Welcome to Borderstan People. We caught up with Ben Miller on the 1400 block of P Street NW where he works part time as a doorman at Number Nine.

Borderstan: How long have you lived in Borderstan?

Miller: I moved to a studio apartment in Dupont in August 2009. After living there for about a year, I moved into a group house near 18th and U Street NW. I’ve lived there with my seven roommates ever since. I couldn’t ask for a better place to live in D.C.

Borderstan: Where are you from originally?

Miller: I grew up in northeast Tennessee in a small city called Kingsport. I lived there my entire life until I went to college at a small liberal arts school called Sewanee: The University of the South in central Tennessee. Besides a few summers in Atlanta, I had lived in Tennessee my whole life. It’s a great place, but I was ready for a change when I came to D.C.

Borderstan: What brought you here?

Miller: I moved to D.C. to attend George Washington University Law School the fall after I graduated.  I am now wrapping up my third and final year. It’s gone by so fast, I can’t believe I’m about to have my J.D. Knock on wood!

Borderstan: What are the good and bad things about the neighborhood?

Miller: The neighborhood is great because there is something for everyone here. Whenever I have friends or family in town, we don’t even need to leave the neighborhood to experience D.C. because everything I want them to see is within walking distance from my house. Whether you’re checking out the Phillips Collection in Dupont, seeing a show at U Street Music Hall, or just exploring the various bars and restaurants scattered throughout Borderstan, you never have to travel far for a new cultural experience.

Borderstan: In your job as a doorman of Number Nine, you must see and hear a lot on the street. Do you have any good tales you can share?

Miller: The street outside the bar is definitely a vibrant scene, so there’s always something to watch and keep me entertained. Mostly I just enjoy making conversation with people passing by or hanging out outside the bar. One interesting thing I’ve noticed is just how diverse the neighborhood is. My main duty at Number Nine is checking people’s IDs when they come in. For instance, in a typical night, it’s not unusual to see IDs from the UK, France, Egypt, Argentina, and at least half the states. I think it illustrates the attractiveness of Borderstan to people from all different backgrounds.