Philadelphia is My Home

17
Jul

Live In America

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Randomness

So I am told we are now ”live”.  As in, no-longer-writing-to-myself live.

At first I panicked.

OH MY GOD! WE’RE LIVE! Is my header on straight? How’s my font? Does this side bar make me look fat?

Then I was all like, what am I panicking for? Everything is fine. The blog looks fine. I look fine.  Besides, even if I didn’t, it’s not like you guys would ever know.  You’ll just have to trust me on that one…

Speaking of beautiful people, did you see that the Beckhams have arrived in America?

Granted, they are a handsome couple.  Apparently, he looked rather debonair in his light grey suit and she looked posh in a stunning purple dress.  It’s all the papers could write about.  The way they looked seemed much more important than the reason they are here - to play for the L.A. Galaxy and hopefully promote soccer in the U.S.  Maybe add a little spice to the sport. {hee hee. Get it, spice?}

As for me, I have a minor grudge against these two, so you will have to forgive me if I am not all gaga about them moving here.  For one, I got royally jacked when David Beckham went to Real Madrid.  You see, I had tickets to the grand opening of Lincoln Field where FC Barcelona played Manchester United.  I was so excited to finally see this man in action.  Then there were all these rumours about him being traded, but they all suggested it would be to Barcelona.  No worries there.  Remember, it was Barcelona vs. Manchester United after all.

But no, instead he runs off to Madrid.  No Beckham.  I was royally jacked, I tell ya.

As for the wife?  My grudge against her isn’t exactly personal, it’s more like by proxy.  Echo and the Bunnymen (my all time favorite band) were suppose to sing the 1998 World Cup song, because hey, they like actually wrote the song.  But then they got booted for the more attractive and popular Spice Girls, who ended up singing their song.  My boys were royally jacked, I tell ya.

But all that was many years ago, so I am sure I can find in my heart to put those grudges aside and welcome this couple to our fine country.  Maybe his presence here will give Major League Soccer more exposure and bring us up to par with the rest of the world.  Yeah, now that I think of it, I guess I can put my personal grudges aside for the sake of the sport, not to mention haute couture.

So let me take this minute to shout out a big ole WELCOME all around.  Welcome to America Mr. and Mrs. Beckham, and welcome to Philadelphia Is My Home all of you!

16
Jul

Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays

Author: Momish, Category: Something to Do

Well can you? Can you tell me why I don’t like Mondays? Here’s a hint: It has nothing to do with going back to work, although that sort of compounds the reason. Ok, seeing as you don’t know me so well, tell me this…

1. What band sang that song?
2. What event is the song about?
3. The lead singer of the band went on to do what major musical event?

A bit of trivia for ya.  Coincidentally, that is part of the reason I don’t like Mondays.  Mondays use to be my night to play bar trivia.  I was on a really good team that met every Monday at the Dark Horse.  We use to win a lot, which makes it all the better in my opinion.

My specialty was movie trivia.  I earned that distinction from my teammates the time I knew that Jean Paul Gaultier did the costume design for The Cook The Thief His Wife & Her Lover.  They bowed down before me over that one.  That was back in 1998 of course, but I am a firm believer that one should never forget one’s moments of glory.

Obviously, now with the hubby and kid and all that adult stuff, Mondays aren’t exactly the play night of the week for me.  So sad, really.  All my useless knowledge going to waste, and we all know that the mind is a terrible thing to waste.  Instead, Mondays are just blah again with nothing to look forward to, especially now that the 24 season is over. 

But hey, don’t let my sorry lot in life stop you from having a good time!  There are Pub Trivias going on all over this city.  Monday nights you can play Quizo at the New Deck in University City with my buddy Ronan (an old teammate back in the day).  Quizo is run by Pat, who we all know is one of the best because Pat originated Pub Trivia here in Philly.

Nothing can get rid of those Monday blahs like Quizo.  As for me, at least I still have Jeopardy.  I can usually get through the entire show as long as I keep throwing cookies at the kid.

