A Killing Game

A Killing Game- A Dog and Pony DC Production

SYNOPSIS

In a not-so-distant time and place, a deadly plague begins killing the citizenry--inexplicably, indiscriminately, and fast! Can you play against death, and win? How far will you go? How much fun can you have? We can’t all die, can we? A Killing Game is dog & pony dc’s absurdist-play-meets-party-game that promises the most fun you'll ever have dying. A Killing Game weaves digital media--Twitter, texts, good old-fashioned calls--into the narrative so bring your cellphones and smartdevices.

(Taken from www.dogandponydc.com)

A Killing Game was not only my first play but my first improv-y, audience participation show.  What other show ENCOURAGES you to have your cell phone on and ready to go???  Twitter #killinggame for all the funny, and you can even play along from home! 

I died TWICE and it was awesome...wish I could spell what the "deadly infection" going around our fair community was....however symptoms:: blisters of the mouth and kneck, oh and lets not forget complete organ failure!  LOL every show is different and I could totally see myself going back!

 The lady of the house finding out how to stay safe from the deadly infection

 

Favorite part of the night... Mr Chrome:  Sir did you hear the joke

Audience member: I did..... Knock Knock

Chrome: Who's there....

A-M; I don't know I didn't hear the rest of the joke 

Outside the Wire

        Outside The Wire::                   Written by Jimi Stanton             Directed by Daniel Marcum    Synopsis(Taken from Capital Fringe Website)~~~Sergeant Mark Mercer comes home from the war in Iraq only to realize that life will never be the same. Through video and live theatre, experience the struggles soldiers and their families live through during and after war.

So first let me say, this was one of the shows from Fringe Festival 2013 that the MOMENT I read the synopsis I was moving my schedule around to see it.  And I am beyond glad that I did.  

Outside the Wire is a 2 hour play written to honor not only Jimi Stanton's brother, but all soldiers.  It's at times funny, chilling, and extremely emotional.  I left feeling strangely connected to the main character Sergeant Mark Mercer, played amazingly and brilliantly by Jimi Stanton(writer and co-director), and his wife Michelle. I could have sat another hour to see how life went on for the pair.  

The mix of video added another layer to the play, giving you a behind the scenes look at the characters and bringing you closer to their state of mind on being soldiers.

Basically what I'm saying is go see it- I refuse to ruin it for those that do.  Its just brilliant.

Warning::: Bring Tissues! #Tearjerker

Here is the DC Theatre Scene Review by Jennifer Deal, she's a professional and MUCH better at this review thing ;)

Miss you Always D...RIP LC Derek J. Carter

Circles of want

Lately my mind has been going around and around in circles.  All the things I want to share, say, do and act on.  But don't.  I've pulled myself back, held my real feelings in as close to me as I could.  Sure sometimes they still slip out but if they were really out... I live with my heart open, granted its not open for all but when I let you in I let you all the way in.  But the fear of being hurt never left.  In a perfect world I would stand on the roof and shout out how much I care...but in this world?

A girl just wants to feel wanted, to be wooed.  No, I don't want you to fall on your knees and beg me to be with you but let me know I'm wanted, give me more than a "hmm" or a "yea cool".  Just once I want to hear "Hey do you wanna come by" or hell even be the one to say "thinking about you"  Okay okay okay...read the signs obviously if the persons texting, emailing, calling etc etc then you're on the brain but is it too much to want to HEAR it sometimes?

Single life is cool and all, but I truly miss having that person to hold me when I was just feeling like crap...to be there and pick me up, to make me feel like a Queen.  I can empower myself all damn day but the feeling of it coming from another is one of a kind.

Just some of lifes intrigues I suppose


Stay caffeinated loves.

Journeys....and Experiments

Happy Birthday Austin!!!!!

Not sure if he reads it but, always shout out your friends birthdays.

Anyway......Today I set out on a grand search for supplies to help get my business(Dulce Perla Jewels) organized.  Apparently going from hobby to business means you acquire a LOT of different pieces.  Little bits of every project I have ever done are wandering around; many of which I'm absolutely in love with and need to order more of asap....Funny how you can't remember which items you liked when everything is a chaotic mess.

So off to Greenbelt I went....Which turned into me going to Aspen Hill, and debating a trip to Laurel.  Also known as, "hmmm, maybe I DO need a car" but whatever thank you WMATA, alll my trains and buses were running on time and possibly even a little ahead of schedule, fine by me I was a woman on a mission.

Really ma'am you brought your own tea??

