Philadelphia is My Home

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!

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.

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.

27
Aug

American Idol In Philly

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

So, the American Idol try outs were today at the Wachovia Center. Oh man, how I would have loved to have seen that!

I am sure we have a TON of talented young people here, but I am even more sure of the fact that we have plenty of wackos too.

Whenever I watch the try outs, I just have a hard time really believing that half the people are serious. That they really have no clue just how awful they are. So, it would have been interesting to see if part of the try outs are a set up or paid actors to make the show more interesting. Or, if some people are just there intentionally making fools of themselves, adopting the philosophy that any attention is attention.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone of you were there or know someone who went and tried out.

Any sightings of Simon, Paula or Randy??? How ’bout Ryan?

Now I’m gonna have to watch this season’s show just to see our Philly folks.

15
Aug

You Gotta Play To Win

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

No, that post title is not another jab at the Eagles!  Thanks to Sparky for pulling me up from my down-on-the-birds-slump.  He’s right you know.  The game the other night is not a true indication of what is to come, especially considering McNabb wasn’t even on the field.

 But I digress…

The post title is in reference to the PA Lottery of course, that is there tag line after all.  And you thought it was bird bashing time again.  Ye of little faith.

So why would I be writing a post about the PA Lottery?  Because I am about to play it. I don’t usually play the lottery.  No, I prefer to throw away my hard earned money in Atlantic City.  Still, sometimes I join the Powerball pools at work because in the off chance they actually hit, I don’t want to be the only idiot still kissing the boss’ butt the next day.

Other than joining the office pool, I usually don’t play.  But, in the past four days I have heard about two people buying those scratch off games and winning.  And we are not talking about winning a free ticket either.  I mean winning mega bucks.  So, the way I figure it is that things often happen in threes, right?  I could be the third, right?  I mean I have just as chance as anyone else, right?  And you gotta play to win, right?

I’ve decided to play the $250,000 Monopoly scratch off.  Mostly because the two people I recently heard about hit on a $10 ticket, but also because that is the game that seemed to have the most winning tickets still circulating out there.

What? No, I am not psychic.  They actually post this information.

You didn’t know that?  It’s all listed right there on the PA Lottery’s website.  On the ”Remaining Winners” page.  Now, before you go running off to buy the scratch offs with loads of prizes left on them, I only ask one favor of you.  If you win, don’t tell me.  I need to believe I still have a shot at being that third person.  Don’t blow it for me!

UPDATE: I won 50 bucks! So it ain’t ten grand, but I can’t complain.

10
Aug

Old Friends And New Artists

Author: Momish, Category: General, Local Charity, People, Philly Finds, Resources

I just want it to be known that I have no artistic talent whatsoever. 

None. Nada. Nil. Zip. Zero. 

That being said, I also want it to be known that I fully support the arts, especially the local arts.  I just spent two hundred bucks on Wicked tickets for crying out loud!! And before I had a kid,  I went to countless First Fridays (and no, it wasn’t just for the free wine and cheese either so don’t even go there).  I love art, despite the fact that half the time I don’t always get it.  I also love that fact that Philadelphia has a thriving art culture.  If you don’t believe me, just check out InLiquid. 

I just discovered the site myself by chance.  Well, maybe not by chance really.  You see, I was at the bank the other day, impatiently waiting in line and hating my life at that moment.  When all of a sudden, I hear my name being called out.  I turn around and there stood a very good old friend of mine whom I haven’t seen in a dog’s age.  Naturally, I was thrilled to death because she was just the type of long lost friend you hope to run into again. 

So what has she been up to these past ten years?  Oh, nothing much.  The usual, like starting a non-profit on-line resource network for local artists called InLiquid.  Stuff like that. 

<Gulp. Inferiority complex anyone? I can barely manage getting my car registered once a year.>

Anyway, I immediately added her website to my blogroll, but that just wasn’t good enough.  I felt the need to get the word out.  InLiquid is a vital network for local artists.  If you are an artist in the area, you gotta check it out.  The techie geek in you will totally lurve the web design too.

05
Aug

Our Wild Backyard

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, General, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

We often go the Philadelphia Zoo as we have maintained our yearly membership since my daughter was born.  I love taking her to the zoo and watching her face as she observes all those magnificent animals, most of which she has no clue how lucky she is to see in person.

If you read my personal blog Momish, then you probably know that I am somewhat of an animal lover and activist.  So, whenever I talk about going to the zoo or my zoo membership, I am often asked how I feel about animals in captivity. 

I think the Philadelphia Zoo is a shining example of how all zoos should be.  I think our zoo represents the minimal acceptance level of how animals should be treated and housed in a caged environment.  In other words, the Philly Zoo does it right.

I think there is a great advantage to zoos in that they educate the general public about exotic and domestic animals.  They infect visitors with an admiration and respect for all animal life.  They also are a wealth of information about the many plights and dangers facing animals all over the world, triggering a desire to help and care about them in a way that probably would have been overlooked or ignored.  In addition, if it weren’t for the efforts of major zoos across the world, I am convinced that many near extinct species would be long gone and reduced to a blurb in our history books.

That being said, I definitely hold a standard as to what I will support when it comes to caging and transporting wild animals away from their natural habitat.  I do think that the label “zoo” is too often abused.  There are so many rinky-dink “zoos” out there that are a disgrace to the human race and downright animal abuse.  They should be shut down. 

I know it takes loads of money and resources to properly house and maintain a respectful and humane zoo.  Such that only major cities with the proper financial backing would be able to have zoos.  Cities like Philadelphia, San Diego and New York.  And while it might be unfair to the rest of the country, my main response to that is tough sh*t.

It is inhumane and morally wrong to shove a bunch of chimpanzees into a two by four cage with a tree branch so that kids that live outside of a major city can have a substandard education and experience of a wild animal.

You should go to the Philadelphia Zoo if you haven’t been there in a while (the new Amur Tiger cubs should be open to the public by now).  You should take advantage of the good fortune you have to live in a city with wild animals right in your backyard.  Animals that are cared by the world’s top notch veterinarians, who’s housings were designed with the utmost of care and thought by top architects in the region and who thrive as a result of the many supports like myself.

The Philadelphia Zoo is not just the nation’s first zoo, but perhaps the nation’s finest as well.

<rant over>

So tell me, how do you feel about animals kept in zoos?  What do you think about the Philly Zoo?  When was the last time you were there?

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!}

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? 

05
Jul

Wanna Feel Good?

Author: Momish, Category: General, Something to Do

Have I mentioned yet what a devout animal lover I am? I’m sure I have, seeing as it is something I have a habit of droning on and on about. But, just in case, let me reiterate it right here, right now:  I am a complete sucker for our fine furry friends!

So, as you can only imagine, when I opened my Daily Candy* email today and read about Inner Bliss Yoga Center’s donation class, where all proceeds go to local charities like the ASPCA, I practically started salivating (get it? salivating? as in Pavlov’s dogs?…oh, never mind!).

Any hoo, it seems to me that if you are free tonight, then you have one heck of an excellent opportunity awaiting you over at Inner Bliss. You get to take a great class in yoga while helping out our four legged friends at the same time. In the end, you will walk away feeling really good about yourself, both inside and out!

Check out their website for more information and class times.

Inner Bliss Yoga Center

123 Chestnut Street

267-236-2783

*Yes, that would the same Daily Candy I wrote about last week. If you had signed up for it like I told you to do, then you would already be aware of the donation class going on tonight. So, don’t blame me if you didn’t read this post until it was too late. Shame on you!