more things I learned from Express
Much love for the following snippet from Disaffected Scanner Jockey:
Gentrification is the magic pixie dust of Washington. A few sprinkles, and a Starbucks springs to life. A good shake or two, and you wind up with a trendy gastropub, a wine bar, or an upscale pizza joint.
— DSJ, Your Wallet Or Your Ass?I had heard of, but not yet seen the videos from Kate McAlpine on YouTube rapping about particle physics, it’s cheesy but I do love the Large Hadron Rap. I still like the short Chemical Party from the research arm of the European Union a little better tho.
The source of the following quote mystifies me, but it’s good nonetheless:
I am concerned with the fact that Sarah Palin brought the attention to her daughter’s pregnancy, rather than all world issues and what she believes she could possibly do to change them–if elected. I get Sarah Palin’s views against abortion, but I would much prefer to hear more about what she can do for our country rather than how her daughter is going to have a child no matter what.
— Lindsay LohanAs Express snarkily and rightfully commented, Sentience crystals formed, then evaporated.
DSJ also said: “All this change has me worried. I enjoy skanky, trashy, dirty Washington.”
I do not. I don’t want DC to turn into an open air mall, á là Georgetown; but the new Columbia Heights is a vast improvement over what was there before. If it takes a Starbucks to drive out the crackheads, then bring on the Starbucks.
Thanks for the mention!
And, Kyle, oh dear. Please don’t ever take me seriously!
@kyle: I think if you look at what used to be in the area where the Stadium now sits, you’ll realize that quite a lot of people miss “skanky, trashy, dirty Washington”. While I’m not a fan of it, with gentrification you don’t get a middle ground, you only get “progress” towards the mini-mall, retail neighborhood. So much so that, like we saw on 14th Street, not only can the former residents not afford to stick around, but the stores that helped pave the way can’t afford it either.
I for one don’t miss the opportunity to have an off-duty Marine dance naked on the bar in front of me and offer to stir my drink with his junk in order for him to earn extra cash. The stadium is just fine by me. And an urban mall in place of empty lots and grungy warehouses – delightful! And feeling safe on 14th Street – priceless.
Why didn’t they have cool videos like this when I was a chemistry major.
Oh yeah, it was 30 years ago….. Dang.
All we had were cheesy T-shirts and bumper stickers.