SnOwMG 2K10

Here are some pictures from the blizzardeque snowstorm in the DC metro area. I picked the title SnOwMG, but you could also call it the Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, the Tsnownami, or the Flurricane. Take your pick. Not the amount of snow you were expecting? Well don't worry....it's still accumulating. These pictures are all from my neighborhood in Alexandria, VA. Additional fun fact: the 7-11 here is open, of course.







Colin took these last two. You can see more of his Snowmageddon photos at colinreusch.com where he has galleries of more of his bomb-stuff photos for your enjoyment. He's kind of a pro, his photos rock pretty hard.Here's the current measure: 14 inches. While we were out there taking photos, it was snowing enough to accumulate on my cap.

Comcast:: X!$@!!#

You know how sometimes if you love someone a whole lot and then feel like there are none of the right words to describe it? This is like my feelings for Comcast except the feeling are not about love, they are about hate. I really hate Comcast. And don't think I'm just being trendy. I know everyone hates Comcast, but I'm pretty sure that everyone is justified in those feelings.

In the past month, a modest estimate of my time on the phone with Comcast is 4 hours. During this last month, I have lost internet for 18 days, was not contacted by customer service representatives when promised, and was continued to be charged for my service. Every time I call in, the customer service representatives on the phone are unable to find any record of my past problems, and I start back at square one. What's worst about this is that I have no knowledge of computers to explain my problems. I'm always saying "You know, I went to pick up a new box that makes the internet, but it wouldn't talk to my computer."

Additionally, every time I call, there are not enough customer service representatives to handle the volume of calls (read: complaints), and I am put on hold. They could make things easier on us by hiring enough employees to take my angry phone calls about their craptacular service, you know, if they don't decide to just go ahead and stop providing the worst service possible.

My least favorite thing, though, is that Comcast makes me mean. I have a high tolerance for poor customer service. For one thing, I know what it's like to work a crappy job, and I like to sympathize with other employees. But I have my limits. I can only be told that my problem are above someone's paygrade and that I have to call back and try again so many times before I lose my cool. I don't usually like to say, "I'm sorry, but are you really making me call in again?", but I do it because they make me. Gah, I'm so mean. Really though, you should have heard my tone.

But now, it seems that Comcast has found a way to diffuse my anger without fixing any of the crappiest things about their customer service. What they're changing is their name. Taking a page out of Blackwater's book who re-branded to Xe to shrug of their deservedly terrible reputation, Comcast will become XFINITY.

Very tricky, Comcast. Try to make me feel like I am getting service form a new company who deserves a chance. I'm not dumb enough to fall for that that. But, what you have done is ruin all of my favorite combinations of expletives involving the Comcast name. How will I say, "X!##@# Comcast @@!!#," or "@**# %##& Comcast" to release my negative energy? Re-branding really does take away some of the negative feelings associated with the comany's name, whether or not I would like to maintain my same level of anti-Comcast sentiments.

Saying "I %&## hate XFINITY'" just won't feel the same. At least not without some practice. The moral of the story is that Comcast doesn't need to re-brand, they just need to stop sucking at providing internet.

Georgetown Cupcake: Robber Barons of Cupcakes

Sometimes it's pretty hard to separate the facts from the fictions in the fast moving business scene of DC cupcakes. For example, we've all heard the one about how cupcakes are a part of a government conspiracy to systematically kill off the nation's elderly. You just can't put any stock in it. The people spreading these viscous cupcakes lies are the very same who can't get through a conversation without reminding you that Hitler liked cupcakes. Though typically I'd rather wait for the smoke to clear and gather some facts, today I heard a rumor is just too juicy. So I'm running with it. Georgetown Cupcake is about to have it's own reality show on TLC. Or so I've heard.

This is pretty big news. Ok, ok. It's huge. This is a game changer. It appeared, although only momentarily, that the DC cupcake industry had reached its maximum potential. But, if true, the move to a nationally broadcast reality show could bring an even larger cupcake market to the area via cupcake tourism. The show is anticipated to air on TLC. Considering the success that Jersey Shore has brought to the hair gel industry, I think that a reality TV show could have stunning implications on the cupcake industry. But, this show raises some important questions about Georgetown Cupcake's role in the local industry and even questions about the cupcakes industry as a whole.

