Life Without Computer

The details are not important, but the punchline is. I have no computer. And life without computer is dramatic, but familiar. Retro. I have a radio and some art supplies to pass the time. And I pay close attention to paper- I read everything that crosses my path. At every coffee shop, I load up on colorful flyers and marvel at their artistry. Thick paper, glossy designs, and clever photographs. I take them home to absorb their information and then cut up for artist materials.

Life without computer is fine. I pay $1.65 at my local cafe for a cup of caffeine & then I get 20 minutes of computer time. The library is more generous. For free I get 20 minutes, but I get automatic re-ups if there is no line. Yesterday, I spent an hour on the computer. But frankly, it wasn't necessary or productive.

So here with an extra 5 minutes to spare, I thought I'd blog. Ironic that I am posting something online, I don't have time to edit or reflect on. But life without computer is just fine.

(No photo with this post. I don't have permission to download pics.)

Fall Fun

There were so many fun fall things scheduled for this weekend--friends going to a corn maze and apple picking, free Mural Arts tours, Clark Park Flea Market, zine fair at Little Berlin--I was going to have to pick and choose. However, the weather had something different in mind for this fall Saturday.

Definitely too cold and rainy for outdoor fall funning, the dreary cold is fine for BYOTY (Bring Your Own Table...Yo?), I'm not sure what that last Y stands for...Yourself? The Little Berlin gallery space in Kennsington (119 W. Montgomery St.) is hosting a one-day zine fair this afternoon. Tables have been sold out for weeks, so it's sure to be a nice representative of artists. The event is 12 noon - 6 pm today. Admission is free and home-brewed beer is a $5 donation. I'm going to try to get there early to have my pick of favorites. Check it out with me!

The rest will have to wait until next weekend. As an end to their 25th anniversary year, Mural Arts was planning a public celebration (Muralissimo!) at the Piazza in Northern Liberties today. However, due to the weather it has been rescheduled for next Saturday, October 24. I've been wanting to do one of the Mural Arts tours, and for those that know me, I'm a sucker for things that are free.

Fall is my most favorite time of year, and I feel as if I've missed it entirely. The weather acting like winter isn't helping. Maybe next week the sun will be out, and I'll have a chance to get lost in a corn maze, pick some pumpkins and see some murals. For now I'm going to have to settle for indoor activities and maybe a hot apple cider.

Breaking News: Arrests Today at Sugar House Casino in Philadelphia

Today at 6 am about 50 protesters assembled at the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, which is the site of the approved Sugar House Casino. The protest was organized by Casino Free Philadelphia, which is a coalition of Philadelphia citizens opposed to the building of casinos in Philadelphia.

Protestors argued that the construction of this casino, which is located in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, will create more economic and social losses for Philly citizens/taxpayers than benefits. They cite a study conducted by the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. For a brief summary of that report, click here. At the action, this morning 15 people blocked the construction site gate by linking arms. Nearby, there was a rally of about 40 people.

Fourteen people were arrested at 6:45 am this morning, including 3 clergy. As of 1 pm today, they are still being held. Casino Free Philadelphia has reported there is no word about their status.

For more information on this breaking story, here are some of the stories that have been released from Casino Free Philadelphia and the media:

Casino Free Philadelphia photographs of protest.

Fox news video of the arrests.

There are many more stories out there. Feel free to post links in the comments section of this blog post.

The Real Estate Blog

It seems all of us (or at least most of us) here at One Fine Philly have recently relocated or will soon. I'm jumping into the fray -- my lease isn't up until end of December, but there are a lot more properties on the market now than there will be over the Xmas-New Year's holiday. And who really wants to move New Year's Day? I plan to cultivate quite a hangover, and I wouldn't want relocation plans interfering.

Anyway, I was looking in the South of Federal, East of Broad area. Italian Market, Bella Vista, call it what you will -- it's where I work (!Employment = Yay!) and it's convenient to public transportation. But the neighborhood is apparently a little to up-and-came, and I need more up-and-coming, financially speaking. With a job in arts, it simply isn't wise to have rent exceed 3 weeks' pay. Although I do like pasta ... and cereal. My beer tastes are a bit more refined, though, so I can't exactly spend ALL my money on rent.

A dear friend lives in Point Breeze, and I've admired her house the whole time I've known her. Gorgeously rehabbed, on a fairly quiet side street, with a deluxe kitchen, back yard, finished basement, central air, and laundry room ... it's a dream! Point Breeze has a bad rap as a drug drop zone -- apparently, the mafia would drop the drugs right on Point Breeze Ave. and the dealers would head up and down that street, delivering to the north and south. Fun! But when I've visited at night, I've met with friendly older generations sitting on their front steps, watching as children play and talking quietly. I've been introduced to at least six new neighbors in two visits. And more importantly, I've been able to imagine Luke playing in the nearby park, riding his bike down the side streets, and playing with kids his age.

So when a house that was EXACTLY like my friend's, rehabbed by the same owner, became available, I jumped! Unfortunately, I should have jumped a couple of weeks earlier -- someone had put a deposit down right before me, but because of a mix-up I thought for a day and a half that I had the place. Talk about letdown! I consoled myself with the distance from the Broad Street line and the necessity of cabs late at night. Still, it felt like a blow -- I had started thinking about where my furniture would go, what colors to paint the walls ... the works.

Just tonight I found another house in the neighborhood. Different owner this time, but SAME BLOCK as my friend, on her sweet side street. Not quite as nice a rehab, but still very nice ... and somewhat cheaper rent, which is all good! I refuse to get my hopes up as high as they were, but I still find myself thinking ...

could this be home?

Maybe this is all too intimate to be interesting, dear readers. But I do know this: we all feel the pull of a place that's more than just where we keep our stuff. A place we can curl up and feel comfort. A place to bring friends, a place to bring family. A place that wraps us in its arms at the end of a rough day, where we can say, "it's good to be home."

I'm hoping that by the New Year, I'll be home.

Breaking Library News

Plan C averted. Read about it here.
Exhale.

Philadelphia libraries are safe.
At least for now...

