Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
A license plate that screams WTF - William World News
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
A license plate that screams WTF
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- I saw this and had to photograph. The people parking behind it were laughing as well. I'm sort of surprised Maryland let "WTF2" get through as a vanity plate too.
How long until We Love DC uses this in one of their posts?
I used to have "WTF EH." Virginia sent me a letter when I requested it, saying that it potentially had objectionable language, but they eventually approved it.
# posted by DCSportsChick :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:10:00 AM
Do you still roll with "NATS EH"?
# posted by WFY :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 1:13:00 PM
Yup!
# posted by DC Sports Chick :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:51:00 PMPost a Comment
Another Vienna Inn 50th anniversary article - William World News
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Another Vienna Inn 50th anniversary article
Vienna Inn Turns 50 - The Connection A good article about the official dive of La Coupe Hauxer, the Vienna Inn. Lots of history is shared in this latest article.
Snoverkill snow measurement -- 22 inches total? - William World News
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snoverkill snow measurement -- 22 inches total?
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Yesterday morning, I took a measurement of the snow on the ground -- 19.5 inches. This evening, my brother Christopher took a measurement and it came back 22+ inches. It has been snowing all day long and certainly more than 3 inches has fallen, but do to the blizzard conditions I cannot say how much. A lot has blown around.
Snowmageddon total for Vienna, Va. 21.5 inches - William World News
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Snowmageddon total for Vienna, Va. 21.5 inches
VIENNA, Va. -- Our Vienna Bureau Chief (aka WHY or Dad) sent in this photo from his backyard (table top I believe). 21.5 inches is the official total over there. In Alexandria it was 20.5, so they win the snow challenge I guess.
I just dug out one of our cars. That was exciting. I will be shocked if the federal government is open tomorrow.
Final Snowmageddon total for Alexandria, Va. - 20.5 inches - William World News
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Final Snowmageddon total for Alexandria, Va. - 20.5 inches
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The final total for Snowmageddon is unchanged from my afternoon update -- 20.5 inches of snow on top of the 2.5 already on the ground. I must have gotten out there right before it stopped.
This is a record breaker, but not the three feet that was being hyped, though I understand other parts of BeltwayLand approached that total. This isn't officially the biggest storm in Washington D.C. history, but it is close. Totals right here are held down by the fairly low elevation and the proximity to the urban heat island.
Tomorrow is the cleanup day with a lot of digging to get one or more cars out. Last time it took about two hours to get one car out, but that was with beautiful powdery snow. This stuff is much wetter, so it could be a very long day.
Snowmageddon! 20.5 inches of fresh snow in Alexandria, Va. at 2:30 p.m. - William World News
Snowmageddon! 20.5 inches of fresh snow in Alexandria, Va. at 2:30 p.m.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The latest snow total for Snowmaggedon is in -- 20.5 inches of fresh snow from this storm. Of course, that is on top of the 2.5 inches leftover from the previous storm. It is still coming down steadily here in the West End.
10:30 a.m. A violist in Wincester, Va. reported 28 inches 12:00 p.m. A teacher in Harrisburg, Pa. reported 16+ inches 2:00 p.m. A director of social media from Brookland, Washington D.C. reported 21 inches 4:00 p.m. The Maryland Bureau Chief reported 31 inches
The Maryland Bureau Chief after shoveling earlier:
Snowmageddon! 17 inches of new snow at 8:30 a.m. in Alexandria, Va. - William World News
Snowmageddon! 17 inches of new snow at 8:30 a.m. in Alexandria, Va.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Last night West End Alexandria received another 13 5/8 inches of snow, raising the total on the ground to 19 inches! Capital Weather Gang says another 5 to 8 inches to go today, so we'll have a new record for the highest amount of snowfall I've ever seen in Northern Virginia, surpassing Snowpocalypse's record of 20 inches -- only one more inch to go. I guess we won't see 30 inches here though which is a bit disappointing.
According to The Maryland Bureau Chief, Columbia, Md. has 24 inches of snow.
Snowmageddon! 3 3/8 inches new snow at 6 p.m. in Alexandria, Va. - William World News
Friday, February 05, 2010
Snowmageddon! 3 3/8 inches new snow at 6 p.m. in Alexandria, Va.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The first official William World News snowfall measurement of Snowmageddon has been recorded. 2 1/2 were inches left on the ground from the last storm and to that total another 3 3/8 had accumulated since the snow began around 10 a.m. That is pretty low thus far, but reports are saying this could be the biggest snowstorm in Washington history (We Love DC)!