Quizo@ The New Deck

Every Monday & Wednesday Night
Starts at 10pm
Come in early to get a seat!

$4 Guinness Pints on Monday
$4 Bass Pints on Wednesday
& $2 Domestic Pints all from 10pm - 12am

15
Jul

The City of Murals

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Did you know that Philadelphia is the city with the most murals in all of America? I kid you not! According to the Mural Arts Program website, we’ve got over 2,700 murals gracing our city building, bridges, walls and billboards.  Beat that New York!

Philadelphia is internationally recognized as The City of Murals (hence the title of this post; very witty of me I know).

Ok, so you might have already known all that, granted.  I mean, ya’ll live here and all.  But, did you know that you can actually take a guided tour and visit some of the well known murals throughout the city?  But wait, there’s more. Mural Arts also has an experiential tour, where you get to meet one of the muralist (a true word, I didn’t just make it up) and learn about the artistic process in making murals.  Bet you didn’t know that!

Well, even if you did, you can at least act surprised. 

I find the entire process amazing, having witnessed it first hand.  A very good friend of mine use to be a member of the Anti-Graffi Network, which is where the Mural Arts Program began.  I use to spend hours watching them map out the squares and then make it come to life.  I definitely have to take this tour one day to see if any of those murals are part of it.  I can take a certain level of pride in knowing I played a part in its existence with my moral support.  Or, should I say mural support? (ok, that was weak)

Visit the Mural Arts website for more information and details about all their tours, including their Murals and Meals one, which personally would be my favorite.  This is a great thing to do for people who visit from out of town but aren’t into all that fine arts stuff.  Hey, like 15 year olds from Britain!!!

I am on a roll here with the alternative Philly tours so watch out! You just never know what I might come up with next.

14
Jul

Philly as a Shining Example?

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, History, Just Ranting, World News

I read a very upsetting article the other day.  I won’t go into the details so as to not upset anyone who prefers not to ruin their day.  Suffice to say, it was a horrible crime, the details of which will make you sick and enrage you beyond words. 

What I will talk about is the setting where this crime took place, Dunbar Villiage in Florida.  As the article states, the residents there call this place “hell”.  To call it one of those “housing projects” that is failing miserably is the most benign thing you can say about this place.  There were over 700 calls to the police in this past year, according to the article.  Drugs being dealt in the open, bullet proof street lamps, gated entrance (to keep the criminals out or in, I wonder?)  All of these things have got to scream to someone with half a brain, “Hey! This isn’t working!”

Reading about this terrible place which many people are forced to call home reminded me of Philadelphia’s old “projects”.  Tall high rises where people were packed like sardines and made to feel like animals, often causing them to act like animals. It wasn’t working.  And when something doesn’t work, you tear it down and start over. NO MATTER WHAT THE COST! We are talking about people’s lives, here. Real people. Our fellow Americans.

Someone’s head is buried way too deep in the sand of those lovely Florida beaches.  I don’t understand how such trecherous situations can still be in existence, yet alone continually be ignored as a breeding ground for crime. 

I remember when they imploded the old Washington Avenue projects, I was there. I got up early in the morning to see that disaster go down.  It was the end of an era.  Now, in its place is a community of homes where kids are playing in the backyards and neighbors talk to each other on their front steps.  Casually, without fear.  Furthermore, surrounding this area are houses being restored and businesses setting up camp on the street corners. 

I think the powers that be down in Florida should come visit Philly and take a look at what amazing results can do to the spirit, when you build structures that people want to call home. It stems from pride. People want to feel good about where they live, and in returen they protect that feeling, nurture their homes, help promote their communities and stand up for themselves.

Granted, I am not an expert on public housing or economic plight.  Perhaps I am the one with my head in the sand after all.  Who knows. Perhaps I am the one making more out of the new homes on Washington Avenue than they deserve.  After all, its only been 10 years.

