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Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Random
When hearing songs from Led Zeppelin's "In Through The Out Door" on the radio, the first thing that *always* enters my head is... "Sad Zep."
A cartoon image of Jimmy Page & Robert Plant (with slack guitar & limp mic.) also pops into my head.
Even though I generally like the songs, especially the two hits, I know the cause/trigger is Rolling Stone Mag's review of said album which I read while a high-school student during "study period" in the school library.
First Concert:
Santa Esmeralda not featuring Leroy Gomez at the Civic Center (BorderTown, Tx.)
They played their hit "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" twice. Once as an encore. Also happened to sit next to future "1st serious" girlfriend. She literally snored & slept through the second half of the show or at least pretended to.
First Beer Buzz:
During Sophomore Summer year of High School, did the tennis tournament tour of Texas. Was in San Antonio, staying with my Uncle (Mother's youngest brother and law school student) & his wife (Braniff Airline flight attendant).
Saw the Spurs play, starring George Gervin, aka "The Iceman," at the Hemisphere Arena. The Spurs won though don't remember who they played. And I drank 3 or so beers.
Lost my first round match the following morning.
First Concert Experience:
Saw Rush in S.A. during the Hemispheres Tour.
Was lucky enough to hear about the Greyhound Bus Trip sponsored by a local (BorderTown) radio station. Every seat was sold & occupied (price also included a Rush concert ticket).
The "Rush Bus" was a 2 1/2 hour drive (5 hours round trip) to San Antonio. Upon arriving in S.A., the radio station manager passed a hat around, asking for tips/donations for the driver.
Can you imagine driving a chartered bus 156 miles, filled with loud male teenagers, all of whom, for the most part, were smoking marijuana joints or passing pipes of weed to each other?
Purchases: Two black short-sleeve concert tees (different designs)
Note: Triumph opened the show
First Neil Young Album Purchased:
Rust Never Sleeps (newly released) @ a convenience store/truck stop in Austin, Tx. while attending St. Stephen's Academy during the school summer session.
Note: All single vinyl albums at the time sold for $6.99 ($7.34 with tax included)
First Concert Souvenir:
Saw the Pretenders (Pretenders II Tour) in Akron, Ohio.
Was staying at my Uncle/Godfather's home in Hudson (Columbus), Oh. At the time, was about to attend a college in Steubenville, Ohio. Went with my Aunt's (*) younger brother who was also staying with them.
Don't remember who opened but during the Pretender's set, Chrissie Hynde had a Martin Chambers' drumstick in her hands while swaying her hips and dancing slowly sort of like Axl Rose used to do.
She let the drumstick fall to the stage whereupon I bum-rushed said stage and grabbed the drumstick.
Right when I clutched it, was kicked in the head by Hynde and at the same time very physically shoved back into the crowd by a security guard.
Note: Am no longer in possession of the "logo/stamped" M.C. drumstick
Purchases: Sleveless white concert tee. 1st Pretenders album cover on the front. Pretenders II Tour Dates on back.
Another Round - Inflation Index:
16 oz. cans of Yeungling Premium at Dakotah's went up $0.25 from $1.25 to $1.50 two weeks ago
Pints of Rolling Rock @ Julie's Corner Bar stayed constant at $1.50
.............................................................................
(*) Aunt is a former nun/sister who, after leaving the convent, married my Uncle.
A cartoon image of Jimmy Page & Robert Plant (with slack guitar & limp mic.) also pops into my head.
Even though I generally like the songs, especially the two hits, I know the cause/trigger is Rolling Stone Mag's review of said album which I read while a high-school student during "study period" in the school library.
First Concert:
Santa Esmeralda not featuring Leroy Gomez at the Civic Center (BorderTown, Tx.)
They played their hit "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" twice. Once as an encore. Also happened to sit next to future "1st serious" girlfriend. She literally snored & slept through the second half of the show or at least pretended to.
First Beer Buzz:
During Sophomore Summer year of High School, did the tennis tournament tour of Texas. Was in San Antonio, staying with my Uncle (Mother's youngest brother and law school student) & his wife (Braniff Airline flight attendant).
Saw the Spurs play, starring George Gervin, aka "The Iceman," at the Hemisphere Arena. The Spurs won though don't remember who they played. And I drank 3 or so beers.
Lost my first round match the following morning.
