Every so often, a fellow finds himself in a position in which no one anywhere of any persuasion would ever wish to be.
Just the other day, I was in a Metro station, bag-burdened and in a rush. Suddenly the coffee I had drunk made its way through my system and I absolutely had to unload. After struggling to cash my card, I urgently asked where the nearest bathroom was and hurried to it.
Expecting an average, if somewhat dirty public facility, I was intrigued to discover a futuristic space-capable cubicle. I entered and pushed a heat-seeker button labeled "door." It slid closed with a gently ominous hiss.
Slinging my bags on a hook, I took stock of my surroundings. A sign proclaimed, "Push button for toilet seat. I did. The seat slid out from the wall dripping water and smelling faintly of industrial cleanser.
Another sign faced the toilet. This one read, "Time limit: 10 minutes. If amber light begins flashing, exit immediately." Underneath the warning was a Wash-Cycle Indicator.
Better make this quick, I thought.
I didn't have to wait long. Almost as soon as I sat, I was done. To my right was what looked like a run-of-the-mill toilet-paper dispenser. It too featured a heat-activated button. I thumbed it. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. I kept stabbing the metal, hoping that it was just slow. My eye flicked to the still-dormant evacuation light. How long had I been inside? How much time did I have left?
Despair reared its ugly head.
Fortunately, as a writer I am in perpetual possession of paper. I tore sheets from my notebook and cursing colorfully, began frantically to wipe.
Turns out there's a good reason notebook paper is not marketed as toilet tissue. After a long while of staring at the warning indicator as I tore paper pieces, feeling somewhat chafed and more than a little peeved, I was done. Keeping a weather eye on the light, I washed my hands several times in the automated sink, and finally pressed the escape button.
For all its technological wonder, the computerized commode had one fatal flaw. It needed a human to reload the toilet paper.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Boys on the Bus and Elements of Style- For SALE/Borrow
Heya Kids,
So, I am not taking the Political Journalism class, and I wanted to know if anyone wanted to buy the books off of me:
"The Boys on the Bus" ~$9
"Elements of Style"~$8
You can bid here, or you can also just gimme a couple of bucks to just borrow it when you need to read it.
Let me know.
Christina
818.282.5689
So, I am not taking the Political Journalism class, and I wanted to know if anyone wanted to buy the books off of me:
"The Boys on the Bus" ~$9
"Elements of Style"~$8
You can bid here, or you can also just gimme a couple of bucks to just borrow it when you need to read it.
Let me know.
Christina
818.282.5689
Friday, September 19, 2008
Got Plans Tomorrow???
I wanted to invite everyone so some awesome plans that I have for tomorrow...
Meet in the lobby at 1:30pm to take the Farragut West metro (toward Largo Center) to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian to watch a FREE Mestiza show in the Rasmuson Theatre:
Written and directed by Concepcion Leon Mora and performed by Sa'asTun, Mestiza Power is a powerfully performed and beautifully directed new work from Mexico that illustrates the dignity and everyday lives of contemporary Mayan women. Through a series of interviews conducted with city and rural street vendors, the artists recount childhood memories, educational experiences, cultural life, and current issues facing Mayan women. These interviews and monologues encompass the women's voices and include stories of domestic violence, street selling, and mystical practice.
Afterwards, you can explore the rest of the museum, check out the museums adjacent, or just hang out on "the mall" which has some great patches of grass for bringing a lunch or reading...
Then, we will buy our tickets to the IMAX showing of Dark Night at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The showing is at 5:45pm and costs $12.50.
Later in the evening, roon 407 is hosting a "Pajama Party" (real pajamas, people... - yes, i will be taking pictues ;))
RECAP:
Satuday, September 20th
Total metro cost ~ $3.00
Call me if any of this sounds like fun... 818.282.5689
Love,
Christina
p.s. i have safeway brand mayo, and a concentrated pesto sauce that I bought but do not like- anyone want it? I will throw it away by the end of this weekend...
Meet in the lobby at 1:30pm to take the Farragut West metro (toward Largo Center) to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian to watch a FREE Mestiza show in the Rasmuson Theatre:
Written and directed by Concepcion Leon Mora and performed by Sa'asTun, Mestiza Power is a powerfully performed and beautifully directed new work from Mexico that illustrates the dignity and everyday lives of contemporary Mayan women. Through a series of interviews conducted with city and rural street vendors, the artists recount childhood memories, educational experiences, cultural life, and current issues facing Mayan women. These interviews and monologues encompass the women's voices and include stories of domestic violence, street selling, and mystical practice.
