Distract me in the District!

November 18, 2005 6:13 AM

What should I do this weekend in DC to distract myself from heartbreak? I got dumped a week ago, and just found out last night that he's already with someone new... Here are the resources at my disposal: $500, one bicycle, and no friends in town over the weekend.
posted by footnote to Travel & Transportation (40 answers total)

Have a lonely hearts last minute MeFi meetup? (I live in Baltimore and was recently the dumper...meh.)
posted by youcancallmeal at 6:14 AM on November 18, 2005

Look on meetin.org and see what's happening - I met the DC crew when they were in town last week, and they are great fun.
posted by different at 6:16 AM on November 18, 2005

Simple: $400 worth of Hagen Daz and $100 worth of sappy movies from Blockbuster.
posted by antifuse at 6:17 AM on November 18, 2005

Response by poster: antifuse - movie recommendations would be great! must not involve: love, children, or marriage.
posted by footnote at 6:24 AM on November 18, 2005

Movie suggestion: The Last Seduction!

For a more general idea, I'd suggest just doing something you enjoy and that takes your mind off things. Don't go to bars to try and meet someone new ("I'll show that fucker" etc.), try not to wallow. If you play guitar, write some new songs; if you surf, go surfing for the weekend; if you play tennis etc...
posted by pollystark at 6:34 AM on November 18, 2005

Oh, you're oing to need some BAD movies for this one. We're talking Major Payne bad.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:34 AM on November 18, 2005

For $500, you could have one awesome day at the spa. Get your nails done, get your hair did. Look so hot men will faint on the street.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:34 AM on November 18, 2005 [1 favorite]

if you surf, go surfing for the weekend

Now, I don't mean to snark here, but, um, DC is cold right now and we don't have surf on the Potomac. You could head up to Skyline Drive and look at the fall foliage though.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:37 AM on November 18, 2005

Check out DCist (DCist.com), the Post, or City Paper for some recommendations. One thing a friend of mine is doing this weekend: Take Metro and the AU shuttle to the Katzen Arts Center at American University. It's free and an alternative to tourists on the mall. They have this small museum gallery thingie and there's going to be an artists talk Sat @ 4. Other options: head down to Borders or B&N and find some good (non chick-lit) books to read. Get a deliciously sinful mocha and pastries and spend the day reading, but at least you'll be out of the house. Volunteer somewhere or clean out your place while rocking out to your favorite music; it's one of those things you never get to when your friends are in town, and will it probably feel good to "purge" given your state of mind.

It's really cold right now, I wouldn't recommend the biking at this point :)
posted by ml98tu at 6:38 AM on November 18, 2005

Also ThePinkSuperhero's suggestion is good.

Hrmm, no love, children, or marriage huh? Sounds like it's time for Pitch Black and Chronicles of Riddick! :)

Oh, wait, do you want GOOD movies?
posted by antifuse at 6:42 AM on November 18, 2005

Depends on what films you like. Generic action blockbusters sound good. Maybe Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. For an alternative look at how love sucks, try Addicted to Love with Meg Ryan. Maybe. And it's probably impossible to get hold of via your rental store, but Spaced comes highly recommened. Then again, I'm a Brit film nerd. Comedies are always a good idea.

and I'm still trying to picture $400 of Hagen Daaz.
posted by badlydubbedboy at 6:44 AM on November 18, 2005

1) Go to some memorials in D.C. ... see how much worse things can be.

2) Get a book of Bushisms and recite them in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. For example, from here, Bush on love:

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

3) Feel new pain to get your mind off the other pain, ride your bike on that endless bike path in D.C. wearing summer clothing in this weather.

4) Cross the border to Virginia and go to a shooting range. Maybe you can ask to bring your own targets?
posted by blueyellow at 6:46 AM on November 18, 2005

Oooh, oooh, go see Ira Glass record a live "This American Life" at Lisner auditorium in Foggy Bottom at 21st and I Street on Saturday at 8pm. The show has that perfect balance of humor and melancholy that makes it consistently rewarding and moving. You will likely need to physically go to Lisner to buy tickets, and don't wait til tomorrow b/c they'll likely sell out.

Sorry about your break up, footnote. Hope you do okay this weekend.
posted by onlyconnect at 6:57 AM on November 18, 2005

Get out of town. $500 can buy you a train ticket to Philly and a couple nights in a decent hotel. There are some other good AskMe threads on what to do in Philly. I would suggest drowning your sorrows at the Nodding Head Brewery.
posted by Otis at 6:58 AM on November 18, 2005

You could go to Taqueria Poblano and have a tasty fish taco.

Tacos are better than friends, because you can eat them (and they are delicious!)

Also, some people might like the spa idea.
posted by I Love Tacos at 7:00 AM on November 18, 2005

the Washington Weekend Preview
posted by mookieproof at 7:01 AM on November 18, 2005

I'd actually advise against too many movies. It's better that your pleasures be active and engaging. I'd do a little of everything suggested. Go get your hair and nails done and buy yourself a great new outfit. Get a massage. Take a great book to the best cafe you can find and sit, alternately reading, sipping, and people watching. Go to one cultural event or attraction. Call a long lost friend or a relative long distance and catch up. If you have a hobby or sport or activity you love, spend at least a few hours doing it. Treat a friend to a meal at a great restaurant.
posted by orange swan at 7:09 AM on November 18, 2005

Get drunk at Wonderland.
posted by Heminator at 7:16 AM on November 18, 2005

Rent a car. Drive to Old Rag. Hike to the top. You just climbed a mountain.

You might even meet some nice people on the trail.

Spend Sunday researching next weekend's adventure.
posted by probablysteve at 7:37 AM on November 18, 2005

I'm in DC too, similar situation a week or so ago.