Snowfall totals: Alexandria & Tysons Corner - William World News
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Snowfall totals: Alexandria & Tysons Corner
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- After missing the weekend snowstorm, I'm back with more snowfall measurements. In front of my condo, I measured 5 3/4 inches of wet fluffy snow. This includes accumulations from the weekend storm.
TYSONS CORNER, Va. -- At work, I measure 6 7/8 inches.
This snow is already melting and probably won't make it through tomorrow if even today, but don't get used to seeing the ground again. We're in for a doozy this weekend:
The latest snowstorm to hit BeltwayLand happened (for the most part) while I was in the Poconos skiing with my wife. We were at Camelback and it is pretty much the same as it always is except that my favorite slope, the Nile Mile has been changed to a blue square from a double green circle. That makes a lot of sense to me, the slope is not too hard, but is not easy either. I love attacking that hill, it take me about five minutes to get down when I really push myself.
Oh and we finally hit Yocco's for their hot dogs on the return trip. I'll have a review of that over the next two days.
On the way back, we hit snow at about the Mid-County interchange of the Northeast Extension (I-476) and yet saw no snow removal equipment. As we got onto I-95 the conditions were quite slushy, until we hit Maryland. Let me praise the Maryland Transportation Authority for the superior job they did on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway section of I-95 -- the conditions were exceptional given the weather. We could comfortably go over 50 m.p.h. DelDot and PennDot, you blew it. The former I expected, despite numerous boasts about Pennsylvania's snow-readiness by expatriates when compared to BeltwayLand, to do much better. For shame PennDot, for shame. Delaware, most I-95 is a toll road in your state, so you don't have any excuses either.
Back in Northern Virginia, I did not get a chance to measure the snow. Sorry internet, I know how much you like photos of rulers in snow. I did take my son sledding at my folks house in Vienna though. That was pretty sweet. Grandee got to pull her grandson around the block in a little red sled too.
It looks like we're in for more snow later this week (Capital Weather Gang), so I'll be better about the ruler everybody.
Funny thing, I just mentioned this to my co-workers as I was typing and one of them goes "oh my sister was talking about that on channel 9." It turns out her sister is chatting about it right now on The Post's website.
1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation - William World News
Thursday, January 14, 2010
1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation
Catoe stepping down after three years at the helm - Not even 24 hours after he sat down with leading D.C. bloggers, including my former colleague Tom Bridge of We Love DC, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager John Catoe announced he would resign on April 2. The move signals the end of Catoe's rocky 3 years as WMATA head saw the nation's second largest subway system suffer its worst accident on June 22 (Red Line crash is worst Metro accident ever ), several employees killed on the job, a number of suicides on the tracks and worsening service. To blame Catoe, a D.C. native, for these incidents would be unfair, but he has not been able to reverse the trend. Catoe's career was more focused on buses than rails which may have hindered his time in charge. His quote about the safety problems becoming "an unhealthy distraction" is telling though. Safety problems are not what I call a "distraction." Ultimately though, the problems of an aging system and the economic crisis has been Metro's biggest problems.
As soon as I heard the news, I wondered if Dan Tangherlini would be a candidate to replace Catoe. In 2006, Tangherlini was interim general manager of Metro to great acclaim. He wanted the job permanently, but when the WMATA board wanted an extended search, Tangherlini took a job with the Adrian Fenty administration (Tangherlini leaving Metro to return to District government). I remember when Tangherlini left I told a few people that he might get another shot someday. I don't envy him if it is now though, the outlook for Metro is grim on just about all fronts.
TYSONS CORNER, Va. -- This morning while going through Harris Teeter, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Pepsi Throwback is available again. This time around, the red, white and blue packaging from the early 1980s is being used. I will be stocking up. While it doesn't have quite the bite of regular Pepsi, any chance to consume less high fructose corn syrup is a good one -- take that subsidized corn farmers!
According the Pepsi Throwback Web site, the "real sugar" cola is available December 28, 2009 through February 22, 2010.
Every year I do a tally of places I have been. The two ways for a location to qualify -- I had a meal there (non-fast food) or spent the night there. Sometimes, I make exceptions that rule though, like for apple-picking.
Alexandria, Va. Arlington, Va. Falls Church, Va. Great Falls, Va. McLean, Va. Purcellville, Va. Reston, Va. Vienna, Va. Washington, D.C. Newark, Del. Ellicot City, Md. Avalon, N.J. Stone Harbor, N.J. Wildwood, N.J. New York, N.Y. Boiling Springs, Pa. Burnham, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa. Lewistown, Pa. Reedsville, Pa. Yeagertown, Pa. Springfield, Pa. State College, Pa. Tannersville, Pa. University Park, Pa.
