Not Another Crock Pot

Report: Fewer gifts for mom on her special day - Washington Business Journal:: 

"According to the report, by market research company IBISWorld, Mother’s Day purchases will fall by 14.7 percent overall."

With all of my focus on the kitchen in the last six months, I think this year I'm going to try and make mom a present in there. Lest you get visions of macaroni necklaces, I'm thinking more like a yummy quick bread. 

I *know* she love banana bread. I even suspect she'd like it more than a non-noodle necklace!

Call The No Mo Shake A Ho Legal Defense Fund

Beyond Bread: DC Judiciary Committee votes to protect civil legal services: 

"Yesterday, the DC Council Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to maintain funding for civil legal services for low income DC residents."

Should your boyfriend go Full Chris Brown on you, luckily you'll still have some legal options even if you're not making RiRi's cheddar. Apparently only 2% of the domestic violence victims in this town receive legal council. That's both appalling and illuminating.

Perhaps one of the things we can do with this earmarked money is raise awareness of how to actually *tap into* it. 

That Crown Looks Itchy

Jesus H. Christ On A License Plate | The Awl (via Towleroad)

Good ol' Florida never fails to give us something to snicker about. Coming to an interstate near you: Jesus Vanity Plates. I bet Fred Phelps is going to register his car in Florida just son he can get one that sad GDHTSFGS.

Also: Jesus's pecs are serratus are so defined. What up sexy Jesus?

Closer than Iowa, Better Than Connecticut

New Hampshire State Senate Passes Marriage-Equality Bill -- Daily Intel -- New York News Blog -- New York Magazine: 

"In a surprise move, the New Hampshire State Senate passed a bill to legalize marriage between same-sex couples today."

It's not yogic to hate, so lets just say I'm not a "huge fan" of Connecticut (though connecticutions aren't bad). Amy would have a fit if I didn't get married in Iowa, I suspect, though. 

That said, it wouldn't be begrudging to tie a little marital knot in New Hampshire. 

And I'm the Pope-- Gimmie My Hat!

Marion Barry Declares Himself 'Moral Leader' at Anti-Gay D.C. Protest - Towleroad, More than gay news. More gay men:

  "Barry, the four-time married ex-con, tax-evading crack addict, declared himself a 'moral leader.'"

In others news, the CDC has reported that the Swine Flu has become airborne.  Mass panic to ensue. 

Old McFatty Had a Farm...

How to grow veggies in pots - Sunset.com

 

All you need is a generous-size container, good potting soil, and a suitable spot ― a patio, deck, or corner that gets at least six hours of full sun a day.

Has anyone had any luck planting an urban victory garden? I'm thinking about using my fire escape for this little project. Sunset had some good recommendations about pots and irrigation as well as setting up a watering system. If I could set up a little auto-waterer, I think I'd be in business. But would it break the bank? 

This calls for a trip to Home Depot.

You Can Call Me Hall, Michael Hall

PSA of the Day: Spy Museum for Free � district, schmistrict:

"The spendy Spy Museum ($18 admission) has started offering Community Nights—AKA free admission the last Wednesday evening of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. And hey, that’s tomorrow!"

Tomorrow? Nay Nay! That's today! Want to do your very best Boris and Natasha impression? Wanna get your Daniel Craig on? Head over to the Spy Museum at 800 F Street NW tonight. 

Summer Ready: 14.5 Mile Run

This is a great run: you get to spend extra time in a gorgeous section of Rock Creek Park, as well as get to appreciate the view of DC from Rosslyn. There is something special about running back on the 14th Street Bridge, a bridge so often seen from a cars vantage point.

Also, this route lets you run up on the Capitol and then play in the recently renovated easternmost side. Who doesn't love Union Station? Massachusetts is a nice slow incline, a final challenge on the last leg.

Summer Ready: New Frozen Treats!

Pitango Gelato: 

"Instead of merely using commodity ingredients that are standard in the industry, we actually go to extremes to acquire 'extreme ingredients.' For example, we use not just fresh milk or organic milk, but grass-fed organic milk. And we go the extra mile for every single ingredient, from the Bronte Pistachios that we fly in ourselves to our fresh fruits and our premium chocolates. We are not looking for deals or discounts; our suppliers know that if they have an exceptional product we'll pay the exceptional price."

So, umm, we're getting Fancy Shmancy X-treme Cream.

Let me tell you a story: Once upon a time ago, there were not one, but TWO amazing cold-treat options within stumbling distance from my house. First, there was a Jamba Juice inside the Whole Foods. Second, when they first opened that monstrosity of a building across the street, there was a TCBY. 

