Sarah Palin: Way Better as a Drag Queen

I just got back from the drag queen race in Dupont Circle (and after party shenanigans). The drag queens were SO AWESOME. There were at least 10 different Sarah Palin's, one Princess Diana (and her security guards), the Washington Monument (?!), Rainbow Brite, and on and on and on. Oh yeah, I can't forget the Victoria's Secret Angels. It was so fun. The race was actually at 9PM but the drag queens just parade and walk around starting at 7 or 8, so T and I met up and tried to find a place where we could see. There were a billion people there. Here are some highlights I took pictures of. This is just something you have to see to understand.

At one point this guy Patrick Mara walked by with an entourage of supporters with big campaign signs. We couldn't see any of the Drag Queens because of the signs and none of them were dressed up and everyone around me was grumbling, so without thinking I shouted, "HEY, WHERE'S YOUR DRESS?!" And the guy, Patrick Mara, turned to me himself and said "It's in my pants.. I'm not wearing underwear" or something crazy like that. haha. Apparently he's running for DC Council and supports equal marriage, so power to him, just don't disrupt my Drag Queen watching.

More pictures later? I've been distracted from this blog post for like 2 days now so. Shit. I am so busy. OK MORE LATER HAPPY HALLOWEEN Y FELIZ DIA DE LOS MUERTOS Y VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!

happy birthday homeless man, I got a free facial

Another busy day in DC town. Work kind of sucked, partly because of the cold and wet weather (wind chill of 39 degrees? what is Winter like?) and partly because my supervisor can be ridiculous. But it was ok because thanks to Slickdeals.net I found out about a free mini-facial that the Origins store is doing! I made an appointment last week so today after work I went and had my first ever (mini) facial. It was GREAT. And the sales scheme WORKED because now I want EVERYTHING in the Origins store. Did you know their products are all natural, contain no petroleum based ingredients, contain no animal products, and are NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS?!!! So no cancer and no blind bunny rabbits at Origins!! So... that's why it costs so much I guess. Ugh. I'll hit up ebay and see what I can do. Forget clinique.

I was still feeling great from having someone rub my face with nice smelling things when I was walking to the metro and I saw this one homeless man who is always at this stop. He is in a wheelchair and I saw a woman give him some money and I saw him smile really big. Then I saw a little handwritten sign that read "Today is my birthday, I am so blessed!!" and I immediately started digging around for any cash that I had to give him. It was really touching- and I have seen this guy at this metro stop several times. He had a little portable heater plugged in next to his wheel chair today.

Beyond the homeless birthday man is the table where people aggressively get you to sign up for absentee voting. In the past I've just seen the volunteers shouting at all the rush hour metro people to sign up but today... today there was a woman playing a guitar and singing into a mic some song that she was making up on the spot that basically consisted of: "Going to be out of the county on election day... vote absentee .. vote absentee... avoid the lines on election day... vote absentee... vote absentee.... make sure your voice is heard... vote absentee ... vote absentee..." it was irritating and endearing at the same time.

On that note, today I mailed my absentee ballot off to North Carolina where hopefully it will be put to good use in turning North Carolina blue. I got off the metro at Union Station to go home and put it in a mail box outside of the post office. I had a hard time letting it go, it was so unceremonious, not at all like real voting. I wanted to shout afterwards I JUST VOTED, I VOTED EVERYONE! But I didn't. Voting is so special and exciting. I was especially thrilled to vote in Union Station. I'll never get sick of Union Station.

When I got home I made some dinner (E is back!) and then the guy from the yard sale where I bought the two framed pictures brought them over! They are beautiful- I'm very pleased. This weekend, once the Halloween festivities are over, I will hang them up.

Tomorrow is another big day because it is the annual DC Drag Race. Apparently all the drag queens in Washington all come to Dupont Circle the Tuesday before Halloween and parade up and down 17th street and at 7PM there is a HIGH HEELED DRAG QUEEN RACE. I'm there.

