This American Life Live

People hate on it. Once when my boss asked what I was listening to and I answered "This American Life," he doubled over and groaned like I'd just kicked him in the gut. But I'm unashamed of my love for it and now, I can enjoy it with not one but two senses. This American Life, that show "where those hipster know-it-alls talk about how fascinating ordinary people are," is coming to a screen near you on May 1st and tickets go on sale on April 4. The closest area venues are Hoffman Center 22 (Huntington Metro) and Ballston Common Stadium. For tickets and details go here, unfortunately they don't seem to say how much tickets are.

This American Life Live
Thursday, May 1, 8:00
Hoffman Center 22/Ballston Common Stadium (additional venues listed)

The Hills Drinking Game

I’ll never quite get the obsession with the MTV show “The Hills.” It’s “reality” but the people in the show are obviously “acting” (poorly). Nothing ever seems to happen (though Lauren seems to think that any little thing will CHANGE EVERYTHING FOREVER). Having not had cable for seven months or so, I have been easily able to avoid it minus the occasional Us Weekly cover story. HOWEVER, upon discovering this I now have a new found interest in watching the show. I can’t even tell you what night the show is on, but reruns seem to be on nonstop. Gather your pals, buy plenty of booze (from the looks of it, you’ll be drunk by the end (I dare someone to do this during a marathon)) and enjoy the trials and tribulations.

BASEBALL

The Express had an excellent insert today on the new stadium. I plan on keeping mine. It was a run down of everything you’ll need to know about venturing to see the team play in the new venue. Most importantly, for this Express reader, was the FOOD section and second most helpful, the local bar page. I personally cannot wait to pull the Concessions map out of my wallet to guide lost souls to the local vendor of their choice. Yes, it will probably take an inning to get to your choice, but do I mind? Not particularly, for me, the baseball experience is about the crowds, the beer, and the food.

Heads Up for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is $1 Robeks Day. From 3-6 you can get a 12oz smoothie for a buck.

Locations in the District-

2000 Pennsylvania Ave

4523 Wisconsin Av

1707 L Street NW

I recommend the Naturally Light smoothies so that you don’t end up consuming like 600 calories. Naturally Light come in four flavors (yum pineapple-mango) for around 150 calories in a 12oz.

U2 3-D

I have been dying to see U2 3-D at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. I have not managed to make it there yet. However, when you combine cocktail hour and the movie, it simply becomes irresistible. Tomorrow evening, The Smithsonian Young Benefactors are holding a screening of the movie along with cocktail hour and a word (thirty minutes worth) from Producer Lisa Truitt. The event is open to non YB members as well.

I haven’t been all that enthralled with the Young Benefactors program (watch as my name goes on the YB blacklist). But occasionally, events like this sound like a lot of fun and limited shmoozing.

6 to 7 p.m. Cocktails
7:30 to 8:00 p.m. A Word from Producer Lisa Truitt
8:00 to 9:30 p.m. U23D screening

Johnson IMAX Theater
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

Tickets- $25 for YB Members
$30 for Non Members
Online and phone ticket sales will end at 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 27th.
Go to www.YoungBenefactors.org or call 202-633-3030 to purchase

Hump Day Happy Hour

An easy go-to place for a dependable happy hour exists at Capitol City Brewing Company. Not only do you get some mighty tasty beers at a discount but you also get half price appetizers at the bar. This being the case, it can also be a crowded happy hour so it’s probably the right place for two or three friends to grab some stools but not the place for all twenty of the after-work gang to grab a drink. It’s runs from 4-7.

Beers-

I personally tend to get the Capitol Kolsch. It’s a golden ale and for me a good choice for a beer when you are eating. I’ve tried the rest of the signature brews and you generally can’t go wrong. Check out the listed percentage of alcohol because some of them will leave you staggering out. Happy hour prices on beers are $3.50 until 7.

Food-

Seriously, the appetizers are huge. I’ve had good experiences with the Capitol Hill Hummus (regular price $7.50, half price $3.75), Spinach-Artichoke Dip (regular price $8.25, half price $4.15), and the Chicken Quesadilla (regular price $8.75, half price $4.40). The Fish Tacos have been both very good and very bad (over seasoned). I’ve tried to order the Eastern Shore Crab Dip only to find they are out. Be sure to ask if they are serving soft pretzels because they are delicious, especially with the mustard that is served with it. Half price until 7pm.

Locations-

2700 S. Quincy St
(703) 578-3888

2 Massachusetts Ave, NE
(202) 842-BEER

1100 New York Ave, NW
(202) 628-2222

Anniversary Party and Sale at Pulp

I love sending mail, but am constantly frustrated by the sorry state of the greeting card market. Once you get past the most obviously offensive tacky lacy sparkly section, there's not much left besides the Far Side and black and white pictures of little kids. If you need a card for that special someone in your life who's having a birthday (and freaking out about it), getting married (to the man of his dreams), or about to have a kid (which means she can finally go back to hitting the bottle) and CVS can't quite capture your sentiment, Pulp is a great place to start. Their card selection can accommodate any point on the taste spectrum, they have a great kids' book section, and more brightly colored tongue-in-cheek tchotchkes than anyone could ever wish for. And this Saturday they're celebrating their anniversary with cake and Champagne from 11am "until we run out." You can also pick up a coupon for $5 off of any $25 purchase valid until March 31st; and on Friday after 5pm , you'll automatically get 5% off.

Pulp anniversary event
Saturday, March 29 at 11 am
1803 14th St., NW (at S St.)

FRESHFARM

FRESHFARM Markets are returning to several of their locations in April and extending hours at the Dupont market. For those of you in the DC area- details are below. Visit the calendar and website for more information. After a long winter of being lazy and not getting my behind to Dupont or Takoma Park, I’ll be able to conveniently supplement my collection of Lean Cuisine frozen meals with real, fresh food. My pita wraps will no longer be sad and depressed but full of color and life.

Foggy Bottom- every Wednesday from 2:30pm to 7:00pm

Penn Quarter- every Thursday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Dupont- every Saturday from 9am-1pm

Silver Spring (starting April 19)- every Saturday from 9am-1pm

H St. does not start until May. I’ll list information on that market closer to the opening.

Don’t forget your reusable bag!

This is a remarkably helpful chart for knowing what’s in season.

Better than actually paying to go to the circus...

There will be an elephant walking from Union Station to the Verizon Center TODAY. In no way am I encouraging anyone to go see this elephant, I am merely stating a fact (please don’t lecture me for ten minutes about animal cruelty (and yes, this just happened to me because I work with some exceptionally tightly wound people)). According to the Going Out Gurus, in front of Union Station is the best place to view the elephant, clowns, what have you. It starts at 1:30pm at Garfield Park, call 866-683-3640 or 866-683-3650 for updated elephant info.