Ari Fleischer’s Roll Out Begins [Tiger]

As Augusta approaches …

AP: Tiger Woods ESPN Interview To Air Sunday Night

UPDATE: Fleischer no longer working with Woods (h/t Jennifer Moire)

Famous Friday [Round Up]

Christina Bellantoni found a competent hill staffer, Rick Klein thinks filling out his Census form is cool, Genna Gent joined the American Beverage Association, why is Patrick Ruffini purging his Facebook friend list?, Erick Erickson joined CNN, nothing says class like not wearing pants, Snoop Dogg started his internship at The Washington Post, Tunnicliffs likes to watch Florida drivers parallel park in DC, Ron Bonjean is a blogger, what?, rules are so yesterday, and whoa – Rielle Hunter.

Top 10 Reasons Why We’re Not Doing a #FDC Twitter Bracket Challenge

1. Gagnon dropped the ball on organizing. As outgoing champ, it was his job. We just forgot to tell him.
2. We came in an inch of our lives last year because some folks didn’t like the results.
3. We think people should spend more time with their families instead of on Twitter.
4. We’re still pissed about Foursquare and can’t concentrate.
5. Like Rangel, we’re really busy these days.
6. We all know Matt Lira would win.
7. If something is a huge success, shouldn’t you just can it?
8. We had Notre Dame going to the Final Four.
9. We’re in secret negotiations to sell FamousDC.  Highest bidder: this guy.
10. Blizzards this winter slowed down our productivity.

Foursquare Thrives, Probation Officers Rejoice

We do not consider ourselves early adopters. We just got a fax machine, recently started yelling “Kelly Clarkson!” during waxings, and just caught on to that new song sweeping the nation, the Macarena. But when we found out about a new social network mapping technology, we were intrigued…for about two and a half minutes.

For those of you looking to live vicariously through the lives of other people, we present to you Foursquare — a technology that serves no purpose beyond helping you stalk strangers.

We understand a lot of social media experts already know what Foursquare is and some of them worship it. We get it. But for the rest of you, please let us convince you why Foursquare is like a fourth American Idol judge – painfully useless.

Foursquare is a new mobile app that helps friends follow you when you decide to venture out into the real world. The strange part about this social networking mapping technology is that Foursquare adds a bizarre layer of game play. If Foursquare sees that you’re spending a lot of time at one location, it dubs you “mayor” of that establishment. In other words, if you “check in” to McDonald’s three times a week, there’s a good chance that not only will your ass get fatter, but you’ll become mayor of the golden arches – which for people obsessed with themselves, that’s really good news. PS: Some people we know are one businessman’s lunch away from being Mayor of Camelot.

But let’s be honest, the only thing less mind-numbing than a Facebook update about what someone ate for breakfast is a Foursquare update that announces that a co-worker just “checked in” at work. At 9:27. For the third time in a week.

Which brings us to our next point. Who would want to let the world in on their life by constantly publishing your time and location? If you do, we bet you think this post is about you.

Unless you find yourself in a police station every third-week falsely accused of a crime you didn’t commit and you need a solid alibi, Foursquare can only lead to trouble.

We understand there are people who want to see Foursquare flourish: probation officers, obsessed reality TV fans, suspicious spouses, paparazzi, parents of teenagers, the US government and of course, socially inept twenty-somethings living in their parents basements. But do the rest of us really need this?

So far the arguments for this technology have been few and far between. A few are listed below.

1. It’s easy to find out where friends are, so if there’s one out there you haven’t seen in a while, you can go to where they are without calling or texting them.

Where we’re from, that’s called stalking. And it’s creepy. If you’re using this technology to “run into” people, you likely need a heavier dose of whatever medication you’re on. That, or handcuffs.

2. It’s real life game play allows you to interact with strangers.

Repeat that sentence to your children. Still think that’s a good idea?

3. It’s cool to see who’s up to what and when.

Translation: Because Twitter and Facebook only take up 80% of my workday, I have plenty of time for Foursquare.

If you’re still not convinced that this technology is worth avoiding, give it a day, then let us know how it goes. We’ll be working on becoming Mayor of Good Stuff.

Dear CSPAN Video Archive: Where’s The Bob Kerrey Lesbian Joke?

Is it just us, or is the Bob Kerrey lesbian joke with Jerry Brown not on the new CSPAN video library? [hmmm]

We spent a greater part of yesterday diving into 1990s clips, and were pretty sure we’d see it here, but alas, it was only Kerrey talking about how was looking for a good joke to tell. And then we just gave up and started going through Greta Wodele clips.

Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game [Tiger Woods]

CBS News: Obama: “Tiger Still a “Terrific Golfer”

RELATED:

Golf Digest: 10 Tips Obama Can Take From Tiger

John Boehner and Tiger Woods Golfing Together

Word[s] of the Day: Mental Giant

You seriously can’t make this stuff up…

The claim by John Edwards’ mistress Rielle Hunter that she thought sexy, pantless photographs on a bed were going to simply be portraits of her face were met with disbelief today.

We would’ve posted about this yesterday, but we were convinced it wasn’t true.

h/t Lazy H

New Gig for DC Concierge

Congress Daily AM:

BUZZ. Several public affairs types have united as partners under a buzzy new slogan: the Beekeeper Group. The team will include Travis Gianchetta, an aide for former Rep. Rick Hill, R-Mont.; Matthew Zablud, who worked on the e-Campaign team at the national headquarters for the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign; Shana Glickfield, founder of the local blog D.C. Concierge; Mike Panetta, previously of Grassroots Enterprises and a D.C. “shadow” representative, and Ian Scott, who arrives from Comcast.

Congrats Shana!

Shamrock Fest 2010 [A Look Back]

Those that showed up for Shamrock Fest 2010 know that a little bad weather is no match for cold beer and good tunes.

Although the rain was coming down, it did little to deter the merriment of the crowd who chalked up the elements to “good Irish drinking weather”.

Thousands of “Irish for the Day” festival goers braved the elements to groove to bands like Train and the Roots at any one of the numerous stages throughout the event.

The VIP section was definitely the place to be at (a good rule in life is to always spring the extra cash for the VIP ticket).

There were several tents placed around the area offering cover from Mother Nature.  We ventured into one of these tents and caught Scythian, a Washington, D.C., based band that knows how to both play and have a good time. From “Devil Went Down to Georgia” to a variety of Irish drinking songs, this fiddle wielding good time band seemed like they walked straight out of your favorite college bar to help get your feet moving!

The Roots and Train of course got brought the heat, and alone made the price of the ticket worth it.

All and all, it was a great time.  Thanks to the folks over at Shamrock Fest for inviting us to take part. We’ll definitely be there again next year.

Tea Party Tuesday

Enjoy the info and snacks.

Can Subway’s Jared Save Congress?

Politico’s Erika Lovley: House aides dish on unhappy meals

“Our staff are dedicated employees and they can’t afford to eat every day downstairs,” Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) told Beard during the hearing. “We should probably have at least one vendor like a Subway. Five-dollar footlong, five-dollar footlong — whatever.”

Whatever happened to the 2008 Cafeteria Boycott: Hill Staffers United Against Restaurant Associates?

Closing Bell: President’s Reunion

Your WTF of the Day: Mike Tyson and Pigeon Racing

USA Today: Mike Tyson to star in pigeon racing TV show

This guy was unavailable for comment.

Gibbs and Rove

With our powers combined …

Snoop Dogg Writes Washington Post Headline

DCist’s Sommer Mathis: WaPo Headline: ‘Drizzle for Shizzle’

We Only Have One Question

Who is the girl in the bikini at the 1:55 mark?

She did a good job acting … considering the shadow is coming from the opposite direction she is looking.

Did You Miss #SXSW?

Luckily for all of us, The Washingtonian’s Garrett Graff is there and live-tweeting.

Spend a few minutes and check-out his feed: #annoyingthingsoverheardatsxsw

vermontgmg “It’s sustainable but also kind of Third World sad,” overheard at Moonshine patio’s. #annoyingthingsoverheardatsxsw

…

vermontgmg “I’ve got the ideas in my head, the challenge is making them into a business, revenue, and all that.” #annoyingthingsoverheardatsxsw

…

vermontgmg “Don’t just think outside the box, throw the box out the window,” panelist. #annoyingthingsoverheardatsxsw

…

vermontgmg Woman in audience next to me: “I’m just going to tweet everything for now, then I’ll blog later.” #annoyingthingsoverheardatsxsw

…

vermontgmg At Miller Lite pitch: Q: How would people hear about your film? “We’d use the Tweeter feeds.” #cluelessthingsoverheardatsxsw

Coming Soon [Health Bill]

Mediaite: Robert Gibbs: The Health Bill Will Soon Be The “Law Of The Land”

When asked if the president now believes if he has the votes to pass health care, Gibbs avowed “Chris we’ll have the votes when the House votes within the next week.”

Famously Quoteworthy: Not Quite Sure God is Laughing

Rielle Hunter Breaks Her Silence:

“I feel comfortable talking now, because Johnny went public and made a statement admitting paternity.

Edwards to Hunter:

‘Falling in love with you could really f–k up my plans for becoming President.’ And of course I said, ‘If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.’”

