Kevin Costner's Russian's Rusty: Washington DC Metropolitan Area Thread II

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I just think it would be better for the residents in the long run if DC made itself more economically competitive with the states bordering it. I seriously doubt that the smoking ban or building a stadium mostly from tax increases on district retailers is going to help out the business situation in the city. I think j.lu said it out loud, seemingly apropos of nothing after Mandalay: "DC retail just sucks."

At least our mayor didn't push push push to try and get the Olympics so he could have an excuse to demolish the U street corridor and build a new stadium for the skins, I guess.

TOMBOT, Thursday, 8 December 2005 20:13 (eighteen years ago) link

I think the point Tom is making, which I would know because I know him pretty well, is that tax increases should not be used to pay for baseball frivolity, period. Especially since we HAVE STADIUMS PEOPLE CAN USE ALREADY whut whut!

Allyzay must fight Zolton herself. (allyzay), Thursday, 8 December 2005 20:38 (eighteen years ago) link

ie the good old lets get our panties in a wad about sports and smoking so no one notices how inept everyone in "power" is and how little is done to actually improve stagnating "improvement districts" and dying businesses, see every other major city in the universe esp NYC right now.

Allyzay must fight Zolton herself. (allyzay), Thursday, 8 December 2005 20:39 (eighteen years ago) link

ie smoke and mirrors though replace "mirrors" with "inept baseball team"

Allyzay must fight Zolton herself. (allyzay), Thursday, 8 December 2005 20:40 (eighteen years ago) link

though in the case of NYC it's not like New Jersey is stealing huge sums of property taxes and other revenues! Dude seriously at what point are we allowed to take note of the fact that yes, Andrew Jackson took it away and it's not fair, but guess what charging more tax on EVERYTHING for the privilege of having presidential elections count as your only chance at representation in the federal government (unless you count your JOB) is not going to stop the $$$ flight to NoVA. Only concession, we tried that and NoVA is gross, but STILL.

TOMBOT, Thursday, 8 December 2005 20:46 (eighteen years ago) link

I totally hate Andrew Jackson, and the face that he's on the "best" denomination of U.S. currency is endlessly irksome. It should be Hamilton, dammit!

ZR (teenagequiet), Thursday, 8 December 2005 20:57 (eighteen years ago) link

Frankly I think they should put up tourism posters everywhere north of the river that's available that say "WASHINGTON, DC: The Pentagon's not in it."

TOMBOT, Thursday, 8 December 2005 21:07 (eighteen years ago) link

DC has had smoking in bars for ages, and the retail situation has not changed. The retail situation has to do with zoning, demographics, and marketing--I do not see a smoking ban killing DC's retail prospects anymore than the NYC smoking ban has killed NYC (because it hasn't). Big box stores want space and customers and the city needs to find a way to make it clear that it can provide those things.

I want to be able to breathe when I go to see bands in DC without worrying about my health, or my cleaning bills. The city needs to find a way to deal with your concerns (more retail) and mine, not to mention improving their methods of entering into contracts be they involving baseball or whatever. The city also has enormous problems with health insurance and hospitals for the poor, education, and so on, not to mention, as you noted the ongoing issue of tax-exempt university and federal property affecting the size of the tax base to address any of these issues.

There's no good answer. So how about that General Tso's chicken Pete mentioned upthread? Covered in gunk, bad for ya, but sometimes tasty...

curmudgeon, Thursday, 8 December 2005 21:12 (eighteen years ago) link

I never said I opposed a commuter tax, if that's what you're suggesting, and I must now fess up, I live in godforsaken Virginia and grew up in Maryland(the shame, the shame).

curmudgeon, Thursday, 8 December 2005 21:19 (eighteen years ago) link

"I just think it would be better for the residents in the long run if DC made itself more economically competitive with the states bordering it. "

So how are you gonna do this? Neither political party on Capitol Hill has ever cared about the residents of DC, and you are snearing at the Pentagon that, no matter your thoughts on what it does substantively, provides jobs and money for Virginia (based in part on taxpayers money from DC and everywhere).

