Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The fight for our country is always worth it. ~Kamala Harris

You cannot shame the shameless.

If you don’t believe freedom is for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom, it is privilege.

People identifying as christian while ignoring christ and his teachings is a strange thing indeed.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

It’s all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

Consistently wrong since 2002

This fight is for everything.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

These days, even the boring Republicans are nuts.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

The National Guard is not Batman.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Mediocre white men think RFK Jr’s pathetic midlife crisis is inspirational. The bar is set so low for them, it’s subterranean.

The rest of the comments were smacking Boebert like she was a piñata.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

We’re watching the self-immolation of the leading world power on a level unprecedented in human history.

“Just close your eyes and kiss the girl and go where the tilt-a-whirl takes you.” ~OzarkHillbilly

I like political parties that aren’t owned by foreign adversaries.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

You are here: Home / Balloon Juice / Meetups / Final Posting: NoVa-MD-DC Meetup, TONIGHT, Tuesday 14 June

Reader Interactions

79Comments

  4. 4.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Gin & Tonic: I was just checking. I thought I had been to 4th of July events already this year, so, if it’s still June, I might want to check in with a nice doctor.

  5. 5.

    elmo

    I’m a maybe. I said at the bottom of the last thread – I don’t take the Metro downtown because it would mean the Green Line from Branch Ave, and that’s a dangerous thing to do at night. So it’ll depend on my exhaustion level and ability to find parking.

  6. 6.

    Sherparick

    Happy Bastille Day or as Madame LeFarge would say “Guillotine the Aristocrats.” Meanwhile, for the best election coverage, I go to the Guardian which has an excellent article on Scott Walker (apparently the Guardian reporter thinks he should like “report” on Mr. Walker’s actual policies rather that write about the mystery of Scott not getting a degree from Marquette 25 years ago). theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/14/scott-walker-wisconsin-divisive-governor-elections.

    Wish I could come for the meet up.

  8. 8.

    Boudica

    I move from Texas to Virginia and can finally attend one of these and it’s a night I already have plans! I’ll have to make the next one.

  9. 9.

    Bobby B.

    Looks like you’re right in the target area for KFC, so get some $5 Fillup buckets, with a big ole cooookie.

  10. 10.

    Elizabelle

    @Sherparick:
    @elmo:

    elmo: would love to see you there tonight, and you can meet Mme Duinne.

    That said, some possibility of a second meetup next week — and Valdivia (and boatboy) put together numerous possibilities.

    Sherparick: wish you could be there too! And still on the hunt for Mumphrey.

    Believe divF said he/she might be in town; could be our traveling guest of honor.

    divF: be in touch!

  15. 15.

    SFAW

    @jeffreyw:
    Well, I opted not to use “Bend over and cough” in my original comment, out of respect for the sensibilities of others here.

    It’s a good thing you have other redeeming qualities. Unlike me.

  16. 16.

    raven

    Damn, I’m dumping Charter for Dish and the install is at noon. I’ve gotten numerous texts. phone calls and emails alerting me! I guess a lot of people pay for this and then are not home when they come to hook it up?

  18. 18.

    Elizabelle

    from elmo, last thread: does anyone have any parking suggestions for elmo?

    Metro for me means the Green Line out of Branch Ave, and my fat middle-aged female ass has been advised to stay well clear. When I go downtown, I always drive. And get hopelessly lost. And struggle to find parking.

    FWIW, I’ve had luck parking close to the National Building Museum. I think (not sure) on street parking opens again at 6:30, if there are any rush hour restrictions. It’s basically 3 long blocks away, on the other side of the Verizon Center.

    What time might you arrive downtown?

  22. 22.

    boatboy_srq

    @raven: Satellite is always more -um, interesting – to install because of the great honking satellite dish hardware involved. Cable/FiOS install often is little more than 1) plug new hardware into already-wired residence and 2) wait for provider to throw the switch, so folks get used to being away when service gets turned on.

  23. 23.

    Elizabelle

    Some info on DC parking: check this out: we’re near the International Spy Museum and the Portrait Gallery and Verizon Center. Hope they have some good suggestions.

    Parking restrictions do end at 6:30 p.

    @elmo for the d’uh file: can you perhaps find cheaper parking somewhere upstream along the green line, and switch to Metro there? Wish I knew the area better!

