Tracing Back the History

Since we moved in June, I've been curious about the history of our house. I saw this post on Urban Turf about researching its history through a trip to the library. I really need to do this someday.

Curious about your home and in the mood to partake in some amateur detective work? The Washingtoniana division at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library has real estate maps, building permits and resident lists going back more than a century for most residential properties in the District. In a couple hours, one can find out when their home was built, see its first appearance on a plat map, identify former owners and residents, look up their occupations, and see if any additions were ever built and when. Last night, Jason Moore, collections librarian for the Washingtoniana division, walked UrbanTurf through the research process.

It's really cool that we live in a place built in 1905 that has stood through so many changes over the decades, from Washington's rise and fall and rise again, to new families moving through those doors, changes in the neighborhood, etc.  The particular Washingtoniana was established in 1905, so you would think the records will be accurate. It would be fun to do this...someday!

I did finally order a bar table for the bar room. Now I need to get stools this weekend! Ten days until our guests arrive!!

Thanksgiving in the D

Ten Things I will remember from Thanksgiving in Detroit...

1. Lots of nephew moments. "I don't want any more food. Alcohol!" He so proudly pronounced that. He also took a swig of my (empty) Blue Moon and took pictures of all of our beer.
2. And he "played" Apples to Apples.  He also proudly showed me his new bedroom and his new toyroom. Spoiled!!
3. The Daz hug.
4. Shopping at Lakeside with mom.
5. Watching football at B-Dubs with Paul and Steve.
6. And watching more football....Lions lose after Suh rages, the Cowboys eke it out against Miami, the 49ers lose the Haubaugh-bowl to Baltimore, and U-M finally beats Ohio State.
7. Good runs. One with Steve, one with Paul, and one alone.
8. Mom giving me a new prayer book and struggling with the right responses at mass.
9. Watching Jurassic Park with dad.
10. Having dinner with the whole family on Wednesday night at Roger's Roost. It doesn't happen often enough.

Verlander II

And the accolades continue...MVP.

Now all he needs is a World Series ring.

Three Reviews

On Friday night, we finally made it to the Big Board. Very, very tasty.  Granted, I cannot eat red meat like I used to, but occasionally a juicy burger is called for. We received ample amounts of fries, old bay seasons, and super good garlicy, parmesan coated sweet potato fries. We shared the "Le Burg-aire au Poivre Seared with cracked black pepper, topped with Great Hill blue cheese & a cognac cream sauce" and the "Memphis Blues Topped with Colby-Jack cheese, house BBQ sauce & crispy "tobacco" onions."  Both were great, and we'll be back.

Sunday, I brunched at Granville Moore's, where I haven't dined in quite a while. Also good.  I had a very garlicy mushroom omlette with home fries. And two cocktails, including a peach bellini and the house mimosa, which had all sorts of alcoholy goodness in it.

And finally, we watched Pearl Jam 20 on Saturday evening. I sort of knew some of the history of the band, including the back story of Mother Love Bone and Temple of the Dog.  It was striking at how quickly the group synthesized, how naturally Eddie Vedder just blended in and how great their early songs were (Alive in 1990, just weeks after they officially hooked up).  It was remarkable that even though they had a good time performing, they avoided that awful drug scene that ended MLB.  I don't think Cameron Crowe interjected himself too much at all, and I found the anecdote about how Pearl Jam just totally phoned it in and drank themselves to oblivion during the Singles party pretty funny.  Pearl Jam became so big so fast, and lived long on after the tragedy and rivalry of Nirvana.  Terrific flick. Oh, and favorite piece of trivia was that first album "Ten" was after Mookie Blaylock's number, the NBA player that the band was initially named after.

Oh yes, the rest of the week was spent watching football.

Detroit, and 5 Drudge Saviors

Detroit is going bankrupt.  Shocking, I know.  And while I applaud the salary cuts and the layoffs to try to barely make things meet, upping corporate taxes is not the savviest of strategies.  Detroit needs to create jobs and attract business, not frighten it away but ultra over taxation. And while 1% isn't much, wouldn't a tax break to hire workers be a more effective method of creating jobs, thus income which can then be taxed for the city?

I know Dave Bing is grasping at straws. But still a bad idea.

