•            2/7/12

#1: Kubrick staircases

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•           2/6/12

#2: Good book. YA lit from Oz (that's Australia to you) "Raw Blue" by Kirsty Eager

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•             2/5/12

#3 Enough about the food truck renaissance...what about the *old school* food trucks. Love this one, in front of the Hirschhorn, seen through the car's window in the rain.

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•            2/4/12

#4: (fake) Snow leopard coat. For street-walking cheetahs with hearts full of napalm.

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•       2/3/12

#5: funny light fixtures

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•      2/2/12

#6: Urban sustainables at night. Sort of magic. Looks like fairy land at night on 18th st. (tho' I wonder how green it is of them to keep those lights on)

#7: safety orange

#8: another good book. "In the Garden of Iden" by Kage Baker ~ wild speculative fiction / alternate history

#9: The way light falls through venetian blinds

#10: Yellow and red painted rooms

I have this project, which I’ve started. It’s really rather fun. I have to take at least one photo every day.  The end result is an often charming, sometimes weird & wacky photo-journal. All the images are from my cellphone & un-retouched.  I really rather love it.

So, in lieu of the typical “Top 10″, I presenting this week’s top 10 — in photojournal form.

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•            2/1/12

1. Fun Bright Bedding...it's cold, so snuggle up.

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•           1/31/12

#2 Chicken & rice...Peruvian style

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•            1/30/12

#3 Vinho verde and pretty labels

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•            1/29/12

#4 Enter the Dragon ... lunar new year

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•            1/28/12

#5 Loving reflections & light through glass

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•            1/27/12

#6 Food truck renaissance... Red Hook Lobster Pound

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•            1/26/12

#7 Spartacus: blood and sand. (on Netflix)

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•            1/25/12

#8 Old school Pepsi sign in Baltimore

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•           1/24/12

#9 Beautiful cookies & cakes from Berger's in B'more

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•           1/23/12

#10 The night sky... in the form of an ya dystopia ("A Million Suns")

#10 Strawberry ice cream

Pauly Shore in his hey-day

Pauly Shore was like Samson: his power was in his hair.  And when he cut it… ):

May we please raise a glass to the man who brought us “Encino Man”, “Biodome”, “Son in Law”,  memorable MTV Spring Breaks,  an actual VJ, and …”Lisa, Lisa the one I adore” ??! — okay maybe not that last one.

Should we even raise  a glass?  In the wise words of Kathleen Hannah (via Le Tigre): “misogynist!? genius!? …alcoholic!”

Poor Pauly, he faked his own death, in an attempt to surreptitiously have a documentary made about himself — in the hopes that death would salvage his reputation. Unfortunately, not even death was able to salvage him, people still hated him. Perhaps time will soothe his wounds. He should have never cut those locks.

#1 Happy Birthday, David Bowie

• #1  Happy Birthday to you, David Bowie.

Bowie’s b’day was yesterday, fyi.  And the thin white duke has the distinct honor of being 1 of 300 people, to decline HRH, the Queen’s offer of knighthood. In Ashley’s words: “How rock & roll of him”.

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this leads me to #2 this week, which is…

#2 a helluva album cover

• #2 DIAMOND DOGS

The awesomeness speaks for itself.

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#3 Manba, cover image via Japanese magazine "Egg"

• #3 MANBA… all hail the Japanese street look of the 90s

How cool are they?  The whole taking of Western surf culture…peppered w/ Ken & Barbie… and then, taking it to the EXTREME. Turning it into a pastiche. It’s just brilliant.

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and speaking of pastiches… have you seen this?

#4 Muppets mock Twilight. win.

• #4  MUPPETS POSTER — aka Muppets mock Twilight

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#5 teen dreams and beauty queens. the ep

• #5 TEEN DREAMS & BEAUTY QUEENS — the Beach Week EP is here

and it is great. You can have a listen and grab it for yourself at either CD-baby or iTunes. (yes ma’am/sir, those are hotlinked).

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#6 Thunder & Lightning. live.

•  #6 THUNDER. LIGHTNING. the way you love me is frightening.

