I have had enough of DC cabs. I have been meaning to blog about how much I dislike DC cab drivers for some time now and especially after Shaw Girl told me about a woman being sexually assaulted back in October. There are many reasons to dislike them (like only picking up people going to Virginia when the bars close) but not picking up black people and being inappropriate with women are my two major reasons. I am especially pissed after my experience this weekend. My friend Evan, who is originally from Ghana, was in town for the inauguration. Evan has dark skin and while he was in DC this weekend, had an extremely difficult time getting cabs which is why each time we met up he was late. Well, tonight we attempted to get a cab together and I witnessed it for myself as he stepped out into the street. After several failed attempts, we decided to head back into the restaurant we had just left because it was freezing. The bartender who is white, decided he would assist. A cab immediately stopped but then pulled off when Evan and I walked up. This happened three times! Now this is a ridiculous situation on a regular day but on a day when the first black president has taken the oath of office, it just makes you sick. What is even more disturbing is that before Evan moved out to Seattle to work for Microsoft, he had lived in DC for several years. He told me that he noticed it was the African cab drivers who were the most reluctant to unlock doors when he walked up. And if he puts on a hat (which is necessary in 20 degree weather), he can forget about it. While I suggested that we file a complaint with the DC Taxicab Commission, the procedures for doing so as described on the web site, do not sound the least bit useful. Funny how during a time when we're celebrating change, you realize just how much things have stayed the same.
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, January 21, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Inauguration Overload
It's been a while since I've posted and for good reason. After a New Year's visit with family that included way more drama than I care to mention, I was not prepared to jump back into work. I've also taken on one too many projects including event planning (which this girl no longer is doing officially, but what the heck) for the Inauguration. At this point, I will just be glad when the whole thing is over. Being a night owl, I am glad that things will be open later. But I am also someone who is not fond of crowded spaces, especially those with wide-eyed tourists. So, instead of dwell on the impending craziness that will be the next few days in DC (blockades have already been erected in my neighborhood), I decided to reflect on 2008 with some of my favorite pics.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Night Cap
The other night I went to my first hockey game. I went with my friend Rick who I've known for about four years. His hometown team was playing so he was very excited and I couldn't really cheer for the Washington Caps. I'm afraid of heights so being in the nose bleed 400 section was not initially pleasant. A couple of beers helped though. I was hoping to see one of those infamous hockey fights but it didn't happen. I got the feeling that most of this crowd was not made up of DC residents or frequent visitors other than to hockey games and possibly work. It was a fun night out though - something I'd do with a boyfriend. People have often asked why I'm not dating him since: he is straight, actually likes to go out dancing, we hang out all the time and always seem to have fun. Well, I now realize why. Rick is the eternal frat boy - just not in the really annoying way that some can be. He is a mature frat boy. But for a man in his late thirties, I've never taken him seriously for precisely that reason. While I enjoy partying, it's like a sport for him. He's always had a roommate, plays every college-like sport there is, keeps beer in his car, always knows of a buddy throwing a get together which consists of beer, chips and watching a game, only likes to drink in bars that support his hometown teams...You get the picture.
We went back to his place for a late dinner and movies. And just like guys in college, I had to remind him that we were "just friends" and I was not interested in "fooling around". We're both used to the conversation. I think he figures that he might as well try. He fell asleep in the middle of the movie after his second beer. I called a cab.
And as usual, he called the next day to see if I wanted to hang out at his buddy's "kick-ass" party.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Happy Holidays
What does a single girl do for the holidays when her artist mother has uprooted and moved to yet another city and her married with kids sister is on the verge of divorce? Uh, stay home and make the most of the solitude, of course. While I do have several single compadres to share the holidays with, I've realized that I'm just not a holiday kind of girl. Which is not the same as a grinch - thank you very much! So, I just chose to stay home with me, myself, and I. What did I do?
12:00 noon - woke up and made coffee; check many voice mails and texts. Man, people love holidays! Is this the only legitimate time to communicate with people you know?
12:45 - realized that once again, like Thanksgiving, I'm getting all sorts of text messages from numbers I don't recognize or people I haven't spoken to in over a year. What's up with that?!
1:00 - more coffee with poached eggs and bacon
2:00 - call to sister who almost immediately engages in argument with husband. End call abruptly. Whew! Glad I'm not married.
2:30 - settle in with coffee and begin watching the traditional NBA Christmas double-header. Nothing like big, sweaty men!
3:30 - text messages to and from long distance friends (that I actually talk to on a regular basis) that continue throughout the day.
4:00 - check email; add to and re-order Netflix list. This takes quite some time.
6:00 - make list of what needs to be cleaned, fixed, or thrown away before the new year. I have a phobia about going into the new year with dirty, unfinished stuff.
7:00 - get work done on projects that start in January
9:00 - distract myself with clothes on shopbop.com and netaporter.com. Decide that I need a new look for 2009. But what?
10:00 - realize that beer is making me sleepy and hungry and decide to come up with an innovative dinner out of food in the fridge. Innovative indeed since I have not been grocery shopping in a month
10:30 - decide on a fish stew that combines Asian and African flavors: yummy!
12:00am - while stew simmers, write in journal. Reflect on the bad man choices but applaud those I didn't return to in 2008. Get a head start on New Year's resolutions.
2:00 am - hot bubble bath, candles, soft music, and....sleep.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
I Love the Blogosphere
I have been outrageously slow in posting lately. Blame it on the cold weather or my crazy draining job or the stressful holiday season...yada, yada. Ok, I'm just a slacker. Well, anyway, last weekend I am happy to say that I finally met up with Shaw Girl, the author of Adventures in Shaw. I am now completely convinced that men in DC have no reason to complain about the availability of great single women. Shaw Girl is a cool, talented, funny, cooking/baking, photographer who can even tango. And she's my neighbor, which is why I love the blogosphere. 
In this workaholic city we live in, the two of us may never have met were it not for the web. Fortunately, after many emails and text messages, we finally met up at the 14th street Busboys and Poets. Our original plan was hot chocolate at ACKC but it was packed (darn yuppies!). We had some tasty desserts even though my bread pudding resembled stuffing and I would have preferred her sweet treats that I've drooled over on her blog. But the real treat was the conversation. It's nice to know that you're not alone when it comes to crazy guy stories. And it's nice to know that we single girls somehow remain sane in the process.
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