Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Apparently money doesnt matter anymore

Yesterday, as I hope all of you heard about or saw, the bill to put about 700 billion dollars back into our economy failed. Yes, that's right the house of representatives didn't think it necessary to bail out some of then most essential cooperations in our country when they were very clearly and very desperately in a time of need.

After Nancy Palosi, the speaker of the house, gave her speech, magically the votes that were in favor of this very necessary bill started to swtich over to opposed. Both Democrats and Repulicans became so concerned with the minute and irrelivant details that they forgot that if this bill failed, which it did, that there would be almost nowhere else to turn.

The arguments that the banks and markets needed to fix themselves was thrown around a lot as to why some voted "Nay" ont he bill. what they didnt consider though, was the fact that they cannot fix themselves if they aren't given anything, or even worse- dont have anything, to fix the markets with. the reason they need to be fixed and funded is because they have no money to function with. so the solution to their problem would be to somehow generate more money, right? I mean thats only logical thinking, it doesnt take much depth. For some reason though, the house was unaware of logic last night when they failed the $700 billion bailout bill.

The other argument that the media circulated last night was that many of the representatives were voting with the constituencies, whether or not they actually agreed with them we will never know BUT my guess is that they were just trying to get in good with those who "knew what they were doing." Thats not really representing though, is it? No thats being a lost dog following around the person with food NOT listening to your own beliefs and judgments.

so guys, what now?

Sunday, September 28, 2008

To call or not to call

I woke up at 3am to hear the sound of crashing glass outside my window.
Actually concerned, I rolled over and opened my half-functional blinds.
A few guys were tossing beer bottles out their 3rd story window and being vulgar and drunk and in college.
I was faced with an ethical dilemma- to call or not to call (UPD).
Because their landing strip was the exact route I take to my Geography class, and since I wear flip-flops religiously (and glass through my shoe would be really unpleasant) I called.
I listened to "Fly me to the moon" and other popular jazz hits as I sat on hold, for three minutes.
I gave up and hung up.
Unfortunately for all of us, the guys refused to shut up and I had to call again. After a minute, I got connected to an officer and left my (at that time) anonymous tip.

Do people actually call UPD? Is it a way for students to help keep our campus safe, or are the people who call just ratting out people for having a good time?

Should students call UPD?
Yes, whenever in doubt, do it.
Not really, just in life or death situations.
No, basically don't.
  
pollcode.com free polls

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Hippo Is Almost Certainly Going Away

According to the poll on MyGW, 69% of students think that "Absolutely!" the hippo should be kept as the unofficial GW mascot, while 13% think George is better as the only mascot and 18% of respondents were freshmen.

Since GW likes to do the exact opposite of what students want (think: J Street reform, CVS at 2000 Penn) we can expect the hippo statue by Lisner Auditorium to be gone by next week.

If the hippo was never in any real danger, NOW IT IS.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Aaaar you on Pirate Facebook?

Today, September 19, is the official "Talk Like A Pirate Day." From the website:
In the seven years since Dave Barry mentioned us in his nationally syndicated newspaper column, what once was a goofy idea celebrated by a handful of friends has turned into an international phenomenon that shows no sign of letting up.
Today, Talk Like A Pirate Day went even more mainstream. Facebook has a new Pirate option for ye. Scroll down your Facebook page, see the word English at the bottom, click it, from the menu of options pick English (pirate). Your Facebook page will have a whole new look.

Speaking of Facebook, join GWBlogspot's Facebook group today!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Hippo CONTROVERSY!


There's been talk in the U.S. presidential race about "phony outrage." I'm curious, does today's Hatchet editorial calling the University "heavy-handed" for phasing out the hippo resonate as a real controversy for folks?

Some specific parts that caught my eye:
The University's eventual removal of the hippo, a mascot students love and embrace, is a heavy-handed, unilateral and poorly defended move that should be seriously reconsidered.
Do you actually love the hippo?
Students have embraced the hippo as representative of the more whimsical side of the University. On a campus populated with BlackBerrys and suits, the hippo grounds us and keeps our college image lighthearted.
Is there really a whimsical side and non-whimsical side of GW? (And if anything represented pure whim, is the hippo a better example than, say, random Greco-Roman structures near the Gelman library?)
What the administration should realize is that the hippo is GW's most distinctive brand.
Seriously?!?