OJBG favorite composer and person, Mr. Brent Katz, has a show coming up. So to those of you located in NYC, I highly recommend that you check out his upcoming show at the Glasslands.

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•  #7 OJBG’s upcoming EP

Yes, this is TRUE!   I was actually in the recording studio — of the very kind and talented music-guru, Ben Ozeki — just last week.  I was there with the lovely Ms. Ellen Winter (aka Sarah Roberts).  I am extremely excited. There will be 3 songs on the EP — all tracks written & inspired by tracks composed by Brent Katz, and then performed by members of the cast. There is even a song called “Me, I’m Afraid of Nothing” and it sounds like a Hawaiian/Western. It is my favorite.

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#8 Geek Chic, via etsy BongaChopShop

• #8 The FACT THAT THIS DRESS EXITS

It is made by “Bonga Chop Shop” (found on etsy). And all hail the New Orleans based designer who makes these charming and adorable finds. I wish I had known about her sooner. The wallets she makes would have made great stocking-stuffers.

Check out the etsy shop HERE.

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#9, Looking for Alibrandi

• #9 MOVIES FROM OZ

I’ve been on a kick lately — watching coming of age movies from Down Under. The above still is from the wonderful movie “Looking for Alibrandi”, which is based on the eponymous book, “Looking for Alibrandi”, written by Melina Marchetta. Marchetta is absolutely amazing. Her book “On the Jellicoe Road” was  one of the favorites that I read last year.

(*And PS if you haven’t seen Peter Weir’s “Picnic at Hanging Rock” from ’75 –then I suggest you go see it… run, NOW. It’s a staple of Aussie cinema. And it’s that good.)

And now for some “Honorable Mentions from OZ” :

#9 tomorrow when the war began

The above still is from the movie  ‘Tomorrow When the War Began” (which is based off John Marsden’s best-selling book/series of the same name).  Some reasons why it is great:  Post-Apocalyptic survival story. Bad-Ass female lead. Coming-of-Age element.  Lush Scenery. Strong Action Sequences with compelling cinematography.

#9 cont'd: "Puberty Blues"

And of course there is “Puberty Blues”.  I know, I know, the name is kind of cringe-worthy. But, don’t be fooled by the slightly-sacharine name. The movie  explores the extreme darkness and light of being 13, in the ’79 Sydney suburbs.  The movie is (like the others listed in #9) based off a book of the same name. Incidentally, the book created quite a stir when it was published (mainly because the authors were only 18 when it was published, and also because the book was a candid auto-biographical account of their experiences being 13, and dealing with sex, heroin, and surfing).

#9 cont'd more "Puberty Blues"

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• #10  SEASON 5 of Orange Juice in Bishops Garden HAS BEGUN!

Hip, hip, HOORAY!

Watch the trailer here…

I hope that you  like, comment, & enjoy.  The first episode of Season 5 starts THIS FRIDAY! And new episodes roll-out weekly from then on — always new, always Friday. xoxo

Another rare bit — an old casting notice for “Kids”

"seeking ravers and club kids"

I actually remember that club, Tunnel. I went there a couple times in the very late 90s and very early 00′s. It was also nick-named “Bridge & Tunnel” b/c it had a sort of different (Lon Geiland & Noo Joisey) vibe, and was considered B-list to Twilo’s global-underground cache, Limelight’s notorious club-kid history, & Life’s extreme-beautiful-people.  Ugh, those days were weird.

1. Best Macaroon in the District.

photo by me (Otessa Ghadar)

is at Paul, in Georgetown (1078 Wisconsin Ave, near M st, NW). The macaroons come in 2 sizes: small & x-large. Just look at this beauty — an extra large pistachio macaroon…it was so luscious and delicious, you would’ve sworn it had been freshly made at Laduree in Paris, specially for Marie Antoinette. Yes. It’s that good. See the pic?

Want more: read more coverage, here, at dc-eater.

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2. Big Bear Cafe, in Bloomsbury

photos by capitolspiceblog.com, flickr user "stereogab", Corbo E. (via Yelp), & Jim Malone (via dcist.com)

I haven’t been there yet but I am theoretically obsessed. Really need to make it out there.