I know what you're saying: "But Fatty! We HATE chains!" I know, I know. For all of you chain-haters, and I am a firmly avowed member of that sect, this might sound like utter dreck. Jamba Juice? Boooo... TCBY? Hisss....

Sure, sure, but as far as Fatty Daddy over here is concerned, there is/was/will be nothing better than fat-free peanut butter frozen yogurt in the middle of summer. Nothing.

When the TCBY left, I was heart broken. When the Jamba Juice vanished, I cried. I persevered, and even learned to make my own tasty icy treats (mostly booze).

Everything old seems to be new again!

Enter: Pitango Gelato. 

With advocates throughout Baltimore, Pitango is flying high with a new expansion onto the 1400 block of P Street, right between the Wachovia and the Lululemon!

There are lots and lots of 5 Star reviews on Yelp, which sure does bode well. I don't know if this will end up being one of those twice the price-twice the buisness dealies, but if that darn stationary store can hold out, I'm sure a gelato joint has a chance.

What're some Yelpers saying?

"By far the best gelato I've had outside of Italy." -- Tu-Van

"Went in with high expectations and Pitango met them."- Ji K.

"The cappucinos are also perfectly reminiscent of Italy, and they serve as excellent hangover cures." -- YelpSucks L.

It can't be all good, can it? Well, there were a few in the minority who thought that the selection was little low (I imagine they rotate flavors regularly, with over 25 different varieties listed on their site). 

The number one negative? Like everything new in my little neighborhood:

"It is very expensive."

I bet it is. I think Meghan paid six bucks for half a pint of Dulcezza at the Farmer's Market this past Sunday, so we'll see how it goes. In the meantime: woo hoo. If there is a chance for me to get peanut butter gelato, I'm in. 

And, if uber-pricey gelato isn't your thing, theres *always* my go to: Mr. Yogato.

Fat Box

PURESKIN LLC | Skin Rejuvenation For Face And Body | Home:

"Dr. Mordon’s conclusion: “A 40-minute stay (in the Slimdome) can result in 5% reduction in body weight similar to the reduction induced by physical exercise.”"

This fat box boasts magic powers: 600 calories burned in 40 mintues of just sitting around. I've never put any thought into the difference between oily sweat and regular sweat, but this box promises "perspiration from sebaceous glands," aka the sweat made during endurance training.

I don't know that I completely buy it. Do you?

Gwenyth's Salad Dressing

I can't believe I'm reposting a recipe from Gwenyth Paltrow. I don't make nearly enough money to be chillin' with Madonna's bestie, but that doesn't mean I can't steal some of her dietitian's very best secrets. 

Anyway, regardless of what you think about Chris Martin's Missus,  I think this dressing is slamming. You can get the rest of her salad recipe from the "Detox" issue of her newsletter, GOOP.

I feel the same way about Burberry as I do about GOOP. I get laughs and occasionally inspiration from those who live a dramatically different life (read: more money more ...something...). Okay, from GOOP, there's a higher laughter-to-inspire ratio, but whatever. Not unlike Burberry, if I save my pennies, I can take one of the good ideas home.

This dressing counts as a good one:

• 1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
  
• 1 large shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
  
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh ginger
  
• 1 tablespoon sweet white miso
  
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  
• 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seed oil
  
• 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
  
• 2 tablespoons water

Throw everything in a blender/food processor/magic bullet and call it a day. With all the fresh arugula and delicious greens coming up at the Farmer's Market, I'm sure you won't lack for something yummy to throw this simple recipe on.

Maybe I'll Finally Find Dolly Parton's Heartbreaker on Vinyl!

The Vinyl District: Save The Date! | The Washington, DC Record Fair Returns, Saturday, May 9!: 

"The Washington, DC Record Fair Saturday, May 9 from 10:00am to 4:00 pm at The Warehouse Next Door—30 dealers from up and down the east coast—full bar—food—CHUCK BROWN!—10 DJs—Daptone raffles—bargains—the LP you thought you'd NEVER find..."

I've been trying to hunt down a copy of Dolly Parton's disco-drenched late 70's album Heartbreaker for about two months now. My digital download quests have proved fruitless, and while I've yet to get off my lazy ass and check out one of my fair city's vinyl destinations, I'm much more likely to find the motivation with a big bunch of bins to rifle through at once.

So, I guess I'll be burrowing through milk crates on Saturday. 

