We had a bit of a storm here in Dallas back in February. First it snowed, and then we got near-zero temperatures that overwhelmed the state’s power system.
Half of our apartment building lost power for 3 or 4 days. Our unit had a couple hours of power each day before plunging back into darkness for 12+ hours. Several of our neighbors were sleeping in their cars to stay warm. We also had a moment where a fire alarm forced everyone into the pitch-black hallways and outside into the cold.
We’ve had unseasonably cold weather in Dallas recently — days in the low 40s and evenings in the 30s. Everyone’s pressed, especially Gunter, the Chiweenie.
Gunter hasn’t gone on strike yet and refused to do his business outside (like he did in Minnesota), but after a few minutes outside he’s standing by the edge of the dog park, glaring and shivering.
We were really organized while packing for the big move from Washington DC back to Dallas, but somehow still managed to misplace all of Gunter’s clothes.
This wasn’t a problem when we first moved (because it was 100 degrees) but the approach of fall means that it is time for fashion… so I had to tear up the entire apartment to find Gunter’s clothes.
The search was worth it because Gunter’s sporting his iconic look again. 👕
The nice thing about the cooler temperatures is that we can actually take the dogs on longer walks without Ingrid completely overheating.
These are some shots from a recent walk to Victory Park, which is about as far as we could walk from Oak Lawn before the heat gets to the dogs (and us!) Now that the temperatures are closer to 80, the rest of the downtown Dallas area becomes a possibility.
The next challenge is ending work early enough to take long evening walks before it gets dark. We haven’t figured that out quite yet, but it’s on the to-do list this week.
Ingrid and Gunter in Victory Park, Dallas.
Ingrid the labradoodle in Victory Park, Dallas.
Ingrid the labradoodle in Victory Park, Dallas.
I love the murals in Deep Ellum. Here’s Gunter the Chiweenie with one of the several murals featuring kids. He’s also in an unusually good mood in this picture — maybe the kids are having a positive effect. 🎈
We’ve had a gallery wall in almost every apartment since our last stint in Dallas, and this time around it is no different.
The latest iteration of the gallery wall has a hodgepodge of new wall art, vintage album covers, diplomas, and even a family photo or two.
The dogs don’t seem to mind it, so I guess it’s a success?
One thing that I did not miss about Dallas is that Texas summer heat.
Gunter the chihuahua is faring way better than Ingrid, my labradoodle, but neither lasts very long if the weekend dog walk starts too late. The Dallas heat is less of a problem during the weekdays however, when I spend most of my time cycling while working.
Fortunately, the low humidity here makes the heat tolerable, but my freshness is still constantly compromised. We are getting a much-appreciated break from the 100-degree days tomorrow thanks to some toss-off storms from Hurricane Laura. It’s strange that it takes a literal hurricane to break this heat wave, but I’ll take it.
The heat and related pit-stains return this weekend though, which is why we are setting our alarms earlier this time around. ⏰
Almost exactly three years after leaving Dallas to earn my Georgetown Tax LL.M. degree in Washington, D.C., I was headed back to Texas.
The pandemic triggered an exodus from the District among my social network. Despite the ubiquitous “diversity and inclusion” marketing among D.C. employers, LGBT and brown people are still the first ones to get fired when there’s economic uncertainty. Many of my friends working in politics, nonprofits, and the service industry got the chop pretty early. They abandoned their apartments and moved back to their hometowns at the beginning of the summer.
Then a larger group of people started trickling out of the District as months ticked by and leases came up for renewal. With fully-virtual office environments and most amenities shuttered, why pay a premium to live in the District?
There are plenty of ferocious pitbulls guarding various places in Ivy City. The local convenience store is surrounded by a yard with two particularly aggressive pits that recently charged after my dogs on one of our morning walks.
Gunter (the Chiweenie) held his ground, and they actually became friends of sorts.
I recently got Gunter some University of Miami gear and he…doesn’t seem to happy about it.
As a Chihuahua mix, Gunter is extremely difficult to shop for. He’s exactly between sizes, so things are usually too large or small. In this case, the UMiami shirt is a bit too tight.
There’s a new Black Lives Matter mural along my dog walk route. This mural is in an alley near the corner of Mt. Olivet and Holbrook Street NE.
The rooftop dog park is one of the best things about my apartment building.
In addition to taking selfies in front of the monuments, one of the most photographed spots in Washington D.C., is Blagden Alley — a collection of intersecting alleyways that are covered in murals. Blagden Alley has a La Colombe coffee roasters, several bars, restaurants and art galleries, among other things.
The mural that I’m in front of is called “LOVE” by Lisa Marie Thalhammer — it’s the word “love” written in rainbow colors across four different garage doors. Apparently she has several other pieces around the city, which I’ll have to track down one of these days.
One of the best things about living in Ivy City is that I am only blocks from the U.S. National Arboretum. It’s basically a massive park that houses the original columns from the U.S. Capitol building.
The arboretum is an excellent place to walk the dogs and has become one of my go-to weekend spots lately.
We had a somewhat subdued Capital Pride this year.
Sure, there was drag brunch and meet-ups with fair-weather friends who only come out during holidays. But I refused to make any substantive plans for the weekend and declined a few invitations. Although this was anti-social, I have no regrets because I gained the flexibility to skip the parade (due to heat) and most of the festival (due to rain.) What privilege.
Thank god I brushed my teeth before the morning dog walk.
After doing a loop around the National Mall, I direct the dogs back toward my apartment building.
I can see the fire trucks from down the street and think, “Please, please let those be for another apartment building. Maybe the place next door had a kitchen fire?”
But the fire trucks are totally for my building. And it isn’t just a normal false alarm — the fire hoses are actually plugged in and spewing water all over the street.
The District got its first snow storm of the season today and my dogs have two completely different opinions on the slushy mix.
Fall is here, and the days are getting colder and shorter — so of course I purchased a Hawaiian shirt for Gunter.
It’s LL.M. orientation week. Last year, I was in the audience listening to alumni give study and job search advice. This year, I am on the same stage talking to a new crop of students.
I don’t get through all of my rehearsed talking-points, but I do manage to avoid saying anything stupid or outrageous. I repeatedly cautioned the students that securing a job offer from an externship is completely dumb luck on my part. But I probably sound like a lottery winner explaining that buying Powerball tickets is foolish.
My best piece of advice is: “Remember that massive book of information that the career office gave you? Actually read that and follow the instructions.”
If just one student uses that advice, then the panel was worth it.
It’s felt like spring in Washington D.C. for a while now. We’ve had warm temperatures, cherry blossoms, and green grass.
Maybe winter in D.C. isn’t so bad after all…