DC Edition

As many of you know, I spent last weekend in DC.  My pseudo little brother was graduating from the Corcoran School of the Arts and I had promised him that I would go to the Senior Exhibit that displayed his thesis project.  Words cannot describe how proud of him I am.  He's a super talented graphic designer and he'll be one to watch!


I haven't been back to DC since I've moved to New York in March.  As the Bolt Bus was pulling into DC, I started experiencing a little anxiety. It's hard to say what caused it or what triggered it.  I don't think I was quite ready to confront the memories that that city holds.


Day 1, Saturday
Pretty low-key day, spent some time with my friend V, who's like the big sister I never had. Went to dinner at Cafe Saint Ex on U St and headed to Policy afterwards.  I'm not sure if it was an off night for DC or what but the selection of guys was sub-par at best.  After a while, even the unattractive guys started looking like Jake Gyllenhaal.  It's like when you've been in IKEA too long and suddenly a lamp that costs $16 seems like a giant rip-off.  Same logic.

Policy, 1904 U St., NW, Washington, DC (202) 387-7654

I've had dinner at Policy before and it's more of a small plate style of food.  The lamb is excellent as is the duck salad.  I had been trying out vegetarianism at the time and needless to say, I failed. Miserably.  Made it an early night and headed out.  

The thing about DC is (and please feel free to disagree) that the women are vastly more attractive than the men there.  That being said, guys who normally wouldn't pull higher than women who are a 5, manage to pull 9s in DC.  They then get this inflated ego because they're pulling women that they shouldn't be able to or could in other cities.  The attractive men in DC are either gay and dating another even more attractive man or are married with kids.  Single, good-looking men in DC simply don't last very long on the dating scene.  Again, glad I got out.

Day 2, Sunday

It was Mother's Day and I had to spend time with the pup, Wrigley.  V and I picked her up from the dog sitter's house (the ex is out-of-town, thank God) and we headed off to brunch at Alero with another friend, who I actually met on Twitter.  The power of social media for being actually social? I know, amazing ;)

The afternoon was spent at my friend L's place.  He and his partner took me in after the break up and I ended up staying at their house for about a month and a half. It's funny, L bought his townhouse last year and we always joked that the front guest room was my room. Lo and behold, it turns out we were psychic. My month and a half with L was amazing. He and his partner love each other so much, that it was very therapeutic for me to be around them. In a time when I was cynical and hurt, being surrounded by people who love each other was extremely important.  And of course, I'm overjoyed that my friend has found someone to share his life with.


Honestly, I was itching to leave DC by the time Sunday night rolled around. There just isn't anything in that city for me.


Lesson Learned: If you don't see any good-looking guys, just keep drinking until you see Bradley Cooper.

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Store I Love: Decorium-VA

Decorium, 116 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 439-4662 http://www.decoriumhome.com

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Must Love Dogs

This is a picture of Wrigley. I adopted her from the Washington Animal Rescue League in DC the summer of 2008.  Really awesome shelter, so please check out their website if you can.  The ex was with me when I first saw her.  She was easily the most pathetic thing at the shelter, she was shaking and dirty and just plain sad looking.  I wasn't planning on adopting a dog, the ex and I used to go every couple of months, just to take a look and get our doggie time fix.  He had a dog all his life and I had always wanted one.  I'm not sure why my family never got a dog, it seemed like I had every other kind of pet: horse, rabbit, bird, cat, fish (although you can make the argument that fish don't really count).

Anyway, back to Wrigley.  So the hardest part of breaking up is what to do with the dog.  Of course she's my dog, I'm the one who adopted her, but he loved her too and was good to her.  In fact, I think she's what kept us together for the last year or so.  It's like those couples who have a kid to try to salvage the relationship.  Breaking up is also like getting a divorce and trying to figure out what to do with the kid. I'm paying child support (dog walks) and he has in the past used her as leverage against me.

With the craziness of breaking up, moving out and then moving to New York, we decided it would be better for him to keep her until I got settled.  I have to say, I really really miss her.  Now it's to the point that I'm thinking about dating guys who have dogs just so I can take their dogs to the dog park.  There is something about a man who loves dogs or has one of his own.  It shows that he can be responsible for someone other than himself and that he has a lot of love to give.

Maybe now when I meet a guy, I should just ask him for a picture of his dog.

Lesson Learned: When dogs slobber on you, it's cute.  When guys slobber on you, it's not.

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Let's Get the Show on the Road

I've been planning and planning and planning some more for this move. Was all excited for this brand new life and getting rid of the craptastic ex until I found out that he had been philandering around town for over a year, rather than the month that he had told me.

Am I surprised? No, not really. I think deep down you always know when someone's being a lying ass. Did it hurt? Hell yes! But not because he cheated, but because he made me feel like a fool. It's official, I'm getting sole custody of the dog.

Sunday's the big day. I'm finally moving to NYC after 9 VERY long years in DC. One thing I'll miss, my amazing friends. They've been here every step of the way, taking me into their home after I moved out, going out to dinner, force-feeding me water when we go out...lol, it's all out of love.

Lesson learned: significant others may come and go, but it's your friends who will always back you up and hold your hair while you puke your guts out.

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