“This stretch of highway is frequented by state troopers eager to reward travel at illegal speeds with speeding tickets," my bandmate declared. We were traveling on I-85 south between Petersburg, Virginia, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I was behind the wheel.
“Indeed,” I replied. “Once, I got a speeding ticket on this very stretch of highway. [...]
Dear Washington City Paper City Desk Blog Enthusiast:
At the risk of ending a sentence with a preposition, I write to inform you, a lover of journalism, of a development that you may be interested in.
In 2007, I utilized my love of language and acerbic wit to report on my extravagant lifestyle as a fabulously [...]
E. Ethelbert Miller is a poet and the director of the African-American Resource Center at Howard University. He is the author of numerous books of poetry and a memoir of fatherhood.
When I contacted Miller about this portrait, we discussed the quality of the natural light in his office.
"Does your office face south?" I asked Miller. [...]
"Your guitar is ready for pickup," a representative of Atomic Music informed me. We were communicating via cellphone.
"Do you mean the Gibson bass I dropped off last week?" I queried. "The yellow Gibson bass with loose electronics, and a possible microphonic problem?"
"Yes," replied the Atomic representative. "This guitar has been repaired."
"Excellent," I replied. "I hear [...]
"I have rented a UHaul to facilitate my move from Mt. Pleasant to LeDroit Park," my friend informed me on Saturday, February 9, 2008. "Can you you help me move my dresser from my mother's house to my new apartment?"
"Unfortunately," I replied, "I cannot immediately accompany you to your mother's house to facilitate your move. [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"Good afternoon, sir!" exclaimed the woman at my front door.
"Good afternoon," I replied. Though it was Saturday, the woman wore her Sunday best and held a pamphlet [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"I am a musician-cum-U.S. citizen," I informed a representative of the United States Social Security Administration. I had traveled to the Social Security office at 7820 Eastern [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"I hear you write songs about celebrities," a stranger commented. We were communicating via e-mail.
"It's true," I replied. "I have been known to write songs about Martin [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"Now that the market is down, you may wish to get into the market," my financial adviser advised. We were communicating via telephone.
"What?" I replied. When my [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"How much are your JBL SF-25 P.A. speakers?" I asked a representative at Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (CLWMC). We were communicating via telephone.
"JBL SF-25s are no [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"Before we record your acoustic guitar, it will be necessary to remove all absorbent materials from this dining room," I informed a friendly local musician. This musician [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"I am interested in the plan that provides 600 minutes per month for $39.99," I informed a T-Mobile representative. "I will pay $4.99 more for 400 additional [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"Did you see a car on fire back there?" asked the toll collector on the Atlantic City Expressway.
"Yes," I replied. Driving the Expressway from Philadelphia to the [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"I am planning a trip to Europe," I informed a Sprint PCS representative.
"Excellent!" exclaimed the representative.
"Thank you," I replied.
"You're welcome," the representative offered.
"I do find the crumbling [...]
Editor's Note: Earlier this year, Justin wrote Iceland, a blog about his band's American tour. Justin isn't on tour anymore, but Iceland continues, twice a week, on City Desk.
"Someone drank my vodka and replaced it with water," a relative commented. We stood in the kitchen of a large house. The vodka bottle in question sat [...]
