Philadelphia is My Home

31
Jul

Bookworms Unite

Author: Momish, Category: Kids, Local Charity, Shopping

Tomorrow starts Border’s August Book Drive.  They will be collecting new books to donate to Reach Out And Read all month.  

Now, let me ask you this… do you need any other reason to go to Borders?  I didn’t think so.

While you are browsing around, you can pick up a book right then and donate it to this great cause (after you pay for it, of course).  Just think, you get new books for your summer reading (still a month left) and pass along the thrill of books to children in our own community. 

The love of books and reading is one of the greatest gifts you can offer to anyone, especially to kids that don’t have the luxury to browse around Borders with the world of words at their fingertips.

You should check out some of the information on Reach Out and Read’s website.  The studies and statistics regarding the importance of early exposure to reading are interesting.  They give a lot of statistics regarding reading out loud to childern under the age of three.  I am guilty of failing short in my duties as a parent and fall into the 23% of parents that only do it once or twice a week.  But even so, I still believe she will be fine, because I was.

My mother hardly ever read out loud to us as we were kids.  But she was an avid reader.  So although she didn’t put us to bed with a bedtime story, we watched her enjoy devouring book after book as a favorite past time.  That alone was enough to pique our interest and get us hooked.

Exposure is the key, but that requires books, lots of books. 

Border’s August Book Drive:

August 1, 2007 12:00 AM
Location: In Store

Philadelphia - Avenue of Arts
1 S. Broad
Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA
Phone:215.568.7400

29
Jul

Quartermania For The New Car Challenged

Author: Momish, Category: Atlantic City, Jersey, Nightlife, The Shore

I had one girl’s night out during this vacation and my husband had his very own boy’s night out.  No kids, just single sex adults catching up and having a care free time.

For our night out, us ladies decided to head out to the Tropicana.  The Quarter has a great atmosphere for strolling around, window shopping and grabbing a great bite to eat - not to mention an over priced fancy drink or two or three or…

We headed out around 10 PM, totally jazzed to finally be out and on our own.  I swear, we weren’t in the car but all of three minutes when all of a sudden we hear “Whoop. Whoop. Whoop.”

Sure enough, I was getting pulled over.  Two cop cars sandwich us and shine glaring lights into the car.  I quickly checked with my friends and they assured me the light we just went through was indeed green.  We all had our seat belts on.  I was baffled.

The cop strolls up to the window, does the usual “license and registration” spiel, then starts waving his hand in front of my car.  All smug like, he asks me, “Do you see this, ma’am?” 

“WHAT? WHAT? Did I hit something? OH MY GOD!”

He looks at me like I have a third head and says, “Calm down ma’am, I am trying to tell you that your lights aren’t on.”

Freaking new car. 

Apparently, the dashboard is fully lit even when my headlights aren’t on.  Totally threw me off ’cause I never had a car where the dashboard was fully lit without my lights on.  Luckily, I just got a finger shaking and off we were again.

The Quarter at the Tropicana has many nice restaurants and bars to enjoy a night out.  However, when the clock strikes midnight, anyone over forty should run for cover.  Especially now, with the new nightclub Providence.  I am sure it is a fun place if you are hip and trendy, but once we saw the go-go dancers in the windows, we quickly realized we were a little off base.  Luckily, the Trop also has Tango’s, an old foggie bar with decent wine.

Naturally, being three women out on their own, we were chat up by drunk guys straggling in between the casino and The Quarter.  The young male attention we got definitely went straight to our heads.  Because on the way home, when a red sports car filled with good looking guys pulled up along side of us and started beeping, we were fully prepared to inform these poor lads that we have seven kids between us and they should just give it up.

I rolled down my window, but before I could break the sad news to them, one of the kids screamed, “YOUR LIGHTS!!! TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS!”  Then they sped away laughing.

Freaking new car.

27
Jul

Trying To See The Bright Side

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Finds, Resources, Shopping

A month or so after my daughter was born I got a kidney stone.  It required one ER visit, two outpatient procedures and lots of morphine to get the damn thing out.  On the bright side, after six weeks of hell, I lost over 26 pound including all that pregnancy weight.  Naturally, I went shopping for the new wardrobe my skinny new bod required.