PS Check out more of stereogab’s flickr pics: HERE. And check out more of Jim Malone’s photostream: HERE.

photo via bigbearcafe-dc.com

For more pics & reading… you can go: here (capitolspiceblog), here (Yelp), and here (dcist) for some interesting reading about the ANC5c v. BBC liquor license debacle.

To check out Big Bear’s website, click here.

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3. McMillan Reservoir’s Sand Filtration System

photo via Tyler Nelson flickr user "mediaslave"

Beautiful Urban Decay. Sigh…

I am going to be doing a follow-up post about McMillan, later this week, complete with more beautiful pictures.  So please keep a look out for that. The site is just too beautiful to just skim over like this…

In the meantime, see some more beautiful pics from mediaslave’s photostream: here.

Read more about the place and support it: here (@ ourmcmillan.com).  ps Thanks scoutmob for the “where is this” tip.

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 4.Hi-top fades

#1 (L) Kid 'n' Play and (R) Big Daddy Kane with some super-inspiring hi-top fades (photos via theurbanconnection.wordpress.com)

I really wish my hair could do this. This is like a metonymic representation of  a golden era for me (namely the late 80s and early 90s)  and it makes me all wistful for my childhood. Anyone out there rock them back then?

I feel like I’ve been seeing some bellwether trendsetters rocking these around the district… and it makes my day. Damn they look so cool.

Also, how great were Kid ‘n’ Play’s “House Party” movies?  Go have a marathon right now!

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 5. Ice Skating + Hot Chocolate at the National Gallery.

Photo © by Rob Shelley, National Gallery of Art (via dc.about.com)

It’s chilly, so go skating.  And then you can warm up by either drinking yummy hot chocolate OR by going inside afterwards to check out all the  lovely (*free!*) exhibits at the neighboring museums.  It’s ideal for dates of both the friendly, or significant-otherly kind. Also if you hate chocolate, they have delicious apple cider too…   Don’t you just love how everyone’s cheeks get all rosy after being out ice-skating?  …and how everyone is so bundled up and snug?  Ice skating is like a sure-fire serotonin booster. (bonus: even if you lack the ability of this high-ability-threshold sport,  it’s still oodles of fun.)

The skate rink is opened ’till 9pm Sunday – Thursday, and ’till 11pm on weekends. $8 gets you 2 hrs of fun, plus $3 for skates. It’s price- equiv. to going to the movies, but has more magic.  For more info go to the Official Site here.

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 6. 100% free Juice Joint … yay juice. yay free

#6 100% free juice, image via scoutmob.com

get the juice and app: here.  Juice Joint is downtown, @ 1025 Vermont Ave., NW.  You can also check out their website here . (How cute the site’s animated pineapple…?)

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And now begins the part of the Top 10, that  I will call the “Nerd Special”… it’s all geek themed, and 100% awesome.

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7.  60′s Star Trek fashion

BAMF's , via wikipedia

I mean just look at this — super inspirational.

Still don’t believe me…?

Check out these images from the primary/proposed pilot, “The Cage”… which DIDN’T feature Shatner, DID feature a smiling Spock (!?), and  proudly featured a female XO, aka “Number One”.

I need these .

Bill Theiss (the costume designer for Star Trek TOS) was a god.

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8. Leonard Nimoy

photo via mmwithemma.blogspot.com

He’s my hero.  I hope that one day I find myself sitting next to him on a plane, or at a diner.

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9.  Neverland Redux… or maybe scratch that. (Muppets anyone?)

Ok so Part 1 aired Sunday night, and quite frankly, I wasn’t impressed. (It seemed like they took out all the joy & magic.) Where’s the joy? Hopefully it will appear like a rabbit out of tonight’s hat, when I watch my DVR’ed pt2. You can watch it a 9/8central on Syfy.  Don’t even get me started on the scifi channel’s new name.

