Now yes there might be another Ericka planning on moving on Friday who lives in a 40 foot radius from the Real World house but my money is on this being the first cast member to move out.  If it’s true, I’m wondering what happened to warrant such a quick departure from the show.  Catfight or racist remark?  We’ll find out when MTV edits it.  The sign is posted below.

This past Sunday, me and a homegirl decided to head down to the Skyline Hotel down in SW. There was a synchronized swimming event being held and an art installation in one of the lounges.We figured it would be a good way to come down after a rather hectic and intense weekend.

We arrived around 6pm to find the pool area packed swimming enthusiasts, hipsters, tourists and their surprisingly well behaved children. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the Real World cast hanging out in a corner area by the bar. Throughout the competition*, the tall smooth brutha kept yelling out to his castmate (bro-dude w/tattoos and long hair) who was a judge. Sure, these guys had been drinking all day, but for some reason this rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t expect anyone to be standing in silence, but it seemed so corny, so contrived and a tad unnecessary. The rest of the cast were actually pretty chill. You couldn’t help but notice them, thanks to the film crew. But after a while, it got a little strange. Me and my friend decided to go watch our friend’s short film and enjoy our drinks in privacy.
 
*The actual swimming? I thought it was shit, really. Only one team delivered that real-deal holyfield synchronized swimming. The other three routines weren’t very interesting and rather poorly organized.

A quick flickr search led to maxedaperture who documented the whole of the synchronized event, including these two (one, two) pictures which include Real World DC cast members. (If I can figure out how to post them on the blog, I’ll be sure to update this post.)

Saw the Real worlders at the DC United game yesterday- they were in the barra brava section, kind of on the outskirts, but with full camera coverage. Tons of people kept talking to them (myself included, I’m a sucker for ‘famous’ people)…they couldn’t say they were on the real world, they kept saying it was a documentary on soccer, but it was definitely the real world. Anyway, they were really young (and surprisingly short). The one guy (bandana-man) was approached by a fellow bandana-wearer from the crowd and was like “Hey man, what’s your background?”, to which Bandana Man responded, “Puerto Rican and Italian” and pulls out some symbolic tattoo. Bandana-man 2.0 was like, “I’m Puerto Rican and Sicilian actually” and Bandana Man FREAKED and was like ME TOOOOO and they both started comparing tattoos and talking excitedly. When I saw them at the end of the game, nearly an hour later, the Bandana Men were still hanging out and man-bonding… but anyway in total they seemed like really friendly but reeeeally lame.

I love it. Two BFFs in the making, brought together by their bandanas and bad-ass tats. Excellent.

@RealWorldDCNEWZ and others reported they were at the game as well, and below are some of the pictures that people tweeted, in case you’d like a look:

Photo courtesy of @jim_malone

Photo courtesy of @jenfraiz

I just got a text with the pictures below from a friend who wrote:

Just walked by real worlders outside Cali[fornia] Tortilla in Chinatown. Guess they have bad taste in burritos.

I wonder if Subway© is jealous?

Perhaps they’re going to see a movie… maybe Brüno? I sure do hope they know about California Tortilla’s mexcellent (their word, not mine) dinner-and-a-movie deal: Get a buritto, soda and movie ticket for $12.99 after 4pm Monday through Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday. Regal Cinema directly across the street.

(BTW: You’re welcome, California Tortilla, for sorta pimpin’ your goods.)

Tonight after work our friend decided to go to a yoga class at the Dupont WSC.  Our friend walked into class and sat down next to one of the RWers (big mistake, her words).  There were no cameras at that point.  The cameras arrived as the class was about to start.  They stayed for awhile at the beginning then left and came back.  No one in the class was asked to sign a release and our friend was told that the teacher would and that would be enough [Editor's note: what?!]  She said that none of them could say where they were from or why they had cameras following them and one was wearing stripped pajama bottoms that looked ridiculous.  My friend described them as annoying and whiny (shocker).

Great timing to plug our Anti-Real World DC “Real” DC Photo Contest. Send us your best example of “real” DC by joining our Flickr Group and uploading photos that are tagged “ARWDC”

PS Yes those are black and red checkered pajama pants that Emily is wearing.

My friend and I asked to speak to a manager. Here’s the scoop:
- The Sports Club corporate headquarters made the decision and passed it down to the General Manager, who is very sympathetic to her members, but can’t do much to change it.
- No Real World cast or crew member is allowed to speak to you while at the gym. Management promised me that they will be reminded of this.
- They are only using the Dupont Circle WSC location (great…)
- They are not allowed in the locker rooms or spa downstairs.
- The gym cannot tell members what is being film, when it is being film, etc. so even if you call and ask if they’re there, they can’t tell you. (This is apparently some legal issue)
- They will not film you, but the waiver has been signed by corporate, so they can film whenever they want in the building.

I’d encourage readers to ask to speak to management. Be polite, file a complaint, and then call the member service department: 800-565-2692

Also, report them every single time they speak to you or get in your way. They were told, according to management, that they are absolutely not to disturb the members.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/antirealworlddc/

Enjoy!