Yard Sailing y el Dia de los Muertos

Today I went to more yard sales with T. We had enormous luck for most of the day- rich people yard sales and items from around the world- my favorites! I got a lot of Christmas presents. It's always good to start working on Christmas presents before you are strapped for cash in December with no ideas. That's the pits. So it was a successful day. It really was a beautiful day (unlike the monsoon that was yesterday) and I wore the exact right thing to enjoy the weather to the fullest. It's days like this that I really dislike my apartment for its lack of windows. The price we pay for living in one of the nicest neighborhoods in DC is that in order for us to afford it we are in a basement apartment. Our windows aren't even windows- they are "light wells." I refer to it as the "time warp" because you never know what time it is when you are inside- it's like a mall. During the week it's fine because we're gone during the day- it's the weekend when I would rather just go out all day while it's light and not be stuck in the time warp.

At the yard sales I found a Holga camera (scenester, I know!), some yarn for household purposes, a great picture frame, a drawing of a fat hippo, two baking sheets, a muffin tin, two cake pans, and a hippo cookie cutter (what's with the hippos today?) and other various christmas present type stuff. Oh, and a great looking Anthropology book: The Anthopology of Media. I love smart yard sales! I couldn't resist that book even though it looked like a text book- it had recycled art on the cover. T and I also cruised the outside parts of Eastern Market, a way cool part of DC near my house that has vendors on the street selling antiques, vegetables, jewelry, international stuff, different things. Yard sales are so fun because the price no longer reflects the actual price of the item- however much it may have cost retail. It takes on a price of the amount of space it takes up vs. how much money the people can actually make off of it. A delicate balance but the winner is always the shopper- if he or she has the space.

Here is a picture of the awesome bumper sticker I got at the Democratic headquarters in VA last week:

I am constructing a shrine / memorial to my dog Sam who died in April. I am still grieving a lot about it because we had her for 16 years- a large part of my life. Since I studied Day of the Dead so much last year for various projects and classes, I've decided to construct a shrine in the theme of Day of the Dead to Sam. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in parts of Latin America- I studied it in Mexico. It is actually Days of the Dead, because it lasts for I think 3 days. It happens every year around the end of October and the beginning of November. The idea is that during that time all the souls of dead people come back to the place where they were buried to "check up" on their family. The families all come home and create lavish feasts and shrines to their dead, cooking their favorite food and offering it to them. People stay up late celebrating the lives of the people they loved- it's a big party that goes on and on. It reminds everyone that the dead are still with us, they never leave for good, and that you are always connected. I read somewhere that it is believed that if you don't put on a good feast and shrine for your dead person they will be offended because all the other dead people will have all their nice feasts and things- and you would never want to disappoint your dead person! They're dead!

So anyways, I'm making a shrine to Sam for Day of the Dead, even though she is not buried here. I think she'll probably come by to see me even though I'm so far from home. It's really hard to build the thing because I'm still so sad about it. I've got a lot of pictures of her and her collar, some special nuts I brought back from Mexico that were used in another ritual, and today I got an icon of Mary at a yard sale. I seriously cry every time I spend any kind of time thinking about it, but it is comforting to know that Sam is still around. I really want to believe in ghosts and Day of the Dead because I want her to still be near me. I'm pretty sure I heard her ghost at home over the summer once or twice. I think a lot of why it was so hard to be at home this summer was because I was trying so hard to avoid thinking about Sam. It's so easy to distract yourself when you're busy- not so much when you have nothing to do at home. Sometimes I am happy and content that Sam is around "spiritually"- and I am happy that she isn't old and weak and having a hard time. But usually I'm just devastatingly sad. Being an only child and she being my one dog that was always around is just really hard. I've never grieved anyone that was this close to me so I guess this is my "learn to grieve" part of my life.

I guess I should also say that I am completely serious about all of this stuff. I am not sure I should even be writing about it on the internet but I'm lonely right now and just need to write. I've never missed someone or been so sad about something in my life.

So ANYWAYS. This weekend was very laid back, but kind of lonely. I'm looking forward to being busy again so that I won't be alone with my thoughts for very long.

Fall Timez

I really should update this blog more. I have so much stuff going on- there are many things worth blogging about every day!


