I tried to stick w/ the 31 #best09 prompts... but just didn't have enough time..... Damn you full-time job :P


I swiped this from R last year.... so here we go again....


Where did you begin 2009?
Decided to sell my condo, and my car had been in the shop for a week. :(


Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No.

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Nope.... But Madison did have an unplanned visit to the vet....Severe Allergic reaction to flea saliva :(

Did you have any encounters with the police?
only 1... I called them to get the gun I found in my basement! (Turned out to be a BB gun :P)

Where did you go on vacation?
Cumberland, Maryland and Philadelphia.....

What did you purchase that was over $500?
My house :)

Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes.... a cousin.

Did you know anybody who passed away?
No.

Did you move anywhere?
Yes... I sold my condo, and bought a house just outside of DC :D

What sporting events did you attend?
None... wow..... Baseball in 2010 ....

What concerts/shows did you go to?
5 Total - two - Pearl Jam; one Solo Eddie Vedder; one –Silversun Pickups; one - Lily Allen

Where do you live now?
Cheverly, MD

Describe your birthday.
Happy hour on the actual day; Prior to the actual day my girlfriends and I did a girls weekend to celebrate all of our birthdays... we went to Rocky Gap Resort in Western MD for 2 day... 1 day at Spa and 1 day White Water Rafting. The weekend after the actual day I went to Brunch @ Matchbox - Capitol Hill with my mom!!

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2009?
Hmmmm. I guess taking the bus to the Metro. (I used to be very anti-bus but its really not bad!) Oh.. and I caught a bat.... IN MY HOUSE!!!

What has been your favorite moment(s)?
2009 was awesome! Lily Allen @ 930 Club, Pearl Jam in Philly, everytime I am at Matcbox or Bullfeathers, Closing on my house was awesome (I almost cried I was so happy). Potluck Bitch getting fired! Girls Weekend @ Rocky Gap.

What's something you learned about yourself?
I am awesome :)

Any new additions to your family?
No.

What was your best month?
May - Thats when I moved!

What music will you remember 2009 by?
Pearl Jam and Lily Allen


Made new friends?
Yes.


Favorite Night out?
July 2..... covered here.

Any regrets?
Of course not :P


What do you want to change in 2010?
Finally pick a paint color and paint the bathroom

Overall, how would you rate this year?
8– It was a truly awesome year. I sold my condo relatively easily, the short sale that I bought dragged on but I did get it in the end; Work became a happy place again after the end of Potluck Bitch; I go out a lot more for two reasons... closer to DC and having friends that live within a 2 minute drive :)

What would you change about 2009?
Nothing… I believe everything happens for a reason…

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
DC!!!!

Have any life changes in 2009?
None, unless you count moving to a new house

Change your hairstyle?
Yes… longer in the front, shorter in the back.... (is this a reverse mullet!)

New BF/GF?
Nope!

Get a new job?
Well I have the same full-time gig..... but I picked up a freelance side job as a Social Media Consultant ;)

How old did you turn this year?
35. Halfway to 70... Woohoo!!!

Do you have a New Year's resolution?
Nope…. I never do well with those….

Do anything embarrassing?
Lets just say.... Patron is not my friend :)

Buy anything new from eBay?
Nothing big.... just some cables, and cases for my new Blackberry and iPod

What was your favorite purchase?
My house :)

Get married or divorced?
Nope

Get arrested?
Not yet :P

Did you watch American Idol?
Nope

Did you get sick this year?
I had a cold in the fall... but no swine flu!

Start a new hobby?
Nope

Been snowboarding?
Nope

Are you happy to see 2009 go?
Only because I am excited to see what 2010 brings!

Drank Starbucks in 2009?
Of course…. It’s my first stop when I get off the metro!

What are you wishing for in 2010?
World Domination!

Forget the Una-Bomber....

Now we got the Fruit-o-the-Loom-Bomber...

Hanes-Bomber?

Jockey -Bomber?

Tightie-Whitey - Bomber?

Boxer-Bomber?

We're all gonna die (eventually).

I'm surprised the WMATA Metro hasn't been blown up yet... there is plenty of opportunity. MARC train too.

There are a ton of unstable people in the land. You cannot put your life on hold and cower to the threats.

Shame on TSA or whomever is announcing all these reactionary plans (no bathroom use for the last hour, no tv, no wifi). Fix the screening/security process. If it means doubling your time at the airport... Too Damn Bad. Welcome to the world we now live in.

