The Tangi Chronicles: Trivia Night @ The Brixton

14K Restaurant Review

Tangi Chronicles Episode M.O.B. and UCB at the Howard Theater.

Lissen Reunion 2014

Review of the DMV Honors Big G Concert

Review of Backyard Band at Capitale

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??? 

 

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