Philadelphia is My Home

18
Oct

Urg (um, I mean Erg) Is Too A Word

Author: Momish, Category: Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids, Resources, Something to Do

It’s a work unit.

I know this because I do a lot of crossword puzzles.  Which is also why I play a mean game of Scrabble.  I love Scrabble, but no one will play with me because I always win.

This is why I was thrilled to death to find the Free Library’s Philly Plays Scrabble program which holds Scrabble competitions throughout this month.

If you are a Scrabble buff, here’s your chance to shine.  You might even find yourself amongst some serious competition.

Bring. It. On.

Check out the Librabry’s website for more details, as well as a slew of other great events they host.  When was the last time you actually went to the library?  With the world’s wealth of imformation a simple Google click away, I am sure it’s been quite some time you have walked through those doors.  I know I haven’t been here in ages.  And I miss that old beautiful building on the Parkway.  It’s the first free library in the country, you know.

So c’mon, put on your Scrabble thinking caps and and haul your Google addicted butts over to the library.  I could use some stiff competition.

(Philly Plays Scrabble has events throughout many Library branches.  Check the website for dates and times, since each vary.)

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!

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.

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.

13
Aug

Just in Time

Author: Momish, Category: Kids, Resources

 I read in the Sunday Inquirer yesterday about the Girls Rock Philly Camp, which held their showcase event this past Saturday.

 OK!  Stop rolling your eyes. So what if I am way behind the times and this post talks about the past, but nobody ever claimed I was psychic for Pete’s sake.  Besides, my daughter is only two years old, so how was I suppose to know of an all girl rock camp when they only accept ages 10-18?

Let’s just say that I am telling you about this wonderful camp (in case you didn’t read the paper yourself yesterday) IN ADVANCE.  Instead of waiting for next summer, I will post about it now so you can sign up your daughter or niece or granddaughter today for next summer.

 It’s only a week long (at Girard College), so you don’t have to worry that your little one will run off and become a groupie or the next Madonna.  It’s a wonderful chance for young girls to bond and dabble in good old fashion rock and roll.  And who knows, it may be just the kind of inspiration that leads to your kid becoming the next American Idol. 

In fact, I think it is such a great idea, I am going to sign my daughter up now.  I know she is only two, but that is just how ahead of the times and on top of things I am! 

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.

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?

27
Jul

Trying To See The Bright Side

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

A month or so after my daughter was born I got a kidney stone.  It required one ER visit, two outpatient procedures and lots of morphine to get the damn thing out.  On the bright side, after six weeks of hell, I lost over 26 pound including all that pregnancy weight.  Naturally, I went shopping for the new wardrobe my skinny new bod required.

Well, that was almost two years ago.  So as you can only image, after two years of holiday dinners, neurotic snacking and one week of vacation, those 26 pounds have found me again.  Mostly on my butt, sad to say. But you know me, always trying to look on the bright side of things.  As far as I can see, the only mildly sunny side of having a new yelk body is needing new clothes.  And in some pathetic way, I can live with that. 

So with full excuse in hand, I decided to hit The Walk in Atlantic City like the true shopaholic I am, this time on a valid mission for a change.  I think I went into every store twice.  And, although I was sure I would find some things there, I was mistaken.  My wardrobe is still hurting and all my current clothes are rediculously too tight.  I tried to spend money, but most of the shops were not my cup of tea.  As a result, all I have to look forward to now is going to the Green Street Consignment Shop when I get back home.  I am sure my bank account will really took a hit there. 

I love Green Street.  There is just something about designer clothes, high end designer clothes, that just fit so well.  Even if you are not a size 2, six foot tall model.  I can’t afford high end designer clothes new, so Green Street is the perfect place to stock up on those unique and well made items every wardrobe needs, at great prices to boot. 

However, if you are a size 6, don’t bother going there.  They won’t have anything for you.  Likewise for all you women with size 7 1/2 feet.  You’ll only be disappointed, trust me.  Stay home. I am talking nothing, nada.  Don’t go.  Stay away.   BACK OFF!  THEY’RE MINE ! ALL MINE!

 Green Street Consignment Shop:

700 South St
Philadelphia, PA
19147

Phone: (215) 733-9261

18
Jul

Radio Days

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

Unless you read my personal blog, you probably don’t know that I recently bought a new car, a Honda Fit.

{Momish readers roll their eyes and sigh, “oh no, not the car again!”}

Yes, I am going to talk about the car yet again.  Deal. 

