nondescript red lever popped the hood. But of course it doesn't open all the way, you have to find the second lever under the hood to release the whole thing. However, unlike most cars, where you slide your finger under the opening to push the lever aside, this car has a second lever that slides out from in between the grills (quite clever, but still an inconvenience when you're just trying to keep it moving and these damn Germans just want to be so different and difficult for the sake of 'luxury'). But this was the kicker...so I finally get the hood open and I'm looking for the battery (high and low again) and can't find it. Then I spot a little box that looks like it should be the battery, and what does it say? - "Battery in trunk". WTF?! Mind you, I had already moved the car into position for a hood-to-hood jump, now I had to turn it around yet again. But before I did that, I decided to find this bad boy first. Which I couldn't because of all of dad's junk in the trunk (pause) and I didn't feel like pulling back any velcro. So now we're down to the final car...
• Mom's Mazda - Now, the issue with this car isn't on the back end, but the front--getting the keys. Now mom is on the phone when I call upstairs to ask can I use her keys to jump the Corrado. "Huh, wait, lemme call you back". Here I am thinking to myself, here we go. I'm finna get asked a million and one questions about the Corrado and hear a million and one chicken little responses about the car and how she's worried.

"So what did you need?"

"Can I use the keys for your car so I can jump the Corrado, I need to get the mileage--"

"You know Fred, I'm worried about that car, that car hasn't been started in a long time..."

"Mom, I'm not even starting the car, I'm just turning the battery on so I can get the mileage. Any what does that matter...?"

"Look, I'm just worried, and why do you always get huffy when I ask a question."

"Cause this has nothing to do with starting the car, and everything with you is always a big deal. I ask dad, and he's like the keys are in the kitchen. With you, you have to stop everything, get off the phone, sit on the steps and have a pow-wow..."

And it went on like this for like another 5 minutes. In the end, I got the keys and everything was smooth sailing from there (118,703 miles, by the way). Its just this aspect of life that gets me peeved. All the stuff that made this whole ordeal 'un'-simple, had NOTHING to do with the actual jumping of the car--whether it was the snow, finding the battery or dealing with questions/comments that have nothing to do with the problem at hand.

And this is how it is with things in life, I'm beginning to see. I just thought this situation, in hindsight, was quite illustrative...even if during the time it was quite perturbing.

Cheers.

Hey, Does Anyone Want a New Car...

Cause I have a '93 VW Corrado for sale...

Sexy ain't she. Yeah, and she's got issues too. I swear, this car is like the beautiful girlfriend that you look awesome with when you're out and the sex is on point...but she's crazy and half the time you're time together you spent arguing. At some point, its just not worth it anymore. Long story short, something always needs to be fixed or breaks. You really only get a good 2-3 months of good driving at a time before you have to take it to the shop. Which presents two problems: 1) the car was only made from '90 to '94 so finding parts can be a bit of a problem at times and 2) '90 was 20 years ago, that said, you're really hard pressed to find someone with knowledge of how to service the car.

Anyways, the fuse for the wind-shield wipers went out (in the middle of a storm no less) and her and I haven't been speaking since (I'd say over a year now). Moreover, she's bore first hand witness to my philandering with ol' faithful behind her (the '85 BMW you see on the left hand side of the picture). Anyways, enough is enough and I've been procrastinating for long enough...

$3,500 (OBO) and she's yours.

I'm serious...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1600813861.html

Cheers.

Where my Mind's @ Right Now

First off, Happy 'Single's Awareness' Day to all those without a Valentine.

Onto the title of this blog. I honestly feel like I'm on the cusp of something great that could set off the next phase of my life. I just don't know if what I'm presented with right now is merely a test to see if I can pick myself up after a 'near-win' loss...or if its a test to see if I can motivate and drive myself to a "by-the-nose" win.

I really, really, really, really hope and pray its the latter of the two...but you can never be sure until its all said and done. I really think I'm ready, but beyond me playing my part to the best of my ability, it's not in my hands...its in the Lord's.

Let's just hope the Lord deems me ready to handle the position.

Cheers.

2010 Opening Ceremony

Ok...

