Since last week, the DC Metro area has been under one of the worst heat waves it had seen in years, including a few record-shattering days. That would all be broken by Sunday when a cold front came in, hit the massive amount of humidity in the area, and formed an intense thunderstorm.
The warnings came in that it was a fast and intense storm, capable of producing 70+ MPH winds, and if you were outside, to get the hell inside. Luckily by then, I had returned from Baltimore and I was just sitting in my apartment doing some E-mailing and such to catch up from the weekend.
Showing posts with label Greenbelt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greenbelt. Show all posts
July 28, 2010
November 20, 2009
Take A Shot
Now that some things have decidedly calmed down a bit in my life, I decided that I would try to ease back into doing more dating. Much like other areas of my life, I want to broaden my outlook, see what I can find, and try new things. It occurred to me that perhaps one of the reasons why I hadn't had as much luck with the dating was because I had limited myself to certain groups of people, which in itself comes with certain pitfalls.
The last time I had some decent success was through Match.com, but I didn't really feel like paying for it again, so I asked around to a few other people of what they had used. The answer that came up was okcupid.com because it was free to message people and geared more towards the younger crowds. So I ultimately went and created a profile there, and started poking around to see what was available.
Well color me surprised to note the number of folks who were out there and looking as well, especially around my age. I also went through a number of questions that you can answer to help determine personality so I could get a clue as to if there could be potential personality conflicts as well. It's been interesting to see so far.
I did go as far as to actually meet up with someone this evening at the New Deal that I had started chatting with, JMc. However I don't think one would call it a "date" per se because it was more about actually meeting and chatting with one another face to face rather than via E-mail. It's so much easier to get a read on a person when you're actually there. It also turned out that besides that he lives in my neighborhood, he loves the New Deal anyway, so perfect. It ended up that we have a number of things in common and had a lot of good conversation over dinner. In fact, we stayed until the place closed, so that must say something, right? ;-)
If anything, he's reminding me that I should consider getting back into gaming again, we chatted quite a bit about video games, and he's very familiar with the Legend of Zelda series, so there was quite a bit of talk about that. So right now it's looking like it's going to be the start of a very nice friendship, at least for the nerdy side of me.
It also gives me a bit of hope that I can get some good results out of okcupid, and that perhaps the reason(s) why I don't always get dates or dates that go well are not entirely due to me ;-)
The last time I had some decent success was through Match.com, but I didn't really feel like paying for it again, so I asked around to a few other people of what they had used. The answer that came up was okcupid.com because it was free to message people and geared more towards the younger crowds. So I ultimately went and created a profile there, and started poking around to see what was available.
Well color me surprised to note the number of folks who were out there and looking as well, especially around my age. I also went through a number of questions that you can answer to help determine personality so I could get a clue as to if there could be potential personality conflicts as well. It's been interesting to see so far.
I did go as far as to actually meet up with someone this evening at the New Deal that I had started chatting with, JMc. However I don't think one would call it a "date" per se because it was more about actually meeting and chatting with one another face to face rather than via E-mail. It's so much easier to get a read on a person when you're actually there. It also turned out that besides that he lives in my neighborhood, he loves the New Deal anyway, so perfect. It ended up that we have a number of things in common and had a lot of good conversation over dinner. In fact, we stayed until the place closed, so that must say something, right? ;-)
If anything, he's reminding me that I should consider getting back into gaming again, we chatted quite a bit about video games, and he's very familiar with the Legend of Zelda series, so there was quite a bit of talk about that. So right now it's looking like it's going to be the start of a very nice friendship, at least for the nerdy side of me.
It also gives me a bit of hope that I can get some good results out of okcupid, and that perhaps the reason(s) why I don't always get dates or dates that go well are not entirely due to me ;-)
March 10, 2008
August 05, 2007
Settling into Place
This past Friday I went down the road to another apt complex and filled out an application for a 1 bdrm place. Within ten minutes of filling out the application the guy came back to me and said I was approved. Next week I get to sign the lease, and then I move in on the 8th of September.
It's a decent place, the building was built in the 30's so it doesn't have all the modern amenities. Utilities are included except for electric, but when I talked to another resident she told me that her electric bill was something like $40 a month, so that's very reasonable. My plan is to get DSL because it's much cheaper than cable and I'll still get a good speed. Even when I go off of their promotional rate, it will be $35 a month rather than the $50+ that Comcast would charge. I am really debating if I even want to get cable TV, simply because Comcast's prices are outrageous. Comcast has their most basic service for $13 a month, which has the major broadcast networks, some local channels, PBS, etc. Just to move up to their extended basic service, which has the stuff I would like, such as Sci-Fi and Cartoon Network, is $52 a month. WTF? people, this isn't even for digital service! If I somewhere I could place it, I'd get a satellite dish. I think Bittorrent is going to be my friend when it comes to watching Dr. Who from now on.
As for phone, well my number may be changing, we'll see. Mike claims that to pay my part of the cell phone bill is $50 a month, I don't believe him because when I researched getting my own plan, that's what it would cost me just for the one line with unlimited messaging, and I know that lines 2-5 on a bill are $30 a month with messaging, and there's only 2 lines, which only adds up to an $80 bill, soooo I am calling bullshit on that one until I see a bill to prove this justification. Still, maybe I can break off of his contract without penalty and keep my number.
Now is the time to consolidate and pack up. I've been putting items up on Freecycle and also there's a PTA book sale coming up soon, so they'll be taking donations of books. I'll have to go through and see what books of mine I can get rid of. It shouldn't be difficult to decide that one, I've already been making a mental list of what books should go.