Non-Fringe Philly events (9/17-9/19)

Briefly interrupting talk of Philadelphia's budget crisis for a handful of nearly free events the rest of this week:

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

• Artist's Reception. 4:30 - 7:30PM. 1622 Chestnut Street, Art Institute of Philadelphia. "Photographer Daniel Traub left his native Philadelphia for Beijing in 1999 and until 2008 photographed the city and its people through an extraordinary decade of change. These stunning large-format images, under the title Beijing, will displayed for the first time in the United States" (details)
  

Friday, September 18th, 2009

• 7th annual Bike Part Art Show. 7:00 - 10:00PM. Studio 34 in West Philly. "fun and functional work inspired by and made from bikes...live music, food, drink, a raffle (win a Fuji track bike!)" $5 suggested donation. (details)

Saturday, September 19, 2009

• Clark Park Music and Arts Festival. 12:00PM - Sundown. Near 43rd & Chester in West Philly. (details)

Credit: Creative Commons photo by pwbaker

Live Taping at Indpendence Hall

Taking a break from the dire seriousness of our state's budget crisis, I'd like to share a celebrity sighting. Well, it's a celebrity sighting if you consider Dr. Phil a celebrity.

According to sources in the area, Dr. Phil's show is taping across the street from Independence Hall as I type. He is currently interviewing Govenor Rendell and they're talking about Michael Vick. Perhaps we should combine our concern for our libraries and community programs with our awe of celebrity and march down there right now for a rally!


Photo credit: Clem Murray /Staff Photographer for philly.com

Fury Between the Tears

As a follow-up to this announcement, Carrel Dweller's outrage in the previous post, and Planet Caroline's comment with a deeper explanation for the causes of Philadelphia's budget probelms and need for Mayor Nutter's Plan C, I wanted to share some "next steps."

This is so crazy, it leaves me almost speechless. Almost. Follow this link and take action. We can't afford to be speechless on this one!

It's not Farhenheit 451, but it has the same effect. No access to information. No access to books.

If anyone hears about a march, protest or other ways to show how vital it is to keep our Free Library free and open to the public, please post about it here.

Major Metro area without a library?????

I don't exactly know what to say about this, except that it took Facebook for me to be aware of this. I guess I should read more newspapers, in all my spare time.

I've been aware of the threatened cuts to arts funding. I've written my representatives, I've posted messages to friends. But this goes way beyond anything I could have imagined: the home of Ben Franklin without a public library.

No after school programs. No support for the public schools when kids need library access. No senior programs. No free public computer/internet access. No free BOOKS.

What do you think might happen in a city without library services? I guarantee, it will not be good.

So call your representatives. Write to them. Post on your blogs and facebook and twitter. I shudder to think what might happen if the Free Library of Philadelphia closes its doors.

http://www.freelibrary.org/

Thank you, and good night.

Philly events (special non-Fringe edition)

Institute of Contemporary Arts' Fall Opening Reception

Thursday, September 10, 2009

6:00 - 8:00PM

"Join us for the opening of three new exhibitions:

Dance with Camera
Tim Rollins and K.O.S: A History
Video Art: Replay, Part 1 Asking Not Telling

Free and open to the public"

West Philadelphia Orchestra at Tritone

Thursday, September 10, 2009

9:30PM

"As much a community as a band, WPO's live- show always feels like a celebratory event, even in a concert setting. With their pounding drums and shimmering brass sounds, they inspire audiences to hold hands, dance, and sing along. "

Fashion Night Out at KoP Mall

Friday, September 11, 2009

6:00 - 11:00PM

"Join us for this worldwide celebration of style when the mall will stay open until 11PM, and where you'll get a peek at hot fall fashions worn by roving models, taste delicious treats from our fabulous restaurants and live it up at shop till you drop festivities... on-site spa demos you can do at home and a Tokyo Eyelash Bar, where you can try false eyelashes (from the plain Jane version to...)"

Secret Cinema at ESP

Friday, September 11, 2009

8:00PM, 7:00PM doors open

$8

"Pardon Us, the prison-themed (naturally!) first feature-length film to star beloved comedy duo Laurel & Hardy."

White Dog Cafe Block Party

Friday, September 11, 2009

6:00PM - 12:00AM

"Dance of the Ripe Tomatoes. A celebration of Sustainable and Humane Farming
benefiting the Philadelphia Fair Food Project"
"Admission for live music after 9pm is FREE!"

Credit: Creative Commons photo by richard winchell

Norris Square - a neighborhood to love

Hey folks...I reported earlier that I was moving to Fishtown. And I have found a gigantic apartment that I love. It is the first floor of a building, which means I have plenty of space - my own basement, a large private backyard and a living room that is so huge, that I can divide it into two spaces.

I'm so geeked, but people have informed me that my place near 2nd and Berks is definitely not Fishtown. And they are right - thanks to my friend who did some googling, he has discovered that I live in West Kensington. More specifically, I live in the heart of Norris Square.

Norris Square is bounded by Berks at the South, Allegheny on the North, 5th Street to the West and Front Street to the East. Norris Square Park is in the middle of the neighborhood.

The Berks el stop is right there and I've seen quite a few buses in the area so transit shouldn't be a problem. I even timed the walk from work, if I'm ever so inclined to skip the el, and it took me a doable 65 minutes.

But I won't lie to you. There is blight in the neighborhood, few services, and likely I'll be grocery shopping at Reading Terminal Market near where I work rather in my community. And the abandoned factories and warehouses demonstrate that this once vibrant area has suffered many economic losses.

But I used to be a community organizer and I know that if I want to beautify my neighborhood, I have the power to do that if I work with people. I plan to join the neighborhood association, visit the many local improvement iniatives (such as the youth center & the low-income housing programs), and I hear there is a women's organization dedicated to the neighborhood. Also, I will frequent the small businesses in my neighborhood - the pizza shop, the lounge, and the beauty shop across the street.

The move is in October and I am already feeling at home.

I did it!

Tomorrow is September 1. That means today is the final day of the August blogger challenge, and I met the challenge. I blogged something (quality of varying degrees) every single day this month.

I'm actually quite proud of this accomplishment--I've never tried anything like it before. I had a rough spot there in the middle of the month where I had some writers block and it got so damn hot, the last thing I wanted to do was sit in front of the computer. Still, I pushed through and the pressure of having readers made me feel motivated to at least post something. (I can be a perfectionist at times.)