Was I the only one that caught that one of the Olympic 'Columns' that went up during the Olympic Opening Ceremony last night in Vancouver was broken...

[Right here is where I would post a video but I can't seem to find it on nbc's website or youtube. I searched all variations of "2010", "Vancouver", "Olympics", "torch" and "opening ceremony" and couldn't find it. So for those that saw it and know what I'm talking about, please post a comment or link.]

Cheers.

10 Bathrooms

I know I'm getting too old for this isht.

Still, I feel this is basically a digital diary since I'm pretty much the only person that cares and finds this stuff interesting. So, I guess I better get this in before I turn 30 and have less of an excuse.

Cheers.

Not Only Does this Beat '95/'96, but All Others...

In the 29.5" blog, I referenced that because of this storm, '09/'10 might even beat out the '95/'96 season for snow totals. Well I was right, it beat that...and all other previous seasons (since the National Weather Service has been keeping track--for D.C. and MD, that's over 100 years).

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalweathergang/2010/02/winter_2009-2010_likely_snowie.html

Worse yet, there may be another storm on the horizon by Monday.

Cheers.

Snow-pacalypse '10 - Pt. 2

So I faked Sunday and Monday. That means that I have to jog every day the rest of this week to keep the resolution going. No prob...only 10 more inches to deal with on top of semi-plowed District roads :-(

Truth be told though, I was actually looking forward to it cause Capitol Hill looks utterly beautiful under a thick blanket of snow. So much so, I'm taking my camera with me tomorrow to snap pictures mid-stride.

Seriously, if all goes as planned I'll upload them after work tomorrow--yes, I plan to go in (even though my job, along with the Federal Gov't., are closed tomorrow). I'm wearing jeans though.

Ok, here are the pics...

See those stalactites? Those are serious hazards, I personally saw one of those melt and fall onto the sidewalk. If it had hit someone, they might have died.

Capitol Hill View #3

This was the second cross-country skier I saw out today. I also saw a third (albeit, carrying her equipment) on the metro later in the day.

Capitol View #2

Capitol View #1

Capitol Hill View #2

Capitol Hill View #1

Alley View

View East Along H Street NE (the Night before)

Cheers.

More Pics from Snow-pacalypse '10

Cheers.

29.5"

Oh it's true!...

I think this season even beats the '95/'96 season which featured the infamous 'Blizzard of '96'. We were out of school for like more than a week. Some of the best sledding of my life, I tell ya.

On the same note, I kinda feel bad for these school kids this year. The two major snows we've had this season thus far have come on Saturdays. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get Tuesday off...unless it snows again like the rumors have been circulating.

Cheers.

I Need to See a Caps Game this Season

Cheers.

The $50K Jog

I...did...(gasp)...it...!

Pet Peeves #2

• The dude that ALWAYS gets on the X2 at Gallery Place and raps out loud and/or sporadically with some ambiguous rap or go-go song on his headphones. Mind you, its a different dude everytime. I'm telling you, and I'm serious when I say this, I wouldn't be surprised if its some subconscious, yet ignorant, manifestation of pissing on a tree (i.e. marking one's territory)
• When they release the remix of a popular song on the radio, and cease to play the original anymore...even when the original is by FAR better than the remix.
• When they do a reality show / documentary of a famous person and call it "The (insert name here) Project". Yeah, I'm talking about Michael Vick's new reality show on BET. Sorry, his life post-prison is not a 'Project'. Like he said, 'Yo, I'mma choke out some dogs, go to prison for almost two years, and lose my lucrative ATL Falcons contract...just so I can make a reality show about how I f***ed up then try to get it all back'. Sorry.
• And yes, yet another ad they play a gazillion times on AM 980 where the lady says, "But where was the bailout for the general public struggling in debt?"...or something to that effect. Goes to show you how effective the ad is, I have no idea who its from, yet the irritating part is stuck in my head.

Cheers.

"I Even Bought the Foam Finger..."

A Blog for Blogging's Sake

There you have it.

Over the week, I've had a number of blogs that have popped into my head, but just haven't been near a computer. I mean seriously, down to having the first two sentences, literally, in my head. But by the time I got home, forgotten about them and the blog altogether.