Also, PG County in Maryland has complained for years about its retail situation. It's not competitive either. And guess what, they have smoking too.

Is not D.C.'s business situation looking up in parts of town? Or is gnetrification of the U Street area not the kind of business growth you want?

curmudgeon, Thursday, 8 December 2005 21:42 (eighteen years ago) link

Please just forget I said anything.

TOMBOT, Thursday, 8 December 2005 21:55 (eighteen years ago) link

you're a complete idiot. No one said SMOKING HELPS RETAIL, what was said was "smoking and baseball are not the most important issues to be dealt with and the city council is performing time honored DISTRACTION TACTICS and bait and switches." I mean fucking learn some reading comprehension. You're arguing with people who just agreed with you that the DC city government can give two shits about their constituents, who just happened to be making the point that they are making GREAT BIG HUGE FUSSES over issues that actually don't address any of the real problems facing the city.

DC's business situation is "looking up" the same way Harlem's does in NY, ie thanks for the Target can we have some real goddamned jobs for these people please. This has absolutely NOTHING to do with smoking (other than bar and cigarette tax revenue has gone down in NYC reducing the number of dollars they can spend on Jets Stadium, I guess) and has nothing to do with baseball (besides all that money could be going, like, somewhere worthwhile). The only point being made here was that they are ignoring real issues in favor of fancy pantsing over stupid crap that should be bottom priority things for a city government to handle.

NOW TO YOU SIR I SAY GOOD DAY.

http://www.imagedonkey.com/out.php/i432_shockeyshocked.gif

Allyzay must fight Zolton herself. (allyzay), Thursday, 8 December 2005 22:13 (eighteen years ago) link

hey guys, let's just all watch some yacht rock and calm down, ok? i mean, what would michael mcdonald do?

ZR (teenagequiet), Thursday, 8 December 2005 22:21 (eighteen years ago) link

dc spending anything on baseball is silly.
i am willing to believe that dc retail sucks, but i'm not much of a shopper. i have noticed that you cannot get hockey equipment here, though. and no beer at the corner store after 10, grrr.
this week i have learned that the dc court system is, um, inefficient.
i am for the smoking ban, although i find it legally questionable.
i like the black cat. it's near my home, the beer is not as insanely overpriced as you might find at other dc clubs, and i'm tall enough to see over the faux-hipsters' heads.

anyway. are there any dc residents here who are members of the universal life church? i need someone to vouch for the guy who is performing my wedding.

mookieproof (mookieproof), Thursday, 8 December 2005 23:30 (eighteen years ago) link

My last apartment in NY: late at night I would hear little skiddle skiddle skiddle from the above floor. I convinced myself that my upstairs neighbor had a very small dog, who ran back and forth all night long.

The outside "courtyard" where we put our garbage was a rat party every night.

Never had any vermin in Brooklyn. My friend's apartment on Sullivan was crawling, and she was a compleat neat-freak, so it wasn't anything to do with her. My friend's apartment on Manhattan Avenue was invested. Most of my Columbia dorms had big scary rats residing within them.

Ally, you are simply very lucky, or blind.

Mary (Mary), Friday, 9 December 2005 01:02 (eighteen years ago) link

So, what's good to do in DC for two and a half days in late December? I was there once about five years ago. so I've done most of the big first-time touristy things - the mall, various Smithsonians, Air & Space museum, Holocaust museum, the mall, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, etc.

Record stores? Art galleries? I've got my food planned as to me this is the best thing about visting cities (I live in a shitty small town right now). Decent non-yuppie, divey bar recommendations are appreciated as well.