Last weekend I went to Loudoun county for my friend M's birthday. She has a pet cow named Earnest and he is super huge and cute. We also got lost in a corn maze (corn maize haaa) for over 2 hours. It was the perfect weekend for enjoying Fall outside of the city! The weather was cool and crisp and perfect for the Loudoun Farm Color Tour, which was how we knew about the corn maze and some other stuff we did.

This week I saw another mouse in the metro, near the tracks. In New York City I saw the HUGE subway rats that thrive off of the plentiful food trash everywhere. The DC metro is much cleaner then the NYC one, so I guess the big rats can't survive off of the meager offerings that the mice can. I am going to be a subway rat/mouse for Halloween and I'm excited. Cute little mice. I can't believe their whole existence depends on the litter in the metro system.

On Thursday night my new friend T and I went to see Josh Kornbluth's (of Haiku Tunnel fame) latest one-man monologue called "Citizen Josh" at the Area Stage in Crystal City. It was very politically charged but not just a big rant by any means; it is a narrative of a man and his interest in politics and how it has followed him throughout his life. Mr. Kornbluth is very funny, I laughed out loud.

The Area Stage is a really cool theatre venue in Crystal City and in DC that offers a discount for anyone under 30. The tickets were priced at about $40 but for under 30 they were $10!! We found out why when we were there- all bald men and blue hairs. ha!

This week I also discovered that my checking account was overdrawn when I tried to put more money on my metro card trying to get home from work one day. I knew that wasn't right because basically I'd rather die than have to spend money on overdraft fees... so I keep really good tabs on my money. I figured out that when I bought my airline tickets to go home for Christmas US Airways charged my account TWICE. Apparently they do this often when the charge is "pending" and once the actual charge for the tickets post to your account they only end up charging once. Of course in my case with my piddly checking account (having just begun getting a paycheck and having to buy things like plane tickets for Thanksgiving and Christmas) pretending to charge it double sent it over the edge. My credit union refunded me the overdraft fees and everything worked out- but take heed, readers. Always keep at least twice the amount of an airline ticket in your account if you want to be able to take the train home. God. I had words for the US Air rep I talked to.

I inspected the building that houses the Democratic Headquarters for Virginia last week. It was AWESOME. I got some stickers and signed up to volunteer next week (I encourage all you to do that as well, especially if you are in a swing state COUGH NORTH CAROLINA). I also got my absentee ballot for North Carolina in the mail this week. Get ready Obama! I'm voting for you!! I also love you. I am super pumped for the 30 minute spot Obama bought on all the major TV stations. Obama TV everyone! Must see TV! Get ready!

Today T and I went to a few yard sales and I got two framed posters that are BEAUTIFUL! The people who sold them to me said they were from Venice. Together they were $25 total- a steal! The man also was nice enough to offer to bring them to my apartment since hauling things like that around on the metro is not something possible. After we left that yard sale we went to an overpriced thrift store and then ate lunch at a Ethiopian place- my first taste of Ethiopian food! I liked it. Tomorrow we are going out to more yard sales. Yard sailing is way more fun when you have an apartment to outfit.

I want to put something on here about The Keeper. I know it can be scary talking about menstruation but honestly, it's a part of all women's lives all the time. Even dudes should get over their ick factor and just understand that it's a part of life and it's ok. Anyway, I wanted everyone to know that there are alternatives to tampons - The Keeper is one of them and the other is Diva cup. In my quest toward zero waste I'm trying not to buy anymore tampons- I read that it is estimated that an average woman will use and throw away around 15,000 tampons in her LIFE. That is ABSURD. Especially since most tampons are made of cotton and rayon that is bleached with crap that can give you cancer, endometriosis, etc. SO GIRLS: look into using a tampon alternative! DUDES: educate yourselves, your girlfriends, and quit being so weirded out. IT IS OK.

Roommate E went home this weekend- she found a last minute deal and jumped on it. Lucky! It's quiet around here but things are about to heat up again. Next weekend is Halloween and hopefully the weekend after that I will have some fantastic visitors!