So, what's in my head now? A number of depressing things that I'm not going to elaborate. On another note though, I will say its sad when you are sort of provided clues into who a person is, but you not to say disregard it, but pay more attention to the person they are in the moment...and then at some point, you have those prior clues validated in a way that you realize you can now no longer be friends with that person.

I mean, I guess its sad whenever you lose a friend...it just smarts when it happens this way (no pun intended).

Cheers.

"Off the Record"...at the Hay-Adams Hotel

This is where I will watch the State of the Union address from now on (sorry for the blurry image). It's already a political hot spot / watering hole. The showing of the State of the Union address only makes it that much more the place to be to watch it. Tipsy republican and democratic staffers / big whigs taunting / flirting in code. The "political side" District at its purest.

They even have "State of the Union" Bingo, where the words are potential words Obama would use in his speech.

And yes, someone got bingo before the end of the speech.

Cheers.

Post #100!!!!

If I had a Facebook page, my status would read...

"Big Fred is cised, not only because he made it to 100 posts on his blog...but cuz the District might actually be redoing his sidewalk."

You know you live in a city when these types of things excite you.

You know what it is...it's sort of like why I want to rehab another house on my block. I know after going through it once, I not only know how the process works (so hopefully things would go MUCH smoother), but I also know what I would do differently. More importantly, I have an idea of what it would look like and want to see if its as good/functional as I picture it.

Back to the sidewalk. First off, the District and commercial real estate developers are alike in saying that they're going to do a project and many times they don't get it done until 3 to 5 years later (if at all). Now, I had heard rumors that they were going to redo the streetscape along my street, but I never fully bought in. Furthermore, if they did, I wouldn't have been surprised if they only did the other side of the street as that side is the C-M (commercial/industrial) zoned side and has the "future" Uline Arena development. My side was the R-4 (residential) zoned side with the uninspiring small row houses.

Still, I bought into the neighborhood cause I felt that one day it'll happen (whether I'm still here when it happens is another story altogether). I have this idea of what it would look like when finished and redoing the streetscape is the first of MANY things that need to take place before my vision could take hold. I've seen what its done to other areas nearby (see the first phase of the H Street redevelopment--north side of H between 3rd and 7th NE), and am eager to see what a new streetscape would do to my block...and how right I was as to how the look would look.

Anyways, I wake this morning to the sounds of MORE and LOUDER construction work than normal (mind you, one block to the south, there are not one but 2 mid-rise residential projects going up and the train/metro tracks are one block to the west). I leave the house to go on my jog and lo and behold, they are tearing up the sidewalk across the street. I held my excitement throughout the jog and upon returning (very winded, mind you), I approached one of the workers and asked what was going on. He told me that they were doing the whole of the west side sidewalk (opposite side) and that *fingers crossed* they were going to be replacing certain (older?) portions of the sidewalk on my side of the street. I asked how long it was going to take and they said they'd have it done by today. Yeah right I thought. Got home at around midnight and sure enough, about 3/4 of the sidewalk on that side was done...and the Bobcat was parked at the end of my side of the block.

Who knows, I may just get a chance to see my vision of a revamped streetscape more "concretely"...pun very much intended.

Cheers.

Conspiracy Theory...?

I wish they wouldn't use that "Cheaters"-type narrator guy. I think a History Channel-type narrator would lend some more "verbal/non-verbal" credence to this video.

I will say, I wouldn't be surprised if this is true.

Cheers.

Mine is a Mental Struggle...

So here I am, less than 30 days away from 30 years of age, and I find myself torn.

I have friends, family and colleagues whose ambition I admire...but to a certain degree, I feel its the money and fame that drives them--neither of which particularly appeal to me past the point of affecting my freedom.

On the other hand, I also have friends, family and colleagues whose freedom I admire...but to a certain degree, I feel its sloth and indifference that drives them--neither of which particularly appeal to me past the point of affecting my ambition.

So I guess that's the thing...are they mutually exclusive? I don't know, but it seems that everyone I've seen with ambition, is a slave to their drive. And everyone with freedom to "do what they want", doesn't really seek to do anything of real consequence.