Scenario(copied from an earlier facebook post)::

                             

                 Why wait until we basically kick you out of the shop to say....sorry i have a food allergy and can't eat certain things...shouldn't you have mentioned that when the OWNER first approached you?? Instead of catching a b*itch attitude like he was in the wrong???

I'm pretty positive there is at least one natural food cafe in the DC area that doesn't mind you bringing in your own drink mixes and teas etc etc....but they've probably already got it there to SELL to you...cause that what businesses do they sell you products and you sit and use the wi-fi....not you bring in food and use the wi-fi for free.....come on hun think!


So that's what I dealt with today.  Its not so much a matter of you having a food allergy and wanting to venture out in public, its your attitude when spoken to about not making your own drinks in our establishment.   No doubt the whole thing could of gone down much easier, we probably even have a tea thats safe for you to consume...there's like 15 options....  I can't imagine going to IHop and pulling out some OJ and pancakes from home, then buying a sprite cause I was told I wasn't a customer.

Now I'll be honest, in the yester years of my Howard education, there were many a cram session at Starbucks fueled by Wings over Washington...however we shared with the staff and bought as a unit about 7-9 drinks while we were there.  And we always, ALWAYS asked first just in case it wasn't a good move(district manager in town etc.)

Keep good habits when visiting your local community businesses....I'm done ranting for now time to start closing up shop

Stay caffeinated folks!!!

An Hours Sleep and Never Felt More Rested

So upon setting about to get an awesome fantastic website I spent roughly 11 hours working on this and that last night.  And randomly lost the time, no like literally lost the time.  The phone said 3am, the computer said 2am....dire peril considering the need to be up at 6am.  Sometimes daylight savings time is not all its cracked up to be....now that I'm no longer freaking about what time it may or may not be I'm pretty sure my computer slipped out of daylight savings time mode. Flippin awesome! NOT!

Long story a little shorter, I didn't sleep til 5 and was up at 6ish, and out of the house by 6:50....yeah a quick nap and off to work. Yet I'm not at all dead tired, like I thought I'd be.  Fueled by curry chicken from Pink Snapper, an iced Mandingo chai(yumm), and plugged into Kid Ink, I've enveloped myself in the creative flow of Qualia for a bit, immersing myself in the creativity and coffee vibes.  

Who knew that the secret to a productive exciting day was to take a nap?  

On my peaceful back porch groove with all the necessary coffee needs!

Even better today has been one of those DAMN I look fabulous kind of days!

Most Excellent

Stay Caffeinated...You know I am

The Big Chop 2

 Last Weeks Length

And NOW!!!

Just needed a lil flair to the chop

July 13th

Embrace the Sensuality

Raheem Devaughn....

Pause and embrace the happy feeling your body gets just hearing his name.

Finally got my computer to act right, and got the Destination Loveland EP....Oh where to start.  First, definitely should come with a warning-extra happy feelings will be flowing...don't listen to at work!  Especially not the track "All Ready", unless you work with your significant other and can close up shop for....45+ minutes.

Sexually charged but in such a grown way.  None of that dumb "imma stick my ______ in you and make you scream" nonsense that some r&b people be doing.  Pure tantalizing, delicious words delivered on smooth beats that really take you away to Destination Loveland.  Old School-Al Green smooth, with that new soul vibe.  Yet another amazing classic Raheem release.

http://www.raheemdevaughnmusic.com/raheem/Blog/raheem-blog/2012/02/14/destination-loveland

Been a fan since The Love Experience....I mean how could you not be?

Best description for Raheem Devaughns music??  Everything you've ever wanted your Lover to say to you, he says in every song.  From "You" to "Woman" "Breathe" "Marathon" "Mr. Right" "Fragile" even "Black and Blue"


Thank you Howard University Black Caucus 2004....intro to Raheem Devaughn, had no idea who he was, by the time his set was done we were all trying to find out where to get his music.  Thats talent!


Off to the caffeine and some Raheem listening.  Embrace the sensuality within his words!

What to do What to do

The brilliance of venturing out into the world by ones self?  You get to go, and do at your own leisure.  And as its at your own pace, you discover fun things you forgot you loved.

A trip to a baseball game reignited my fervor for actually GOING to the game.  It was fun, exciting and interesting conversations flowing.  My personal favorite, the guy asking if the Nationals pitcher Burnett was in relation to A.J. Burnett everytime he pitched poorly.  As a Yankees fan....LOVED!!!!!

"Are you positive...not a brother?  Cousin?  Distant nephew?"-As his poor friend tried to stop laughing and kept repeating "No".

Next on the schedule.....still TBD.  Looking Yankees Orioles...70 bucks right field line 3 rows back...still might be too much(I mean it is the ORIOLES)

Definitely stealing my med school homie to at least a Nats game when he gets back in town...those accelerated med programs are no joke.  Few breaks and a whole lotta classes.

