What: Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975
When: Wednesday 8:00

Monday afternoon, I stopped into the Trader Joe’s at 22nd and Market after work. I zipped around the store, filling my basket with some necessities (coffee, cereal, bananas and milk). As I approached the registers, I made accidental eye contact with a guy standing in line. He looked to be my mom’s age (baby boomer) and he was so familiar that I looked again. He could have been a twin to my Uncle Andy (mostly because they are both hairy, Jewish men). Then I realized why I knew him.

When I was a middle schooler in Portland, OR, I would rush home every day to watch Furniture to Go TLC staring these guys. It was my favorite show (okay, so I’m a little weird) and I loved learning about furniture repair and refurbishment, especially from guys who sounded like my mom and her brothers.

Once I figured out that it was Ed Feldman, standing in line a check stand over from me, my cheeks got red, and I called my mom. She told me I should say something, but I just couldn’t. I think that he knew I recognized him, too. Now I realize I should have said something, because he probably would have gotten a kick out of being recognized by someone who thought he was cool during her pre-teen years in Portland, OR.

So Ed, if this blog post somehow gets your attention, I just want to say, your show rocked! Thanks!

Friends of mine have been making plans for this particular Fest for months because this is a big deal. Big deal.

In case you aren’t sold on the idea yet, check out the poorly photoshopped artist pictures on the front page (basic filters, what?). Aren’t they cute? Don’t you want to spend a weekend wandering from stage to stage, soaking in the glory? (Well, sans Emmylou Harris, who broke her hand. Damn shame; she’s a great live performer.)

Ticket prices are still low today…the price goes up at midnight tonight, so scoop up your tickets while you can!

It should make for an amusing weekend, to say the least.

On Saturday, I was at the intersection of Germantown Ave. and Broad Street, when I saw something that seemed kind of out of place (granted, I was kind of out of place at that intersection too). It was a large billboard advertising Vitamin Water. 50 Cent was the one doing the promotion.
I’ve always associated Vitamin Water, Smart Water and all the other Glaceau products with Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and other upscale, health/natural food stores and those stores are nowhere to be found in that neighborhood. So, I did a little googling, to find out what the story was.

Unlike his business counterparts who have invested in energy drinks and liquor businesses, the Queen’s bred rapper bought a stake in Glaceau, the company that owns the Vitamin Water drink.

50 said he drinks the product on a regular basis, since he does not drink alcoholic beverages.

click here to read the complete article.

Personally, I think it’s pretty cool that he doesn’t drink and he’s encouraging his fans to drink something a little healthier (even is some of the Glaceau products are just sugar water).

You know, when I lived in New Jersey and had to drive past the massive amount of tourists at Independence Hall, I didn’t really mind. Then when I moved to the city and stopped driving, I started to just get ticked off at the sheer number of people blocking the street like it’s their job.

Eventually I started driving again, but didn’t like them blocking my intersections. I’d have to say that 5th street is the absolute worst. 5th and Chestnut. Try going there at rush hour and see how you do. I think a solution to massive pedestrian traffic should be used.

Tonight I went, with two friends, down to the Ritz Five, to see a Philadelphia Film Society screening of a new movie that’s just starting to get some buzz and will be in selected theaters soon. It is “The Thing About My Folks” and Paul Reiser wrote it and stars along with Peter Falk. It’s about the dysfunctional family that you’ve always wanted to belong to, but just when they are slowly starting to learn to function. But funny.

Another great part of the screening I attended tonight was that as the credits were rolling, in come Paul Reiser and Peter Falk. It was such a kick to be in the same room as them (it’s the only time in a movie where I wished I had been sitting in the front row). They were funny, normal and totally devoted to making this movie a success. Over the next couple of weeks they will be sacrificing sleep, time with their families and any semblance of orientation to geographic location, to talk to people all over the country about this movie that was a labor of love for them.

So, when it opens here at the Ritz, do yourself a favor and go see it. You won’t be sorry.

So, the other night I was riding home from work on the 40 bus which runs from West Philly to Society Hill via South Street when I noticed a brand spankin’ new Starbucks at 9th. A Starbucks! That makes two! On South Street?!

Ai Chihuahua! South Street sure has changed. When I was a teenager, South Street was the destination of choice for me and my fellow suburbanite buddies. We all thought we were cool hanging out on what was then a disgusting and hopefully dangerous punk rock paradise. Bright green mohawks, black leather, tattoos, ripped fishnet clinging to pale punk rock chick legs… it was great. Stepping into Zipperhead, a one stop punk shop, was like stepping into a frightening and fascinating alternate universe. There was JC Dobbs, one of the great underground music venues of Philly, host to countless unknown punk and hardcore bands, and the bigger but no less cool Theatre of the Living Arts whose audiences knew how to mosh without beating the hell out of each other. There were great record stores and pizza and steak shops and everything was mom and pop — no chains.

Times, they have a-changed.
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This is my first post on the blog. I’m moving into Philly soon (probably mid-September) and I start a software dev job near 4th and Spring Garden on August 29th. Before I move in, I’ll be commuting daily from the suburbs by either car or SEPTA.
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I hear there’s an open mic tonight at World Cafe Live at 304 Walnut Street. It’s just a few blocks from 30th Street Station, and if I can make it there early enough, I’ll be spending the evening there. And then some time that night I’ll play a few songs.

I hear the open mics are like marathon at that place. Any musicians out there, dear readers? Hurry up and fill me in!

And if you’re not a musicians but just wanna hang out at a cool atmosphere, hurry up and call or change your plans and go or whatever one does nowadays.

I happened to find this posting from the Roller Girls and figure it’s worth sharing:

The Philly Roller Girls is an all-girl roller derby league that formed in March 2005 with a diverse group of women from Philadelphia and New Jersey. We consist of self-motivated, hard-working athletes of all ages, body types and backgrounds creating an awesome blend of radical, free-thinking chicks. We are a not-for-profit organization and completely DIY (do it yourself), meaning we are a skater-owned and operated league.

The Philly Roller Girls have scheduled an open recruitment meeting for Monday, September 12th at 9pm upstairs at Cosi on 36th and Walnut (140 South 36th Street), Philadelphia. We are currently recruiting for referees and score card girls as well as rollergirls. Keep in mind, you must be female, at least 18 years old and have current health insurance (or we can help you find health insurance coverage) to skate with the Philly Roller Girls. Other information such as our practice times/places, what kind of gear you’ll need, the sport and its rules, etc. will be covered during the open recruitment meeting and open skates for new recruits. In the meantime, interested potential rollergirls should get a pair of skates on and practice, practice, practice. Feel free to contact me with any questions, etc. or simply check out our webpage at www.phillyrollergirls.com.

Love & Bruises,

Mo Pain #8
Recruitment Committee
Philly Roller Girls