The list has been getting shorter for the last couple of years. Here is to a more adventurous 2010!
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- At this point, Snowpocalypse has melted into a slushtopia during the day and iceland during the night. Let's look back at this latest and perhaps greatest winter storm.
My son does not like sledding as much as I do yet. My niece might though.
Landmark Mall would be well-served to clear snow from its crosswalk areas. Do they want folks to shop there or not?
How cool would have been if tonight's Redskins vs. Giants game had been played on Saturday? The Redskins might have had a chance. I think the loss kind of serves them right for a lot of things though, especially the all burgundy uniforms. Seriously, I'm coming around on the burgundy at home a little bit, but not with burgundy pants. Had they worn white pants, the matchup with the Giants would have been the most chromatically pleasing of the weekend. Ugh, I'm off topic here, aren't I?
I had planned to take off this day for weeks, so the snow kind of interfered with my plans, though not as much as I would have expected.
Oh and when the make the movie, I hope there is a scene where a convoy of plows head out into a neighborhood with "Die Walküre" playing in the background getting snowballs thrown at them by kids.
Snowpocalypse: Final Alexandria snowfall total -- 19 inches?! - William World News
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Snowpocalypse: Final Alexandria snowfall total -- 19 inches?!
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The final measurement of Snowpocalypse is a somewhat controversial one. After measuring 20 inches at 9 p.m. on Saturday, this morning's measurement comes it at 19 inches. Where did that other inch go?!
It appears that other inch is frozen solid on the ground, my tape measure, attached to a flagpole, could not hit the ground. If I had a good metal yard stick (which I am afraid to get because then we wouldn't see a 12+ inch snowstorm ever again, right?) I could probably hit the ground, I could probably get all 20 inches. Alas, it is not to be. Also, my camera battery ran out, so I had to rely on my wife's new cell phone.
Snowpocalypse has been a lot of fun thus far and today we'll be out in a it for a while. More photos to come!
Snowpocalypse: 20 inches in Alexandria at 9 p.m. - William World News
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Snowpocalypse: 20 inches in Alexandria at 9 p.m.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The final measurement for today -- 20 inches after just over 24 hours of non-stop snow. This is the most snow that I have ever seen in Northern Virginia.
Snowpocalypse: 17 inches in Alexandria at 4 p.m. - William World News
Snowpocalypse: 17 inches in Alexandria at 4 p.m.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The total now stands at 17 inches and it is only slowing down to an inch per hour. This is going to be the most snow I've ever seen in Northern Virginia by the time it is over I believe.
Have you been measuring the snowfall? Let me know in the comments.
Snowpocalypse: 13 inches in Alexandria at 12:30 p.m. - William World News
Snowpocalypse: 13 inches in Alexandria at 12:30 p.m.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- After a little bit of sledding with my family -- my son's first time, I measured our current snowfall total -- 13 inches! The snow is coming down at a rate of greater than 1 inch an hour too. It has just about doubled since the last measurement with a lot more on the way.
Since the ruler was too short, I used a tape measure with the ruler attached for sturdiness. I'll get at least another measurement today I hope, as well as more sledding with my wife and son, plus my brother, his wife and daughter.
Snowpocalypse: 7 7/8 inches in Alexandria at 7:50 a.m. - William World News
Snowpocalypse: 7 7/8 inches in Alexandria at 7:50 a.m.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Good morning! I've just come in from the first official measurement of Snowpocalypse '09 here in the West End. At 7:50 a.m. 7 7/8 inches of beautiful white powder had accumulated in the grass.
I wish I had a yard stick. Looks like I will be switching to measuring tape for the next reading.
Oh, how I wish I could ski in this stuff. Beautiful.
Alexandria snow photos from this past weekend - William World News
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Alexandria snow photos from this past weekend
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The first snow of the season is always an exciting one. I took some photographs from around my complex. I've even got our still growing green tomatoes covered in snow. Sadly, our red one didn't really get any snow on it. I almost posted about it last week, but just got too busy.
The Scottish got bagpipes from Ireland. What we didn't tell them was that it was a joke.
- a friend from Belfast
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- I don't get out much, so it figures that when I actually get an evening to hit Murphy's in Old Town for some Irish music they have...Scottish bagpipers. Now, I dont' feel the same way about pipers as my Northern Irish friend, but it was not what I was expecting. Just my luck right? Normally I'd get a photo of the band playing, but it turns out bagpipers sets are pretty short and I didn't have time, so I just went with the exterior of Murphy's. Also, I tried Bushmills while I was there and I won't bother again.
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# posted by
DCSportsChick :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:10:00 AM