Earlier this week, D.C.’s journalists, bloggers, Twitteratti and neighborhood watchdogs found a new piece of required reading in Titan of Trinidad, a new blog devoted to goings on in and about the Northeast D.C. neighborhood.
In his first week, the blogger, who goes only by “Calvin,” has shared with the world his fascinations with pets, drawer handles and the best place to cool off with a mid-afternoon refreshment. Oh, and he’s also taken it upon himself to answer some of D.C. residents’ most burning questions.
However trifling his topics might be, “Calvin” has earned our attention. Yeah, Titan of Trinidad bears a striking thematic resemblance to another neighborhood blog, but in an exclusive interview with DCist, “Calvin” swears he’s never heard of Prince of Petworth. Sure, whatever.
“Calvin” says he’s a recent transplant to D.C. Reached by email, he answered a few questions about why he got into the already-crowded neighborhood blogging game and what he hopes to get out of it.
Why did you decide to get into the neighborhood-blogging game? Was Trinidad under-covered?
I just moved to D.C. from Pennsylvania late last year to take a job doing logistics project management with a government contractor. I stayed on a friend’s couch for a while before signing a lease on a basement apartment in Trinidad, and yes it was a little underrepresented in the blog world. Other fun activities are walking my neighbors’ dogs, seeing my family in Pennsylvania and exploring the nation’s capital!
You seem to have a certain fondness for drawer handles. What’s the best kind of drawer handle—knob, latch or no handle at all?
Favorite handle style—hmm, that’s tough! I gotta say there’s a special place for the old-school brass knob handles like the ones in the house I’m living in. I’ll have to take a photo for you! Also, the doors were recently redone by my landlord before I moved in so they’re stained this sweet authentic brown tint. Really awesome stuff.
The blog looks to be in the vein of Prince of Petworth. Did you ask Dan Silverman for any advice before you started?
I’m not familiar with a “Prince of Petworth” or Dan Silverman, but sounds like it may be some kind of satirical play on my name. Does he live in the neighborhood too? Funny name, regardless.
What’s the biggest scoop you’ve had since you started the blog?
Someone sent me a link to [Prince of Petworth’s] site yesterday after he posted a story on Ben’s Chili Bowl’s H Street NE location—turns out I posted almost the exact same thing the night before, so I guess that’s the biggest scoop so far. Really flattering!
I think one of people’s favorite standing features has to be “Best Spot for Afternoon Half-pint or 40.” In your estimation, what’s the best place to knock off early and brown-bag it?
Favorite beverage? By far it’s High Life with a splash of OJ, but also enjoy the occasional High Gravity if it’s been a long week.
Prince of Petworth trades in scuttlebutt. What’s your niche?
Oh, what’s scuttlebutt? Never heard that term before. Doesn’t sound like something I’d want to trade in, but now you have me curious!
“Calvin” declined to answer a few questions, including one about the current dining scene in Trinidad, which, as H Street NE continues to fill up in the neighboring Atlas District, is a topic of some interest. He also did not answer a query about what publications and websites fill his reading list. But we’re pretty sure he’s reading DCist. In a recent post about surviving this week’s heat wave, “Calvin” included a survey asking his readers to choose their favorite method of cooling off. The fifth option was—what else?—”Answer 5.”
Thanks for reading, “Calvin.” Or whatever.
