Well, I’m working from home due to the bomb scare at the World Bank today. However, it may have been a good day for everybody to stay home. It’s been reported via WUSA, that a well-armed nut job made his way on to the capitol grounds armed with a tactical vest (probably bullet-proof and loaded with shells and rounds), a compound bow and arrow (or possibly a crossbow) and a rear mounted samurai sword (ala “Blade”).

Really folks… is 2008 that bad already? Let’s breathe and try not to do anything even dumber today, even if you want a long weekend.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Well, I showed you the visitor to our birdfeeder. However along the way we had a bit of an adventure with some other critters that like birdseed. Or, really, damned near anything.

When my mother sent us the birdfeeder she included $10 with the explanation that it wasn’t practical to ship birdseed. Fair enough. So my darling girlfriend went out, looked at the options, and opted for pure sunflower seeds. As it turns out that’s about what the goddess of homemaking suggests as well. Once we got it home, however, we realized our initial intended place wasn’t going to be able to support the feeder and I’d have to come up with some other way to mount it. So we put the seed on the porch out of the way and I put another item on my shopping list for when I next went to Mecca Home Depot.

A few weeks later someone else found the bag of seed and decided they’d like to do some preliminary testing to make sure it’s okay for the birds. Now, normally I’m okay with feeding the little tree rats – I think they’re cute. But its not what we bought this seed for and they were having their version of a kegger on our patio, crapping and peeing all over our bench there behind the feed. I don’t even like having to clean my own bathroom, I’m sure not going to do it for the Alpha Kappa Sciuridaes

So I went out and got a storage box for the feed when I picked up the crook, which I’d wanted to get anyway. I knew it wouldn’t keep them out long-term but I wanted to see how long it took them to wriggle it open. As it turns out it didn’t even slow them down long enough for me to get out of bed – I took this when I came downstairs the following morning. So I piled some firewood on top of the box and went about my day. By afternoon they’d somehow shoved the wood off and gotten right back in.

So I moved the box to the other side of the patio, pushed it into the corner, put a big spool of coax I had out there on top of it and braced the roll on the other side.

This bought me a day, apparently until the squirrel army could muster up their little ropes, block and tackle. I came downstairs to discover this fellow nibbling away and the spool off to the side. Note the lack of one of the lid flaps – they managed somehow to get it completely off the container. I considered a padlock but I feel confident they’ve all read and mastered the MIT lockpicking guide.

The container is in the house now. I give it a week before they muster up the troops to stage a full invasion. Here’s hoping they don’t have body armor.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

image courtesy of Alan Light

The always excellent Capital Weather gang has a neat post up about what causes big flakes. I might have made the connection if I’d ever thought about it, but they spell it out: as neat looking as they are, large snowflakes are actually a bad sign if you’re a snow lover. They’re caused by above-freezing temps as the flakes fall, causing them to clump along the way.

Thus all the huge snowflakes yesterday, therefor the tremendous slush-fest it resulted in.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I’m gonna violate the rules of basic suspense and just show you the end result here. The road that got us here I’ll post a little later – it’s more involved.

This is one of the Christmas gifts my darling girlfriend and I got this year. We’ve really enjoyed all the wildlife that’s showed up in our backyard so my parents got us a bird feeder. It’s an interesting contraption – the inside casing that holds the birdseed is spring-loaded so that any significant weight on the outer casing – like, say, an eastern gray squirrel – closes the feed openings.

As it’s turned out that hasn’t been much of an issue. The tree we’d originally thought to put it on isn’t strong enough to hold it so I got a shepherd’s crook to hang it from. Hopefully I’ll manage to get some video of the squirrels trying to get up it – they can’t quite hang on well enough with just one hand, so when they reach out to the feeder they start to slide down it, a la a firefighter on a pole. It’s quite amusing, but it’s a full-motion gag.

Here’s the only neognathe visitor we’ve gotten (that we’ve seen) so far, which our park ranger friend identifies as a house finch.

Native only in the western states, it was introduced in the east about 40 years ago (some records say a pet store owner set some free). They are common around urban areas and a frequent visitor to bird feeders. The eastern house finches have been suffering from a somewhat mysterious eye disease lately – and people with bird feeders should help prevent the spread of the disease by keeping feeders clean, keeping seed fresh and not allowing it to get moldy, and keeping the area around the bird feeders clean too.

