Metro on Mobile

It has been a while since I blogged a compliment over a complaint, but this one deserves an entry.

Ever since I got my Blackberry my commute is so much easier to manage thanks to NextBus and NextTrain from WMATA's mobile solutions.

Truth be told I am about a month or so away from getting an iPhone and I can't wait to explore the road/commuter warrior apps on that. For now, the BB mobile browser works well enough for me to get my GPS enabled bus arrival information.

Like just now I wanted the H4 crosstown but realized the 31 to Foggy Bottom metro was arriving. Thanks to the feature that shows you other relevant routes near you location you have options through information and data on your smartphone.

In fact, I am blogging this from the bus now. Gotta love connectivity.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Metro and Metrobus feeling the Pain in Public Affairs

Not a good summer for Metro and Metrobus Public Affairs - take a look at these sites and news items.

http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/

http://dcist.com/2009/08/two_metrobus_operators_fired_a_thir.php

I also heard a rumor that DC DMV closed down the Brentwood Branch - this calls for a big long blog post in memorial to the worst DMV location on earth. Does anyone remember that parking lot where they did the driving test? Worst location ever.

TOO BAD, SO SAD!!! But oh the memories.

Buckle Up on the Bus?

I just heard the following automated announcement on the bus I am riding: "Buckle up. The belt around you can save your life." Huh? The belt around me? Like a fool who hasn't had their coffee yet, of course I go looking to find the seat belt on the bus. Wait, buses don't have seat belts. Never have - right?

Is this a sign of things to come? Now, we will be strapping ourselves in on our local bus. Or is this just another reminder to buckle up when we are in our cars?

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.

Can You Hear Me Now ? Riding on the Metro

Yesterday, WMATA released a press statement indicating that riders will be able to use any cell phone, wifi-enabled or web-enabled phone while riding the rails, no matter the provider. As happy as I am that my Verizon Aircard will work better when I am commuting to work, I am not pleased that I will have to listen to more than just Verizon customers run their mouths on the metro.

As metro is excited about this, they say this means "fewer dropped calls underground." Don't they realize that dropped calls underground can sometimes be a nice break for those of us who don't want to listen to everyone's conversations? Can you hear me now? Not so good.

A New Background

What if my blog came crumbling down - how would it look? I did a word cloud on wordle.net and this is what came up. I might have to use it as a new background. Off to work.

DC Voting Rights Drama Continues

I wish I had more time to tune into C-SPAN today, because apparently it was pretty lively with the DC Voting Rights Act. If you are a DC-resident, you should tune in to the great coverage on DCist. I was laughing pretty hard. It reminded me of those live bloggers who stream tweets from Macworld. There is an idea...staffer should tweet what their bosses are saying and how they are voting.

Anyway, back to the drama.

Did you know there was a vote on lifting the Federal Income Tax for DC resident while all this is sorted out? Check out the blow by blow on DCist - my favorite recap occurs at 6:11 pm:

6:11 p.m. Amendment to exempt D.C. residents from federal income tax fails, 7-91. Frankly, that's closer than we thought it would be.

Job well done. I will have to tune in tomorrow, because everyone threw in the towel at 7:28 PM. Glad to know they are not working too late tonight. They need to be at their best when they resume tomorrow at 9:30. Have a cold one tonight on DC, while you think about the vote. Sounds like it will pass NLT Friday.

Classic DC Photo from DCist

This is a great photo on DCist this morning. I think it captures classic DC - the location, the pasttime, the grayscale exposure. Job well done to the photographer.

New Fleet of Buses for DC?

Almost forgot, on my way into work this morning, I took a brand new swanky Metrobus. It even comes with sensors that yell at people standing near the rear door. Yep, yours truly got yelled at by an automatic sensor. And of course I had my iPod on, so I didn't hear it. I only noticed when people around me were beckoning me to move away from the rear door. Sorry fellow commuters. So much for my safe haven spot on my commute. No more first off the bus :(

Walking Backwards in Winter

Okay, this is going to be an easy one to write. Anyone else tired of this winter weather and having to walk backwards to shield your face from these ridiculous winds? Whether you are waiting for the bus like me, or walking your dog like your neighbor, these winter winds seems to cut right through you.

Is it just me or does it seem the closer we creep to Spring the more we are reminded of that silly mammal that lives in Pennsylvania with his shadow. Here we are in the last week of February and I wish we could just skip March and go straight to April. That would make Lent a lot easier.

Perhaps it is because I have not entirely thawed out from the Inaugural Parade - all 8 hours of standing outside in that cold. If you are asking, my answer is "Yes, it was worth it." And to quote a dear friend of mine. "The only way I will do it again is if I am in the limo." She has a point, but I still can't believe what a day that was. It was one of DC's proudest moments on this blog. They did such a good job handling the event. Of course, I saw the overtime cost to the city and the federal government the other day. Those numbers are are worthy of their own blog entry. I will get to work on that soon. Back to work.