  24. 24.

    boatboy_srq

    @Elizabelle: Would King St work? It’s across the river, true, but it’d be decent for parking and not TOO bad for metro travel. Change at Rosslyn (those of us headed West can help with that).

  25. 25.

    elmo

    @Elizabelle: Thanks for the help! Actually Branch Ave is the terminal station along the green line, and it’s the closest to my house; but I wouldn’t ride the green line after dark on a bet. I’ll see if Mrs. Elmo has any thoughts.

  26. 26.

    raven

    @boatboy_srq: I had a big dish years ago when there were only 12 channels per bird. This will be nothing compared to that install! Plus I’m getting the Wireless Joey that connects to any TV without cable. That plus the “Dish Anywhere” should do me just fine!

  27. 27.

    Elizabelle

    @elmo: Please send your contact info to Siubhan. Would be good to know how to contact our DC area buds.

    SiubhanDuinne gmail. you know the drill.

  28. 28.

    Punchy

    So who’s setting up the FaceTime link for those of us East Coast-geographically challenged?

  31. 31.

    jeffreyw

    @raven: I had had a guy tear down my old C-band antenna, a 12 footer. We went to Directv but threw them over for Dish years ago. The new Hopper DVRs are great, we have a couple of Joeys, they hook up with either coax or ethernet, powerline networking lets you get the programming to anywhere in the house you have an electrical socket.

  33. 33.

    raven

    @jeffreyw: I didn’t know about power line networking. I’m going to take my small hd tv out as far as it will go in the addition and make sure the wireless works. The dudes think it should be no problem.

  34. 34.

    pamelabrown53

    @jeffreyw:

    What is the difference between a joey and ROKU box? I love my ROKU but don’t want to be missing out if the joey is something “new and improved”!

    P.S. I want to try the sunrise chicken with thighs instead of the breast. How should I adjust the cooking time?

  35. 35.

    jeffreyw

    @pamelabrown53: A Joey is what Dish calls their client peripheral device. It pairs with the Dish set top box, it isn’t a standalone item, lacks a hard drive and it doesn’t have a tuner built in.

    Sunrise chicken? No clue what that is but thighs will take a tad longer all else being equal. I’m not much of a cook, really.

  37. 37.

    Face

    IT TOOK 36 COMMENTS FOR SOMEONE (ME) TO NOTICE THAT TODAY IS, IN FACT, NOT JUNE 14TH?

    Good lord, you peeps is slippin’.

  39. 39.

    pamelabrown53

    @jeffreyw:

    Sorry, I thought Sunrise chicken was on the Friday menu exchange but now that I think about it, your recipe was smoked chicken? Are you screwing with me about not being much of a cook?

    Thanks for replying about the joey. At this time, I”m satisfied with DirectTV and ROKU.

  40. 40.

    Shakezula

    Wow, that’s right on my way home and really close to Gallery Place metro. If I can saw through this chain connecting me to the desk I’ll be there!

  41. 41.

    boatboy_srq

    @Amir Khalid: And it took 38 comments for Face to notice that this had already been addressed. Not sure we’re the ones slipping here… ,-)

    @Face: We love you anyway.

  44. 44.

    SFAW

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I said a nice doctor.

    Is that vicious reply because you thought the answer I was looking for was “one”? I’m hurt. However, I’ll (sob) get over it.

  45. 45.

    SFAW

    @jeffreyw:
    What is that, grilled $pam with CheeseWhiz on top? Looks … interesting.

    (Just kidding — I often look forward to your food pics.)

  48. 48.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @SFAW:

    Is that vicious reply because you thought the answer I was looking for was “one”?

    No, it is simply because I am vicious.

  51. 51.

    SFAW

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    OK, sorry.

    I’ll try this again:

    Yes, Omnes, you are viscous. You are among the most viscous commenters here. I tremble before your awesome viscosity.

  59. 59.

    sharl

    I see the venue is close to a Yellow Line station, so if work situation permits it (as well as Wilson Bridge traffic), I’ll try to be there.

    FYI, while exploring commute options, I see that there is a Taylor Swift concert at Nationals Park which starts at 7pm (I haven’t seen info yet on when it’s supposed to end; and fyi, looks like there are still tickets available, if you have lots of money). Nats ballpark is on the Green Line, for anyone wary of heavy rider congestion.

