Yesterday was a bit of an anticlimax. We went back to Lafayette park, picked up "Worth it?" and then Mrs. Alice's Mom took Alice shopping (I was there too, but it wasn't my kind of store (It wasn't Alice's either, for that matter) and I've already spent too much money on this trip, so I hung back in the shoe area with a notebook). We went to lunch at Panera (I highly recommend the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, which is saying something since I don't normally like Panera except for their bagels).
We came back to the apartment. I don't know how, but Alice and her mom got into a blow-up fight about her future. It mirrored exactly a discussion I had with my mom a few weeks ago, only there was less shouting and more bawling when we did it. Basically, it goes like this:
Mom: "Why aren't you doing anything with your life?"
Daughter: "I'm trying, but there are no jobs out there."
Mom: "You're a college grad, you should have a job."
Daughter: "No one is hiring entry level positions, and I'm not qualified for anything."
Mom: "So just pick something and apply. You can't afford to be picky in this economy."
Daughter: "I know, but most of those jobs won't pay enough for me to live on. I have to make X amount, and they only pay half that!"
Mom: "So decide what you want and work towards it! Just find a way to support yourself in the mean time!"
At which point it spirals horribly downward when the mother realizes that after four years of art school, neither of us feels qualified for an art job, would rather introduce our skulls to a nice brick wall than work in art, and other than eventually getting published, neither of us has any idea what we want to do with our lives anymore. We're caught in an endless cycle: To get a good job, we have to leave Ohio. In order to leave Ohio, we need a good job--I have $500 in my bank account, and my current job isn't going to give me enough to live on. Basically, I'd need a $1000-2000 signing bonus, and who is going to give me that?
After fifteen minutes of shouting, I left. I went for a nice long walk, got a Baskin Robbins shake, and came back slowly to find Alice and her mom beading together at the kitchen counter like nothing had happened. Because that's the great thing about moms: one minute you're at each other's throat, and the next you're baking cookies (and for the record, these arguments usually start because Alice and I both get pissed off and pig headed in the same way our dad's do, so technically, it's their fault. And that is my (late) mother's day gift to everyone out there: it's all the guy's fault).
In the evening, we went back to the Torpedo Factory, which was having a sidewalk sale/open studio night. It was interesting. Alice wanted to show me the fiber artists, since if you are Fine Artist doing fiber at CCAD you're automatically not as good as the painters and belong in Fashion, and the Fashion people look down on you because you aren't "couture" enough (even though most of them wouldn't know couture if it bit them in the ass). A lot of them were really interesting, but I don't want to touch a gallery with a ten foot pole right now. The little shows like Code Pink are fine, but I've had enough of the art world. I need some time off.
We ended the night by watching movies on FX. Action, blood and gore: the perfect ending for the day. No plans for today, since Alice has crossed the University of Virginia off her list, and they still haven't replied to my email.
Apologies; I'm getting back into that bad mood I didn't want to broadcast.
Showing posts with label Washington DC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington DC. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Round Three
No, I didn't go back to Barns and Noble (though don't think the thought didn't cross my mind).
After a group nap (greatly needed on all sides), we drove out to Old Town Alexandria and went to dinner at a little burger place called Five Brothers. They are a chain store, and I know they have a location in Akron, so if there's one in your area you should definitely check it out. They have really good food, and for being in the DC area, they're pretty cheap. Even though it's a chain store, you walk in and immediately feel like it's one of the mom-and-pop '50's dinners.
From there, we walked through the Old Town. All of the buildings were built in the 1700s, so I took several pictures of the historical sites. I guess there's a church there where George Washington went, but we didn't walk past it. Instead, our first stop was a bead shop called the Potomac Bead Company. If you are into jewelry making at all, then check out their website. They have really good prices on Swavarski crystals (like 12 4mm rounds for under $2). I haven't checked out their online shop thoroughly yet, but the girl at the counter did warn me that not everything in the store is available online yet, so if you happen to be in the area I would highly recommend going in person.
After that we looked in a little Art and Craft shop (I think that's the name; I forgot to grab a card). They had some really interesting stuff in there, and I nearly took half of it home for my mom--it was a little out of my price range, though (even if I hadn't just spent $70 on books)(hey, that was research material. I was perfectly justified), and then went down to the Torpedo factory. It's not a factory anymore, but rather an indoor space with lots of little shops that is open at each end (I did take pictures). Sadly, the place we where heading for was closed for a special event, but we plan to go back later this week, and I took lots of pictures of the river since the Factory is right on the water.
Then, it was Holy Land part deux: A Ben and Jerry's store. I didn't even know they had stores, I always just bought the pints at Walmart. I had a strawberry kiwi sorbet cone, and it was really good (wanted to try a flavor they don't have a Walmart). The tables have little cartoons on them with the history of the company, and it's really interesting--like the whole concept started with a $5 correspondence course on how to make icecream.