Actually come to think of it… maybe you should just watch the new Muppets Movie instead. Can we just re-elect a previous obsession to be this week’s #9.  Yes, I think we can…

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#10 support the DIY (e)book movement. Read the excellent short story "Hello, Moto" by Nnedi Okorafor. Check out TOR.com. (illustration by Goni Montes via tor.com)

10. Nnedi Okorafor. DIY (e)book movement. Nollywood. And the site that brings you this righteous flashpoint= TOR.com

Reading free pdf’s, of excellent short stories & books, on TOR.com  is awesome — also honorable mention to the TOR.com website. It’s excellent.

I do consider myself somewhat of an Analog Girl and I love the physical reality of a book…

But, I realized this summer, that so many DIY authors are putting themselves and their work out there, as free ebooks and pdfs. And I was really robbing myself of some brave new voices in literature by not immersing myself in the e-book world.  so–

Revel in the counter-culture of the new movement.  –As a starter I recommend checking out Peter Watts (try his “Starfish”, which is an excellent +bleak cyberpunk novel)and Cory Doctorow (who while a “serious published author” has also been a forerunner and strong proponent of self-published/creative commons literature.)  Click on the authors’ names in that last sentence to get their free books.  (hey thnx feedbooks.com!)

I’m especially psyched about a Nnedi Okorafor story that TOR has up right now.  (Read it HERE.)   She is a bright new voice in SF, who sets her work in a darkly futuristic Africa.  The story is supposed to be the perfect blend of witchcraft, science, and Nollywood. Oh, and what is Nollywood, you may ask… it’s a term heralding Nigerian film and its attendant  cultural/media boom.

1. Molly Soda.

I know. I know.  “Internet Sensation” deserves the scare quotes… yes?? or no??  Check out her tumblr: here  and decide for yourself.  I think her whole “dear mom, sorry for going to art school” vibe is so cute.

kinda adorable.

And here is the thing — her style reminds me of my teenaged-self

…well, minus the putting naked pictures online.

(I’ll show you some of my old high old school pictures in another blog post!)

Actually my teen self vacillated between 1/2 Molly Soda and 1/2 …

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2. Taissa Farmiga (aka Violet on “American Horror Story”) (aka my other 1/2)

Taissa Farmiga, as Violet. aka My Teen Self

This is the other, flip-side to the coin of my teen-aged self.  aka style rep #2 of former teen self.

Isn’t she just cute as a button?

And Vera Farmiga’s littlest sister is also a talented actor.

My Teenage Doppelganger... reveling in her sadness and listening to the Smiths

Taissa’s character Violet is just so tough, and sad, and put-off by life, and she has no idea just how sweet she actually is. But it’s not a sweetness instead of or despite of the toughness & sadness.  It doesn’t belie or disallow. It’s a sweetness that is inextricably linked to, and is BECAUSE of the hardness, and because she has no idea of its existence.

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3. American Horror Story.

#3 American Horror Story, on FX

It really is that good. The performances are amazing. And no it is not just some schlocky shock-factor stuff, which you may have been made to believe.  Although, I find that it is far more enjoyable/less disturbing to watch during the DAYTIME, rather than when it is dark outside. (**Spoiler alert** –> The violent double-murder of the 60′s nurses, and the ensuing copy-cat murder scene were particularly disturbing to me. But I am also sensitive.)  Check out the show’s official page & watch bonus content etc: here.   And catch up on the show on hulu: here.

OK. Now let’s take a “Ceiling Tour” of Washington DC. (“What is a Ceiling Tour?” you may ask.  Have a look below…)

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 4.  The ceiling of the Kennedy Center

The ceiling of the Kennedy Center (photocred: Laura Padgett)

photocred: Laura Padgett

and also the Kennedy Center at night …

photocred: Laura Padgett

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 5. Kogod Courtyard’s Ceiling at the National Portrait Gallery

#5 Kogod Courtyard (photo courtesy of Laura Padgett)

check out more of Laura Padgett’s photostream: here.  And check out the museum’s official page & find out info on exhibits: here.

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6. The Friendship Heights Metro Station  (for taking pictures & photo-ops)

It’s just so photogenic!

