Whether these politicians and investors realize it or not building a casino at this location is institutional and environmental racism against the many minority populations in the Chinatown community.

Read
•Philadelphia Inquirer Article, Chinatown Residents Fear Lure of Gaming by Jennifer Lin
•"Environmental Racism, Chinatown and the Gallery Casino" by Helen Gym
• angryasianman.com picked up the news

I googled around looking for related things and found these links
• Great Asian American Resource page at the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

From an interview with Dr. Timothy Fong (whose name comes up in every search on this subject), Director of UCLA's Gambling Studies Program. He said this in his findings,

What did the focus groups reveal?
Number one, gambling was a common thing that a lot of community members did. Number two, it was very socially acceptable. And number three, almost everyone knew one or two people that they knew had a gambling problem. It was a very common thread that they also didn’t know what to do about that person; where to send them, what to say to them, what to do about it.

What was also very interesting was that the casinos were very aggressive in marketing toward Asian communities. But they didn’t blame them for that. They didn’t say that that was a bad practice. This is just a reality. We learn about a lot of bus tours that were marketed for Asian communities. Fliers that were marketed toward that community.

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10/18/07

Oussama and Tayeeb look out across the Delaware river that borders Philly on the East side, over to Camden, NJ.  Dahman fiddles around with his camera in the background.  Penn's Landing, where the picture was taken, is a nice little boardwalk spot that's an awesome place to hangout when the weather is nice.

Oussama walks in front of the Ben Franklin Bridge, which connects Philly to Camden and crosses the Delaware River.

The Ben Franklin Bridge at night.

The entrance to a shop on South St. in Philly is covered with art and graffitti.  This was a shoe/clothing store, very Philly.

11/3/07

We went back to AICP, and of course to Saad's.  While we were at AICP, there was a small class being taught in the corner.  I was taking a few pictures, b/c it looked really nice.  Afterwards, some guy started asking me all these questions about why I was taking pictures and everything...I guess he was paranoid that I was spying on them or something.  

This was on our drive back.  The clouds kept covering the sun.  Right here is where they began to part and the sunlight started to stream through even more.  It was even more beautiful in reality, this picture doesn't do justice.

In preparing for the series (as a Philly fan I have minimal experience with post-season games), I started Googling “NLCS 2008 predictions.” I was especially interested in finding someone, anyone, who was predicting that the Phillies would take it. I’m still looking. Everyone (that I read/skimmed/heard) has the Dodgers winning in either 5, 6, or 7 games. Even my father, an avid Phillies phan (ha, see what I did just there?) told me, “I think the Dodgers will take it in 6." When I yelled at him responded with, “What kind of a fan are you?” he said, “You asked me what I thought, not what I wanted.” Fair enough, Papa, fair enough.

Regardless, during my Google quest, I did come across a set of 20 predictions that I found quite entertaining. I’ve posted a few here that I particularly like (and one that I don't) – the rest I’ll just hang on to as a sort of checklist for the rest of the series. As if I needed anything to make it more interesting.

4. The Phillies' fans will boo players on both teams. (I don't doubt it for a second.)

5. The Dodgers fans will throw at least two beach balls onto the field and boo the fan who did it. (More boos? That will just egg on the Philly fans.)

6. Chase Utley will hit a home run and blow a bubble with his gum within three seconds of the ball leaving his bat. (Didn't that happen last night?)

20. The Dodgers win in six! (Grr.)

Tonight I attended a public forum as a representative of my church regarding a proposal to place casinos courtesy of Foxwoods at The Gallery in Philadelphia which is right at the entrance of Chinatown. This has gotten some press and after tonight's meeting I'm sure it will get some more. There were some very angry people there. Typically you don't find many Chinese folks speaking up about things much less political things but they were out in force tonight. In fact I'm very impressed with this gathering because it's much more diverse than I had anticipated. There were many voices. Among them were educators, students, long time residents, church goers, business owners and community leaders. They weren't just Chinese either. There were many non-Asians in the crowd.

Our church (CCCNC) officially took a stance of opposition against this proposal a couple of weeks ago and we're trying to prayerfully handle this with much grace, wisdom and peace. We know we need to be a voice for the many aliens and poor in our community. We know first hand the effects of gambling among the Chinese as we counsel many compulsive gamblers and the families devastated by their habits. This is probably one of the most important things we've been involved in for our community.
Please pray for us.

