tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64312882024-03-13T06:20:14.377-04:00The Poison Pen[Formerly "Adam's Deep Blog"]
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch sdtuy at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a ttoal mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Fcuknig amzanig huh?FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.comBlogger697125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-40646258699715439752011-01-25T21:38:00.002-05:002011-01-25T21:42:55.938-05:00Moving on...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/TT-KFq4a_tI/AAAAAAAAAqs/CAGD_pVUjNY/s1600/moving6pf.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/TT-KFq4a_tI/AAAAAAAAAqs/CAGD_pVUjNY/s200/moving6pf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566319494468140754" border="0" /></a><br />If you haven't noticed, I haven't touched this blog in a good while. I've been busy living life, and going through changes, as always.<br /><br />I am plans to start up a new blog, starting afresh with a new chapter. I will be sure to place the forwarding link here and let you all know when that happens.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who read and enjoyed my blog over the years!<br /><br />XO,<br />AdamFireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-10640301229098266252010-06-13T20:31:00.003-04:002010-06-13T20:45:41.393-04:00Feeling PrideSunday afternoons, especially in the summer, tend to make me nostalgic. In fact any time after a fun weekend or vacation when going "back to reality" looms, or the end of summer, makes me nostalgic. Where I'm going with this is that I had a wonderful Pride weekend and was just thinking about all the Pride weekends past - the people I've had as friends in this city, the formative experiences I've had here as a young (now not-so-young) gay man.<br /><br />Actually I only have to work Monday, then I'm taking the rest of the week off with Sean to spend at Provincetown for some much-needed rest and relaxation. I'm really, really looking forward to it. We'll be staying with two friends who've gotten a house...I'm hoping the weather is nice!<br /><br />Thursday night was a friend of Sean's birthday party, so we went to that. Saturday we watched the parade (was it just me or did this year feel like it dragged on for 3 hours?) visited some friends, went to dinner at Logan Tavern, out for drinks after that. Today we met two friends and went to the street festival - got drenched in the brief downpour! And why is Pride always during a hot time of year? It always seems lethally hot down at the street fair, but I guess some boys just like the excuse to go shirtless, is my guess.<br /><br />Summer is finally here, it would seem. I have been debating keeping this blog active anymore. I can't explain it, but sometimes I think it's served its purpose. Maybe I'll start a new one, or...FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-17121325712032447462010-05-26T13:35:00.002-04:002010-05-26T13:45:40.743-04:00May-be I'll UpdateI was eating with a friend a week or so ago and they asked me what was up with my blog, and I realized I've been far too busyto update it like I should. Plenty has happened in the last month, and I'll post some photos soon.<br /><br />Things I've been up to: Work's been crazy, but have been trying to enjoy my weekends and seeing friends when I can. Sean and I have been looking at moving somewhere together. Taking some time off next month to go with him to Provincetown, maybe visit my friend in Halifax, too, at some point. I've been taking a French class at the <a href="http://www.francedc.org/en/index.aspx">Alliance Française</a> two nights a week, just for fun. I had jury duty this month (hopefully it'll be a long while before that again). Sean gave me "permission" finally to get a motorcycle, and we still talk about moving in with eachother (not that the two are somehow related...), and I've donw a lot of shopping. I think that about sums it all up.<br /><br />My family's bugging me to come visit this Memorial Day weekend at some point - not sure what I am going to do yet, beyond spend soem time with Sean. À Bientôt!FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-58411508868835766572010-04-28T09:18:00.000-04:002010-04-28T09:19:31.261-04:00An Interesting Article...<a href="http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/do-gay-couples-give-up-their-u-s-citizenship/">Do Gay Couples Give Up Their U.S. Citizenship?</a><br /><br />American expatriates are having a more difficult time living and working abroad, a recent <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/us/26expat.html?src=me&ref=homepage">Times article</a> found, causing a small but growing number of them to renounce their United States citizenship.<br /><br />But there’s another group of Americans who could be adding to that tally: same-sex couples.<br />Many same-sex couples who decide to leave the United States head for countries that recognize their unions. In fact, when we wrote a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/your-money/03money.html">story</a> about the extra costs same-sex couples face here in America, we learned that many leave because of immigration obstacles.