Shoosh

Sorry for the time between posts... I've been out nearly every night for the past month. My "drink less" attempt during February was completely shot, but then again, I'm doing better on my "enjoy the city more" goal, so it's all even. Don't have much to report, just hanging out, going to museum lectures, going to shows, working... Well, did have something interesting happen at the Richard Buckner show last night. In the middle of making a new friend, looked back and saw someone I used to go to college with. Sure, I was at the show with someone I went to college with so it's not totally weird for a Mizzou kid to be in DC, but this was the ex-boyfriend of an ex-friend... I wasn't sure if that made us friends or enemies... All I was thinking was that running into anyone you used to know from home in a metro area of millions, no matter your feelings towards them, is an occasion to say "hi," right? Next time, I'll be sure to remind myself why I didn't stay in touch with a person before I get so optimistic and sentimental. The dude was taciturn, antisocial, and well, even though he was always sorta that way, I kinda wished I hadn't wasted the time going across the room just to get this confirmed. Oh well. I'm sure he's not even the least bit concerned with the incident, but I always obsess about chance encounters with people I'm not sure if I like and I'm not sure like me. I want to make sure I made it completely clear how amazingly successful and happy I am. Oh admit it, people, you do it too!

To top the night off, though, I got shooshed. At a show! This pointy-nose bitch shooshed me, like I'm five or something! I was talking to some guy next to me about how Buckner always seems to play these non-melodic musical interludes between songs instead of waiting for clapping or speaking a bit. Sorta transitions so he can go from song to song but still take a bit of a pause... Anyhow, I said this during one of these interludes and the twat patted my arm very condescendingly and said, "some of us are trying to listen to the music." I was like, "Dude, it's the pause. Get a grip." Okay, I didn't say that to her face, but I did give her death eye. And talked very rudely about her when she was in hearing distance. Also I told one of Buckner's band members and he confirmed that the "lady" needed to chill out, so ha! I win! I'm way more immature than she'll ever be! Na na na na naaaaaaa

Anyhow, I will probably be spotty blogging over the next couple of weeks because I have more musicians to talk over and health goals to fail... Oh and I just found out (like, literally as I was writing this) that Sara is moving a block away from me! Yippee!!! And Em just moved the neighborhood south (about 10 minute walk). Woohoo!! Friends everywhere!

Now I'm never going to have time to blog.

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Love Gone Wrong

Four years ago, the day before Valentine's Day happened to be Friday the 13th. I got the bright idea to throw an anti-Valentine's Day party, compleat with horror movies and booze. Thus, Love Gone Wrong was born.

This year's theme was friendship gone wrong, with Single White Female and Carrie as the film selections. The highlight of the night, however, was the crafts. I wasn't sure how popular the craft table would be, but that's because I temporarily forgot how geeky my friends are... I mean that as a compliment, of course. Here is the link to pics from the shindig and a collection of guests' anti-Valentine's. Below are two of my favorites from the night.

This was to Sara, from Emily. Sadly, the message is taken nearly verbatim from a very awkward compliment I was trying to give Sara. And now it's immortilized on construction paper. Forever. Thanks, Em.




This anti-Valentine was a group effort. I think that it's one of the funniest things I've ever read and I'm positive we have a future in what I predict is a burgeoning anti-Valentine market. I've just put all my money into construction paper, glitter glue, and scissors.




Long live, Love Gone Wrong!

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Deathmatch!

So, the battle between Philly and DC is over and DC won!!! Of course, this is based on four years in DC and about 36 hours in Philly. Balanced and fair, people, balanced and fair.

Here's a recap:

Atmosphere: Tie

I have to admit, I really liked the vibe in Philly. It was really nice to be around people who don't take themselves so friggin' seriously. I mean, they take themselves too seriously in the "hipster, I listen to better music and live in an awesome city" way, but not in the "if I don't get up this morning and get to the Capitol building, world peace will never happen" sort of way.

On the flip side, I'm one of those people that takes themselves too seriously. I kinda like living in one of the most important cities in the world (of course, this is partly because of America's global colonialism, but whatever...). Sure, being around the original area where the United States was made is nice and all, but DC is the place where that stuff is currently happening. There's something about the Washington Monument that the Liberty Bell just doesn't have.

Housing: Philly, although I like DC's Victorian turrets better than square Federals...

My friend lives in Fish Town and has a 3 bedroom, 4 floor federal with a backyard, three blocks from the train for $50 dollars more than I pay for a small one bedroom three blocks from the train. Dude, we could totally BUY in Philly if we wanted to... Philly wins on this one, hands down. Well, wallets down at least.

Food: slight edge to Philly...very slight...cheez whiz slight

Philly has great fine dining apparently, but what I liked the most about it was the local food culture. The market was amazing and bustling with people even though it was cold enough to give your hands frostbite while eating your tasty treats. Sure, DC has some wonderful and unique restaurants, local establishments with lots of history, and a cool indoor market, but Ben's Chili Bowl is no Cheesesteak. It's close (mmmm... half smoke), but it's no Whiz With.

Culture: DC

Both Philly and DC have good indie music scenes. And great symphonies. DCs fashion is a little lacking, but not in all parts. Philly has more indie bookscenes, but gay culture is thriving in both. So why DC?

Because DC has the Smithsonian Museums (all 15 or so), the National Gallery, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Corcoran, the Phillips Collection, independent galleries, etc. etc. etc. And almost all free. Every day of the week. Let's all say it: Free. Free. Free. Free.

Sure, Philly has some cool places, some with free days... but it's just not the same. Free free free all the long day! I guess I've definitely been spoiled here in DC--even as a museum professional whose wages depend on it, I balk at paying to get into a museum. Even if it is the Mutter and there are babies in jars. And Grover Cleveland's tumor. But, did I mention 15 of the most respected museums in the country, all free and within a 45 minute walk from my house?

Yep, free.

Public Transportation: DC

Okay, so Philly has lots of buses. That's nice. It also has a train system. That goes E-W and N-S. So if you live along those lines, great.... but if not, well, you drive. Or bike. Or, egads, bus.

And that's why DC wins. Because you can metro almost everywhere in the city, bus where you can't, and bike if you really feel like it. I haven't driven a car in DC once. In four years. Have never needed too. And I work in a completely different state. Now that's public transportation.

Jobs: DC, because I said so.

This one is hard because from my perspective, DC wins hands down. DC, other than New York, is the only city that has the diversity in museums that I want and need for my career. After I get my PhD, I want to work in a 20th century cultural history collection and DC has multiple institutions where I can do this. Philly is mainly colonial and early federal history. That's great and all, but I'm a post-Victorian era girl myself.

For the boy, however, Philly is way better. Its industry is not based around the government, but around business, which means a more creative and diverse design community. DC has a great underground art movement, but little in commercial, product, or print work that isn't for some sector of the federal government. Sure, there's a plethora of museum work, but it's harder to come by and that's a little too much inbreeding in the family career pool for my liking. So, Philly wins for the boy.

However, since my job is a lot more specialized and harder to come by (and this is my deathmatch), DC wins!

All in all, we had a great time in Philly. Takes just over two hours to get there and we met some cool new people, ate some yummy food, saw the King Tut exhibit and had a relaxing weekend not thinking about how important we are saving the world and living in the most important city in the world.

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