Today, in short order:
- Went for a 12-mile run in my Vibram FiveFingers, and
- Stopped through the Silver Spring Farmers’ Market, where I bought 2 deliciously fresh white peaches
- Went for an 14-mile bike ride in mid-day traffic. When I say riding naked, I don’t mean in the nude, but on the streets with traffic.
- Visited The Bicycle Place where the guys tuned up my bike and told me about the Capital Crescent Trail which goes from Silver Spring to the Georgetown District in D.C. I’ll definitely be biking this soon.
- Walked up to a dude who had his soccer gear with him, asked if he was playing pickup, and then he told me a bunch of Africans would be playing at Nolte Park. I went straight to the park, joined them for 7v7, and played in my FiveFingers. They thought I was crazy playing in those shoes, but then they saw my mad dribbles and invited me back next week. One of the players is a professional scout for academies in the area and said it was too bad I was 26.
Riding in the streets naked—it’s a thrill—vulnerability and power in the same instance. Bicycling in 4-lane traffic that’s traveling at 40mph seems like suicide, but then a little lady on a scooter pulled up to me at a red light. She was probably 19. Black, deep brown eyes, and a pretty smile. Sitting next to me at the stop bar, she cranked off her scooter while we waited for traffic. I asked her if she was saving gas, and she said yes, and then commented that I didn’t even need gas. And then, she looked down and said, “Cool shoes!”
The best thing I did all day—smile at everybody I met. I can’t tell you enough how much a genuine smile really opens people up. They immediately let down their defenses. Smiling is a pass-go to new friendships.
Before going home for the night, I stopped in Smoothie King. The lady working there was black The lady working there looked like she might know something about hip hop, so I figured she might know some good clubs in D.C. Sure enough, she recommended Love nightclub and Fur nightclub. So I will have to check those out.
On my way home, I also stopped at Wayne Avenue where Dwayne Dopsie and the Hellraisers were playing the Silver Spring Concert Series.
Can’t wait to hit up Baltimore tomorrow and the Capitol District next weekend.
Holla back D.C.!