Borf, DC's current graffiti obsession

Borf strikes over Cosi in Dupont. Slideshow here.


After taking the above picture, I was sitting in that same Cosi and watching as two of DC's finest, one of whom was wearing a t-shirt with a vest labelled Police over the top, walked back and forth, pointing up at it, taking notes. They talked to the manager a bit. We joked that they were part of the Borf squad. This stencil/tagger/artist/vandal has grown ubiquitous, and DC blogs are abuzz with speculation and comment. Some insist on applying meaning to the word. For instance, this dictionary describes borfing as unceremonisously booting someone off a system. But I don't know why it can't be a reference to the Evil Emporer Borf. Anyway, the DCist probably has the best article on Borf, while Visual Resistence claims to have an interview. Perpwalk sums up Borf online articles here. Already there are obvious imitations, and there are Borf sightings in other cities.

Police tape guards the city from the relentless spread of metrosexual manniquinism. 

Blowing the doors off Dupont Circle. 

This guy just wants to make sure you have a newspaper to read on the metro. 

Somebody should feed that dog before he eats the whole sign. 

This slideshow is the last from the IMF/Wolrd Bank Protests. Enjoy. And, if you want to go back through the various IMF entries, click on everything that's highlighted here.

World Bank Vampire chats with the friendly (but well-dressed) police. 

Years ago this was the entrance to a theater. They showed movies in Spanish, as well as classic American movies such as "The Toolbox Murders." Now you can find the goods that normally only street-vendors carry. When it's open. 

IMF World Bank Protests

Note the way her shirt matches the sign. Other signs you may see in this slideshow are not so safe for work.

Resitance is futile! And perhpas a bit unfocused. But it still beats getting sucked into the Borg. 

Hmm, this doesn't look promising. Good thing the young heal quickly. 

We'll get back to the IMF protests, but we'll bet back to them. Meanwhile, this kid is flying across Freedom Plaza. 

IMF World Bank Protests

Another slideshow and a couple more pics from the IMF protests. Not all pictures safe for work, due to the language on the signs.

Leaving already? 

More IMF Protest pictures

Hmm. In the past there were arrests prior to real provocation, raising controversy and lawsuits. This year, well, DC's Finest isn't planning to spend a long evening doing any paperwork. A new slideshow is here.

The IMF protests, continued. Mount Holyoke showed, at least. And they are ENVISIONING a banquet. This process worked for Peter Pan in Hook, when the lost boys envisioned a feast of Neverfood. 

World Bank IMF protests, here all week

The IMF protests weren't particularly large or well-focused this year. More like a class reunion that keeps getting smaller and smaller. Still, there was a lot of theater, and we'll be posting pictures all week. Slide shows, like this one, may contain language (on the signs) not safe for work.

The camera loves this guy. 

Hmm, why did I get all dressed up and drive down here? 

Cherry Blossom Festival Wrap-up

Cherry blossom wrap-up (with a new slideshow). Because the Cherry Blossom Festival was just too full of stuff for these two previous entries.

I don't think the school girl has any banjo music on her Ipod. 

I went down to the Mall for the Cherry Blossom Festival, but also found the Tulip Library. See the slideshow here.

Helpful Signs

Maybe this sign is helpful. Most drivers interpret it thusly:
Glare at pedestrians. Imply you WILL NOT STOP
If they insist on entering crosswalk, JAM ON BRAKES
Glare at the "Peds" who have caused you such pain.

Pedestrians can use the sign afterwards, however. When you stop in front of the simmering driver and yell back, you can point at the sign while gesticulating. The angry driver may glare, but he cannot return your gestures unless he either:
Puts down his Latte, or
Hangs up his cell phone

Do you mind if I shoot your rabbit? 

"Sure, his name is Eugene and he wanted to go for a walk." 

I went down to the Cherry Blossom Festival Sunday. So did pretty much everyone else. More pictures here, and through the week.

Can you hear me now? 

Break dancing must be really dated if advertising balloons are doing it. 

Because we have the reputation of working too hard, DC is considering instituting the Afternoon Siesta. Above, a test group experiments with the concept in a local park. 

"Please step aside while I take a picture of myself taking a picture of myself." 

She guards the dog park. Anyone who doesn't use those little baggies will be haunted by her whenever the light fades. 

It says walk, but I suppose I can wait. 

This poor guy was abandoned, sitting on top of the trash can at the intersection of Park Road and Mount Pleasant for several days. Currently, there is no stuffed animal rescue league, even in DC. 

In DC, our government has to beg for money. Our only major industry is the Federal Government and is untaxable. Many of the workers here pay income taxes to Maryland or Virgina, not the District.
 

Of course the District government has to provide services as both City and State. But to get any revenue, it has to go to Congress. And Congress usually is mad at us for some reason or other.
 

One year, as part of balancing the budget, the Mayor listed the addition of four more parking enforcers. This bald admission that meter maids exist primarily to raise revenue shocked people, so it was taken out of the budget.
 

Still, when the schools are overrun with rats and mildew, and potholes continue to creep through the infrastructure, it’s good to know that we are $40 closer to making budget this year.
 

This guy sells umbrellas for five dollars. Get one before you go to the flower stand... 

Yesterday nothing got posted up because I had to run all over the city and it was raining.  

Four seconds? DC has put in these digital readouts to tell you how long you will survive in a crosswalk. Some give you up 70 seconds to amble across the street, long enough to stop and chat and stare at the hungry cars waiting to plow through the intersection. This cossing, at Florida and Connecticut, starts you off with a mere 7 seconds. If you want to practice wind sprints, this is the place to be.