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!)

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!

29
Aug

Fringe Benefits

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

Are you gonna be stuck in the city this weekend like me?

Still looking for something to do? 

Well, check out the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival schedule and see if anything tickles your fancy.

Be prepared to have your mind blown away.  There is so much going on!  Reading through that schedule is like scroll, scroll, scroll, still scrolling, holy high water still scrolling, mega more and still scrolling, my wrist hurts, still scrolling…

If you can’t find something to do with all that, then I am so sorry, but I can’t help ya! I don’t think anybody can.

09
Aug

Phillywood?

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

Have you heard the news?  Seems like we will be having more traffic woes as Pacifica Ventures is planning on building a production studio in the Philadelphia region.

What I find interesting is that they recently opened a production studio in New Mexico.  I use to live in New Mexico.  Very odd.  First New Mexico, now Philly.  I could become paranoid over things like this.  Are they following me?

Seriously though, I think opportunities like this are great.  They increase the arts and commerce in the area and I am all for that.  They enhance tourism and exposure to the city.  Plus they give local artists and technicians jobs.  The saddest thing is when people leave the city for NY or LA because they can’t make a living here in their field.

So, even if it means I have to go seven blocks out of my way when returning my movies to Hollywood Video, I can live with that minor drawback.  (It never fails, every time I am headed in my car through the city, I hit some production going on, be it a movie or Hack or a commercial.)  

Just think, movies bring celebrities and directors and the media too.  It raises the level of class in a city.  Movie stars want to stay in 5 star hotels and dine in only the finest of restaurants, shop in high end boutiques, etc.  Every city could use more high profile patrons to boost it’s reputation even further.

Besides, there is nothing like watching a movie in production from the sidelines and then seeing the end result on the big screen.  Not many other folks get that opportunity, you know.  Not everybody lives in a city where film making is just par for the course.

It’s about time Philly had it’s day in the sun.  There is so much talent right here, Pacifica Ventures is smart to take advantage of it, if you ask me.  I hope the deal goes through and doesn’t end up in the toilet like Will Smith’s proposal did years ago.  I further hope the first film they shoot here stars Brad Pitt.

08
Aug

Is There A Problem Here?

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Just Ranting, People

Have you seen this article?  Apparently Britney Spears failed to recognize Posh Spice, even after Mrs. Beckham took the time to introduce herself.  Well, did it ever occur to anyone that maybe Britney just didn’t like her very much?  Did it occur to anyone in the news that maybe the general public just might not care?

Or, how about this articlewhere Lindsey Lohan once again screws up? For the most part, I actually feel sorry for this girl.  So rich and famous at such a young age obviously takes its toll.  Other times, though, all I can do is shake my head and be grateful she is not my child.  Whether or not her second arrest after being released from rehab is noteworthy has me shaking my head even harder. 

Finally, this article kinda sums it up nicely.  Paris Hilton apparently got a rash while doing time in jail.  You see, the sheets in jail are extremely thin, probably no more than 80 thread counts.  THE HORRORS! And the idea that she had no moisturizer (and I mean none, not just that she went without her $80 an ounce beauty fluid) is enough to deter most other heiresses from ever breaking the law, don’t you think?  Perhaps getting the word out regarding the heiress’ substandard living conditions in jail could fall under newsworthy, especially on a slow day where only 5 soldiers died in Iraq.

Considering all these news articles, I put forth the following problem for you to solve:

Find x, where x is the common denominator between them.  To be nice, I will make this a multiple choice question.

x =

 A. The frightening idea that these women could be considered my daughter’s current role models.

B. The tragic notion that the petty actions of these women are considered more news worthy than other global events.

C. The fact that none of these women were born in Philadelphia.

D. All of the above.

Give up?

The correct answer is C.  None of these women were born in Philadelphia.

Aw, c’mon people. C is the only answer that is a fact, as opposed to my humble opinions.  And we all know what those are worth! Besides, I had to find some way to connect all this random babbling to a Philly blog. 

Works for me

07
Aug

This Is Just A Test

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

If you were out strolling around the Art Museum yesterday, then you probably thought you walked into a war zone.  Philadelphia Emergency Personnel simulated a terrorist attack to practice and test local response groups.

According to the article on 6abc.com’s website, the purpose of the drill was to test inter-agency communication and management.  Sounds like a good plan to me.  They chose the Parkway since that is where major events happen in the city.  I would suppose that our arenas would also be considered targets as well.  But the Parkway would definitely constitute an easier target considering it completely accessible to the public at all times.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I feel comforted to know our city is not only thinking about the possibilities of terrorist attacks here, but also doing something about them.  Preparing our response teams and working to improve disaster management is worth disrupting your morning stroll, wouldn’t you say? 