<br /><br />Several readers left comments stating that they could not<a href="http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/citizenship.html"> sponsor</a> their same-sex partners for American citizenship — so they decided to migrate to places like Canada, where it’s easier to gain permanent resident status for couples since only one partner has to qualify. Besides, gay marriage is recognized there.<br /><br />Not all same-sex couples who move abroad will ultimately renounce their citizenship, of course, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.<br /><br />David Cohen, a senior partner at <a href="http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-consulting.html">Campbell Cohen</a>, an immigration law firm in Montreal, said he had seen a significant increase in the number of same-sex couples who emigrated from the United States to Canada over the last 10 years.<br /><br />The couples head north for many reasons, he said, including “what they view as a prejudicial tax system, or they don’t feel they are entitled to the same benefits as heterosexual married couples, or they feel there is more tolerance,” Mr. Cohen said. “And there have been a fair number of Americans who can include their same-sex partner in the application. Only one member of a couple has to qualify for permanent residence status to come to Canada.”<br /><br />The following readers, who commented on our October story about the costs of being gay, echoed those sentiments:<br /><br />Rich and Luis, of Vancouver, wrote:<br />Heterosexuals can sponsor their partners to become U.S. permanent residents; same-sex couples cannot. My now-husband and I had to move to Canada to stay together. We were both professionals in our native countries. Now my husband, a medical technologist, is working at Staples, and I’m making $25,000 less annually with poor benefits at a temporary job with no job security, although at least the job is in my field. It was expensive to become permanent residents, and the move was expensive, as are trips back to see my family.<br /><br />Megan, of Canada, said:<br />Try being a bi-national gay couple. We have paid over $70,000 to be together. My partner is Indian and I am American and yet we have to live in Canada if we are to be together.<br /><br />And Rebecca, of New Jersey:<br />My wife and I have been together for 5 years and I am in the process of becoming a Canadian permanent resident so that we can live in the same country. It has cost nearly $10,000 so far.<br /><br />Mr. Cohen said he did not know whether any of his same-sex couple clients ultimately renounced their American citizenship. American transplants may be less likely to do so in Canada because of a tax treaty between the two countries, which lessens the burden of double taxation that many American expats pay in other countries, he added.<br /><br />Many of the renunciations cited by the Times article were attributed to the issue of double taxation, which has irked many expats for years. Another big reason expats have renounced is because it’s becoming more challenging to keep an American bank account because of new banking regulations aimed at curbing tax evasion and preventing money from flowing to terrorists.<br /><br />The article says that 502 expatriates gave up their United States citizenship or permanent residency status in the last quarter of 2009, the largest quarterly figure in years, and more than twice the total for all of 2008. There were 743 renunciations last year.<br /><br />How many of those renunciations do you think might have been same-sex couples? What choices do couples with noncitizen partners have — and what are the costs?FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-24785924301797884742010-04-23T15:51:00.002-04:002010-04-23T16:03:24.496-04:00Birthday and everything after...So I had a great birthday weekend, thanks to all of my friends who made it special : )<a href="http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/adamscandalous/Birthday%20XXIX/" target="”_blank”">You can check out the photos here</a>. Flowers, candy, presents, drinks, friends... it was very nice and we had great weather, too. It's strange to think this is the last year of my twenties. I have a feeling I have to make it count somehow.<br /><br />One friend is thinking of a trip to Europe next month, which I may go on. I've been singing up for new things, like a French class that starts soon, as well as other things like a kayaking course with Sean. Just things to get out, meet people, stay active etc.<br /><br />Here is the newest from one of my fav singers, Sarah McLachlan (well, before she went through her period of "Adult Contemporary" snoozers). It looks like she might be coming back with good music again!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qcIqPINH2RM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qcIqPINH2RM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-84194324411481131622010-04-12T20:37:00.003-04:002010-04-12T20:53:36.613-04:00Spring Sprang SprungIt's been a great week since I last posted. Easter/My early birthday went fine with my family. I have a new assistant at work who is a lifesaver. On Wednesday night Sean surprised me by taking me to a chocolate truffle making class at <a href="http://www.thecocoagallery.com/">ACKC Cocoa Bar</a> on 14th St (which, by the way, has amazing hot chocolates for cold nights and lavender lemonade for the warmer days). I actually just finished eating the truffles we made. I think I need to go to more cooking classes, I forgot how much fun they are. In fact, I think I need to start doing more events like that; break out of my bubble and meet new people.