Friendship Heights (photo courtesy of: M.V. Jantzen)

and check out more of M.V. Jantzen’s photostream: here.

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 7.  The Dupont North Metro Station (it’s the 6th longest escalator in the world)

and is also awesome for taking pictures

#7 Dupont North (photo courtesy of: M.V. Jantzen)

Also, and let’s call this one 7-and-a-half… When the Red Line actually runs on time.  That is always a special occasion.

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8.Food Trucks!!

DC is having a renaissance. (Or, well, I’m not sure if this is a re-birth or just a first-time bloom). Let’s say we are experiencing a local Golden Age of food trucks.

Let’s hit up some bullet points, shall we…

fojol (photo courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/fojolbros)

• Fojol Brothers of Merlindia and Benethiopia

I’ve been meaning to try out Fojol Bros. I keep hearing it’s great. And apparently one of its founders (err brothers) is a kid that I used to go to school with and I think it’s really cool that he started this.  He has become what seems to be part-food-truck-entrepreneur–part-cult-leader. So here’s a shout out for his endeavor. Kudos.

via www.facebook.com/fojolbros

PS They have a pumpkin & chicken dish, that I’ve been eager to try. (I love pumpkin. and chicken. and together they are mesmerizing).

PPS How amazing is their whole South Asian Merry Prankster vibe?

Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –>   website   twitter   facebook

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• Solar Crepes

I’ve also been keen on checking out Solar Crepes.  This one is in the Ballston and Arlington areas, for those of you a tiny bit farther afield.    Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –>    website    twitter

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photo courtesy of http://redhooklobsterdc.com/

• Red Hook Lobster Pound

And the lobster roll truck is pretty damn amaz too.   Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –>  website    twitter

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•  Curbside Cupcakes

word on the street is– try the red velvet.

Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –>  website    twitter

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Dangerously Delicious Pie Truck, via facebook.com/dangerouspiesdc

• DCPieTruck

It’s Dangerously Delicious’ food truck. (I’ve already blogged about Dangerously Delicious here) so you know how good they are. But this even better, b/c it comes to you!     Further link for perusal / info on where they are when –>  twitter

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• Sauca

photo via twitter.com/wheresauca

Is also supposed to be amazing global-fusion of epic proportions.

EG from banh mi to Mexicali fish tacos, you can get it here. Hooray to that.

Further links for perusal & for info on where they are when –>  website    twitter

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• Takorean

Korean tacos?  ooh…so fascinating…want to try. Already a fave in LA, the Korean taco experience has come to DC. Anyone tried it yet?   Further links for perusal & for info on where they are when –>  website    twitter

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 9.   THANKSGIVING DINNER! Hooray for Turkey!! and…PIE!! And Leftovers!! (and the 1 turkey that the President will pardon)

Also let’s also tip our hats to this most bizarre and verging-on-perverse Washingtonian tradition of Presidential Pardons for Turkeys?!?!   Yes, that is right. Every year, the president “pardons” 1 singular turkey, freeing it from the bonds of being turned into his White House supper.  (Of course, they still eat turkey on Thanksgiving at the White House… it is just a different turkey.)  I would love to know the history and origin story of this whole thing. It’s just too too curious and weird.

Also… just what becomes of the pardoned turkey?  Is he put out to pasture and guaranteed a easy retirement in a community for active seniors?  Or is s/he just sent back to the slaughter-pool?

Does anyone know?! Can someone tell me??

PS In a moment of excellent synchronicity, Sam also/already blogged about the Turkey-pardoning-tradition (: Read it here.

PPS Apparently Obama pardoned not 1, but 2 turkeys this year, named Hope & Peace.

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10.  The Brand-Spanking New Beavis & Butthead

Believe me, I wish I could say that I never found this funny. I also wish that I could claim that I no longer found it funny. But the new season of Beavis & Butthead is just as hilarious, just as secretly-inciteful, as crude, as occasionally-inane, and as uproarious as ever. Nothing in sacred. And it brings a smile to my face  *in much the same was as ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ brings me to the point of late-night-giggle-induced-mental-messiness.

left pic is from the infamous Daria episode_____ right pic is sneak peek at next wk's new ep

Is it just me or is MTV getting …(dare I say it) …kind of cool again? just maybe?  I mean Beavis & Butthead is in all it’s glory. The MGMT, Skrillex, & deadmau5 vids are pretty on point or “culturally-relevant”. And Beavis & Butthead’s skewering of the vids is effing hilarious.