The entire hot mess can be read here.

Famous Friday [Round Up]

Tickle fights and naked shower run-ins became part of the beltway lexicon, don’t be boring,scoop your poop, Chris Paulitz dropped his publicist Mark Pfeifle, Shamrock Fest is rocking RFK tomorrow, Marion Barry kicked it at Matt Labash’s book party, the free DC hedge-clipping service is still open for business, DC Times Square?, tell Jake Tapper happy birthday today, Jan Crawford analyzed the White House vs. Supreme Court cage match, Tiger Woods got a new backspin coach, Jon Goodwin survived a mark,  Coach Grella and Nelson Litterst knocked off the lawmakers in the annual charity hockey game, and we remember the old Eric Massa.

Massa and Rahm in a Capitol Hill Shower [Shamrock Fest]

Matthew Gagnon has won another FamousDC contest.

His picture of Rahm and Massa in a legit Capitol Hill shower wins two VIP tickets to Shamrock Fest tomorrow at RFK.

Congrats Mr. Gagnon!

Twitter Contest [VIP Tickets to Shamrock Fest]

Even though SXSW is slowing down the contest, we still got a few solid entries.

The polls (?) close at 4 pm today and we’re giving away two VIP tickets (free beer!) to Shamrock Fest at RFK tomorrow.

…

PREVIOUS: 48 Hour Twitter Contest [VIP Tickets to Shamrock Fest]

If you are not a complete Brohemouth, do not read this ad. [Mt. Pleasant]

Greatest 1BR Craigslist ad ever?

Craigslist: $770 1 Bedroom in a 6Br, 3 story Bro Palace- America (Mt. Pleasant)

Axelrod: Washington loves to watch people become too big and ultimately crash and burn

Peter Baker: Obama Social Secretary Ran Into Sharp Elbows

Google Fiber for Twin Ports [Al Franken]

How to Hit Five Google Alerts With One Headline

Howard Kurtz: Roethlisberger, Massa, Ensign, Woods: Sex, power and sports

Closing Bell: This Keeps Getting Weirder

No comment.

Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank on Thursday said a member of his staff alerted his chief of staff that then-Rep. Eric Massa had taken one of their junior staffers to a private dinner. [blue]

Frank said the staffer became suspicious when he arrived at the Blue Oyster Bar.  Hmmmm….

h/t EM

Obama Set to Quit, Looks to Sign With Chicago Bulls

From our friends at eTrueSports.com:

Washington – “It ain’t worth it, nothing is,” said President Barack Obama in announcing he will resign the Presidency to sign a ten-day, non-guaranteed contract with his hometown Chicago Bulls. “Pretending to like Nancy Pelosi is killing me.”

As for Biden — he’s ready to take over.

“I’m ready to serve,” announced a beaming Vice-President Joe Biden in a joint press conference with his former boss. “I’m ready to shoot jumpers,” said Obama.

Get the entire “true story here.

48 Hour Twitter Contest [VIP Tickets to Shamrock Fest]

Do you have plans Saturday? Would you and a friend like to attend Shamrock Fest at RFK and hang in the Club VIP tent with free beer all day?

You have 48 hours to win these tickets.

The contest:

Print out the FamousDC logo and upload a picture of it onto Twitter at the most outrageous place in DC. The best picture wins the tickets. The deadline is 4 pm on Friday, March 12, 2010. [*Note: placing it on cop cars is not a good idea]

Please use the #FDC tag on Twitter so we can all follow along.

Shamrock Fest

10 stages, 40+ band & DJs, Irish Pub Games
March 13, 2010, 1 PM – 9 PM

The VIP ticket grants you VIP entrance to the Festival with access to all Main Event and VIP areas and amenities. (Must be 21 or older to use VIP ticket)

Can it get any better?

Yes it can.

VIP Ticket Amenities:

You must be at least 21 to enter VIP areas and receive VIP benefits.
Tickets only available through ClicknPrint, via the methods listed below
There is a very limited supply of VIP Tickets
VIP Ticket includes access to all Main Event party areas, as well as access to multiple VIP areas featuring:
All your beer is included in the VIP ticket price!
Premium viewing areas of major performance stages
Private VIP band stage with special performances by major acts
Club VIP tent featuring famous international, as well as local DJs
Exclusive college hoops viewing areas
A complimentary, limited-edition ShamrockFest ‘10 souvenir cup
Separate VIP entrance
Additional bathrooms
VIP seating areas (limited)

Rock on!

UPDATE: We’ve been told that we’re discriminating by not allowing email entries.  Because we realized the entire world isn’t on Twitter, you can email entries to famousdc@gmail.com.