Georgetown Cupcake is already the Goliath or the local market, beating out all other cupcakeries as far as name recognition and fame. Now, however, it seems that they may have just become the robber barons of the cupcake industry. Although I don't quite think we could call it vertical or horizontal consolidation, but if this TV show becomes a reality, I think we can consider the local cupcake market cornered. There is just no sort of publicity like a reality television show. Although DC cupcakes in general will undoubtedly gain more fame, it's hard to tell whether or not an expansion of Georgetown Cupcake's reach will have an impact on the smaller, upstart cupcakeries. This has got all cupcake enthusiasts questioning how far the cupcake industry can expand before the bubble bursts. There are so many cupcakeries in the DC Metro area that only three people in the world have been to be able them all. And one of them is dead.

Don't get me wrong, being big in and of itself is not bad. I don't blame Georgetown Cupcake for being successful. I just hope that DC is able to maintain it's cupcake diversity. It's really impossible to tell whether this is a good move or not for Georgetown Cupcake and how exactly it will change the cupcake game. A tastefully done reality show is rare; I bet I can't name five. The show about Georgetown Cupcake is rumored to be in production for TLC, the same station that airs I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant, and countless shows about people with irresponsible amounts of children and drama. This might make me think twice if it weren't for Cake Boss. Everybody loves Cake Boss. Plus, I can't imagine Georgetown Cupcake having a show that's anything but class. I think the biggest risk is becoming too trendy. Let's not forget about Beanie Babies. Or subprime mortgages.

I am SO Lame.

I loved the movie Julie and Julie. And I am so lame that I went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History to get my picture taken at Julia Child's kitchen just like in the movie. I should hate myself.

American Indian Museum Cafeteria- Mitsitam Cafe

In big cities, I think there is a general disdain for all things "touristy" among the local populations. People give sideways glances to those who appear inept at riding the Metro, accompanied by a smug smiles which express a presumption that outsiders must be somehow provincial and will undoubtedly be doped some tourist trap, like a Segway tour, during their stay in the city. It's hopeless.
But, I can think of one exception to the general rule of local disdain for places with a touristy vibe: The Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian. Ever since I arrived in DC, I have been hearing about how delicious the cafeteria food is at this museum. People I know who work on Capital Hill will take the trek to the museum to enjoy lunch, braving the Smithsonian crowds for the sake of enjoying buffalo meat. That's saying a lot; people working on Capital Hill are among the most likely to seek out the trendy, high-powered mix-and-mingle sort of settings, not quite what you would expect from a museum cafeteria. I knew the food must be good. So, this year for my birthday, we went for lunch in the Mitsitam Cafe.

I was very impressed with the setup of the cafe, which was separated into different stations reflecting geographic regions so as to showcase the diversity of cuisine of American Indians. The menu is pretty extensive, and although the cafe is set up cafeteria style, the food is the quality you would expect to find at a sit down restaurant. The cafe uses both traditional and contemporary recipes. Everything looked so delicious that it was really hard to make a selection.
I decided on a pulled buffalo sandwich and chili fries. My choice of meal requires a slightly more detailed and personal explanation. For the past few months, I have been trying to significantly decrease the amount of meat I eat. Being unable to control my attraction/repulsion for documentaries about food production and the food industry, I have developed what you could call a fear of meat. While a more detailed explanation of my position on meat may eventually follow, right now, all I care to explain is that this has led me to develop a "Meat Bucket List" for meats that I plan to eat before I die, even if I decide to otherwise not eat meat. Top on my list: Buffalo Sandwich from the Misitam Cafe. Check.


This, as you can probably tell, was delicious.Colin ended up getting tamales, fry bread with a berry chili compote, and some sort of vegetable dish. Also very delicious.So, if you are even in one of the Smithsonian museums and don't want to eat at the Donatos you will find at one of the other museums, this is the spot to hit. It's a little more pricey, but sooo worth it. And it will leave you looking contented and full. If you're from the area, you don't have to feel lame for going to the museum to eat; you are not alone. If you're not from the area, you've just found a place that's where the cool kids eat. Rock on.

Artfully Chocolate

Today felt like a cupcake kind of day. No two ways about it, the sun would not set on this day, January 20th 2010 (pronounced twenty ten, thanks) in the year of our Lord, without me having a cupcake. But, as it came to pass, I got both a little bit more an a little bit less than I bargained for.