Maybe the shops on U Street? You can get some yummies at Cake Love.

Maybe make it to parts of the Simthsonian that you always say you're going to see but never quite do?

Don't be afraid to wallow if you have to - it's just part of the process.
posted by Puppy D at 7:49 AM on November 18, 2005

Does he have any cute friends or brothers? Seduce one of them for a good old fashioned grudgef0ck.
posted by jmgorman at 7:51 AM on November 18, 2005

Go see Galactic at the 9:30 Club tonight.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:52 AM on November 18, 2005

I second Wonderland! The DJs there tonight are most fun!
posted by echo0720 at 7:55 AM on November 18, 2005

warning: may not be the healthiest activity possible:

If I were in your position, I would buy myself the most decadent alcohol ever: things I don't usually buy. White Russians, cheapish champagne, Baileys, good beer. I'd throw a party for myself.

I'd order delivery of either pizza or Chinese food. I'd go to the video store and rent as many horror and gore movies as possible. Rent whatever movies totally engross you, make you smile. I'd watch movies and get drunk on Friday, sleep in Saturday, read all day, watch movies again on Saturday night, sleep in Sunday and clean the whole house / apartment.

Orange Swan and probablysteve have good, productive, healthy suggestions.
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 7:59 AM on November 18, 2005

What about Baltimore, or even NYC? Do the Chinatown buses still run -- you could be in New York for $12.

I would think wandering around someplace new could be good. I actually really liked the Fells Point (I think?) part of Baltimore, and there's the American Visionary Art Museum, with works all done by institutionalized people, that's really astoundingly distracting. And it's nice to sit by the harbor and see water, even if it's horribly touristy.

Failing that, rent a car (or take your bike) someplace with pretty fall leaves. There are also a bunch of very cool old cemeteries in and around the city; I think the City Paper did a story on them a year or so ago, if you want to dig through their archives.
posted by occhiblu at 8:10 AM on November 18, 2005

Aw, footnote, sorry to hear about your being dumped. Here's how I've gotten over breakups in the past. Make a list of all the things you wanted to do while you were with your ex, and didn't.

Maybe you didn't share similar tastes in music, or there were friends you grew distant from. Maybe you miss running around the house naked, or eating Indian food. Make a weekend of doing all that stuff, and enjoy the freedom of following your own pursuits, without compromise.

And also? It never hurts to get your hair did. (LOVE that phrase, ThePinkSuperhero!)
posted by Space Kitty at 8:12 AM on November 18, 2005

The Chinatown buses will always run -- they're an underworld money laundering operation.
posted by ducksauce at 8:14 AM on November 18, 2005

Also, my favorite day in DC would be breakfast and beignets at the New Orleans place in Adams-Morgan, playing pool by myself at the pool hall around the corner (you pay by the hour, so no worries about people trying to horn in on your table, and they have an awesome jukebox and a good bar), and wandering through the National Zoo.
posted by occhiblu at 8:17 AM on November 18, 2005

Ooh, yes, and I second Space Kitty. I always take huge perverse pleasure in ordering all the foods my ex never liked and therefore I never cooked or ordered while we were together.
posted by occhiblu at 8:18 AM on November 18, 2005

I'll be at the TAL event onlyconnect recommends. Great idea. Let me know if you go. My breakup wasn't as recent, but happened nonetheless in the last few months.
posted by clgregor at 8:20 AM on November 18, 2005

The Zoo in winter time is always fun, if it gets too cold outside, yo ucan go to the inside exhibits, plus how can you be sad when there is a baby panda?!?!?

Sit on Einstein's lap.

Visit a library? There are tons around the DC area, and I know the quiet stacks always welcome me to explore.
posted by sarahnade at 8:42 AM on November 18, 2005

If you're a fly gal
Get your nails done
Get a pedicure
Get your hair did - Missy Elliot, "Work It"
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:25 AM on November 18, 2005 [1 favorite]

Absolutely go to This American Life at GW.

Absolutely absolutely.
posted by ewkpates at 9:36 AM on November 18, 2005

Beach Drive between Military and Broad Branch roads is closed to cars on weekends and makes for really nice bike riding.
posted by callmejay at 10:00 AM on November 18, 2005

I agree that your best bet is probably to get out and do things.

However, if you do opt for movies, go for political thrillers. Maximum suspense and distraction value, minimum tearjerk potential.
posted by tangerine at 10:29 AM on November 18, 2005

Go to the Uptown Theatre at Cleveland Park and hang out (Starbucks?) while ogling all the crazily dressed up Potter fans. Then see if you can find some time to see the movie yourself this weekend.
posted by ml98tu at 10:34 AM on November 18, 2005

Response by poster: wow, thanks for all these suggestions. some ideas will be good for this weekend, some for the coming weekends when I'm feeling a little more mobile. But I'm definitely getting my hair did this weekend.

I heart metafilter. Thanks, guys.
posted by footnote at 11:09 AM on November 18, 2005

Galactic is sold out.

I would go for a long bike ride - ride from Bethesda to Mt Vernon, out the W&OD, or up the C&O - all paths. It'll be a bit cold though, but still a nice weekend.
posted by drobot at 11:47 AM on November 18, 2005

Also: Bluestate is tomorrow at the Black Cat. Yay for blogger dance party!
posted by youcancallmeal at 12:25 PM on November 18, 2005

Metafilter hearts you too, notefoot.

BLOGGER DANCE PARTY? That sounds like the most fun geekiest thing I've ever heard of. OH! I can smell the html jokes from here!
posted by metaculpa at 1:43 PM on November 18, 2005