Sunday, December 28, 2008

Why I love this city...

...While I waited for the 57 or 29 bus, whichever came first (neither which ever did and I had to take a cab), about 10 people came up Moyamensing Ave with a pickup truck leading the way blasting string band music: drinking, dancing with umbrellas and holding up traffic as they leisurely strolled down the street.  And no one, in cars or on the street seemed to really mind (or really take notice for that matter) like it was a totally acceptable occurrence.  I also love the people here b/c about 100 people showed up to a show at a VFW last night and totally made me feel validated, as if all of the work I've done over the past few years has been worth it and will continue to be so.  Everyone who I wanted to come, came and we all had a blast.  Kicked 2 kegs in an hour and a half, then about 8 cases of PBR and several assorted cases of Lager and domestic light beers that people brought in.  That's like a million beers.  

I was walking up and down Columbus Blvd. the other day to find the Phillies World Series box set and the Perfect Season Video yearbook.  It was sold out at Best Buy, and I called Target who was also out.  I tried calling Wal-Mart, but no one picked up.  How does no one pick up the goddamn phone???  Now I hate Wal-Mart, but I REALLY wanted these DVD's.  I get there and was automatically depressed.  The people who go there, the people who work there, even the smell of it is utter trash.  I totally regret even going there.  When I asked a dude in the DVD section if they had it, he pointed to the World Series DVD narrated by Terrance Howard (which I already have).  I said I wanted the box set or the Yearbook CD, he said that he thinks he saw one laying around, but not sure where and then walked away.  As if to say, " good luck, Asshole."  Also, why why why why whyyy does there need to be a McDonald's inside the Wal-Mart AND a McDonald's in the same shopping center, not 2 football fields away?!?  Do we REALLY need to have that many hamburgers readily available at all times??  Jesus, people!  By the way, walking around Columbus Blvd. does not have any of the romanticism or poeticism or any other -icism I can always find walking around Center City, South Philly or even the NEast.  Getting the old iPod goin and just walking and taking in the details and intricacies of these places can be so deep and relaxing.  I take alot of joy in those little moments alone with music and the city or just in my room with a decent flick and a few beers.  The Blvd is just a bunch of chain stores and restaurants (I can never spell that word right) and a bunch of people in SUV's stuffing their faces with fast food.  

Tonight I watched Pan's Labyrinth.  It was awesome, but I had no idea going in that it is entirely in Spanish.  None-the-less it was beautifully shot and had a great story and was highly entertaining.  I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it, but if you have, please bring it up next time we hang out, and watch it if you haven't yet already.  I also finally (or should I say Phinally) got to watch The Perfect Season.  I cried twice.  

Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Lights & Mix Tapes

I got frustrated today when I woke up.  My house was still not decorated for Christmas (I treid doing a half-ass job before work, but it looked pathetic) and when I went to Louie's Used Appliances today to find a phonograph/CD/tape deck combo, they didn't have one.  Three days ago, someone mailed me a mix tape and it made me smile like I haven't smiled in months.  The downside was I didn't have a tape deck (or atleast I didn't think I did.)  I went from having a great time at work tonite to being in a terrible mood for about an hour until I got off and went to the Kite & Key for Mad Elf's on tap, nacho's and Grand Marnier.  When I got home, the house had been decorated, which made me feel like it was actually christmas season.  Then I went upstairs with a few Keystone Lights and a bottle of wine I had bought at the Italian deli down the street the day before.  I soon realized my clock radio was fully equipped with a tape deck.  Yes!  I'm happy now and I'm not having the anxiety attacks that have been plaguing my last few weeks.  Tomorrow me & Bri are meeting for lunch and up-scale haircuts.  Wednesday is our show at the Khyber.  I have a present for someone I can't wait to give and I hope it will make us both happy.  Friday is the 5th Annual Ugly Sweater party at Bri's house in Roxborough. Lookin like a good week.  

