Jake "brown sound" K.'s Profile

I've been here to accompany my wife on a couple of OB appointments and have to say that the overall place isn't bad.  It's not quite the hustle and bustle that you get on TV shows like ER or Scrubs - but of course I know that you really only get those in the ICU or ER areas.

Amazingly enough, this didn't seem much like a hospital so much as a conglomerate of medical suites.  But it is clean and I didn't get the impression that this is a place to go when you die.  I guess that's a big plus?

For my 600th review, I decided to Yelp a business that has received tens of thousands of dollars from me.  That business is Korean Air.

I've watched this airline transform from an okie doke airline that barely met the safety and service marks that Americans have come to enjoy, to a contract carrier that was able to get a bit of the military business until it was banned for it's poor safety record and many complaints of poor service.  

Woken up from it's arrogance, Korean Air mounted a massive campaign to get its safety ratings up, it's service improved, and get itself onto a few "frequent traveler" popularity lists.  They largely succeeded - however, I have a few bones to pick with them.

First, the rigid culture and how it seeps into their service.  Koreans tend to observe rules and regulations to the "T".  While casual observers tend to note that this isn't the case when visiting Korea, people who work businesses and deal in customer service will see that they will not break rules, "let things go this time," etc.  What really irritated me was the idea that those on a discount ticket (in my case, military) would automatically be relegated to the rear cabins of the plane.  If you've ever taken a 747 overseas, you'll know that if you're in the back, you might as well not get up as they have to disembark over 300 people before you along with their multitudes of bags and other items.  Oh - and the back row treatment applies even if you're at an elite or premium level of membership for their frequent flier programs.  Other airlines would let you choose premium seating, but not with this crowd if you bought a discount ticket.  Period.

Second, the tremendous difference in traveling classes.  Normally, if the other bathrooms are full in coach, the first class cabin will let you slip in and go to their bathroom on an American flagged carrier - they feel it's better to have a satisfied customer who didn't have to piss on themselves.  Not Korean Air.  They'll intercept you in a heartbeat.  Maybe they don't want you to see the other treats they give those in first class for fear of a riot.  Who knows.  If you pay for it, I don't mind that you're eating cheese or off of bone china.  But come on, it's a bathroom.

Finally, those uniforms.  Man, I know they've been trying to get themselves to be distinct, but those uniforms don't work on those girls' figures.  The skirts look cheap - almost like they're dressed in a matte patent leather.  At least the guys got to stay in suits.  Oh - and those neck scarves - I got poked in the eye because they're starched so hard when a stewardess leaned over to cancel my attendant call button.

I think I've had enough with these guys.  Really, it serves a purpose if I'm on a shoestring budget and don't mind dealing with impatient passengers, fake-friendly flight attendants, and the rigid adherence to company policies.  Now that I make my own money and am not spending the 'rents money - I think I'll spring for a business class ticket on another airline and get treated better - and not have to sit in row 58.

I usually don't make it here for the food - but I've had Alex McCoy's cooking in other restaurants and have always enjoyed it.

What am I here for?  DRINKING.  The bar area isn't bad and there is an upstairs if you want to get away.  If you get here too late, you'll be standing around.  Usually all of the good seats at the bar are gone by 11:00 when most of the "charity" events in town are done.  But otherwise, you can find a good drink and the bar tenders usually take care of you pretty well.  It's certainly a regular stop on the Glover Park drinking tour.

I can't really say that we came here to look at anything other than tits, ass, and costumes.  Yes, I was here for a party.

The Late Night Shots guys put together a party at the City Museum that proved to be quite entertaining despite the crappy weather.  Imagine about 1,000 20-35 somethings, all dressed up, all getting blasted on rail liquor, and dancing to two live bands and a DJ on three total floors.

The place fit all 1,000 comfortably and I'd say the only short fall was the lack of WCs to accommodate a crowd of drunks.  But no matter - I think we were all too blasted to care.

How no one Yelped this place is beyond me.  My wife and I stopped in here after a binge at the food court (she had pho and I had kabobs).  Using the guide "Eat This, Not That", I learned that a DQ sundae has about 500 less calories than a normal one from BR.  So, to dial it down further, we just got a cone of soft serve but dipped it so that we could enjoy some flavor other than vanilla.

Overall, not bad.  They gave a choice of chocolate, butterscotch, and cherry.  Frankly, dipped ice cream is always good - the butterscotch was unremarkable but The Wife's chocolate cone was tasty enough.  I just couldn't get over the waxy consistency of the dip but oh well.

I never get into DQ food really but the grilled cheese looks tempting for next time when I need a snack.  But I think it's a kid's menu option only.  Then again, that's supposed to be good for you, right?

I like coming to this place for concerts and Capitals games.  Otherwise, we need a new basketball team.

The venue is a step up from other places in the area but the food/drink options are pricey for what you're getting.  Usually, I end up watching games from the box seats that the company pays for and the catering isn't bad.

The biggest plus is that you get to jump on the metro immediately without much of a walk - however, that's a double edged sword since EVERYONE tries to do it and sometimes you get a crowd backed all the way out to the top of the escalator.  During those times, it's almost worth walking down to the next stop about three blocks away.

Hrm...this place sucks.  I mean, I have to give them credit for making the attempt at having a place look like it's an airplane.  But unless you were planning on the yuppie version of Snoop Dogg's Soul Plane, I'd steer clear of this place.

Loud music, crappy drinks, and a crowd full of turbos is how I would describe the joint.  It took me almost 3 days to regain full hearing.  Never mind the near twisted ankle from the dark stairway that you have to walk down to get to the main lounge area.

No thanks.

I love this place.  Granted, the last time I was here it was a bit warm outside, but nothing a passion fruit hurricane couldn't fix.

Crafted cocktails, friendly staff, and good friends - what else do you need?  The Gibson quickly launched itself to the top of my list of places where I don't mind blowing $50 on drinks.

The meat and cheese plate is also done right and can certainly give you something to curb the munchies while you drink and chat the night away.  Now to just go with Kevin L. so I can see him toasted...

This is probably the smallest 7-Eleven I've ever been in.  Overall not a bad joint but not exactly having the most variety.  Plainly, this was built to service those customers living near the plaza - there's an Archstone apartments behind it along with other townhouses.

The cool thing was that I was able to pick up a Halloween Domo dressed as a pumpkin - that doll was the tits.

Oh man, do you need lottery tickets?

A sweet snack after Yechon?

Or someone to pick your weeds for $12.50 an hour?

If so, then this is your place.  During the day, there is a horde of day laborers standing around who rush every truck, van, or semi that looks like it might need labor.  It's quite a sight to see - they will even hang off of windows, mirrors, etc to get the attention of the driver.

At night, there are still a few of them, but they're there mainly smoking cigarettes and lamenting how slow the day went (those college Spanish classes were good for something).