The world's first R&B pilgrim singing "The Sexy Pilgrim."
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
"The 2009 Veterans Day Challenge" or "Where the Heck Is the War of 1812 Memorial?"
A bunch of Cheetos eatin', mouth breathin' history and web nerds joined me to see if we can visit memorials to all branches of the military and all the major US wars in three hours or less on Veterans Day. Around 20 stops are planned, can we do it?
7:03 AM We are off into the rainy and gray day with visits to the African American Civil War Memorial, John A. Logan statue (Civil and Mexican-American Wars) and General Winfield Scott (Mexican-American War).
7:30 AM United States Navy Memorial. Each spring sailors from the U.S. Navy's Ceremonial Guard pour water from the Seven Seas and the Great Lakes into the surrounding fountains "charging" them to life and ushering in the spring season. We also check out tributes to the Coast Guard Memorial and the Women of the Navy.
First fight of the day-- Jackson Square is in New Orleans. In Lafayette Park in DC is an equestrian statue of General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. My confusion is understandable but calling my cell phone I left at home is not going to help me find your shivering, cold asses on 17th Street. Many valuable minutes lost here.
Here's the statue of Revolutionary War hero Lafayette. Or it might be General Jackson. Or a Jackson Brother (Tito).
The First Division Memorial (Army) on 17th St is closed off due to construction. There is a Desert Storm Memorial in there somewhere so we take credit for finding it anyway. Is it just me or is it that every where we go a Secret Service patrol car pops up?
The Red Cross, the WW II Memorial and The District of Columbia First World War Memorials get a drive-by since it is almost 8:30. The Secret Service follows us to World War II but turns around shortly thereafter.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial reflects the day.
Often the Korean War is referred to as the "Forgotten War." We didn't forget it but due to some bad navigation walked south instead of north (or west instead of east?). Taking the pictures from a distance adds to the poignancy and saves my failing feet from another march across the Mall.
Check the time and it is 9:23 am. I'm hungry but we need to dash to across the river (via the Memorial Bridge symbolizing the reunification of the North and South after the Civil War yadda yadda yadda) to find the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial on the GW Parkway. Unfortunately it too is surrounded by construction barriers so naturally we end up driving around the Reagan National Airport complex for a good ten minutes. Bitter accusations and hate speech may have occurred at this point.
Arlington Cemetery. All sorts of memorial stuff stuff found.
The Women in Military Service for America Memorial is located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and honors all women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
10:00 AM and we still have Iwo Jima, the Air Force Memorial and the War of 1812 Memorial.
10:35.AM We are done. Twenty stops and 256 pictures! Three hours thirty minutes! Not bad! But wait, we still have the War of 1812 Memorial which is...uhm...well here is a shot of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
This post is dedicated to Air Force veteran Herb Sr (who turns 80 in December!) and follows his tourist philosophy of "Quick kids, take a picture and get back in the car! We can look at 'em when we get home!"
7:03 AM We are off into the rainy and gray day with visits to the African American Civil War Memorial, John A. Logan statue (Civil and Mexican-American Wars) and General Winfield Scott (Mexican-American War).
7:30 AM United States Navy Memorial. Each spring sailors from the U.S. Navy's Ceremonial Guard pour water from the Seven Seas and the Great Lakes into the surrounding fountains "charging" them to life and ushering in the spring season. We also check out tributes to the Coast Guard Memorial and the Women of the Navy.
First fight of the day-- Jackson Square is in New Orleans. In Lafayette Park in DC is an equestrian statue of General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. My confusion is understandable but calling my cell phone I left at home is not going to help me find your shivering, cold asses on 17th Street. Many valuable minutes lost here.
Here's the statue of Revolutionary War hero Lafayette. Or it might be General Jackson. Or a Jackson Brother (Tito).
The First Division Memorial (Army) on 17th St is closed off due to construction. There is a Desert Storm Memorial in there somewhere so we take credit for finding it anyway. Is it just me or is it that every where we go a Secret Service patrol car pops up?