Representatives from Mayor Michael Nutter's office (Terry Gillen), Councilman DiCicco and State Representative O'Brien were receiving comments and arguments tonight at the Holy Redeemer School. It was not a good night to be in their shoes. If we want to build the next great American city, this is definitely not the way. The cost will be greater than any economic gain. This is institutional racism.

For More Info:
Asian Americans United for facts, petition, links and more.
Casino-Free Philadelphia, dedicated to say no to any casinos in the city of Philadelphia
Foxwoods Casino PA

Articles
PlanPhilly - City Set to See Foxwoods Design
PlanPhilly - City Sees Foxwoods Design

Other Resources
Gambling, Addiction and Asian Culture
Casinos Aggressively Market to Asian Americans, But Few Services Help Addicts
California Provides Glimpse Into Asian Gambling Culture
Resources from The Conference on Assessment & Treatment of Compulsive Gambling Among Asian American held on October 26, 2007 via AsianMentalHealth.org

“There’s this interest in gambling among the Chinese that transcends anything you see in any other socioeconomic or ethnic group" - Gary Loveman, Chief Executive at Harrah's

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I also met up with an old acquaintence whom I met through Casey a while back. She, Ashley, showed up on my doorstep here in North Philly with her boyfriend, Mike, and we took the train down to Pattison Station and visited the FDR Park, where the American-Swedish Historical Museum, one of the largest of its type in the country, is currently showcasing Nathan Sawaya's The Art of the Brick exhibit. That's right, bricks, like LEGO bricks. According to this flyer I have right here, which is the only thing I have to remind me of the event (most of my cell phone pictures ended up getting deleted accidentally from the phone itself), The Art of the Brick is "the first major museum exhibition in the U. S. created entirely out of LEGO bricks." Some of the pieces, I suppose all technically sculpture and some I suppose . . . plastic canvae? . . . , were pretty skilled. We kept wondering if he created the pieces on the computer first via some modeling program (maybe even CAD?) and then put all the pieces together just like all the LEGO instructions when you buy a box.

Tomorrow I'm meeting Kayla in New Hope for lunch. Then I'm going to be attending a couple events this weekend, including a Bush protest rally tomorrow afternoon, a bar-concert tomorrow night for Origivation, maybe a Gay Parade in Center City Saturday morning, maybe a flea market Saturday afternoon, a poetry reading Saturday night, and a poetry reading Sunday afternoon.

All will be reported on, I hope, but right now I'm beat. As they say on the stations in Rhode Island, "dead up dumb serious."

This morning, in preparation for the Phillies-Dodgers showdown that starts tonight, the L.A. Times published this article detailing how the dinginess of Philadelphia is rivaled in awfulness only by the “obstinate pugs” that call the Illy home.

The coward L.A. Times doesn’t allow readers to comment on its plastic, cocaine-laced articles. So, I resorted to an old-fashioned letter-writing campaign and told Slimer how I felt.

--------------------------

Dear T.J.,

My name is Mary, and I'm a 25 year-old writer/Philadelphian (a.k.a. an "obstinate pug") who's in love with her city.

I just finished reading your article, "Phillies Fans: 10,000 Reasons to Be Bitter" and I have a few things to say.

First up. If we're so "angry," then why are you the one throwing down unsubstantiated, Palin-esque criticism? Why are you trying to out-bully us in a fight we're not even interested in? "Bitter"? Hell no. We're excited to be here. Unlike your city, we only have the one baseball team. And we've loved them for 125 years, through thick, through thin, through strikes, through Joe Carter, through the laughable L.A. Times, through 10,000+ losses. That's not anger, that's unbridled passion.

Secondly. You say the Phillies are "rugged competitors." Cute. And you call out Jamie Moyer as a "100-year-old softball pitcher." Also cute. He's won 16 games. All while being the patriarch of this team, running it out to first and being one of the foremost "good guys" playing the game today. Also, your claim that Derek Lowe will out-pitch Cole Hamels tonight because he's pitching for a contract? The cutest of all your arguments. Here in Philly, we run to the top of the Art Museum steps (that's a metaphor, T.J.!) not to make a buck, but for the W. And the W will be Cole Hamels'.

If you're trying to get a rise out of this "dingy" town, you succeeded. But we're not going to "crumble," as you accuse Philadelphia of perpetually doing. Instead, we're going to put some beers in our grubby paws and toast to how we're going to make a mockery of you, your lack of tact and your beloved team.

