Shady character

He hung out on the street corner for a while. I wonder who or what he was waiting FOR?

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood

Not a cloud in sight. Busy is as busy does at Metro Center.

Two suits

What a gorgeous day. I walked around a bit today and got stuck behind these two characters for a block or so. Thought I'd immortalize them on this fine day.

50 Things you’ve been dying to know about me

I’ve caught another blogovirus.

Who knows where these questions originated, but I guess they're as good as any……

1. Your name spelled backwards: ALAM
2. Where were your parents born? Portugal
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Updated Spinner
4. What's your favorite restaurant? This is a tough question. Ummmmmm… well, in DC my favorite is DC Coast; in Providence, it’s Ten; in Savannah, it’s The Pink House; in Seattle, it’s Wild Ginger… I could go on, but will stop here.
5. Last time you swam in a pool? Two nights ago on my roofdeck.
6. Have you ever been in a school play? Yes
7. How many kids do you want? Not sure yet… 2? 3? I think I’d put my foot down after 4.
8. Type of music you dislike most? Country
9. Are you registered to vote? YES
10. Do you have cable? Nope, although sometimes I'm tempted.
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped? No
12. Ever prank call anybody? Yes in the good ol’ days before caller ID (“Is that your refrigerator running?”).
13. Ever get a parking ticket? No
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Both
15. Furthest place you ever traveled? 1989 – Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia
16. Do you have a garden? Do herbs growing on my windowsill count?
17. What's your favorite comic strip? The defunct Calvin and Hobbes.
18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? Hell YES!
19. Bath or Shower, morning or night? Morning shower… at night I prefer a soothing bubble bath.
20. Best movie you've seen in the past month? About a Boy
21. Favorite pizza topping? Onions
22. Chips or popcorn? Popcorn
23. What color lipstick do you usually wear? Depends on the outfit… but my favorites are Vibration, Caramel, Mystic, Rum Radiance by Revlon covered by the glossy Laque Miroir Crystal by Givenchy (impossible to find in the States).
24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? No
25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? No
26. Orange Juice or apple? Pineapple juice
27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine? This past Saturday, I met my college roommate at Teaism for brunch.
28. Favorite type chocolate bar? Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Caramel Filling.
29. When was the last time you voted at the polls? 2002
30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? July 6, 2003. My dad made a tomato and mozzarella salad. YUMMY!
31. Have you ever won a trophy? Yes
32. Are you a good cook? When I have to, which is rarely, yes.
33. Do you know how to pump your own gas? Yes
34. Ever order an article from an infomercial? No
35. Sprite or 7-up? Neither – the only soda I drink is Diet Coke (with an occasional appearance by Diet Dr. Pepper).
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? No
37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? Pantyhose.
39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love? Love (Deep down, I’m a completely hopeless romantic).
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? No
41. Ever call a 1-900 number? Aside from running my own? (kidding) No
42. Can ex's be friends? Absolutely
43. Who was the last person you visited in a hospital? I don’t remember.
44. Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby? No
45. What message is on your answering machine? “I can’t come to the phone right now so leave a message.”
46. What's your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character? PAT
47. What was the name of your first pet? Big German Shepherd named Queenie.
48. What is in your purse? Palm pilot, wallet, lipstick, pressed powder, cell phone, a dozen pens, a tiny notebook, a handful of keys, a Metro SmarTrip card, my security badge, shades, and eclipse spearmint strips.
49. Favorite thing to do before bedtime? Read
50. What is one thing you are grateful for today? That tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!


TAG - You're it. Go ahead and come up with your 50 answers. Let me know in the comments section when you post to your blog. Have fun!

UPDATE: John of Stoner Cellars noticed that #38 is missing. So I'm requesting readers to leave potential questions in the comments area (or email me) to fill in #38's spot. THX!

The thought-provoking comment

Oarah of My Secret Fantasies left the thought-provoking comment I wanted to get to here.