Thanks to my new shiny car, I am now safer on the road, have a back windshield wiper (!), power windows and a radio for the first time in six years.  A radio!!!  And no, I am not that cheap that I drove to work every day in silence for the past six years rather than dish out the cash to replace my stolen one.  I just refused to throw my hard earned cash away on something that was sure to slip away as soon as I got it.  The original radio was stolen within the first month I had the car causing 800 bucks of damage to the console. Oh thank you very much universe for once again teaching me the valuable zen lesson of placing too much of my energy into meaningless possessions; I am surely a better person for those six years of silence.  (my turn to roll the eyes)

Anyway, I know I am way late to the game here, but have you heard the new radio station WRFF Radio 104.5?  Loving it!! It’s so nice to listen to really good songs that are not overplayed, especially while stuck in a major traffic jam surrounded by morons.  Them and BEN FM are slowing bringing my blood pressure down to safe levels again.

I’m also enjoying the “new” morning shows like Preston and Steve.  Those guys are certifiable, I am convinced.  At first I thought the 10,000 marbles thrown down the Art Museum steps was a farce, just like the time they fooled everyone into thinking they were actually throwing iPods off City Hall’s roof.  But, lo and behold it was for real.  It wasn’t until I saw the YouTube video posted by Philly Transplant that I knew it was legit.  Not being much of a baseball fan, the entire point of the 10,000 marbles for 10,000 losses was well, kinda lost on me you might say.  It was still funny though, especially all the hoopla it created.   

So, there have it.  Lots of outdated radio news for ya.  C’mon guys, I can’t be the maverick of All Things Philly every day, you know.  Cut me a break!  After six years, I have ease back into having radio days again.

27
Jun

“Ratatouille”, My You Know What!

Author: Momish, Category: Just Ranting, Randomness, Resources

Here is one of the things I really hate about living in the city….RATS!

There ain’t nothing cute rats. They can make all the movies they want about friendly and adorable pretend rats with quaint accents cooking French cuisine.  Heck, you may even find me laughing and rooting for the little bugger, because  it isn’t real.  But, the real ones? Like the one I saw last night IN MY HOUSE? Sorry, but upon seeing one of those little disease ridden rodents scurrying across my bathroom, the only thing I am doing is freaking out. And I mean freaking out as in a whole other level of freaking out, my friends.  As in adapting a new mantra in life that goes along the lines of, “KILL! KILL! KILL!”

So, after screaming and jumping up and down like a lunitic hopping across a live minefield, I lied awake in bed, completely paranoid and beside myself with anxiety. Sleep was not an option. I was on full alert. I immediately jumped into combat mode.  KILL! KILL! KILL!

First things first, I got the cat. Although obviously useless, his presence at the foot of my bed made a significant difference none-the-less. Second, I began a mental check list of all the stuff I need to do to make sure that disgusting thing doesn’t come near me or my family, even by proxy. By four in the morning I had my strategy all planned out and was ready for full on war.  KILL! KILL! KILL!

City rats are not to be taken lightly. They transmit diseases through their droppings, urine and fleas. These disease are especially harmful to children under five. My daughter is two, TWO, so you see where I’m coming from here? How many ways are there to say PANIC?

Needless to say, at 9:01 I was on the phone with Philadelphia Rat Control and had already researched rats to the point where I can now teach a class on this stuff. Here is the plan I have devised. I am posting it here, just in case you should ever find a rat running in your house at midnight, in the middle of an already hectic weak when you are pretty much a neurotic mess of a human being to begin with:

• Call Philadelphia Rat Control (they are no help beyond “we’ll check out the area”)
• Sanitize everything! Every floor space, counter space and table space. BLEACH!
• Put all open dry foods in plastic bags or bins
• Empty the lazy cat’s food bowl at night
• Clean all the apples and cherries that have fallen in your 2X4 cement yard
• Get hubby to seal all holes around the 100 year old house and decrepid basement
• Tightly seal up all trash and bins, inside and out (think superglue)
• Close all toilet lids (spray Windex on lid before closing)
• Put out a million traps in places cat and kid can’t reach (Note: Poison is not recommended around children and pets, plus it can end up in a desperate search for a decaying rat that hid itself real good while it was dying. I am not sure what is worse, a live rat or a decaying rat you can’t find or get to!)
• Wipe dry all sinks, tub and showers after using in order to remove all water sources (needless to say, repair leaks)
• And finally, take a Valium before you drop dead of a heart attack. You want to be around to see that sucker go down, after all. DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!