Is Eden Center in Falls Church worth a metro ride and a mile walk for a big Vietnamese food geek?

joygoat (joygoat), Friday, 9 December 2005 02:13 (eighteen years ago) link

I've enjoyed this thread's brief relevance to my life but I've come to the conclusion that I am FUCKING THRILLED to be leaving DC. Too expensive, lame people (aside from ILxors of course) and now a threatened smoking ban? I'll take my hurricane-destroyed, economically devastated, curfewed, smoke-tastic adopted hometown any day, thanks.

Though El Pollo Rico almost makes it all worth it.

adam (adam), Friday, 9 December 2005 02:25 (eighteen years ago) link

Lighten up Tombot. Can't we all just get along. Adam, good luck back in the Crescent City.

Eden Center is pretty swell, but I'm not sure it's worth a metro ride and a long walk. But others may differ.

curmudgeon (Steve K), Friday, 9 December 2005 04:51 (eighteen years ago) link

Some ice storm.

Stephen X (Stephen X), Friday, 9 December 2005 13:47 (eighteen years ago) link

somehow, seeing montgomery county public schools closed always fills me with a thrill and relief. sledding, hot chocolate, sleeping late and an extra day to study for that test all sound pretty sweet even from snowy midtown manhattan.

carly (carly), Friday, 9 December 2005 14:11 (eighteen years ago) link

Its just like Maryland to half-ass this snow storm. It took about 5+ inches of snow then compacted it into 2 inches of ice on my fucking car. Bah, I say.

Spink, Friday, 9 December 2005 14:20 (eighteen years ago) link

I love how the slush + rock salt somehow forms this strange detergent compound that sucks up all the shit and dirt and piss and ashes and assorted condiments off the sidewalks and the roads and makes this lovely smell waft up from everywhere you walk in the city.

TOMBOT, Friday, 9 December 2005 14:59 (eighteen years ago) link

Its great on black leather shoes.

Spink, Friday, 9 December 2005 15:03 (eighteen years ago) link

whatever, you cynics. snow is magic! aside from being a grown-up and having to actually get around the city to work and stuff. but really, it's being a grown-up that sucks, not the snow.

carly (carly), Friday, 9 December 2005 15:20 (eighteen years ago) link

CBGOTM

ZR (teenagequiet), Friday, 9 December 2005 15:24 (eighteen years ago) link

Lot of good that does me.

In Fun Workplace News, all but about two government employees showed up today, while all but about two or three of us green badgers are in the office- from Odenton, Stafford, and all points in between. I guess that's why we get paid so much more money, because we don't piss ourselves uncontrollably in the face of slush-on-asphault.

TOMBOT, Friday, 9 December 2005 15:27 (eighteen years ago) link

I mean that only two govt employees showed up today. Sorry.

TOMBOT, Friday, 9 December 2005 15:44 (eighteen years ago) link

OK, I need help - what are reasonable freelance rates/hr in this area for CSS work, and for more basic content upload/data entry type stuff? I could have a project on my hands but am at a loss as far as what to quote..

dar1a g (daria g), Friday, 9 December 2005 17:50 (eighteen years ago) link

I called in "sick" to work, and the DM concert is still on, so I will not have to negotiate that tricky library to concert wardrobe.

Mary (Mary), Friday, 9 December 2005 19:08 (eighteen years ago) link

Eden Center is pretty swell, but I'm not sure it's worth a metro ride and a long walk. But others may differ.

In the previous DC area thread, there was some talk of carpooling to Eden Center for bubble tea. Is anyone still interested in doing this?

j.lu (j.lu), Sunday, 11 December 2005 00:26 (eighteen years ago) link

Sure, when?
(be warned, my car is a total hoopty piece of junk)

dar1a g (daria g), Sunday, 11 December 2005 03:05 (eighteen years ago) link

Why is 2 Amys always 2 crowded?

ng-unit, Sunday, 11 December 2005 12:49 (eighteen years ago) link

faux-hipsters. also, it's pretty good food.

mookieproof (mookieproof), Sunday, 11 December 2005 17:21 (eighteen years ago) link

If we're going to head out to Eden, maybe we should also do Vietnamese dining? I'm finished with the semester as of Monday, so my schedule is free.

