America….Bloody Oath.

Riding my bike…..DC style May 25, 2006

DISCLAIMER: I am not sure if this story is 100% true, but it's what I think happened…and it makes a kick-arse story…

So, after I had smashed by rear bike tyre into a curb on the way home from work yesterday, and dented the shit out of it I had to decide what to do.

I am looking after those 2 dogs for 2 girls who live here (which I must add is on the border of 'The Hood'), and they have a car which is parked on the street, which I have been asked to move from one side to the other when the street cleaning happens (Wednesday/Thursday mornings). So, I had a bunged up bike (my main method of transport around 'The Hood'), and I had keys to a car, and it was 6.15pm, and the bike shop closed at 7.

So of course I jumped in the car and hooned over to Adams Morgan, about 13 blocks away and parked illegally and took my bike in.

They fixed it for $15 which I thought was sweet cause i banged it up pretty bad. It will never be the same, but at least I can ride it and don't have to pay $65 for a new wheel.

Anyway…so…i get home in one piece. My bike is fixed and I decide to jump on it and ride over to Dupont Circle to find something to eat.

I rode around the corner and passed a couple of normal looking guys leaning against the fence and I rode across the street… then suddenly…

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!!!!

Whe the fuck?

It sounded like a shit load of firecrackers going off, but i looked over my shoulder and I saw those 2 guys and I am sure they were shooting guns down the street I had just crossed and then started bolting down the street in the direction of the way I came. I think there were a bunch of guys down the street I had crossed.

I just pedaled faster and pissed off to have dinner….but of course I knew I had to come back….

4 hours later I did make it back, but I'll be looking forward to finished this dogsitting gig because that shit freaked me right out….no matter what that noise was…

There are a lot of sirens around this area, and I mean A LOT. You hear them pretty much every 10 minutes at least. 

But hey…I'm ok. I still walk the dogs, and I still ride in the evening, so I'll be ok, but just have to be aware in this place….. 

Wheels, deal and Ritz. May 21, 2006

I just bought a bike. I have spent all weekend looking around town travelling from Maryland to Virginia in a neverending pursuit to find the right bike.

I am a terrible shopper. I procastinate and am so undecisive that more than once I have shopped for 2 or 3 hours and returned home with absolutely nothing.

But I finally got one and I like it

It's nothing hugely fancy, but it has pretty good components and only cost me $200. It should definitely get me around town!

I am dogsitting a couple of dogs right now that are crazy. One is a basset hound and the other is a dalmation. The basset hound (Scooter) is crazy. He is pretty badly behaved and just loves to get his nose into everything. They are interesting to walk as they each go at their own pace and it's like I am being torn in half.

This weekend has been interesting. Last night I was invited to dinner at the Ritz-Carlton.

By who you ask? Well I have made friends with a graduating Senior (meaning she's in her 4th year) at Georgetown University. We have hung out a few times and she invited me to attend her Seniors Ball and then to her Graduation Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton.

Ok, now check out this menu.

The food was amazing (of course). I had my frist taste of Foie Gras. (Duck's Liver). We always see it on Iron Chef, but I'd never seen it, let alone tasted it. To me, it had the texture of an oyster and it slid down the throat but I quite liked the taste..

I had the $26 chicken. Yeah….good shit.

On the Friday night I attended the Georgetown University Seniors Ball at Union Station. This was huge. There were probably about 5000 people there, and lots and lots of pearls and fancy dresses. I wondered on the night just how many millions of dollars worth of people were there that night. Apparently Donald Trumps son goes to Georgetown University.

So anyway, I've been trying to mix in the good crowds 😉 hehehe.. Nah, just lucky I think.

I also have the chance of moving in with someone just 2 blocks from work.

There is a swiss guy who works for the World Bank and he is after someone to share his studio apartment with him. A studio is only one bedroom, but it is a big area and would fit 2 beds ok. I was thinking that if I put up some sort of screen between us it would work. Anyway, it would be a good place to base myself and leave all of crap (instead of Dougall's) and he has cable TV and wireless internet. He is only asking $300 a month, which is a bargain for that area, even if I am sharing a room.

So basically I am looking to move in there with him probably in the middle of June after I have finished this stint of petsitting. We are going to hang out a bit next week though to see if we get along ok. What do y'all think? Worth it, or not? This guy also travels quite a bit for work,so there's a good chance that I'll get the place to myself now and then as well which is good. I can also keep doing my house/petsitting to be in a place to myself as well.

Anyway, that's my story at the moment. Hope everyone is well.

I am looking to come back to Australia in July for a week or 2, so i will let you all know what's happening when I get closer to the date (and I find a cheapish flight!)