Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with washingtondc

Best way to get from Northern Virginia to NYC?

alligatorman — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:05:16 -0800

I need to get to NYC on a Friday evening. I work in Tyson's Corner, I live in Arlington, and I will have my car with me. I would rather not drive, and I don't live near the metro. What are my options if the earliest I can leave work is 4PM? Back when I worked in DC, I would take the buses from Union Station, but getting into DC now sounds like it would be a nightmare. I would probably lose a few hours and get into NYC very late. Do I have any other options, other than just driving? Are there any trains that I could take where I could leave my car overnight for a weekend?

Which neighborhoods should I be considering in the DC area?

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:35:22 -0800

I am moving to DC this fall to work in biglaw. The pay is high, but so are my student loans, which I would like to pay off ahead of schedule. Where should I live? Snowflakes within. This fall, I will be moving to DC with my wonderful fiance and our two cats. I will be working in a large law firm. Fiance and I currently live in a medium-sized southern city, but we lived in an expensive city on the east coast while I was attending law school, so I understand how to go about finding an apartment.

Where I do need help is narrowing down our search. Specifically, I need to know what neighborhoods we should be looking in. My employer will pay for a short trip to DC for Fiance and I to apartment hunt, and I would like to know where to start so that the trip will manageable and useful.

Because IAAL I have put our needs and preferences into outline form:

Budget:

- I'll be working in biglaw. So the pay is generous (around $150K), but I will be working crazy hours.

- Fiance does not yet have a job lined up, but for the past couple of years, he has been doing administrative work in local hospitals, making around $20-$30K. He will be looking for a similar job when we move. He will likely be going back to school in the next couple of years for something healthcare-related, but he has no concrete plans yet.

- I have TONS of student loan debt from law school. I would like to put as much of my income as possible toward paying it off, or at least paying it down. Getting rid of my debt as soon as possible is a very serious goal for me. Fiance is extremely supportive of this too.

Transportation:

- My office is right next to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop, so proximity to the red, yellow, or green line is preferred. Orange and blue are also possible, though. Given that I'll be working a lot, I'm having trouble figuring out how long of a Metro commute is reasonable for me. (Being close enough to work to be able to walk would be lovely, but I don't think it would be worth the expense. Please correct me if I'm wrong, though!)

- We will be bringing one car with us. Fiance may want to use it to commute to work or (eventually) school, but we obviously don't know where either of those will be. We would love it if we didn't have to move again when he starts school, but his plans are still pretty tentative, and he could end up anywhere from Georgetown to somewhere in Baltimore.

Other preferences:

- Fiance and I are both homebodies who go out occasionally, so being close to great restaurants, shops, bars, etc. is not a priority for us. Especially since I know those things come with a price tag in an expensive city. Being close to some conveniences like grocery stores (especially Trader Joe's!) would be helpful.

- Since I'm going to be working all the damn time, I would prioritize having amenities like a dishwasher and washer/dryer over living in a super fun neighborhood. I do love older buildings and places with character, but I think a modern building is more practical for us right now. (Also, we recently spent multiple years in a fourth-floor walkup, and I would prefer not to do that again.)

- Safety is important, but Fiance and I are not hysterical about it. We currently live in a city with a terrible reputation for crime, and we feel very comfortable here.

- We have two indoor cats and would like to adopt a dog in the near future. We do not have kids.

- We've been sharing 1 bedroom apartments for the past few years, and I think we'd like to upgrade to a 2 bedroom or a 1 bedroom with a study. But it doesn't need to be huge. We don't have that much stuff.

TL;DR: flexible budget but trying to keep it low, need easy Metro commute to Chinatown, prefer 1.5-2BR in modern building with good amenities.

I have previously subletted in a large apartment building in Van Ness. That area is definitely on the shortlist this time around, but I want to make sure I'm not missing out on better options. I have seen this question, but I have a bit more budget flexibility than the OP there.

Where else should we be looking? Any specific buildings you're familiar with that would suit our needs?

What should our budget actually be?

Thank you in advance for your guidance and wisdom! Throwaway email: movingtodc13@gmail.com

What are some good things to do for a vacation in Washington, DC?

mccarty.tim — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:50:47 -0800

How can I best go about having an affordable vacation in Washington, DC over two days? My girlfriend and I are planning on taking a vacation to Washington, DC this summer (so we can get advance tickets and so on), and we were thinking we'd try a bed and breakfast (we've been looking at bedandbreakfast.com, haven't decided on a place yet) and drive ourselves from NJ. We'll probably stay two nights.