Or, perhaps someone from Florida should come visit our city, take note of the changes we made, then tell me if I am wrong. 

13
Jul

Happy Friday 13th, Best of Luck To Ya!

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Ok, so it’s Friday the 13th, but don’t let that stop you from kick starting this weekend into gear.   As for me, It’s my birthday, so I can do whatever I want including breaking mirrors, stepping on cracks and walking under ladders. My 13th birthday fell on a Friday 13th and I survived that one just fine. Bring on the black cats, I say. I have no fear! None!

Anyway, as you know, after July 13th comes July 14th which happens to be an important day to the French.  So don’t forget about the Bastille Day celebrations going on this weekend! 

White Dog Cafe is having a Bastille Day Block Party  tonight with lots of snails, frog legs and other fun stuff.

Hedgegrove Theater is having a Bastille Storming and French Revolution performance Saturday @ 6:00.  FREE!

Fairmount Park is having their FREE French Fling weekend, but you already knew that because I told you about that already and you devour this blog on a daily basis, right?

Non?

C’est la vie.

In other matters, I just have to mention that my friend’s son is coming into town next week from England. So, I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what we could do or where we could go one night next week.  He has visited Philly throughout his life, so the usual spots like the Liberty Bell or Art Museum aren’t really options.  Besides, he is only 15, so he isn’t into traveling during his summer break for the sake of a history lesson.  I need to come up with something different.

What to do, what to do…

Then it hit me! My husband recently went on a Philly Movie Tour with his work as a sort of team building event. He said it was interesting and fun despite the fact that it didn’t really bring him any closer to his co-workers in the end. C’est la vie.

During the tour, you drive you around in one of those quaint old fashion trolleys while your guide shows you a slew of places in the city where major films have been shot.  They even show the clips on a video screen so you see how they altered the area to suit their needs.  Plus, they give you all the inside dirt about how locations were picked, the problems that were encountered, not to mention juicy rumours about the spoiled movie stars. 

I am sure any 15 year old kid would enjoy that.  Heck, I would enjoy it. And in the end, it’s all about me anyway, non?

As for dinner, my first thought was to go the Continental.  I can get me some shoe string fries and a Buzz Aldrin (there’s just something about licking Tang off a martini glass that thrills me). But, then I remembered he is only 15, and while I am not a prude about such things, he is not exactly my child to corrupt. So, I have no idea where we’ll end up eating.  Any suggestions? Remember though, something I would like.  It’s really all about me even though it is suppose to be about him. C’est la vie.

****************

For more information on Philly Movie Tours, check their website.  And don’t forget that you can get discounted tickets to this and other events through the Fun Savers website.  Please, no applause.  It’s just my job to pass along such great bargains.

12
Jul

Real Italian Water Ice

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Food, Philly Tourist

Did anyone see the one page layout in this month’s Philadelphia Magazine featuring John’s Italian Water Ice?  Makes you kinda feel nostalgic, doesn’t it?

I mean, don’t get me wrong, I definitely eat Rita’s.  I actually like Rita’s.  It’s not as bad as the other slush floating around calling itself authentic Italian water ice.  Rita’s actually does a good job at faking it.  And truth be told, there are times I want to get all radical and eat a Mango or Strawberry Kiwi concoction. Then I go to Rita’s because their menu would have to believe they serve three course meals and not flavored ice.

But, the times you want real, authentic water ice, you have to go to John’s.  (plus, I use to live two blocks away, but that is neither here or there really)  Last time I was there, they didn’t even offer me a spoon. You gotta respect that!

John’s offers up the good stuff.  Cherry and lemon with real fruit chunks.  The basics but done right.  Besides, it is one of those places in South Philly where I get to hear a twenty year old call me hon.  Call me over the hill, but I just thrive off those hons.

So as much as I devour Rita’s mango ice with complete gusto, give me John’s cherry or lemon any day, hon.

