GW Slept Here » Whatever

Shave and a Haircut – California Style

Michael Bergin — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 16:24:06 +0000

Yesterday I was treated to a shave and a haircut California style. Actually I didn’t get the shave because the “shave lady” is only available on Tuesday’s but boy, did I get a haircut!

It’s a bit hard to see but the wording under the pink line was what I loved – Please keep still and do not move during haircut service!

Michael

No Smiling at the DMV

Michael Bergin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:31:09 +0000

Maybe you’re new to Virginia or haven’t needed to renew your driver’s license recently. So please, be forewarned when you do go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - NO SMILING is allowed.

Yes, that’s right, NO SMILING at the DMV.

Oh, you can smile at the clerks, at the small child playing on the floor beside your chair, you can even smile at the security guards. But when it comes time for your picture, NO SMILING at the DMV.

According to the Washington Post, the DMV, as part of an effort “to develop super-secure driver’s licenses and foolproof identification cards, the agency has issued a smile ban, directing customers to adopt a ‘neutral expression’ in their portraits . . . the agency is working on a facial recognition system that could compare customers’ photographs over time to prevent fraud and identity theft.”

DMV spokeswoman Pam Goheen said, “To prepare for the possibility of future security enhancements, we’re asking customers to maintain a neutral expression.”

Virginia is not alone in this NO SMILING policy. Arkansas, Indiana and Nevada have similar rules.

Fix your hair, put on your makeup and earrings, adjust your glasses, wear a flattering color but NO SMILING.

Michael

First It was Bedbugs, Now It’s Stinkbugs

Michael Bergin — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 02:26:21 +0000

A few weeks ago I wrote about the infestations of bedbugs that are seemingly catching a ride in every suitcase in the country. And then this morning I opened the paper to read about stinkbugs!

On the bright side stinkbugs are harmless – they don’t bite, they don’t sting and they don’t carry harmful diseases. They DO reek havoc on fruits and vegetables and ornamental shrubs and trees.

Stinkbug

But the Washington Post noted “There is no easy way to kill lots of the bugs at once. They have no natural predators in the United States. Pesticides don’t work effectively. The insects travel easily – hitching rides on buses and construction material – and adapt to winter in homes.

As a result, they have flourished, spreading to 29 states since they arrived in Allentown, Pa., in 2001, likely stowaways in a shipping container from Asia. They are native to Japan, Korea and China, where they are known as “stinky big sisters.”

Experts say homeowners should prevent them from coming indoors by sealing cracks and openings around doors and windows.

For more, click here. In the meantime, I’m going to start caulking.

Michael

Arlington Rapper Remy Takes on the METRO

Michael Bergin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:05:40 +0000

Last June, Arlington native and rapper Remy Munasifi hit the YouTube airwaves with a hysterical take on living the yuppie life in Northern Virginia.

As the Washington Post noted, the rap makes “gentle sport of Virginia’s most liberal community as a wonky,
nice-but-maybe-too-nice haven for Prius-driving, latte-sipping, crunchy-granola-eating suburbanites.”

Thousand of hits later, Rapper Remy is taking on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority – or METRO. Anyone who rides the METRO, for work or pleasure, will appreciate this good natured jab at a system that just can’t get it right.

I think you’re going to like this . . .

Click here to view the embedded video.

As funny as this may be, properties near METRO stations are still highly sought after.

If you are in the market for a METRO lifestyle, give me a call at 703.927.4554 and let’s make it happen.

Michael

Getting Organized – The Hall Closet

Michael Bergin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:23:08 +0000

A week or so ago we ran a post about getting organized – family photographs. Today we are going to talk about getting organized – the hall closet.

According to uber closet organizer Alison Lukes Teer, the hall closet is “the junk drawer of closets. Because your hall closet is used every day. . . it tends to gather a lot of random junk.” Teer goes on to say that a hall closet is valuable real estate and should contain only things you are using right now.

Use products to increase storage. Hanging pocket organizers, hooks, clear plastic boxes, etc.
Use matching wooden hangers for everything and keep several empty ones available for visitors.
Mark your calendar to empty and sort twice a year. Clear out the winter accessories in late spring and then pack up summer about mid September.

Our hall closet doesn’t get much use in the summer but the winter is another story. So maybe if I get started now . . .

Don’t have a hall closet? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s go find one for you.

Michael

Moon Over Alexandria

Michael Bergin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:00:11 +0000

Moon Over Alexandria

We were out visiting friends and as we headed home from Vienna this brilliant moon lead the way.

A photograph doesn’t even begin to do it justice.

Michael

School Supplies are Tax Exempt in Virginia August 6,7,8, 2010

Michael Bergin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:36:15 +0000

Getting ready for school? It always cost you more than you think but this Virginia tax holiday will give you a small break.

That’s right, school supplies, including some clothes, are tax exempt in Virginia this weekend - August 6,7,8, 2010.

During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax.

(Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period.)

For more information, check here:

Happy Shopping! And if you want to know more about homes in your school district of choice, give me a call at 703.927.4554.

Michael

GWSleptHere Takes Second Place in WTOP Radio Contest for Best Local Blog

Michael Bergin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:53:35 +0000

Yes it’s true, our blog, GWSleptHere took second place in a contest sponsored by WTOP radio for best local blog.

Over 10,000 votes were cast for the nine finalists and GWSleptHere just missed sliding into home (or so we are told.)

All in all we are thrilled – GWSleptHere was the only blog not focused on the District of Columbia AND the only non social blog.

We think that says a lot of good things about Northern Virginia and real estate.

It’s a great way to start off the week.

Michael

Momma Cass Elliott Lived HERE in Alexandria

Michael Bergin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:12:04 +0000

Did you know that Momma Cass Elliott lived HERE in Alexandria at one time?

Born Ellen Naomi Cohen, the future star of the “Mamas and Papas” spent at least part of her childhood in this apartment building on Commonwealth Avenue in the Rosemont section of Alexandria.

I promised not to divulge the exact apartment but let’s just say it was on the second floor . . .

Click here to view the embedded video.

Michael

Winners Announced in Name that Picture Contest

Michael Bergin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:57:46 +0000

Last month we wrote about the on-going saga of our lawn repair and how we had finally put out seed only to find an interloper amongst the grass.

We thought the interloper was worth of a contest and offered a $5 Starbucks card to the best entry. Granted, we’re a bit behind schedule but we are proud to announce two winners.

Chrissy from Ft. Lee, NJ offered up “Renegade Lettuce.“ Chrissy is a student and entered our contest after a friend sent her the link. We are happy to say that she is now a regular reader. Congratulations Chrissy!

Pam Beard, one of our very own Del Ray neighbors and “Miss Pam” at the Westminster Preschool, is our other winner with “Outstanding in it’s field.“ Congratulations Pam!

Thanks to both of you for sharing our fun and keep an eye out for your cards, they are on the way.

Michael