Funny thing is? I actually like the Dodgers. My dad's been a Dodger fan since 1955, when he'd listen to their games in Aruba through a transistor radio. Your article has wiped out all these nostalgic, "America's team"-esque views I once had of the Dodgers. Nice work.

Phils in 4.

The very best regards,
Mary van Ogtrop

I'm sitting on the train having the regularly miserable ride into center city (people going to work together, people standing in front of you, the blaring of "your mother I hate you with a gun banged up with drugs" from someone's headphones) when I look up and another wonderful ad hits me in the face.

"Mornin' y'all!"

"New - McDonald's Chicken Breakfast Biscuit"

*picture of biscuit with a slab of fried chicken*

"McDonalds logo. I'm lovin' it."

So the first thing that happens is my head explodes from all the "slang English". Brain splatters all over lady standing in front of me and on the little girl sitting next to me. Too early for all those comas I guess.

Then I feel that it's sneakily offensive. There is a chance, maybe, that it's suppose to give a southerly feel (which, by the way, I highly doubt people down south eat slabs of chicken for breakfast. A more stereotypical food for breakfast in the south would be grits/scrapple but definitely not chicken). But then I look at it again and realize they ALWAYS use a ton of slang terms in their ads. McDonalds- I know you try and attract certain demographics with your ads but you go about it the completely wrong f&@%ing way. Just because I live in the city and take public transportation doesn't mean I use constant slang (hell I'm probably a part of the 5% who haven't even eaten at McDonalds in years). I know you realize that a good percentage of your customers are from urban areas, part of the lower class (or just trying to save a few bucks), and even minorities- so is that why you've been using constant slang in your ads (at least around here) for the past few years? I wonder.

Plus, it looks absolutely gross. Even in the ad. Tell me do you really want to look at this right after you wake up?

Riot's conclusion: McDonalds- stop blantantly stereotyping and at least be sneaky about it (because, in reality, the stereotypes is what keeps advertisers strong). Also, stop adding fuel to the slang english fire.

People of Philadelphia: Don't eat this for breakfast and, if you're going to eat there, at least get the REAL BREAKFAST with the hash browns (that's the only thing I kinda miss there). Or, go to a cart and get some food there. It's just as good, if not better, than Mickey D's.

Steve and I have an awkward friendship. Well, I guess just how we know each other is awkward. He is the ex bf of my old roommate (long story). We have pretty much only known each other through my old roommate and reading each other blogs, but have been talking more frequently (mostly just about how neither of us can have a successful relationship). Steve is secretly an emo kid/hipster despite his lack of trendy bang. He is a film major at Temple and is obsessed with The Mars Volta (as you can tell from one of his previous posts).

So, I hope you like his random thoughts.

I'm sick of everything on my ipod right now. I need something new. Any suggestions?

"These quiet [islands] usually have a seething underbelly."

"Really?"

"How should I know, I'm from Philly where the underbelly is on the top."

Boreanaz is a Philly guy so I suspect he may have had something to do with that line because it's dead on perfick.

I wonder how many hits this page will get with the tag porn, naked, pr0n, etc.) I bet 50 views by tomorrow.

Anywho as some (or none) of you may know I work for a paper. Notice I say 'work' and not 'write'. This is because I don't. In all honesty, I just found fun in writing after years of screaming "I don't wanna do that research paper!" and "I'll pay you if you write this paper for me..." (which, till this day, I don't understand why any of you didn't take me up on this offer...). But anywho, I got into a quick discussion about porn today that struck my fancy.

I found an advertisement today for a phone talk company. This ad featured two girls decked in matching spaghetti straped tops and jeans with words something along the lines of "Talking to People is Fun!". However, underneath these two girls was a girl laying in her underwear on the phone. It wasn't really that provacative but it did say something like "Have a sexy good talk" next to her. I wasn't sure if this ad was considered an adult ad or something else until one person pointed out that it looked like porn and that it should go to the person for adult advertisements.

As I was bringing the ad over I thought "This doesn't look like porn to me. Is this REALLY porn? Or do I just have a really screwed up perception on what is 'appropriate'? Mind you she was not holding herself inappropriately in any way, she was not making sexy faces, and was more covered up than most bathing suit or jean ads.

A Diesel Ad that isn't consider porn-ish? It is because underwear isn't being displayed? Either way it's worse than the ad in question.

What is 'appropriate' nowadays depends a lot on your

religious, social, and financial backgrounds and is still affected immensly by age and gender. Not to mention the way you perceive yourself.

