The future is now!

Josh and Alia are going to be here tomorrow! It takes a while but soon you'll learn to like Philly. I promise. Besides, it'll be so much easier when you have something like this to look forward to:

Been looking forward to this

Finally! Tickets for the Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are officially on sale. It's only $20 ($17 for students) and will be featuring 40 of her paintings as well as photographs of her. It will be here from February 20th to May 18th and then move on to San Francisco. If it's anything like the Dali exhibit a few years ago, it will be more than worth it.

Lets Go!

Week Twenty-seven

I love, love, love spring. I think this past week's pictures clearly state that. If there's one thing I am grateful for in this whole Philadelphia venture, is the experience of what spring is all about.
The first three pictures are of the various fauna I encounter during my daily walk to and from work -- the bio-pond, a neighborhood garden, and Hamilton Walk.
On Friday, after drinks at Ten Stone, we walked over to Rittenhouse Square. It was beautiful and everyone was out. While taking pictures of random children, I caught this lady walking by and her leg, perhaps a little bit more, just disappearing into thin air.
On Saturday I planted a mini herb garden on the windowsill of my kitchen. Pictured here is my hopefully-blooming-soon-lavender. I also have cilantro, rosemary, mint, basil, and cayenne peppers. Jason doesn't seem to think they'll last very long. I really hope to prove him wrong.
On Sunday we went to Clark Park where I knitted to the beat of these guys' drums.
Monday's picture is of the Pennsylvania Hospital in center city -- the 1st Philadelphia/National hospital. I'm pretty sure Ben Franklin had something to do with it. It was around 11am when I left from my Dr.'s appointment and it took me a long time to try and convince myself to go to work. Oh yeah, I'm healthy and normal. I don't know why but I always get anxious when I go, even if it's just for a routine annual check up. Maybe it's the prevalent paranoia of our culture that is constantly looking for things to worry about... I always feel like there is some hidden obscure thing they're going to discover. Sad.
Anyway, the day was GORGEOUS!

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The Sun is Here!

Please forgive me but it's been more than 7 days.
Earlier I said this weekend was going to be in the mid 60's, edit that to mid to upper 70's.
And it's the Free Library's Book Fest.
Even though I still have to come in to work I'm going to try to make it.
YAY for SPRING!

Week Twenty-six

Spring is here and you wouldn't even know it. With out April showers there will be no May flowers but must there be snow too? That is the scene this morning in front of my apartment and apparently throughout most of the eastern seaboard. I'm glad this didn't happen the first year we moved here or I might of just packed my bags and gone back to Miami. At least I know better now that it's just a fluke, or is it?
They're promising mid 60s this weekend. I really hope that's the case so we can finally enjoy the out doors. We're so sad (at the brink of tears) Josh and Alia won't be able to come. Libraries up and running of Sundays; what is this world coming to?

My Ribena is coming along. I'm working in the arm hole shaping and although I complained earlier that it's going slow I have found my new inspiration in Brooklyntweed. His latest is a true beauty and it only took him a month.

Speaking of inspiration, on Wednesday I saw the placard bellow at the TRL building. I think I might be Madame Curie next Halloween.

On Friday we were Wiid out at Megan and Nicole's. I did hold the boxing championship tittle until Jason stripped it away (or maybe I let him, we'll never know).

Finally, on Saturday, after my haircut at Jean Madeline/Aveda Institute (salon hair cut $16 and I'm super excited since a new one is about to open in University City) we went for sushi at Mizu. What we did before brown rice sushi and udon noodle soup is beyond me.

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Week Twenty-five

I have a few oddballs this week that I feel I must explain.
First, for all you non-science-nerds Wednesday and Friday's pictured depict what few of us take part in during "down time". The first is an eppy-bomb encased in a larger tube for safety reasons (gosh that sounds super nerdy). An eppy-bomb is a small tube filled to capacity with dry ice. As the dry ice sublimates (believe me we have countless observers) the pressure builds up until the lid is literally blown off. The second is part of a series of "peep experiments" (there is much research in this field) where you subject the little guys to endless torture. Here it's going under the pressure test and, as previously observed by other groups, it grows to about double its size.
Although I understand the need to de-stress, I must clarify that I did not take part in any of these activities. Simply, I was an observer/recorder of such events.

