RSS FeedDoes That Come Supersized?
We noticed that the McDonald’s on E ST (next to the Artisan) has the following sign in their window:
Which leads us to the following two questions:
1. If we pretend to work for the FBI in order to qualify for the special, are we guilty of impersonating a federal officer?
2. Why isn’t there a PQLiving (writers, readers, and those who leave comments!) special?
Scam Artist Working Streets of Penn Quarter
It’s late. It’s dark. You’re standing on the corner of a deserted street waiting for the light to change when a woman appears. She’s out of breath, crying, shaking like a leaf. She tells you that her car has been towed and that she has no money for a cab. She’d take the Metro, but she needs to pick-up her kids up from daycare and there is no stop nearby. She seems so sincere, and after all, it’s just a few dollars. She takes your money, and disappears into the night.
Almost three months ago, the scenario above played out on the corner of 7th and E. The woman in question was a tall (5’10”) African-American woman wearing a puffy, navy coat and a bun in her hair. And I was her unwitting rube.
Last night, while walking to the E Street Starbucks, I saw the same woman, on the same corner, selling a slightly altered version of her story to another unsuspecting sap. (In this telling, she had been the victim of a car wreck and the police had refused to drive her home.) I debated whether or not I should say something to her newest victim, but decided against it when I realized that the con artist was almost twice my size.
So, let this blog post serve as a warning to my fellow PQ residents. If someone approaches you asking for money, no matter how gut wrenching their story: walk away. Because while you might not miss the $10, you’ll certainly feel stupid for a lifetime.
One Cool Metro Conductor
Metro has one cool cat driving those trains. I don’t know his name nor his face but I know his voice. You know the guy. He’s the one with the silky smooth vocal chords you can understand. They’re so clear you think you’re listening to FM radio. Some of the conductors sound bored or rushed or clueless. Not this guy. He’s into it and he’s definitely in control of his wheels. He tells jokes and that makes riders smile. This guy is the Billy Dee Williams, the Barry White and the Donnie Simpson (long time Washington DC DJ) of the rails…the voice that causes clothes to come off women spontaneously (maybe men too).
One day before a federal holiday, my morning commute went like this…
L’Enfant Plaza: “I hope you all get a half day off today. Spread out on the train and enjoy the ride.”
Smithsonian: “Take care now. Have a good day!”
Federal Triangle: “Alright…you all are next.”
Metro Center: “Come on in now…come on…come on.”
McPherson Square: “Doors on the right. Time to get to work.”
Farragut West: “Farragut North next stop…no, it’s Farragut West. Did I get ‘tcha now?”
That was two months ago but he drove the train yesterday morning and I recognized him instantly. Put a smile on my face at 7:30 am. Have you ever ridden on this cool conductor’s train?
We Could Use A Man Like Iron Eyes Cody Again
This is no condemnation of the March for Lifer’s specifically, instead it’s a condemnation of all groups who use and subsequently abuse the National Mall & surrounding neighborhoods.
The above photo (corner of Constitution Ave & 7th ST) is only a small sample of the litter spread around the Mall Tuesday after the march. No matter what your political leanings it seems, when large groups organize in DC a mob mentality takes over and the idea of leaving enormous amounts of trash on the ground, on America’s Front Yard, somehow becomes acceptable.
This is a topic we plan to revisit throughout 2008 as various groups organize on the Mall.