Day 324 is a wreck

I was at an event at the PA Academy of the Fine Arts in Philly late into the evening Saturday night. Open bar + silent auction = bad idea. Anyway, when I woke up I realized a took a bunch of photos of this crashed plane sculpture outside of the building. I thought it was amazing, apparently? It did have pink lights inside...

Day 323 staring down the moon

Tonight my friend and I went to this cool bar in Philly, Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company. Yes, that is really its name. It has a Prohibition-era feel and specializes in the art of the mixed drink. My first round, on the right, is a Southside (gin and mint). For my second round I enjoyed a Staring Down The Moon. I can't remember what was in it (other than gin), but it was delicious!

Day 312 returns

...and we're back!

First, an apology to my faithful readers for falling so far behind in posting. New responsibilites at work and a trip to Iceland (starting on Day 314...) have made me crazy busy. Better late than never, right?

Anyway, after returning from a kickball game in Philly I realized the Fundai surpassed 10,000 miles. Sad.

Day 298 kicks alot

As I mentioned a couple weeks back, I joined a kickball team. As promised, here's a photo of our team, Sir Kick Alot, in action. Nevermind the fact that we lost big time. Because it's fun!

Day 284, game on!

Well friends, I joined a kickball league! Tonight was our first game and it was super fun, even though we lost 10-6. I left my camera in the car, as I didn't know what the field situation was going to be. So an action shot will have to wait until the next game. But in the meantime, here's my team shirt. Philly Sports Network doesn't mess around!

Day 272, the U!

This is the year of Philly firsts for me. A few weeks ago, my first Phillies game. Tonight, my first Union game! It was a blast! My friends and I were in the section with the serious fans, Sons of Ben. The night included singing, scarves, Union chants, obsenities galore, flipping off visiting DC United fans and finally a 3-2 win! While I've never been a big soccer fan, I was thoroughly converted after the Union game. We're already planning a trip to the next game. Come on the U!

Day 265 tastes the avenue

I don't think I've ever eaten so much food in my entire life. My wonderful friend Sarah invited me on a food tour. We went to seven different restaurants on E. Passyunk in South Philly. So much food, so much alcohol, so much fun. This right here was my absolute favorite dish of the night - gnocchi with truffle cream sauce. The late post is totally attributed to the overeating. I woke up the next morning with a food hangover, but it was worth it!

Day 254 was the icing on the cake

Today was the graduation show for my improv class. It was a lot of fun! And the icing on the cake, my friend Emily came from New York to see the show! This makes two shows in a row that I had visitors from New York - I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends! After grabbing some celebratory drinks with people in my class Emily and I went to Dos Segundos for an early dinner. We went a little overboard, food-wise. For instance, we started with one dessert (Death by Chocolate cake) and knew it wouldn't be enough to share so we ordered another. When our waiter brought out our Chocolate Mint Cake he said, "Here's round two." My momentary embarrassment was eased by the amazingly delicious desserts. Such a fun day!

Day 250's Phirst Phillies game!

I Phinally went to my Phirst Phillies game! (Overkill?) It was a very last minute decision to go to the 7 p.m. game, as my friend texted me shortly before I left the office. Free tickets to a suite for my first Phillies game? Yes please! Peanuts in the shell, beer, hotdog, Phanatic, seventh inning stretch, high fiving strangers, proposal in the stands, exciting win in the ninth. I think I just became a baseball fan! Go Phils!

Day 227 rules! Cheesesteaks, Bobby Clark, Will Smith, your town sucks!

I recently got a subscription to Philadelphia magazine. My first issue arrived today. How perfect - the best of Philly! After flipping through a few pages, I already see some fun shops and restaurants I'd like to try. Who's in? (Sidenote: Second 30 Rock reference this month.)

Day 160 can find me in the club

To cap off my seminar for work, we had dinner at the Union League in Philly. This place is pretty fancy and apparently didn't allow women in the club until the 1980's. I had to miss my improv class for dinner, but the food/wine (crab stuffed artichoke, Loch Duart salmon, waffles & cream) was really delicious so I can't complain too much. White wine. Also, for some reason the pictures I took of the flags in front of the building disappeared from my camera. So here's a statue of some dude holding a phallic-looking object.

Day 156 can't get enough

Today was the last day of Philly Duofest shows. Me and a few friends had an improv practice session earlier, then afterwards we made our way over to the Shubin Theatre to see a show. Once again, I was very impressed. Are my improv posts getting annoying yet? Well, count your blessings because tomorrow will most likely feature a whiny post about going to work and doing laundry.

Day 155 goes to Duofest

I spent more time than I'd like to admit seeing improv shows today. Four hours. This weekend is Philly's Duofest. The name is rather self-explanatory; it's a bunch of shows featuring duos. Some performers were Philly-based and some came from out of state. After having taken classes, I have a whole new appreciation for improvisers who perform as a duo. You don't have the luxury of taking a break on the back line while someone else does a scene. And if you're having a bad night, not only are you screwed, but so is your partner. Luckily, all the shows I saw were great. I left feeling inspired, which is always a good thing!

Day 153 overlooks Logan Square

I always see this statue when I inevitably get a red light at Race Street on my way home from my improv class. I don't know who it is (I just tried googling - gave up) or what he's doing (other than looking out towards Logan Square). All I know is I always look at his backside at this traffic light. We should be on a first name basis by now.

Day 149 was a good day

Things I loved about today: driving with the windows down, improv practice session, pizza, my improv class show, Stone IPA, outdoor seating, random Philly block party complete with wading pool. I even love this blurry driving picture I took right before I merged onto 95. Today was a good day.

Day 139 pays to park

Blog posting is the only thing keeping me from going to bed. Much the same way that this parking garage was the only thing keeping me from getting home from Philly tonight. Actually, my fate was in the hands of the attendant. I gave him a good tip last week and now we are developing a nice rapport. Good ol' reliable Sansom St. garage!

Day 132 had technical difficulties

Yesterday was crazy busy for me. As soon as I got home from work, I scarfed down dinner then ran to Philly for my improv class and grabbed a beer with some folks afterwards. By the time I took this photo on the drive home I was beat. The last thing I felt like doing when I got home super late was blog. Then blogger was down for maintenance! Score! So I'm a day late. Stay tuned for Day 133's real post...

Day 99 is a Phan

Today was my second and last day of volunteering at the International Children's Festival. The weather was beautiful so all of the activities and crafts were outside. I got a little too much sun though, resulting in a sunburnt nose and left ear (random). But that's okay because the Phillie Phanatic was there! Look at this crazy guy! Naturally the kids went bananas. And the parents too for that matter. How can you not be completely joyful when the Phanatic is around? I felt like a kid too. Mostly because I was making pinecone animals all afternoon, but still. Wonderful way to spend a Saturday!

Day 98 with bells on

Today I volunteered at the International Children's Festival on the UPenn campus. Despite the gross and rainy weather I decided to walk around a bit before heading home. After grabbing a coffee I headed back to my car. I saw these great bells in front of an apartment complex across the street from the parking garage. Just looking at them now I want to burst out into a verse of Philadelphia Freedom, which I did on the street. That's not true.

Day 71 is intimidated by fruit

My mom bought this bad boy in Philly's Chinatown today because we saw it on Chopped. I have absolutely no idea how to prepare dragonfruit. But it looks like I'm going to find out...