The best part of last night? We finally got our air mattresses blown up, so I don't have to be cramped on the loveseat anymore. Not that I can complain, since Alice has been sleeping on the rug (and the concrete floor). Still, it was a big improvement. Now if only I can get a blanket that is about six inches longer, we'll be in good shape.
After a group nap (greatly needed on all sides), we drove out to Old Town Alexandria and went to dinner at a little burger place called Five Brothers. They are a chain store, and I know they have a location in Akron, so if there's one in your area you should definitely check it out. They have really good food, and for being in the DC area, they're pretty cheap. Even though it's a chain store, you walk in and immediately feel like it's one of the mom-and-pop '50's dinners.
From there, we walked through the Old Town. All of the buildings were built in the 1700s, so I took several pictures of the historical sites. I guess there's a church there where George Washington went, but we didn't walk past it. Instead, our first stop was a bead shop called the Potomac Bead Company. If you are into jewelry making at all, then check out their website. They have really good prices on Swavarski crystals (like 12 4mm rounds for under $2). I haven't checked out their online shop thoroughly yet, but the girl at the counter did warn me that not everything in the store is available online yet, so if you happen to be in the area I would highly recommend going in person.
After that we looked in a little Art and Craft shop (I think that's the name; I forgot to grab a card). They had some really interesting stuff in there, and I nearly took half of it home for my mom--it was a little out of my price range, though (even if I hadn't just spent $70 on books)(hey, that was research material. I was perfectly justified), and then went down to the Torpedo factory. It's not a factory anymore, but rather an indoor space with lots of little shops that is open at each end (I did take pictures). Sadly, the place we where heading for was closed for a special event, but we plan to go back later this week, and I took lots of pictures of the river since the Factory is right on the water.
Then, it was Holy Land part deux: A Ben and Jerry's store. I didn't even know they had stores, I always just bought the pints at Walmart. I had a strawberry kiwi sorbet cone, and it was really good (wanted to try a flavor they don't have a Walmart). The tables have little cartoons on them with the history of the company, and it's really interesting--like the whole concept started with a $5 correspondence course on how to make icecream.
The best part of last night? We finally got our air mattresses blown up, so I don't have to be cramped on the loveseat anymore. Not that I can complain, since Alice has been sleeping on the rug (and the concrete floor). Still, it was a big improvement. Now if only I can get a blanket that is about six inches longer, we'll be in good shape.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Exhaustion
Yesterday I was walking around the area immediately around the apartment, and I happened across the Holy Land: Barns and Noble. Normally, a chain store wouldn't be that exciting, but it was a book store so I went in anyway. I found a whole bunch of reference books that I'd never seen before. In the end, I walked away with $50 in Element Encyclopedias: Ghosts and Hauntings, Secret Symbols, and Spirits. I've never seen this series in paperback before, so I snapped those up right away. Alice got two others, the one on Secret Societies, and one of Magical Creatures. If you are into writing about fantasy (particularly from a realistic or urban setting) then these books are great resources. I also highly recommend the Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, which lists herbs, deities, creatures, and everything you could possibly need.
After round two with B&N (Yes, I actually went twice; once on my own and once with Alice and her mom) we went to the theater right next to the B&N (they must have known I was coming: Books and movies, both within walking distance!) and saw the Star Trek movie. So AWESOME! When I get back to Ohio I'm going to take my mom to see it, if she hasn't already. I remember sitting on the living room floor drawing, while my mom crocheted the afghan we have on our couch and watching Star Trek. Never the original, but Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and bits of Enterprise. This movie was like the best of all of them, rolled into one fantastic ball of action, so go spoil your inner geek and watch it if you haven't already. It was totally worth the $10.50 ticket (Arlington makes me wince).
Today was the start of the Code Pink Vigil. We took the Metro into DC, and ended up getting there early. You can take the Blue Line from the Pentagon City Mall up to McPhearson center, and then walk a block to Lafayette Park where it's held (Is my love of the metro weird? It's my favorite form of transit. But more on that some other time). We went to lunch at Potbelly's at 17th and Pensylvannia Ave, then killed some time at Renwick Gallery and their craft exhibition. Mostly it was wood and metal with architectural drawings by the Greene brothers (who were actually born in Ohio before moving several places and settling in SoCal). In the gift shop though, I found another great book: Cloth and Human Experience. It's actually listed as being an Anthropology book, but it's so cool. It's a study of how fiber, fabric and clothing affect the fabric of a society (pun intended) (am I earning enough nerd points this entry?). I did take photos, but I can't post them until I get home. 