An even bigger question, even if they aren't mutually exclusive...will I have any friends left, as I won't be driven enough for those with ambition and too ambitious for those who "do what they want".

Just my thoughts, I'll probably feel different tomorrow.

Cheers.

When was the Last Time you Wrote in Cursive?

For me, before last Saturday, it was...I'd say...at least 15 years.

I had to copy a 4 line paragraph on Saturday.

It took me 15 minutes.

No, I'm not remedial, I just prefer print and shunned cursive once we weren't required to write that way in like 6th or 7th grade.

My hand hurt like hell afterwards too.

Cheers.

P.S. This was supposed to be Saturday's blog.

Friz'z Top 5

1. Tupac
2. Jay-Z
3. Eminem
4. Ghostface
5. Redman

They ask every artist this question on allhiphop, so I figure I'd address it myself.

Tupac

This example sums it up as best as I can describe it. When quoted by non-rap publications, all other rappers are first mentioned either by their stage name--"Rapper 'Fabolous' said, 'I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch.'"--or by their name with their stage name in the middle--"Music mogul Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs said, I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on my yacht on Tuesdays with a side of Malaysian breast milk.'" Tupac Shakur was the ONLY rapper to be quoted/mentioned by non-rap publications by his name alone--"Rapper Tupac Shakur said, 'F*** peanut butter and jelly, I make my own sandwiches with 2 butter pecan 'Ricans.'" Quite simply, he was and currently is, the only rapper bigger than his name. And he would have meant SO much more to us had he lived to see the age of at least 30.

Jay-Z

What he has accomplished musically and financially is the 'platinum standard' for all aspiring baller rappers (i.e. 99 percent of em...and he's 100% respected by the remaining 1% for his lyrical ability and what he's accomplished). It's like being the 4x over chip leader at the no limit hold 'em table. You can fold as many hands as you want til you get the grand slam of a hand you want, or you can call anyone's bluff that you want to erase from the table.

Eminem

I could spend very long explaining this one, but I need to get to bed and I promised I'd keep my blogs short. Quite simply, he's the Hank Aaron of rap.

Ghostface & Redman

These both were and are my favorite rappers cause I feel they are...genuine. And I mean that in the sense that when they're not in the booth, I feel they'd be just as entertaining...only not rhyming. Ghost's stories and Red's metaphors are absolutely...they come from somewhere else and for someone, anyone to have the ability to capture it in the fashion that they do is...amazing.

Cheers.

While We're At It...

Can you believe it?!...I have jury duty tomorrow morning! Ahh, the trials and tribs of being a District resident. Still, I have another blog in my head and its Conan's last week so 'I'll kill two more bird's with one stone' (i.e. watch Conan and type this post) before I head to bed.

These aren't a part of my new year's resolutions and I won't necessarily be bummed if I don't accomplish them. These are more like goals I keep in my head to keep my eyes on the prize:

• Join a photography group and meet with them twice a month (maybe use meetup.com)
• Play chess twice a month (either with Yves or through meetup.com)
• Play ping pong twice a month on Monday's at Rock 'n Roll Hotel (maybe with Josh)
• Pursue my MAI designation
• Read a book a month
• Cook a meal once a week (and I mean a real meal from a cook book)...if only for my refrigerator's sake
• Construct a retaining wall for, fence and level the backyard; install the pervious pavers in the front yard and install blinds on all the windows

This so reminds me of the journals I used to keep. I wonder how I'd feel about the 'goals' I had penned in there 10 years ago?

Cheers.

Random Idea

I would suffix this with a number but I'm not sure if the next one will make it to the computer next time. But never worry, I have a million of these that come and go.

Anyways, I wonder if there is a service where people can pay a culinary student/chef/critic to meet them once a week at a grocery store. The two then purchase the food they'll need to cook for that evening's meal. Well, ideally it wouldn't be just one store but a number of organic or ethnic or off-the-beaten-path or farmer's markets where they would not only learn about food they otherwise wouldn't have tried, but also learn how to shop for these things (as well as the foods of which they are all ready aware).