Warehouse Next Door: 1021 7th St. NW

May 9th: 10am-4pm

I reckon a good ol' fashioned "Come Early" seems appropriate for this kind of thing. But, secretly, I'm hard pressed to believe someone wants my Dolly Album as much as I do. 

Now, to find that cardboard Dolly cutout...

CraftWeek DC Kicks Off; Free Event in Mid City

"Free in DC" Free Events & Things to Do in DC!: UPCOMING: Highlighted Free Events from CraftWeek DC!:

 "FRIDAY, April 24th
Love Calls Us to the Things of This World
11:00am - 6:00pm

Irvine Contemporary Gallery owner Martin Irvine calls Shawne Major's exhibition of found-object tapestries, featuring fabric scraps, beads and other detritus (on view through May 16) 'over-the-top.' Looking at pictures of the New Orleans-based artist's work, Tate says it looks as if Larry Fuente's 'Game Fish' -- a favorite Renwick Gallery sculpture in the shape of a sailfish made of old toys -- had 'mated with a quilt.'" 

The Irvine Contemporary (1412 14th Street NW) seems to always be on point with their shows. Sometimes gorgeous, sometimes grotesque, the artists they select always make me think. Love it.

As Craft Week DC kicks off, the gallery is kind enough to host a free event. It doesn't hurt that IC is in the heart of Mid City, and really just downstairs. I'll stick my nose in. 

          

Protesters Come To Me

Vandalism Arrests Amid IMF and World Bank Meetings- washingtonpost.com

“An off-duty D.C. police officer working security at a drug store this morning spotted the six breaking windows of a Wachovia Bank branch and a PNC bank branch in the 1400 block of P St NW, Crane said. The officer arrested two of the suspects."

If I were a protester (and occasionally I am), I'd be sure to target my message for effect. The six would-be Guerra's who ruined the view from my window (by smashing someone else's) seem to have missed a few points:

Firstly, the PNC isn't a megabank like Citibank, and thusly probably didn't really deserve to have all of its windows smashed in. 

Secondly, the poor bastards whose cars were trashed with spray probably didn't deserve to have to head over to Maaco this afternoon. 

All I can think is that stupid freakin' overprivledged children need to move the fuck along. Its like the girl who was flipping out at the cashier for giving her a brown bag when she said she didn't want one: you're issues needn't be taken out on undeserving folk, no matter how much stock you put in your "cause."

As for the girl yelling at the cashier, I quickly silenced her with a "who do you think you, are acting like this in public?" kind of rebuke. The cashier's eyes said thank you, the girl's said "I make more money than her I can do what I want." 

She did sheepishly apologize. Its good that the other folks were apprehended with immediacy, maybe the repairs for the cars and windows won't come out of pocket. 

One good thing: the local economy got a little nudge, as I saw people working on a Saturday, towin' and fixin'!

Overprivlidged Councilman Pisses on Working Class (Literally)

Harold Brazil Alleges Racist Epithet Preceded His Pissing on Shop Floor - City Desk - Washington City Paper: 

"In an October confrontation at a Georgetown tattoo parlor, former D.C. Councilmember Harold Brazil pissed on the shop floor, according to testimony this morning in his trial on misdemeanor assault charges at D.C. Superior Court. His attorney argues that he was provoked in the most vile manner possible."

When I got tattooed this week, the only kerfuffle was whether or not I took sugar in my coffee (I don't) and exactly where Ganesh's fire-flowers were going to go. 

I love DC. With respect to other notorious incidents from our elected officials, I suspect that Mr. Brazil won't be as fortuitous as our Mayor4Life: I don't see reelection in this guys future.

Protests: Not Enough To Do Edition

Topeka Church Protests at Bethesda's Walt Whitman School Over Poet's Sexuality - washingtonpost.com:

 "A group of seven congregants from Topeka, Kan., set up outside Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda yesterday to protest the sexual orientation of the poet for whom the school was named."

The convergence of idiocy and automotives leads to these ridiculous Westboro (you know, the Fred Phelp douches) Bapitst folks driving up into my neck of the woods to protest... what exactly? The name on the school? Perhaps some synergy between the two schools of thought: Jesus Hates Fags High? That way, we mention the gays and the risen Lord.

I can barely scrape the money together for a two-week vacation (you don't teach, you don't get paid)! Where do these fools get the expendable cash? 

One more reason to never go to a pancake supper in Kansas.

Where Am I Going to Get a Fuzzy Address Book?