Hmmm not sure where this post began....Had an "OOO shiny" moment....

Toodaloo til next time

Off to the Caffeine

Goooooo Rockies

Even though they lost...it was a good game

Love Potion Chai Anyone?

Who knew a chai could be so sensual? The beautiful, sexy people at SiTea in Takoma did that's who.    
        Dropped by today to check out the selection and got a Love Potion #10 chai...made with almond milk.  Love Potion is right!  First sip sends you into a blissful tea heaven. Completely smooths out your mind and leaves you with this peaceful aura. 

By the time you've finished your serving...not a cup but a small kettle kept over heat to keep your chai nice and warm...all you really have on your mind is wrapping your arms around a warm body.

Note the cinnamon stick....stir in a bit of spice.

Definitely will be going back here, sketchbook in hand...who knows there may be some fabulous chai inspired designs 

What better to do to avoid the heat

Shopping!!!!

It was a blistering hot day today in the D.C---I'm talking heat index 110!!!!  And now as I write this its being followed up by 80MPH winds and power outages(not at my house Thank you GOD)

So I grabbed a friend and headed to my little slice of bead heaven...Beadazzled

So many beads...so little time, and storage space....and well money.  But its so beautiful.

Going in there is slightly detrimental to my health...better yet my wallets health as well, I get in there and the ideas just start pouring out of me.  Which is GREAT.....except I'm not a millionaire so all my ideas need a basis.  Which is why I bought a sketchbook.  Now I can doodle out all the crazy intense things that pop in my head!

Now Off to enjoy my DC Summer.....101, 101, 96, 94...and we all know those 91s are phony!

TonightJun 29

104^°FObserved High2:45 pm

82^°F

Scattered T-Storms

CHANCE OF RAIN:

50%

 

WIND:

W at 8 mph

Details

SatJun 30

101^°

79^°

Isolated T-Storms

CHANCE OF RAIN:

30%

 

WIND:

W at 12 mph

Details

SunJul 1

101^°

78^°

Isolated T-Storms

CHANCE OF RAIN:

30%

 

WIND:

WNW at 13 mph

Details

MonJul 2

96^°

76^°

Mostly Sunny

CHANCE OF RAIN:

10%

 

WIND:

NNW at 11 mph

Details

TueJul 3

94^°

77^°

Partly Cloudy

CHANCE OF RAIN:

10%

 

WIND:

WNW at 9 mph

Details

WedJul 4

91^°

78^°

Isolated T-Storms

CHANCE OF RAIN:

30%

 

WIND:

WSW at 9 mph

Details

ThuJul 5

91^°

75^°

AM Clouds / PM Sun

CHANCE OF RAIN:

20%

 

WIND:

ENE at 9 mph

Details

FriJul 6

91^°

75^°

Isolated T-Storms

CHANCE OF RAIN:

30%

 

WIND:

ESE at 8 mph

Details

SatJul 7

91^°

77^°

Mostly Sunny

CHANCE OF RAIN:

10%

 

WIND:

S at 9 mph

Details

SunJul 8

92^°

75^°

Partly Cloudy

CHANCE OF RAIN:

20%

 

WIND:

SSW at 10 mph

Details

• Print 10 Day Forecast
 
• Monthly Forecast

YOLO! 26 is coming upon us

Plans plans plans

So I'm absolutely atrocious at planning things, however I've realized that I gotta work on that if I'm gonna..as sir says "Go HAAAAAAAAMMMM" for the rest of the year.  (See disclaimer at bottom)

YOLO**

Ideas on the brain:::

1. Yankees-RedSox game in NY~~hello megabus!!!!  And lets be real this is also bucket list material
     July27thish or Aug17thish.......to be decided
Yankees Schedule

2. Yankees-Orioles in Baltimore~~Lightrail+metro+bus=happy me
September......

3.Ravens-Steelers(boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo) in Baltimore Dec 2nd!!!!!!
Ravens Schedule

 4.Ravens-Redskins(booooo) in DC Dec 9th!!!!

5. Ravens-Broncos(boooooooo) in Baltimore Dec 16th!!!

6-...? Still to be decided.  Kinda wanna see a beach though....hmmm never wished I had a vehicle so much



**Yolo Disclaimer**---These are just ideas...Going broke due to sporting events seems like a bad idea....Ugh if only I could win the lotto. You only live once but its not a good life if you're out on the streets.**

The Beat Flows From Within

Reasons I love new jobs....a whole new world of people including their musical interests.