Also, you can stream so many of the MTV greats on their website (eg have a late-night nostalgia-special watching Aeon Flux, B&B, etc etc…) by clicking HERE.  (See my other blog post about Aeon Flux, Liquid Television, 90s late-night  MTV, and online streaming HERE !)

I’ve also embedded the trailer for you — right here — b/c I’m nice.

Is it a brave new era?

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Honorable Mention… Have you gotten your 100% free Z burger, yet?? (hey thanks, scoutmob!)

be thanksgiving-approved and get your free turkey burger

Check out the deal and get the app: HERE.

And don’t forget: they have veggie burgers and turkey burgers too!

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#1 National Gallery's lower level is pretty (photo: Otessa)

1. the lower level of the National Gallery.

I’ve embedded some pics that I took (along with a couple hipstamatics by Jorge Franzini too) that I think are pretty neat.  They are for you to peruse…and I hope you like them (:

photos: Otessa

The Upper Level of the National Gallery is also lovely…

photo: Jorge Franzini

photo: Otessa

photos by: Otessa Ghadar & Jorge Franzini

and now for #2…

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#2 picking pink ladies (photo: Otessa)

2. Apple Picking.

So I just went out of town with my beloved long-time friend, Lauren. And we went apple picking, at the Carter Mountain Apple Orchard and Vineyard. It was the end of the season, so apple-varietal options were somewhat limited (either Fuji or Pink Ladies). Although, Pink Ladies are one of my favorite types– they are such wonderful almost-dessert-like eating-apples. They have hints of (I swear) honeysuckle and rose. And they are both crisp to crunch on, but soft on the palate. Pretty perfect.

{photo: Otessa Ghadar :}

The other great thing about Carter Mountain is that it is not only an orchard, but also a vineyard.  So, after hiking through the apple orchard hills, we were able to do some wine tasting (which they called “Wine Flights”… as in flights of fancy…?)  The sweet wines had the great distinction of “tasting like shower gel,” according to the ever-quotable Lauren.  Super-vintage the wine may not have been… but still, some were quite drinkable and a good time was had by all.

______pink ladies._____________carter mountain.____________Lauren!__________ ( photos: Otessa)

(PS Lauren is an acclaimed food-writer extraordinaire –{I’m so proud of her!!}– She writes a column for NYC’s the Village Voice, and her work has also appeared in the NY Times, Gourmet, Elle, etc… And her 1st book, “Four Kitchens”, was just published… you can check it out HERE and HERE.)  Can you tell by my descriptions in this paragraph that I was spending the weekend with a food writer? I think she inspired me…

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#3 Old-school Vanilla Egg Creams at the Soda Fountain Counter (photo: Otessa)

3. Having a vanilla egg cream, at a bona fide 5 & dime drugstore soda-fountain-counter

Doesn’t this just remind you of Jimmy Stewart and make you think: “It’s a Wonderful Life”.  Ahh!!   So amazing.  Also, let’s talk about “New York Egg Creams”.  A)  They are my favorite.   B). They have *neither* eggs, nor cream. The delightful and magical beverage refreshment hails from Brooklyn and was allegedly created in the early 1900s by Jewish candy store owner and emigree, Louis Auster, who came to America and opened a candy store in Brooklyn. Reportedly, 3,000 Egg Creams were sold each day, until the day the store closed.

mmm...yummy (photo: Otessa)

Here is a recipe!!  (recipe courtesy of: What’s Cooking America )

Ingredients:

Approximately 1/2 cup cold whole milk*
1 cup bottled seltzer
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup**

* Skim or 1% milk won’t foam as well

** Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup is used in New York.  (NB many purists allege it’s not a “true” egg cream, w/out Fox’s choc. syrup. But, I personally wear the “white robes of the apostle” for VANILLA egg creams. I swear by them. Or try them both and do a taste test.)

