Thursday, September 19, 2013

Summer of 2013 - in Review

Whew, seems like it's been forever since I added a new entry to my blog... Normally, I would record my summer in review but, today I don't feel like talking much... However, my writing itch has gotten a hold of me and well, here I am.

If you don't like to read, you might as well quit now.  This has been a pretty good summer.  So, let's get down to the good stuff.  In comparison to last year, this summer was a lot better.  It was so good that most of it is a blur.  But for the sake of this blog and my audience, I took notes & pictures of all of the events worth talking about...

Let's go back to Mid- May... Technically, it's still spring but, this is around the time summer begins for myself.  My friend Shannon had a bday party on the Boomerang Party Boat.  Thanks to Groupon, we were able to get tickets for $10.  The tickets got you on the boat and one free drink.  You couldn't beat that.  One thing about these boats is that they will leave you if you don't show up on time (Demetrius).  The drinks ok.  The music was ok... Security was jy pressed... But the party was great. It helped that most of the ppl on the boat were guest of my friend.  Would I do this again??? Maybe.  However,  if this was a once in a lifetime experience, I wouldn't be mad.

A cool place I visited this summer was called The Observatory... It's a rooftop bar located above the Graham Hotel in Georgetown.  I wasn't drinking at the time so I can't comment on the drinks but, the bar was well stocked.  The design of the rooftop is really cute.  It's one of the better rooftops I've visited.  The views were awesome.  Especially, on the back side of the bar where you could see the monument and the Kennedy Center.  I'm looking forward to going back next summer. 

One of the hightlights of my summer was seeing Currensy perform at the Howard Theater in front of a sold-out crowd.  The energy was so great.  If you are a fan and you weren't there... You missed a great show.

I went to see Fabulous & Pusha -T at the Howard Theater and boy... That was the worst concert I have ever been to lol.  They cut Pusha short... and after awhile Fab was putting me to sleep...

One spot I think everyone should check out is The Elroy on H street.  Its a nice little bar at the top of the H street corridor.  They have outlets at the bar and TV's in the bathroom.. I don't really have to say anything else...

The Yards!!! Go there... the water park is fun... take the kids

I had some bomb lamb from Tabaq on U street... I didn't even know they sold food in there... Total mouthgasm... Shout out to my friend who put me on...

Miami (DC Takeover weekend) was great... lots and lots of tequila... I had a really good time at the Back and Da Mixx show...  I recorded a review but, it didn't come out how I wanted... So,  I'll prolly add it to an outtakes compilation video or something...

Cheddar's is just ok to me... a lil spot to hit up after or before the movies... I don't really see the point of going in there any other time...

The Summer Breeze Party was another semi low of the summer... I didn't have much fun this year.  If it weren't for my special, ninja tactics I had to use to get thru security, I woulda never made it in.. I looked good tho...

That same night my HS had a reunion function at this spot in College Park... Total waste of a drive. totally forgetable...

VINE happened this summer... awesome app... d/l it..

I went to my first community event in years.  It was down Mayfair.  French Montana performed... That was cool... S/o to wkys for putting that together.

Thanks to the folks over at TMOTTGOGO, I was able to attend the Summer Music Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion... D'Angelo was scheduled to perform but, he was sick or something.  Raheem Devaughn filled in for him.  To be honest, I couldn't really pay attention to the performances.  It was so many people and we were sitting so far away from the stage that I couldn't enjoy the artists.  However, I ended up having a great time out there and I'm looking forward to next year.

The 50th anniversary of the March on Washington was another highlight of the summer.  I was just impressed with the amount of ppl that came from all over just to celebrate the occasion.  What was so significant about the March was the fact that this many ppl even cared about the social injustice's black people face in America till this day.  I am very proud that I was able to attend this event.

Backyard Band at Capitale is my favorite gogo party of the summer... Im so glad it made it to the fall... Hopefully, it lasts at least until October.

RIP Tradewinds

The last party I hit up this summer was this joant up Layla.  Hated it...  It was my friend's bday and that was the only good part about the party... the dj sucked... the bar sucked... the table service sucked...

If you like Indian cuisine hit up Casbah on H street... They have good vegetarian dishes as well...

the 2013 cookout season was much better than 2012... Outside of family cookouts, I ate and drank very good for free.  Thanks to all those who extended the invitation my way.  I really appreciate it...

Speaking of cookouts... I don't think I have had anything nasty this year... everything I ate this summer was pretty good..

In conclusion, I liked to thank any and everybody that was apart of my summer experience. 

Check out the Tangi Chronicles FB Fan Page for pictures and updates regarding the Tangi Chronicles series.  I am still here!!! Thanks for reading!!!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Avoid Potholes In These Streets

Any person that drives throughout DC will tell you about how raggedy the streets are in this city.  It seems that many of the complaints are about potholes and other traffic annoyances.  However, I complain about any and everything that could particularly mangle the undercarriage of my car.  My car sits very low to the ground. It's far from a sports car but, it sits like one. Every time I hit a bump, man-hole cover, pothole, dip and any other road blemish, I immediately tense up and curse.  The curse word I use depends on how hard I hit something.  For yearsssssssssss I have complained to whomever would listen about how terrible the streets are; mostly on deaf ears, until...