Live your life to the fullest.

This was my first major snowstorm as a house owner... and here is what I learned....



1)Don't back the car all the way back in the driveway. If I had followed what others were doing I would have noticed they were parking as close to the sidewalk as possible... so they would have the least amount to dig out...



2)Don't go to Ghetto Giant right before a snow storm. It was a mess. All I needed was cat food... and there was only 1 express line open.

3) Buy more Ice Melt. I had one little jug that I was so proud of myself for buying at Target a few weeks ago. It lasted for my front porch and front walk.....I resorted to dumping cat litter on the sheet of ice that is my front sidewalk and driveway... but it is a mess. I'll try to pick up some more ice melt at 7-11 or CVS today.

4) Put recycle bins and trash cans outside. Mine are now safely tucked in my garage. With an icy sidewalk and 18 inches of snow between us :(

5)Shovel a path from front walk to driveway... I should have done this on Saturday.... Now I have to walk across icy sidewalk and driveway to get to my car and garage



When I was in my condo... all I had to do was dig out my car. SFH may be more work... but the quiet is definitely worth it!!!!

This show start to finish was amazing. It may be my favorite all time....even counting when I was front row center back in 2000 @ Merriweather :)

The drive up to Philly from DC was not bad... considering it was Friday traffic (Special thanks to EZ-PASS!!!! and my Navigation System.... though DC to Philly is pretty much a straight drive up I-95......)

Anyways... my friend C and I arrived at the venue around 6:30 I think and picked up my tickets.... 7th row center! Haven't been that close in a while ... usually averaging row 12 in DC and NYC shows, so we were stoked!

We wandered around to one side where a beer/drinks tent was set up and got some drinks and proceeded to watch the Pearl Jam cover band that was playing in front of the Spectrum.... Then made our way inside.

Bad Religion was playing and were pretty good... (I admit I only know one of their older tunes...) They finished and it was time to chat with fellow 10 Club members (after so many years.... seated by number you start to see the same people over and over.. which makes it fun!)

You can find the setlist on any Pearl Jam fansite, so I won't go into the whole thing, but they played a good mix.... and the new stuff sounded AWESOME.. especially The Fixer , Got Some, and Unthought Known, I was also happy to hear In My Tree, Off He Goes, Breath, RVM, Mamasan, and Sonic Reducer!!

It really was a perfect night! band and crowd energy was great!!

(Until we got back to the Hotel, and found Friday's with doors locked at 12:40PM.... Late night eating in Philly is a #FAIL)

Next up... thoughts on Philly the city!

Pearl Jam began their 4 date close-out of Philly's Spectrum on Tuesday night, and by Wednesday morning message boards were filled with topics like "Saturday until 2AM..." . It seems Ed Vedder made a comment that by 2AM Saturday night they will have played every someg they know! So teh speculation started ... Could this be true? Will they be playing until 2AM?? People started digging for info. Apparently various Spectrum security staff has confirmed that they will need to stay until 3AM (some policy is in place that security stays around until an hour afterteh show is over).

Currently the longest Pearl Jam show is from 5/3/03 - State College, PA (and I was there!!!!) and clocked in at 3.5 hours. (Though there is some debate that the 3rd Mansfield, MA show is longer due too PJ playing an acoutstic set, then Sleater-Kinney "opening"; then Pearl Jam playing their main set).

Saturday should put the debate to rest!!

Can't wait....updates after I return :D

Its been one story after another of Metro-related deaths or serious injury this summer. Starting with the June 22 accident that killed 9 thru yesterday's bus vs pedestrian accident. Not to mention bad PR moves including WMATA closing 3 stations on Yellow/Blue line over a holiday weekend for track work. (The one positive of the summer has been the implementation of NextBus).

What else could happen in the next 4 days?

We all know Metro has funding problems. They should create some shirts that state "I survived the Summer of '09" and sell them. (Tacky - Yes, but I am sure someone will.... WMATA should at least make some money off the venture).

Oh.... and Fire Catoe!

As you can see I got some pictures :D

Seats were about the same number rows back as last summer @The Warner, but last time I was on an aisle... this time dead center. (and if there hadn't been a 6 ft tall guy in front of me with a big head it would have been perfect!)

The Lyric was an easy drive and parking was easily found ... for only $8!