Bands I'm feeling, flowin with, and possibly crushing on (in no certain order)


META-newer DC band with a debut on the way...so excited heard them play live Friday night and yeah....BUENO!


Redline Graffiti-Hmm...words....honestly AWESOME  Just click the bandcamp link and listen to Numbers and tell me you're not feeling it.  follow here:  http://www.facebook.com/redlinegraffiti


listen here:   http://redlinegraffiti.bandcamp.com/  


Missed hearing them at Artomatic(grrr) a week ago...kinda bummed not gonna lie.  However....Already on the calendar!! http://www.facebook.com/events/138351459622319/


Paperhaus- Its a band, and its a house.  WHAT??????  Yet again, AWESOME.  Its like a crazy blend of smooth bluesy sounding vocals with a little kick of "OOOOO so thats how you feelin huh"  And they're super cool dudes.  
http://www.paperhausmusic.com/


Seriously though, if you appreciate good music check em out

Escaleftoring and When to Merge

I remember back in 2004, a group of young freshman Howard University students set off to explore what would be their new hometown for the next 4(+) years.  They set off to the Subway...and were then corrected that its a METRO, and hopped on the escalator.  The group was soon informed of an unwritten-written rule, Stand on the RIGHT-Walk on the LEFT.


As a member of that group I remember that day very well. 


Curiously the longer I'm in DC, I find myself being that person rushing past tourists with a hurried "Excuse me" as I try to zoom down the left side...Which leaves me wondering, why has no one made a pamphlet for tourists.  Surely the Chamber of Commerce or travel agencies could easily slide it in with the many, many hotel brochures.  Just a simple little note to say "Hey, to avoid angry Washingtonians, keep to the right at all times."  


Now I know you're like "Wow. At all times?" But yes! All Times!!  This mostly comes from the many tourists who choose to take up the entire sidewalk and refuse to merge over when they see people walking(yeah, I have tourist problems) Ok ok I'll concede they're on vacation and its a brave new exciting world for them....but I and the ten people about to run me down, are on a schedule, and the ten people about to run me down are on a government lunch schedule/better known as a meeting break, so they really don't care if you get the picture of that sign and that one and that one.  And I just prefer not getting trampled by men in suits....its not sexy




Yet another blog that's gone from A....to L.....to J.....to Z


Brought to you by me....a currently undercaffeinated scorpio

"I'm Proud of What I am....I am a Librarian"

....Okay so as you all (probably) know, I am no librarian, that is my favorite line from "The Mummy" though.  I am however the proud new owner of a DC Public Library card.  And in true me fashion....already have 3 books checked out, and 4 on hold.  In my defense...they're free I didn't buy em.  LOL....

I'm adding this into my whole new life thing I have going on now...books, the great outdoors, and a couple of cocktails(shhhhh). Basically getting out of my zone(a.k.a. my bed) and going exploring.  With a little bad planning you find a lot of awesomeness in DC.

Case in point...Lower Senate Park

I stumbled on this little slice of heaven like 3+ years ago after a really bad breakup...and well POOF here lies peace.  Its a great little spot, with two...yes two different fountains(the pic is the top one)

And this little one here....tucked off on the side of one of the many museums in DC, with a matching one on the other side of the building.  

So as you can see I gave you no directions for these two little fountains. Honestly 50-85% of exploring is finding the stuff that isn't on the maps.  

So go out!

Explore and see what you find

And if you're exploring in DC you might just find me

Mason jars, Flavored Water, & More....

So you'll have to excuse me if this post seems like one long internal conversation cause well....it is.


I kinda fell off the wagon with the healthy eating plan especially lately(beers and fries oh boy) so I've decided its time to get set mentally, physically and emotionally.  Maybe this all comes from working with a life coach-Pause: She's not my life coach she's just my co-worker AND a life coach- so many of our talks during our shifts at work are all about getting yourself centered and happy.  Basically I need to start by putting myself right body, mind and soul.  Starting with the body; I can't be of a centered mind and still be treating my body like crap.  

So here's the start. 

 Finding ways to make water fun, I know I know its water its not supposed to be fun, but add in some herbs, or some fruit and its a tasty glass of happy health.  My current favorite basil-strawberry water.  No real need to sweeten anything just smush the fruit and herbs and go to town.  OOO! and hibiscus lemon water...it turns really dark but its delicious and super refreshing, and considering the current temps in DC, refreshing is wonderful.  


Of course really the start was cleaning the kitchen totally.  I mean throw out old stuff and scrub down fridge shelves clean.  Of course now I need a new dish drainer but it was necessary.  