But I'm not trying to get philisopical on your asses. I'm curious as to what triggers people to think differently about everything and anything. But I guess

if I knew that I'd also know the meaning of life, why dinosaurs went extinct, and if there really is a guy with a goatee and a pitchfork running around down below for all of us to visit (since I highly doubt anyone 'good' is reading this right now).

Riot's conclusion: Distinguishing normal ads from porn might be hard for the burlesque frequenting sexay party lady.

8/4/07

In West Philly, there is an outdoor marketplace that's over 5 blocks long.  Here you can find all sorts of stuff, clothes, sunglasses, shoes, watches, etc.  There's a huge Muslim population in the area and you can find many Islamic merchandise stores, masjids and halal restaurants all around this region.  As we parked and eagerly stepped out into West Philly for the first time Tayeeb took a second to fill the meter before we went exploring...

Dahman was standing in front of a window in the hotel room, taking in the view, as we were getting ready to head out for the day.  Here, he's pictured with a shirt he designed, as part of his Rebel Movement collection.

The AICP mosque in West Philly was originally a church that was turned into a masjid.  The windows of the building all have this very decorative design that makes it stand out against all other buildings in the area.

A vase full of flowers on a window ledge...looking out into the real world?  Maybe wishing they could get some fresh air...?  Who knows...

Not the most flattering picture, I know.  But Tayeeb's socks just seemed to fit right in with the holy atmosphere inside of the AICP mosque...

I'm sure you can guess where we are in this one.  The 52nd St. Masjid is a small prayer room on the second floor of a building that directly overlooks the outdoor market in West Philly.

Really gettin that glow after praying, no?  Tayeeb continues to take in the sights at the 52nd St. Masjid.

I know it's a fatboy thing to do, to post pictures of food, but this chicken was sooooo good!!!  "Saad's Halal Place" is a well-known middle eastern restaurant in West Philly, right across the street from AICP.  His rotisserie chicken is amazing, not to mention many other items on the menu.  I think he only has this chicken on the weekend's though...a must visit for those who like to...eat.  You know who you are.

So, I heard Philly was the birthplace of graffitti.  Naturally, we had to go out and find some street art to see if it was really true.  Not only is Philly just plastered with murals and art all over buildings from all parts of the city, but the graffitti specifically is amazing.  We wandered into North Philly after visiting the Al-Aqsa mosque in that region and we found an abandoned building cooovered with graffitti.  These are some of the pieces that were on that wall.

I have no clue what this says, but I love it.

It really don't, stay tuned...

8/4/07

We went along the Ben Franklin Pkwy upto the art museum, which is where the famous Rocky steps are.  At the top of the steps, there's actually an imprint in the concrete of Rocky's footsteps, where you can stand and look out at the city.  Tayeeb was enjoying the view when I caught him reppin that brand from another land.

Here's a better look at the view of the city from the top of the steps.  In Urban Design, this is called a vista, where the eye naturally follows the lines made by the trees, flags, or other monuments up to an important point in the center.  At the center of this vista is the City Hall building of Philadelphia, which is beautiful in and of itself.  All along the sides of this street, the Ben Franklin Pkwy, there are flags from every country in the world, all lined up in alphabetical order (mostly).

In front of the Art Museum, there is a monument in honor of William Penn and the original inhabitants and settlers of Philadelphia.  These particular statues were poised, with weapons in their hands, looking off into the distance as if waiting for something to come and attack.  Even though they're inanimate, I still find alot of vigor in the way they're portrayed.

This is a structure in downtown Philly.  I thiiink it's part of Temple University, I remember seeing that red "T" somewhere when I took this picture.  This was really the most striking thing about the building though, the way it just seems to go on and on...

Near the Art Museum there is a fountain on Ben Franklin Pkwy that has huge statues and a big pool around it.  We went during the summer and it was especially hot that day, so there was a sizable crowd of people, especially kids, in and around the water.  It was incredibly refreshing.  Here Tayeeb was enjoying being under the path of the water as it sprayed out of the fountain.

Current Flyers captain Mike Richards won a Calder Cup with the Phantoms in 2005. Also see: Phantoms defeat Flyers, 4-2

Tuesday night, in a final act of brotherly love, the Philadelphia Flyers faced off against their American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, at the Wachovia Spectrum.

The game marked the last time the Flyers will appear in their storied old home. In case you didn't get the memo, Philadelphia is quite the hockey town.

For the past 13 seasons, in fact, the Flyers and the Phantoms have been almost a stone's throw away from each another. On one side of the parking lot at 3601 South Broad Street is the Spectrum, home to the Phantoms, while on the other is the Wachovia Center, occupied by the Flyers.