First Concert Experience:
Saw Rush in S.A. during the Hemispheres Tour.
Was lucky enough to hear about the Greyhound Bus Trip sponsored by a local (BorderTown) radio station. Every seat was sold & occupied (price also included a Rush concert ticket).
The "Rush Bus" was a 2 1/2 hour drive (5 hours round trip) to San Antonio. Upon arriving in S.A., the radio station manager passed a hat around, asking for tips/donations for the driver.
Can you imagine driving a chartered bus 156 miles, filled with loud male teenagers, all of whom, for the most part, were smoking marijuana joints or passing pipes of weed to each other?
Purchases: Two black short-sleeve concert tees (different designs)
Note: Triumph opened the show
First Neil Young Album Purchased:
Rust Never Sleeps (newly released) @ a convenience store/truck stop in Austin, Tx. while attending St. Stephen's Academy during the school summer session.
Note: All single vinyl albums at the time sold for $6.99 ($7.34 with tax included)
First Concert Souvenir:
Saw the Pretenders (Pretenders II Tour) in Akron, Ohio.
Was staying at my Uncle/Godfather's home in Hudson (Columbus), Oh. At the time, was about to attend a college in Steubenville, Ohio. Went with my Aunt's (*) younger brother who was also staying with them.
Don't remember who opened but during the Pretender's set, Chrissie Hynde had a Martin Chambers' drumstick in her hands while swaying her hips and dancing slowly sort of like Axl Rose used to do.
She let the drumstick fall to the stage whereupon I bum-rushed said stage and grabbed the drumstick.
Right when I clutched it, was kicked in the head by Hynde and at the same time very physically shoved back into the crowd by a security guard.
Note: Am no longer in possession of the "logo/stamped" M.C. drumstick
Purchases: Sleveless white concert tee. 1st Pretenders album cover on the front. Pretenders II Tour Dates on back.
Another Round - Inflation Index:
16 oz. cans of Yeungling Premium at Dakotah's went up $0.25 from $1.25 to $1.50 two weeks ago
Pints of Rolling Rock @ Julie's Corner Bar stayed constant at $1.50
.............................................................................
(*) Aunt is a former nun/sister who, after leaving the convent, married my Uncle.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Found Notebook (*)
(*) Found Friday, Oct. 15th
Corner of Richmond St. & E. Somerset St.
near #15 Trolley Line Stop
Saturday, October 23, 2010
From The Files
Home Run Payoff - $10,000 WinnerA teaching assistant at Kingsway Living Center in Moorestown, N.J., Kathleen Rollo was the first $10,000 Philadelphia Daily News Home Run Payoff contest winner of the season.
Rollo, a self-proclaimed lifetime Phillies fan who lives in Haddon Township, won the money on Jimmy Rollins' grand slam in the sixth inning
Rollo could not think of the first thing she would possibly do with the money; she did say she could probably find some bills to pay, though.
"I'm not going to quit my job, I know that," Rollo said
Rollo grew up in Philadelphia watching the Phils and has stayed strong through all the bad times, as well as the good. It looks as if her team has decided to pay her back for her supreme loyalty.
When the Daily News reached her to tell her the good news, Rollo was already in shock, having listened to the game. Rollo said she has sent in contest entries for the longest time, but her brother always told her that it was a waste of stamps and that nothing would ever come of it. It looks as if she got the last laugh.
Six other collected prizes in the Daily News Home Run Payoff contest
The Daily News pays $1,000 for a home run hit in the payoff inning and $10,000 for a grand slam.
Contestants whose batters fail to hit a home run receive a gift pack, which includes a variety of Phillies-related items.
This season, the Daily News has paid out $33,000.
--Alex Falk
The Philadelphia Daily News
Oct. 2nd, Page 37
Click Here For More Recent Home Run Derbies
More:
Everytime A Phillie Hits A Home Run, An Angel Gets Its Wings, And You Get A Free Beer
Base Ballin' Continued:
Newspaper Editors Dig Bad Headline Puns;
Click Here For "Body of Article"
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Jury Duty
Service To The Courts of Philadelphia
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010
8:15 a.m.
Criminal Justice Center
1301 Filbert St. - Room 101
ID # *****1085
8:15 - 10 a.m.