Preparation:

Pour 1/2 inch of cold milk into a tall soda glass. Add seltzer or club soda to within 1 inch of the top of the glass; stir vigorously with a long spoon (this will cause it to become white and bubbly with a good head of foam).

Very gently pour 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup slowly down the inside of the glass; briskly stir with a long spoon only at the bottom of the glass where the chocolate sits. The resulting drink should have a dark brown bottom and a 1-inch high pure white foam top (if you mix it too much, the foam disappears).

NOTE: Do not let Egg Cream sit for a long period of time-5 minutes or more; it will go flat. 

Makes 1 serving.

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#4 Monticello and Long Weekend Trips (photo: Otessa Ghadar)

4. Taking Long Weekend Trips to Historically-Significant (and significantly-dorky) Locales. 

Lauren & I went to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home), which is where we got to do #2 & #3 on this list.

Kind of a funny story:  I got really hungry while at Monticello.  (*you see I am one of those people who absolutely adores and must feast at breakfast…and if I don’t get enough food in the AM, I am a grumpy-borz. So, I was trying to avoid becoming a crabby toddler, and to alleviate my snackiness…I started feasting on Thomas Jefferson’s garden.

Borage & Purple Cauliflower, Heritage Garden (photo: Otessa)

Monticello has an amazing “Heritage Garden” so it was ideal for snacking.  I definitely ate a shockingly spicy pepper tho’ — and spent the next 15minutes by the nasturtiums and lemon balm, trying to soothe my poor face/tongue/self.

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5. Bake Sale, Mercies, and Neutron Bomb @ Velvet Lounge

Bake Sale brings you Unicorns & Rainbows

So,  Bake Sale (an OJBG favorite band, and featured in our show’s ep & sndtrk here) has a Concert coming up on 11/17 at the Velvet Lounge.  Support DC & B’more’s best rising talent. <3

Details…

Time/Date: Thursday 11/17, 8:30pm to 11:30pm

Where: The Velvet Lounge    915 U St NW  Washington, DC

more info here

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6. Bake Sale REDUX

Bake Sale+Comet=so much yay

So we at OJBG have much much <3 for Bake Sale. And we also have big love for Comet Ping Pong (**we’ve shot at Comet for Season 4 & also Season 5 of our show “Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden”…and we even filmed Bake Sale playing their 1st show at Comet– see HERE)

And so it is so so delightful to know that Bake Sale is playing an upcoming concert at Comet Ping Pong on 11/20.

The re-combination of Bake Sale + Comet Ping Pong = so much yay.

Event Details here…

Time/Date:  Sunday, November 20 · 9:00pm – 11:30pm

Where:  Comet Ping Pong   5037 Connecticut Avenue NW Wash DC

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7. Comet Ping Pong

I’ve shot there. We love it. ‘Nuff said!

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#8 The DC zoo's Inverts House

8. The invertebrate house at the Zoo!

They have a new baby octopus!  RIP to Octavius our former octopus, who was a wonderful octopod…and who, while female, had the deceivingly masculine name of “Octavius”.

Octavius in her prime. So fierce and clever. (photo courtesy of the DC zoo)

(In case you didn’t know, I spend most Thursdays as an “Exhibit Interpreter” at the zoo’s Invertebrate House. So, yeah, I have oodles of admiration for this place. Best in the zoo. True words.

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#9 Stevie's Wondrous Bird of Beauty on Fulfillingness' First Finale

9.  Stevie Wonder — Bird of Beauty, on “Fulfillingness’ First Finale”

(This one’s from Ashley!)

Listen here:

Fulfillingness’ First Finale is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974.  And ASHLEY says it’s been her weekly obsession-in-song-form.

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#10 Muppets and Jim Henson-magic

10. The MUPPETS

We had a long talk about the Muppets today at OJBG HQ (aka 20/20).  They are awesome. We love them. Sesame Street too.

this picture brings me to the verge of tears. RIP Jim ____________(photo courtesy of http://theredherringmusic.tumblr.com/)

RIP Jim Henson. We miss you.