Sadly, the elder of the two buildings is scheduled for demolition in the fall of 2009.

The Spectrum, which cost $7 million to build and opened in 1967, was the original home to the Flyers, who played there for 29 seasons. But that changed when the $210 million Wachovia Center opened its doors in August 1996. Instead of leveling the old house then, the Flyers purchased an American Hockey League franchise in December 1995. That team, the Philadelphia Phantoms, began operation in 1996-97 at the Spectrum under coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Barber.

"I just made sure the players were aware what kind of honor and privilege it was to play in the Spectrum and that we needed to carry on the tradition as a minor-league team that's associated with the Flyers," Barber told NHL.com. "That included effort, commitment and being able to pay the price to win."

They did, winning two Calder Cups (1998, 2005).

"If Philadelphia is not the most passionate sports town in North America, I don't know what is," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "It's a blue-collar town and they want to see hard work and effort and I think if you give them that, you'll be OK. But they're very passionate and the mood of Philadelphia is dictated by the success of their sports teams. It's interesting because, as a player, it pushes you to your limits, but in a good way."

Hockey Hall of Famer and former Flyers captain Bob Clarke agrees.

"Philadelphia is the No. 1 professional hockey town in this country," said Clarke, now the Flyers' senior vice president. "We sold out our building since the beginning of the '70s and the Phantoms even draw like crazy. No city comes close to Philadelphia in supporting professional hockey."

On June 19, 1974, a then-capacity Spectrum crowd of 17,007 saw the Flyers win the city's first professional championship following a 1-0 victory against the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Almost 24 years later (June 10, 1998), a crowd of 17,380 watched the Phantoms close out their first championship at the Spectrum with a 6-1 decision against the Saint John Flames in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Final.

Holmgren, who was the Flyers' director of player personnel at the time, remembers the scene at the Spectrum.

"It was pretty wild, and the fact we closed out the series in the Spectrum was pretty neat," Holmgren said. "It was a raucous crowd and the celebration afterwards spilled over into the parking lot and streets. It was a major championship for a minor-league team and was pretty cool. Our championship in '05 was even better because we had over 20,000 fans packed in the Wachovia Center and there was a huge spotlight on that series, and the final game in particular."

Current Flyers coach John Stevens captained the 1998 Phantoms title team, and coached the 2005 titlists.

"I came here in '96 when they brought the Phantoms to Philadelphia and there were so many links to the tradition of the Flyers that we were able to piggy-back on," Stevens said. "First, we're playing in the actual Spectrum where it all began, Bill Barber was our coach and Bob Clarke was the general manager. They even brought (Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster) Gene Hart back out of retirement to do our games on television. Everywhere you turned there were links to the past and (the Phantoms) had a really good, rugged team back then so we really jumped on the coat-tails of the tradition that had been established long before in the Spectrum.

"We were leaders in attendance every year and the fans just accepted us with open arms, so I think the Phantoms and Flyers really worked well together. You know, Philly is a great sports town – not just for hockey, but all sports, and I think the recognition and fan support this city shows has enabled the hockey clubs to function the way they have all these years."

Having the Flyers and Phantoms within close proximity certainly had its benefits.

"Obviously the greatest benefit of having two teams playing so close to one another was having players accessible for recalls," Flyers assistant GM Barry Hanrahan said. "Over the course of a season players do get injured, and the 23-man roster never stays to where it's set at on opening day. So that benefit alone was tremendous, but more importantly I think just to have them training in the same facility (Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J.), where all players were essentially under the watchful eye of the general manager, director of hockey operations and director of player personnel on a daily basis, was tremendous."

Sharing the same training facility presented young prospects an opportunity to practice like the pros.

"I remember when Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were with the Phantoms and they came to the training facility over the summer and watched how Mark Recchi and John LeClair would prepare," Holmgren said. "Here are Hall of Fame-caliber players working their butt off and doing what they need to do to stay in shape for the upcoming season. That certainly leaves an impression on a young kid. And even today, a guy like Phantoms defenseman Mike Ratchuk, who we're really high on, gets to watch Kimmo Timonen work out and practice. It's like being a fan, where you can see your favorite players every day."

"(Having the Phantoms and Flyers in the same complex) helped in a variety of ways," Stevens said. "First off, this city loves hockey and we were able to support two teams and share the same game rink and practice facility while being able to see our players all the time. When guys were called up they weren't displaced from their home life and they went to the same practice rink and the same game rink.