As a new contributer to the blog, I think this was a really good exercise for me. It made me write every day and feel as if it was okay to make posts that weren't necessarily revised and "publishable." It made me a little more carefree and willing to just commit to an idea and run with it.

I'd definitely do it again, but I can also pretty much guarantee I won't be posting tomorrow. And although I think the idea is intriguing, I don't think I'll be doing NaNoWriMo anytime soon.

Hugo's Birthday

Today is the one-year anniversary of the day we brought our dog Hugo home from the shelter. In his honor we had a few people over today to celebrate what we deemed as "Hugo's 5th birthday." Okay, maybe it was more of a housewarming party and we just used Hugo as an excuse, but there was definitely canine treats and a dog-shapped cake involved.

For someone who never had dogs or cats growing up and at one point would have been described as a "non-pet person," my first year as a Doggie Mom has been one of learning. Everyone had always told me about the awesome bond between a dog and its owner, but I don't think I ever quite understood how much I would grow to love that damn dog.

Tim and I had been talking about getting a dog for years. He's wanted one since I met him, and I really warmed to the idea and was excited about it too. It was over three years ago that we got our first dog book and started to decipher the recommendations for which breeds would be the best fit for us. When we were looking for a new apartment last summer, we knew we wanted an apartment that allowed pets. We found one and started searching Petfinder.com even before we had moved in. Fast-forward several weeks and we were on the real hunt for a dog. We read Cesar Millan's book and put his series The Dog Whisperer on our NetFlix. We were a little frustrated in the beginning because we found out a Petfinder dog that caught our eye had already been adopted once we arrived at the shelter (even after we called and they said he was still there). Then, we applied for a dog that was being fostered, and for reasons we will never know, we weren't chosen to be the new mom and dad. I can only assume urban-bias--perhaps they didn't think the dog should be in a city apartment with no yard. Hell, they let anyone have children. We just wanted to save a life, adopt a dog and live happily after.

Well, the last Wednesday in August Tim and I were in Rittenhouse Square Park for their "Concert in the Park" series and the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was there with several volunteers and several pooches. We went over to say hello and immediately fell in love with one of the dogs. They told us he was a St. Bernard / collie mix (I think the collie part was just a guess)--he has the coloring and face of a St. Bernard without the size. After a nice long walk with the dog, a discussion with one of the volunteers, and a walk with another dog for good measure, we adopted him right there. They said he was about four years old, maybe a little older and a family surrender. Apparently, his old family gave him up because they couldn't afford to feed him. He was skinny and had hair loss on his lower back and tail due to malnutrition. They told us the hair would grow back, all we had to do was feed him. The shelter called him King, but said it hadn't been his name for long and we should feel free to change it. We did, and he's been our Hugo ever since.

I could go into detail about the kennel cough he had when we first adopted him and how it developed into pneumonia, his separation anxiety issues and Houdini-eque escape, our car trip to Florida and back last Christmas, but those are stories that will have to wait. It's been a long day. I have doggie treats and human food to put away. And, a dog to walk.

Happy Birthday, Hugo!

SEPTA survival tips

1. The Southbound 47 bus gets uncomfortably packed because of the throngs of people waiting for it around 8th & Market. If you really need to take the Southbound 47 bus, consider walking North a couple blocks to catch the bus at Arch St. or even Race St (before the melee).
2. If at all possible, avoid taking the El during school-just-let-out time (2 to 3pm). Take the above-ground bus instead. My friend Mike grew up in N.E. Philly imparted this sage piece of advice on me. Fights are more likely to start in the mid-afternoon on the El because of the combination of freedom (out of school) and independence and hormones.
3. If you do board a crowded bus like the Southbound 47, try to sit or stand as close as possible to the rear door exit so that you can just pull the 'Stop requested' string and make your quick getaway. If you are stuck in no-man's land (between the two exits, you will have to fight you way out).
4. Do not take the Southbound 47 bus around 9:30PM - 11pm on a Friday or Saturday night unless you'd like to interact willingly or not with teams of rowdy teenagers.
5. Say hi to the bus driver. Some drivers will actually reciprocate and genuinely smile.
6. Never run for the bus unless you can make eye contact and wave down the driver. You're not going to catch the bus anyway.
7. If you do find yourself sitting around the rear door exit when it's crowded, be prepared to do the SEPTA two-step dance (to maneuver to let people get out the exit).
8. If you ever need a dose of hard reality, take the late night bus that substitutes for the Market-Franford El when it is not running. It's a sobering experience.
9. Shouldn't be said but just like the Soup Nazi - be ready with your tokens or pass before you board the bus.
10. If you buy a monthly SEPTA pass, write down the six-digit number. In case of loss or theft, you can call SEPTA and they will cancel the lost/stolen pass with the six-digit number (e.g. not swipable). Remember, depending on the zone, the SEPTA pass is worth around or over a hundred dollars - don't leave it unattended (despite what they say) - you wouldn't leave a hundred dollar bill out in the open would you?
11. If you are thinking of taking SEPTA to an unknown/unfamiliar place, use Google Maps Street View to get a sense of what the area is like. This also applies for biking around unfamiliar areas of the city. Goggle Maps Street View is revolutionary for planning urban trips.
12. As someone who relies on SEPTA nearly every work day, I appreciate SEPTA for the service they provide. Yes, sometimes buses (I'm talking about you, 33 from Art Museum) run on an obscure/late schedule or trains run late. But, SEPTA, is one of the *better* metropolitan public transportation systems.

Philly Arts Get Some Press

Check out this "Art to Make You Laugh (and Cry)" article in The New York Times yesterday. It's about Philly's art scene, but mentions other aspects of the city as well. It's an interesting read.

Today is day 29 of the 31-day August blogger challenge. Only two more days of daily posts.

Photo: Fluxspace in Philadelphia taken by Steve Legato for The New York Times

Flower Boxes? Check.

For those who have been following along at home, you'll remember that I've been wanting to get flowers for the window boxes at my new rental. Well, this week I found a bunch of discounted plants at Lowes. They were half-dead, but they were marked down to only one and two dollars. I swept up several figuring the low investment would curtail my disappointment if they all died in a matter of weeks.