I’m really & truly looking forward to the new Muppets movie… it looks amazing. (I was a tad worried about the Disney-fication of the Muppets) … but this trailer had me absolutely enchanted!   The silliness, the SHEER JOY, the camaraderie, the pure muppet-ey magic… it’s all here. I can hardly wait (:

Watch the trailer here and see for yourself. What do you think??

Check out the Muppets brand-spanking-new-ish website HERE too

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HONORABLE MENTION…. this one is from our wonderful new intern, Cristina Goldchain — “Party Rock” by  LMFAO

a song that you dont want to like but you cant help it. Its the 3rd wk of this song being in her head since she saw a Halloween light-show, that was set to pumpkin faces, and this song. (search Youtube for link)

1. Reel Fest D.C.

            The weekend we have all been talking about is finally here! Reel Fest D.C. is in full swing this entire weekend. At the festival, there will be a screening of Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden Episode 4.02 “Sarah Live! At Comet Ping Pong” as well as works by some of Washington, D.C.’s most inspiring up and coming filmmakers! OJBG is being screened Saturday night at 9 p.m. and Monday afternoon at 12 p.m. at the Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts. The address is 1055 Thomas Jefferson Street NW,
Washington, DC 20007. Visit the Facebook event for more details! To purchase tickets, head to the Reel Fest D.C. website: http://www.reelfestdc.com/

*Tip: Note the location change in the Facebook event. It would be tragic if you showed up to the wrong place and missed this splendid event.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151617208263790

2. The Reel Fest D.C. After-Party

            We have raved about the actual event, but the After-Party is just as important! Right after Reel Fest D.C., head on over to the D.C. Jazz Loft this Sunday night, November 13th,  for some sweet tunes, a cool atmosphere, and great conversations with inspiring D.C. natives who love the arts just as much as we do!

*Tip: Check out the Facebook event for all the little details regarding the After-Party.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=283110075063089

3. Free Burger at Z Burger

            Who doesn’t like getting stuff for free? OJBG certainly does! Z Burger in Tenleytown is offering its customers a single patty burger 100% free of charge. The offer is available from now until November 18^th.  Why are you still sitting here reading this? Go get that burger.

*Tip: OJBG heard of this deal through ScoutMob. Download the app to your smart device and easily stay informed about all of the hot deals circulating D.C. every day.

http://scoutmob.com/washington-dc/today/2011-11-11?referrer=Scoutfinds&utm_source=DC%3A+Scoutfinds&utm_campaign=5ff9cb119c-DC_DailyEmail_11_11_2011&utm_medium=email

4.  Make a wish! It’s 11/11/11.

            It’s okay to give in to the camp tradition of kissing the clock and making a wish at 11:11. Take this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a wish at 11:11 p.m. on 11/11/11.

*Tip: Be careful what you wish for- it may actually come true this time around.

5. The Harry Potter Finale

            If you’re like me and enjoy a cozy night in on the couch with Chinese food fresh out of the carton and your best pals next to you every once and awhile, I suggest making a night like this happen this weekend in celebration of the DVD release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Who would give up an opportunity for relaxation, quality time with the pals, and a night to relish in the FINAL CHAPTER OF HARRY POTTER? I certainly would not.

*Tip: Watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone first. Your mind will be blown by how young the trio was, how sucky the special effects were, and how incredibly wonderful the series’ beginning still is.

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          **PS psst extra addition by Otessa:

#6 see kimya live at the black cat. minus the bunny suit

 #6   Kimya Dawson is playing tonight (11/11/11) at the Black Cat… doors are at 9pm. Check it out, get tickets & info HERE.

It’s been a while since I saw her live…actually it was several years ago, when she and Adam Green were still Moldy Peaches. There was a bunny suit involved & the drinking of (fake/real?) pee on stage. Quite memorable. I also have one of Adam Green’s sweaters. Long story. It was bought from off of his back.

Nirvana casting call

Isn’t this amazing? Ah to have been an extra in “Smells Like Teen Spirit”…