Fill out Juror Information Questionnaire (Confidential - Not Public Record)
25 Questions - Yes or No answers
(Note: Questions 17-25 apply to civil cases only)
Receive (stick-on) Juror Badge (yellow/black)
10 a.m. - 10:15
Assigned to Criminal Case in Courtroom of Judge Erdos (room #608)
Am Juror #16 (of 40 potential jurors)
10:20 - 11:45
After receiving instructions from Judge Erdos and being sworn in, Wait in back juror room until questioned individually by Judge Erdos in main Courtroom.
Sent back to small room for a few minutes and then told to report/return to Room 101.
11:50 - 1:30 p.m.
Given Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:10 p.m.
Wait in Room 101 for further instructions/court-case assignment
2:15 - 2:25 p.m.
Am dismissed from jury duty (one full day or one court case) & paid with $9 check upon leaving room.
No City Wage Tax taken out.
From Check Stub:
"The Board of Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the City of Philadelphia extends its gratitude and appreciation for your conscientious, diligent, and meritorious service to the Courts of this City."
Hon. Pamela Pryor Dembe
President Judge
Gerard P. Shotzbarger, ESQ.
Jury Commissioner
Hon. D. Webster Keogh
Administrative Judge, Trial Division
More: Pa.'s Highest Court Will 'Right an Ancient Wrong'
George B. Vashon will be admitted to the Bar 163 years after being denied over race.
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010
8:15 a.m.
Criminal Justice Center
1301 Filbert St. - Room 101
ID # *****1085
8:15 - 10 a.m.
Fill out Juror Information Questionnaire (Confidential - Not Public Record)
25 Questions - Yes or No answers
(Note: Questions 17-25 apply to civil cases only)
Receive (stick-on) Juror Badge (yellow/black)
10 a.m. - 10:15
Assigned to Criminal Case in Courtroom of Judge Erdos (room #608)
Am Juror #16 (of 40 potential jurors)
10:20 - 11:45
After receiving instructions from Judge Erdos and being sworn in, Wait in back juror room until questioned individually by Judge Erdos in main Courtroom.
Sent back to small room for a few minutes and then told to report/return to Room 101.
11:50 - 1:30 p.m.
Given Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:10 p.m.
Wait in Room 101 for further instructions/court-case assignment
2:15 - 2:25 p.m.
Am dismissed from jury duty (one full day or one court case) & paid with $9 check upon leaving room.
No City Wage Tax taken out.
From Check Stub:
"The Board of Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the City of Philadelphia extends its gratitude and appreciation for your conscientious, diligent, and meritorious service to the Courts of this City."
Hon. Pamela Pryor Dembe
President Judge
Gerard P. Shotzbarger, ESQ.
Jury Commissioner
Hon. D. Webster Keogh
Administrative Judge, Trial Division
More: Pa.'s Highest Court Will 'Right an Ancient Wrong'
George B. Vashon will be admitted to the Bar 163 years after being denied over race.
Monday, October 18, 2010
A.A.(P.) Shutdown
Am reporting for jury duty tomorrow so don't know when I'll be able to post/update.
Take Care
Take Care
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Letter To The Editor (*)
Re: Ranger In Chief
"George W. Bush does not appear to be a luxury suite type of guy."
Is the writer of the article, Michael S. Schmidt, stoned? Or just stupid?
Sincerely,
(Name Redacted)
Philadelphia
(*)Letter Not Sent to NY Times
"George W. Bush does not appear to be a luxury suite type of guy."
Is the writer of the article, Michael S. Schmidt, stoned? Or just stupid?
Sincerely,
(Name Redacted)
Philadelphia
(*)Letter Not Sent to NY Times
Friday, October 15, 2010
Update
Am currently at Fishtown Branch Library (Free Library of Philadelphia).
Just saw two shows:
PG-2 @ Crane
Pinhole Dreams @ Nexus
On the way back to Port Richmond (via Kensington) found a unicycle in somebody's recycling pile. At first, thought there must be something wrong with it. But no.
Wheel rotates. Tire has air.
It'scherry (orange-y) red with adjustable black padded banana seat.
Good Find.
Cheerios!
Just saw two shows:
PG-2 @ Crane
Pinhole Dreams @ Nexus
On the way back to Port Richmond (via Kensington) found a unicycle in somebody's recycling pile. At first, thought there must be something wrong with it. But no.
Wheel rotates. Tire has air.
It's
Good Find.
Cheerios!