I had no idea what I was doing, so I just started scooping in soil and placing plants and moving them around to spread out the varying heights and colors. Some of them still look pretty wilty, but I think today's rain helped. When viewed as a group, they look pretty snazy. Plus, while putting them together I got to overhear a very colorful argument between my neighbor across the street and her grown daughter. I'm planting roots, indeed.

Consumerism!

Rarely is it that I see a commercial on television that literally makes my jaw drop. Tonight I saw a commercial for this:

It's paint that's supposed to eliminate household odors. After squeaking a high-pitched "What?" I sat starring at the tv with my mouth open. The paint also comes with a limited lifetime warranty. "Limited" and "lifetime" seem like a contradiction, but even so it's kind of nice to know there are still things that can surprise me. Do you think it actually works?

img, id: BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374835986462086914

help / hide help

Confident and Poochy-Fine

Thanks Caroline and Tallgirl. This actually started as a comment but I thought I'd post it...

Even women (and young girls!) who are in great shape lament and fuss when it comes bathing suit and bedroom time. It's heartbreaking to think that my 14 year old soccer playing, snowboarding, life guarding niece considers herself "fat" when she is actually healthy. Fashion magazines should take responsibility for what they are doing to the minds of beautiful women everywhere!

I LOVED the poochy belly photo from the start -- along with the confidence and joy in the model's face. It's stunning to imagine what a rise similar images might do to our collective sense of beauty and self-worth. One glance --one small glance --at that photo and I began to feel better about my own pooch and ample thighs. I agree with the model, who's name is Lizzi Miller, that it's not about fat or thin but about what is healthy and comfortable for each of us. TV, magazines and the media in general would do well to regularly celebrate the many sizes, shapes (and colors, don't get me started on that one) of the women they are attempting to represent. Glamour magazine Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive has said her publication has will make a commitment to change, lets hold them to it!

More Body Image and Swimsuits

In response to Planet Caroline's post last week about body image and swimsuits, I was thinking about my own swim suit issues.

Three summers ago a couple of my now husband's female friends from high school came up from NYC to spend the weekend with us in Providence. We went to the beach and to Waterfire, and they spent their evenings looking at old yearbooks and reminiscing about the past. A few weeks later one of the friends posted photos from her trip on Flickr and linked to them from her blog. This normally would not have been a problem. However, some of the photos were of me. At the beach. In my bikini.

They were very unflattering photos, and they triggered what felt like an involuntary, biologic reaction. Knowing that her blog readers, many of whom I knew personally, were viewing them literally brought me to tears. Tim assured me they were fine, and said that if they really bothered me that much I should just ask her to take them down. I felt too embarrassed to have her remove the photos. I'm a confident woman. I should be comfortable in my own skin. My husband loves all my soft spots, why can't I?

Time went by, and I eventually forgot about the photos. Then just a few weeks ago, this friend posted the same group of beach photos on Facebook. She tagged me in the pictures, so I was notified immediately after they went up. I was at work when I saw them, and I had that same gut-wrenching reaction. This time though, I just couldn't take it. I un-tagged myself and asked her to remove one photo in particular. I just couldn't be crying over my poochy tummy at work. She responded promptly, was sweetly understanding and didn't make me feel bitchy or pathetic.

When I read Planet Caroline's post it reminded me of this story. Then, Monday morning on the Today show, Matt Lauer interviewed a "plus-size" model and an editor at Glamour magazine concerning a paticular photo that has been getting a lot of positive attention.

You can read the Glamour article here and see a young woman apparently confident revealing her body. Little belly roll and all.


Photo: Model Lizzi Miller photographed by Glamour magazine. Photo credit: Glamour.com

Friendship & Time

I love unplanned visits with old friends. While I assume it wasn't unplanned for him, last Friday my friend Chris told me he was going to be in Philly this week for a conference. Chris is a friend from my college days in Southern Indiana, and he now lives with his wife in Austin, Texas.

Tonight I had the pleasure of bringing him along to the First Person Arts Story Slam (where Pop Culture Casualty served as the guest judge). I was thrilled to show him a window into my Philadelphia life.

Chris and I met during a semester in England, but since we went to the same school back in the States, we were easily able to remain friends upon our return. The following summer we shared a house with several other roommates. The White House, so called because it was the only non-white house on the block, was the first time I had lived on my own away from university housing. That summer, on my 21st birthday, Chris took the day off from work and cooked me a Vietnamese feast.

After graduation, I moved to Portland, Oregon and Chris went to Colorado to be an Americorps VISTA volunteer. We wrote each other real letters. Like Griffin & Sabine. Chris moved back home to Texas and then to NYC to attend Columbia for grad school. When I moved to Boston for my graduate program, Chris had already been living there for several months. Once again, we were in the same city.

Since then, I've moved to Providence and now Philly; Chris went back to NYC and has now made Austin his home. We don't see each other very often. I was a photographer at his wedding three years ago. He was the videographer at mine. I saw him in Austin when I was down there for a conference in February. He is in Philadelphia for a conference now. I love how there are characters in the story of our lives that continuously make entrances and exits. They have an impact on the way the story unfolds, sometimes subtle, but poetic.

I love that I can sit down for a cup of coffee with someone that I have only seen three times in as many years and we can talk about love and education and art and family, and although time has clearly passed, it feels as if we were never apart.

Catty Crafts

For the first time all summer, this past weekend I skipped dancing. Instead I went to brunch, BBQ and a craft fair at the Rotunda, which was raising money for abused and neglected animals in Philly. Sponsored by Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia, 30 vendors assembled to display their handmade wares and support a good cause. I visited two of my friends of catFlowers, who design amazing pieces to wear. In addition, they have the cutest pillows. Check out the catFlowers etsy site and see for yourself.

Really?

After writing this post last night, I went to Google images to find an appropriate picture to accompany it. I typed in "garbage cans" and "South Philly." Just for fun I typed in "dog poop." While I was amused by the "I heart U" written in dog poo and the multiple photos of dogs in squat position, THIS PHOTO of a dog poop catcher absolutely blew my mind.

Of course, I had to click on the image, read the accompanying "The Strangest Pet Gadgets" article and post about it the following day.