<br /><br />Saturday I went to sushi with Sean and we went to Cobalt, which was shockingly busy, and we had a really good time with each other. The next day we checked out a new Korean place (people know how I am about my Korean...) called <a href="http://www.heebeen.com/">Hee Been</a>. I was really impressed and definitely would go back! And here I was thinking I had been to every Korean joint in a 50-mile radius. You know,<a href="http://eating.health.com/2008/02/01/worlds-healthiest-foods-kimchi-korea/"> kimchi is a serious health food</a>!<br /><br />Afterward we went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookside_Gardens">Brookside Gardens</a> in Wheaton. I love that place, and it's always so nice in the spring when all the tulips and such are in bloom.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8PAAwLgllI/AAAAAAAAAqY/_q90g49x4mU/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8PAAwLgllI/AAAAAAAAAqY/_q90g49x4mU/s200/IMG_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459418292468880978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8PAATYtJzI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/sK4u-O4xWiU/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8PAATYtJzI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/sK4u-O4xWiU/s200/IMG_0158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459418284739602226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8PAALtbLbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/-NtpRKRZjeg/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8PAALtbLbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/-NtpRKRZjeg/s200/IMG_0161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459418282679020978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8O__iwZcFI/AAAAAAAAAqA/ronyAtdiwcY/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8O__iwZcFI/AAAAAAAAAqA/ronyAtdiwcY/s200/IMG_0164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459418271685636178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8O_-tYhNcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/SBgxxKjZGSM/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S8O_-tYhNcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/SBgxxKjZGSM/s200/IMG_0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459418257358403010" border="0" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-80028580418348641942010-04-04T10:37:00.000-04:002010-04-04T10:37:00.111-04:00The Easter Brady Visits Again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7dguJRJ1SI/AAAAAAAAApg/qHyY4tR2mKM/s1600/the_easter_brady_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7dguJRJ1SI/AAAAAAAAApg/qHyY4tR2mKM/s320/the_easter_brady_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455935819460760866" border="0" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-44209692409305899162010-04-03T11:29:00.000-04:002010-04-03T11:36:57.743-04:00EastertimeIt's that time of yer again. I'm going with Sean over to my parents' house for Easter tomorrow and to celebrate the far more important holiday, my birthday, a little early.<br /><br />I should add that Sean and I have decided <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> to move in together. I know, it seems like an emotional roller coaster around this whole moving-in-together thing. And I suppose that's part of the reason I thought maybe it would be a better idea to shelve the idea for now. I think Sean was overwhelmed with work this month, other things going on in his life, and the fact that he's never lived with a partner before. For my part, I have to admit I'm a little sad to leave where I am now, and I'm not sure if Sean and I would be compatible living together or not. I know there's only one way to find out, but the status quo seems to have worked for the last 3 1/2 years. The whole thing came to a head on Thursday when I would have to give 30 days notice to my current apartment building that I planned on moving out by May 1st. Sean suggested moving the moving date back to June. But I feel like we keep pushing dates, so there's clearly some issues that need to be addressed. Hence, I suggested it might be less stressful for both of us if we just took the idea off the table for awhile and revisit it at some point in the future.FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-4525411289782707502010-04-02T11:37:00.002-04:002010-04-03T11:47:17.893-04:00Cherry Blossoms 2010I forgot to blog about last weekend, I realized. It's been a hectic week at work (what;s new there?) but I had a lot of fun last weekend. I went to the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin with M and Sean (see below). They were really at peak and very pretty. That whole area was also really packed - the Metro was a nightmare (nothing new there consider it is DC's "Underground FAILroad"). And honestly I think it'll be the closest I get to the Mall until after the summer & all the tourists go home.<br /><br />I got a splitting migraine later that evening, but after some pills I went to dinner with Sean and we met up with P & B at Omega (or as Sean has dubbed it, "The Island of Misfit Toys") and then we went to Apex - which I hadn't been to in ages.The next day was kind of cool and wet, and we didn't really do much of anything except go to an Asian grocery store (I always buy so much there) in Fairfax that I love and have dinner. Weekends always seem to go by way too fast.