Friday, October 21, 2005
Green Street Hooligans
My evening in Philadelphia consisted of catching up on some movies I've been wanting to see. One of those movies was "Green Street Hooligans," it's a film about Football (that's soccer) Firms (that's gangs). Yes, a movie about the Soccer Gangs of the UK. The movie gets into the same points and observations made by one of my favorite films: "Fight Club." That is why I am going to call this the FIGHT CLUB of the UK. "Green Street Hooligans" has all but disappeared from the movie theatres and I was actually shocked to see it playing in Philadelphia. It's one of those small films that doesn't have a big advertising campaign like your other Hollywood Films...but man, that sucks for all those people that will miss out on this cool film. Now I feel like watching a football match with my british blokes.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Independence Hall
You do get a sense of patriotism in Philadelphia. Walking down some of this historic streets you even feel it. Plus, they sell Freedom Fries here, not French Fries. Today I saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Wow. Seriously, what a site! I couldn't stop thinking that "National Treasure" was filmed here and how cool that movie was. To think, I was walking around were Nic Cage was finding clues to the treasure. (Speaking of "National Treasure," I even visited the Trinity Church in NYC where they found the treasure.)
Phily
So we are now in Philadelphia, PA. My first impression: Messy. Philadelphia is a messy city. I have never seen so much trash and junk scattered across the sidewalks and roads. Hello!? Ever hear of trash cans? Maybe instead of worrying about the Eagles, Rocky and Cheese Steaks you should start worrying about keeping your city clean. Seriously. Maybe that's what I like about Chicago so much, Mayor Daley trys to keep Chicago as beautiful as possible. Oh, also in Philadelphia, they park where ever there is an opening. And if they can't find an opening, they park on the median in the middle of the street. It's true. And it is so common that the cops can't do anything about it. There you are driving on the street and you have to be careful not brush up against the parked cars to the left of you.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Pooped me out
You know, my NYC experience has had a LOT of lows and some very good highs. There were times when I vowed never to return, and then something cool would happen that would make me change my mind. I'll never forget that the White Sox won the ALCS against those pesky Angels of Anaheim, and I was there at 1849 with a handful of White Sox fans who also happened to find their way to that bar. We all hugged and high fived each other when the White Sox clinched their first World Series birth since 1959. We went in as strangers, but being White Sox fans brought us together. (Go White Sox!!) I also will remember the time I spent with my brother Charlie (take care bro). And of course, how can I forget the would be assault, the car towing, the parking violations and the fat guy I almost got in a fight with at a red light. At the end, I feel like this picture.
Da DelRio's
Charlie is a good guy in a big city. He's definetely taken advantage that his older brother is here, so anytime I offer to take him out to eat, he's there. As he likes to say, "As a college student, you have to take advantage of every free meal you can get." Amen bro, Amen.
1849
We ended up in the part of New York City known as the Village alot. It was a very hip & young area. We ended up claiming this bar, 1849, as our own. We watched two ALCS games there and shared a lot of good memories. The last time I saw my friend Aaron was end of summer last year in Los Angeles, we had a good time partying in L.A.,and now we can add NYC to the list of cities we partied in (Chicago shall be next). Starting from the left, you have me, Aaron, his girlfriend Carrie and my business partner KP.
Coney Island
You know, everytime I hear about Coney Island, I think about Pinnochio. I always pictured it to be like the amusement park in the Disney movie where the boys turn into donkey's. So, I was a little relieved that this Coney Island was nothing like that dreaded amusement park in the animated Pinnochio. Instead, it reminded me a lot of Venice Beach in California. At the end, it was a little closure for me. When I was younger, I wondered if there was such a place where if you had too much fun, you'd turn into a donkey. Now I know, there is no such place.
