Random Sputterings: 1/14/2002

[elSicomoro]

File Under "Fuck!!!": Rho's job is a temporary position. She has had it since last February, and there had been talk that the temps there (there were like 5 or 6 of them) would be given permanent positions.

Unfortunately, the company has decided to move their work from Philadelphia to Cherry Hill, NJ. Rho was told that her last day would be Friday, but that she didn't have to come in the rest of the week and would still be paid. What do you think she is going to do?

Funny part of the story: Rho and I can share temp agency reps.

Road Trip: Friday, I headed south to Maryland and Virginia. The traffic was amazingly quiet. I headed down I-95 during the early afternoon. I decided to go ahead and pay the tolls...too lazy to toll-jump. I love the countryside as you drive through Maryland...nice and scenic.

I had lunch at BD's Mongolian Barbeque, located on Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Bethesda, MD. The food is absolutely amazing! For those unfamiliar...

--You take a bowl and pick a choice of meat, fish, pasta, or tofu. I went with chicken.
--Then you pick your vegetables and/or other items. I'm not a huge fan of vegetables, so I went with mushrooms and pineapple.
--Next, add your sauce...a variety of sauces from garlic oil to teriyaki. I went with a bit of tomato and basil and a bit of teriyaki.
--Then you top it off with a seasoning...again, a wide variety. I went with caribbean.
--Lastly, you take your bowl over to the counter, where the cooks put it on a grill, chop it up, and cook it.

Tortillas and white rice are served on the side. Prices are very reasonable.

Then, onto the famed Capital Beltway over to dham's work. He told me to call him once I hit Chain Bridge Rd. near Tyson's Corner. Wound up finding his building on the first try. Pretty good, considering there are a bunch of buildings in the area with "SAIC" on top of them.

Went to the Apple Store to see the new iMacs. Yep, that computer is bitchin'. Tried to convince dham to wait on buying an iPod, which lasted all of 2 days.

Played the X-Box--Dead or Alive 3. Very detailed graphics, quick loading time...got my ass kicked. Impressive, although I'd still rather have a PS2.

Then, we ate at Busara. Very nice place. Pad gai...mmmm. Delicious. My appetizer (whatever it was called--pork with a hot sauce) was excellent. Ate tofu for the first time in forever...not bad.

I then made my way home, and decided to head through DC, instead of looping the Beltway. Got lost...this never fails. Even when I lived in DC, I always got lost just past Capitol Hill. I know the area and all, but I was trying to get to New York Ave...the signage is horrible...wound up on Benning Rd. and Maryland Ave. NE, which is a rough area. Finally found my way to New York Ave. and made my way north on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

The B-W Parkway is cool to drive at night, b/c it runs through the woods, and it feels like it is in the middle of nowhere. Always one of my favorite roads to drive in the DC area. And since I took the Ft. McHenry Tunnel going into Baltimore, I had to take the Harbor Tunnel leaving Baltimore.

It was getting late when I left Fairfax...by the time I got back to Philadelphia, it was after 1am. But I like driving the roads at night...they're quieter. Amazingly, I did not see any police on the highways at all on Friday...they were probably hiding.

Good trip overall. I wish I could have kept the car a few more days. A brand new Chevy Cavalier 4-door. Nice handling, quick acceleration. The seat provided lots of support, which was hard to get used to at first.

No cassette or CD player, so I got to play around on the radio. I was impressed as hell with WHFS in Washington. They're doing a "Jockless in January" deal, where they essentially have no disc jockeys on during January. Lots of music. Good idea. I wish Y-100 would do that in Philadelphia.

Radio: I haven't listened to it much since I lost the stereo in my car in September (long story). But one thing I will say is this: WYSP in Philadelphia would probably be one of the best damned stations in the US if they would a) get rid of Howard Stern and b) get rid of Opie and Anthony.

Don't know how many of you are familiar with Opie and Anthony. They broadcast a syndicated radio show out of New York from 3-7pm Eastern Time M-F. Crude, outlandish, although funny...better than Stern. Apparently at one time, they did a show in Boston, but were driven out after playing an April Fool's joke saying that the mayor was dead.

Gatorade: I love Gatorade...it is a beautiful thing. My favorite flavor is Star Fruit. I was sad when they pulled Lemon Ice off the shelves. Now, they have a new flavor--Lime Ice. Delicious!!! I am happy once again.

Simple Pleasures: I am a huge fan of Rand McNally atlases. When my last one was swallowed up by the apartment monster sometime last year, I was rather sad.

This weekend, I finally went out and plopped down $12 for a new one. I needed a new one anyway, and it's helpful for me in creating my new road geek section for Sycamoreland. Helps me figure out just exactly where I've been.

Football: The Eagles played well, but will lose in Chicago. Green Bay played well, but are now the next victims of the Greatest Show on Earth (and I don't mean Ringling Bros.). Baltimore played well, but will lose in Steel City. The Patriots and Raiders are interesting. Tom Brady is this year's Kurt Warner. I wouldn't mind seeing them win.

Hockey: I want the East-West back for the All-Star Game...not this silly N. America versus the World. I really believe the US can win the gold medal in Salt Lake City.

Done.