So, between GodSpell and preparing to move, August is shaping up to be a busy month for me!
It's a decent place, the building was built in the 30's so it doesn't have all the modern amenities. Utilities are included except for electric, but when I talked to another resident she told me that her electric bill was something like $40 a month, so that's very reasonable. My plan is to get DSL because it's much cheaper than cable and I'll still get a good speed. Even when I go off of their promotional rate, it will be $35 a month rather than the $50+ that Comcast would charge. I am really debating if I even want to get cable TV, simply because Comcast's prices are outrageous. Comcast has their most basic service for $13 a month, which has the major broadcast networks, some local channels, PBS, etc. Just to move up to their extended basic service, which has the stuff I would like, such as Sci-Fi and Cartoon Network, is $52 a month. WTF? people, this isn't even for digital service! If I somewhere I could place it, I'd get a satellite dish. I think Bittorrent is going to be my friend when it comes to watching Dr. Who from now on.
As for phone, well my number may be changing, we'll see. Mike claims that to pay my part of the cell phone bill is $50 a month, I don't believe him because when I researched getting my own plan, that's what it would cost me just for the one line with unlimited messaging, and I know that lines 2-5 on a bill are $30 a month with messaging, and there's only 2 lines, which only adds up to an $80 bill, soooo I am calling bullshit on that one until I see a bill to prove this justification. Still, maybe I can break off of his contract without penalty and keep my number.
Now is the time to consolidate and pack up. I've been putting items up on Freecycle and also there's a PTA book sale coming up soon, so they'll be taking donations of books. I'll have to go through and see what books of mine I can get rid of. It shouldn't be difficult to decide that one, I've already been making a mental list of what books should go.
So, between GodSpell and preparing to move, August is shaping up to be a busy month for me!
August 02, 2007
Self-Defense
For those of you in the Greenbelt area, there's a self-defense class being offered this Saturday, August 4, from 9:30 to 5:30. If you have self defense items such as pepper spray, mace, etc (NO knives or guns) you can bring them along as well. It will be held at the Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, Room 202. If you want the E-mail address of the person to contact to sign up, e mail me at theblackdog at g mail dot com.
July 10, 2007
Update on Violence
I wrote about the attack that occurred in Greenbelt. Well I talked with my friend about making a presence in the center during our "Other Friday" dinner and we agreed it would be a good idea. Last Friday we were sitting outside in the center, and yes, there were a number of suspect persons hanging out in the center as well. Within ten minutes, they headed out of there and away from us, so I would chalk that up as a success. Anyone who did gather in the center later were generally just there, not causing any trouble, and even if they wanted to start some, they knew they were being watched.
I only hope that other folks in Greenbelt will start making a presence in the center as well, as GreenBeLT Pride can't be the ones doing it all the time.
I only hope that other folks in Greenbelt will start making a presence in the center as well, as GreenBeLT Pride can't be the ones doing it all the time.
June 30, 2007
Violence Hits Home
Gang Attack in Greenbelt
The person who was attacked was someone I know, and it was in a place that I know very well. It's scary to think that even now I have to consider being careful about where I walk at night.
The last thing I want to do is hide in my home and be scared, that accomplishes nothing. All I would do is give the power to the fucking jackasses like those kids that would attack people for no reason. I refuse to give that power to them, for far too long I had allowed myself to be powerless, and it's time to stand up and take the power back.
Already there has been talk on the Greenbelt listserv about this, and someone made the point that lately the area has had people coming in who clearly are driving from out of town and hanging out in the center. Some are afraid to come to the center when the sun goes down now. There's been talk that this needs to be a wakeup call for the city council and the police that there is a problem going on. I remember a few months ago that there was a discussion about putting cameras in the center, which set off a major debate over their effectiveness at curbing crime, and whether we were willing to be watched. Personally, I don't want to go to the center and be watched by cameras, even if I am not doing anything wrong. I get watched enough at work, why should I be watched like that in my private life. But I digress, my point is that I am sure that debate will be revived and it will get ugly again.
Still, I would rather increase my presence and take back the center, why should it be ruled by thugs, when it should be a place where people feel safe. My GLBT organization goes there regularly to have dinner and hold other events, I've already made the suggestion that we should try to be outside more, especially during this time of year. We'll see if others agree, I hope they do. I certainly don't want to run away and hide anymore.
The person who was attacked was someone I know, and it was in a place that I know very well. It's scary to think that even now I have to consider being careful about where I walk at night.
The last thing I want to do is hide in my home and be scared, that accomplishes nothing. All I would do is give the power to the fucking jackasses like those kids that would attack people for no reason. I refuse to give that power to them, for far too long I had allowed myself to be powerless, and it's time to stand up and take the power back.
Already there has been talk on the Greenbelt listserv about this, and someone made the point that lately the area has had people coming in who clearly are driving from out of town and hanging out in the center. Some are afraid to come to the center when the sun goes down now. There's been talk that this needs to be a wakeup call for the city council and the police that there is a problem going on. I remember a few months ago that there was a discussion about putting cameras in the center, which set off a major debate over their effectiveness at curbing crime, and whether we were willing to be watched. Personally, I don't want to go to the center and be watched by cameras, even if I am not doing anything wrong. I get watched enough at work, why should I be watched like that in my private life. But I digress, my point is that I am sure that debate will be revived and it will get ugly again.
Still, I would rather increase my presence and take back the center, why should it be ruled by thugs, when it should be a place where people feel safe. My GLBT organization goes there regularly to have dinner and hold other events, I've already made the suggestion that we should try to be outside more, especially during this time of year. We'll see if others agree, I hope they do. I certainly don't want to run away and hide anymore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)