Currently writing about the daily explorations of style. Love to share my style and absorb the indivduality of others' I am interested in the process by which we create our own looks and how in turn, that affects us and influences others.
A friendly neighbor who used to explore Bloomingdale via skateboard introduced me to our friendly neighborhood pool a few years ago, and ever since I've been hooked.
Each year the Harry Thomas, Sr. Pool regime tightens. I wonder what new rules are being implemented this season.
Last season I actually had the whistle blown at me and then yelled at: "No jumping in the pool!"
That's all I'm gonna say.
But I am excited for this pool to be open.
A gal's gotta get a tan and that pool actually gets good sun. And you can usually get a lawn chair too! That's something we've got over Dupont...a better pool!
So apparently the HFStival is coming back...and guess what!???......
It's the same lineup as the year it left in 2005!
Does this lineup really excite anyone?
HFStival 2010 featuring THIRD EYE BLIND • BILLY IDOL • EVERCLEAR • ED KOWALCZYK from Live • PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN • FUEL • LIT • MARCY PLAYGROUND w/ Jimmie's Chicken Shack • Jah Works • Fools and Horses • Lionize • Honor By August • Middle Distance Runner • RPM - Restoring Poetry in Music @ Merriweather Post Pavilion • Columbia, MD Saturday, September 18 11am Gates
A mashup of all the 90s bands that made the festival just that: a thing of the 90s. Oh yeah, and one random 80s star. Although I might just consider going if it was going on at RFK...such a better venue for it than Merriweather.
Now, a revamped HFStival, held at RFK, with a halfway decent lineup...that's an idea I could just saddle up with. They should try to do better with it next year. Now that VirginFest has has gone pro-bono, there's no great festivals to be frequented within our near vicinity.
A good one would sellout quicker than hotcakes, just like HFStival always did. Didn't tickets to it used to only be $25! I miss those days.
Well, this dynamic duo are teaming up for a conceptual photo shoot to promote Mr. Orr. Keenan is a talented and beloved local DJ, who spins tons of events around town. Tyler is a coveted stylist at Immortal Beloved and has been twirling my hair into a frenzy for almost two years now. Immortal Beloved is a concept boutique salon (based on Beethoven's Immortal Beloved letters), located on Church Street between 14th and 15th. It's a trip just to walk into and an experience to get your hair done there...
This is Tyler blondifying my hair recently:
Don't think the concept for the photo shoot has been decided upon yet, but I'd be willing to bet these photographs are going to kill. Tyler is the perfect person to collaboratively conceptualize and execute a photo shoot for Keenan. I don't know about you all, but there's one girl who's excited to see what they come up with!
Also, I heard Tyler recently joined forces with Brightest Young Things and Capital Pride for a photo shoot that will be unleashed to promote Homo Erectus: The Evolution of Pride. The event is June 12, 2010 @ 9:00 pm @ the Connecticut Ave Hilton Hotel. The photo shoot is an evolution themed series they did outside Ben's Chili Bowl. The photos should surface on BYT within a week, so keep a look out. I'm sure they will be fantastically gay, sexy, edgy, paradoxical, prehistoric, and packed full of raunchy punch. Read more...
Wow, more happy development news! So I might be a little late on this, but apparently, there are plans for a massive redevelopment of the Rhode Island Avenue NE Station, including retail (Hello, Express and BCBG), cafes, bars, restaurants, and apartment buildings. Other businesses going in are Starbucks, CVS, and a pizza place, among others. Here's the retail site plan:
And the residential site plan:
Although this is a little left of Bloomingdale, it's not far and I find myself around this area quite often, as I prefer this Giant to the chaotic one on P Street and Home Depot is usually a necessary monthly trip.
In response to some rather caustic criticism I've been getting for certain things that I post...
I wanted to address some of these issues and in effect, perhaps gain a fresh start with some of the readers who seem to be offended by certain things I have written. And I wanted to let people know that I do read all of the comments posted and I am listening to what you all have to say.