Well, that was almost two years ago.  So as you can only image, after two years of holiday dinners, neurotic snacking and one week of vacation, those 26 pounds have found me again.  Mostly on my butt, sad to say. But you know me, always trying to look on the bright side of things.  As far as I can see, the only mildly sunny side of having a new yelk body is needing new clothes.  And in some pathetic way, I can live with that. 

So with full excuse in hand, I decided to hit The Walk in Atlantic City like the true shopaholic I am, this time on a valid mission for a change.  I think I went into every store twice.  And, although I was sure I would find some things there, I was mistaken.  My wardrobe is still hurting and all my current clothes are rediculously too tight.  I tried to spend money, but most of the shops were not my cup of tea.  As a result, all I have to look forward to now is going to the Green Street Consignment Shop when I get back home.  I am sure my bank account will really took a hit there. 

I love Green Street.  There is just something about designer clothes, high end designer clothes, that just fit so well.  Even if you are not a size 2, six foot tall model.  I can’t afford high end designer clothes new, so Green Street is the perfect place to stock up on those unique and well made items every wardrobe needs, at great prices to boot. 

However, if you are a size 6, don’t bother going there.  They won’t have anything for you.  Likewise for all you women with size 7 1/2 feet.  You’ll only be disappointed, trust me.  Stay home. I am talking nothing, nada.  Don’t go.  Stay away.   BACK OFF!  THEY’RE MINE ! ALL MINE!

 Green Street Consignment Shop:

700 South St
Philadelphia, PA
19147

Phone: (215) 733-9261

25
Jul

Here’s Another Thing I Hate

Author: Momish, Category: Just Ranting, Randomness

For the past four years I have worked in Jersey and Delaware, and in both places I am usually the only city dweller amongst the crowd.  So naturally, when the lunch conversation turns to lawn care, I yawn.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that these two words are so similar, such that I subconsciously have the urge to yawn when I hear lawn. But most likely, it has more to do with the fact that my backyard is a two by four slab of concrete with nary a blade of grass in it.

And believe when I tell you that people with lawns can talk for hours about their mowers, edgers, landscapers - the list is endless.  Suburban people are always talking about things I cannot relate to or things I never heard of or have no clue what the heck they are.  Like central vacuuming. What the heck is that? 

And when I ask them what it is, they look at me like I have six heads and just broke out of a time warp bubble.  HELLO! We live in houses that are over a hundred years old and are solid brick. Central vacuuming is not one of those things that casually comes up over coffee very often. (unless you work in Jersey, of course)

Anyway, it was a welcoming change the other day when I was finally able to jump right into the discussion about yard care woes. You see, I have slugs. Yes, I kid you not, there is actual wildlife in my backyard.

Basically, I asked my co-workers (the experts) how it is that two square feet of concrete could produce a colony of thirty slugs within six minutes after the sun sets.  It’s one of those disgusting yet fascinating things I just can’t let go.  I mean really, where are these slimy things coming from?  And, more importantly, how do I get rid of them! (Salt is not an option, I believe in Karma)

Recently, my step daughter created a slug slinger from one of our paint stirrers.  She must sling roughly a dozen slugs a night into our neighbor’s yard. Yet, the suckers keep coming back. In droves.  Finally, I told her to stop.  I told her I thought they might actually be enjoying this cannonball ride of hers.  I told her we are getting more slugs, as if they are telling their friends all about the Six Flags Adventure Park just over the wall. We have since put the useless slug slinger to rest.

So anyway, suffice to say that my wonderful suburban co-workers weren’t any help whatsoever. In fact, they never even heard of a slug slinger. Imagine! Maybe they don’t care about slugs or have learned to live with them as par for the course. All I know is when I brought it up, I only got a chorus of yawns in reply.  Which turned out to be a rewarding sweet revenge after years of tree rot lunches.

But the problem remains. How do I get rid of these buggers aside from sizzling them with salt? Tell me, do you have the same phenonema happening in your yard? Do you even care?

(P.S. If anyone is interested, check out my ebay listing for a EUC slug slinger. Original Sherwin Williams Logo on both sides with minimal slim stains. Starting bid is 99 cents.)

24
Jul

6 Out of 10 Ain’t Bad

Author: Momish, Category: General

C’mon Philly fanatics, go put your vote in to move us up the ranks.

So far, Philly is voted the 6th best place to live according to the user votes on the latest Money poll: Best Big Cities.  Of course, there are only 10 choices, which certainly skews the reality of all just a bit.  But hey, at least we made the list.  That’s gotta count for something.