Mary (Mary), Sunday, 11 December 2005 19:12 (eighteen years ago) link

WOO HOO I AM OVER .500
http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/PNS10512112326.jpg

mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 12 December 2005 00:14 (eighteen years ago) link

If we're going to head out to Eden, maybe we should also do Vietnamese dining?

Works for me. I remember a few years ago the Post food section did a profile of the various restaurants and shops in the center -- anyone have any leads on which restaurant would be the best?

j.lu (j.lu), Monday, 12 December 2005 00:23 (eighteen years ago) link

whilst not vietnamese, crystal thai is grebt and in the neighborhood

also peking duck, cherished by presidents, etc

mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 12 December 2005 00:29 (eighteen years ago) link

Four Sisters gets good press. I've eaten there once before, though I don't remember being blown away.

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/huongque.html

Mary (Mary), Monday, 12 December 2005 02:22 (eighteen years ago) link

The people at 2 Amys make me sad--if I go too early, it's full of glum yuppie couples with strollers, silently having their one night out for the week.

Good pizza, though, so I keep coming back.

Mookie, what's the word on the jury-duty situation? Or are you sworn to secrecy?

Stephen X (Stephen X), Monday, 12 December 2005 02:24 (eighteen years ago) link


i am sworn to secrecy. and now that we finally have gotten to the deliberation stage, it seems that tomorrow i will be playing the role of henry fonda in 12 angry men. but as my friends' three-year-old daughter whispers when you ask her what george bush says:

FREEDOM

mookieproof (mookieproof), Thursday, 15 December 2005 03:15 (eighteen years ago) link

We will require a full report once it's all over. I hope you make a number of impassioned speeches.

Stephen X (Stephen X), Thursday, 15 December 2005 04:02 (eighteen years ago) link

I think I saw Ian Svenonius in the H&M last weekend.

dar1a g (daria g), Thursday, 15 December 2005 05:07 (eighteen years ago) link

Does anyone want to hang out this weekend and a) go shopping b) go to museums c) go ice skating or d) go to the 80s night at black cat or e) make suggestions. . . .

I am finally free (for the time being) of library science tedium.

Mary (Mary), Thursday, 15 December 2005 05:08 (eighteen years ago) link

I would like to but I don't know if I can, I have six million things to do (priority #1 is buying some flannel sheets & perhaps a space heater as my house is freezing, and I have to Christmas shop.. and did I mention I don't have any furniture yet..) and my Saturday is booked already. Hmm. but which night is 80's night?

dar1a g (daria g), Thursday, 15 December 2005 05:58 (eighteen years ago) link

Oh dear, the Black Cat is not offering either of their alternative 80s nights this weekend. Sigh. . . .

Mary (Mary), Thursday, 15 December 2005 06:19 (eighteen years ago) link

School sytem panic time. Snow flurries, sleet coming maybe.

curmudgeon, Thursday, 15 December 2005 16:18 (eighteen years ago) link

Pretty crazy flurries on the corners of 9th & PA, 10th & PA again
Looks to be sticking moreso than last time, though the roads just look wet right now

So LAME

TOMBOT, Thursday, 15 December 2005 16:58 (eighteen years ago) link

haha Tom I was just about to say "snow is awesome"

ZR (teenagequiet), Thursday, 15 December 2005 17:02 (eighteen years ago) link

Snow is awesome, this town's response to it is just sort of pathetic though. I blame everything on the design of the beltway though. Seriously, whose idea was that? Was that like some secret plan L'enfant came up with, a second wave of horrendous urban planning to repel invaders in case motorized road vehicles were ever invented?

TOMBOT, Thursday, 15 December 2005 17:06 (eighteen years ago) link


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