"On top of that, all the injuries were basically taken care of by the same doctors, rehabilitation therapists and strength coaches, and when you needed a player, he was just down the hall. It kept everyone under one roof, whereas in other places you wouldn't be able to watch your prospects. Here, we're fortunate because we can watch and monitor each player's progress throughout the whole year."

Keeping the NHL team and AHL affiliate close by also had economic advantages.

"I think from a cost standpoint, it's important to know that if you need a player, you can get him in here as soon as possible and avoid wasting a day of travel, which would delay his availability for practice or even suiting up for that night's game," Hanrahan said.

According to Hanrahan, once a player is recalled he is essentially on the NHL roster and being paid. Whether the player is practicing with the club or flying into town, he still counts on the salary cap.

"So if a player has the flu and we're left shorthanded, all we need to do is walk 30 or 40 feet down the hall and call up a player so long as we have the cap space," Hanrahan said. "You can always call up a player, make the transaction and then reassign him after 5 p.m. the next day or however long you want to keep the player."

It remains to be seen where the Phantoms will relocate following the upcoming season, but it appears the Flyers will do anything within their power to make sure the team remains nearby.

"There have been some preliminary talks, but we still have logistics to work out," Hanrahan said. "As we get into the season, our management will move forward and try to get a definitive place for where they'll be next season."

What seems certain is the Spectrum will be replaced by an entertainment district that will include a hotel, restaurants, shops and, according to Flyers chairman Ed Snider, "the world's biggest and best sports bar."

"It'll be called 'Philly Live,' and while we're still in need of the permits from the city, it should be an exciting destination point for all sports fans," Snider said. "And it won't be solely for the people who come to the football, baseball, hockey and basketball games, either. We feel people without a ticket to an event will come just as they would into Center City (Philadelphia) to go to a restaurant to have some fun. It'll be a wonderful destination spot and we're looking forward to the next phase in that development."

Also see: Phantoms defeat Flyers, 4-2

Comedian Mike Birbiglia brings his new show "Sleepwalk with Me" to Philadelphia’s Zellerbach Theatre this Friday, October 10th. This is a sneak peak performance before his big off-Broadway debut at the Bleecker Street Theatre in NYC starting October 17th. Mike is hysterical, so see him now before Big Time Fame snatches him up and forces him to make a bad movie with Jessica Alba.

Jeff chatted with Mike via cell phone as he trekked through the busy streets of Manhattan, dodging cars, taking taxis and dropping impressive names in his wake.

Play Now: http://www.usedwigs.com/pod/Birbiglia_Interview.mp3

Subscribe: iTunes

Tickets: Some tickets still available for Philly, get them here. New York shows, get tickets here.

More Mike:

• www.birbigs.com
• sleepwalkwithmike.com
• www.myspace.com/birbigs
• My Secret Public Journal

The smile that made his eyes crinkle. The same way they did the first time we hung out.

We sat across the living room carpet from each other. Laughing, with a playoff game ignored in the background. I was high and jittery from having a guy in my dorm and had a hard time making eye contact.

Two laptops and two writers too eager to share their stories.

I knew that he wasn't the one and told him so in an email. He didn't agree, but stuck around to be my friend anyway.

I was fine.

I didn't need some guy in my life.

Everything was cool.

But I didn't like it when he laughed with someone else in Narrative Cinema.

No else one looked that good in a black leather jacket smoking a cigarette. No one else I knew had real tattoos; detailed art that signified a hard life and not just a drunk night or an itch for ink. No one else had hands so open, gentle and strong.

Still, he wasn't the one.

One day I stood across the doorway from the coolest guy I'd ever met. I handed him another box filled with crap from my dorm and ran back to the car for more. Until that point I'd lived my whole life in one house. And now I moved into his.

I was addicted to the laughter of racing through the city streets for late night candy and cigarette runs. His arms made me invincible to the mentals and drunks who frequented the sidewalk outside of our door. We lived rich on a squatter's salary.

Then one night, as we approached our stop on the Orange Line, he nudged my arm and whispered for me to stay seated. I looked up. Two huge guys I hadn't noticed blocked the doors and stared at us. When had everyone else exited the car? At the next stop he leaned over and whispered, “Run. Don't look back. Don't worry about me. Just run."

Precisely the moment when I realized that running was no longer an option.

A few useless people mulled around the train when we exited. They each turned away when they saw the look on my face.

