Dupont Drag Queen Race

It doesn't matter if you're gay, straight, lesbian, bi, transgenderd, or totally asexual altoether, the DC Drag Queen Race in Dupont Circle is a fun, decade long tradition that will bring crowds to the Circle for an evening of stillettos, athleticism, cocktails, and fun! Every year, on the Tuesday before Halloween, drag queens will wear elaborate costumes and participate in a race down 17th street, with block party-esque events going down in the area that will allow for some spectators to have some fun in the process. While the race begins at nine, get there at six to make sure that you have a good spot, and go in costume if you're looking to get a little bit more into the spirit (I haven't prepared properly, so I'll be in normal clothes...boringggg). Furthermore, tons of bars and restaurants in the area are doing drink specials in the area in observance of the spectacle, so bring your high heels and a road soda, and enjoy the most colorful block party that he District will ever see (Louboutains not required).

DC Haunts

So we all know that there's not too many fabulous things going on in DC on a Monday night (and if there are, please send them over my way), so having the huge facination with the paranormal that I've had my entire life, thought Halloween served as the perfect season to share some of my favorite stories of things that go bump in DC! So go into a room alone, turn off all of the lights, and play some creepy music on YouTube, and read if you dare...

Look at Abe in back of the
hott Victorian woman!

• The Stephen Decatur House- Stephen Decatur, the house's owner, died tragically in a duel in the mid nineteenth century. Since the tragic event took place, there have been cloudy, white figures seen throughout the historic manor. Many ghostly apparitions have been sighted by staff. There is a heavy feeling of sadness in the room on the first floor where Stephen Decatur died, and it has been sensed by those tourists who aren't even familiar with the haunting.
• The White House: The Lincoln bedroom is reportedly haunted by honest Abe himself; he's even had phantom images appear in White House photographs! The White House is supposedly haunted by Colonial Dolly Madison, wife of President Madison, who was caught in a fire trying to save presidential portraits. Her screams can be heard throughout the halls of the White House.
• The Supreme Court Building: The area that is now the Supreme Court has a sordid history long before the nation's highest court took residence there. That corner was the home of a large brick building that was well known to be haunted. The Building was known as the Old Capitol Building, because it temporarily housed the employees of the Capitol while the current building was being repaired from a fire. When the workers moved out of the old building it was used as a prison for Confederate soldiers. These soldiers would scream, swear, bang and plead their innocence while awaiting trial. The most famous of these prisoners was the well known female confederate spy Belle Boyd. The building was taken over by pioneers of the Woman's Suffrage Movement, and meetings were held here while women were fighting for the right to vote. Many of these women heard screams, swearing and banging while they were holding their meetings, some were terrified. The building was demolished in the 1920s to make way for the Supreme Court. Although the Old Capitol Building is gone, many a Washingtonian will tell you on some early mornings before the sun rises and the feds arrive to work... the sceams, rattles and pleads for justice can be heard. (www.dchauntings.com)
• The Demon Cat at the Capitol Building: This mysterious beast is known for being the most popular, unusual and dangerous "creature" in the city. Scenario: a police officer is walking his rounds in the basement of the Capitol, he sees a small black cat. The policeman is puzzled. As the cat approaches him it grows, and has glowing eyes. The man is frozen in fear, and as the growing cat approaches him it lunges at him, and the victim passes out in fright. The next day a president gets assassinated. This is a SCENARIO of what happens with the demon cat. No event happened EXACTLY this way, but there are some common traits of this beast: It chooses its victims wisely, often late workers and night watchmen, but not always...

So while they might serve as beautiful monuments, DC's past wasn't always so "politically correct", if you will. Want a quick haunt? Visit the Frieght Night at the Museum, probably one of

OMG We Have a New Memorial!