1,544,721 Trips on Metro for Inauguration

Normally, when it comes to WMATA, I would be logging a complaint, but on this one I have to give a kudos. I heard nothing but positive feedback from the many visitors in town on how well Metro handled the crowds during the inauguration. Today, I read that they handled 1,544,721 passengers - the most in their history. Job well done Metro. DC did an amazing job moving people in and out of the city. I also want to thank the 10,000 or so additional police officers, state troopers, and national guard who came into town to assist with this monumental task. We hope you enjoyed the buzz of the city. Come back soon! Our economy needs the consumer spending.

And the debate continues on ridership increasing versus service decreasing over at the WashingtonPost. Tune in for some interesting discussion.

National Airport's Food Options and Laptop Bar

I flew out of DCA this weekend. I guess most of my travels have taken me through Dulles, but I was pretty pleased and surprised to see the latest food options at DCA. Gordon Biersch, Five Guys, Ranch 1, etc. It made my wait time for my flight not so bad. I was also pleased to see the plug in laptop bars for easy access to check your e-mail and catch up on work. This is what airports across the nation need to implement. The Power Tower concept is so not useful. It is basically just an extension chord turned on its head. Way to go DCA!

Washington 2.0: Citizenship 2.0?

"Over the last two years, the Obama campaign built another "Wikipedia" of citizenship."

This quote is from today's WashingtonPost feature by Danielle Allen.

There is a lot of discussion these days about how the Founding Fathers would feel about the way the country is being run. One thing is for sure...they would probably fit in better with the Obama camp. As Danielle writes: "But the Internet has eradicated barriers of geography, enabling much more effective factional organization than the Founders could have imagined." Did they imagine citizenship would reach this level of participation? Call it Wikipolitics, call it crowd sourcing, sharing, e-shouting, call if whatever you like. One thing is becoming clear, it is not just a passing phase with politicos.

Just the other day I got a note on the progress of the Grassroots Inaugural Ball that is being thrown in DC the night before the inauguration. I have to say I was impressed. It is no small task to raise at least $75K to rent out the Ronald Reagan Building Ballroom, throw a huge party and then head to camp out on the mall at the crack of dawn. These people are dedicated, and I applaud them. The only way we are going to keep this progress going is to stay involved and demand good governance.

As Danielle states, "Now, however, we are at a turning point. We've finally reached something of a left-right equilibrium in the dramatic restructuring of the public sphere that has been underway for the past decade. Against this background, on Nov. 4 the Obama campaign sent an e-mail to supporters from the president-elect signaling aspirations to convert the campaign's success with social networking technologies into a tool not merely for winning but for good governance."

Good governance comes with transparency, lessening the digital divide and rewarding involvement by the everyday citizen. Grassroots is a word that has been revived in our vocabularly. Let's keep it alive and well.

The Language of a Bill

Taken from the Auto Bailout Amendment to the Economic Emergency Stabilization Act.

This is going to be a short post.  Can anyone tell me the definition of "timely and aggressive production?" Not to mention the letter that Congress wrote to the CEOs of the three auto companies making them "promise." Promises? Really? Where is the accountability in that? What is the fallout of breaking a promise? Last I checked it wasn't something that people, not to mention CEOs took very seriously. For all we know these three CEOs break promises everyday. Although we didn't hear it in yesterday's testimony, perhaps they promised someone they would give up a jet or two.  Whoever is working as their public image consultant is probably out of job by now. Maybe they can jump on board this big bailout package too? I bet we would know the definition of timely and aggressive if it called for the compensation check disbursement of these CEOs pay. We demand more specifics. I want to know just how long it will take and how quickly we will see the energy efficient cars. I doubt we will get the answer anytime before these guys see their money. 

They're Leaving on a Jet Plane

To the 3 auto execs who descended upon the Capital with hat in hand...spare me with your lame testimonials...

1. Chrysler is not the quintessential American company - stop trying to tug on the patriotic purse strings of the Capitol.

2. Your are winning car and truck of the year regularly - you are also subsidizing schemes where you encourage Americans to buy SUVs and pay for their overpriced gas. Oh, and the "backseat did not just become the best seat"...it became the home for the homeless who lost to foreclosure.

3. You are NOT equal to or better than Toyota and Honda - that is just false. Mr. Ford would be ashamed of the lies.  

So, let me get this right, you three CEOs flew your own private jets to Washington to not only beg for our tax money but also test out your commercials on our Congress? I guess it seemed to work, because you took a few members down a bunny path where they felt it was important to tell the American people what car or van they drove. As Dana Milbank pointed out, it was like Car Talk came to Congress, only without the humor and Boston accents. 

Oh, and by the way, if you want to see a CEO squirm, ask if he or she is willing to work for $1 a year and fly commercial for the rest of their tenure at the table. 

This testimony was a slap in the face of hard-working Americans...on the plant or at a desk.  So, fly back home, have your turkey next week and think long and hard about about your private jets when you are asked what you are thankful for this year. Then, after you have your pumpkin pie, read this bill, again. Got change?