<br /><br />We've started getting very serious in our efforts to find jobs in other cities/countries. I don't want to jinx anything, but it feels good to actually do something as opposed to talking (or blogging) about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7dhMtUFsfI/AAAAAAAAApw/xSwGs9r96Dg/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7dhMtUFsfI/AAAAAAAAApw/xSwGs9r96Dg/s320/IMG_0145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455936344532824562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7dhLPDAw5I/AAAAAAAAApo/bRmL8qXiwXQ/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7dhLPDAw5I/AAAAAAAAApo/bRmL8qXiwXQ/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455936319228265362" border="0" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-63751094587418875212010-03-30T15:17:00.003-04:002010-03-30T15:33:53.388-04:00The Countdown Begins...<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/files/countdown/countdown.swf?co=18FFFF&bgcolor=000000&date_month=05&date_day=01&date_year=0&un=MOVING DAY&size=small&mo=05&da=01&yr=2010" width="188" height="60"><param name="movie" value="http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/files/countdown/countdown.swf?co=18FFFF&bgcolor=000000&date_month=05&date_day=01&date_year=0&un=MOVING DAY&size=small&mo=05&da=01&yr=2010" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /></object><br /><br />I have to admit, as I've posted before, I'm a little aprehensive about moving in with Sean, especially now that today marks a month until we move in together. It's refreshing, in its own weird way, to know that he feels the same way too. It's a scary thing. We considered the need for more time, which I am still open to (of course I need some definitive decision because there is planning that has to be done!). But as of today we are still moving forward.<br /><br />It will be such an adjustment, I know, for both of us. I got a little sad, in fact, hanging out with some friends last night. I was wondering how living with Sean will affect my social life and other things. He promises me nothing will have to change, but I wonder.FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-35783188902271124202010-03-30T15:12:00.001-04:002010-03-30T15:17:40.722-04:00April Showers Bring...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7JOKXp9CxI/AAAAAAAAApY/dy9hk84Yl5I/s1600/20100330121634_4bb24e1246879.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454508038754732818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S7JOKXp9CxI/AAAAAAAAApY/dy9hk84Yl5I/s320/20100330121634_4bb24e1246879.jpg" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-13625805098615072802010-03-23T17:44:00.004-04:002010-03-23T17:55:18.188-04:00Some February/March Photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3xs3mBnI/AAAAAAAAApQ/v1sjaHku2Fo/s1600-h/IMG_0139.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3xs3mBnI/AAAAAAAAApQ/v1sjaHku2Fo/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451950150906152562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3xD73jEI/AAAAAAAAApI/wIYvQqQ7dlY/s1600-h/IMG_0138.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3xD73jEI/AAAAAAAAApI/wIYvQqQ7dlY/s320/IMG_0138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451950139918224450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3w0133wI/AAAAAAAAApA/EQlarQHhfsE/s1600-h/IMG_0132.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3w0133wI/AAAAAAAAApA/EQlarQHhfsE/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451950135866547970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3whd26_I/AAAAAAAAAo4/nO3020s1lco/s1600-h/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6k3whd26_I/AAAAAAAAAo4/nO3020s1lco/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451950130665548786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above: open kitchen at Ping Pong in Chinatown, Sharkey in the DJ booth at Saint-Ex, me at the Asian art museum, P at Town</span>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-11954272889838312192010-03-22T21:54:00.001-04:002010-03-22T21:54:34.186-04:00Lady Gaga - Telephone<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EVBsypHzF3U&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EVBsypHzF3U&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-59124414283375677102010-03-21T22:02:00.002-04:002010-03-21T22:15:05.995-04:00Spring AwakeningI've had a nice last couple of weekends. Even work wasn't that painful with my boss being out of the office all week. The weather's gotten warm, and I've been going out a lot the last few weekends. I think I was endanger of becoming a nester, but I've felt like reconnecting with friends I've been drifting from. I feel good.<br /><br />I'm still moving in with Sean, probably May. We've been discussing parameters of the situation. I know I've written a little about my fears of being tied down in this place, or the fear of finding myself unhappy. I think we've reached an understanding and I don't feel so potentially trapped anymore. <br /><br />Friday night I went bar hopping with M, which I haven't done in a long time. The next day Sean got off work early and we went to this new place in Chinatown called Ping Pong that does dim sum that we both really enjoyed. Afterwards we went to Town for Lady Gaga night. Today we enjoyed the warm weather and went to Great Falls for a picnic - it's been a very nice weekend. I'm feeling better about a lot of things.FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-80018312763521293502010-03-21T22:00:00.001-04:002010-03-21T22:02:07.249-04:00Peaches - BillionaireI think Peaches is probably the best thing to come out of Toronto...