Happy Halloween

I went to 17th Street for the annual High Heel Race on Tuesday night, but as you can see from this picture, it was a madhouse. The streets were packed beyond any level of comfort. I instead went to Hank's Oyster Bar and had a delicious dinner with five friends. I'm not certain why so many people come to a race that lasts three minutes, but the drag queen sightings are quite hilarious.

Last night was Halloween and although I didn't leave work until nearly 8 PM, I did go meet a few friends at the Red Derby. This is a new little dive bar at the border of Columbia Heights/Petworth on 14th Street. While we didn't have any costumes, other than my ridiculous shirt, it was hat night so we each got into the Halloween Spirit. The bar is inexpensive and neighborhood themed. We'll definitely be back with our U Street peeps.

Iris and I finished up at the Derby by playing DJ. As you can imagine, the songs ranged from Pat Benatar to The Killers to Sir Mix Alot - yes we went there. While the taxi strike wasn't taking all of them off the streets and there were taxis from MD/VA picking people up, I didn't take a chance. I had my own transportation. Fortunately for Iris, I also had my extra helmet so she could ride along. It was cold! We finished the night with a drink at DC9 and then, of course, a final swallow at Solly's.

Time for work - Have a great day!

Scoot-A-Que Rally Photos

Click the logo or here to see Rally photos. Visit rally sponsors at the top when you get there and see individual participants rally photos at the bottom. I may update later with some actual pics of my Vespa or pics where (gasp) people captured me on film. Here's an example where Merritt and I are hanging by the stage watching the band.

Trophy!

Here's my trophy photographed on top of the Rally T for this year. I'm very proud of this trophy and will treasure it to remember this awesome weekend. Time for a shower to wash the bugs out of my teeth! If you looked at the mobile blogging earlier, check again as I replaced some of the grainy phone photos with real ones!

Home!

7 hrs 52 mins total travel time for 408 miles including three gas / walk stops. I'm home!

Brownsville PA

Full Service gas? I'm in the middle of nowhere taking a shortcut from 70 to 68 to get a back break from the freeway and just got full service gas. This is funny. I'm at 183 miles so nearly half way home.

I Won!

So I didn't win the Vespa Raffle, but I did take first place for the "Furthest Ridden," edging out a woman from Roanoke by 50 miles! Check out the trophy! We are heading out to visit our gays. Decided not to stay and watch the last band, "Cult of the Psychic Fetus." Really - that's their name.

Safe Ride

The ride is done and we're back at the North Market for the brewfest. Taking of soon to meet Merritt for a cocktail at Club D then will prepare for the evening festivities. Fun day friends!

Rally Time

This is stop #2. We took a group photo at the Conservatory. Fun Times! Ran into a bunch of old friends and making new ones. I'm sure that surprises everyone. There are hundreds of people expected tonight, and allegedly 135 on this ride! Perhaps the biggest rally ever for Scoot-a-Que!

Scooter Schism

Columbus is ready! The media is talking 'bout the scooters. The Other Paper hasn't posted the article online so I'm not sure if they are talking about a schism of new vs vintage or schism between riders / non riders, etc. Regardless, it is the Other Paper, they have to embrace the scooters!

Of course if the rally is boring (it won't be) I could always attend the Alternative Craft Fair

My Vespa

Look! It's an ad for my Granturismo! It even has the right color, but I generally don't pick up chicks!

Scoot-a-Que X

I'm so excited for next weekend. This is a hilarious thing posted by one of the Columbus Cutters. Check it out by clicking here. It is a brief video and not inappropriate for the workplace.

Final Gas Report

Last night was crazy madness as usual in CMH. I saw lots of friends! Stayed with BS and had lunch with Merritt and BS at Max & Ermas (shock) today. I left the Vespa in CMH as previously discussed. Dotster & Kelley drove me to the airport and Timmy picked me up at BWI so I didn't have to take the train.

Had a nice dinner with Michael, TB, LW, and Timmy at Stoney's - love their food.

Here's the final gas report. I forgot to check when I left, but the last time I looked, I had ridden just short of 500 miles getting to my various destinations and rolling around in each of them. Total fill ups - 7.604 Gallons for $22.28. I actually didn't fill it up before I left so I can't do an actual mpg calculation, but it should come out somewhere between 55-65 mpg! Try that in an SUV!

#1 - 2.522 / $7.16
#2 - 1.231 / $3.53
#3 - 2.065 / $6.25
#4 - 1.786 / $5.34

Looking forward to Scoot-A-Que in two weeks and the ride back to DC! Hopefully the weather will be good.

Scoot-A-Que 10

A change of plans! I had the brilliant idea to see when my old scooter club, The Columbus Cutters, was having its annual scooter rally. You can imagine my excitement when I found out it is in two weeks AND it is the 10th anniversary. I've decided to leave the Vespa in Columbus and fly back home Monday! I'll be spending time with Whitney tomorrow and then going to stay with friends tomorrow night.

In two weeks I'll fly back in to Columbus, do the rally on Saturday and Sunday, then scoot back to DC! I even called my old scooter mechanic's shop. I may have some modifications done on the Vespa while she is waiting on my return. I think a high performance exhaust kit will give me the added passing power I need in the mountains for the return trip so I can go through WV/MD instead of the turnpike. They are calling me Tuesday with a quote and to let me know if they can fit it in before the rally! Fun times.

Holmes County

Had a fantastic afternoon with Jeffrey, his Mom, and two Sisters. We ate home made pierogis, noodles, and some other polish dish with ham and cabbage. Yummy. After birthday cake for his Mom, I finished the journey and arrived at my parent's farm! Safe and sound.

Off to Ohio

Bye Bye Pittsburgh!

Gas Summary Report

We had a fantastic time last night! I had a few beers after arriving and then showered to get the black road grime/bug guts off my face. We went to dinner at a cute local pub and then went to two bars and a pizza joint (tasty.) Let me just say that Long Islands were $1 at the Saloon and you know how I am with a clearance price friends....we needed the pizza at the end of the night.

So here's a cost recap for you doubters...this trip makes sense for fuel prices alone:

Gas fill up #1 - 2.522 Gallons for $7.16
Gas fill up #2 - 1.231 Gallons for $3.53
Total fill ups - 3.753 Gallons for $10.69

Now I didn't have quite a full tank when I left and I have 3/4 of a tank now. This is some economical and green driving friends. I'm not doing it solely to have people stare at me on the turnpike for shock value; I'm doing it for the environment.

Vespa Adventure

Rolling out towards Ohio!

Vanessa being Vanasty

Fun times at Solly's. It is definitely a rock star night. Mission in progress. We've done a little pub crawl and may go to the Gato Negro before the night is up!

Super Vespa Nerd

I rode to work today despite the rain and the cool temp. My friends made fun of my new face shield. I am being accused of now being a super nerd, geek, weirdo, freak...I'm not offended. As momma always said, "They are just jealous." If this random blog was promoted anywhere or if anyone actually read it I'd ask for the general consensus of the floor.

Ready for the weekend, but like always have a great deal to do. Saturday will be busy. I bought tickets for the big super secret surprise vacation. Haven't decided if I want to talk about that on here or not. It is quite unlikely that he will ever come across the blog, but ...

Later.