I set up "Worth It?" on the lawn and knit on it a little. If you are in the area, you can feel free to knit a few stitches or a few rows, and leave a message in memorandum of a loved one. I wish that I could have stayed for more of it, but I just wasn't able. Ashley and I weren't feeling too good, so we came back to the apartment and crashed for an hour...or two. And that is where we're at now. Up next is a quick stop at target, and then we're off to Old Town to check out the little shops there, and then we're going to Five Brothers for dinner. I'll let you know how it is tomorrow!
After round two with B&N (Yes, I actually went twice; once on my own and once with Alice and her mom) we went to the theater right next to the B&N (they must have known I was coming: Books and movies, both within walking distance!) and saw the Star Trek movie. So AWESOME! When I get back to Ohio I'm going to take my mom to see it, if she hasn't already. I remember sitting on the living room floor drawing, while my mom crocheted the afghan we have on our couch and watching Star Trek. Never the original, but Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and bits of Enterprise. This movie was like the best of all of them, rolled into one fantastic ball of action, so go spoil your inner geek and watch it if you haven't already. It was totally worth the $10.50 ticket (Arlington makes me wince).
Today was the start of the Code Pink Vigil. We took the Metro into DC, and ended up getting there early. You can take the Blue Line from the Pentagon City Mall up to McPhearson center, and then walk a block to Lafayette Park where it's held (Is my love of the metro weird? It's my favorite form of transit. But more on that some other time). We went to lunch at Potbelly's at 17th and Pensylvannia Ave, then killed some time at Renwick Gallery and their craft exhibition. Mostly it was wood and metal with architectural drawings by the Greene brothers (who were actually born in Ohio before moving several places and settling in SoCal). In the gift shop though, I found another great book: Cloth and Human Experience. It's actually listed as being an Anthropology book, but it's so cool. It's a study of how fiber, fabric and clothing affect the fabric of a society (pun intended) (am I earning enough nerd points this entry?). I did take photos, but I can't post them until I get home. 
I set up "Worth It?" on the lawn and knit on it a little. If you are in the area, you can feel free to knit a few stitches or a few rows, and leave a message in memorandum of a loved one. I wish that I could have stayed for more of it, but I just wasn't able. Ashley and I weren't feeling too good, so we came back to the apartment and crashed for an hour...or two. And that is where we're at now. Up next is a quick stop at target, and then we're off to Old Town to check out the little shops there, and then we're going to Five Brothers for dinner. I'll let you know how it is tomorrow!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Arrival
We're here: Arlington, VA. No pictures so far because most of it has involved getting lost on the wrong side of the river (and the wrong side of the tracks).
If you plan on going to DC, here are my suggestions:
~Avoid Martin Luther King Blvd south of 295 (I think; like I said, we got lost) unless you plug "where white boys go to die" into the GPS.
~Drive a car that has both GPS and cruise control. Trust me, seven hours without it is NOT my idea of fun.
~If you think it will take you six hours, or less, or whatever time you think it will take, add an extra hour for getting lost. And stop for food BEFORE you get lost.
~If you are coming to DC for the first time, don't try to navigate it in the dark. I swear, our nation's capital took a leaf out of medieval cities of old and made it as hard to get around as possible. Maybe they think it will keep the protesters out?
At this point, I would normally insert a picture, but I was too busy concentrating on not dying and trying to get un-lost to whip out the camera. Also, I left the card reader at home. So conjure up a fitting romantic, patriotic image in your head. While you do that, I'm going to see if I can't sleep on this couch, because apparently, $2100/mo only gets you a one bed, one bath apartment that would fit in my parents livingroom. I'll stick with my $250/mo victorian and it's drafty windows, thankyouverymuch.
If you plan on going to DC, here are my suggestions:
~Avoid Martin Luther King Blvd south of 295 (I think; like I said, we got lost) unless you plug "where white boys go to die" into the GPS.
~Drive a car that has both GPS and cruise control. Trust me, seven hours without it is NOT my idea of fun.
~If you think it will take you six hours, or less, or whatever time you think it will take, add an extra hour for getting lost. And stop for food BEFORE you get lost.
~If you are coming to DC for the first time, don't try to navigate it in the dark. I swear, our nation's capital took a leaf out of medieval cities of old and made it as hard to get around as possible. Maybe they think it will keep the protesters out?
At this point, I would normally insert a picture, but I was too busy concentrating on not dying and trying to get un-lost to whip out the camera. Also, I left the card reader at home. So conjure up a fitting romantic, patriotic image in your head. While you do that, I'm going to see if I can't sleep on this couch, because apparently, $2100/mo only gets you a one bed, one bath apartment that would fit in my parents livingroom. I'll stick with my $250/mo victorian and it's drafty windows, thankyouverymuch.
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