Design Debate

For the past, I don't know, YEAR, I have been flip-flopping on the counter color for the kitchen. I know I want white shaker cabinets, but I am a little unsure on the counter/back splash. So, I'll have you weigh in. Here are the options:

Kitchen #1

Kitchen #2

(from the amazing talents of Wanderluster)

So? Tell me which one you like best.

Which kitchen design do you like best?
	Kitchen #1 (black counter)
	Kitchen #2 (neutral counter)

What the %$#%?

IKEA is reallly into the inauguration. Or, shall we say Barack Obamas slogan "change we can believe in". They made thier own "Embrace Change". IKEA banners are plastered on Metro buses, Metro stations, and now, a mock oval office (dressed in IKEA finery) is on display in Union Station. Dios Mio.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/look/look-ikea-recreates-oval-office-in-union-station-073793

Storage Success!

The new year plans began with cleaning out closets and packing things into storage! Well, we have packed about 6 plastic tubs with books and clothes and loaded them into our new storage unit this weekend. We certainly have more to put in there.

A little about the unit. They mention we needed our own lock. By that they meant we needed to buy a special lock from them. Eighteen dollars later, we had our lock. Oh, did they mention the $22 administration fee? No, oh, yes, it's there. Then, they added we needed to either buy insurance from them or prove we have homeowners insurance. So, the $63 rental fee was just to get in the door then they hit you will some add-ons. It was annoying.

But, the space is great and I will certainly have more space to breathe when we haul the rest of our junk over.

If they can handle July 4th. . .

maybe it won't be so bad:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-08-inaugurail_N.htm

Metro during Inauguration

I know, I promise I will get back to the house stuff soon enough, but this is a fun tidbit of information. An estimated 4 million people are coming into DC for the big day next Tuesday, and there have been reports on how the Metro cannot handle it. So, here's some fun math:

Let's assume the following:

The train is not full at time of arrival and one thousand people can fit on each Metro train car.

One train comes every 3 minutes, this 20 trains in one hour (this is generous, but the train should be running on rush hour scheduling).

Therefore based on this, 20,000 people can be moved from each metro station an hour in each direction moving a total of 40,000 people from each metro stop.

There will be 9 Metro stations close to the Mall for people to access: Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center, Capitol South, Federal Triangle, Metro Center, Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Union Station. Archives-Navy-Penn-Quarter station will be closed. Use the map below to zoom out and over to the right to see all the stops around the capitol/mall area.

Now, many of the stops are preceded by other stops, therefore, a full train will be arriving. So, we can really only assume one thousand people can get on the first train, with 100 people getting on at the next station (since the assumption lies that people will not be exiting at another downtown location).

So, let's say one thousand people per train for 3 stations, with 100 per train for the other 6 stations. 3 stations moving 20,000 people per hour with the remaining 6 moving 2,000 people per hour. This leads to a grand total of 72,000 people per hour moving out of the area.

4 million divided by 72,000 equals 55.55. Which means it would take 55+ hours to move 4 million people through the Metro.

Now, I know people will walk farther to get on a train (if they can!), but this just shows you how much the system is going to be swamped!


View Larger Map

Inauguration = Blizzard

While listening to the radio yesterday, a segment came on addressing the upcoming inauguration and how it was going to wreak havoc on all DCers.


Things discussed were:

Do not think you are going to b able to ride the Metro. Even though trains will be running like it is rush hour all day, you will not be able to join in the fun. You will stand on a packed platform watching packed train after packed train ride by without being able to get on. Also, you cannot bring a bike or a large sign on there. So, don't even think about bringing a 3x3 foot widdled banner to display to the Obamas during the parade.

People will descend on DC like a plague of locusts and destroy all in their path.

Don't think you are going to be able to drive in and out of the city at your leisure. Most getaway routes are open, yet there is no return.

Roadblocks will prevent any type of driving into the city.

Parking is like a thing of the past. You are better to just throw your car in the river when you get into DC.




Prepare to stock up on groceries like a giant snow storm is coming. Seriously, this was the actual recommendation.

The good news? Looks like I'll be home to get some projects done. Yeah. . .

Clean Sweep

In the realization of having too much stuff, we spent last weekend cleaning out our closets and compiling items to move into a storage unit. I know, a storage unit. If we had a basement, this would not be a problem. But, we don't. So, two days into the project and we are about 75% done. Yup, not done. Two DAYS of work and still not done. It's almost silly how long it takes. Sorting, filing, and cleaning sure do take a lot of time.

So far we have 10 garbage bags of clothes, shoes and linens to bring to goodwill. I have no idea why we have so much stuff. Oh, and they are currently piled in our living room. It's so relaxing in there being surrounded by piles of garbage bags. Hopefully this next weekend will complete the task and we will have some organized spaces to show off!