 So, go over and vote.  Let’s get a major upset going, shall we? Watch out San Diego, you’re going down!

{thanks humorworkz for the link!}

23
Jul

My Summer Reading List

Author: Momish, Category: People, Randomness

Didn’t you just hate when you were given a summer reading list in high school. Homework over the summer vacation! What sick and twisted mind thought of that one?

Well, now that I am adult and read for personal enjoyment, I think summer reading lists are a wonderful idea. Keeps the kids busy and their minds still in tune, lest they go off for two months and forget they have a mind come September.  Which is exactly the type of thing that can happen when you are actually having too much fun with absolutely no responsibilities whatsoever.

In fact, I think it is such a great idea that I am assigning myself my very own summer reading list.  Since I will be gallivanting on the beach, throwing my cares to the wind and basically forgetting about the fact that I have a job, a blog and yet another blog this entire week, it seems only fair that such debauchery is balanced with a healthy dose of discipline to get my mind back on track. 

And it will be up to you to decide what I will be reading! Let’s see how many fine citizens of Philadelphia have a blog or other on-line endeavor.  Leave me a link to your own virtual home or business in a comment, and I will do my homework throughout the rest of this week and when I return. It’ll be my summer reading list of links.

And that includes all you guys in the surrounding areas.  ‘Cause let’s face it, when you travel to places far away, you know you tell people you are from Philly.  Yeah, you do.  You accept the fact that people in France or Seattle have never heard of Malvern or Sewell.

So let’s get that Philly Blogroll going. It could be our very own Philly Folk Hub. I know you are out there.  And we all know how this bloggy stuff works.  I scratch your back, you scratch mine. 

And I got an itch, people.

{a little to the left… more left… over, over… up a bit… ahhhhhh}

21
Jul

Clark Park

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Something to Do

Clark Park is one of my old time favorite nooks in the city, where I have spent many a days and nights hanging out.  You always meet so many different people there due to the diversity of the neighborhood and surrounding universities.  Plus, the name is fun to say.

Clark Park. Clark Park. Clark Park.

Tonight the Philadelphia Orchestra is giving a free performance in Clark Park at 7:00 PM.  This is part of their Free Neighborhood Concerts.  Tonight’s line up:

CHABRIER   España

BIZET   Suite No. 2 from Carmen

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV   Capriccio espagnol

MARQUEZ   Danzon No. 2

BARBER   “Hesitation-tango,” from Souvenirs

RAVEL   Bolero

There is just something about listening to classical music out in the wide open, under the stars.  Well OK, you got me there.  Not only is it daylight at 7 PM, but even if it were pitch black you probably wouldn’t see stars in West Philly.  But the music and atmosphere is sure to be great none-the-less. 

So if you find yourself with nothing to do, head on out to Clark Park.  Just can’t say that enough.

20
Jul

Vacation, Gotta Get Away

Author: Momish, Category: Randomness, Something to Do, The Shore

So it figures that the week we go live I am scheduled to go on vacation.  Just as I am getting into the swing of things, meeting new people, receiving (unpaid/non-bribery) feedback, getting my groove on…. Wham! Stop everything! I have to go down the shore and relax in the sun while doing absolutely nothing for the next seven days.

 Woe is me!

Other than the timing factor, we have no worries, trust me.  That is because I have figured out how to schedule publishing posts.  I practiced on today’s post. I actually wrote this last night and voila, it didn’t show up until this morning.

I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking that even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.  But I really do think I am getting the hang of this WordPress stuff.  I honestly think things will go smoothly next week.  You wait and see.

The Jersey shore is calling to me, people.  I have but no choice to go.

So, I have the sworn promise that the powers that be here at IsMyHome are going to moderate all comments.  As for me, I promise to respond as often as I can between my hours of sea, sun and surf.  And, if I find any great happening or bargains,  I will be sure to pass it along.

Just to prove my good faith, I will remind you that next Friday (the 28th) is the famous Night in Venice annual parade of boats in Ocean City.  I wanted to pass this one along early so you can make the necessary plans.  Just in case you aren’t already down there on your week long vacation like some of us.

So please don’t take my comment silence as a sign of not caring! Although, truth be told, I really won’t be caring about anything other than the next time I have to turn over or sand getting into my Mai Tai.  But hey, like they say… silence is golden.  Right?