1.  Tim Tebow is Denver's savior? Well, you can't argue with success, especially against the Jets' D.
2. Newt Gingrich is the latest Republican savior, though gosh, is it still 1994?
3. The investigation into Natalie Woods' death is being reopened. It probably smacks of opportunism, after three decades. She had no savior then, or now.
4. Germany, however, is trying to save Europe. Or not, by derailing an EU referendum.
5. And Dems, who once censured Rangel, are trying to save his seat. Shameful. Boot him out, voters.

So True

90s music is not yet classic rock.  I agree. But Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins are now twenty years old, and they don't belong on DC 101, other.  Since mainstream radio is so bad, maybe some new/old modern rock station should be created. But since we're twenty years out, maybe it should be some hybrid of new/old. Just not classic rock.

Burnt out at 30?

So I can and cannot relate to this article about millennials feeling burnt out by 30.

I think it is common to feel burnt out and tired of working the daily 9-6 plus overtime and weekends, and I can only imagine how hard it is if you have a baby at home.  But it's life, and I don't think that this generation is unique in having to deal with thees struggles. Yes, some say that Gen Y is coddled and raised to expect success and have such high expectations/coddling thrust upon them.  But at the same time, I don't think things have changed that much in a decade. Work is life is work, and we need to adjust.  I think this sentiment of coddling has led many to opt out to try to "work at home" and "consult" and have a non-traditional schedule.  But ultimately, I think that will backfire in the long term. Those who stick it out eventually arise through the ranks, experience some professional success, and thrive. Continuously opting out only makes you a step behind, and you have to work all that much harder to prove yourself. And unless you have filthy rich parents, we're all ultimately on an even playing field out there.

So my heart does not weep for them.  Just wait til how burnt out they all feel at 35!!

Verlander

Justin Verlander won the Cy Young award. Unanimously.  It was a well deserved honor after a spectacular pitcher.  And yes, at 28, he is now entering the prime of his career.

I like seeing Detroit on top. Let's only hope that the Tigers come back next year to win it all. And the Lions recover from a terrible outing to win next week, twice.  And the Red Wings? Consistent as always.

Back to Work

I am always mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted after our annual conference. It's from a lack of sleep, fighting a cold, and near constant talking and standing and pure extro-version I have to exert.  It's a good event, of course, and there are so many friends to see.  And I had a good time, eating at PJ Clarke's and eating at the kid's table at Morton's.  But I am always somewhat frustrated at the end, and tired.  And did I mention tired?  Yes.  And it's a week til Thanksgiving, blah.  At least it was a balmy 70 degrees, which is something I cannot miss.

Meaningful Thanksgiving Music

Detroiters are campaigning to nix the Nickelback for the Thanksgiving show. And I applaud them, and signed on to that.

For the first time in years, a decade maybe, the Thanksgiving game is meaningful. The Lions might be playoff bound, and the Packers are undefeated. And the Cowboys/Miami game is meaningless.  Detroiters are excited about being showcased, and the NFL stuck them with the most mediocre or mediocre bands, Nickelback. They are so generic I cannot think of any of their songs, despite them all being fixtures on the most mediocre of city radio stations, like all of them in DC.

Bob Seger? Motown? Kid Rock? Eminem? Especially after that Superbowl Ad.

I doubt anything will change, but maybe a Detroiter rocker could open the show. Just a thought?

36 Hours in California

Back and forth yet again to Silicon Valley. Oh I am tired. We only had a two plus hour delay at SFO, and I am convinced that the United gate agents were amongst the most incompetent I've encountered in a while. One didn't even know the diagram of the plane. The only good part was having a row to myself. I also watched the Help, which I actually quite liked.  I listened to the rest of my "New of 2011" mix, and I'm already looking forward to crafting my "Best of 2011" mix. Lots of good music this year, and I think it'll be fun to put this together before our vacation next month.

We had a fabulous meal at Madera, including one of the best steaks I've had in a while. The long day plus eating is training for next week.

Halloween

We had a number of children come by yesterday for Halloween. It made me happy to see their cute costumes and how sweet they were. Well, we also had a number of teenagers, but that's ok. Now that I'm older, and it has been over twenty years since I've tricked and treated myself, I wish I had really enjoyed that time more. It goes by so fast.  Our nephews were all very cutely dressed up--Paws!! I bet Joey really got more into the trick or treating this year. He is growing up far too quickly.

It is always bittersweet to be on the other side of the door. I wish I was out escorting my own little trick or treater. Maybe someday. I read this quote--God's delay is not God's denial. But sometimes, I wonder. There has been nothing delayed, because I have not tried at all. I guess I'm not the only one who isn't trying. I get sad about that. And I hope for change.