I thought sure the photo would link to a story on the Onion. But no. Although it seems the perfect Saturday Night Live sketch, apparently this product is real.
I'll let you sleep on that.
Sweet dreams.

Some Observations on South Philly Living

We moved to South Philly about 3 1/2 weeks ago, and although we're not completely unpacked and definitely not settled, things are beginning to feel a little more like home.

Here are a few observations about my new neighborhood:

Cons:

1. Dog poop. It's everywhere. The sidewalks show a blatent disregard for cleaning up after one's pooch.
2. Garbage cans. This may directly correlate to point number one, but there are very few city garbage cans on the street corners. As a responsible pet owner I find this very annoying when trying to dispose of certain products. This may also explain why many South Philly streets are sprinkled with trash.
3. Beer. I can't seem to find a close-by take-out beer place near my new place. In West Philly I had at least three corner stores within walking distance that sold six packs of beer. Here not so much. Or at least I haven't found them yet.
4. Street cleaning parking signs. The streets in my neighborhood are lined with signs saying parking is not allowed on a certain day of the week because of street cleaning. One block is Tuesdays between March and January. Another is Wednesdays. I have to carefully read the signs on each block to make sure I don't mistakenly overstay on the cleaning day. This would not be nearly as annoying if cleaning actually happened on those days. I have never seen street cleaning and suspect it is just a way for the city to make money on parking tickets.
5. Lack of green. My new neighborhood desperately lacks in trees, grass and public spaces to enjoy both of these things. The side of TD Bank has a little bit of grass and a couple of trees. There is some grass in front of the South Philadelphia High School. I'm making due, but I do not find these particularly suitable alternatives to my options in West Philly.

Pros:

1. Faster commute to work. I'm loving the Broad Street subway line. I'm not riding it late at night, but as a commute to and from work, it's been reliable, air conditioned and speedy.
2. Living space. My husband and I adore our new apartment and all the additional space it provides. Our new neighborhood definitely provides more bang for your buck.
3. Bakeries. Although we have yet to take advantage of them, there seems to be a bakery on every other corner.
4. The South Philly Review. Owned by the same company that publishes the Philadelphia Weekly, the SPR arrives on my doorstep free every Thursday. Reading about things happening in my neighborhood helps me feel as if I'm part of a community.
   
5. Our neighbors. We have had the pleasure of meeting several of our neighbors and so far everyone has been very hospitable and welcoming to a couple of outsiders. Yesterday morning our next door neighbor even offered me some Rosemary from her garden.

I'm still feeling out the area, but I think it's interesting to record my first-month observations. We shall see how they compare to my observations a few months down the road.

Day #22 and holding strong

Today is #22 of the August Blogger Challenge, and I haven't missed a day yet. I have however, been drinking since 2pm today--a joint birthday party for me and a friend whose birthday is tomorrow. When people are out for drinks or dinner in a large group why can't they seem to figure out how much they owe? Even when gratuity is automatically added and everyone swears they tipped or overtipped appropriately, we still come out way under and someone gets screwed. I guess it's just the nature of the beast. Still, why is 20% so hard to figure out?

Well, the week of birthday activities is now officially over. I'm tired and I have to be up at 5am to walk a 5K for the Livestrong Challenge. Hope we don't get soaked. If so, maybe the scene will provide for some entertaining wet t-shirt-like-photos and my post #23 will be a little less lame.

You know it's hot when...

You know it's hot when...

• You are allowed to leave work at 4 o'clock, but stay just a little longer because your office is air conditioned and your home is not.
• Your Friday night plans include dinner and a movie not because you can't wait to see the latest blockbuster, but because you know you will at least be cool for a couple of hours.
• You check out which movies have the longest running times and consider your second or even third choice in order to escape the heat for as long as possible.

Please feel free to add your own.

I will be attending District 9 tonight, or for an additional 40 minutes of cool time, may opt for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Confession: I Want to Hide in the Summer

I'm interested in hitting a pool/dance party in Atlantic City tonight, but my body image issues are giving me pause. I struggle with the idea of dancing with women in bikinis while I flop a bit in my slightly matronly one piece. I tried to find a lovely photo of a woman who was at least a size 14 in a bathing to suit to add to this little blog post. But I couldn't find any. Search "plus size" in Google yielded women who looked waifish to me. No wonder, I have body dysmorphia - not enough pictures of regular women out there.

Thursday Night at Home

It's so hot in my apartment that I can barely make complete sentences. Making it somewhat sufferable is the following combination:

window a.c. unit in my bedroom
+
Whole Foods flourless chocolate cake
+

...leftovers from the birthday that keeps on giving.

Party like it's Junior High!

Here's a hot tip for fun this Sunday, August 23. DIY divas extraordinaire, Make Philly are hosting a BBQ and homemade rocket launch at 12 noon at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park. Event runs till 3 pm.

Bring your own everything - food, beverages and tricked out water rocket made from a plastic water bottle, water, and air that you install through a bicycle pump. Instructions to make a water rocket are right here. They say it takes 30 minutes....umm...yeah right. For the mechanically inept (like me) it might take longer.

Decorate your rocket and, viola, you have awesomeness.

This brings back Junior High memories of Andy Hermann (now in Lala land reveling in career covering music beat at Metromix) and me building and shooting off a rocket we dubbed affectionately, FUBAR.

Geek chic. Family friendly. Fairmount Park. BBQ.

Go.

Do they not know we're in a recession?

Today I had a consumer reality check. Several months ago I bought a poster that is an original, numbered print. I didn't spend an arm and a leg, but I feel confident that it will appreciate greatly over time. I've been meaning to get it framed, but wasn't sure where to take it and just too lazy to take it in.

As a South Philly resident, I now receive weekly sales circulars stuffed in a white plastic bag on my doorstep each Thursday. In them I noticed that A.C. Moore had a coupon for 50% off custom framing. Since I am about to start actually putting things on the walls of my new apartment, I thought now would be a good time to get the print framed.