Natinals Preview [Deadspin]

Deadspin previews the upcoming Nationals baseball season.

Will Leitch: Washington Nationals: Go Natinals!

We Remember the Old Eric Massa

15 minutes can be a long time.

UPDATE: We liked this when we saw it the first time here.

Your Other WTF of the Week: Chuck Norris Is How Old?

Chuck Norris turned 70 today?  [get the hell outta here]

It’s hard to believe, but Chuck Norris – the man famous for portraying “Walker, Texas Ranger” and inspiring a legion of fans – turns 70 today.

If Chuck is 70, that must make Larry King 113.

h/t SV

Two Branches Enter, One Branch Leaves

Crossroads with Jan Crawford: White House Vs. Supreme Court: It’s Getting Ridiculous

But once again, the White House has to try to get the last word. Last night, Gibbs struck back at Roberts.

…

“What is troubling is that this decision opened the floodgates for corporations and special interests to pour money into elections – drowning out the voices of average Americans,” Gibbs said. “The president has long been committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests and their lobbyists over government. That is why he spoke out to condemn the decision and is working with Congress on a legislative response.”

…

Maybe it’s because he’s an Auburn guy and the Chief Justice was talking to law students at the University of Alabama (or, as we like to say, “the University”), but Gibbs should have let this go.

Now Congressional Hockey Gets Serious [Bounty]

It was all fun and games until a hill staffer puts a bounty on the head of a gun lobbyist …

BDayspring: Placing a $500 bounty on the head of @goody37 for tonight’s game.

RELATED: Not Your Normal Hockey Game [Lawmakers vs. Lobbyists]

RELATED: Flickr photoset from last night’s hockey game at Ft. Dupont (lobbyists won 7 – 2)

Eye Street [The Daily Caller]

The Daily Caller has a new political blog out: Eye Street

First Post:

Welcome to Eye Street

…

By Mike Riggs   03/10/10 at 1:05 PM

…

Dear Internet: Welcome to The Daily Caller’s newest blog. Named “Eye Street” for our location (1720 I St.) and for our ambitions (to be all-seeing), in this space you’ll find news, analysis, aggregation, and even some commentary from the DC’s crack reporting team: Jon Ward, Alex Pappas, Gautham Nagesh, Aleksandra Kulczuga, yours truly, and soon, Jonathan Strong, currently of Inside EPA.

…

We plan to inform you, entertain you, and maybe even break your heart. Please expect great things from us. And if we let you down, don’t hesitate to tell us what you’d rather see. Be salty, even. We can handle it.

Famous Shout Out [We PitchIt! Changemakers]

We wanted to give a quick shout-out to friends of FamousDC kicking it down in Miami: Mark Pfeifle, James Davis, Chris Brooks and Fargo, ND radio/Internet host Scott Hennen.

They’re down there to present as finalists in the We PitchIt! Changemakers contest in Miami. The winner gets  $25K for a contest on “How can we use media to inspire a better world?”

Details:

They developed a plan (www.MiCAST.org) for an on-call disaster response information service that combines the immediacy of radio, the flexibility of the Internet and the capabilities of cutting-edge social media. During and right after disasters, accurate information is critical to saving lives and accelerating recovery. MiCAST moves beyond simple news sources to provide actionable information to people in the epicenter of destruction or ahead of potential crisis.

…

The idea was initially developed and successfully deployed (all in less than 24 hours) during the record 2009 flooding of the Red River in Fargo.  More reading on Fargo success here.

…

For the contest in Miami they have a free suite at the 4 Star Mutiny Hotel in Miami – a “favored hideaway of the rich and famous where celebrity spotting is easy” including Yankee Alex Rodriguez and his friends.

…

If you want to read more about the We PitchIt! Change Makers meeting in Miami, you can check it out here or Radio/TV Broadcasting Report’s story.

Congrats to Mark, James Chris and Scott!

Not the Onion: Lawmakers Say Shower Run-Ins Are Unusual

Philip Rucker gets all the fun assignments.

Funniest Massa Quotes

Nice round-up from our friend Betsy Rothstein

Please Release Me: This Is How To Get Our Attention

A delicious subject line on an email from H Street Country Club:

You had me at taco

And just for being creative, we’ve included a blurb:

Every Wednesday you can get $1 tacos from 5 p – 10 p. It’s our way of saying gracias for being a fan. Add your sauce left to right, or right to left. It doesn’t matter. Eat as many tacos as you want as long as you order food and drinks from the first floor bar… It’s okay, you can say it. We love you too.

Just go. They’re awesome.

Closing Bell: Best Actor in Real Life

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