Is Claire’s Going Under? -- The Cut: New York Magazine's Fashion Blog

I have much in common with a fourteen year old girl: love of glitter, pop music, and insecurities that come out as bitchiness! 

I'd miss Claire's if it died!

Maybe They Won't Be In My Way...

Bailout Critics Likely to Join IMF/World Bank Protesters - washingtonpost.com

I teach over at the IMF facility here in the district, working very hard to help these fine folks relax. The ranting of protesters have very little effect on the goings-on within the four walls of these buildings, something I suppose our would-be world changers may not want to hear.

The rabblerousers do, however, explain once and for all why the cafeteria they have inside is so great. I wouldn't want to have to go outside, either. I hope they're not too unruly as I make my way over there today. With all of the foreign national smarty-pants there this today, I sure hope its not too crazy getting in.

Times Are Tough, Bears Shit in Woods, Summer is Hot, Etc.

Wonkette : Say Good-Bye To 25% of America’s Remaining Companies

This makes me worry-- as I prepare to launch Mid City Yoga, my new business, news stories like this make me worry.

My parents own a small business in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and they're holding on by skin of their teeth. I know exactly how tough times are, and yet I still need to scythe my way ahead through the bush and bullshit. Here's hoping that prediction is terribly high.

"Awakening" to New Art

Metro reveals planned art for Silver Line stations - Greater Greater Washington

I don't care for a lot of the public art displays here in the district. They moved "The Awakening" out to Arlington, which created a real dearth of reasons to go out all the way to Haines Point. The Pandas, Donkies, and Elephants are long since gone (mostly)... these look promising.

14th & You: Birch & Barley, ChurchKey Headed to Logan

I couldn't have been happier when Hamburger Mary's became Dakota Cowgirl-- I thought for sure we were getting a decent burger joint in the hood. I was wrong.

I was happy to see it close, thinking it would quickly become something much more smashing. 

"Quick" it hasn't been.

I heard a few months ago we were getting a new restaurant called Birch & Barley as well as a beer mecca called ChurchKey. And now, some news!

From 14th and You:

According to Pfau, B&B will feature a "modern American menu [that] will pay homage to beer in every way." Morales, who will stay on as executive chef at Alexandria's Rustico, is planning a menu that will feature wood-fired artisanal pizzas, as well as more unique dishes such as "duck confit and Kabocha squash crepes with grilled Mandarin orange and roasted red pepper." Altogether now: Mmmmmmm.

I suppose from the sounds of that, I can be more patient. Mmmm is right!

But, that's just downstairs. What about upstairs, in what used to be Titans Ramrod (that name!)? 

Upstairs, Engert will oversee the selection for beer-heavy "ChurchKey", which will serve over 550 beers representing over 100 styles and 30 countries. 

American food might be my least favorite kind, but the beer pairings... I dream of this kind of stuff.

14th & You: Birch & Barley, ChurchKey Headed to Logan

Summer Ready: 6.3 Mile Run

There are so many reasons this is my most regular (and favorite) run.

The inflorescence upon the slopes of rock creek park? Yes. The monuments? Clearly. 

This run gives a look at the Kennedy Center and the Watergate, and during Cherry Blossom season, there are few better ways to peep the pink.

And lest I forget, this run is an opportunity to visit my favorite river-- the Potomac. I grew up along this body of water, never in my whole adult life living  more than about 2 miles from her. It is truly the way home.

Summer Ready: Lifting!

I mentioned in the last Summer Ready post that I'd been following the Lee Hayward 12 Week Workout Plan and that's very true. I've sort of needed a plan of attack to get my body right. I'm pretty down with all things fitness-- I "get" nutrition, both in the idea of understanding it as well as eating right. I try to keep a balanced diet as best I can, combining my proteins and my carbies (both simple and complex) and eating them when they will be most effective (post workout, after a night of binge drinking, etc).  

Lee's plan has you continually lift heavy, adding weights nearly weekly. How's that? By lifting heavy, but not to failure. It has also allowed me to lift virtually injury free. That's pretty awesome, because in general, my form sucks. Oh, I focus on it, but often I look like a retarded mallard when dead lifting, and I have to stare at the mirror to make sure my ass is getting low enough when I squat.

I followed the 12-Week plan to the letter (getting a little screwy in the last two or so weeks because of the National Marathon), and saw my arms increase in size as well as my legs decrease. Also, my ass got a little nicer. Hell yeah. 

