Giving Directions to a Hilarious DC Bus Driver

This morning I got to start my day laughing. I got on the bus and the driver was all excited to see a passenger. She was new on the route and was driving around all morning with no passengers and she wasn't sure she was going the right way. She said she would turn down a road and people would be waving her off like she was going down a one way street or something. She assured me no one chased her bus though. I guess that is always a good sign! I assured her she was on the right road for her route. She was relieved to say the least.

A few streets down she had to ask me which way to turn and where to stop. I was laughing so hard, because she was all nervous and flushed, trying to find her cheat sheet. She told me that she paid attention during her training on this route, but she must have forgotten it all. I told her not to worry, I would direct her to where the route ends.

She said that this route may be cut back due to funding, and she understands why now. Probably because I was her only passenger all morning, and that is not much justification for running a circular route during rush hour.

I told her I would prefer to stay on the bus all day and ride around with her, because she was cracking me up. I have a lot of respect for DC bus drivers. I also hope they don't cut the route. I look forward to riding that bus again. What a great way to start a Monday.

Blogging and Texting from the Streets of DC?

Just when I thought I had read it all, the WashingtonPost ran an article this past week that captures how technology is driving the lives of people. Apparently, even the District's homeless rely on cell phones, e-mail addresses and blogs to stay in touch. Who knew?!

Did You Just Cut the Line Mr. US Marshal?

I am all for supporting law enforcement officers, but I am getting tired of seeing our friendly U.S. Marshals cutting the line at Dunkin Donuts, getting free coffee, chatting it up with the staff and delaying the morning routine of all of the other patient patrons. Yeah, so you carry a gun and a badge, big deal. What makes you so special that you can just cut the line? I know there is some unwritten rule about coffee and donuts for police officers and law enforcement, but seriously, you are not helping disprove the stereotype or boost the reputation your fellow Marshals have around here. First the Starbucks on 7th and E and your illegally parked vehicles, then the Au Bon Pain, now the Dunkin Donuts? Is there any caffeine-powered establishment around here where I don't have to endure their arrogance and just get my cup of coffee?

City's Technology Office Goes Rogue

This one I do not understand. "Ghost" workers, kickbacks, bribes, escape plans to Turkey...all around the office of Technology for the District of Columbia? When did IT jobs go rogue?

What timing...on the heels of the announcement of our old CTO becoming our new Federal CIO. Now, before he could even get any traction, his lackeys in his old office have caused him to take a "leave of absence." What does that mean exactly? I am just curious - why in his new role does he have to take a leave of absence to deal with the outcomes of the investigation from his old role?

This is what it reads in the Post about Yusaf Acar, who is at the center of the investigation:

Acar is a flight risk because agents seized $70,000 in cash in his house and because in recorded conversations, he boasted that he could easily flee to his native Turkey. Acar also told the informant that he could use computers to create fake D.C. birth certificates, Hibarger said.

Fascinating how an Army engineer that was hired ended up being the informant that led to catching this guy:

During a December conversation, Sekela wrote, Acar and the informant discussed what could happen if they were caught. "No, nothing," Acar told the informant, according to a transcript of the call. "I will jump on the next plane, go to Turkey and disappear."

Great, so now we have this guy who was managing the installation of hardware and software for the District of Columbia and he had plans to take the money and disappear in Turkey. This cannot look to good for the city and its background checks on people. Check out Mayor Fenty's response - not exactly reassuring.

Silver Lining it to Dulles?

U.S. transportation officials sealed their commitment to a long-planned extension of Metro to Dulles International Airport at a ceremony today in which Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed a formal agreement to provide $900 million in funding considered crucial to the project's success.

Wow, I can't believe this is really going to happen. I just had a series of Facebook status updates cheering at the news. Being a DC resident, I am not sure if this is good or bad. I mean I know it is ultimately good, but will it bring the congestion relief it is promising? And are they really planning four stations around Tysons Corner? There goes that mall.

Are we really calling it the Silver Line? I can see all sorts of jokes coming out of this one.

Snowing Sideways and Liberal Leaves

Okay, so we finally have our first big snow day for the year. Strange that it is on March 2nd, but we will take what we can get.

Yesterday afternoon, as I was curled up on the couch watching Gods and Generals, I was hoping that I would look out the window to see the snow start around 2PM, as promised by the weathermen. Nope. 2:00, 3:00...6:00 PM - nothing but sprinkles. I was worse than a kid waiting for my school to close.

So, I decided to get my mind off it and went to the gym. I guess my run around the track could be considered the snow dance. I even thought of finding an old Christmas tune - Let It Snow. Silly, I know. By the time I left the gym, we had flakes. Not big flakes, but flakes all the same. So, I made some dinner, curled up with my new Kindle 2.0 and eventually dozed off. I woke up around 4:30 AM hoping to find the city blanketed with snow. No such luck. DC got about 4 inches. I huffed and puffed and got dressed to head into work. Of course I checked my OPM alerts first:

Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are OPEN under a DELAYED ARRIVAL/UNSCHEDULED LEAVE policy. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 2 hours later than they would normally arrive, and employees who cannot report for work may take unscheduled leave.

Yep, that means business as usual. As I walked to the metro, I wondered how WMATA was going to handle the snow. Sure enough, trains on time. Job well done Metro. Glad to know you have so much enthusiasm for the storm: "As the region welcomes its first major winter storm of the new year, Metro is prepared and ready to go."

Of course when I emerged from underground in Arlington, the view was a lot different. They had several inches here and the winds were whipping. I hardly saw any cars and there was very little sign of life at 6:20 in the morning.

So, now as I stare out this window, it is only getting worse. 395 has about 6 cars on it. The roads are not getting plowed. What is the point when this snow won't stop till after 12 noon? And yes, it is snowing sideways. Reconsidering that liberal leave?

Maybe it is time for OPM to update its recommendation for 2-hour delay and Liberal Leave to "CLOSED." After all, I could use the day off.