We're hoping to find affordable ways to enjoy the vacation. I'm not comfortable naming a specific spending limit, but we're trying to be cost-conscious about this.

So this question has two parts: What's the most practical location to aim for in the inn (located in DC itself, or in a suburb we drive from)? I'm worried parking would be a costly issue in the city. And, what sights/tours/shops are a good idea to check out within college students' budgets?

We're definitely planning on checking out the Smithsonian museums, and maybe the Holocaust museum.

♫♫ What do you do with a BS in Physics? ♫♫

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:41:11 -0800

Three years ago, I graduated with a Physics degree. Since then, I've been working in a soul-crushing IT job. Realistically, what are my options to push my career forward? Help me find my passion. Lots of snowflake details inside. I graduated from a well-respected public university in 2009, with a GPA that was just a hair below 3.0. Although I completed a bunch of lab work and internships, I had neither the grades nor the ambition to pursue the PhD/Postdoc career path that's traditional to the field.

I stuck with my degree, with the promise that it could eventually lead to a career in engineering (which seemed a lot more interesting than the theoretical Physics stuff I was working on). This didn't really pan out, as no employers were even willing to look at a candidate that hadn't taken the EIT, and my grad school options seemed to be severely constrained by my mediocre GPA.

Since graduating, I've been working in an IT job for a huge government contractor in Washington, DC. My official title is "Systems Engineer," although "IT Polymath" might be a better description. I have a ridiculously broad array of job duties, ranging from low-level systems administration/helpdesk duties, writing code, media editing, server administration, and a bit of fairly high-level engineering work. Most of the systems that I oversee are highly proprietary and specific to our office's function. Unfortunately, this also means that most of the "typical" IT responsibilities (AD administration, NOC, etc) are delegated out to other departments within my client's organization. My client also tends to be relentlessly conservative with its IT practices, so I'm missing quite a few buzzwords (ie. anything with virtualization) from my resume. In other words, there are some gaps in my skills and experience that are making it very difficult for me to apply to similar jobs elsewhere -- every advertised IT vacancy seems to require a laundry list of incredibly specific experiences and skills.

Unfortunately, my job lacks a clear sense of direction, has no coherent management chain to speak of, and has no obvious path for advancement. I'm the youngest person in my office by about 15 years, and can't help shake the feeling that I'm often treated like a child. Even after 3 years on the job, I'm also still the newest "employee" (and only contractor and only non-union person) in the office. My coworkers still occasionally call me by the name of my predecessor.

Despite these numerous respect issues, my client seems incredibly satisfied with the work that I do. I've received three glowing performance reviews, but my pay ($50k) has not increased by a dime, and my benefits have gotten progressively more expensive (to say nothing about the cost of living in DC spiraling out of control). At my last review, I inquired about advancement opportunities, training, or opportunities elsewhere in my huge firm, and was told something along the lines of "Why would you want that? You have stability and the best job in our company." I know that I'm not making bad money, but I also get the distinct impression that my career isn't going to lead to anyplace good if I stay where I am.

I've recently been focusing a lot on the web development aspects of my job, and have gotten to the point where I feel extremely competent as a web developer. I've had a few interviews for full-time web development jobs with startup-y companies, all of which have progressed quite far until one interviewer sets out to prove that I don't have a CS degree or experience as a full-time developer on a big team. These setbacks have frequently been exhausting and humiliating. I'm trying to churn out a few personal projects to build a portfolio, although I've been finding this to be surprisingly difficult to accomplish while also holding down a full-time job and attempting to have a functioning social life.

I've contemplated going back to school to study engineering (probably Civil, but I really don't know), but my options seem to be constrained by my mediocre GPA, having few professors who would write me a favorable recommendation, and the cost of tuition (as a DC resident, I don't have any good 'in-state' options). Additionally, I'd rather have some experience in a particular discipline of engineering before committing to a degree. Urban planning's also caught my interest, but I also really don't know how I'd determine if I'd find that sort of career to be fulfilling (or even attainable). Although I don't mind having a desk job, I also do like that an Engineering career could potentially lead to something that doesn't result in my butt being stuck in the same chair every single day.

I apologize that this is rambling and somewhat open-ended, but what are my options to move my career forward? I'm feeling more and more like I'm going to be stuck here forever.