Afterwards, you can explore the rest of the museum, check out the museums adjacent, or just hang out on "the mall" which has some great patches of grass for bringing a lunch or reading...
Then, we will buy our tickets to the IMAX showing of Dark Night at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The showing is at 5:45pm and costs $12.50.
Later in the evening, roon 407 is hosting a "Pajama Party" (real pajamas, people... - yes, i will be taking pictues ;))
RECAP:
Satuday, September 20th
- 1:30pm Meet in Lobby
- 2pm Mestiza Power Show at NMAI for Free
- 3ish-5:45pm Chill along mall or check out more museums (bring a lunch and we can have a picnic!)
- 5:45pm "Dark Night" IMAX film showing at NMNH f0r $12.50
- ~9pm Pajama Party (does anyone have twister?!?)
Total metro cost ~ $3.00
Call me if any of this sounds like fun... 818.282.5689
Love,
Christina
p.s. i have safeway brand mayo, and a concentrated pesto sauce that I bought but do not like- anyone want it? I will throw it away by the end of this weekend...
Hispanic Heritage Month
Message from Smithsonian:
FREE EVENTS FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH found at:
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month/hhm08/event_calendar.html
The following are the last events left: :)
FREE EVENTS FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH found at:
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month/hhm08/event_calendar.html
The following are the last events left: :)
| September 19 | ||
 | Mestiza Power | |
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| Friday, September 19 , 7:30 pm | ||
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| National Museum of the American Indian, Rasmuson Theater | ||
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| September 20 | ||
 | ¡Aventura en America Latina! | |
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| Saturday, September 20 , 10 am - 12 noon | ||
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| National Zoological Park | ||
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| September 20 | ||
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| Mestiza Power | |
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| Saturday, September 20 , 2 pm | ||
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| National Museum of the American Indian, Rasmuson Theater | ||
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| September 21 | ||
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| Fiesta Musical | |
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| Sunday, September 21 , 11 am - 5 pm | ||
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| National Zoological Park | ||
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| September 28 | ||
| Dance DC -- Pan American Symphony Orchestra | |
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| Sunday, September 28 , 3 pm | ||
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| Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard | ||
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| September 29 | ||
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 | Renwick Gallery Bilingual Highlights Tour | |
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| Monday, September 29 , 12 noon | ||
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| Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum | ||
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| September 30 - October 28 | ||
 | Three Short Films at the Heye Center | |
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| Tuesday, September 30 - Tuesday, October 28 , 1 and 3 pm (and 5:30 pm on Thursdays) | ||
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| National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, Auditorium | ||
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| One Bowling Green, New York City | ||
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| October 1 | ||
| ¡Borinquen! Music & Dance of Puerto Rico | |
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| Wednesday, October 1 , 10:15 and 11:30 am | ||
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| Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History | ||
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| October 2 | ||
| African Roots, Latino Soul | |
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| Thursday, October 2 , 10:15 and 11:30 am | ||
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| Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center | ||
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| Tickets required. Call 202.633.8700. | ||
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| October 4 | ||
| Living and Working in Space | |
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| Saturday, October 4 , 10 am - 3 pm | ||
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| National Air and Space Museum | ||
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| October 4 | ||
 | Artists Roundtable and Festival | |
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| Saturday, October 4 , 1 - 7 pm | ||
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| Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium and Kogod Courtyard | ||
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| October 4 | ||
| Latin Jazz Celebration | |
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| Saturday, October 4 , 2 - 5 pm | ||
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| National Postal Museum | ||
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| October 9 - October 10 | ||
| Mi Casa es Su Casa | |
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| Thursday, October 9 - Friday, October 10 , 10:15 and 11:30 am | ||
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| Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center | ||
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| October 11 | ||
| Storytelling Workshop | |
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| Friday, October 11 , 12 noon | ||
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| National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, Classroom | ||
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| One Bowling Green, New York City | ||
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| October 13 | ||
| Renwick Gallery Bilingual Highlights Tour | |
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| Monday, October 13 , 12 noon | ||
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| Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum | ||
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| October 14 - October 17 | ||
| Catch the Beat with Luis Garay | |
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| Tuesday, October 14 - Friday, October 17 , 10:15 and 11:30 am | ||
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| Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center | ||
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