I arrive at A.C. Moore with the artist husband in tow for aesthetic feedback prepared to drop some money. It turns out, I also needed him there for moral support. My jaw must have dropped when I heard that my total came to $404. And that was after the 50% discount! The sales associate down-graded my glass to one that while still archival, was not glare resistant. That brought my discounted total down to $283. That was a little more reasonable, or at least seemed so after the sticker shock of the first quote. So with tax, the total was over $300 for glass, matte and custom frame. It was a very large piece, and I do hope to have it for a lifetime. Let's also hope I can ward off floods, fires and any other natural or man-made disasters. Oh my!

South Philadelphia Tap Room

Last night I had the pleasure of trying out a neighborhood bar that I had been hearing a lot about. The South Philadelphia Tap Room is about a 15 minute walk from our new apartment, and to quote the Husband, "I think this is my new favorite bar." They had a wide variety of beer on draft, and it was delicious and inexpensive. I started with the Porterhouse Raspberry Reserve. The server kindly pointed out that it wasn't a sweet beer. I reassured her that that would be fine. The pink tinted beer had berry undertones, but it was not sweet, only light and refreshing.

Tim's first beer and my "dessert" beer was the Founders Maple Mountain Brown. To me it tasted chocolatey with a hint of coffee. I could definitely taste the maple, but it wasn't a thick dark beer like a stout. Served over ice, I would have thought it to be an espresso martini.

The food was what put us over the top. While the menu didn't dramatically depart from your typical bar grub, the housemade preparation made it anything but typical. I had a grilled three-cheese sandwich with tomato soup. The toasted bread was thick and buttery, and the cheese oozed over the edges. The soup was flavorful with chunks of yellow and red tomatoes (although I couldn't be certain as it was VERY dark at our table.) My meal came with a choice of pasta salad, green salad or fries. I had the green salad and it was more than just plain greens and a vinagrette--it came tossed with cucumbers, onions, olives and tomatoes.

Tim ordered the cheeseburger, and he was especially impressed with the handcut fries. The pickles were thickly sliced and obviously made in-house as well. For desert we shared the pot brownie. Sans marajuana, the brownie was served warm and topped with chocolate chips, walnuts, vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup.

It was a Monday night, so it's hard to say how crowded it might be on other nights, but we had no problem finding a quiet table in the corner. Our server was kind and attentive without being overbearing.

If I can ever get off work in a timely manner, I'd love to try out their Happy Hour. Monday through Friday from 4 - 6pm, local drafts and appetizers are half price. The South Philadelphia Tap Room did a fantastic job of welcoming us to the neighborhood. We will definitely be back.

Photo credit: Southphiladelphiataproom.com

Philly Event Medley - Week of August 16th

Wizard of Oz Double-Take
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Liberty Lands Park
8:15PM
FREE

Part of their Lawn chair-drive in series. First showing is for kids. Second showing is for curious adults who would like to see it sync'd with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

Creative Associations Happy Hour
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thirteen in Center City
5:00 - 7:00PM
RSVP *required* here

"A unique opportunity to learn how you can get involved in the Philadelphia Region’s creative associations, as well as network with other creative professionals".

Varied and numerous Philly chapters of design associations are participating: Philly's AIGA, AIA, IDSA, PANMA, PhillyCHI, UPA, IES

"In a Dream" Premiere
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Showings on HBO2: Schedule

Isaiah Zagar. Magic Gardens. I wanted to see this at the Philadelphia Film Festival but it was consistently sold out.

Kristin Kozlowski Art Opening
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Rum Bar
5:00 - 8:00PM
FREE

I'd love to buy one of her paintings for my new (rented) digs.

White Lies, Black Sheep Screening
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sedgwick Theater in Germantown
7:00PM
$5

"A series of events force him to recognize his friends both exotify him and are in denial of his blackness. Black, but not “really” black. What’s a young black rocker to do?"

Fashion Fixe
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Painted Bride in Old City
7:00 - 11:00PM
$25 (tickets)

Red Carpet fashion event hosted by America's Next Top Model contestant, Bianca Golden. Along with the fashion show, bonus recession-friendly side shows of live body painting, voice performances, and a fantastic art expo. Dress code: Fashionable.

Credit: Creative Commons photo by dbking

Today's My Birthday

Each year on my birthday, I seem to spend a lot of time reminiscing. What was I doing this time last year? Two years ago? Ten?

Ten years ago I was turning 22. I had just graduated from college and was about to move from Southern Indiana to Portland, Oregon with one of my college friends. I was young and naive and unsure about where I wanted to go with my life and exactly who I wanted to be.

If you had told me back in 1999 as I rode my bike to work in the rain every day to wait tables, that ten years later I would be married, have graduated with an MFA in creative writing and be living in Philadelphia, I would have been surprised. I think I would have been happy to hear I was happy, but I would have wondered how I got from there to here.

Looking forward, I wonder if I will be equally surprised where the next ten years take me. You can have a plan, but it's usually the seredipidity that keeps things exciting. Not that my life has been all leaps of faith and chance. I got to where I am today because that 22-year-old-me made certain choices. She decided to volunteer in an after school program and learned she wanted to teach. She enrolled in a creative writing course at a private studio and decided to focus on memoir writing instead of photography or journalism. She decided to apply to graduate schools only on the East Coast to get a change of scenery. She decided to go out with the cute boy from the party and let someone new in. Each decision I've made has lead me here. It wasn't all chance, but I feel proud to be in this place and hope that I keep making the decisions that keep the 32-year-old-me pleasantly surprised when the 42-year-old-me looks back.

Speed Dating is a Good Way to Waste an Evening

A friend of mine has been hitting the speed dating circuit for awhile now and summed it up as this, "there's always the creepy guy and the hot, but unfortunately drunk girl ." I haven't tried speed dating as of yet because it usually costs $30 and online dating is free and I don't have to leave the apartment to do it.

However, I do have an interest in off-the-beaten-track speed dating events. A few months ago, I attend a "speed friending" event at Mugshots in Fairmount sponsored by Meetin.org, Philadelphia chapter. Meet in (not to be mixed up with meetup.org) specializes in social events to make friends. On the other hand, Meetup is organized around special interest areas, rather than random people going an event. But they both have the same social purpose, I suppose. Anyway, "speed friending" was enjoyable and we got to ask each other off the wall questions, which led to lively conversation. Didn't exchange numbers with anybody, but it was worthwhile all the same.