My friend C and I had dinner at City Cafe. I got soft crabs and they were yummy.

We walked back to the Lyric and I got in a very long drink line. It moved slowly. 1 order after me they were out of beer! (Weird they were obviously not ready for an Eddie Vedder crowd - ha probably because everyone that ordered ordered 2 :P). Checked out merchandise but the line was huge, and the prices were crazy ( and I was low on cash).... maybe 10 Club will have excess for sale after the tour).

Made our way to our seats and found the first 2 drunks being escorted out... they had apparently been harassing the people in the seats in front of them (and we were seated right next to the harassed people) and then puked on the floor!

Eddie eventually came out... cheering ensued. Then he told us to sit because we were at the Opera after all :P Setlist was a good mix... of old and new...opened with Walking the Cow, closed with Hard Sun. Set also included Patriot(!) EWBTCIAST, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, Gone, Porch, Arc was cut short, and a few others.

Consensus was that the vibe was off near the end (with Arc cut short), but overall a good show. Awesome to see Eddie, but I can't wait for Live Pearl Jam... hopefully this fall :D

wasn't even an ad!

*Photo taken by my co-worker's wife who is a member of The Sea Chanters

FINALLY!!!

UPDATES - 3 more items added to list.

Getting ready to officially start the search. First thing to do is make a list of Must Haves and Nice to Haves.

1) Location - Right now I have not settled on a specific location. I would like to be inside the beltway, on the Maryland side. within walking distance to Orange/Blue/Green/Yellow line (but if a bus stop is nearby and can get me there in 15 minutes....I'll take it!). I am so far considering... Cheverly, Hyattsville, and a big chunk of NE (where I can map out houses on ZipRealty - thanks D!) I have a CityPaper from this summer that focused on DC neighborhoods, that I can use to get more details.

2) Central AC - its a must!

3) Up-to-Date fuse box, plumbing, windows, and roof - these are leaning very heavy on the must have side :-)

3) No Upstairs neighbors - Must have!

4)Do not share property-lines with renters - it's a must!

5) Gas cooking - Must!

6) Fireplace - Nice to have

7) 1.5 baths - Must

8) 2 bedrooms - Must

9)Garage - Nice to have

10) Pre-assigned parking - Nice to have... but almost Must ;)

11) Lots of closet space - including walk-in master... linen closet, and kitchen pantry.

12) No neighbors that leave dogs out to bark all day (thanks mom!)

13) House is not on a road with a double yellow-line

14) No heat pump - must have

It's a lot and I know I will have to compromise... but better to aim high! :D

Trying to set up the meeting with the realtor for next week, since my ceiling should be painted Sunday!

Signs flashing at New Carrollton this morning indicate parking will be $4 for the day and Cash Only!

Sent from my BlackBerry

I got this email in my Inbox on Friday! Sounds good except that monthly ticket holders are getting screwed! You would think they would allow them to be used, because that one monthly ticket holder may be bringing 5 more new ticket buyers along with them. Now they may just skip MARC and drive to an outlying Metro station....I wonder what VRE is doing?

INAUGURATION DAY SERVICE

Presidential Inauguration Day is January 20, 2009, and MTA is working with event planners to accommodate the large crowds expected to attend. MTA will operate special MARC Train and Commuter Bus service that day as well as the prior day which is Martin Luther King Day.

MARC Train

Inauguration Day: Penn, Camden and Brunswick lines will operate between 5 AM and 9 AM and between 4 PM and 9 PM. MTA monthly and weekly passes, 10-trip tickets and previously purchased one-way tickets will not be accepted. All trains will be reserved and tickets must be purchased in advance. For the Penn Line, there will no service north of Penn Station.

Martin Luther King Day: Penn Line will operate on a regular schedule; Camden and Brunswick lines will operate on a limited schedule. Regular fares apply and passes will be accepted.

Commuter Bus

Inauguration Day: Buses will operate to Metrorail stations between 4 AM and 9 AM and between 4 PM and 9 PM. MTA monthly and weekly passes and 10-trip tickets will not be accepted. Special tickets may be purchased from drivers.

Martin Luther King Day: Buses will operate to Metrorail stations between 5:30 AM and 10 AM and between 4 PM and 9 PM. MTA monthly and weekly passes and 10-trip tickets will not be accepted. Special tickets may be purchased from drivers.

Details about schedules and tickets will be available Friday, December 12 at www.mtamaryland.com.