I am happily married, don't cheat, & never have. Suppose one makes the leap of faith, and does work for years. Does a failure 5, 10, 15 years down the road mean one them just quit trying? What if you are on your 10th, 15th, 25th honeymoon and fall for the clerk at the hotel? I mean, "love at first sight" madly in love. Do you blame it on circumstance and forget the whole thing? Have a good laugh with your spouse? I hate it when people that have a good thing ruin it by always thinking their is something better out there. I would guess 90% are dead wrong in thinking that way. But for so many that marry young, how do you know? I am not looking for advice, I just wonder. Is there only "ONE" for everyone. Do you believe in Love at first sight?

What DO we think of "love at first sight?" Or is that wishful thinking? Does it really just boil down to "lust at first sight?" And is there a perfect match for everyone? Or are there many "ones" in a lifetime?

My 'hood in the p.m.

I'm taking a time out from work to upload some pics.

View through my window

Just look at those big, cotton-candy fluffy clouds! I want to go play outside.

Building envy

I've been watching the development of the Mather Studios Loft Condominiums, drooling over the marble slabs and granite. Unit 701 is available... a lovely 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms apartment boasting 1430 sq ft. of space AND one shared tandem parking space. All this for the low, low price of $639,900 (and an estimated condo fee of $371.83).

WHO can afford this? And this is the neighborhood I'm looking at to purchase property in someday.... well... in two or three or twenty years.

Digits

10 Novels on my nightstand that need reading.
9 Days until my friends fly down to DC to party with me over the long holiday weekend.
8 Bottles of water in my fridge.
7 Is usually my lucky number.
6 Days to spend exploring Seattle! Woohoooooooo!!!!
5 Events and speakers I'm promoting for work.
4 The time I woke up this morning. (GROAN)
3 Loads of laundry I need to do before I fly out.
2 Spanish classes I'm signing up for next semester.
1 Day til my BirTHdaY!


What numbers hold meaning for you? Who's got travel plans? Is anyone else washing laundry tonight?

Mondialisation

When was the last time you "got away from it all?"

In the age of cellular camera phones, instant messaging, portable email, wireless laptops and 24/7 cable and tv programming, it's virtually impossible to disconnect.

Work managed to track me down three times on my last two vacations.

Do you bring gadgets with you on your time off?

Do you feel anxious without your cellphone/pager/ or PDA?

Or perhaps you fall into that lucky category - the people who don't think twice about turning the gadgets off and not tuning into tv or a newspaper for weeks at a time?

What do you do when you disconnect? And do you think things will stay about the same or get worse as technology gets smaller and more portable?

Seattle

At the end of the week I'll be traveling to Seattle for business ... and pleasure. I'll be there October 4 - 9. Does anyone have any recommendations of cool, non-touristy things I should check out?

Predictions

In one week we'll all know the results of the California Recall.

Which candidate do you think will be Governor of California?

Swamped at work
I'm making a junkfood run in about 15 minutes. I desperately need caffeine and sugar.

Work has been busy - fun, but extremely hectic. So I apologize for the sporadic posting.

And I've been feeling tired - All. The. Time. It's really starting to bug me.

Hope you're all well and I'll try to post something more enlightening a bit later.

Alternative perspectives

I caught the COOLEST exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art this weekend. Seward Johnson, the master of outdoor sculpture, recreated scenes portrayed in Impressionist paintings. I strolled into Renoir's Boating Party (and later that day visited the original at the Phillips Collection just for kicks), Van Gogh's Bedroom, and, by far the most elaborate, Edouard Manet's Olympia.

I walked away with a renewed sense of appreciation for the arts and humanities. I saw with new eyes, in awe of Johnson's creativity.

Have you experienced anything new lately? Seen something from a different perspective or with "new eyes"? Perhaps it was a book or film or exhibit.

If you're in the DC area, do not miss this exhibit!