<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hciN2T4OyCw&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hciN2T4OyCw&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-29017540321082312822010-03-19T16:43:00.000-04:002010-03-19T16:44:06.257-04:00Drunky, Did You Move to Connecticut?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6PiES7Pc3I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/lP8bvm68-go/s1600-h/slide_5418_74265_large.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450448537476100978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S6PiES7Pc3I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/lP8bvm68-go/s320/slide_5418_74265_large.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-7064346053118389462010-03-17T09:04:00.000-04:002010-03-17T09:04:00.557-04:00Green... with Envy: St. Patrick's Day 2010!Happy <span style="color:#009900;">St. pAAtrick's Day</span>, everyone!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S5-fzkAsA0I/AAAAAAAAAoI/-LsOXoPCQ1k/s1600-h/patty_16.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449249782330295106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S5-fzkAsA0I/AAAAAAAAAoI/-LsOXoPCQ1k/s320/patty_16.jpg" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-86654283833500089452010-03-15T16:25:00.002-04:002010-03-15T16:35:55.359-04:00The Ideas of MarchMy HOroscope this morning:<br /><br /><em>You have a great deal of power at your disposal today, Aries. You should keep in mind that just about anything you wish for will come true. Don't waste words or actions. Concentrate your energy and focus it on one or two important things instead of dispersing it and thereby diluting your overall power. There isn't anything to fear on a day like this.</em><br /><br />Interesting. I woke up this morning from an epically-long dream, one that was chock full of symbolism (it's as if my subconscious is trying to beat me over the head with a message). I won't go into it here- that's what I keep my dream journal by my bed for - but it's been an interesting start to the week. Maybe it's the rainy weather, but do you ever have mornings where it's hard to shake dreams and differentiate between the real and unreal?<br /><br />I had a wonderful weekend. Last weekend I wasn't feeling so great and haven't been out in while, so it felt good to get out of the house. Saturday night I had dinner at <a href="http://www.cavamezze.com/">Cava</a> with Sean, we met some friends at <a href="http://www.movalounge.com/">Mova</a> (formerly Halo), and then some others at Town. With the daylight savings jumping ahead one hour thing, it wasn't until very late when we got back.<br /><br />The next morning I made breakfast (which Sean and I joke has happened maybe 3 times in our entire relationship) and then we went to see <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130884/">Shutter Island</a></em> at Tysons, which was a perfect <em>film noir</em> movie for a dark and rainy weekend. I definitely recommend it - tell me your theories on the twist ending. I won't post any spoilers here.<br /><br />By the way, what are people doing for St. pAAtrick's Day this year?FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-58920989683964316042010-03-01T21:40:00.002-05:002010-03-01T21:47:49.757-05:00Stories to TellMarch is here, and things are getting a little warmer, which gives hope for spring, though honestly I would not be opposed to a little more snow! Having snows days off work is worth it in itself.<br /><br />I was thinking at some point tonight that when I move I really will miss DC on some level. I was reflecting on some good times I've had over the years. Even some of the crazy things which, while not fun at the time, I can look back on and laugh a little at. The point is, I've lived to tell the tales.<br /><br />Sometimes I've thought about writing a novel about my time here. I'd have enough raw material to fill up volumes, all the crazy situations, people etc. But I wouldn't even know where to begin! It's nice having that feeling of communion with the city though - I've been privileged to see some of her secrets, and enjoy some very good times through these formative years of my twenties.FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-85185966500133902672010-02-26T13:13:00.002-05:002010-02-26T13:25:42.177-05:00That Little Voice...While I am very excited about the upcoming move, I have to confess I also have a few moments of panic. It has nothing to do with whether or not I think I could be compatible with Sean or not. It's larger than that, really.<br /><br />I had sort of a "moment of clarity" today when I realized what I think is the root of some of the issues in our relationship I've had in the past, things that went unnamed because I couldn't wrap my mind around what the root problem was. I really do think, now, that it's about commitment. Or rather, being able to do the things I want in life.<br /><br />Do you ever have that little voice in your head that says "Run!" ?