I'll be keeping track of my lifts here, give 'em a try yourself. Here was yesterday's:

Exercise	Weight	#Completed
Squat [5 sets of 5]	270	5
Standing Calf Raise [5/10]	180	5
Chin Ups [4 until fail]	---	4,5, 5,5

I "super set" the squats, calf raises and chin ups back to back. The calf raises were done with the same weight as the squats, so that made it easier to go a little faster. I worked up a nice sweat, and my calves really responded to the weight. Don't cheat yourself out of maximum height with the calf raises, and do hold them at the top of your lift for a second. You'll notice a difference quickly. 

My chin-ups aren't quite to where I'd like them to be, but I'm still working on them. My lower back is getting stronger, and now that Ganesh lives on my shoulder and lats, I suppose I should work to give him more canvas by getting stronger. 

Exercise	Weight	#Completed
Dead Lifts [5/5]	180	5
Leg Lifts [5/30]	---	5

I wore a lifting belt for the first time today when doing my dead lifts. Dead lifts always scare me a little, but Aric who has the body of, like, the Hulk (only not green and stuff) and swears by them. So, I swear by them. I'd been doing stiff-leg deads for the past few weeks, so it was nice to get back to the full dead lift.  I again super-setted-- this time the deads and the leg raises.  Its important to to keep the thighs a little above parallel when doing the deads, unlike the squats, which go below parallel.  

Summer Ready

Its quite easy to start bitching about gaining weight. I'm a marathon runner, yoga teacher, and pretty damn active guy. I also really, really dig food. One of my greatest passions is eating. This leads to me getting fatty fat fat.

I used to be much, much bigger than I am now, and have managed to keep between 80 and 110lbs off for (gasp) a decade come this October.  

Early last September, I decided to take what I dubbed "The Tara Challenge," named for my dear friend Tara McRedie. In as few words as possible, it meant that every meal that I ate solo I had to prepare myself. I especially wanted to focus on minimizing anything that came from a box. Your's truly was finally learning to cook! As it turns out, I don't just like eating, I really like the craft of preparing a meal, too. Since early September, I've only cheated once (in the guise of a bagel omelet from Cosi).  

Then came January. I've been lushtastic for as long as I've been svelte, but after realizing that the sauce was keeping me from my potential as a yoga practitioner, I decide to severely limit my hooch. No drinks after work, no casual happy hour, no "de-stressing" via alcohol. Period.  It was like a Tara Reid Challenge, a sort of self imposed rehab.

Drinking was to be minimized to very special occasions. Wild nights out and single glasses of wine had the same effect, generally speaking, on my life. Useless calories, stupid hangovers, inflexibility, and a lack of clarity in general all came from the same bottle. So, I decided to limit my drinks to 10 Wild Cards. One drink or ten, a wild card is in play for 36 hours. 

I've stuck to it, and still have 2 Wild Cards left, right on schedule  Hooray!

I've also been lifting between four days a week since January 2nd. I've been following the Lee Hayward 12 Week Plan, which I've now modified. As of Saturday, I've changed my diet as well. 

More on each topic as the week goes on.

The Most Fun You Can Have On Top Of The Sheets

"I told you to get on your knees! Not get on MY knees!"

-- how we knew we wouldn't be dating

I'm used to guys getting on their knees for me, but this isn't quite what the dirty boy in me had in mind. 

The guys in this videos are pretty outrageous. Their contortion and balancing abilities are inspiring. I hestitate to call it "yoga", but it for sure is asana-based contortion. 

I find this sort of dual asana enticing and compelling. As you may know, I practice often with Meghan Guilino, whose backbends are killer. She's 125lbs on a "thick" day, but she's also strong, tall, and though I have 70lbs (not for long) on her, we tend to get our partner yoga on damn well. Meghan and I have even hosted a small partner yoga clinic.

The notion of giving ones trust to a partner completely has very clear resonance on an off the mat. Allowing a partner to sit on your feet while they pull your head until the back is a complete circle and your timid toes are on  suddenly your now not so faraway forehead doesn't seem so scary when in the context of the microcosm of a studio's four walls. You need to implicitly and truly trust. And when you do, you can soar to new heights, bend to new lows, and perhaps find freedom in surrender.

How often are we able to give ourselves so completely to the world? With our lovers? Our friends?  

I'm a wolfish Type A dressed in the sheepish garb of a Type B. This week I've been given lots of opportunities to surrender (hours of ink, a solid nutrition plan, bed times) and I'm feeling all the better for it. Where do you have trouble letting go?

Museum Fun!

