Be careful what you wish for...

Kelly & Ben fans, we have received your letters/calls/mental telepathy and we understand that you want more blog posts.  First, we appreciate the support and hope to respond accordingly.  That said, we can’t make any promises other than that we will try to post more often.  Not just because we are sometimes lazy, but because sometimes we want to give your more than just the details of the daily grind.  Also, maybe you should think of this blog more like a fine wine to be enjoyed on special occasions.

Not sold?  Ok, fine.  Well we have made a few observations in the past week that are worth sharing.

1.  There is apparently a massive shortage of escalator repairmen in Washington , DC.

Ben has long been a huge fan of the escalator.  Ben’s fondness for the escalator started at an early age.  Growing up in a town without stoplights also meant growing up in a town without escalators.  Luckily, before Grandma moved to Northern California, she lived in New Jersey and trips there in the early 80s were highlighted by many things, but few greater than the magical moving staircases.  Later in life, when the apparent magic of moving stairs had faded, Ben had gained enough weight to appreciate a free ride up a set of stairs on a different level. 

Here in DC, Ben often finds himself on the Metro, which is home to many escalators.  Unfortunately, at almost every station, at least one of those escalators is broken.  So if you are looking for steady work and an opportunity to put a little magic back into the lives of commuters, consider a career in escalator repair.

2.  Where does one draw the line between small town common courtesy and big city mind your own business? Keep reading...

So this is a pop quiz for our readers.  It could involve two trains heading to Chicago, but it does not have to.  Why don’t we say, hypothetically, you are sitting on a bus for approximately 40 minutes on the way to work in the morning.  If the person next to you nods off, do you:

a. Tap the person on the shoulder and tell them of your concern that they could miss their stop?

b. Cough or make some other noise that may awake the person so as to allow them to observe their surroundings? Maybe you shout – Oh no! The FBI bomb technician van is coming!

c. Mind your own affair?

d. Wait to see if the person wakes on their own and panics over having ridden the bus 20 minutes past their stop and then chuckle to yourself internally?

3.  The people of the greater DC area have some pretty amazing interpretations of what is a good idea when it comes to bling.  This week’s sightings included: (a) A beat up, old mini-van with spinner hubcaps (if this was meant to be funny, then it really was and we applaud you); (b)A person who decided the solution to their desire to have gold rims was to spray paint their rims and about half of each tire gold; and (c) the Safeway checker was sporting a five-inch tall rhinestone Barney Rubble (of Flintstones fame) medallion on his necklace.   

4. DC’s Caribbean Fest is quite popular.  Kelly and Ben discovered this as they drove around on Saturday taking care of life chores and playing their favorite game of “Do you really think we can fit all this in the Mini” (This week, Ben and Kelly were able to get several 2x4s, two barstools, a large picture frame, and some other shopping in the Mini with room to spare.)

As Kelly and Ben tried to cut back across town, after an enjoyable lunch at the best Thai place they have found in DC, they ran into the Caribbean Fest.  From the friendly confines of their car, Ben and Kelly got to experience a little of the festival as they spent about 45 minutes driving approximately 4 blocks.  Observations from this time included the following: (1) A Mini does not inspire individuals to move out of the road the way other cars might; (2) we desperately need more geography to be taught in the schools – as a significant portion of the crowd carried or wore flags of varying nations, Ben took note that several were not anywhere near the Caribbean; and (3) driving in DC remains a terrible idea that we are apparently doomed to be reminded of on a fairly regular basis.

The week ahead should be exciting as we are expecting our first visitors.  Also, 4^th of July festivities are apparently quite good in DC.  With plenty of material coming up, we will try to keep posting.