If you can’t tell, we’re really getting into this. Sorry the picture isn’t better – I didn’t have an angle where I wasn’t shooting through window screen.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It’s like a snow hangover here. I’m just not moving at full-speed today for whatever reason. More snow tomorrow, probably, and cold on Sunday. Get ready to deal.

If You Left Your 2 Year Old at Deanwood Metro Last Night…

…the Police would like a word with you. In addition, you might want to get that Parent of the Year application out. Dude. It was cold and crappy last night and you left your kid at the Metro. Seriously, WTF?

Dominion Starting Conservation Programs

Glad to see they’re setting their sights so high over at Dominion, they’re working to decrease power consumption by 10% over 14 years. It’s nice to see them try, though. Maybe that money might be better spent on a switchgrass reactor, guys?

Some Asshat With a Telephone Closed the World Bank

Yeah, I’m cranky this morning, but I just can’t abide a stupid bomb threat via telephone. Skinning is far too good for these guys.

Of Course the Parents Don’t Want You To Close Their Schools

Being at last night’s hearings must have been like passing a kidney stone without the benefits of modern pharmacy, I suspect. It sounds like they were an awful lot of fun. Between splitting the meeting across 23 sites (whose bright idea was that?!), the weather and the boycott likely depressed attendance. So, everyone’s feeling disenfranchised for reasons I’m sure we can all see. Corruption and Ineptitude. Alive and Well and Living in the Wilson Building…?

Maryland (eventually) Going to New Voting Machines

Gov. O’Malley has decided that Maryland will return to paper balloting in 2010 when machines will be available. Why exactly they’d spend $7M today on what’s not available for a good two years, I’m not exactly sure. But, as someone who feels that touchscreen voting is a disaster waiting to happen (not because of what some jackass in Ohio said, but because of the electronic recount measures. Put your tinfoil back on and go home.) I think this is probably the right decision. Shame they can’t get it done before the General Election in November.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

panda snow globe! 103

Originally uploaded by RoxandaBear.

It’s nasty and slushy outside today, and I hope everyone is staying warm and wearing thick socks.

At least Butterstick is making the most of the winter weather. As for me, I’ll be curling up under a blanket and rockin’ some Netflix this weekend. How do you spend your winter hibernation?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It’s funny. Most of the folks I know have had background checks either as part of security investigations, clearance investigations all manner of reasons. I’ve just never had one done. I’ve had credit checks for apartments, sure, and résumé checks for work, but never a full background check.

I called a couple of the big names that my friends in the staffing industry, but they all want $300 or so just to setup a jacket for our company of two people. All for $40-50 background checks! Craziness. No thanks. So, where can I get a good private investigator in this town? Anyone have any recommendations?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Credit to: https://www.checkpeople.com/police-records

Hey there, DC! I’ve been away on holiday for a few weeks, out in the Philippines where a December “chill” means temperatures dip below 80°F and where we spent New Year’s Eve scuba diving, but since I got back I’ve been looking forward to some snow, and the weather today has not disappointed.

If you’ve been obsessively watching the precipitation approach on radar like I have, you might have noticed that for a moment, as the snow began to wash over the DC area, an expanse of non-snow persisted over the District itself for a few minutes before the flakes began falling downtown. That’s likely an Urban Heat Island effect in action; the city’s greater propensity for heat-trapping and heat-generation affecting the local impact of passing weather systems. Urban heat has been implicated in increased summer thunderstorm activity, but in the case of today’s snow, it means that we get less accumulation here downtown, as more of it tends to melt as it falls or after hitting the ground.

A strong enough system can still beat the Heat Island effect and turn DC into a winter wonderland; so to today’s snow clouds I say, try harder. Bring it on.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Snow!

Originally uploaded by tbridge.

Unless you’re blind (in which case I hope my alt tags are working…) you can see that it’s coming down pretty recent out there right now. I’m hearing reports from Clarendon and Columbia Heights and Downtown that snow has started to stick to the grass, and there’s probably a good half-inch on the ground and it’s piling up.

I hear it’s just making the streets wet most places, but is piling up. How do things look where you are?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Alexandria has recently started its “Snow Buddies” program, which helps low-income elderly and disabled people by using volunteers to clear snow from their sidewalks and driveways. Interested in signing up to help? Need help with your shoveling? Please contact the Office of Citizen Assistance at (703) 838-4800.

I think this is a heck of an idea. Battling the elements is enough of a nightmare for those of us who are young, strong and able-bodied. I can’t imagine dealing with the hellish snow without my youthful strength and vigor.

