311 and Sublime in DC Tonight!

As per usual, I never find out about concerts until the week of, so it only figures that I didn't get my life together in time to get tickets to probably the best line up since John Legend and Sade a month ago (which, of course, I didn't get tickets to, either). Yes, taking the stage in Bristow, VA tonight, is 311, with Sublime featuring their new lead singer, Rome (FABULOUS name... I wonder if he was baptized that?), opening for the reggae-rock band. With 311's new tracks sounding like music from their 'Down' days (AKA when I was in fourth grade and wearing JNCOs thinking I was cool), this is sure to be an awesome lineup. For those of you scrounging for tickets still, I've heard through the grapevine that there's still some available on Craig's List, but I don't know for how much. For those of you who are lucky enough to be attending, I'll be living vicariously through you this evening. And remember; if someone passes you something, JUST SAY NO!

Drum Roll, Please, for Miss DC America 2011!

...23-year-old, Ashley Boalch! Though I've never met her personally, Ashley was a judges and audience favorite this year who is native to the DMV and looks forward to supporting her 'Empowering Our Youth' platform throughout her tenure as title holder. And supposedly a fabulous singer, Ashley will take the stage singing the national anthem at various DC sporting events, on top of attending galas, charity events, and eventually representing the District of Columbia at the 2012 Miss America pageant which is a task in and of itself. According to my inside sources, this was Ashley's first try at the Miss DC America title, and was also a contestant favorite as well, as her fun, charismatic personality made it a win that was favored by all of the contestants (as a former pageant competitor myself, this is something that definitely doesn't always happen during competition). Think that you've got what it takes to capture the crown next year? Log onto www.missdc.org for more information on Ashley Boalch, Miss DC 2011, and the Miss DC America organization, as well!

Make the Trip to King's Dominion

Summer's almost over, Washingtonians! If you haven't made the trip yet this summer, it's time to head down 395 and make your way to King's Dominion. As one of the biggest theme parks in the country, it hasn't succumbed to the pressure of being bought by Busch Gardens or Six Flags, instead, continuing to rock out with some of the most intense coasters I've ever been on. I'll admit it; Before my boyfriend told me that we were going, I challenged him, asking if he actually road the coasters, or if he'd chicken out by the time we got there. Well, karma bit me in the butt, because for the first time since I was probably nine years old, I got nervous and turned down a ride called- what else?- The Intimidator (which I later learned is the fifth highest roller coaster in the WORLD, in which my boyfriend is STILL paying for with nausea on the couch right now because of its crazy speeds). Nevertheless, it was a fabulous day, and naturally, I've compiled a list of dos & donts for your next trip to the theme park:

• DO wear sunscreen. We don't want any melanoma souvenirs from the day.
• DON'T sit in a ride seat that's not totally dry. We don't want any staff infections, and you shouldn't want the remains of someone's overactive bladder on your shorts for the rest of the day.
• DO ride the Tornado roller coaster. It was my favorite ride of the day, minus the blast off at first which I wasn't expecting!
• DON'T go on the 'Triple Spin' ride or anything similar. It looks cool from a far, yes, but you're not eight years old anymore and WILL pay for it by not being able to go on anything for the rest of the day.
• DO enjoy a gourmet lollipop from the old fashioned candy shop at the entrance. They're delicious and they look cool, and just ask Sugar Factory; lollipops are the latest trend. 
• DON'T go on the Anaconda. Literally I almost lost my lunch and it made me feel like I was having a brain aneurism because of all the jolting involved. 
• DO remember where you parked. Or else you'll start a fight with whoever you went with and ruin the entire day. 
• DON'T play the bottle toss game, shoot out game, etc. Do you really  need to win the six-foot-tall Sponge Bob Square Pants?
• DO ride the Intimidator. Even though there have been reports that people black out on it because of the insane speeds, I'm kicking myself right now that I didn't bite the bullet and just go on it!

Even more excitingly, if you book your tickets online now through the end of August, you'll get a $20 discount with a dollar of your ticket price going directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer, a cause that's near and dear to my heart (shout out, Mom). Definitely hit up King's Dominion before the summer's over.

Nicki who? It's all about KREAYSHAWN!

Hipster? Check. Caucasian? Check. Lesbian? Double check. Yes, Kreayshawn (a spinoff on the word 'creation', to further emphasize her creative abilities) has broken boundaries and has proved to the world that anyone can be a rapper, but more profoundly, a rapper with a million dollar contract from Columbia records. A high school drop-out with a niche for cinematography who refers to her and her friends as the "white girl mob", Kreayshawn has topped the iTunes charts with her huge single, "Gucci Gucci" (which was bumped in Currents last Thursday night, FYI), rapping that you don't need Gucci/Louis/Fendi/Prada/etc to be fabulous. After watching her on several YouTube interviews, I'm loving her little California girl accent (she's Oakland-based) and punk rock girl attitude, mixed with some hip hop lingo that fuses into an image that surprisingly, actually works! And while I don't think Kreayshawn is going to take over the world and be the next Lady Gaga for the time being, she's fun, sassy, but most importantly, shows that you don't have to be some sex pot, booty-shaking, breast implanted starlet to be a female rapper (though we LOVE Nicki, Kim, and all of the others, too). And while I also wouldn't wear HALF of her clothes (cleavage and sparkles are the best accessories out there), Kreayshawn has definitely stolen my heart for the time being. Or at least a ton of space on my iPod. The question is, when will she come perform in DC?!

