DC Lottery--Are you Kidding Me?

Generally, the dish in front of me keeps me entertained during lunch. However, every once in a while I need something a little extra to get my mind off the daunting afternoon work schedule. That is when I turn to one of my favorite activities: Scratch off tickets!

Earlier today I dropped by my local convenience store to purchase a few games pieces. It's always exciting inserting your money into one of the DC Lottery machines and selecting the scratch off game which looks to be the biggest payoff. Today I purchased a new offering from the DC Lottery called, "The Double Bubble Doubler." Upon scratching and losing, I thought to myself: You got to be shitting me DC Lottery.

First off, I generally do not believe in legislative efforts preventing cigarette and gambling companies from advertising to the youth of America. If anything, the laws passed are an indictment on the sophistication level of young Americans. Leave Joe Camel alone! The youth of America are much smarter than many of the politicians in this country give them credit. In fact, I'm willing to bet a young American can point out fraud or spot a bad investment opportunity long before a Harvard MBA.

However, this time DC Lottery has gone a bit too far. First, this "Double Bubble Doubler," looks like a candy wrapper. It reminds me of my innocent youth when I would chew one stale piece of Double Bubble after another while playing little league baseball. Second, the lottery ticket is a scratch and sniff! I must commend the makers of the ticket, they have created a delicious smelling game, but come on now--I can assure you no adult has ever purchased a lotto ticket to smell it. Finally, the lotto ticket advertises Double Bubble gum, so the grand prize should be a lifetime supply of it.

The ticket may go a bit too far to get the youth to join in on this vice, however I do like to give credit where credit is due--the masterminds behind this lottery game certainly know what they are doing. Should this lotto game stay on the market, I am sure that teens all over the DC area will be gambling, smoking and facebook friending strippers at Camelot in no time.

One day, I will win a million dollars on a scratch off and will get to redeem it at the famous Franklin D Reeves Lottery redemption center located on 14th and U St. (pictured to the right) The hallowed grounds of the Reeves redemption center are where dreams come to fruition. I can't wait to use the money towards a jet ski, bojangles fried chicken, a red dodge viper and more lotto tickets. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure of it.

What Were You Doing the Day Bojangles Opened?

Roughly 50 years after the passage of the 23rd Amendment, Washingtonians can rejoice once again! The years of oppression and deprivation are finally over. A historic moment occurred today in Washington D.C. After over a year of speculation and anticipation it has finally happened. Bojangles opened its 500th restaurant in the heart of DC at Union Station. This blogger is proud to say that he was order #552 on this momentous event. The best fried chicken on the planet!

History in the making did not go unnoticed by many native Washingtonians. When I arrived to Union Station at 12:45 the line to order snaked around the enormeous food court. At one point, the length of the line caused such a commotion that a Bojangles representative called in Union Station officials for assistance. In a brief interview, a Union Station official stated, "The line has been like this since 6am." The official was not available for further comments. Despite the line, most customers were in a cheerful mood while contemplating their first order.

After about a 30 minute wait, I finally reached the cash register. I knew before arriving what I wanted: 3 piece dinner dark meat with sides of fries and coleslaw, topped off with 2 Bo-Berry biscuits. However, once the manager beckoned me to order I was like a pre-pubescent middle schooler trying to ask a girl to dance for the first time. With my words fumbling and sweat dripping from my palms I finally spat out my order. The operation at this Bojangles location is like clockwork; within 2 minutes I had my meal in hand (as well as an extra to-go meal for a fellow blogger).

It did take 30 minutes to order, but roughly 3 minutes to devour. Every bite was better than the last. The skin was the perfect amount of crisp. The chicken melted in my mouth. The fries were fresh out of the fryer and perfectly salted. The birth of your first child, your first professional sporting event, your first set of tits, your first beer--moments of bliss are few and far between.

We all remember the fall of the Berlin Wall and when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. This is one of those days in which we will all remember where we stood when Bojangles opened at Union Station. Today is one of those days which makes me most proud to be a blogger. I witnessed history.