In-thread replies are appreciated, but I've also set up a throwaway email at quantumemployment@gmail.com

Restaurant recommendations near Dupont Circle (Washington DC)?

theatro — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:25:58 -0800

I moved to DC recently-ish, but haven't explored the restaurant scene very well. Now I have a friend coming to town next week, staying right near the Dupont Circle Metro station, and I could use some recommendations for places to eat. Can any locals help me out? We're both omnivores, and while I'd prefer economical options, I don't think we're averse to considering something pricier if it comes highly recommended.

There was a previous question about Dupont Circle-area eats from 2011, but since the top contender in those answers has apparently closed by now, I'd love to get some more recent input. Please help me be a good host!

What Are Your Rights When a Landlord Wants to Break a Lease?

forkisbetter — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:56:25 -0800

Asking for a couple of friends living in Washington, D.C. They signed a lease and put down security deposits to rent a two-bedroom condo with move in on Saturday. The guy just called them and said that he's changed his mind, and he doesn't want to rent the place anymore and he is currently living there. What can they do about it since they haven't actually moved in yet? **All responses assume that You Are Not My Attorney and your advice is not representative legal advice**

I've already tried looking around on the DC tenant's website, but I haven't yet found anything about what you do when it's the landlord rather than the tenant who wants to pre-maturely break the lease.

-Can the landlord even do this? He threatened to lawyer up, but not sure what claim he could possibly have.

-Is it even worth it to go through legal trouble if he is willing to pay back full deposits as well as whatever costs they've incurred? I feel like the landlord has already shown himself to be pretty nutty, and I would be very hesitant to move in at this point myself.

-The dude has their deposits, so unless he gives them back expediently they won't be able to fork out for a new place. Would getting their deposits back from the guy do anything to void their lease/claim to incurred expenses from the landlord?

-The guy is still currently living there, so what to do about that if he doesn't want to move out? Could he be evicted?

What to do in DC next weekend?

Bebo — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:02:11 -0800

I'm heading to Washington DC next weekend (March 15-18) and wondering if there are any cool events/exhibits going on. I found the Washington Post events calendar, but it was a bit overwhelming so I'm hoping some mefites can steer me! I've been to DC many times, so the first-time-tourist things (Lincoln memorial, etc) don't apply. I'd love to hear about specific events, or else general neighborhoods that I might like to explore. Last time I was there I was introduced to the Phillips Collection which I loved!

Me: late 20s, staying near GWU. I like photography, good food (paleo, but I can usually find something to eat anywhere), good cocktails, walking, exploring neighborhoods, window-shopping. Not into dance clubs or sporting events.

Laptop Rental, Downtown DC, Local Shipping

elle.jeezy — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:21:07 -0800

My laptop is no longer able to travel. I need a backup for a meeting over the weekend. Does anyone in the DC area know of a company that rents laptops on a daily/weekly basis in the downtown area or close in? I'm in downtown DC and metro accessible is do-able; drives to gaithersburg/columbia are not. It's too late to get one shipped from many of the online companies. Any leads appreciated. Thanks.

Doing DC/Alexandria alone

almostmanda — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:38:43 -0800

In April I'll be attending a weeklong conference in Alexandria, VA and will likely be traveling alone. I've never been to DC. What can I do (safely and cheaply) by myself? I'll be staying at the Hilton in Old Town, where the conference is being held. My understanding is that this is pretty close to a major Metro station. I'm also probably going to do a night or two through AirBnB to extend my trip a little longer, but that will probably be in the same area.

Things I like: unique shopping, all manner of amazing food, thrift stores, walking along docks/beaches, bookstores (esp. feminist bookstores), animals (the natural history museum is on my list), people-watching, craft beer, comic book shops, places where I can just sit and read a book.

Things I'm okay skipping: bars, war history, architecture, art, restaurants where single people are out of place.

So, I'd like to hear your recommendations about places I could eat where I won't feel out of place if I'm alone, or things I can explore safely in the evenings/during the weekend. I'm a mid-twenties female with moderate big city experience. I'm good at navigating subways, less so with buses. I'd also appreciate a little guidance on the weather and how to dress appropriately for April.

What's a cheap price for airfare from WashingtnDC to London in May/June?

Televangelist — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:14:47 -0800

My wife and I are planning to travel from Washington, DC to London in late May / Early June, and I'm seeing round-trip ticket prices at around $1,050 per person ($1,250 for direct flights). That seems weirdly high to me, but we've never been there before and have no real basis for comparison. Am I booking too early in the year, such that waiting a month or two will probably net me better prices? Our plan is to fly out Friday night on a red-eye and return Sunday afternoon, so unfortunately we can't get midweek pricing. Any sites you can offer that give historical information on airline ticket prices at various times of the year would be greatly appreciated. The only sites I've come across have been limited to the domestic United States.