Check out her video for "Gucci Gucci", her latest single, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WJFjXtHcy4

SHH... Best Happy Hour in the City...

And I've kept it on lockdown for several months now. Looking to have a Monday Funday after work today? While it's been a Georgetown staple for a while, Mie N Yu, the adorable Middle Eastern/Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of M Street not only offers a delicious Happy Hour, but one that is so easy on your wallet, you'll laugh when you see your bill. Sprawl out against one of their window-back couches and feel like a harem, or just keep it real and sit at the bar (all of the bartenders are totally entertaining, but also great mixologists; the sangria is one of my personal favorites on the menu). Even more, the entire drink and appetizer menu is HALF OFF! And we're not just talking the cheapy, Happy Hour staples; truffle french fries, tuna tartare, and duck spring rolls are just a few of the delectable appetizer items that run between $5-$6 each. To put it more in perspective for you skeptics, my boyfriend and I enjoyed two drinks each and three appetizers a few weeks back, and our bill was $27, which is pretty unheard of in the North West Corridor. If nothing else, you're going to spend the same amount at Mr. Smith's or McFaddens after work today, so why not treat yourself to something a little bit more fabulous that's still easy on your wallet? Just don't tell too many people..

Beat the Heatpocalypse!

And don't end up with an IV in your arm chewing on ice chips at Sibley because you decided to be brave. With record breaking temperatures that have left me miserable, making me feel like a 50-year-old menopausal woman having hot flashes, and depriving me from ample tanning time poolside because I feel like I may have an asthma attack, these past five days have been no joke. And with little end in site to the Hell-like conditions (Fact: It rose to 107 yesterday), I've contemplated a list on how to beat the heat in the District without having to resort to staying inside all the time, or worse, a public pool (Ask me about someone I know WHO IS VERY CLOSE TO ME who got a staff infection from one):

• Hit up the movies. Honestly, I still had to bring a sweatshirt with me the other day I was so cold inside. Feeling intellectual? See Midnight in Paris, which is supposed to be outstanding. Feeling like laughing your ass off? Horrible Bosses, I can confirm, is totally ingenious will leave you with a smile. 
• Pretend you're in Ancient times; lay side ways on your bed with little to no clothes on, purchase some produce and plate it properly in front of you, and pay your neighbor/friend/significant other/roommate $10 to fan you for an hour. Extra points if you're in full hair and make up during the process and force your servant to feed you grapes.
• Have a pool at your apartment? Put your hair in a messy bun and read a great book with your body submerged underwater. I just finished The Help, which was an awesome page turner for someone ADD like me, and is a perfect book with the moving coming out in only a few weeks!
• Cook something spicy for dinner. They say spicy food cools the system; it also cleanses the system at times, so it's a total win-win.
• Check out one of the faboosh museums practically in your backyards, fellow Washingtonians. They're super air conditioned and you might even learn something. If you're like me and get bored after an hour, go to the Botanical Gardens and enjoy the agriculture. 
• If you get desperate, take a cold bath. Pretend you're living in some terrible place that doesn't have hot water. Then, you'll be grateful for the heat. My mom used to do this to me when I was a kid, FYI.
• Sit in front of the air conditioner like a dog, cat, whatever with the latest copy of US Weekly. Poor Marc Anthony and JLO- I never saw that one coming!  
• Drink lots of water alcohol. While it's important to hydrate, honestly, this weather is just too frigen hot to even make an effort. So just keep drinking (margaritas have been my selection of choice lately), and drinking, and drinking some more, and you won't even remember what the temperature is outside!

 I'm trying to survive too. We can beat this! In the meantime, wear cool clothes, deodorize, and don't be one of those morons who run outside unless you're looking to have a heat stroke.

DC is your Oyster...

...At Senart's Oyster and Chophouse! Debuting in May, I checked out this delicious South East locale in the midst of the Heatpocolypse, and was surprised to have discovered yet another culinary gem to have graced its presence in DC. Located on the 8th St. SE corridor (for those of you yuppies who are going "OMG Southeast??!?!?" right now, get over it; it's an awesome neighborhood and a totally chic restaurant), Senart's was formerly one of DC's premier oyster distributors as far back to the late 1800s, and has now resuited itself to a restaurant with the organic chophouse hard wood charm along with modern looking, marble bar tops that definitely give it a modern twist. And I normally get intimidated when the word 'chop house' is tagged onto any restaurant; I think cigars, heavy steaks, and a meal that's going to put me to sleep afterwards. Senart's, however, features plates that are moderate in size and in price; a hanger steak, for example, which was one of my favorites, is a mere $24 (which isn't a bad price in comparison to other DC spots of the same caliber). And if you're an oyster fan like me, the happy hour is absurd; a dozen oysters for $16! Whether it's a date or a girls night out, you won't want to miss Senart's. (On another note, it has about some of the hottest gay bartenders in DC).