My favorite dating blog Shmitten Kitten is hosting 4 "Mix Tape" speed dating events in Philadelphia on four Thursdays in September and October organized around the theme of 90's music. Venues are across the city including the Khyber (Sept. 10), Dos Segundos (Sept. 24), the Cantina (Oct 8), and Royal Tavern (Oct 22). Each night hosts a specific genre of music and participants are invited to suggest songs. Those of us at One Fine Philly have been talking about going. Personally, I've registered for the indie music event at the Cantina and emo/pop punk at Dos Segundos. Here is the link to register for Shmitten Kitten Mix Tape speed dating.

The nice part about these Shmitten Kitten events are if the company is not interesting, you can zone out and focus on the music instead. See you there.

Heat Wave

I'm ready for this 90-degree weather to be over. I realize it's the middle of August and these temperatures are normal for this time of year, but that's not going to stop me from complaining. I went tubing here today and got some relief, but man oh man if my apartment isn't 88 degrees at 9:30 pm. I'm feeling pretty miserable sitting here with my mini fan blowing on my half-naked body, but the window a.c. unit is now cooling down the bedroom, so hopefully I'll still be able to get a decent night's sleep.

I'm going to think happy thoughts of cooler days. I'm sure I'll be complaining about the cold weather when we get to it, but for now playing in the snow sounds pretty nice. My doggie likes it, too.

SETPA Perks

SEPTA is not my most favorite part of living in Philadelphia. I'm glad I live in a city that has public transportation, and where having a car is a luxury vs. a necessity; however, after having lived in Boston, a city that has a comprehensive web of train lines, SEPTA is often a disappointment. Their slogan, "We're getting there," sounds more like an apology than an affirmation. Still, I've been getting a monthly SEPTA transpass for the last couple of years. I take the Broad St. subway line to work every day, and before I moved, I took the trolley from West Philly.

Recently at the Snyder stop, I've been noticing a billboard advertising SEPTA pass perks. I finally decided to check out the website and see what kind of "perks" I could be getting with my SEPTA pass.

Most of the deals are for places I would never patron, and some perks offer such a small discount, it's hardly worth mentioning.

However, I did find a few bargains worth remembering such as $2 off admission at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, free dessert at the Manayunk Brewery, buy one audio tour and get one free at the Betsy Ross House and free admission at The Institute for Contemporary Art.

Some of the discounts have an expiration date, so it's probably a good idea to check-in on the perks site every once in a while to see if something new has popped up. It's only saving a few dollars, but it's a nice gesture. Maybe someday SEPTA will finally get there.

Camden River Sharks

Tuesday night I had the pleasure of a free night of baseball at a Camden River Sharks game. I had never been to a game there and wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The stadium seemed new and clean, and parking in the lot was only $3. We were handed a free program at the door and had great seats.

The FAQ inside the program revealed that the River Sharks are not a minor league farm team, but rather a professional team in the Atlantic League. The Atlantic League consists of teams with fun names such as the York Revolution and the Lancaster Barnstormers. The program said the level of Atlantic League play would likely fall between AA and AAA of the traditional minor league teams. However, their league is professional baseball and many of their players end up in Major League Baseball.

Although our tickets were free, all advanced tickets are very reasonably priced--between $9 and $13 ($2 or $3 more for game day tickets). The seats are amazing! You can't go to a Phillies game and sit directly behind home plate for $11. And, for a mere $100 you can even buy yourself or a loved one the honor of throwing out the first pitch.

When we arrived, I immediately wished I had remembered to bring my camera. Only two weeks out of the summer digital photography class I was taking, and already I'm beginning to forget my camera. I was kicking myself about it until the sun went down--a beautiful summer sunset highlighted with the Philadelphia city skyline and Ben Franklin Bridge, the baseball field in the foreground. If I would have had my camera, a photo from my seat would have looked something like this:

Photo credit: gophila.com

Beer, a funnel cake and baseball. Not a bad way to spend a warm summer night.

Philly's Secret Getaways

I know I haven't written in a while because I have been taking secret getaways in Philadelphia and haven't bothered to tell you about it. These are events so secret that are only talked about face-to-face, email/IM, or phone call. Thousands, maybe gazillions of these events occur in Philadelphia and elsewhere, but you'll only hear of them after the fact. The don't have an official name, but I will dub them...

Hanging Out at Someone's Place

Yes, in the past couple of weeks, I have had people invite me over for dinner or a small BBQ. These events are peculiar from the sweaty dance fests I have raved about in One Fine Philly. They cost no money at all and basically you do nothing, but hang out and perhaps nosh. In less than two weeks, I had three meals that I didn't have to cook or buy. I dined on simple dishes of stir fry and cous cous, pasta and corn, and grilled veggie burger and corn. And I did no work and I didn't have to wait in line at one of those places that you call restaurants.

And all we did was sit and talk. For hours.

I'm sold on this Hanging Out at Someone's Place thing. In fact, I have purchased a largish digital tv so I can do this curious activity at my own apartment. Maybe I'll see some of you there sometime.

Post-Blogging

I'd do better if I could manage to post things BEFORE they happened, but ...

I happened into Anthropologie tonight, and there was a fantastic benefit going on, for the charity Gilda's Club. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Anthro played host to everything from a raffle to a fashion show, with delicious hors d'oeuvres from Catering by Miles. On top of that, a portion of all sales and all raffle proceeds went to Gilda's Club, a non-profit organization helping cancer patients and their families. Though I hadn't known about the event ahead of time and I was in a bit of a hurry, I did manage to pick up this fun beaded necklace. Lily likes it, as you can see.

The lighting in my apartment is awful. I hate recessed halogen lights. So bright! Donations of floor lamps in interesting shapes are now being taken. I found this French Fifties design at modernism.com for only $950. It would look stunning in here.

I love the Internet!

I just got back from dinner at Bindi--a double-date with my husband, my brother-in-law and his fiance. It was an early birthday celebration for me and a belated one for the bro-in-law. I had an awesome meal, a grilled arctic char with a lobster-corn curry, and probably drank a little too much.

However, it's day 13 of our August Blogger Challenge, and I'm still going strong. I have to post something! Did I mention I'm a bit of a perfectionist?