Read on for the full press release:

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau (AVB) have teamed up on a program called “Snow Buddies,” to provide snow removal assistance for homeowners or occupants with low incomes who are elderly or disabled. The City and AVB will match eligible residents with volunteers who may shovel snow for those needing assistance.

Residents are strongly encouraged to apply for this program in advance to ensure that their sidewalks are cleared in a timely fashion to avoid fines and/or snow removal charges.

The City cannot guarantee that volunteers and/or assistance will be available during a snow emergency; however, during snow emergencies, the Office of Citizen Assistance (703.838.4800 or TTY 703.838.5056) is available to provide guidance to residents in need of snow removal.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Capital Weather Gang suggests we’ll get one to three inches, followed by rain in the District. Less to the south and east, more to the north and west. Be prepared for a nasty evening rush.

Weekend Platform Repairs to Slow Metro

Metro Center will be getting some heavy duty platform repair this weekend, causing delays of up to 30 minutes, so if you avoid the literal center of the Red, Blue and Orange liens, by all means, do. This weekend is the first of two weekends that WMATA will be fixing platform sag on the red line platforms. Presidents Day Weekend will also suck for transit.

Rhee Promises Change in Schools Facility Plan

DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has promised that changes to her facilities plan will be made, though the extent of these changes is currently unknown. Rhee had announced that she would close 23 schools, but that plan may well change in the near future, in response to feedback from the community.

Hearsay Now Considered News at NBC4

A Lieutenant in the DC Fire Department is alleged to have read an insensitive letter aloud at a DC Firehouse, and is now under investigation. The following quote is all I have to go on, but I suspect it’s regarding a new fireman’s orientation: “He’s a Libra,” the letter said. “Boy George is his favorite singer. He’s originally from Calvert County, but looking for a one-room, two-person apartment in the Dupont Circle area.” I suspect tone is certainly more telling than content at this point.

Driver Fees on Repeal Path

The Virginia Bad Driver Fees are on the long road to repeal, passing a bill out of a Senate subcommittee yesterday. Don’t get excited just yet, there’s a long way to go before a vote.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Wayan’s DC Photos

How do you improve on the best pizza in Washington DC? Simple, add beer!

Moroni Pizza now has its liquor license so a cold Negra Modelo can arrive with your Diavola pizza, or in tonight’s departure from Italian to Salvadorean specialities, pescado entomatado.

They also added paint, paintings, and even a jukebox to make it cozy. Heads up to local artists: if you want to show off framed works, stop by and talk with the owners.

I will be the guy in the corner rubbing my belly in happiness.

Moroni Pizza
4811 Georgia Ave NW
(between N Decatur St & N Delafield Pl)
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 829-2090

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

big hunt

Originally uploaded by digitaldefection.

DC’s a town of many watering holes. From the venerable Old Ebbitt to the brand new Bar Louie, and the many places betwixt the two, DC is definitely a town that can get its drink on. Esquire’s Best Bars list was sent to me by the Captain of the Austin Metblog, and I have to say I’m disappointed that DC’s selections of The Tune Inn and Hawk’n’Dove remain the same as when last we saw it eighteen months ago. How great bars like The Big Hunt, Fox and Hounds, RFD and its myriad beer taps, Brickskellar and its Guinness World Record, not to mention the venerable Saint-Ex, or Black and Red, stay off these lists is a mystery to me.

Though, come to think of it, if that keeps all the tools who read Esquire out of my bars…maybe that’s a price worth paying?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

image courtesy of NYCArthur

WaPo reports that Fenty and the Taxicab commission have announced rates for the new meter system that will be lower that previously estimated. Instead of a $4 ‘drop rate’ (ie, the cost of simply getting in and sitting down, before going anywhere) it’ll be $3 and, best of all, the inane rush hour and phenomenally inane additional passenger surcharges will be dropped.

As you can imagine, the taxi drivers are responding to this news with all the calm and maturity they’ve been bringing to the table since day one.

In another uncharacteristic sane move, the current forcible sphincter enlargement guideline of allowing doubling of zone fares during snow emergency conditions will make way to a 25% increase of the meter-displayed fare.

I actually wouldn’t have much issue with a significant increase in fares during a snow emergency, but if you check the guidelines on the Taxicab commission’s website[pdf] you find that ’emergency’ doesn’t mean the same thing to you and I that it does to a cab.

Snow emergency fare periods shall begin at such times as the Chairperson makes a public announcement that snow emergency fares are authorized. The Chairperson shall make that announcement when informed by the Department of Public Works that it is necessary to dispatch snow plows.

