Gah
DC DC.
I've been running around the city like crazy, and it's only been two days, but seems longer.
And my housing frenzy has two more days to go.
I am consumed by it I suppose, and woke up from a dream where I was peering into the windows of a multi-story apartment building, and each window displayed the amenities and price. The whole top floor, was reserved for Bush executive or low income.
Huh. :/
I am torn about this city.
Georgetown is so picturesque of course, with the revolutionary era architecture, tree lined streets, and beacon hill-ish feel to it of history and white affluence.
Then there's also nice city neighborhoods of neat modern architecture, parks, and colorful row houses.
One had a gaudy stain glassed bay window out front. It was lilies. The fucking thing was GILDED.
I got to meet up with Matt Soule, which was awesome, and despite my tired legs, we went on a nice little 2hr stroll around. I wondered if one day some kid would hurl a brick thru that lily window, and bring their proud owners' world crashing down....
I think about the racial tensions in this city, where traditionally black neighborhoods are being gentrified, and there are more white faces on the street, and I wonder how that may fuel more animosity. If there is a solution for peaceful coexistance of peoples. The difference, sadly, counts for so much.
I guess I couldn't sleep tonight. And all these reflections needed an outlet.
I wonder if I will be happy in Columbia Heights, the colorful and ethnic neighborhood filled with peruvian and mexican chicken places, latin american grocers and scattered dingy blocks. Or if I could stick it out in the blandish vanilla "nice" Ballston, Virginia, with its concrete city center, and more prevalent housing. There were some really nice houses that I saw, both in Ballston, and Columbia Heights.
I'm now playing the waiting game to hear back from the folks whose open houses I attended, and tried to show off my more convivial, jovial side and ask pertinent questions.
One interview went particularly well. It was a Punjab fellow who bought a few homes to rent out as a business venture, and he was interesting to talk to. Apparently he was all over my eclectic interests, and had even perused our family album online. Heh.
He was really enthused by me, and told me that even if I didn't take the room (which I have to admit, was Way too small) I was welcome as a friend any time.
He told me that my technical side would get a kick out of his mechanically operated vent for the center island stove in his marble counter topped kitchen.
Tee hee.
I don't think I could live over there though, too far removed (though he stressed the walkability, I sensed otherwise) and too sterile.
One of my appointments blew me off completely, either by idiotically giving me the wrong address, time, whatever. For my part, I should have gotten her phone number to call. I guess I was rushed when I made some of those appointments. I can't help but feel nervous that I might have to do this again NEXT weekend or what have you.
This whole process is so goddamn draining...
Oh and I did get to hang with my locally situated family - my cousin Galya, hubby Lesha, and funny as hell 10-yr old Nastya.
They made me dinner, and took us all to see Ratatouille. Which is just as awesome as my brother proclaimed it was. So yes. :)
I'm getting tired again, I think I'll take this opportunity to recline once again...
I've been running around the city like crazy, and it's only been two days, but seems longer.
And my housing frenzy has two more days to go.
I am consumed by it I suppose, and woke up from a dream where I was peering into the windows of a multi-story apartment building, and each window displayed the amenities and price. The whole top floor, was reserved for Bush executive or low income.
Huh. :/
I am torn about this city.
Georgetown is so picturesque of course, with the revolutionary era architecture, tree lined streets, and beacon hill-ish feel to it of history and white affluence.
Then there's also nice city neighborhoods of neat modern architecture, parks, and colorful row houses.
One had a gaudy stain glassed bay window out front. It was lilies. The fucking thing was GILDED.
I got to meet up with Matt Soule, which was awesome, and despite my tired legs, we went on a nice little 2hr stroll around. I wondered if one day some kid would hurl a brick thru that lily window, and bring their proud owners' world crashing down....
I think about the racial tensions in this city, where traditionally black neighborhoods are being gentrified, and there are more white faces on the street, and I wonder how that may fuel more animosity. If there is a solution for peaceful coexistance of peoples. The difference, sadly, counts for so much.
I guess I couldn't sleep tonight. And all these reflections needed an outlet.
I wonder if I will be happy in Columbia Heights, the colorful and ethnic neighborhood filled with peruvian and mexican chicken places, latin american grocers and scattered dingy blocks. Or if I could stick it out in the blandish vanilla "nice" Ballston, Virginia, with its concrete city center, and more prevalent housing. There were some really nice houses that I saw, both in Ballston, and Columbia Heights.
I'm now playing the waiting game to hear back from the folks whose open houses I attended, and tried to show off my more convivial, jovial side and ask pertinent questions.
One interview went particularly well. It was a Punjab fellow who bought a few homes to rent out as a business venture, and he was interesting to talk to. Apparently he was all over my eclectic interests, and had even perused our family album online. Heh.
He was really enthused by me, and told me that even if I didn't take the room (which I have to admit, was Way too small) I was welcome as a friend any time.
He told me that my technical side would get a kick out of his mechanically operated vent for the center island stove in his marble counter topped kitchen.
Tee hee.
I don't think I could live over there though, too far removed (though he stressed the walkability, I sensed otherwise) and too sterile.
One of my appointments blew me off completely, either by idiotically giving me the wrong address, time, whatever. For my part, I should have gotten her phone number to call. I guess I was rushed when I made some of those appointments. I can't help but feel nervous that I might have to do this again NEXT weekend or what have you.
This whole process is so goddamn draining...
Oh and I did get to hang with my locally situated family - my cousin Galya, hubby Lesha, and funny as hell 10-yr old Nastya.
They made me dinner, and took us all to see Ratatouille. Which is just as awesome as my brother proclaimed it was. So yes. :)
I'm getting tired again, I think I'll take this opportunity to recline once again...