What I’ve learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0007

301.  Eddie Vedder (the lead singer of “Pearl Jam”) smokes and drinks (beer);

302.  Médoc is a wine from the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary in the Bordeaux region of southwestern France;

303.  The Smithwick’s Mini-Burgers at Fadó (FadoIrishPub.com) are tasty, but watch out for the dripping grease;

304.  To win at Brainstormer Pub Quiz, it helps if the bar staff aids you and a team member is willing to spy on other players;

305.  You can rent sailboats at Belle Haven Marina (SailDC.com) on George Washington Parkway;

306.  The Cuban sandwich at Café Salsa is a poor substitute for Kuba Kuba’s (KubaKuba.info);

307.  People, who drive Rolls-Royces, shop at Wal-Mart too;

308.  La Tasca’s (LaTascaUSA.com) “Sangria Blanca” has a distinct (but pleasant) cinnamon flavor;

309.  Robbie likes vampire novels;

310.  When the bars and clubs close late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, Julia’s Empanadas (JuliasEmpanadas.com) is packed;

311.  There’s nothing like a warm, crisp, golden-brown, chorizo empanada (Spanish sausage with rice and black beans) after a long night of drinking by Dupont Circle;

312.  Tilex Soap Scum Remover works pretty well;

313.  The name, “Gypsy Rose,” doesn’t always refer to the famous, burlesque dancer;

314.  The drink of choice by some bartenders: Jameson’s (scotch) whiskey;

315.  In public policy, it matters less who has the best arguments and more who gets heard – and by whom;

316.  When taxes are examined overall–including state and local income, sales and property taxes–America has something close to a flat tax.  The top fifth of Americans pays just a penny more out of a dollar in taxes overall than the poorest fifth, 19 cents versus 18 cents;

317.  Whole Foods Market’s mashed potatoes are phenomenal;

318.  The Library of Congress (LoC.gov) was the first public building in D.C. to be illuminated by electricity;

319.  Only congressmen/women can check out books from the Library of Congress;

320.  Thomas Jefferson didn’t write in his books;

321.  In his personal library, Thomas Jefferson had books written in seventeen, different languages;

322.  On Saturdays, Tortilla Coast (TortillaCoast.com) has all you can eat chicken fajitas for $9.95, all day long;

323.  The Arts Club of Washington (ArtsClubofWashington.org) is in James Monroe’s old house;

324.  World TeamTennis (WTT.com) is somewhere between college and professional tennis;

325.  Some clues that a restaurant is about to go under: The menu’s been altered and slashed . . . Happy Hour goes from 4 o’clock to 9 o’clock, 6 days a week . . . the few people, who are actually there, are drinking instead of eating . . . and what passes as food sucks;

326.  Even soft drink reps think (diet and regular) soda is bad for you;

327.  Frenchmen like Asian women;

328.  Robbie’s favorite country: Spain;

329.  The ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery is way too sweet . . . and runny;

330.  The picadillo (i.e., Kuban beef hash) empanadillas at Kuba Kuba are tasty;

331.  Goat’s milk cheesecake is airier and not as sweet as the cream cheese kind;

332.  The opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing was amazing;

333.  When taking the Metro to sporting events, make sure you have enough on your SmarTrip (or fare) card to get home.  The lines at the fare kiosks get pretty long;

334.  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has A, B and C terminals.  AirTran Airways (formerly ValuJet Airlines) is in terminal A in the old, original building;

335.  If you take a flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, you get a great view of the Pentagon on the left;

336.  Frozen custard is richer, thicker and smoother than regular ice cream;

337.  It takes about 3 hours to drive across Wisconsin;

338.  The city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is named after the sport;

339.  La Crosse has the world’s largest six-pack (of beer);

340.  Supposedly, La Crosse has the most bars (i.e., 360), per capita, than any city in the world;

341.  Wisconsin is famous for beer, bratwurst and cheese;

342.  Liz Phair still looks good;

343.  What every woman should carry in her purse: a can of Bud Light;

344.  The glue used for city car decals reeks;

345.  The daily specials at the Crystal City Sports Pub (CCSportsPub.com) are pretty good and their chefs know how to cook a respectable steak;

346.  The mere possibility of getting what we want fills the soul of the ordinary person with guilt.  We look around at all those who have failed to get what they want and feel that we do not deserve to get what we want either.  We forget about all the obstacles we overcame, all the suffering we endured, all the things we had to give up in order to get this far.  A lot of people who, when their personal calling was within their grasp, went on to commit a series of stupid mistakes and never reached their goal – when it was only a step away;

347.  People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want;

348.  If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man;

349.  Life is the moment we’re living right now;

350.  Cognac is made from grapes;