I'm on the Mall three or four times a week running, and I ride down to the HUD building at 7th and D Street SW every week to teach. I tend to avoid the Air and Space Smithsonian (and most of that sort of tourist ilk) due to my kid aversion.  I do pass by the Hirschorn and a bunch of other not so kid-filled Museums, and they're the spots that tend to get my footraffic. What could draw me in to one of our fair cities more fanny pack friendly museums? 

Pretending to be a forensic anthropologist, perhaps.

Wanna pretend to be Bones as much as I do? Head over to the Natural History Museum for what the Museum is dubbing Forensic Fridays. Check it out this Friday (4.24.09)

Forensic Anthropology Lab: "In the Lab, visitors of all ages will learn that forensic science is far more mysterious and engaging than forensic fiction. They will use real human bones to identify and describe the gender and status of people from the past and draw conclusions about their lives. The focus of the Lab is to help visitors to use the tools and problem solving skills of forensic anthropology to collect and analyze data the way that forensic anthropologists do."

I hear there might be some carnal knowledge between the Bones and the Booth (who will always be Angel from Buffy) on the show this season. Just sayin'. 

Daily Dork Dose: Are you a BatDork?

If you were to put me head-to-head with a real comic book geek, I'd lose the fight quickly and handily. That being said, I know more than your average boy about the inner workings of the DC Multiverse.

That's why this was a good catch-up on the goings-on over at my fave set of titles of all time: the Batman Books.

• IGN: Batman: Battle for the Cowl Reader's Guide
  

High in the Sky

Some of you may know Erin Jackson, but for those of you that don't, let me tell you this: she's an incredible comedic talent. She's made it to Ellen, tours all over the country, and also happens to be a dear pal.

She flies more than most due to the nature of the stand-up biznass. Okay, maybe not as much as a lot of other people, but whatever, she flies here and there.

I really don't know how much she flies. I'm just making stuff up, but I suspect she flies a good bit. I'm sure more than me. 

Anyway, I wish I could have been on this plane to give in one of the potentially best "Oh, snap!"s of my life.

Airplane Venom, Pt. III at You’re Welcome…

A Little Yoga

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

(One Footed King Pigeon Pose)

About two months ago I had a breakthrough in my practice: I was finally able to get the foot to the back of my head with regularity. I've been practicing since I was eighteen and thorasic spine flexibility hasn't ever been my forte. I'm much more open in my hips. 

But as my teachers have told me, as I integrate yoga more deeply into my life on and off the mat, the postures will awaken for me.  

This video was taken on March 4th. I'll do a follow up in May.

4/20 to 420

For most of my peers, April 20th has a sort of giggle-and-high-five kind of association. Good on 'em, as I'm a bit libertarian in my decriminalization and victimless crime beliefs. 

I have a much more fun association (who knew that was possible?).

Today is my dog's, Sebastian's, birthday. Happy 4th Birthday Sebastian! Sebastian, in human years, is officially older than me. 

The common adage was that dogs matured at a rate of 7 to 1. That is seven dog years for every human year. Apparently, that's a bit inaccurate. The common thinking now is that for the first 2 years there are 10 and a half dog years, and then 4:1 after that. 

Accordingly, Sebastian is 29! I hope he takes it better than Monique did.

Links:

• Capitol Hemp!
  
• 420 (cannabis culture) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• High Times | May-09 | Inside | Zinio Digital Magazines
  

Weclome

Well, howdy.

My name's Michael and I'm a yoga teacher and cocktail slinger by trade. I've been inebriating people professionally for as long as I've been working and I've been working to enlighten others (har har) for about a tenth of that time. I'd rather spend the rest of my life doing some semblance of the latter but have no doubts I'll be drenched in the former for years to come.

Speaing of years, I've been living in the thick of Logan Circle for years now. Long enough to remember the friendly prostitutes, a time before the Whole Foods was finished, and when Halo was a porn & poppers type video rental.  I've been sneaking around this nowadays dazzling corner since before I was legally allowed to be driving.

I love it here. 

I occasionally feel like Belle from the opening scene of Beauty & the Beast when walking through my hood... you know, "Good Day! Bonjour!" to every check out person and compatriot dog walker. Anyway, its that sort of insight that I'll be bringing to 14th and P Street's newest chunk of cyberspace.

(When did we stop using the term cyberspace? I guess asking someone if they want to "cyber" is about as anachronistic as my old BBS screen name CompuKid)

Anyway, welcome. You'll see lots and lots of yoga stuff, local sales, silly celebrity musings, and whatever else tickles my pickle. 

Enjoy.