The Red Cross, the WW II Memorial and The District of Columbia First World War Memorials get a drive-by since it is almost 8:30. The Secret Service follows us to World War II but turns around shortly thereafter.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial reflects the day.
Often the Korean War is referred to as the "Forgotten War." We didn't forget it but due to some bad navigation walked south instead of north (or west instead of east?). Taking the pictures from a distance adds to the poignancy and saves my failing feet from another march across the Mall.
Check the time and it is 9:23 am. I'm hungry but we need to dash to across the river (via the Memorial Bridge symbolizing the reunification of the North and South after the Civil War yadda yadda yadda) to find the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial on the GW Parkway. Unfortunately it too is surrounded by construction barriers so naturally we end up driving around the Reagan National Airport complex for a good ten minutes. Bitter accusations and hate speech may have occurred at this point.
Arlington Cemetery. All sorts of memorial stuff stuff found.
The Women in Military Service for America Memorial is located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and honors all women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
10:00 AM and we still have Iwo Jima, the Air Force Memorial and the War of 1812 Memorial.
10:35.AM We are done. Twenty stops and 256 pictures! Three hours thirty minutes! Not bad! But wait, we still have the War of 1812 Memorial which is...uhm...well here is a shot of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
This post is dedicated to Air Force veteran Herb Sr (who turns 80 in December!) and follows his tourist philosophy of "Quick kids, take a picture and get back in the car! We can look at 'em when we get home!"
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Day After Halloween 13th St Style (My Annual Nov. 1 Post)
Nov 1, 2007
13th St NW Washington, DC
I'm sitting down to eat and the doorbell rings. Opening the door I see two unfamiliar young girls dressed neatly in jeans and sweatshirts.
"Do you have any Halloween candy left?"
"No" I said rather stunned.
"Okay" they mumbled and started down the sidewalk. No apology for disturbing my dinner. No explanation why they were a day late and a costume short.
Finally realizing that DC uncostumed candyscams had reached new heights in chutzpah I yelled "And I won't have any tomorrow night either!"
This post originally appeared in November 2007.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"My God Is About Reproduction!"
Wow! Just wow! Astounding testimony at the DC Council hearings on Marriage Equality. You gotta love our Democracy though where everyone gets his three minutes...or in her case more than three minutes.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
If Your Blog Goes Stale, Have a Cheesesteak!
After not blogging for a while I feel that my comeback post should be something memorable--perhaps a scathing indictment of the Health Care debate or some funny story with a sad twist at the end that brings a tear. Upon reading this entry, Herb of DC fans everywhere would rise as one and say "Who the heck wrote this for Herb?"
So I'll write about Cheesesteaks.
Not Cheese Steaks.
Cheesesteaks from JJs Cheesesteaks 1939 14th St NW (corner of 14th and U). 202-518-7777. Authentic Philly style Cheesesteaks here in the 'hood.
I have to admit I've never had a Philly Cheesesteak in Philly. I've had them here in DC from various "delis" with ingredients consisting of a variety of beef, chicken, sausage, pepperoni, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, green peppers, mushrooms, spinach, chipotle peppers, olives, capers, eggplant and memorably once--shrimp.
Cheese toppings have ranged from provolone to mozzarella to apple wood smoked cheddar. Spices from salt and pepper to oregano to cumin.
Shall I mention the local "deli" option of a whole wheat bun?
After sampling an "All American" during JJs soft opening (lean steak, chicken, onions on a soft white sub roll topped with American cheese) I was 5th in line for today's Grand Opening at Noon.
The Special: $1.99 Cheesesteaks from Noon to 4:00 am. (today only).
I ordered the "Ben Franklin" or the "BF" as the staff called it. Extra lean thinly sliced rib eye steak grilled to perfection with onions on a soft white sub roll topped with provolone cheese and Cheez Whiz. Yes Cheez Whiz! It's authentic baby, straight from the City of Brotherly Love and Cheese Food products!
