I'm sure everyone is pretty much up to speed on the Metro expansion project going further into Northern Virginia through Tysons Corner and Reston all the way to Dulles airport. I am a BIG fan of this idea. We've had some set backs due to funding issues and I'm still not really sure if the line going through Tysons will have a tunnel or not.

My opinion is that if this is going to happen, and it is, we MUST build underground. We're not even talking miles of tunnel. The tunnel is just to be built under Tysons Corner which will make the plans for this area (I say this area because its where my office is located) to become more of an urban pedestrian friendly environment in the future. I wish that we could skip ahead ten years and have already made some progress on construction, but unfortunately we have to live in the now.

Sure, traffic will be horrendous during construction, but I believe the end result will be well worth it. This area is growing at a rapid place, and whether it likes it or not this IS an urban area. New building plans are being drafted every day and every time I go down Gallows Road a new housing development has popped up (I won't get started on that...a whole other issue). The area is growing faster than anyone can keep up with and we are clogging our roads with more cars, be them Prius's or SUVs. Action needs to be taken immediately. Sure, it will cost, but the outcome will be so much better for this community.

Maybe my strong opinions on expanding public transportation are because I dont drive, but I think its important to offer alternatives to the people in this area. A lot seem to think that its just easier to hop in your car and go rather than walk, metro, or take a bus, but with gas prices being how they have been, growing obesity, and a polluted environment its time for a change.

*stepping off my soap box*

-My movie pick for the week: The Science of Sleep. Its only playing in limited areas of the country, and luckily enough at the Cinema Arts Theater, Regal Ballston Common 12, and Fairfax Corner Cinema Delux.

-Cady Alley on M Street in Georgetown will be hosting a Day of Design at their store this Saturday from 10am - 7:00pm. This will be their first time hosting such an event with workshops, lectures, and demos on home furnishing and decorating. Looks like this is a FREE event, unless you want to pay $10 for all day parking.

-Borat comes to Washington, hilarity ensues.

-Have you heard about the Screech sex tape? I heard that the "graphic act" that he performs
at the end of the tape is the Dirty Sanchez. Ugh.

This George Allen Insult Generator is pretty funny.

Also, please check out the VA Democratic Senate Candidate Jim Webb

Cool stuff to do this weekend:

- I just heard about the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair in Adams Morgan this Sunday, October 1 and I am super excited about it. Sure it looks like everything there will be overpriced, but its something fun to do and I'm all about supporting starving artists. My favorite blog, PostSecret will also have a booth there.

- Speaking of PostSecret, the mastermind behind this community art project, Frank Warren, will be featured at the George Mason Fall for the Book Festival next week. I'm still trying to decide if I want to attend the gallery reception or presentation.

-Both Saturday and Sunday you can find lots of fun at that Virginia Wine Festival in Leesburg. I would go, but after my last wine festival at the Tarara Vineyard's Blackberry Festival a couple months ago I haven't really been quite the wino that I once was. Lets just say I'd rather not show my face there untill maybe the Fall Barrel Tasting in November. Anyways...if you go to the festival this weekend, go visit my friend Susie whos pouring at the Hidden Brook booth. Tell her Lucy sent you and she might fill up your glass something extra!

-Of course, there is the Redskins game vs. the Jaguars at home this Sunday. If you have tickets, I envy you. I just put my name on the list to get season tickets so I'm expecting a call for those in 2050. If you ever need some company at one of the home games (especially the Cowboys game) I'm always available.

-2006 National Book Festival on the Mall.

-I just read sad news that the Blocktober Fest will not be taking place this year. Apparently, Arlington County said they would not host the event anymore, but a TBA location has already been set in place for next year. If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering what will happen to Shamrock Fest. Well, the website says its still on for March 10, 2007, but the location is still TBA. I wonder where this mystery place is located?

-Do you like depressing music? You would probably enjoy Cryfest at the Black Cat Friday night. A DJ takes turns spinning The Smiths and The Cure all night long. I like to think of it as the original emo music, only way better. A friend of mine went last year and said to get there early if you want to get in and dress in layers because it is hot and crowded inside.

-Oh! Don't forget about the Maryland Rennaissance Festival! I know I just stated in my introduction that I'm not a huge fan of MD, but this is an event worth making the trip to no mans land. It is SO much fun, and not terrible expensive for what you get. Snaps if you dress up, expect to see a lot of...interesting characters.

Ok, thats all I have time for. There is much, much to do this weekend, so if I missed anything you would like to promote or share, please feel free to add it in the comments section. And I don't want to hear anyone whining about there being nothing to do from now on cause I just spent my entire afternoon avoiding work looking up dozens of events in the Metropolitan area.

All the 24 years that I have lived on the earth has been in Northern Virginia (except for that two year stint when I went to college in Ohio that I dont really like to think about...my suggestion, don't move to Ohio). In no particular order I have lived in Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Vienna, Oakton, New Baltimore, Merrifield, and Annandale. At some point I thought I was going to move to more exciting places like Chicago, New York City, or Buffalo, but I'm now starting to realize that this is home. I've grown up here yet I have no close relatives living within 400 mile radius of me so I'm pretty much on my own, which is OK by me.

I've never had a license and don't have plans on getting one any time soon. It takes me 50 minutes to travel the 8 miles to work by public transportation. I take a bus, the metro, and then another bus which is mostly a waiting game, but I have my iPod or book of the week to keep my company so I don't mind the commute. It would probably take me almost as much time if I were driving because of the traffic around here. On non-working days if I care to venture out to the grocery store or a local bar I usually have to call a cab (if I cant get one of my friends or the BF to take me). Let it be known that I DESPISE Yellow Cab. I also have the feeling that Red Top and White Top cabs are in on their monopoly of the Northern Virginia area.

My parents never owned a house and often moved us every few years so I have a hard time staying in one spot for too long. Even though I've moved more times than I care to count, the next location is rarely more than 5 miles away from the previous. Since I moved out of my Mom's 5 years ago I've moved about 8 times (roommates can be a bitch) and this includes times when I've had to move back in with Mom in between new leases. Shes moved back up to Buffalo so now it's just me.

Anywho.....this is just an introduction on little old me. I'll be posting random thoughts, happenings, and observations in and around the DC Metropolitan area. I doubt I'll ever mention Maryland unless its to make fun of them. If you're from around here, you might be aware of the unfounded rivalry that exists between Maryland and Virginia. Its dumb, but I love to hate them anyways. Except Baltimore is pretty cool...and the Eastern Shore.