Facebook

100 friends! Whoo-hoo.

Yeah, it is a total addiction, and in a weird way it has been nice to reconnect with folks that I have not seen or spoken to in eons. It provides a window into others' lives...spy lens or what not. And when you think that it has been what, almost 15 years, since you have seen or spoken to some people, then it gets really really weird. I guess there is a natural curiosity to see how the others you grew up with ended up, where they ended up, if they are married or single or have kids or are employed. And also, discreetly, you want them to track you down, find you, find out if you are successful or married or have a family or are employed. And you want them to hunt you down instead of hunting them down, to show that yeah, after how long, you made a lasting impression.

Bitterness coming out, yes?

Bailed Out

It looks like Detroit is getting its bailout after all. On a similar note, I just send dad this sad story about Lordstown.

In neighboring Warren, home to the second-largest contingent of plant employees, Mayor Michael J. O'Brien said 4,000 of 21,000 houses in the city are vacant. So desperate is it for new residents that the city has offered home buyers incentives of as much as $1,000 to buy a house. Some cost as little as $50,000. In part because of job losses at the auto supply manufacturer Delphi, the city is laying off 20 policemen and 11 firefighters, he said

I still am astounded that people did not see this coming. And the husband is right: innovation and new skill sets are what is needed. Not just an influx of money. Otherwise, we'll still be a 1970s skilled workforce with a 2010s date on the calendar.

Moved

Ugh, I hate moving. But at least all of the old stuff is now in the new house. Granted, much stuff is still in piles in the dining room, waiting to be sorted and thrown away. Much of that is the boy's. But at least we are out of 1768. The movers got there relatively on time, and moving went pretty smoothly, except for crazy lady across the street. Pricey, but gosh we have a lot of stuff!! The next pricey item are blinds, but then we are done spending. I plan to get my haircut on Saturday, then venture to Macy's on the worst shopping day of the year. I would like to get some nice stainless steel bathroom accessories there with gift card moolah.

Experimenting with commuting has been interesting, and time consuming. I guess the fastest, most expedient way is walking/metro. Or walking/circulator if it comes quickly. I am trying to get up every day at 7am, which is not a huge problem b/c I am usually awake. Of course, driving is quickest, but most pricey. And I really dislike the X8 bus; will avoid that when possible. There are some interesting shops/liquor store places on F street. I do like the walk. I will get back in the gym habit soon, and will need to sign up for results upon the return from Michigan. But it is nice to take a little gym break. Unfortunately, the holiday goodies are a huge temptation here, so I must avoid if possible.

I also trying to readjust my coffee addition, to either make it here or bring it from home or simply just not buy it every day. I really do need the caffeine fix. Just black coffee and creamer will work, thought the nasty folgers-esque coffee we here simply will not do. Maybe I should bring in one of the old coffee makers/press.

Finally, I've been listening to All Songs considered's year in review. Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, My Morning Jacket, Blitzen Trapper, Animal Collective, etc. What I don't have, along with a mix of some of what I do. I am very excited to put together my ipod list of my favorite 2008 songs! I will need to post on that.

Top CDs of 2008

According to Rolling Stone:

1. TV On the Radio: Dear Science

2. Bob Dylan: Tell Tale Signs — The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

3. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III

4. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

5. John Mellencamp: Life, Death, Love and Freedom

6. Santogold: Santogold

7. Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

8. Beck: Modern Guilt

9. Metallica: Death Magnetic

10. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend

11. Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes

12. Guns n' Roses: Chinese Democracy

13. Blitzen Trapper: Furr

14. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals: Cardinology

15. The Black Keys: Attack & Release

16. Randy Newman: Harps and Angels

17. B.B. King: One Kind Favor

18. Lucinda Williams: Little Honey

19. Erykah Badu: New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)

20. Kings of Leon: Only by the Night

21. Kaiser Chiefs: Off With Their Heads

22. Jackson Browne: Time the Conquerer

23. Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst

24. Girl Talk: Feed the Animals

25. The Magnetic Fields: Distortion

26. Mudcrutch: Mudcrutch

27. Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun

28. The Knux: Remind Me in Three Days…

29. Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago

30. Duffy: Rockferry

31. MGMT: Oracular Spectacular

32. Jamey Johnson: The Lonesome Song

33. Ne-Yo: Year of the Gentleman

34. Stephen Malkmus: Real Emotional Trash

35. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

36. The Hold Steady: Stay Positive

37. Nine Inch Nails: The Slip

38. Ra Ra Riot: The Rhumb Line

39. Taylor Swift: Fearless

40. Jonas Brothers: A Little Bit Longer

41. AC/DC: Black Ice

42. David Byrne and Brian Eno: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

43. Nas: Untitled

44. The Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely

45. Be Your Own Pet: Get Awkward

46. The Academy Is…: Fast Times at Barrington High

47. Of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping

48. Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It

49. Hot Chip: Made in the Dark

50. No Age: Nouns

Lots I do not have, but at least I have a track or two from them. Oh, I just need more money....

Total Time Waster

A BeTaMaXMas.

Vintage commercials, old cartoons, early 80s hairstyles...love it.

And I am watching Christmas Eve on Sesame Street!!

DC Faves

I thought this list about DC by PopCandy blogger Whitney was right on. I'd highlight:

1. The free museums.

2. Concerts at the 9:30 Club.

12. The French fries at Granville Moore's -- they're the best in the city.

15. The view of all the embassies on Massachusetts Avenue.

18. The Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair in Adams Morgan.

22. Channel 4 meteorologist Bob Ryan.

23. Weekend indie-movie matinees at the E Street Cinema.

26. The National Cherry Blossom Festival.

27. Woodsy walking paths in Rock Creek Park.

29. People-watching by the Dupont Circle fountain.

30. Superhero movies on the big screen at the Uptown Theater.

34. The National Christmas Tree and the 50 state trees.

37. Strolls around the U Street Corridor.

43. Lauriol Plaza's chicken chimichanga and dangerous "swirl" margaritas.

44. Cupcakes in every flavor from Cake Love.

45. Fall.

47. Nighttime views of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, which are even more breathtaking than the sunlit views.

49. Staff recommendations at Olsson's Books and Records (R.I.P.).

50. Peeping in windows of ritzy Georgetown homes.

Some of these will make me miss Adams Morgan, though I am excited about H Street. So what will I miss about my almost old neighborhood:

1. Walks to work.
2. Jolt & Bolt smoothies.
3. Mint Fitness.
4. Rock Creek Parkway into the city.
5. Thaiphoon.
6. Roof deck fireworks.
7. Black Squirrel beers.
8. Running into Rock Creek Park.
9. Dupont Italian Kitchen.
10. The Harris Teeter.
11. P Street Whole Foods.
12. Walks home from work.

There will be things I will not miss...scrambling for parking, dumbasses who break your mirror and still have not repaid you, screaming twenty-somethings at 2am, and the chaos that is sure to ensure during the inauguration with bars open 24/7. But it is the end of an era. Celebrating with friends Saturday night over lasagna and copious amounts of wine, we have a lot to remember. Good stories. Good times.

I Love Jeb Bush

Oh, why wasn't he the Bush that was president???

Bush’s other advice on where the GOP should go from here:

The party should establish a loyal opposition and “organize ourselves in the form of a shadow government” that would address key issues, providing the public with “a loftier debate about policy” rather than mere partisanship. On the state and local level, Bush says the GOP should demonstrate “a passion for reform.” The party must hold fast to its convictions. “We can’t be Democrat-lite. We can’t just ‘get along,’” he told Newsmax. “We have to actually be proposing solutions to what appear to be intractable problems as it relates to education, healthcare, infrastructure. Across the board there are ways that we can show that we are truly on the side of the people that are concerned about the future of the country, without abandoning our principles.” Bush cited Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as “a great example of a governor who is leading by example, and has a passion for reform. That should be the model across the country.”

We are homeowners!

Broke, but homeowners. Less than ten days left til the big move!