Sat. Itinerary
Addendum:
Before - Glassphemy
After - J. Meejin Yoon - Light Drift @ Schuylkill River (between Market/Chestnut Streets)
Hat-Tip: Philebrity.com
More: Ramonita de Rodriguez Branch (Free Library of Philadelphia)
Am currently at said branch using a public computer. Had a smoke and a coffee before entering. Never before *really* looked at the Mosaic Murals gracing/wrapping said branch building.
Incredible. Informative. Beautiful.
Pictures/Video soon (maybe).
Unrelated: Physicist Resigns In Warming Fight
Calls man-made global warming 'pseudoscientific fraud'; Says research 'money flood' perpetuates scam
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
#15 Trolley
Update - Take Two: Surprise! The Trolley WILL Go To SugarHouse After All
Update: The Trolley To SugarHouse Doesn’t Actually Go There
del Re-routing to Sugar House Casino Begins /del
More - Background Info:
15 Trolley to be Rerouted During GIR Construction
del Re-routing to Sugar House Casino Begins /del
More - Background Info:
15 Trolley to be Rerouted During GIR Construction
Monday, October 11, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Free Library
Note: Picked up the above Free book(*) from the "discard" pile at the The Free Library of Philadelphia (Port Richmond Branch)
Am currently reading two books
1) These Children Who Come at You With knives, and Other Fairy Tales by Jim Knipfel
PAPERBACK
FICTION
Times checked out: 2
Due date: 10/18/2010,23:59
2) Pamphlet from the Richmond Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia
the haiku anthology, edited/introduction by cor van den heuvel
double day Anchor
1st edition
1974
CMAGPAM
PAMPHLET
Due date: 10/23/2010,23:59
----------------------------------------
(*) Hypnotism Revealed by Melvin Powers
Wilshire Book Company
Eighth Revised Edition - 1956
----------------------------------------
On a related note, have also reserved a copy of "Coming Through Slaughter" by Michael Ondaatje
It is currently in transit from another branch. Have read it before but am planning to re-read just for the enjoyment of it.
Position in Holds Queue: 1
Availability: Unavailable for pickup
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
[is only gonna get funner]
The Other White Meat by Mr. Fish:
the bell curve
CP's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter
[0] The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says that both Mayor Nutter and former Mayor Street must agree on a replacement for ex-PHA director Carl Greene. "Hey honky," says Street, "Have you met my brother Milton?"
[+1] The PHA holds a morale-boosting meeting to "thank [employees] for their work," says John Street. "But it's only September, who hired a... wait...everybody off Santa's lap! Carl, you sick bastard."
[-2] A Senate hearing reveals that the FBI questioned the state Office of Homeland Security about a contractor that was "often inaccurate and almost always useless. "Have you met my brother John?" asks Milton Street.
[0] At their first of only two debates, gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato agree to lower the state's corporate net income tax. Slow. Clap. Slow. Clap.
[+1] Ex-drug dealer Tommy Hill says he wants to set the record straight that he's "not a rat." "I just like cheese. And gnawing. And shitting wherever the mood strikes me."
[-1] Some fans raise concerns over loud, foul-mouthed chants at Philadelphia Union games. "You're So GAAAYYY. SO-GAY SO-GAY SO-GAYYY," reply Sons of Ben
[-4] Police find 20 cats in an Upper Darby woman's freeze4r. Oh hai. I can haz furburger?
[+1] A Glenside man proposes to his girlfriend after she suffers an asthma attack at Eastern State Penitentiary. "And only after she accepted did I hand her the inhaler."
[+1] TEDx, a global conference that aims to put forth "ideas worth spreading," holds an event in Phoenixville. The first presenter; The Blob, on consuming everything in your path.
[+1] DIY Network performs kitchen makeover at Danny Bonaduce's home. First, they forcibly remove Bonaduce, then declare the makeover a success.
[+3] In 2009, Pennsylvania police pursuits dropped by 13 percent. "Instead, we've been integrating a silent treatment policy. Your criminals know what you did. Get out of my sight. Damn right I'm mad at you."
This week's total 1 - Last week's total: -6
Note:
Hat-tip & Congrats to Brian Howard, Jeffrey C. Billman, City Paper and Staff.