When I think about Georgetown, I don't think about the Hoya--I think about a good school, the one that Bill Clinton went to. If I was neutral in this "controversy," learning that the hippo is GW's most distinctive brand might actually be the strongest argument for ditching it.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Today is Adam's Morgan Day

For those who weren't feeling Fall Fest, today is the 30th annual Adam's Morgan Day on 18th Street (right above T street). It's until 7 p.m. Event link is here.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Fall Fest Open Thread

From the GW Hatchet:

Poor weather and a lack of big-name headliners contributed to a sparsely attended Fall Fest Saturday afternoon in the Smith Center.

Program Board moved the annual event indoors from University Yard last week due to Tropical Storm Hanna. In addition to food and games, the festival featured performances from student organizations, The Canon Logic, Virginia Coalition and Wale.

Did you attend Fall Fest? If so, was it good? If not, why not?
-

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Who is this "Pita Pit GW" and is (s)he friend-worthy?

I have a hard-and-fast Facebook rule. If I don't know you, you're not my "friend." Period.

So, normally, the choice I faced today of whether or not to confirm "Pita Pit GW" wouldn't require more than a second's thought. Ignore.

But...for some reason, this one took me more than a second to catch my thoughts:
"What???"
"Aww, that's kinda cute."
"What???"
"Why would someone create a profile for a food place?"
"Why would someone pick THAT place -- a pita stand?"
"Then again...it is kinda cute."
Not just cute, but quite popular. 401 friends? Obviously, not a total loser. Though maybe it's just a really good Facebook stalker and I'm its latest victim. Or, maybe it's just using me for free GWBlogspot publicity after my recent profile of Indian food on campus. (Note to Pita Pit - if that's your motive, I'll never fall for that!) (Doi!)

So, I thought I'd throw it out to the Inter-webs? What do you know about this "Pita Pit GW?" Friend-worthy?

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Political Convention Open Thread

GW's in the heart of Washington, D.C. What did folks think of the political conventions?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008

Something Special Is Coming To J Street

As a native of Edison, NJ -- which has one of the highest Indian populations in the country -- I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of fine Indian food. I test places out wherever I go, and often am not overly impressed.

Recently, at a housewarming party, I got into a conversation with some folks about Indian food in the DC area. They told me that they trek all the way from DC to Arlington just to eat at a restaurant called Sangam. I was in the Arlington area yesterday, and tried it. It was quite good.

The owner (very friendly) said they were opening up a kiosk in J Street! For all incoming Class of 2012'ers, this is NOT normal for college cafeterias. This...put simply...is bliss.

And apparently, today's the very first day the kiosk is open! So, is this a cutting-edge, amazingly-timely GWBlogspot dining review? Yes...yes, it is. (Compare and contrast to the GW Hatchet's cutting-edge review of Chipotle. Great job, guys.)

The Sangam dishes I highly recommend are Saag Paneer (spinach and cheese cubes) and Malai Kofta Curry (vegetable balls in a nice yellow sauce), both vegetarian. Also pretty good was the Paneer Makhani (cheese cubes in orange sauce). Hopefully all of those are at J Street. If not, a trip to Arlington may be in order. I'd give this place a solid 8 on a 1-10 scale.

For other Indian food aficionados, I have a few other Indian food recommendations in the area:
  • Bombay Palace near campus -- 2100 K, NW. Big advantage: weekend buffet! Saag Paneer is pretty good, other stuff is ok. They don't always have Saag Paneer in the buffet, so good to call and ask. I'd give it a 7 on a 1-10 scale.
  • Ascot -- 1708 L Street, NW (5-10 minute walk from campus). Big advantage: Weekday buffet! Saag Paneer is good, other stuff is ok. They also don't always have Saag Paneer in the buffet, so good to call and ask. I'd give it a 7.5 on a 1-10 scale.
  • Heritage India in Dupont -- 1337 Connecticut Ave., NW (immediately below Dupont Circle, about a 15-20 minute walk from campus). AMAZING Paneer Makhani. I've tried a million places and if Heritage ever shuts down, it will be a blow to Paneer Makhani fans everywhere. If you go to Heritage and don't order the Paneer Makhani, that's like going to Rome for Chinese food. They, unfortunately, do not have a buffet. They, fortunatley, do deliver. I'd give it a solid 9 on a 1-10 scale. Maybe even 9.5.
  • Udupi Palace 1329 University Blvd East Takoma Park, MD. I'm not going to pretend this is easy to get to. But if you're ever near University of Maryland, you need to try this place. Awesome weekday and weekend buffets - all vegetarian. Tons of variety. Really low price. If this place were any closer to downtown DC, I'd be 30 pounds heavier. Solid 9 out of 10.
  • There are some others in the area in the 3-5 range -- not really worth highlighting.
Feel free to share your favorite Indian restaurants or Indian dishes below. And to the good folks at Sangam, welcome to GW!