Dragon Boat: Give me your money! September 29, 2009

This is my last obnoxious push to get donations for Fox Chase Cancer Center. My Dragon Boat Team will be racing this Saturday on the Schuylkill River and our goal is $5000. Right now we have $4570. And we are in third place for fundraising! Thanks so much to all of you who donated already.

If you would like to donate please click here.

If you don’t want to donate but want to come to the race, great! It’s a crazy day (from what I’ve heard). You can find directions, parking, and Race Day info. here.

Thank you for your support!

Sweet as Sugarland June 29, 2009

Anita and I decided to make Kenny Chesney’s summer tour an annual event. This year we were lucky enough to see our favorite group, Sugarland, perform for about an hour. Lady A. was great, too. Who wants to join us next year?

We met up with some of Anita’s friends who were tailgating. What? Tailgating? Hadn’t done this in 10 years. My flip cup skills quickly came back and I helped to push my team to victory.

Our view of the stage from the nosebleeds.

Roadies. We saw nothing exciting.

These guys stole our seats. But we liked our stolen ones better. Besides, they looked scary.

Sugarland! All of these photos were taken with an old camera so they aren’t that great.

End of the show…we were tired. Couldn’t stay for all of Kenny. Maybe next year.

It Isn’t Always Sunny in Philadelphia May 30, 2009

Last night, when the Phils battled the Nats, it was threatening rain; we had some good beer after a horrible week at work; we finally tried The Schmitter; we sat in no man’s land; Kathy O read Casey; Matt got a new hat; we took some self portraits; the seats were wet; I snuck some photos of Matt; Julius came out to play; I discovered my Phashion sense; Matt tried to take a decent photo of me; and the night was nice, factories and all.

The end.

Day Staycation May 11, 2009

If you’re feeling the economic crunch this year and can’t get away on a real vacation from the Philadelphia area, try Terrain at Styers for a Day Staycation.

We went for Mother’s Day and I know that during the summer and fall, and even winter, when we need to relax for a day, this will be the place.

It has multiple greenhouses, gift shops, and a cafe that serves delicious food. Click here for my cafe review.

Enjoy the photos and visit Terrain at Stylers soon to relax and rejuvenate!

I never leave the game early. April 29, 2009

Ever. Monday night’s game was thrilling. I’m glad I forced Matt not to leave in the 8th inning.

Warmup:

Jayson and Shane (we’re on a first name basis. And I wasn’t that close to the field. I zoomed way in.):

Dollar Dog Night (I had one, Matt had three):

Phanatic and Hatfield Pig:

Jayson is 6 foot 5. I’m surprised he doesn’t crouch down more when he is at bat to make his strike zone smaller:

And the Phils come from behind for a win once again:

Self portrait of happy phans:

Click here for my other blog post on the game.

It’s a little premature but…two in a row? April 9, 2009

I am posting this in honor of the Phillies’ 12-11 win on Wednesday.

Philadelphia holds its breath

Sakura Sunday April 8, 2009

Sakura Sunday, April 5th, 2009

Not many blossoms out:

We were the first people to start o-hanami:

Tree to be planted:

Mayor Nutter walked right by our blanket:

And Nutter’s bodyguard stood right next to us:

Crazy costumes:

Andrew played “Mom:”

Avocado:

Salsa and feta salads:

Heather’s spring rolls:

The line was way too long at the Japanese House:

So we took photos from the outside:

American flags at Sakura Sunday?

Beautiful trees:

Weeping:

Cherry Blossom Gala March 29, 2009

Matt and I were lucky enough to get an invitation to the Cherry Blossom Gala last night. Ironically, one of our first “dates” was to this gala back in 2003. How time flies. It was at the Union League and black tie or traditional Japanese dress were required. Matt wore his formal kimono and I just wore black tie (I think!).

We did a lot of window shopping at the silent auction but there were some amazing Dali paintings and fine jewelry that we were eyeing!

The sushi appetizers were yummy–especially the thinly-sliced salmon.

Dinner was good (hey, it was free!) but not good enough to deserve its picture taken.

Sake barrel breaking and kabuki–fun!

Matt’s friend, Isaburo Hanayagi, performed the dance. He brought the Tamagawa drummers and dancers to Philadelphia back in 2003 and this year is is a visiting professor at Swarthmore College.

We all got to take home this delicious fudge from Savagely Good:

Maybe in six years we’ll get another invitation! Who knows!

Look Ma, no hands! March 23, 2009

I noticed something strange about the clocks in 30th Street Station when I was early for my train to D.C. on Friday:

They obviously weren’t guarded very well:

Six Years Ago…. March 18, 2009

On March 10th, 2003, I went out on a date with Matt here:

And we saw Kodo:

At the Kimmel Center:

This year on March 17, we recreated our date! It was fun! And romantic! You can read reviews of Monk’s and Kodo here: Explore and Eat