  60. 60.

    elmo

    @boatboy_srq: You seem more familiar with the Metro than I am; are the warnings I hear about Anacostia and the Green Line just pearl-clutching from horrified white suburbanites, or should I really avoid it after dark?

  62. 62.

    sharl

    @elmo: It’s a bit out of the way from your original driving plan, but would Huntington Metro be worth considering for you as well? Hopefully this link of Google Maps showing directions from the Suitland Parkway – I95 intersection to the Huntington Metro station survives travel on the intertubes and the vagaries of FYWP. FWIW, it says that estimated travel time is 23 minutes (distance just over 13 miles).

  63. 63.

    Elizabelle

    @elmo: Drive in early, if your schedule permits!! Go hang out at the National Portrait Gallery, which is open until 7:00 p and always a great place to hang. Look at art, or just enjoy the building.

    Or you could laptop it up in the courtyard. Work away and not worry about awful commutes in. Be in the light, on a chair, and not getting sunburned.

    Then, pack up you and the laptop and wander a few steps and find us at La Tasca. It is 0.1 mile walk. Or go to La Tasca earlier. 4-7 happy hour, with gentlish prices.

    I invite anyone worrying about traffic to think about this, if you’re able to vamoose a bit early.

  67. 67.

    sharl

    @Bobby B.: Your comment is intriguing, though inscrutable to me – I blame myself for this, having forgotten to sign up for the newsletter.

    I tried the google, which recommended a couple You-Tubes that might explain it. I regret that I lack the time to pursue this further, though I am a customer of fast food places on occasion (though not KFC for quite a few years, alas).

    I hope to get to the bottom of this though! I’d hate to miss out on a deal.

  68. 68.

    boatboy_srq

    @elmo: UPDATE from a coworker who lives down that way. Green Line is OK if you stay alert; Branch Ave is probably safe enough, though you might find parking near Navy Yard that would be better. Anacostia/Southern are definitely out, though (warnings there are accurate – forget I mentioned it earlier; safe to ride the train through but not to stop). Tonight is the Taylor Swift concert, so ridership will be up, which is probably good for us. I’ll defer to Elizabelle or other BJ Beltway denizens who know more than I do.

    ETA: I see Elizabelle already thought this through.

  69. 69.

    sharl

    @boatboy_srq: I wouldn’t count on easy parking near Navy Yard with a big event at the ballpark. That’s based on what I know about home game days, when a number of the lots around there restrict parking to game patrons only.

  72. 72.

    Elizabelle

    @boatboy_srq: I appreciate all the out of the box thinking on commuting and parking issues. You’ve been great! As has everyone here. Um, mostly …

  74. 74.

    Jeffro

    Happy to catch the next NoVA/DC meetup…unfortunately, I have been condem…er…blessed to take the family to see Ms. Swift at Nationals Park tonight. Earplugs mandatory, of course. Should be a thunderstormy good time!

  75. 75.

    Elizabelle

    @Jeffro: It would be great to see Taylor Swift, rain or shine! Enjoy!

    If we ever hear from divF, we might do another DC meetup right soon.

  76. 76.

    Uncle Cosmo

    Well, damn. I could’ve made this (& possibly swung by a Container Store to obtain a spice rack that’s otherwise going to cost me $9 shipping) except I seem to have missed the original announcement & just now stumbled onto this thread.

  77. 77.

    Shakezula

    @Elizabelle: Ugg, I can’t make it. Is there a mailing list and newsletter I could join to get heads up more than a few hours in advance? (Yes, I know I should check BJ 50x a day, forgive me!)

  79. 79.

    Elizabelle

    @Shakezula: Plz send your info to SiubhanDunne at gmail and we will add you to our list and keep folks in the loop.

    You wuz missed. elmo was missed. But a great time was had. We will do this again soon. We even had a surprise guest show! Always love surprises …

    And then: riding home on Metro with the Taylor Swift crowd. Who had a good night, no thunderstorms, and they said she played 2 hours plus and lots of them bought swag.

    Which means elmo might have been plenty safe on the green line, and with lots of fellow passengers (some of them grade schoolers with moms), but who knows?

Comments are closed.