Philadelphia is My Home

30
Sep

NL East

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Sports

Congratulations to the Phillies for clinching the NL East Division Championships!

When they showed the stats tonight, revealing the Phillies track record, it showed that the last time they won the World Series was in 1980.   TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS!

My first thought was, “God help me, I’m old!”  Although I clearly remember partying on Broad Street, I was in grade school for heaven’s sake.

But then my second thought was, “We’re due then.”

 C’mon guys! You can do it!

21
Sep

Thrill Me

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Current Events, Entertainment, Nightlife, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Thrill me, chill me!

I love Halloween and am beginning to see the signs of this great season everywhere. (Just go into any CVS, orange and black assault you the second you walk in)

I’m always looking for the fun things to do around this time.  There are lost of hayrides and pumpkin picking farms.  The one thing that is right in our back yards which I have never done is Terror Behind The Walls at the old and creepy Eastern State Penitentiary.

I would think just being in that place at night would give me enough chills.

Has anyone done this?  Is it worth the price? (tickets start at 20 bucks!)

18
Sep

Off By A Hair

Author: Momish, Category: Sports

So says coach Andy Reid about the Eagles team.  “Off by a hair.”  I hope that’s all it is because that might actually be something correctable.

I haven’t lost my faith yet, but in all honesty I didn’t go into this season with my usual feelings of “we can do it” or “this year for sure”.  There has only been one year where I watched Eagles game after Eagles game without my heart lodged in my throat.  That was the year they made it to the playoffs but lost to Tampa Bay.  Do you remember that year?

That was a good year.

I will never forget that year.

They were awesome that year.

I have yet to feel that way ever since.  Not even the year they made it to the Superbowl.  Heart in throat, the entire time.

I have a feeling I will be choking a lot this year, just like the Eagles.  But I haven’t lost all faith in them just yet.  When I watch an Eagles game without any worries, then you know it means I have lost my faith.

Or they are back to the amazing team they were that year….

17
Sep

Starting Some New Routines

Author: Momish, Category: General, Local Charity, Resources, Something to Do, Volunteer

Now that summer is over and school has begun, I am sure you are settling back into your usual routines.

There is just something about the fall, with the change in the air, that makes me become reflective and serene.  Maybe its the fact that you can sit outside comfortably without sweating to death or swatting away a million bugs.  In any case, these past few nights have been great for chilling in the back yard and thinking, thinking, thinking.

I like to give myself fresh starts come fall.  Maybe pick up new projects, begin a new task, kick start a lingering idea or project…

One of the things I definitely want to do this year is to volunteer my time.  I want to get my daughter involved in volunteer work too.  She is old enough to be of some help for a few hours a week, I think. 

So I have been researching volunteer opportunities around the area.  With the toddler I am fairly limited, but still managed to find a few options.  And just in case you too were sitting around these past few nights reflecting on ways to bring more enrichment into your lives, I am passing along some of the volunteer opportunities I stumbled upon.  It’s never too late to start a new routine and fall is the best time to do it.

Volunteering is like buying a pair of shoes though. It has to be a good fit.  For your personality, your schedule and your passions.  Otherwise it becomes a second job, instead of means of personal fulfillment and growth.

I think the kid and I are gonna put in some hard physical labor over at Philabundance a few hours a week (still waiting to hear if they need us so wish me luck!).

Center for Literacy - Adult Tutoring (3 hours per week)

The Career Wardrobe - Boutique Assistants (1 hour per week)

Philabundance - Food drives, packaging, etc. (not sure of hours and days)

Check out Greater Philadelphia Cares for many more opportunities available.  And if you have an organization that needs helping hands, please feel free to give us a shout out!

13
Sep

Bloody Good Ballet

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Entertainment, Family Friendly, Nightlife, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

The Pennsylvania Ballet is performing Dracula again this year.  And indeed, it is a bloody good ballet!

The costumes and set design of this ballet are magnificent.  I have seen it twice and each time was mesmerized by the contrast between the graceful and beautiful dances against the gloomy and sinister settings.

 Kids too would like this ballet due to it’s special effects and easy-to-follow well known story line.  Lots of beautiful fairy tale like costumes paired with dancers flying around stage (literally). 

 Performances begin October 26th, just in time to jump start that Halloween feeling.  They even have a performance on Halloween, if you aren’t bogged down with taking your little ones trick or treating that is.