Amidst a crown of over twenty thousand Americans, Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored this past Sunday during the official Memorial Dedication Ceremony, in which is his newly-erected thirty foot statue was honored by many. Known as the "Stone of Hope", imagery was taken from the "I Have a Dream Speech" (and if you don't know what that is, you clearly didn't graduate the third grade), with his daughter, Dr. Bernice King, being present in the moment to accept the dedication in lieu of her father's presence. With peace activists, Washingtonians, scholars, and tons of Alpha Phi Alpha's (because, did you know, MLK was a frat bother?! And, did you also know, that the frat proceded to take over Chinatown following the dedication of the event? Yes, they caused quite a ruckus at Proof proceding the event...), the event was a diverse crowd- which is, obvi, exactly what Dr. King would have wanted. Obama delivered a beautiful speech (which I hope will put him in a more favorable place so that he gets reelected in 2012), and a plethora of celebrities made appearences, ranging from Vivica A. Fox to Talib Kweli. And, of course, the event was illustrated with a little bit of comical relief; in typical fashion, Cornel West was taken in handcuffs from the event, as he negatively reacted to a police officer trying to maintain the crowd near the 90%-er protest going on during the event (SOOO DC of him). Totes not what MLK would have wanted, Cornel, but still a wonderful event. 

Paint Seattle & Vancouver Leopard

Okay, okay. I know what you're all thinking; how could there possibly be anything leopard-worthy in the city that's known for Deadliest Catch, Starbucks Coffee, and the entire 1990s grunge scene? And, for realz, Canada?! After visiting Seattle several times on business over the past year, I decided to return, only this time, treating my mom to a vaca using my Delta points (hello, Gold status?!), and managing to eat and drink my entire way through the Pacific Northwest. Sure, it's got some crunch to it (like, everything in every single restaurant is organic/preservative-free/green/who-gives-a-shit-you-freaking-hippie), which is the epitome of everything NOT Rhode Island (where my mother, and the silver shoes she wore the entire trip, still reside to this day), but both Seattle and Vancouver are truly gems of cities. And, no, you won't find any palm trees (this ain't FLAAARIDAAA, Rhode Island), but the picturesque views will have you breathless and the hospitality itself is a constant reminder that you're far, far away from the Northeast. And, believe it or not, I even saw just a little, teeny bit of animal print (it was inside a woman's parka, no less, but it still counts for something). Here are the definite Seattle and Vancouver 'go-to's that you MUST take part in when you finally make it out to the Pacific Northwest:

• Go to the original Starbucks in Pike Place market:They don't sell bagels like of the rest of the franchises, which had me disappointed, but it's so funny to see a piece of history where so many of our caffeine addictions originated.
• Have dinner at the Purple Cafe: This delicious spot features a tasting menu and wine flights, allowing you to try so many different things on the menu and without draining your checking account (or just bring your mother, like I did, and that won't even be an issue). Make sure to order the risotto; it's one of the best I've had!
• Visit the Space Needle: A historic landmark, and one the highest point in the entire United States, the Space Needle has a restaurant at the top and tons of overlooks. 
• Stay at The Edgewater!: I couldn't put a more important recommendation on this blog. I'm not into flannel, hardwood, or fireplaces, but this place is to DIE FOR! With floor to ceiling windows overlooking the entire Pacific, gorgeous rooms, and antler-horned chandeliers, this place combines Pacific Northwest charm with a touch of chic, all within the walls of a five-star hotel. 
• Venture on Chuckanut Drive: Take the long route when driving to Vancouver and explore the redwoods and pines overlooking the Pacific. There's tons of gift shops along the way and delicious restaurants (The Oyster Bar was unbelievable, and fed me the best oysters I've ever had in my life), and truly gives you the Pacific Northwest experience. 
• Shop Robson Street in Vancouver: I'm telling you, this city is that of the future. Robertson Boulevard who? Robson has everything and then some, from Louis to Hermes to Betsy to thrifty boutiques. This is truly a shopping mecca!
• Eat at The Raincity Grille: This Vancouver spot has some of the most seamless service I've ever encountered in a single restaurant. The food is spectacular, too. Not so hungry? Give their "spoons" a try; At $5 a spoon, you can have a taste of one of their entrees without gorging yourself in the process. 
• Take the gondola to Grouse Mountain: O-EM-GEE. This place is unbelievable. Just twenty minutes outside of Vancouver, take a gondola up one of the most beautiful mountains and prepare to be impressed. There, see totem poles, grizzly bears, and even a lumber jack show (which I participated in, duhh)! You'll definitely get into the Canadian spirit. 

The beautiful ride up Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Pacific Northwest is truly a gem. Sure, my mother and I stuck out like sore thumbs the entire time, but we indulged in some delicious food, met some of the friendliest people, and stayed at one of the best hotels I've ever visited (Seriously, a trip to Seattle is necessary to see The Edgewater alone!).