June 13, 2008
Overheard in D.C.: Geography Edition
Geography is hard. They don't teach it much in schools these days and there's just so much stuff to learn. There's GPS and Google Maps and online things that make it easy, so it's no surprise when people don't know where they're going. That doesn't mean it's an excuse, however.
Overheard of the Week
Two 20-something tourist girls on the Orange line:
Girl #1: "Salt Lake City, isn't that in Washington?"
Girl #2: Laughing, "No, not Washington, it's in Colorado right?"
Two people in different seats, in unison: "No, it's in Utah!!!"
Guy: "Man, is this the smart people train?"
After the jump, all up in your Myspace, old school rappers, the dangerous White House, and beer with a straw.
Keep those overheards coming: overheardindc (at) gmail (dot) com
Photo by mvjantzen
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Best new term: "why you all up in my Myspace?"
Two women walking away from Union Station up Mass Ave early Wednesday morning:
Woman 1: "Why you messin? Why you all up in his MySpace?"
Woman 2: "Girl, he deserved it. And I got his password."
Woman 1: "Shiiiit."
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I prefer mesozoic school rappers, like Coolio
In an office building downtown:
One female coworker to another: "My son likes to listen to old-school rappers like Eminem."
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This is what crime emergencies and neighborhood safety zones get you.
Getting off the Metro at McPherson Square Friday night:
Three 18-20ish girls, obviously tourists, pointing at things, looking semi-lost.
Girl 1: "Do you know how to get to the White House?"
Man: "Yeah, two blocks down, take a right, you can't miss it."
Girl 2: "Is it safe down there? It's getting kinda dark."
Man: "You mean, down by the White House?"
Girl 2: "Yeah."
Man: "Uhhh, ever heard of the Secret Service?"
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Magellan is rolling in his grave
Landing at DCA from Milwaukee on Sunday evening:
A teenager, who had been asking what ocean they flew over after leaving Milwaukee, was talking.
Teenager: "We're landing in Washington, D.C. It must be part of the state of Washington."
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Beer with a straw - the new cool thing
40ish man and woman are drinking beer at an Indian restaurant in Woodley Park:
Woman: "I really need a straw. Except then I'd get drunk."
Man: "Babe... you're drinking Miller Lite."
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How you tempt me, Bob Barker
Outside the 9:30 Club the night of the Air Guitar Championship:
Three popped-collar mid-20s guys are just outside the front entrance.
Guy 1: "Dude, you shoulda seen the picture of this German chick, she was by far the hottest girl I've ever seen, in person or not."
Guy 2: "You are decent looking and all but she is way out of your league."
Guy 1: "All I'm saying is you should have seen her, she was like 'Price Is Right' hot."
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I guess
Friday, May 30 @ Carter Barron Amphitheater's Shakespeare Free For All:
A guy and a girl are giving their tickets to the ticket taker.
Guy: "There is a fine line between a ninja and a squirrel."

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was that prince of petworth giving that last quote?
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Regarding OotW: While I was in grad school, immediately following Hurricane Katrina:
Lab TA: (pointing to Oklahoma, lobbing easy question to get discussion started) Class, what state is this?
Class: *crickets*
Lab TA: Hey wake up! What state?
Class: ...
Girl: Louisiana?
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Those White House bound tourists might simply have been unfamiliar with the neighborhood rather than total morons. Yeah, I'm sure the White House is safe if you're the President, but who really thinks the Secret Service is gonna come out, guns a-blazing, to protect some tourists from Moline getting mugged a block away?
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I agree with cminus. It's a funny Overheard quote, but DC does have its reputation to deal with. Plus, a simple wrong turn away from the White House puts you in McPherson Square or even Franklin Park...not the most inviting of places at night. Plus, weren't there a couple of stabbings or muggings-at-knifepoint in Lafayette Park a few years ago?
My apologies for being a total Debbie Downer for what should be the most lighthearted DCist section of the week...
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Indian food and Miller Lite? Let the good times roll.
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God I love tourist season.
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Oh crap...I didn't know tourist season already kicked off for '08. Grab your guns and let's start the hunt! Does anyone know a taxidermist who can preserve the small-town naivety in our trophies' eyes?
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i actually have a friend who drinks beer with a straw b/c she says it gets her drunk faster. we all make fun of her, of course.
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I'm pretty sure the last quote is in reference to this.