Philadelphia is My Home

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.

20
Aug

Relatively Unsure

Author: Momish, Category: Local News, People

I read this article about  at Philly.com today and I have to say I have mixed feelings.  By the tone of the article, I suppose that is exactly how I should feel.  It seems to be exactly how S-Five feels.

S-Five is a Philly native.  A self proclaimed gangsta rapper who’s lyrics often depict life on Philly streets.  Real life. Guns, drugs, gangs.  He also happens to be the grandson of Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson.

The article describes him as, “not just any hip-hop artist. He’s a street rapper who straddles the divide between cops and crooks, both a member of the city’s first family of law enforcement and an artist representing Philly’s blood-ravaged streets.”

It is a good article. It offers a look at this 27 year old male and his struggle in life to make it, while battling the lure of the streets (our streets) and nurturing a passion for rap.  Sometimes those two just don’t mix.  Can you really make a name for yourself as a rap artist if you aren’t in a gang, didn’t do time, don’t do drugs, don’t hate cops or proudly own several guns?

I had mixed emotions about this article and this man.  Part of me wanted to feel good about him for trying to do better, find a balance.  But then again…

Here is someone that has great role models (not just his grandfather, but father and uncle also work in law enforcement, according to the article).  Here is someone with intelligence and a brain.  Here is someone with a strong support system and moral upbringing.  But then again…

Here is someone who went to jail, did drugs and sings about violence and hatred.  If the lure of the streets and rap music got to him, what chance do others less fortunate have?

Like I said, mixed emotions.  I hope S-Five finds his way and really does use his music to get him out of the streets.  But then again, I hope he raps about that part of his life too. 

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.

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

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}