They said that hundreds of residents volunteered for the event.  So how come you never hear about these things?  Did they advertise for local volunteers? I would have loved to be a volunteer for something like this.  Did anyone happen to see the drill? Or even participate?

On another note, I discovered that my home street has a “walk score” of 89 out of 100.  That is pretty impressive.  As a person who refuses to live in any place where I have to drive for my milk and cigarettes, I can totally appreciate this site.  Should I ever venture to move, I would rely heavily on this baby.  Likewise, it would also be useful when traveling and finding a hotel, because it also lists the local establishments within walking distance. 

 Thanks to Malcolm X Park for this useful tip!  I don’t feel too bad about stealing it from them since they stole it from Phillybits!  That’s how this stuff works, right?

04
Aug

Training Days

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

Well, according to everything I am hearing and reading, it sounds like McNabb is in top shape and ready to give it his all this year.

Ok, call me a doubting Thomas, but I find it hard to believe that this year will be any different or better.  Now, trust me when I say that I am one of those Eagles fans that dons their rose colored glasses every August and chants to themselves, “this year…this year…this year”. 

I use to feel the same way every time I pulled the handle on a slot machine, “this time…this time…this time.” Well, after years of having my  twenty dollor bills getting sucked up without ever hearing those tell tale bells go off telling me my daughter has just become an heiress, let’s just say you finally start to lose some of that optimism.

McNabb’s knee surgery is over.  He is all set to kick some butt.  But it is not like we have become sudden amnesiacs.  Four years ago he was healthier and younger and hungrier.  I find it hard to believe his stamina, optimism and game is just as high now as it was back then.  And sadly, it wasn’t enough back then.

That being said, of course it still won’t stop me from putting on my rose colored glasses again come the end of this month.  In all honesty, I wouldn’t know any other way to watch a pre-season Eagles game.  It’s in my blood.  I don’t think I will be chanting the “this year” mantra though. I am wiser and a tad more skeptical these days.  I no longer have the blind faith I use to, but there is still a glimmer of hope that remains.  I wouldn’t be a true Eagles fan if I didn’t have that.

We’ll see, is all I can muster up for now.

I think I have finally arrived at a realistic balance when it comes to the Eagles.  Just like I did with the slots.  I still throw a twenty dollar bill into them each time I go to Atlantic City.  But now, all I am hoping for is my twenty back, or perhaps the chance to double it.  In which case, any winnings go directly into the college fund, seeing as my daughter will most likely have to work for a living just like the rest of us non-Hiltons.

02
Aug

Reading Market Is Terminal For Rick’s Cheesesteaks

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Dining Out, Just Ranting, Local News, Philly Food

I am a traditionalist.  As much as I like change and new things, I also cling to the past like a crab to a big toe.

That is why this whole Rick’s Philly Cheesesteaks eviction from Reading Terminal Market is bothering me.  They are screwing with tradition and history here and I just don’t like that.

On Tuesday, Rick’s lease was up at the market after much controversy and debate.  But as of yesterday, Rick was still there slinging his cheesesteaks around for anyone ordering.  If I worked in Center City, I would head down there and order one myself even though I am not a huge fan of cheesesteaks (probably shouldn’t let that get out, huh?). 

And now there is all this talk of Tony Luke’s being the bad guy.  I don’t honestly think Tony Luke’s is to blame.  I doubt that there is some conspiracy here to oust Rick’s by Tony Luke.  But then again, I often suffer from the Anne Frank syndrome thinking everyone is still good at heart.  

The article states that the Market wanted a “premier” cheesesteak shop and therefore are kicking out Rick Olivieri in favor of Tony Luke.  Um, is it me or are they nuts?  As if any cheesesteak place can be considered “premier”.  It’s cheesesteaks, people! As in wrapped in paper.  As in greasy.  As in destined to give you clogged arteries.  There is nothing premier or classy about cheesesteaks, which is exactly what makes them so popular.

Olivieri claims the cancelled lease is in retaliation to past clashes with management as the head of the market’s merchant association.  Why does that ring more true than the desire to have the oh-so-upscale Tony Luke’s shop?  Obviously, he has the full support of not just his loyal customers, but the other Reading Terminal Market merchants.  According to merchant David Esh, owner-operator of Hatville Deli and a representative of the market’s Amish merchants, the 19th Annual Dutch Festival scheduled for Aug. 8-11 has been canceled in protest of the eviction.  

What do you think?  He and his family have been there since 1982.  That to me is long enough to be considered tradition and history.

Mr. Olivieri is planning on filing a lawsuit against the market.  I say you cling to that big toe with all your might, Mr. Olivieri! There are a lot of people behind you on this one.  It may be your shop and your livelihood, but it is our city and our tradition too.