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Feeling remorseful

Today I found out all my friends hung out last weekend with my ex-girlfriend and all her friends at a birthday party.  For about a year now I've felt bad because the last time I saw Jacqui, I had the world's most awkward breakfast at the Oregon when I went to get sat, she was sitting at the booth next to me and Anth with her mom.  I was quite and as cordial as possible, but afterwards I said some things I shouldn't have, amongst other things, that she wasn't allowed there anymore because that was "my place".  It was childish and immature, and I've felt bad about it more-or-less ever since.  I've felt recently that life is short and it's pointless to hold grudges and want to apologize, but I also want to avoid any potentially awkward/uncomfortable situations at all costs.  Also, I've been classically bad with apologies.  Maybe one day she'll read this and that'll cover that... but I doubt it.  I should probably just grow up.  Today we also got new couches - well, new to us - from Anth's parents and threw out our old couches and broken recliners.  We listened to rap radio all day and heard the same songs over and over, but I hafta admit, I enjoy these songs.  "Whatever You Like", "My Life", "Womanizer", that new Pink jawn with all the "na na na's" and that Beyonce one about "puttin' a ring on it."  These are like way better than the pop of a few years ago.  We got Optimators and the Flyers came back from 5-1 to win in a shoot-out (something I've never seen).  Satuday is pre-Christmas dinner at my Grandmom's.  That's gonna rule.  Ohh, right and EVERYONE COME TO THE VFW AT RHAWN & TORRESDALE ON THE 27TH - GOOD FOR NOTHING, CEASEFIRE, ONE WIN CHOICE, BEAR # 141 AND A LITTLE AFFAIR.  ALL YOU CAN DRINK, IT'LL BE RAD!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Stray Cats and Beers on a Walk Home

Today at 4:30 ish, I went to work for some work-related stuff which granted me a 1$ lunch that was actually good this time.  Bought the Dark Knight in Center City, then got on the El and headed up to Bill's house where we watched the Garfield Christmas Special and drank some beers, D/led Christmas tunes and popular hip-hops songs.  Band practice went well.  We got Oh Holy Night back down pat and got a little surprise mashup for our December 27th show at the VFW in the N'East.  Today's weather was waaaayy milder than I (or anyone else had expected, which ruled).  Took the R7 back downtown after practice.  I'm half-way through the Great Gatsby, which marks the first book I've read for fun since like junior year of high school.  Thought for sure I was gonna get jumped in the men's room of the train station and for the first time actually drew my knife ready to cut a dude, but turned out he was just a drunken bum and he left me alone.  Decided since it was warm as shit out, for possibly the last time all year, to walk home from Suburban Station.  Took about an hour and in the meantime I drank 5 beers that I placed in a paper bag that I got from 7-11.  I felt like a homeless person, but there was something strangely surreal and satisfactory about walking past Le-bec-Fin and the Diesel & Lacosste stores on Walnut St. while drinking a Beast Light, watching well-to-do men and women in suits and dresses go about their nights - all none the wiser.  Down in South Philly at about 6th and Catherine a cat approached me at the corner.  I was nervous at first b/c it's tail was puffed up (which is usually a sign that a cat is scarred and can turn violent).  Instead, it just rubbed up against my leg and purred.   We had a little chat where I explained that I already had a street kitty and I was sorry for the state that it was in, but I could not take it home.  (This conversation was - in fact - carried out aloud).  Eventually a girl who lived around there pulled up in an SUV and told me there was a woman around the corner who fed the cat, but I was sweet for caring.  She also said she wouldn't let the cat rub up against me for too long for fear of fleas.  Those jeans are currently being washed.  Now time for whiskey and the Dark Knight.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Sliding across board room tables

Tonite I went to my friend Art's 40th birthday party at a totally pimped out apartment suite that he rented out in his apt. building.  Seriously, this place was bangin. Full equipped with a business-meeting-style board room...which was fully equipped with a business-meeting-style board room table.  We decided the most appropriate thing to do was dive across it for an hour or so and laugh like 12 year olds.  It was awesome.  We drank lagers and Magic Hats and told stories.  It reminded me of being young.  Tonight wasn't as cold as previous nights so my ride home wasn't so bad. Oh, and also, I got to wear jeans and sneakers at work today b/c Navy is in house and I was wearing a jersey.  Sooo, overall, good day.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Soar throats & the Lottery.

For the first time ever I think I'm launching an effective pre-emptive strike against my annual winter foe: strept throat.   Last years antibiotics coupled w/ Riccolas and general taking-it-easy seem to be working.  I made a call yesterday to finally grow up and take advantage of my employer's health care.  It makes me feel grown-up and I don't like it.  But it's better than having a fever and a throat so swollen you can't swallow anything.  I feel at any minute though, I'm gonna get sick and this has left me in a shitty mood.  Ever since 2  weekends ago.  It feels like I'm cheating faith, but what the hell, I'll run with it.  Speaking of fate, I had a dream the other night I won 93 million dollars in the lottery.  I was then too embarrassed to ask someone how to play the lottery so I didn't.  I also don't think 93 is  playable number.  Needless to say, I did not win the lottery.  I did, however start getting in the Christmas music mood.  This year I've found a new love for Trans Siberian Orchestra and iTunes (which lets me get all of this wonderfully epic holiday music).  So I guess this has put me in a much better mood.  I think I would love the cold if it weren't for the illness and numb fingers.  There's something strange about the cold that also makes everything seem silent, even Center City at 11:30.  It just seems peaceful.  Now time for bargain movies purchased at Best Buy's black friday sale and half a bottle of wine.