After one or two bites of culinary heaven I now know why Philadelphia football fans once famously booed Santa Claus at halftime--they thought he was there to take their beloved Cheesesteaks back to the North Pole to feed Mrs. Claus and those hungry, hungry elves.
Did I mention that they are Heavenly? (The Cheesesteaks, not the elves).
At 14th and U. Now serving.
Rapturously Yours,
Herb
Update:
Recently the FTC published rules requiring bloggers to disclose when they are writing about a sponsor's product or have been supplied samples or other gifts. My uncompensated endorsement here today is based purely on my own purchases this week; however, I would consider weekly rave reviews of JJs in exchange for a steady supply of Cheesesteaks and Beta Blockers.
So I'll write about Cheesesteaks.
Not Cheese Steaks.
Cheesesteaks from JJs Cheesesteaks 1939 14th St NW (corner of 14th and U). 202-518-7777. Authentic Philly style Cheesesteaks here in the 'hood.
I have to admit I've never had a Philly Cheesesteak in Philly. I've had them here in DC from various "delis" with ingredients consisting of a variety of beef, chicken, sausage, pepperoni, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, green peppers, mushrooms, spinach, chipotle peppers, olives, capers, eggplant and memorably once--shrimp.
Cheese toppings have ranged from provolone to mozzarella to apple wood smoked cheddar. Spices from salt and pepper to oregano to cumin.
Shall I mention the local "deli" option of a whole wheat bun?
After sampling an "All American" during JJs soft opening (lean steak, chicken, onions on a soft white sub roll topped with American cheese) I was 5th in line for today's Grand Opening at Noon.
The Special: $1.99 Cheesesteaks from Noon to 4:00 am. (today only).
I ordered the "Ben Franklin" or the "BF" as the staff called it. Extra lean thinly sliced rib eye steak grilled to perfection with onions on a soft white sub roll topped with provolone cheese and Cheez Whiz. Yes Cheez Whiz! It's authentic baby, straight from the City of Brotherly Love and Cheese Food products!
After one or two bites of culinary heaven I now know why Philadelphia football fans once famously booed Santa Claus at halftime--they thought he was there to take their beloved Cheesesteaks back to the North Pole to feed Mrs. Claus and those hungry, hungry elves.
Did I mention that they are Heavenly? (The Cheesesteaks, not the elves).
At 14th and U. Now serving.
Rapturously Yours,
Herb
Update:
Recently the FTC published rules requiring bloggers to disclose when they are writing about a sponsor's product or have been supplied samples or other gifts. My uncompensated endorsement here today is based purely on my own purchases this week; however, I would consider weekly rave reviews of JJs in exchange for a steady supply of Cheesesteaks and Beta Blockers.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Yes I Still Have a Blog
Quite frankly this was not a good summer. I rarely blogged and what I posted was even more uninspired than usual. I even stopped reading your blog. Sorry!
Thank you to those who sent me a private message checking in. It was appreciated.
Things are much better now but my life still feels out of sorts. Discordant. Rather like the attached video. Especially starting at 1:30.
Thank you to those who sent me a private message checking in. It was appreciated.
Things are much better now but my life still feels out of sorts. Discordant. Rather like the attached video. Especially starting at 1:30.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
When Your Mom Calls Your Work
MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan has been airing hidden camera footage of the Washington Post's Jonathan Capeheart eating a bagel on camera.
Jonathan's mom is not amused and calls in to give Dylan a dressing down like only a mom can do. I'm sure the producers thought this would be an amusing segment but instead it becomes more and more uncomfortable. I'd post the actual Bagelgate footage but I don't want Ms. Capeheart calling me!
Jonathan's mom is not amused and calls in to give Dylan a dressing down like only a mom can do. I'm sure the producers thought this would be an amusing segment but instead it becomes more and more uncomfortable. I'd post the actual Bagelgate footage but I don't want Ms. Capeheart calling me!
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