Let's go back to around 2010 maybe 2011 when I discovered that the DC Dept. of  Transportation was on twitter. (@DDOTDC) I have never been so siced to connect with somebody in my life.  At last, a social media line where other people can read about my transportation concerns.  I would hope some of my followers would hop on the bandwagon but, I don't think that is happening.  As a tax paying resident of the District of Columbia, I have numerous first hand accounts of how negligent the DC government can be.  However, for the 1st time since Ive been of age to vote, have I felt like someone was not only listening but, was about resolving the issues I have with this city.  

Here's a list of some the transportation concerns I have tweeted to the DC Dept of Transportation
  • Repave Ridge RD SE
  • Repave Minnesota Ave from PA Ave to Good Hope Rd
  • Repave Minnesota Ave from Benning Rd to Nannie Helen Burroughs
  • Maine Ave from 395 - right before your get to 17th street
  • Repave 12th street NW from Constitution Ave to L Street 
  • Repave Suitland parkway
  • Repave the streets that run through Ft. Dupont Park
  • Repave the exit ramp for Pennsylvania Ave from 295 S & N
  • H Street Between First & North Capital Street 
  • Various potholes I notice throughout the city
Maine Ave & Ft Dupont are my biggest annoyances.  One because they are raggedy as hell.  Two, they have been raggedy for yearssssssss. Three, I was told by @DDOTDC that these roads are maintained by the US Dept of Interior.  Oh great, another agency that is never gonna do anything about my concerns. I don't even know what office to contact at DOI to submit my complaints.  I was getting frustrated w/DDOT because you would think they could bridge that gap. (yeah right)  But, w/all the fussing and complaints, finally there are some small victories.

Recently, it seems that the folks at DDOTDC are taking action.  Shortly after I tweeted about repaving Minnesota Ave from Pennsylvanian Ave to Good Hope Rd, it was done.  The most raggedy parts of Suitland Parkway (DC) were most recently repaved.  They are currently repaving Maine Ave.  Ive also noticed that most if not all of the potholes I have tweeted about, have been patched up.  Now, I am not saying that my tweets were responsible for getting these issues addressed.  But, I would like to think even if they weren't; at least DDOT was notified and, are now addressing some of my biggest concerns. 

If I were to give a DC govt agency an award it would be to the DC Dept of Transportation.  Thank you!!!  Trust me, your efforts are not going unnoticed. 

***If you're coming into the city via 295 to 395 S - AKA the SE?SW Freeway - you've noticed the new traffic pattern.  There is some congestion trying to merge unto the new bridge/ramp that connects to the actual SE/SW freeway.  Im sure this is an issue for many of the people who travel this route.  For me, I love it.  It frees up all of the traffic that used to be on the SE/SW freeway.  I can do 60 + from the time I get off the ramp until I have to get off at the Maine Ave exit. Before, it could take up to an hour for me to travel from Minn Ave SE to 20th street.  Now it take 30 mins.  Today it took less than 30 mins.

Last thing, Now that I'm a commuting pedestrian I have realized the importance of pedestrian safety.  So I wanted to thank DDOTDC for installing pedestrian signals throughout the city.   & If you are reading this blog, could you check all of these buttons to make sure they work??? 



 



Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Turn off the lights - I'm lookin for him too - Maybe, Maybe Not

Lately, I haven't really been in a writing mood... But tonight that's all about to change.  I'm back!!! At least for tonight.

Recently, I had a long conversation with my bff.  It was a typical conversation about what's going on in our lives.  You know, good, old fashioned girl talk.  Somehow, we got on the topic about my man pattern... Man pattern - "adj: describes the habitual characteristics of the men in your life"


My bff thinks my ideal man looks like this... 



Lives here


and drives this


However, my man pattern suggests a guy that looks more like this

give or take a few pounds... give or take a few years... but you get the point (I hope)


lives here with his mom or grandma or aunt or whomever

 or 
or  here if he lives out maryland 
 He drives 
or 


I explained to her that the first type of dude just isn't for me... Our personalities just don't mesh well... I'm too normal for him and he's too extra for me.  First of all I love gogo... And these types of dudes HATE gogo... They like places like Bar 7.  These are the types of dudes who forget they used to win beat your feet contest at the Hot Shoppes.  They approach you like you're supposed to give him your number. Nah, I'm good

The dudes who fit my current male pattern just make a better match... One reason is prolly cuz I live around the corner, or down the street lol.  Meaning we're not too much different from each other.  We can relate... I don't judge them & they don't judge me.  Their approach SEEMS more sincere... even though their goals are the same

Now it's really nothing wrong with either types of men... After all we can't help who we like, right??? Well my bff seems to think otherwise and I respect her opinion.  I'll try to keep an open mind (I guess)  At the end of the day she just wants what's best for me.  And who knows, she may be right. But for now... I'm chillin... turn the lights on