I was talking to my cousin, Teresa on the phone today, discussing some of the the response this blog has triggered. She was at first surprised by some of the harsh words that have come from neighbors, but then started to bring up some good points about my somewhat biting sense of humor. She has always read my blogs and knows me very well, so she doesn't think much of it when I frequently launch into these acidic tirades or inject a snide comment. She just thinks it's funny. But people who don't know me might not think it's funny and might not know what to think other than just what an obnoxious bitch I must be. Sometimes I get lost in my heavy usage of satire and sarcasm and don't realize just how abrasive I allow myself to get. But I'm working on that.
I realize it is hard to get to know someone just from seeing and reading a blog of hers online, but I thought I would help those of you who don't know me get to know me by telling you something about myself. I come from a family of seven children and I am the second oldest in line (the oldest girl). I know that's not much information, but it's a start. And maybe we can grow from there.
I would like to try to ease some of the tensions and let you all know that I really care about the neighborhood and community of Bloomingdale. I've lived here for 3 1/2 years and have many tales to tell of it.
And I care about writing and blogging and am always trying to develop as a writer. I care about the readers and audience, as you are an essential component in the writing/blogging process. I want people to read, view, and enjoy my blog and am always open to ways I might facilitate this goal. I am open to ways of improving my blog and would really like to cultivate a positive relationship with the readers. I also want to be myself and use my voice to express what I feel about the things I write about.
My sister always says that I am an acquired taste. My hope is that with time and continued reading, my critics will acquire that taste.
But in the meantime you'll have to excuse the irony and angles.
I think I gave up being earnest when I learned to talk.
And this is why I love Bloomingdale, because there are just random events going on where they set up Moon Bounces on the street. It was part of an event going on in the parking lot behind Windows. Does anybody know what it is exactly when they cook out there? I've seen it before, is it open to the public? I know that Vince Gray, council chairman and candidate for DC Mayor, was speaking there today. I met him at the yard sale actually, he was introducing himself to people.
And my roommate said that he saw Mayor Adrian Fenty at Big Bear the other day! Seems like Bloomingdale is quite the political area these days!
I love yard sales! Let me tell you, there are no two people who love yard sales more than my parents. When I was growing up they woke up early every Sunday to go to them and spent all morning yard sale hopping. If people had yard sales every day of the week, believe me my parents would probably quit their jobs and just go to yard sales every day. This was always a source of utter embarrassment for me but look at me now, all grown up and loving them too!
There was some great stuff to be found at the Bloomingdale Community Yard Sale this year. It didn't seem to be as big as it was last year, but still a pretty good turnout.
My friends and I spent a good amount of time at the first stand sampling these salsas. Another thing my parents can't get enough of is free samples. Oh they would have been in heaven here. And if I haven't already made my position on nachos clear, I love them. They are one of my favorite foods in addition to ice cream and gnocchi. The chile con queso was amazing and they had some interesting ones like cherry chocolate, which despite the idea of sweets that attracted me to it, was extremely hot and set my mouth on fire. It was great though! They sell them at Timor Bodega on the corner of 2nd St. and Rhode Island.
Check out these curious little creations. Not exactly my style, but beautifully made and interesting to look at.
So this was the haul...I got this cute ring for $2 because I'm a jewelry fiend and can't pass by a jewelry stand without buying something. I got this cute antique mirror for $7. The detailing on it is really cool. My roommate got this rustic-looking, wooden "thing to put shit on" as we called it, for his room. Me and my other friend who came with us both got tennis rackets for $7 with the resolution to start playing.
I wish they did this more than once a year and I hope more yard sales start popping up around the Bloomingdale area in the future. Did I mention I love yard sales?
If you owned a corvette...is this where you would choose to park and cruise the ladies...
When I walked by, the guy rolled down his tinted glass window from the driver seat and asked if I wanted a ride. I said No thanks, smiled, and made my way across the street. Then, I turned around and took what I thought was a stealth picture, because I thought it was funny he was trying to pick up girls outside the Tropicana Eatery.
Turns out I wasn't so stealth and as soon as he noticed me taking a picture he revved his engine and followed me, pulling over where I now was further down the street. I was almost at a run at this point trying to avid another confrontation with him, but he rolled down his window at me again trying to holler.
