Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.

So, it's time for a Philly Tap Water revival!

There was a gas leak on the third floor of Ben Franklin High School today - resulting in an evacuation of the entire building. This just so happens to be my place of work, which means I was one of the evacuees. I have been waiting a very long time to be an evacuee because it implies that I was involved in something dangerous and exciting. Alas, this was not the case today. When the fire alarm went off throughout the school - no one in my office reacted for at least 15 minutes. Angsty high school students are constantly pulling the alarm in attempt to add more chaos to the typical distraction-riddled learning environment that they are normally confined to. When we finally went outside, we discovered that the building had been surrounded by firetrucks, firefighters and concerned neighborhood residents.


We were eventually told that the building would be shut down for the remainder of the day (after 3 hours of waiting). Conclusively, I am writing this entry from the comfort of my own home.

Stay posted for future updates - I am back on the wagon.

(Photos taken by CCC)

Jesse, jesse.

(Photo taken by CCC)

Jesse the cat. Featured a few posts ago in an exciting tale of cat vs. wild. There is something enchanting about this little guy...and I am usually not a fan of the feline variety. I was walking by him a couple of days ago and he jumped up in the air (I am talking a few FEET in the air) and slapped my hand with his paw as if to give me a high five....and then kept walking on his way. How strange and humanly.

For those of you who are interested in adopting a cat of your own, I would encourage you to browse through this website. They need a home!

Long time, no post.

So I haven't been completely negligent about updating this blog on PURPOSE. I like to consider this as a forum to post public commentary as well as photos - so when my iPhone/camera was...cough,cough...lost - I was without means to capture the scenery around me.

But fortunately I have a new phone. With a camera that almost compares. So I am back in action, back with photos and explanations of my feelings towards said photos, amongst other helpful (maybe?) resources for my 5 official followers and all of the others, if you do exist.

I promise to be more diligent about updates going forward. But without further ado, a few photographs:

(Photos by CCC @ Penn's Landing)

Danny & I made it to Penn's Landing last weekend. It's surprising how easily one can find peaceful places in the city to retreat to. Bartram's Garden. Penn's Landing. Fairmount Park (peace in this park is sectional - there are certainly places here that induce fear rather than any internal oneness). We sat on the pier and watched the sun set over the Ben Franklin Bridge. Over the WW bridge too. What a perfect spot!

What would we do without these places? Some of us are fortunate to have a roof, or a hiding spot away from the noise and chaos that is unavoidable within the urban landscape. But what about those who don't? I think it's necessary...to seek out these peaceful outlets. To be able to actually listen to yourself think.

It's surprising what you'll hear. Try it!

Menupages

Ever find yourself wishing you had a menu for a particular restaurant? Ever wish you could find out which restaurants in your neighborhood deliver? Or are open late? Or have a particular dish you are craving?

I have news for you. Well, hopefully this isn't news because it's been around for quite a while...but I have been discovering that not as many people as I had expected new about this handy little resource: http://philadelphia.menupages.com/


At menupages, you can literally find the menu and information for ANY restaurant in Philly. Utilize this little gem and your stack of menus hanging around the house will soon find their way in the recycling bin!

CAT VS. WILD

I thought I would share a series of photos that you may find humorous. I know I did. (Series taken by CCC)

Cat sees bug.

Cat sniffs bug. Just to make sure its a, you know...bug.


Cat mentally prepares himself for attack. Claws? Teeth? A lot of decisions being made here.

Cat goes in for the kill! Turns out bug has wings! Cat is confused and bug is the victor!

Cat punches wall in frustration. Wings! Who would have thought?

(I need to add that "cat" is actually the craziest yet cutest cat I know - his name is Jesse & belongs to my very lovely friend Lana. Thank you Lana for letting me exploit your cat for the good of the internet. Jesse is really the best.)

Better than Kraft.

(Photos taken by CCC)

So my friend Danny & I decided to make baked macaroni & cheese this weekend. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. Despite Whole Foods keeping a packed lot and store on the weekend, we put together this delicious meal - and even made enough for lunch leftovers.

I'm going to recommend the recipe we used to everyone but with advice to follow our improvised add-ons: mushrooms & vegetarian sausage. We could have cooked the bread crumbs more, but it really didn't make too much of a difference.


Perfect with baby spinach salad w/ olive oil & vinegar!

Community building.

(Photo taken by CCC @ Broad & Vine)

Sundown. I learned a totally new meaning to this word today after spending time with some dear friends celebrating Yom Kippur over the past 24+ hours. Yom Kippur, which is observed from sundown Sunday evening until sundown Monday evening, consists of a lot of personal reflection and taking life back to complete basics for a while (amongst many other important things that I will let my friends describe). Fasting, substaining from work, writing, use of electricity, creating things (music included) - are all a part of the holiday. The time I spent with my friends was a nice reminder of how simple human interaction can be all you really need. No phones, no computers, no television...nothing but good company and card games. And no, I didn't participate in the full sundown to sundown stretch but the time I did spend without contact with the communication vehicles and entertainment we rely on so heavily on was all the reminder I needed.

I learned today about culture. About language. About perspective. And I saw it all right in front of me - it's so exciting to know we can still build community the old school way.