Sheesh.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Y’know, I’ve always felt that some of the folks that were running the DMV should be arrested. I didn’t, however, expect that the FBI would raid the Georgetown DMV, arresting several people in the location this afternoon. It’s not clear right now if the arrestees are employees of the DMV or members of the public at this time. The District’s website is only saying “law enforcement activities” took place in the facility.

More details as they’re revealed.

[Update 4:39pm] NBC 4 is reporting that it was an identity for sale scheme to sell people DC Drivers Licenses. ABC 7 is reporting that the sale of licenses has been going on for over a year, but that it was found by intradepartmental investigation. Normally, this would’ve been a DC Police matter, but I suspect the nature of ID Fraud puts it square under the FBI’s jurisdiction. Janis Hazel from the DMV responded to our email, to let us know that one person, a DMV employee was arrested, as well as a few other individuals detained.

Hazel also says that the Georgetown location will reopen for business tomorrow at its normal hours.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Round two in the story of firefighter Lt Burton, disciplined for fighting a fire against orders, has surfaced in today’s WaPo. WaPo’s story sources an internal memo that other sources say is talking about Burton. It claims that Lt Burton was not first on the scene, as his attorney claims, but came second and, once there, committed several mistakes.

Unfortunately this is a he-said-they-said that is pretty useless in this level of details. Also uncertain is the sanction – if this is solely a slap-down for disobeying orders then the question of a few goof-ups seems irrelevant. Not being privy to the documents, though, we can’t be sure what’s in the documentation calling for that two day suspension w/o pay.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

You never know where you might find little tidbits of information that will give you something to ponder and absorb. Just now I was catching up on news on the Arlington County web site when I noticed something about laws regarding keeping animals. A link directed me to the zoning laws on the subject, where I read:

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to display, exhibit, handle, or use any poisonous or dangerous reptile in such a manner as to endanger the life or health of any person.

My question: Why keep them at all if not to endanger someone’s life or health? Let’s face it – my Komodo dragon is going to scare off more people than an angry barking dog will. A fast, if lumbering, land speed, more drooling and a blank stare would certainly keep me away from someone’s yard.

The real question is just what happened to necessitate a law like this? Did someone have a team of attack snakes? I just can’t imagine. What’s your theory?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It’s chilly this morning, and there’s talk of “wintry mix” for tomorrow afternoon. Bring a coat and some gloves today, it’s going to be breezy and chilly. Remember, we’re in January, despite last week’s balmy temperatures.

DC to finance $200M in SW Development

Mayor Fenty announced $200M in financing for the Southwest Waterfront yesterday, primarily for new parks, piers and infrastructure as part of the $1.1B project that’s being built there. Construction’s not due to start til 2010, so don’t get all excited just yet. Still, there’s hope that this will bring a few thousand construction jobs, plus a few thousand permanent jobs as this fills out.

Will There Be a Frequest Traveler Program at National?

The MWAA is deciding on a frequent passenger program for use at Washington National (DCA) and Washington Dulles (IAD) that would allow passengers with background checks to go through shorter screenings and fewer security procedures. Personally, I think this whole thing is a big ol’ crock, and that the TSA ought to reconsider the anal probing we all get before flying. It doesn’t make us safer, it’s just an employment program for a bunch of power-hungry morons who can’t see a laptop inside their bag, and love seeing me walk around stocking-footed.

While DC’s cutting back, Montgomery County is Expanding

With hearings this week to close 23 DC schools, it appears that Montgomery County is expanding their schools staff by 200, primarily for special education jobs for special needs children and English as a Second Language programs.

Maryland Legislators Look Twice at Speed Cameras

Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari is excited about Speed Cameras as a way to keep speeds down in Maryland Construction Zones, while the rest of us see them as money traps. The legislature isn’t all that excited about the idea of putting a giant money trap out there, which is surprising, given the number of new taxation methods they voted into place this summer.

Noose? Hate Crime.

Displaying a Noose on your Property may become a Hate Crime in the state of Maryland. One of the legislative committee is examining the idea of making the display of a noose, or the placement of a noose on a person, a hate crime. All those haunted houses with ghosts hanging by nooses? Clearly hate crimes. Clearly.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

A relatively new concept or methodology in the world of photography is that of HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. Let me begin by saying that I am by no means a master of creating HDR photos, but I understand the basic concept and I think it’s worth sharing with those of you who are in the dark, no pun intended.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs Continue reading →