PS I love the comments. Please comment more!! It is encouraging to know that people are reading this.

my new city, my new friend

DC is still magical, I'm still excited all the time. I figured out where some of the city pigeons sleep: in Union Station! Those lazy bastards are still sleeping when I go to work. I also keep tabs on the gray squirrels that live/work/play near my office.

Yesterday I found a cheap last minute flight to go home for the long weekend. I was never a believer in the whole "last minute" deals but they are REAL. I'm really excited to see my mom and bring things back to the apartment. Also, the South Carolina State Fair is going on now and I GET TO GO! It's like I get fall break just like I did in college!

I have lots of things I want to write about concerning the Pentagon, since that is where I get off of the metro and get on a bus to get to/from work. My internet paranoia has truly reached new heights so I am not going to tell Pentagon stories other than the Monday morning protesters that quietly hold signs right where you get off of the escalator from the metro. I see them at 7:30AM, who knows what time they get there. One week they protested the war in Iraq, this week it was Afrocon. It's really interesting because probably 80-85% of the people who get off at the Pentagon metro on Monday morning at 7:30 work in the Pentagon, and they orchestrate wars and things, so it's a really significant place to protest something. And everyone is always brooding in the morning.

Riding to and from the Pentagon stop so much has made me realize how exciting and scary and hot it is to see all the men and women in their various uniforms going to and from work. I've seen Navy, Army, Airforce, all kinds of uniforms. It's so attractive! I don't know why!

So I guess I have to go pick out my "party shirt" for the last day of customer service week tomorrow. Good grief. At least I don't have to pack a lunch!

Customer Service Week (makes me sick)

Everyone seemed to blog about the Palin / Biden debate- all I have to say is
1. Who the hell is "Joe Sixpack?"
2. Why isn't anyone talking about women's issues? I'm a woman damnit, and I want to talk about it.
3. Seriously, Palin?

I gotta plug the Good Stuff Eatery. I went there with my roommate E and her brother and her brother's roommate and it is AWESOME. The guy who created it was a contestant on top chef! It's cheap, fast, and one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. If you're ever in DC, I highly recommend it. Don't skip on the fries, either.

Also, my friend R introduced me to Secondi, a great consignment store for women in Dupont Circle. Great prices and really nice stuff. Worth it to visit every now and then to see their ever-changing inventory.

This past weekend I spent mostly just chilling out. On Sunday E and I went to Ikea and I got some stuff for my room. I got a really great desk, a bookshelf, and a lamp. Ikea is cheap and awesome but now I understand why. Putting together Ikea stuff is nothing to laugh at. I didn't really have any problems except for with the bookshelf. I can't wait to go back.

So, I caught a cold. I think this means that I'm becoming comfortable in this new life and the stress is ebbing because my body usually holds off all sickness until the really important stuff is over. For example, fighting off a cold through exams only to get sick over Christmas break.

I went to work this morning anyway, even though I felt like trash. Turns out that in my 2 weeks of work I have earned exactly 2 hours of sick leave. 2 hours isn't 8 hours, so I worked. It sucked. I'm not exactly clear on how this kind of policy is beneficial for anyone because I couldn't do anything productive and I'm pretty sure everyone else in the office will get sick now, creating even more reduced productivity. (slam head on desk now) AND this week is customer service week (bet you didn't know THAT!) So we are "celebrating" by starting work at 7AM tomorrow for some kind of customer service training. We are also supposed to wear themed shirts each day this week. Today was "wear your favorite color" shirt day, tomorrow is sports team shirt day, and Friday is the best. Friday is "happy hour" from 2:15-4 except no alcohol is allowed at work so happy hour is chicken wings, dips(?) and soda. AND you're supposed to wear a "party" shirt. I work in The Office.

Also, since I have cable again for the first time in 4 years+ I have to say that TLC is my favorite channel, besides Bravo of course.

I also need to post that I did end up buying the bed I saw in a craigslist posting and when I went to pick it up the couple gave me basically everything else in their apartment because they were moving. I got a sweet ass deal on a bed, a box spring, a frame, a set of dishes, silverware, a mirror, pots, pans, baking pans, a laundry basket, drawers for underwear/socks and basically everything. Craigslist is my new lifeblood.