Here it is:


Full article here: Squirrel is Surprise Star of Holiday Photo
Not exactly newsworthy, but I love it anyway.

LIVESTRONG Challenge

One of my best Philadelphia friends was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year. It was a long, painful struggle for her just to get a proper diagnosis. The last several months she has been doing chemo treatments and has been reacting so well to them that she was recently declared in remission. Amy's fight is not over, but we are filled with hope.

When Amy was first diagnosed with cancer, the doctors couldn't determine what kind of cancer it was and wanted to figure it out before developing a treatment plan. Rightfully so, I wished they would just hurry up and figure it out already. As her friend, I felt helpless. I can't even imagine the feelings of helplessness Amy must have been experiencing. When she finally was diagnosed with lung cancer and started the chemo, her pain went away. She moved back into her apartment and went back to work. With a treatment plan in place, she could feel proactive and better aligned to really fight it.

Amy has been so strong through this all, and now I feel as if I can actually do a tiny part to help. The LIVESTRONG Challenge is coming to the Philadelphia area August 23. Their slogan is "Pick a Fight with Cancer." According to their website, "The LIVESTRONG Challenge is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event inspired by the hope, courage and determination that exist in all of us. We take to the streets on bikes and on our feet, uniting individuals to stand together to fight cancer."

I invite you to read the message from my friend Amy below and consider sponsoring me for the 5K walk. I'm walking on a team with Amy and trying to raise my $250 contribution the Obama way--just a few dollars from lots of people.

Amy's message:
In March of 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer at the age of 32. The cancer had spread from my lung to my bones and lymph nodes. Thanks to many prayers from friends, family, and people who have never even met me, along with the great treatment I received from my doctors, my cancer is in remission.

According to current statistics, lung cancer makes up 15% of all cancer diagnoses and 29% of all cancer deaths. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men and women (after prostate and breast, respectively), but it is the number one cause of death from cancer each year in both men and women. So why is the amount of funding for lung cancer only 5% of that given for breast cancer research?

The number of cases of advanced stage lung cancer in young women who are non-smokers is on the rise for reasons not yet known. Please help us change these statistics by supporting our team in the Lance Armstrong Cancer Challenge! You can help by joining a team, making a donation, or by simply sending prayers for a cure.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation unites people to fight cancer, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything.

Through the dollars and awareness that we raise, we can inspire and empower individuals, and we can make life better for the millions of people across the globe fighting cancer today.

Please support me as I make a difference in the cancer fight through my participation in the LIVESTRONG Challenge. Thank you!

With great love,
Amy


Anyone can visit my personal web page and help me in the efforts to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation, my friend Amy and the many others like her.

Julia Child's Birthday Party

Little Berlin is an artist-run collective and gallery space located on the edge of Kensington/ Fishtown. Founded in 2007, they became a collective organization in March 2009. (Full disclosure: my husband is a member of the collective.) Their main focus is curatorial projects and exhibitions, and they also host music events, performances and badminton tournaments.

This Saturday, August 15, they are hosting an event to celebrate what would have been Julia Child's 97th birthday. It's also a fundraiser to help sustain the space and the collective. Food & music are a $5 cover. An additional $10 gets you unlimited beer.

If you haven't been to one of Little Berlin's art openings, this will be a fun opportunity for you to check out the space. The current show is Bone Tails, and the work is pretty impressive. Little Berlin is located at 119 W. Montgomery Street. It's a short walk from the Berks Stop.

For more information on Julia Child's life, here's a recent Vanity Fair article written around the newly released movie Julie & Julia. (She was 6' 2" tall wearing size 12 flats--now that's a tall girl.)

Breaking News!

Realized there is nothing like One Fine Philly, so I'm vacating the suburbs and returning to urban life in Philadelphia. If you haven't already guessed, I will be moving to Fishtown. Now, I have to find a place that won't break the bank. If you have any ideas of good apartments, please let me know.

Hot Dog!

Dog friendly haunts in Philly:

1. The Sidecar at 22nd and Christian welcomes dogs outside. I just spent several hours with a friend and her dog at one of the sidewalk tables, drinking beer and admiring the other pups scattered around us -- the waiter got Hugo (a super-sweet Boxer) a bottle of water and checked back on him as well as us as the night progressed.
2. Good Karma Cafe on 22nd and Pine welcomes dogs -- if you're grabbing a cup inside, Pooch is welcomed in; if you're sitting outside, your canine friend is part of the family.
3. Tavern 17 at 17th and Locust has a "Yappy Hour" where you can drink people cocktails and Rex can drink his own concoction of broth and so forth. Delicious!
4. Parc is home to the wealthy and the well-fed canine -- you can't walk past without excusing yourself to shi-tzus and bichons who got there before you.

And for bars that sound like they should be dog friendly but aren't:
5. Good Dog may feature many pics on the walls, but Fido has to stay outside. :(

Philly Event Medley - Week of August 9th

JimmyStyle Art Opening

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

JimmyStyle on Passyunk

6:00 - 8:00PM

Opening reception. Fox29 Reporter John Atwater presents his retrospective of Costa Rica y más photos.

Annual Entrepreneurs Forum Networking Reception

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

5:30 - 8:00PM

The Piazza at Schmidts

RSVP mandatory

Spruce+Pine Bike Lane Meeting

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

6:30 - 8:30PM

Gershman Y on Broad

Expect some neighbor and pro-bicycle team verbal jousting.

Is Dairy the Devil?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

7PM

Essene Market & Cafe

"Does Milk really 'do a body good'?" Maybe we are all Lactose intolerant

"Marley and Me" Movie

Thursday, August 13, 2009

8PM (dusk)

Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd.

Bocce Ball Tournament

Saturday, August 15, 2009

11:00AM

Buckley Field, Drexel University

$10 registration fee

Wear Drexel colors and confidently sidle in. Teams of Two. Winner takes all.

Great Beer Expo

Saturday, August 15, 2009

11:30 or 5PM

Philadelphia Naval Yard

$45 online, $60 at the door

50+ International Brewers/100+ Beers.

Can you drink even?

Photo: Creative Commons photo by Eric Perrone