And of course my new fascination...mason jars! You get like 9 for $11 at a hardware store and can try out all kinds of combinations for fun(yes this did start as a liquor experiment but shhhhh)


Off to drink some water and relax on this beautiful day.

Here we go

I think I've finally made some big time decisions.  I'm taking the rest of this year to breathe, whoo sah, and become a happier, healthier me.  NO that doesn't mean some drastic diet or highly intense workout. It means putting Jessica(J-bizzle, JSquiggle, J-boogie, Greeneyes, Piggy, Skittle, Jesster) first....no comments on the variety of crazy names please.

So to start I got a job I actually enjoy going to...major upgrade from feeling like "I have to go to work so suck it up and do it", and I've already cut down/cut out some of the bullshit from my life(sorry kids grown ups are talking, cover your ears).  I'm finding my own little life.  Crazy its taken 25.5 years to do so but well its been an interesting road.

Next step, making me...well me.  No more association with past me...outside of the dear loved ones I have, even if they are all crazy, truly one can never get rid of their HU family and well why would they want to? I'm figuring out the style for my designs, and ready to put forth the full effort into making it a reality(shooting for 2014 since I got yelled at for saying 2015)

Basically this here chick is ready for life. And all the exploring I get to do to find LIFELOVEHAPPINESS.  Oddly enough most of the deep thought process came from watching an old "Wendy Williams Show" interview with Stacey Dash(minor girl crush) and one with Raven Symone(semi major girl crush) in short..letting others define how you roll is not the life anyone should want to live.  And this is me defining me!

Not gonna hide it, this has mostly been a rant after a night out but all in truth.

Signing off and finding utopia

Review Time!!!!

First up....

The Pink Snapper

http://www.thepinksnapperdc.com/index.htm

Heard about this place from a coworker who said it put Sweet Mangoes to shame.  So I had to try it.  

First the lunch special is UNBEATABLE $7 for any chicken meal and a soda.  And were not talking a small amount of food.  Second you get a plantain with your meal...I took my food to go and was seriously debating going back for more plantains(I've had some so/so experiences so they aren't usually my favorite item)  And lastly the two women there when I went in were so nice and friendly which was a big change from my experience at the prior mentioned place(apparently I should just KNOW????)  

Overall I'm satisfied and definitely going back to try the jerk chicken very soon.

Hooray good food in Petworth!

Aaaand Second.....

DC Reynolds

http://www.facebook.com/dcreynoldsbar

Really more of a 3.75 stars.  Only been here a few times so I'm still a little on the fence.  The first time I went was amazing 5star kind of experience.  The food was tasty and a little bit more quality than you generally get at bars(kimchii on a bratwurst)  and the drink specials from 5-9 are too hard to pass up.  2-for-1 keeps me coming back.

The other two times have been a little....ehhhh.  They are frequently out of my favorite beer that they carry Chocolate City Copper Ale(delicious you must try) and the most recent time I went they seemed to be running out of everything food related little by little all by 9:45.  

In most cases hey whatever you're out of something cool no big deal but it felt like instead of just saying "sorry we're out, but ______ is really good too" our waitress just kept giving us the "we've been slammed and the computers went down so yeah no we don't have that right now" excuse.  But ok sure you've had a hectic night.  I'd actually probably knock another star off for the last time we went....25+ minutes waiting for FRIES(that then never came)-just no!

The bathroom(s) can't speak for all of them only went in the one on the main level near the patio door.  However EWWW.  Please just peek inside every hour or so cause it was atrocious.  

Somewhat dive bar-esque but like an upscale dive bar.  I'd still go back though I mean 2 for 1!!!!  YES!

Daily Grill Georgetown.....Best hug out EVER

Went on a Saturday for late night happy hour after leaving another place with a horrible drink special.  Have to say in our search for weekend happy hour/drink specials this was probably the best one(after 9pm)  All day drink specials $3, $4, and $5.  Super friendly bartenders that make a delicious martini.  

Would probably give it closer to 3 and a half stars out of 5 only as there kitchen closes at midnight but they stay open til 1 or 2am...not really sure which.  But again super friendly bartender was completely okay with us grabbing Five Guys and coming back in(we didn't, but nice to have the option)

All in all for a late Saturday night, Daily Grill was exactly what I needed.  Even the drunk guys weren't an issue the manager is really on top of keeping out "extras"/ "I'm too drunk to know I'm being stupids"  He doesn't necessarily throw people out, the only uber drunk he tossed he literally wrapped this man up in a hug and HUG-WALKED him out the door....it was so smooth it took us a minute to realize what was going on...and we were sitting by the door.  Classy--I like it!


And a special thanks to Jay our bartender.....don't even know what the drink was but DELICIOSO