I will probably skip it this year, seeing as I have already seen it.  But, you never know.   This kind of stuff never gets old.

If the full priced tickets are too steep for you, remember you can always show up an hour before performance time and try your luck at scoring half priced tickets.  Considering this is the third year they are doing this ballet, chances are good that most regulars and die-hards have already seen it.

Here’s a tip: Go in pairs for the half priced tickets.  Last time we went to the ballet an hour before show time, there were three of us.  The best seats they could give us were in the nose bleed section.  Meanwhile, we saw plenty of empty seats much closer, but only with two seats together at the most.  Therefore, I suggest going in even numbers so you can break up into pairs and get the best seats available!

Visit the PA Ballet website for more details about Dracula and other upcoming performances.  Dracula runs from 10/26-11/03.

10
Sep

Philly Parents Under A Microscope

Author: Momish, Category: General, Just Ranting, Kids, Local News

Have you had a chance to read the article in this month’s Philadelphia Magazine about Bad Parents, written by Tom McGrath? If you haven’t, then I suggest you take a moment and read it.  It’s that good.  And necessary, I might add.

I am so excited about this article and similar articles I have recently read that finally are speaking up and lashing out at the ridiculous parenting trends of today.  You know what I am talking about, where the child is the center of the universe and all that stuff.   Where parents are too emeshed and involved in their kids lives, to the point of overlooking their own lives as valuable.

My favorite passage was the author recalling how his parents never got involved in his childhood endeavors, yet alone managing and controlling them like today’s parents do:

“The only time I remember either of them getting involved was the day my mother casually suggested that rather than making 67 phone calls, we simply agree to meet every morning at a particular time. It was a great idea that I completely ignored, but to my mother’s unending credit, she never mentioned it again. Perhaps because she had a life.”

That last line had me cheering in my seat.  What is wrong with having a life? Why is it that parents suddenly forgo their own existence the minute they have a kid.  Suddenly, the kid’s soccer and ballet schedules override the parent’s social life.  Suddenly, the kid’s school achievements override the parent’s career advancement.

I don’t get it.  I don’t want to get. But I am glad other people are finally speaking out and doing valuable research that shows such over coddling only hurts and hinders in the end.

As the author keenly points out:

“Unfortunately, evidence is steadily mounting that The Way We Parent Now — roughly defined as giving your child as much opportunity and attention as possible, while requiring little from him or her in return — is turning out to be something of a disaster, at least in terms of producing, you know, well-adjusted, contributing human beings.”

Although he mentions many scenarios and tidbits regarding mostly Philly parents, it actually describes this budding generation of elite professional parents, regardless of where they live. 

Go read it, then tell me what you think.

06
Sep

Victorian, Victorian

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Current Events, History, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Now here is a tour I could totally get into.  The Victorian Philadelphia West of Broad, happening this weekend at 10:00.  Tour starts at the gorgeous Bellevue Hotel, which makes perfect sense.

 A leisurely walk throughout the west side of center city while learning all about the Victorian architecture.  All those hidden nooks and crannies, marvulous buildings you walk past so often and barely notice.   But when you go in them, they take your breath away and transform you to another time.

I love the Victorian era, there is something so romantic and idealistic about it.  Sometimes I think that is was the last golden age, if not the last innocent age.

Hosted by Landmarks, so check out their website for more information.

05
Sep

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Free Events, Local News, Something to Do

Well, river actually.

Anyway, tomorrow night you can check out the new dock along the river in Manayunk.  The dedication ceremony is at 5:00 PM.  Plus you get to meet the Manayunk Dragon Boat Racing team that will be heading to the World Championships in Sydney this year.

Or if you prefer, here’s just another excuse to hang out in Manayunk! Yeah!

Check out Manayunk’s website for more details!

04
Sep

Eat, Pray, Love In Philly

Author: Momish, Category: General, Local News, People

I recently finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I devoured this book and totally admire this woman.

So, I did a little research on the net to learn more about her and what else she has written.  And sure enough, right there on her official website, she says she currently lives in Philadelphia with her honey.

Now, if you read the book, you know she has traveled to at least three continents, if not more.  And she certainly has the means to travel to other exotic and romantic places.  Yet, she chose to settle right here in Philly, at least for now.

Kinda cool, huh?

Another claim to fame, people.