Also, I'm not seeing any RyanAir-esque "budget" options for transatlantic flights, but if those exist please do let me know!

Stylist recommendations for shorthaired women in DC?

vakker — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:12:41 -0800

I need to find someone to cut my hair in DC. I’m a shorthaired and semi-androgynous hipster-lite lady in my late twenties. I’ve been coordinating haircuts with trips back to Austin, but I will not be there again until the summer. Plus, I don’t actually live there anymore, so I should probably try to find someone closer to me to cut my hair. However, due to some atrocious haircuts (I’ve resembled both Justin Bieber AND Nick Carter), I am quite picky and would really like to get a solid recommendation.

I paid $80 before tip in Austin, so I assume I need to be prepared to pay $100 -$120 here. I am also more than willing to travel to Baltimore or New York (I have friends there and could turn my haircut into a weekend trip). It would be terrific to find someone metro accessible in DC (I’m close to Eastern Market and Union Station), but since I’m willing to travel to another city for someone spectacular, this is obviously not a deal breaker.

Lastly, on the off chance someone is familiar with him, my stylist in Austin was Blaine at Jose Luis and I would love to find someone similar. For those of you not familiar, he always has lots of ideas of what would work for me (right now my haircut is similar to this), is really easy to work with, and is also sort of a hipster. I have asked him for recommendations, but he has only cut hair in Austin, so he’s not familiar with stylists in other cities.

Thank y’all so much!

When to show up for a 6:30 flight from DCA?

andrewesque — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:42:47 -0800

I've got a 6:30 am flight from DCA this Wednesday. When do I have to show up? And how long will it take me via cab from Adams Morgan? I normally try to get to the airport 90 minutes early to have enough time for security, pick up a magazine, grab a quick meal, etc. But I have a 6:30 am AirTran flight leaving DCA this Wednesday and given how early it is, I don't want to do anything else but arrive at the airport, go through security and get on the plane.

Is an hour, aka 5:30 am, fine? I would normally think it would be very light, but I don't know if DCA has lots of business travelers or whatever at that time. A factor is that this flight does seem to have left early* the last couple of days.

Also, I am coming from Adams Morgan (near 20th/Columbia avenues NW). I'm probably going to order a cab using Taxi Magic, which lets you order set taxi orders at 15-minute intervals (5, 5:15, 5:30, etc.). I want to schedule using the app because you can track the taxi coming in the app, and I don't want to spend time outside trying to hail one in the predawn cold. Given this scenario, what time would you recommend I get picked up? Is there any risk of traffic at this time of day? Google says 20 min from Adams Morgan to DCA, but I just want to confirm with local knowledge.

*There was a change on 1/6/13 from a scheduled departure time of 6:55 am to 6:30 am.

Beer Flights in Washington, DC

forkisbetter — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:19:47 -0800

My GF's birthday wish was to go out for beer flights, and my Google Fu is failing me. I am looking for places in Washington, DC that serve beer flights and for bonus points that either have an awesome beer selection and/or more ambiance than a Gordon Biersch. (Note, I am not looking for places that just have awesome beer. I am looking for places in DC that have awesome beer flights available)

Need a lawyer recommendation in DC.

tinamonster — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 13:21:49 -0800

Looking for a recommendation for a construction dispute lawyer and/or mediator for a property owner in Washington D.C.

Now? Do we buy the tickets now?!

aaanastasia — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:33:11 -0800

We are going to Prague/Budapest in mid-to-late March. When should we buy tickets? (Now? Is it now?) And what's your favorite secret special travel site or best airline recommendation? Details: The two of us are planning to travel to Prague and Budapest around March 14-24 or 15-25. We are flying out of DC. We aren't looking for Extreme Travel Deals, just the lowest reasonable price that doesn't involve crazy-long layovers or 15 legs. Questions:

Should we buy tickets right now, in the mythical post-3pm-on-a-Tuesday window of low prices, or wait a week or two? (Not interested in waiting until the last minute!)

We have been checking Hipmunk and Vayama, but there are an awful lot of options out there, and we don't want to miss anything -- what is your favorite site? Also right now, most of the tickets seem to be a bit over $900 -- do you have any tips or tricks or favorite airlines?

(I will probably ask another question in a few months about sights to see, but suggestions for lodgings or sights in each location welcome as well! )

Let it fly in the breeze and get caught in the trees.