Hello? Did you hear me?  I said silence is golden, right?

<cricket cricket>

Pfft.

19
Jul

Looks Like They’re Moving In

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News

I am heading down to Atlantic City this weekend on vacation. My mother and most of her side of our family live in AC and the surrounding areas. I was born in AC as a matter of fact. Aside from visiting family and chilling on the beach, one of the things I love to do while I am there is go to the casino, mostly in the hopes of making my daughter an heiress.

I like to gamble. I think it is fun and as long as the money I spend doesn’t dip into our financial responsibilities or lower our quality of life, I don’t mind losing it for a night of entertainment. My husband enjoys his time at the poker tables as well. It is something we do on every trip we make to AC.

That being said, I don’t want Foxwoods Casino in my back yard. I don’t want the traffic, the crime and the seediness that comes with a casino, not to mention the temptation. I know it sounds completely hypocritical of me, considering I take advantage of the casinos in AC. I am sure the residents living within a mile radius resent their presence for the benefit of people like me. People who get to come and go as they please.

Believe me, I know. I watched as nice family neighborhoods deteriorated over the past decades as more and more pawn shops, topless bars and other unappealing elements moved in. It took roughly 15 years before my grandparents had no choice but to move from their Texas Avenue house, losing money on the property they lived in since before I was born.

I don’t want to move. I don’t want to sell my house 15 years from now, yet alone at a loss. I don’t want my child growing up in a neighborhood where pawn shops and check cashing stores stand where there were once friendly mom and pop shops. I don’t want South Philly to become a gambling cesspool. But it seems, after reading the latest article in the Inquirer, that this is going to happen. It is unstoppable.

At this point, all we can do is hope for the best. Hope that Foxwoods really does have the betterment of the city and our neighborhood in mind. Hope that Foxwoods really does have a plan on how to handle the influx of traffic. Hope that Foxwoods will create a casino with an element of class, one that will provide residents with high end shops, restaurants and bars such that they will counteract the other elements which gambling inevitably brings.

While I may be overlooking some of the positive aspects, like more jobs and city revenue, I can’t help it. And trust me when I say that in the end, I hope all my fears and dread are proven wrong. But, seeing as Foxwoods is already acting like a bully, suing the City of Philadelphia (already racking up legal bills at the expense of us taxpayers), something tells me no matter how nicely they decorate their front door and windows, they are not the kind of neighbors you want living on your block.

18
Jul

Radio Days

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News, Resources

Unless you read my personal blog, you probably don’t know that I recently bought a new car, a Honda Fit.

{Momish readers roll their eyes and sigh, “oh no, not the car again!”}

Yes, I am going to talk about the car yet again.  Deal. 

Thanks to my new shiny car, I am now safer on the road, have a back windshield wiper (!), power windows and a radio for the first time in six years.  A radio!!!  And no, I am not that cheap that I drove to work every day in silence for the past six years rather than dish out the cash to replace my stolen one.  I just refused to throw my hard earned cash away on something that was sure to slip away as soon as I got it.  The original radio was stolen within the first month I had the car causing 800 bucks of damage to the console. Oh thank you very much universe for once again teaching me the valuable zen lesson of placing too much of my energy into meaningless possessions; I am surely a better person for those six years of silence.  (my turn to roll the eyes)

Anyway, I know I am way late to the game here, but have you heard the new radio station WRFF Radio 104.5?  Loving it!! It’s so nice to listen to really good songs that are not overplayed, especially while stuck in a major traffic jam surrounded by morons.  Them and BEN FM are slowing bringing my blood pressure down to safe levels again.

I’m also enjoying the “new” morning shows like Preston and Steve.  Those guys are certifiable, I am convinced.  At first I thought the 10,000 marbles thrown down the Art Museum steps was a farce, just like the time they fooled everyone into thinking they were actually throwing iPods off City Hall’s roof.  But, lo and behold it was for real.  It wasn’t until I saw the YouTube video posted by Philly Transplant that I knew it was legit.  Not being much of a baseball fan, the entire point of the 10,000 marbles for 10,000 losses was well, kinda lost on me you might say.  It was still funny though, especially all the hoopla it created.   

So, there have it.  Lots of outdated radio news for ya.  C’mon guys, I can’t be the maverick of All Things Philly every day, you know.  Cut me a break!  After six years, I have ease back into having radio days again.