I ran towards one of the exits.

Three sets of fast, heavy footsteps raced off in the opposite direction.

I turned and watched them chase him out.

Out of the subway and away from me.

I ran all the way home and waited for him by the window. He looked angry and disheveled when he entered and wouldn’t talk about it. I threw my arms around him and knew I’d never ask.

One day I stood across an old shag rug from the coolest guy I'd ever met. In between us: a one-year-old temper tantrum whose heart broke for the second time in ten minutes. Unable to absorb the screaming, I felt hung-over. His eyes were closed and his hand was on the doorknob.

He turned to me, looked me up and down and smiled.

I blushed.

For that moment there was no one else in the room.

Then he leaned down, picked up the impassioned child, kissed me over her flailing arms, and escorted her to the car. Leaving me alone in a quiet house with enough time to enjoy my coffee before leaving for work.

How different my life would have been if he had agreed that he wasn't the one. If he had listened to the teachers and friends who said he was too young to get married.

If he hadn't made me laugh when he handed back the chocolate tootsie pop I offered him just minutes after we first met and said, “Lollipops aren't supposed to be chocolate. These things suck."

Having such a big dog in the city requires due diligence. I have to keep him leashed. I have to watch him. And I have to pick up his crap WITHOUT FAIL. If my dog Max leaves even the barest trace of doodie on the sidewalk, I address the situation. So no unsuspecting soul will fall afoul. City sidewalks - as I have mentioned before - are busy places. People walk on them. Children play on them. And yes, dogs do their business on them. The city sidewalk may be a dog's toilet. But everyone needs to flush. So, w/out fail, I curb my dog.

Having a big dog in the city requires additional planning when it comes to exercise. Our virtually nonexistent and unfenced yard is simply insufficient to meet Max's needs. We joined a local dog park to allow for off-leash playtime. But Max likes to walk. Really WALK. So once or twice a week I take him to a local nature refuge for a 4-mile hike through the woods.

Yesterday morning we went to the refuge.  The walk had barely begun when we encountered an older woman coming toward us on the path.  GOOD MORNING! I exclaimed cheerfully.  HOW ARE YOU?  To which she acidly replied, "I'd be better if you'd pick up your dog's poop."

Well. Hold the PHONE.

As detailed above, I am fastidious when it comes to feces. NEVER would I leave crap near an unsuspecting foot! But when I take my dog to the woods, we are not on a public street.  We are on a trail. We are not someplace where an infant may pick up a turd and stick it into his or her mouth.  Where someone's $500 pumps may be ruined. We are surrounded by the natural world. And I do not allow Max to ever dump on the trail itself. Oh no. But I do not see any problem w/ him pooping on the side in the grass and leaves. After which I take whatever large stick is handy and push/scoop/or fling said poop out into the woods - where it will not harm a soul.

I am not talking about letting my dog poop on a playing field.  Where children or lovers - or anyone - would be meandering.  That is just plain gross. But the only meanderers in this case would in fact be deer.  Or groundhogs.  Foxes, snakes, turtles, rats, birds.  YOU GET MY POINT! And no living soul is picking up their scat in plastic baggies to deposit in the trash. As I responded to the woman yesterday, it is natural. Left there, excrement (my dog's included) will decompose and return to the earth. It is recycling in its most primitive form. Something beautiful in its perfection and simplicity.

She tried to explain to me that the ecological burden on the wildlife refuge is great enough. I have been visiting this refuge for 11 years. The acres are sandwiched between the city, I-95, and the airport. Oil pipelines run beneath it. The burden is great but the burden is ALL MAN-MADE. I simply fail to see how dog poop is going to push this land over the precipice.

There is nothing natural about bagging poop. Nothing. Though I do it, living in the city, w/out fail or hesitation. WHY? Because it is a matter of courtesy and b/c it is the law. But in the woods? No. I will not pick up poop. I will not. B/c it doesn't make sense. If left to the air, excrement will decompose naturally w/in weeks or days. It is a matter of natural recycling. What is UNNATURAL is picking it up, sealing it into a bag, and placing it into a trash can. Where it will have to be picked up by a waste truck, carried miles to a landfill, to be dumped and sit festering for years to come. Where it will not easily - if ever, decompose. THAT, to me, is insanity.

I may be the only person thinking this, but I do not care. B/c in my heart it makes sense. In my mind, every dog has a right to take a crap on the soil and not feel like he or she is doing something wrong. I for one have pooped right there in the refuge behind a bush and I didn't blink twice. WHY? B/c I had to go. And when nature calls, I answer.