Nomyte — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 16:10:10 -0800

I'm tired of the cheap, shapeless, slapdash men's haircuts I get at chain salons. I definitely don't want (and can't take care of) expensive salon hairstyles. What's my haircut strategy? Ever since I've started paying for my own haircuts (roughly contemporary with my first year at college), my strategy has been to walk into a Haircuttery or similarly priced unisex hair-place, sit down with the first available stylist, and ask for "#4 on the sides, scissor cut on top, and square at the neck."

I end up with a generic short cut that looks clumsy in the front and sticks up at the top. Upon coming home, I usually find uneven areas. After growing out for a few weeks, it starts looking shapeless, as hair on the top of my head starts awkwardly overhanging the sides, messily scatters across my forehead, etc.

I have a big round head with "strong features." My dark brown hair is fine, limp, slightly wavy, and gets greasy quickly.

I've looked at style books in salons a couple of times, but they show flamboyant, sculpted 80s hairstyles. I don't know what any TV celebrities look like, so I can't easily match myself to someone with a similarly shaped head. I also don't have the practiced eye to notice fine details in the haircuts of the people around me. At best, I can tell if it's a long or short cut, and whether hair gel is involved. I would need to look long and intently to notice things like how the temples are shaped or how the sides transition into the top. And shouldn't taking care of these details be a part of the stylist's job?

Keeping these constraints and limitations in mind, I need a hair styling strategy. I am especially grateful for local suggestions (DC and Maryland suburbs).

In a nutshell:

I want a cheap, low-maintenance cut that's easy on the eyes.
Styling products should be involved minimally or not at all.
The cut should be delivered with someone with attention to detail who will consider the geometry of my head and its various features.

Basically, I want a cheap, no-nonsense, professional hair advocate. How do I find one?

DC is fun!

FirstMateKate — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:12:46 -0800

I'll be in DC next/this weekend. Where should we eat, what should we see? Shorter events are appreciated! My partner and I will be in DC from the 30th to the 2nd. 3 days, two nights. Saturday morning until about 2pm is spoken for. Other than that we're pretty open! We'll be staying at the Washington Court Hotel downtown.
Us: Early 20s nerdy/art types who could have fun doing anything with ample amounts of experience using public trans.

We need recommendations for food. Dinner places that are "nice"/not chains but not expensive? Diners/cafes/delis for lunch?

If we don't at least visit one museum, my partner will kill me. I don't want to spend a lot of time in one, either, since the trip is short. Which museum is best for a spending a few hours in? Is there one exhibit that's particularly awesome, and we can just visit that? Is there a museum that's more interactive and less "lets look at things"? I'm thinking of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago as an example.

What other things are there to do? It doesn't have to be directly downtown, we have lots of experience with public trans, but we also don't want to spend too much time on a bus or the metro since it's a short trip.

Also, bedtime is usually around 1am.
Thanks!!!

Where to get a quietclassy drink in DC?

Xalf — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:28:21 -0800

I'm looking for a quiet and classy hotel lobby in DC where a couple can have a drink tonight. I have been to the Mandarin Oriental, and I think that would work, but I would like something new to me. And convenient to public transport wouldn't hurt. My ideal is the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago, if that helps. (Also, I am open to suggestions that are similar to but not necessarily hotel lobbies.)

Baby tips for car-free biking couple in Washington DC?

tkbarbarian — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 16:00:46 -0800

We're Brits in Washington DC about to have our first baby! We have bicycles but don't own a car (use Zipcar / taxis). All the standard baby-prep advice seems to assume owning a car... so do you guys have any tips for car-free baby living? In particular: car seats (for occasional use / quick installation), diaper services and bike trailers? Details inside! Key questions:

1) My hospital requires me to have a "rear facing infant car seat" installed in "my car" to bring my kid home. I don't own a car but will likely take a taxi home - which car seats / legal baby-transport means do you folks recommend? All the ones I've seen are heavy, and have giant bases that are intended to be left in the car.

In general, what's the "correct" way to take a taxi with a newborn baby?

2) I'd like to get a bike trailer / stroller combo - something like a Burley D'Lite with the jogger wheel at the front. I'm told you can install an infant carseat into one of these (like a Chicco Keyfit 30) - is this a good idea? Any tips on this too?

3) Recommended diaper services for newborns? We'd like to use cloth / washable diapers but I don't have any recommendations for companies serving the Dupont circle area.

Thanks!

Good second-hand bookstores and record shops in Washington DC?

