A recent survey conducted by America Online found that the average American worker wastes more than two hours a day, costing U.S. companies $759 billion annually in lost productivity. Virginia ranked seventh in the nation, yet no word on how Maryland and the District fared. We here at DCist may just be speculating, but something tells us any increases in wasted time may very well track with increased access to the internet, and may have jumped with the sudden advent of blogs, much like … err … well, this one. But is reading DCist really a “waste” of time? We’d like to think not.

To really spend your time productively, can any DCist readers guess where the picture above, snapped by birdcage and posted to DCist photos, was taken?

Washington Area Cited as Best Place to Live: Suburban areas around the District rank as some of the best places to live, according to Money Magazine, via WTOP. The nation’s top earners congregate in Great Falls, Va. (median annual income $165,592), while Chevy Chase and Bethesda, both in Maryland, ranked first and second in proportion of educated adults. Vienna took highest honors, though, ranking as the fourth best place to live in the nation in terms of property values, school quality, community spirit, and recreation.

Eminent Domain Sought in Anacostia Development Project: The National Capital Revitalization Corp., the economic development firm charged with developing the Skyland Shopping Center in Anacostia, has asked a court to allow the use of eminent domain to purchase 11 acres needed for the re-development of the 18-acre site, reports the Post. The NCRC has planned a new shopping complex on the site, set to include a Target and several sit-down restaurants, but has been stymied by six owners refusing to sell their properties. District officials claim the re-developed center will provide 300 new jobs and $3.3 million in tax revenue.

Gravelly Point Featured in Post: Finally bringing a local secret into full view, the Post today highlights Gravelly Point. The park, which is on the Virginia side of the Potomac River and is bordered on its southern tip by Reagan National Airport, is best known for provoking Wayne’s World like screams as airline jets closely fly overhead.

Briefly Noted: U.S. Supreme Court grants stay of execution for Virginia man … Rep. Van Hollen (D-Md.) chooses against running for open Senate seat in 2006 … 7-Eleven dupes eager customers on free Slurpee offer.