Update: Theater Files For Bankruptcy
A Sheriff's Sale is called off as the Prince Music Theater seeks Chapter 11 Protection
the bell curveCP's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter
[0] The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says that both Mayor Nutter and former Mayor Street must agree on a replacement for ex-PHA director Carl Greene. "Hey honky," says Street, "Have you met my brother Milton?"
[+1] The PHA holds a morale-boosting meeting to "thank [employees] for their work," says John Street. "But it's only September, who hired a... wait...everybody off Santa's lap! Carl, you sick bastard."
[-2] A Senate hearing reveals that the FBI questioned the state Office of Homeland Security about a contractor that was "often inaccurate and almost always useless. "Have you met my brother John?" asks Milton Street.
[0] At their first of only two debates, gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato agree to lower the state's corporate net income tax. Slow. Clap. Slow. Clap.
[+1] Ex-drug dealer Tommy Hill says he wants to set the record straight that he's "not a rat." "I just like cheese. And gnawing. And shitting wherever the mood strikes me."
[-1] Some fans raise concerns over loud, foul-mouthed chants at Philadelphia Union games. "You're So GAAAYYY. SO-GAY SO-GAY SO-GAYYY," reply Sons of Ben
[-4] Police find 20 cats in an Upper Darby woman's freeze4r. Oh hai. I can haz furburger?
[+1] A Glenside man proposes to his girlfriend after she suffers an asthma attack at Eastern State Penitentiary. "And only after she accepted did I hand her the inhaler."
[+1] TEDx, a global conference that aims to put forth "ideas worth spreading," holds an event in Phoenixville. The first presenter; The Blob, on consuming everything in your path.
[+1] DIY Network performs kitchen makeover at Danny Bonaduce's home. First, they forcibly remove Bonaduce, then declare the makeover a success.
[+3] In 2009, Pennsylvania police pursuits dropped by 13 percent. "Instead, we've been integrating a silent treatment policy. Your criminals know what you did. Get out of my sight. Damn right I'm mad at you."
This week's total 1 - Last week's total: -6
Note:
Hat-tip & Congrats to Brian Howard, Jeffrey C. Billman, City Paper and Staff.
Update: Theater Files For Bankruptcy
A Sheriff's Sale is called off as the Prince Music Theater seeks Chapter 11 Protection
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Furthermore...
Letters: Bank should negotiate on fate of Prince TheaterTDBank has been attempting to sell the Prince Music Theater to commercial developers. Now, the bank is planning a sheriff's sale on Oct. 5. After that, the theater could be razed for condos or parking, gutted for a new drugstore, or left dark to become an eyesore.
We must prevent this. For two years now, TDBank has put us on a roller coaster of settlements reached and then undone, followed by aggressive and harmful litigation, all over the bank's failure to abide by an agreement it made in 2008 to refinance the Prince's long-term debt. Ours is a relatively small loan for a global bank. With more than $545 billion in assets, Toronto Dominion Bank can surely find a way to work with the Prince and refinance the $4.83 million debt without killing the organization paying the mortgage.
In its current home at 1412 Chestnut St., the Prince has served as the catalyst for the revival of the Chestnut Street corridor. We have worked on behalf of arts and education in Philadelphia for 26 years. Our knowledge and experience enabled us to build one of the area's finest theaters.
Commercial ownership could turn the Prince into another Boyd Theatre, unable to operate despite its historic importance.
Litigation is a tragic waste of resources. We ask TDBank as a corporate citizen of Philadelphia to come to the settlement table instead of destroying something of great value that many have worked so hard to build.
Marjorie Samoff
President, Prince Music Theater
Philadelphia
Hospital uniforms don't belong outsideLiving in University City, I brush shoulders with numerous fellow commuters wearing hospital clothing. The garb comes in multiple colors - light blue, dark blue, green, pink, white - but also baggy, short-sleeved, collarless, button-scant, plain with variable imprinted letters. I am puzzled by a logical disconnect.
Why does the hospital issue this wear? If it is to protect patients from the dust, dirt, and contagion of the street, should the clothing be seen on the street? If it is to protect the people on the street from possible contagion in the hospital wards, again, should the clothing be seen on the street? For hospital personnel to wear hospital clothing interchangeably on the street and in the hospital wards sends a contradictory message. How should we citizens and patients react?
Kurt S. Stenn
Philadelphia
Note: Both letters published Saturday, Oct. 2nd - The Philadelphia Inquirer
Local News Cont:
Solicitor - Council Can Nix DROP