Grinder — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:39:39 -0800

Good second-hand bookstores and record shops in Washington DC? I'm going to have about a half-day to fill in during a work trip to Washington DC in December. I'm looking for suggestions for good second-hand bookstores and record shops. I'll be staying near Dupont Circle. I'm basically looking for the DC equivalent to Strand Books in NYC and Amoeba Records in SF. (There are some suggestions already here, but if you have other ideas, that would be helpful.)

What do you mean you don't have any formal logic t-shirts?

mayurasana — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 11:58:16 -0800

Recommendations for Baltimore-area screen printing or online that delivers within a week? I'd like to get custom text-with-graphic printed onto, preferably, a hoodie. A t-shirt would be ok in a pinch. Which online, Baltimore-area, or DC-MD-VA places that can deliver by this coming Friday would you recommend? I can only pick up from places accessible by the MTA in Baltimore. I've read that sites like zazzle and cafepress don't use good quality ink, so I'm trying to stay away from those, unless that's false. I need it by Friday because I have to wear it on Monday morning. I just need one hoodie/t-shirt, but I'm highly likely to use this service again for other one-off t-shirts in the future. Bonus if some of these places can print on mugs (I'll need that in December). I'd be happy to support local individuals as well, but I don't have a lot of time to search or post ads at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) or wherever so I don't know where to begin without direct recommendations. Many thanks, hivemind.

I'm not biking this whole way just to take a picture in front of the White House.

vulgar_wheat — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:09:47 -0800

Biking to Washington, DC, arriving Oct 19 and leaving the 21st. What should I do (bike-related and not) while I'm there? Y'all helped me have a nice time in San Francisco and Portland with my bike, and I figured I would ask for more travel help.

I've been planning my trip so far with the purpose of getting there and haven't thought much about what I'll do once I've arrived. I'll be arriving in the early afternoon on the 19th, staying in a friend's place in Vienna, and leaving some time on the 21st, and that's about all I know. I'd prefer to get around by bike, but I'm not opposed to taking the metro if it's bike friendly.

If there's some sort of neat bike-related thing going on that weekend, or a particularly scenic bike trail, or cool things in general that are easy to get to by bike, I want to know. I'm also interested in restaurant recommendations, with the caveat that I'm a vegan.

Are there weird DC bike idiosyncrasies (locking, helmets, laws, whatever)? I don't want to bike all that distance, only to get a ticket for doing or not doing something, or lock up my bike with my u-lock to find when I get back that my rack or front tire has been stolen.

My only plans so far are to go to some bike shops, test-ride some imported city bikes, and eat lots of delicious vegan food. There's gotta be something more for me to do (though if anyone knows where I can test some nice imported Dutch or English or Italian bikes I'd be much obliged). I went to DC earlier this year as a tourist, but mostly stuck around the Mall, museums (Newseum, Crime and Punishment, Spy Museum), and also made my way to the Zoo.

For what it's worth, I'm a Pittsburgh cyclist who averages somewhere between 15 to 20 hilly-to-mountainous miles a day, is comfortable with somewhere up around 60 or 70 miles, and I'll be on a road bike. To be fair, I'll be coming off of 5 days of biking about 70 miles a day.

Physical therapists in the DC area experienced in treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

alligatorman — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:13:08 -0800

I am looking for a physical therapist in the Washington, DC area who has experience treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Any recommendations would be appreciated, or any links to resources that could help me find such a therapist.

Thanks

We want football but not much else.

calcetinporfavor — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 14:29:53 -0800

We're moving to a new place in DC and would like to explore television that includes watching NFL games and do not include just paying for a big ol' Comcast or DirectTV contract. Are there other options? We can live without most cable stations and are fine to rely on something like Roku or watching online (or whatever else is similar on the market) for almost everything. However, we'd like to be able to watch most if not all the NFL games each week and don't know if there are options that will allow that.

If it matters, since things get bundled, we are planning to get internet but no home phone.

Bonus points if there's a reliable way to keep up with tennis, too.

DC Metro question

aught — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:34:02 -0800

I'll be visiting DC in several weeks for 5-6 days, doing a lot of the usual tourist stuff, staying at the Hyatt in Bethesda (partner will be attending a conference there). What is the best method for me / us for getting around DC on the Metro? They seem to have several smart card-like alternatives, and I am also wondering if there is a particular pre-pay plan that might be appropriate for visitors. Last but not least, would the Bethesda Metro station (beneath the Hyatt as I understand) have the kiosk necessary to purchase whatever best solution this thread recommends (is it a major enough station)?