Colin and I set out with my new magic GPS, TomTom, harnessing the power of the satellites to find Artfully Chocolate in Arlington, where I expected that I could buy some cupcakes by Couture Cupcakes. Unfortunately, Artfully Chocolate no longer carries Couture Cupcakes, but had teensy-tiny cupcakes bites instead. Granted, this is not a cupcake bakery, or even a bakery at all. These cupcakes were meant to be accessories to a delicious chocolaty drink. But, as I said, there was no way I wasn't getting a cupcake today; in fact, I decided to get two. They were the size of cupcake that you would give to a baby. But the deal gets a little sweeter.Artfully Chocolate is a mainly a confectionery and hot chocolatier. We decided that we wouldn't really be experiencing Artfully Chocolate without trying the hot chocolate. These are not your mother's hot chocolates (unless your mother happens to own Artfully Chocolate, in which case congratulations). These are slightly exotic chocolates, called diva chocolates, named after famous leading ladies. I got the Judy Garland, which was milk chocolate and hazelnut. It was purely decadent, like drinking candy. Colin got the Lucy, which was semi-sweet chocolate with chipotle and cinnamon. It tasted a bit like Red Hots dissolved in chocolate, which I think is a good thing. Plus, how appropriate a drink to name after Lucille Ball!This was some of the best hot chocolate I have ever had. I won't claim to be a chocolate connoisseur, or even close to one, but I feel pretty sure that this was top notch stuff. Plus it was an adorable place. It is decorated in art that is for sale. Even the tables, which are really cool/cute are for sale. And it's old-towny (but not Old Town). Check it out:PS: Where are you Couture Cupcakes?!?!? You have been on my cupcake list for ages. You are like my Holy Grail. Or, I am King Pellinore and you are the Questing Beast. Take your pick of Arthurian questing motif, because it applies to you.

PSS: All photo credit for this post goes to Colin Reusch.

Rules of the Lunch Counter

The lunch counter at Eastern Market: not just good for a delicious meal, but also for a learning experience. This is no regular lunch. It's a lunch with rules.There are official rules posted at the start at the lunch line, which during busy periods wraps through the market's South Hall, to order food. Two things about this make a lot of sense. With a long line and a limited amount of space at the lunch counter, it makes sense to have some rules. Second, with foods that look this delicious, it makes sense that there would be unruly crowds of people scheming to get their food as quickly as possible.

The rules to the lunch counter are hard and fast:

1) Seating is provided for customers only.
2) You are considered a customer only when you have food in your hands.
3) NO saving seats.
4) No laptops when the lunch counter is busy. (I like this one)
5) There are no exceptions to the rules. (I really like this one).

So in summary, there is no messing around at the lunch counter. I think that's the rule the insist on most. Act a-fool and you'll get called out for it. The process is designed to accommodate as many people as possible to purchase food, sit at the counter, and move along. And this is how I came to be yelled at during my lunch counter experience. I deserved it, too.
One of the unwritten rules of the lunch counter is that you have to be ready with your order number to accept your food. Entranced by other people's meals and going through my traditional experience of order envy as I watch food passing by, I was oblivious to this part of the process. Eventually, after my number had apparently been called multiple times, one of the employees pointed at me and yelled "YOU! It's YOUR ORDER!" As I fumbled for my receipt to check, she repeated "It's YOUR order. Go get it!" Accepting my grilled cheese with a red face, I had to acknowledgment that I had disrupted the delicate ecosystem of lunch counter. I had acted a-fool.However, I came to learn that yelling is just part of the status quo for the lunch counter. While we were there we also heard shouts of "If you are finished eating you have to leave! Give your seat to someone else!" We also witnessed a bit of citizen patrol against those unrightfully saving seats.

Aside from being a little intimidated by the procedure and embarrassed from my lunch counter faux pas, I really enjoyed myself. Sitting at the lunch counter takes you to another place and time, although I am not exactly sure what time or place that would be. It just beings about a feeling of nostalgia for something that likely never existed in the way that you think about it...like the 1950s.

Colin and I both enjoyed our food a lot, but I think we grew a little jealous of what other people had: crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, fried shrimp, cole slaw. Our food was good, but their food was fried. It was fun to talk to the people sitting at the counter, who recommended the breakfast menu to us and told of their relationship to the Market lunch. One woman at our table had been going since childhood, another couple for 20 years. But soon, out plates were empty and it was time for us to haul out. I was not about to make the mistake of lingering lest I again upset the processes necessary to run a lunch counter. Mostly, I didn't want to get yelled at again. So we left, and it was good and right.