The rest are a few pictures of the somewhat spring we are having around here. The magnolias/cherry blossoms (not pictured) are out but the winter coats are still lingering about. I think this year we'll just plunge right into summer. Here you see the mini LOVE sculpture on campus -- it's larger and rather famous sibbling (by Robert Indiana) is near city hall in JFK plaza/love park -- and the Rodin musseum with The Thinker at it's entrance.

Finally, my Saturday picture is the scene from the Walt Whitman Bridge (which turns 50 this year) and boy is it dreary. Sorry Megan, although not always the case, your hometown is dreary.

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Happy Hour at Zocalo

On Friday the lab got together for another of our rather frequent happy hours. We've been a little reluctant to go lately seeing our usual place was not only getting boring but the service is worse and worse by the week. Not to mention, the crowd of Penn students making it difficult for a big group such as our to get a table. No reservation, don't even bother.

So, this time we ventured off to Zocalo. It's a bit of a longer walk (on 36th and Lancaster) but well worth it. Pictured here is the zocalo sangria : white wine + the fruit of the season. In this case it was berries. Honestly, I don't know what's up with me and going to places where I can eat/imbibe things that are so berrylicious. I almost ordered the Pablotini (vodka martini + habanero chilies) but it wasn't at happy hour prices and Jason wasn't around to ensure I got home OK. So, definitely next time.

The appetizers, which like the house drinks were also 25% off, were really great. I ordered/shared the Volcan, a layered dip of refried beans, melted cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. It came with their in-house-made tortilla chips. Delicious! Some one else ordered the Plato Surtido: beef empanada, pico de gallo, and an amazing guacamole. On the other side of the table I saw the much acclaimed Queso Fundido. Although seeing that gooey cheese was more than tempting, I decided I'll leave the mini heart attack for next time. Though, I'll make sure to add the portobello mushrooms and the poblano peppers for extra taste.

Overall, we had a great time. One thing that made a difference is the fact that it was practically empty. Apparently, it's like this most of the time. This has me a bit concerned, for I wouldn't want this venue, recently made known to us, to go out of business. At the same, time the emptiness made it more pleasant for us and the waiting staff was a lot more attentive. I figure it's either one of "powelton village's" best kept secret or most people only associate margaritas and sangrias with summer. Maybe, it's that although their happy hour specials are at a fair price, the same can't readily be said about their dinner menu -- I'm not in the habit of paying close to $18 for enchiladas verdes.

Banana Leaf & Naked Chocolate Cafe

So, on Sunday, Jason's last day of his last golden weekend during his surgery rotation, we decided to have a fun day in center city.
Seeing how the weather permitted it, mid 30s, we took a walking tour with our friend Sarah. Our first attempt was to go to a late lunch at Aqua on 7th and Chestnut. It's a recently new Malaysian and Thai fusion BYO whose chef was previously from Penang, NYC. Unfortunately, it was closed.
Seeing how we craved Malaysian, we decided to go to another fairly new place in Chinatown -- Banana Leaf on 10th and Arch. The food was delicious. As appetizers we had the Roti with chicken and potato gravy (on the side) and fried tofu with cucumber and peanut sauce. The hearty peanut sauce, which was generously piled on top of the tofu, had a noticeable crunch and a pleasant bit of spice.
As entree we had the pineapple fried rice, mango with shrimp, and fried spare ribs. I can't say much for the ribs but the mango/shrimp was my favorite so far.

We then happily walked over to 13th and Walnut to another place we hadn't been to: The Naked Chocolate Cafe.

The minute you step in you feel like a kid in Candy Land. There's an almost endless array of chocolates, cupcakes, brittle, cakes, sweets...you get the picture.
I had the Spicy Hot Chocolate and although it didn't have the same kick as MarieBelle's spicy hot chocolate it had the same velvety ganache like consistency that's to die for. A small is more than you can ask for. To accompany it, we shared a Strawberry-Vanilla cupcake. It was honestly the first time I've had frosting that actually tastes like strawberry.
To finish this very fun day we went to see Almodovar's latest, Volver. It had a surprising amount of humor intertwined into a slew of very serious subjects. Once again, Almodovar has produced a gem.