I say this after reading an article in the Wall Street Journal where they talked about 'noodles made with konjac fiber, often called shirataki or yam noodles', that 'are widely available in Asian grocers, usually refrigerated and packed in water.' After my introduction to H-Mart, I would love to learn more about and, possibly, cook with these noodles. But I wouldn't know which brand is the best, what is the difference between brands, nor how to cook them...let alone go to the Asian market at all (much less a general grocery store these days--you should see my refrigerator).

Such a service would allow me to kill several birds with one stone.

Cheers.

What Would You Do?

From greatergreaterwashington.org...

"Another obstacle the District faces is getting 2010 Census forms to those who live in what the Census calls "transformed housing". Homes that have been subdivided into multiple units often only have one mailing address. A number of homes, especially in more urban communities, have basement apartments that are rented out separately from the rest of the house, but there is only one mailbox. Since the Census Bureau uses mailing addresses to send out forms, this means that a house that has multiple units but only one official mailing address will only get one form. Each unit/household should get their own questionnaire to make sure all persons are counted correctly."

Now, there are a number of people who have English Basements in the District that they "illegally" rent out to another person(s). I say "illegal" because unless you have a Certificate of Occupancy in order for that unit to be legal (registering the unit with the District, getting it separately metered, etc.). Those that don't get a C of O for the unit typically do so because extra scrutiny that is now on them from the District--and I mean scrutiny in the sense of increased financial obligations (ex. the cost to get the unit separately metered, the increase in your assessed value (and ultimately taxes) now that you have an extra "dwelling unit" in your residence, I believe there are annual "C of O" fees that are associated as well, etc.). On the flip side, not getting the C of O opens up a litany of potential problems--mainly, should you have to evict that person, you really wouldn't have a legal leg to stand on because you don't have a C of O (I've been told leasing out an English Basement without a C of O is akin to a legal land mine). But that's getting off topic.

Let's just say you were leasing out your English Basement, illegally, to someone. Would you go out of your way to make sure that person receives and fills out a census form? Worse yet, would you go out of your way to make sure they didn't fill out the form?

And yes, I know the District government and the census bureau are two completely different entities that probably don't share info (that which isn't public). Even further, as slow and ssa drawkcab the District government is, they probably wouldn't make the change or do anything if you walked to their offices and told them that the person illegally leasing out your English basement was counted in the census. But still, for the sake of argument...what would you do?

Cheers.

Olbermann on Robertson & Limbaugh

Here's what Robertson said...

And here's what Limbaugh said...

Cheers.

So This is How They Get You...

Sometime back during 2009 Christmas season (I think), Walmart had a special on a 32" flat screen for $399. I thought that was a good deal seeing that the Chocolate room will need a TV at some point (although the width needs to be lees than 31", but that's another story altogether). In any event, I didn't get it.

Fast forward to today and I find myself in a Fredericksburg, VA Super-Duper Walmart getting normal housewares. On the way to picking up the Windex, I pass by electronics and see a number of TV's that look used and have paper stars taped to their upper right corners. I run back over to the hardware section of Walmart and pick up a tape measure then head back over. Come to find out, there was a Emerson (I think) 32" flat screen with a 30" width--perfect size. However, it didn't have a "star" price on it. I asked the Walmart electronics guy to do a price check and he went to the back. While he did so, I did a price check on the exact same (unopened) floor model and saw it was $339 (and went over and got some Windex too while I was waiting). Back at electronics, I noticed that all the other opened models seemed to be at a $50 discount to the regular unopened models, and $300 was my threshold. So...if this guy came back with a price less than $300, I was gonna cop it. What did he say?

"$298."

I was all in. Just one question..., "Even though its opened, it still comes with the mounting kit, right?"

"No, none of our TV's come with mounting kits, only the stand you see here."

I noticed some mounting kit packages lined up right next to the TV's. "Are these opened as well?"

"No, these are unopened and regular price."

"Do you have any opened ones."

"No."

"How much are they?"

"He took his scanner" [beep] "$114."

"WHAT?!...So I'm paying almost half as much as the TV just to mount it on the wall?!"

"Sorry :-("

"..."

The Chocolate room is still emp-TV.

Cheers.