Must See D.C.

When I go to DC I have no problem finding ways to entertain myself between meetings. There are plenty of cafes and shops to duck into. I know which restaurants have prime seats near outlets and the ever important art of timing as it pertains to getting around Washington, DC (Always give yourself at least 30 minutes. Trust me). I’m always comfortable and rarely overwhelmed.

When I am asked for suggestions of places to hit up while in the nation’s capitol, it’s a different story. I suddenly find my chest tightening because I’m so on the spot. Like, if I don’t think of The Best Spot in DC then the tourist in question will have a horrible time and hate me. Every time they think of DC they’ll be reminded of the shitty restaurant in Farragut North I suggested. Such (self-inflicted) pressure.

Melissa suggested that I make up a list of my favorite spots in DC. I’m sure I’ve done this before though perhaps not. But this time I’ll have it be easily accessible and next time someone asks me for a list of things to do in DC I’m going to send them a link and wash my hands of the whole thing.

This isn’t an exhaustive list but more of a starter guide to the District of Columbia. All of these suggestions are kid tested and Heather Barmore approved. Also they are in no particular order other than whatever came to mind first. Enjoy and if you are a Washingtonian please leave your suggestions in the comments*:

1. Busboys & Poets - I think I was just hungry when this came to mind. Still, it’s local, delicious and affordable.

2. National Museum of American History - You’re in the Capital city you should get your America on.

3. Georgetown - Stroll up and down Wisconsin and M street, NW. Shop, eat and get your first tattoo.

4. Proof - Wine. Sweet, wonderful wine.

5. Old Ebbitt Grill - Oysters. A DC institution. See and be seen.

6. The Capitol - Um. Have you ever read this site before? If not then this is my home away from home. I see that rotunda from a distance and I’m the happiest kid on the block.

7. Hello Cupcake - They make a mean lemon cupcake.

8. Zatinya - Mediterranean tapas. Yes, please.

9. The Willard - The view, the drinks and the White House is down the block. Can’t go wrong.

10. Graffiato - Good food and the highlight for me was the prosecco on tap.


Honorable mentions: Eastern Market, Jaleo, Mandarin Oriental, Air and Space Museum , The Portrait Gallery, Matchbox , Raku

*Then I can compile The Most Awesome List of DC Ever. Or something.**
**Mwahahahahaha

Jinx

"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere."  ~Glenn Turner

I am ridiculously superstitious. I’m the person who picks up pennies that are heads up, I make a wish on any eyelash that falls out and the first star I see at night. I honestly believe that if I send out a request for good vibes then the universe will hear it (see it?) (I dunno) and then the bad or good thing will be OK. Lately I have had an issue with feeling jinxed. If I give even a smidgen of a detail to a confidant then whatever it is that I want will be jinxed. I give up hope thinking that I have ruined it all - whatever it is - by even mentioning the great big thing that I hope for. Isn’t that sad? Or, better yet, pathetic? Possibly adding ‘very’ to that pathetic given that I am a damn near 30 year old woman who thinks that good things happen with a simple word from my lips to God’s - or whatever deity’s or higher power’s - ear. I managed to keep something to myself for three whole days before I burst at the seams. I mean, I had to tell someone. When I finally mentioned it to my mother this morning, I did so with a big sigh. “Now it’s not going to happen”.

“You’re like me. You think you’re jinxed and you’ve ruined it. You haven’t”, she said.

But I feel nervous, especially given the last several months of my life. The perpetually unbloggable.

Honestly, I don’t feel like I’m full of bad luck but more resigned to my fate. I want something so bad that I can taste it but the past is dictating my present. Perhaps I’m jinxed forever? I don’t know. I could just really use some good luck. I’m hanging by a thread over here.

See a Bully, Stop a Bully

The problem with bullying is that it doesn’t end when grade school is over. Bullying is far more pervasive than we give it credit for and so we sometimes ignore certain tactics as we grow older. “Oh, that’s just how Jim is” will be the excuse. Sometimes it’s a boss or a colleague and that same fear that prevented us from coming out as being bullied as children is right there again. No one wants to be the tattle tale. But who wants to be continually put down and told that they’re stupid, insignificant or how little they matter? I don’t and yet I have fallen prey to being the person who doesn’t want to say anything for fear of stirring up more trouble. Just move on and apologize. Ignore it. Keep your head down. These are things that I tell myself knowing full well that it’s not right but, perhaps, a bit easier. Maybe the bully will move onto a different target if I just play dead.

Though bullying has been discussed lately thanks to the eponymous movie. Bullying that is happening in our schools to our children. As they do what I’ve always done which is to lay low. Hoping upon hope that it just blows over. Last week I wrote over at MamaPop about a different form of bullying The kind that so many of us watch and laugh at because it’s bullying for entertainment. Which makes it Ok in the eyes of so many but to me? It reinforces the point that it never ends. The bullies grow up to be bigger and stronger and, in some cases, more powerful. It’s continuous and if no one says anything then it is bound to continue. I, for one, would like for it to stop. How about you?

*'Bully' band courtesy of the American Federation of Teachers