"Let me give you a ride, sweetheart, I know you like my car!"
I love corvettes just because they are so undulatingly phallic but I think they are so ridiculous.
Anyway, I just ran away and I think he got the hint. I wonder if he went back to Tropicana to cruise or if he moved to a different location.
Has anybody ever eaten at Tropicana? Is it any good?
So despite my laments of past mediocrity, the first Farmer's Market of the season really impressed me yesterday! The weather was perfect!
It definitely seemed like there was more variety and selection of goods this year.
This vendor had a pretty good selection of natural and organic sweets, with some little samples to chew on, which always helps sell me. I think she said they were there some weeks last year, but were trying to set up shop more consistently this year.
And of course Reid's Orchard planted in their usual spot. It seemed like they had more to offer this year too, no? Although I forgot to get fruit because I was tied up at the cheese stand for about 10 minutes. I finally settled on a big hunk of Wallaby from the Keswick Creamery stand. I think it's some derivative of Monteray jack but whatever it was, it sure tasted good when I ate the whole thing in a matter of hours yesterday afternoon. They had sold out of the regular sized baguettes by about 12:30 when I made my way over to the bread stand, so I got one of the large ones, which proved to be necessary anyway with the amount of cheese I decided to consume.
I also got some homemade gnocchi and tomato sauce from The Copper Pot stand. Haven't cooked it yet...the fact that it requires preparation time and is not available for me to just unwrap and bite right into has prevented me from tasting it yet. But it looks damn good! Gnocchi is just about my favorite thing in the world to eat...in addition to cheese, nachos, and every variety of sweets.
And speaking of sweets...
That brings us to Dolcezza Gelato! The brand spankin' new addition to the market this year. They had a pretty good selection of half pints of gelato and sorbets for $6 a pop.
Let me just note that this is a little steep for my blood. A half pint is only about enough to feed a baby goat. A half pint is not even enough to fill a bowl. A half pint is really only about 3 spoonfuls of substantial gelato...at least the kind of spoonfuls I eat. I take issue with the half pint. Especially for $6. You can get a whole pint of Ciao Bella gelato for $6 at Windows...just saying. I told those skinny bitches working that stand they needed to bring whole pints back next week, because they are selling it to full grown adults who just can't get down with buying something that looks like it should go into a Lunchable.
But I still got two of these little bite sized treats...the strawberry tequila and lime cilantro sorbets. The lime cilantro is amazing, what a flavor. And strawberry tequila is a zesty delight. Next week I will probably go with one of the gelatos. The cappuccino was delish and chocolate always goes down smooth.
Oh and I just wanted to drop a quick note about my previous comment telling the Dolcezza people to "watch their backs." I realize that might have been a little off-base. The Bloomingdale Farmer's Market is very welcoming!
Maybe they should just watch their backs when heading back to their cars if they parked anywhere around 3rd and R or Florida and North Capitol ; )
See you all next week! Farmer's Market organizers and participants...great job and keep up the good work!
Bloomingdale Farmer's Market
Outside Big Bear Cafe 1700 1st St NW (between N Florida Ave & N R St) Washington, DC20001 Sundays 10 am-2 pm
So apparently, Dolcezza Artisanal Gelatos is venturing into Bloomingdale for 2010's debut Farmer's Market this Sunday, 5/16.
This is some very happy news indeed. I know I'm not the only one who finds Bloomingdale's Farmer's Market a little lackluster. The fruit is good and sometimes I'll find myself dipping into those cheese cups that are just begging to be nibbled. And I know it's a community event that brings people out of their houses and into the neighborhood for socializing. I do appreciate all this. But all in all, the market doesn't really thrill me or anything. I've never been amazed at the variety or quality of the food.
But with Dolcezza coming in I feel like my prayers have been answered. The way gelato just slides into your mouth and melts into your taste buds is enough to lure me to that mediocre market. I think I might be there every weekend for an ample portion of coffee and gelato. Nothing like sweets in the morning!
Get ready Dolcezza, for I am an ice cream fiend and I will be at the market on Sunday, mouth watering. But watch your back...this ain't no Georgetown.
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