What happened to sweater season!? Did I miss it?

I hate being cold, it is probably my least favorite thing. I dislike Winter. I love fall though. I love the leaves changing colors and the fact that all you need is a warm sweater and maybe a scarf (I own far too many cardigan sweaters).  BUT this morning was reminiscent of Winter aka what is to come and my favorite season seems to have been skipped. Upsetting. It's only October! I need to go shopping for a heavy jacket and wool socks ASAP.

Also, today I hate public transportation.

Usually it's alright. I don't mind it. Train then bus, bus then train. Today, however, I missed my usual train and was forced to take a different one. I missed all of the regulars including cute hoodie boy, leopard print coat lady and weird IT guy that loves Iron Maiden. Also upsetting. Anyway, not only did I miss the regulars, but the train and bus were significantly more crowded because it was rush hour.  Although waking up at 5 in the A is a horrible thing, the commute is so much less stressful.

I need a car.

The reason I slept through my alarm is because I was out late (by my weekday standards). I went to the World Cafe Live to see my friend Jonah Delso preform. He is so talented, over the summer he was hand picked by Coldplay to open for them when they played at the Wachovia Center in Philly. I'm obsessed with his music, it is a very chill, acoustic sound. He was awesome last night, so was the band that opened, Swift Technique. I had never been to the World Cafe, despite it being like 10 minutes from my apartment. It has a really cool vibe and I got to see a bunch of friends (Bob, Callie, Ian, Tim and Jonah) that I haven't seen for a while. If you live in Philly check it out AND click here to listen to Jonah Delso (I love the song 'Elevator').

I'm already making weekend plans in hopes that this week goes by faster.

(Currently listening to 'Perfect From Now On' by Built to Spill)

HELLO!!!

Oh my, you may not remember me, my name is Maggi Smith and I work at UMB in Baltimore. And many moons ago, you were my personal trainer. I have often wondered where you went and what you were doing and lo and behold, I found your blog! And then your website! And it looks like you are doing FABULOUS!!! All I can say is that the folks in Philly are so lucky to be able to call upon you for training.

So, anyway...I wanted to drop you a line to say hello! I am doing well. I had a little boy in December of 2004 (he's in the photo) and yes, I am still exercising and eating right. Albeit, I am now working hard to get the last 20 lbs I put on when I was pregnant. :)Anyway, I think of you quite often. I am following the Body For Life program, I eat well, and I workout in a home gym I built in my basement.

I have to tell you, if I didn't have you as a trainer so many years ago, I would not have known what to do on my own. Because of you, I know proper form, how to recognize when my form is suffering (usually because I am trying to lift too much weight in my super-set) and how to be sure that my workouts target all of the muscle groups effectively. In addition, here is the kicker... way back when, I should have listened to you more when it came to nutrition.

You were trying to tell me, but I could not see it. Well, I do now! (Well, I am learning more, let's put it that way.) I laugh because I look back and I am eating exactly how you told me I should be eating. I coudln't see the value in all that protein, eating small, frequent meals, and making sure my meals were BALANCED.

Heck, I can't believe protein powder and oatmeal (yes, mixed together) are one of my favorite meals But re-learning how to fuel my body, and to FEED my muscles in order to build them has made me think of you and how I am so happy I learned as much as I have from you.

Thanks so much!-- --Maggi
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Did you hear what happened yesterday in the Eagles loss to the 'Skins?

Brian "the offense" Westbrook came down with broken ribs, ouch!

"We'll see how it works out for him," Reid said.

You can scope it on the ESPN here.

Good food, good beer, good friends, good weather...

Bad hangover.

I swear there was a tap every 20 yards and beer tents on every block. Mostly lagers.
I was really happy to stumble upon now local transplant Flying Dog's Snake Dog IPA on Apothecary's roofdeck overlooking 13th Street.
Niiice.

I thought I'd miss the Ludwig's Garten Oktoberfest. Not anymore.

A lot of people headed over to see Springsteen at the Obama rally on the Parkway. From the little I heard it was pretty low key. Only the streetsweepers ware left when I went by again at 9 PM.

Once in a while I find a mashup that really work. This is nowhere near as good as the original but it adds new life to a classic.
[audio http://www.mashuptown.com/files/Dunproofin-PoliceKlaxons.mp3] MP3: Police Klaxons mashup
From Dunproofin via Mashuptown.
Thanks all you knob-twiddling teenagers!