Terror, Terror, Everywhere

In this (un)Brave New World Humor seems at times dead. Saddly, it is often confused for sarcasm, apathy, ill will... Who's to blame the authorities for over reacting? I mean, Mooninites are a terrorizing force not to be reckoned with. Their two highest ranking (and possibly only) members have admited countless times to schemes towards world domination. To Ignignokt and Err the earth is but their moon.
In all seriousness though, these things (~60 in Philly alone) have been around for more than two weeks! If they were truly intended as a terror plot we'd all be dead by now, or at least seriously injured. Over reaction is just covering up for apparent incompetence.
Then there's the claim that this is just another example of "corporate greed" and guerrilla advertising. In this environment of branding and "consumer greed", what else is new? For a limited time, or until ebay finds out, you can own a piece of terror yourself. Place bids here.

The End of an Era

Finally!
It took us a couple of years but we found it.
Lemongrass is seriously the best Thai I've had in Philadelphia.
Their Green Curry is just right and the Pad Thai is one of those things you suddendly crave.

Corrections on Adam Rex...

I found the painting I was talking about (on the left, third one down -- chicken breast?). I could stare at it for hours. It just took a little more searching and I was tired and distracted last night. You should also check out the rest on this page. "Dawn" (at least that is the word written under it -- unfortunately, this site doesn't give too many specifics) is particularly beautiful.
I wonder why he picked chicken parts as a navigating tool?
Childhood pet?
Recent book character?
If I find out I'll let you know. Till then enjoy!

Best of Philly Tour...

So Josh and Alia came to visit us this weekend, finally, and we took them to a few spots they hadn't had the pleasure to experience yet. We didn't get a chance to go to Lee How Fook -- Best Chinese Ever-- but we made up with it with a few Philadelphia staples: A stroll in Clark Park, tea and coffee at Green Line, lunch at Ron's Ribs, shopping in Rittenhouse square, and brunch at Sabrina's Cafe.

Green Line is the Emoest/Indiest coffee house ever and when you go there you can't help but act as emo as humanly possible. At least that's the effect it always has on Jason. Right now they're exhibiting some of Adam Rex's art work. I really like this one painting of a man in peaceful slumber being cradled in the cavity of a robot. I couldn't find it on his web site but there's plenty there for you to get an idea.

Ron's Ribs is great for ribs, so I'm told, but I can swear by the soul food. The candied yams are my favorite and the collard greens and baked macaroni are so worth it. Sadly, we missed out on the corn bread...Hadn't been made yet.

Sabrina's brunch is city-renowned -- if the long line of people waiting to get the nod as if it were some posh night club isn't evidence enough I don't know what is. Luckily, our waiting time wasn't as bad and the atmosphere is far from stuffy. They even had a doggie bowl for Emerson. To top it all off we saw Questlove (aka Ahmir Thompson) from The Roots pass by. I'm told he frequents Sabrina's.

A stroll down 9th St (the heart of Italian market) ended our pleasant day. Now our friends are back in DC waiting for our next visit.

Unsilent Night

Last night I convinced Jason to go to Unsilent Night with me. It was really, really cold out but it was worth it. So, this guy Phil Klein, who calls himself a composer, puts his "ethereal" music on tapes and then distributes them to all that bring their boom-boxes. Who knew those still existed. There are 4 versions of the tapes -- each playing a different part of the composed piece. When he says go, all press play and begin to march along the streets of Philadelphia. It was truly a great experience in that it makes the city streets seem somewhat absurd. Here are all these people of different ages and walks of life marching to this music (here is what it sounds like) and you'd think they came out of nowhere. There was some sort of harmonious disonance to it all. We especially enjoyed the startled and sometimes annoyed faces of those standing by.

What do you do when your city has low self esteem?

You buy it a new dress and hope that this extreem makeover will change it's view of itself. City officials hired the fancy Artlumiere of France to put on a light show. From Nov 30th to Jan 1st City hall will look like this. It actually looks kinda cool but I'm waiting to see it in person.