SHOUT OUT!!! National Wholesale Liquidators

Today, I'm taking an early afternoon walk in the Nations Capital (with Ang-Tastic) and I end up in the near NE section of town. Kind of hungry, we decide to stop in the Subway which is located guess where? Inside National Wholesale Liquidators(NWL). Ang tells me she hasn't been there before, so I take her on a rapid tour of the store; electronics, food, home products, health care, and lastly for us, furniture (leather sofas for $400?!?! What?!?!). As we sit and begin eating at Subway, it hits me!!! NWL provides a GREAT service for the community. No, they don't have the newest flavors of Nutri-Grain bars, but they do have 3 of the old ones. No, they don't have the newest Sony 70 inch TV, but they do have a range of no name and name brand televisions sized from 13 to 45 inches. No they don't have USDA certified organic dried cilantro, but they do have cilantro. I look around and I see people shopping of all ages, sizes, colors, and socio-economic backgrounds. This really is "The People's Store." They've done it since 1984 and operate in about 12 states, with little to no fanfare...they just keep DOING. It's not perfect, it's not super glossy and slickly marketed, and it's not focused on being in a newly gentrified neighborhood where they can charge newly gentrified prices for "luxuries and premium products" for what most of us would call "necessities." . It's a good company, ran by seemingly good people, selling good products, at well discounted prices. Is that not enough? YES. I do shop at the new Target in Columbia Heights, the Whole Foods in Logan Circle, etc. NO. It does not make me who I am. It felt really good to be in a place,with people and common basic needs; even if it was an unglorified warehouse crammed with a few cool things, and a lot of necessary ones.Thank you NWL for BEING, and thanks for the super soft toilet paper.
Give Thanks :-)

Shout Out!!! Washington, DC

The streets of Washington, DC were ELECTRIC the night Obama was announced President elect of the USA. I was on the U St NW corridor and I can't remember a time in recent memory that I was more proud of the people (residents, merchants, law enforcement) who make up this crazy "territory." People representing all colors, shapes, sizes, beliefs, and backgrounds were cheering, embracing, jamming, and dancing in the streets. I witnessed NO DRAMA. Thank you Washington, DC for giving the world a glimpse of your true greatness, and for reinvigorating my sense of pride in my current home. Owww owww!!!

Here's a video from the Washington Post

Shout Out!!! AK Ice Tray

Now this is how you make the Killer Cocktail!!! Oh man I couldn't help myself :-) Seriously though, I think these are awesome! I'm gonna get a pair of these, feel free to get me more as a gift :-)

Buy them here

SHOUT OUT!!! Umbrella Today?

UmbrellaToday? is a website that gives you the weather forecast that you really want to hear; "Will I need an umbrella today?" I mean really, when is the last time you were confused on if you would need a jacket in the middle of Janurary in Washington, DC? Of course you do! It's freakin Washington, DC!!! What you really want to know is if you need that Totes, Nautica, or London Fog shade cover and protection accessory i.e. your umbrella. Check out this cool service here. I have mine set to text my phone at 9am if I need an umbrella that day. This works for any zipcode and any cell phone provider.
The simple things in life appeal to me at times ;-)

SHOUT OUT!!! 7-Eleven

Shout out to the 7-Eleven @ the intersection of 7th St & Rhode Island Ave NW. I can't count the number of times I've enjoyed their late nite culinary delicacies i.e. spicy and bbq chicken wingettes, fried chicken drumsticks, chicken tenders, and spicy beef patties. I also can't keep up the number of doubters that I put on to this, who are now true beleivers. I'm telling ya'll it doesn't get much better when you want some junk food w/ warmth. INSIGHT: here's how you know that a) they didn't get their delivery, b) Howard University students are back for school, or c) both a & b...when you get there at 2:15 am...and all they have is 10 tenders & 5 spicy wingettes! Fortunately when you're a regular you can get a lot for $3.50. Ha! Just add condiments in case it's...dryyyyy!!!