<br /><br />I get that sometimes. This is nothing against Sean at all. He really is the most amazing man I've ever found. But, I feel like my "window of opportunity" is drawing to a close - my twenties are almost over. The further you go along the harder it is to change any course. I do not want to be in the same place doing the same things two, five, ten years from now. Wondering where those years went, much as I do now having lived in DC for a decade.<br /><br />I've learned how easy it is to let years pass under the bridge... putting things off, putting dreams on the shelf. I don't want to do that. And sometimes I think it's even easier to fall into that hypnosis of mundane life when you tie yourself with another person.<br /><br />Some days I want to run, I want to move far away and start fresh. And I think it's perfectly human to feel that way. I think a lot of us have these feelings in our relationships, even if we bury them somewhere dark and secret.<br /><br />When you ask me tomorrow I may feel completely different. My blog can be silly sometimes, but I also come here to work out issues (albeit in a rather public forum). But I have to be honest with how I feel, and it helps to get it out on words...FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-69370362451567892852010-02-25T15:02:00.003-05:002010-02-25T15:04:14.054-05:00A Moment for Reflection...<em>A strange selection for a cold winter day, I realize, but I came across this reading about a colleague who quoted this in an article... at any rate, I really was struck by the last two lines.</em><br /><br />The Summer Day<br />Mary Oliver<br /><br />Who made the world?<br />Who made the swan, and the black bear?<br />Who made the grasshopper?<br />This grasshopper, I mean-<br />the one who has flung herself out of the grass,<br />the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,<br />who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-<br />who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.<br />Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.<br />Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.<br />I don't know exactly what a prayer is.<br />I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down<br />into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,<br />how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,<br />which is what I have been doing all day.<br />Tell me, what else should I have done?<br />Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?<br />Tell me, what is it you plan to do<br />with your one wild and precious life?FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-4772209498671149262010-02-24T13:41:00.004-05:002010-02-24T13:47:43.048-05:00Catching UpNot much major has happened since my past post. Valentine's was nice, the snow is almost melted. I've seen my friends several times (though I've actualyl been more of a homebody than usual lately!)<br /><br />Sean and I are continuing to plan our moving in with each other. I haven't set a date as of yet, but I imagine it will be soon. Sean has some repairs and remodeling to finish up. <br /><br />Soon I'll be a Real Housewife of McLean lolFireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-56940004704829062712010-02-24T13:41:00.001-05:002010-02-24T13:41:49.689-05:00Great Lake Swimmers : Your Rocky Spine<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Kr6L22w7H8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Kr6L22w7H8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-91438296794583214042010-02-13T16:12:00.003-05:002010-02-13T17:44:20.519-05:00Year of the TigerIt's Valentine's Day tomorrow, and also Chinese New Year, year of the tiger. Tonight I'm going to dinner with Sean to <a href="http://www.monamigabi.com/">Mon Ami Gabi</a> - it was where we celebrated our first Valentine's together (and, if I recall, it was snowy then, too). This makes our fourth Valentine's day, now.<br /><br />Last night was the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Wish I was there to see it all in person. I did catch the ceremonies on TV last night while I was out. It was beautiful (though a tough act to follow after Beijing's in 2008). I liked the giant polar bear that came out of the floor...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S3crEl-gB9I/AAAAAAAAAnw/RUfvBuzYjmM/s1600-h/ALeqM5gxtdYTrUqNRNRx9N7adR1yj8AZhw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S3crEl-gB9I/AAAAAAAAAnw/RUfvBuzYjmM/s200/ALeqM5gxtdYTrUqNRNRx9N7adR1yj8AZhw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437862432986892242" border="0" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431288.post-74265799442036863162010-02-13T16:02:00.004-05:002010-02-13T16:09:00.966-05:00Edward Cullen at My HouseI don't know what I love more about this pic - my favorite sparkly vampire from<span style="font-style: italic;"> Twilight</span>, or the polar bear rug he's laying on. Actually screw Robert Pattinson, I'll take the rug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S3cT_dfrlEI/AAAAAAAAAno/4ahGLMiDQGY/s1600-h/Details--Pattinson-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WRHfBnEXEGQ/S3cT_dfrlEI/AAAAAAAAAno/4ahGLMiDQGY/s200/Details--Pattinson-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437837056043357250" border="0" /></a>FireWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837571946386018701noreply@blogger.com0