John’s is located at 7th & Christian streets in the heart of South Philadelphia.

11
Jul

Place Nouveau Marche

Author: Momish, Category: General, Randomness

I have an idea.

Perhaps this idea sprung to me as a result of feeling giddy over the upcoming French Festival in Fairmount Park this weekend.  Could be, could be.  Or, it might have sprung from the fact that I recently discovered a long lost pair of barrettes purchased at that really cool store called Metro that use to be in New Market Square.  Could be, could be.  

The important thing here is that I have an idea for what they can do with the eyesore of an empty parking lot that use to be known as New Market Square on 2nd and South.

Here’s my idea, you ready? All you developers out there have your listening caps on?

They should make that place into a mini replica of Place Monge in Paris.  Perspective buyers should hop on a plane to Paris.  Get on the Metro and take the line 7 to the Place Monge stop.  The minute you step outside, you are one of the sweetest little nooks in all of France.

They should then take note of every inch of that place and brick by brick, recreate that circle of cafes, shops, taverns and bakeries in that huge empty space that is just begging to be one of the sweetest nooks in all of Philly.

Place Monge is a circle of activity due to the cafes and shops and the way they are situated.  In the center of it all is a mini concrete stage where there is always something interesting and welcoming happening.  You can spend hours there, sipping a latte watching the goings on.

I’m telling you, if you were to build a circle of welcoming shops and eateries surrounding a mini stage, you will be surprised just how many jugglers, poets and mimes this city has to offer!  

So, what do you think? 

09
Jul

Triskaidekaphobia

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

Well, in keeping with the luck theme going on here, I thought it would be a good idea to bring up the fact that this Friday is the 13th.

What are the chances we have 7/7/07 - what is being hailed as the luckiest day evah - and the notorious bad luck day both in the same week? Whoa, kinda freaky, huh? When I think of the magnitude of such a coincidence, my head hurts.

But, truth be told, I honestly do not consider Friday the 13th to be bad luck.  I am not a triskaidekaphobiac! This probably has more to do with the fact that this Friday is my birthday than the fact that I am not a superstitious person overall.  Being born on the 13th sort of makes you a natural born rebellion against all that ballyhoo about a random and arbitrary number.

Much ado about nothing, if you ask me.

Still, I won’t be going on any camping trips this weekend to celebrate my day.  It’s not the number 13 I fear, but the droves of weirdos out there that thrive on this stuff.  Plus, I hate camping - too much nature.

Nah, instead I might check out the Fairmount French Fling event going on at Fairmount Park all weekend.  Since I use to live in France, I feel a certain kinship, especially around Bastille Day.  Besides, it’s free!

Visit the official website for more information on all events.

08
Jul

No Such Luck

Author: Momish, Category: Randomness

Well, as you can probably guess by the fact that I am still here writing for ya, I didn’t win any million bucks last night.

 Not even a hundred.

Looks like you are stuck with me, for now anyway.

And if you didn’t win anything either, don’t worry.  There will be other chances.  All we have to do is live another hundred years for the drawing on 7/7/2107!  Count me in!

06
Jul

777

Author: Momish, Category: Randomness

Tomorrow is being hailed as one of the luckiest days of all time due to the alignment of all sevens in tomorrow’s date.  I am sure you haven’t escaped the buzz that has been going on.  After all, even the PA lottery is cashing in on the craze.  They are holding a special millionaire’s raffle, where they will award 7,777 cash prizes including five top prizes of a million bucks.

I could sure use a million bucks right now, how ’bout you?

I am not exactly superstitious by nature (a-hem), but hey, you gotta play to win, right?  So, I will be sure to buy my (hopefully) lucky ticket before 5PM tomorrow or even soon, since there are a limited amount of tix available.  Who knows,  7/7/7  just might be my lucky day (oh please, oh please)!

The drawing will held tomorrow at (surprise, surprise) 7 PM.

C’mon lucky seven!