Once a month, Painted Bride Quarterly hosts a written story slam at the Pen and Pencil Club. I always participate, but I'm never sure what to do with the pieces I write. They're so specific to that place and time, and though each might have been pretty good for the moment, they reveal themselves to be much rougher in the light of the next day. Some might be seeds for more polished pieces, but others will never be seen again unless I can use them in the venue of my Pictures of Lilies blog.
The story slam (which isn't really called a story slam -- that's just the best way to describe it) has specific rules. First a poet reads (this was not always the case, but is an experiment that's working well) for ten minutes. The audience pays attention to words and phrases in the poet's work, and then audience members call out these words and phrases when asked to do so. These become the prompts for writing. The first round prompt consists of a noun, verb, and adjective. The second round uses a theme. The third uses a line. Usually we're allowed five minutes to write (sometimes a little more), and then we can choose to get up and read our work. The audience votes/judges with applause, and winners get books, t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. The best thing I've won was a CD of Richard Marx's album Repeat Offender. To see my Story Slam writing, go to:
http://picturesoflilies.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Spring Break Visit cont.
I'm keeping track of my steps with the Nintendo DS Walking pedometer and game. During the parents' visit, I walked:
Saturday 10,000 steps (18,448, but some were with the Sat. Schoolers before Mom and Dad got here)
Sunday 12,515
Monday 16,559
Tuesday 11,134
So, that's 50,208. The parents took different routes, but they probably walked the same distance, if not more.
Saturday 10,000 steps (18,448, but some were with the Sat. Schoolers before Mom and Dad got here)
Sunday 12,515
Monday 16,559
Tuesday 11,134
So, that's 50,208. The parents took different routes, but they probably walked the same distance, if not more.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Mom and Dad's Spring Break Visit
Mom and Dad came to visit us this week. Here's a record of what we did.
They left a day early so they could go to the L.L. Bean store and stay over in New York. On Saturday they went to Ellis Island before getting back in the car to come to Philly. We'd had a week of grey weather, but suddenly it was Spring. Saturday was beautiful. They got here mid-afternoon. We unloaded the car and then miraculously found a parking spot pretty close to our apt.
Saturday
First we went to the Atlantic Books on South Street, which is unfortunately closing. All books there were half off. We walked down South Street to the new British football store (Covent Garden). It was still early, and we weren't quite ready for dinner yet, so we walked along the Delaware for a while before coming back to eat at the Artful Dodger. Dad and I had the cashew-crusted chicken and Mom had the tuna steak special. Mom had a Walt Wit beer and Dad and Luke had Hop Devil. That night we tried out the Wii and Dad got to play guitar for a while.
Sunday
We've lived here long enough and the parents have visited often enough to see all the "major" sights in Philly. Which is nice, because we could now explore some of the smaller things. Sunday was another beautiful day, so we set out walking toward Old City. We first happened upon the American Philosophical Society's Darwin exhibit. I really liked the collection of all the editions of Darwin's books, and I was also struck by his writing style. I'd like to read The Voyage of the Beagle sometime. Mom liked the way they had the museum set up with interesting activities for kids.
Then we went to Pine Street and sat in the churchyard in the sun while we waited for noon, when the Kosciuszko museum would open. The museum was fun -- I'd never been there before. It's very small and has a replica of Kosciuszko's room. Mom and I got our National Park passport books stamped.
We went to Zeke's for lunch/brunch. I had scrambled eggs with Nova lox and Dad had eggs benedict. Luke just had soup -- he was probably smart to pace himself.
We walked over to the Eyes Gallery (where they have lots of Mexican imported art -- Dad got some tiles and Mom got me an Easter Egg with a swan in it and I got a few beads) and then to Brickbat Books. I picked up an Easter book to put with the collection and Anne Sexton's Love Poems. Then we went to the City Tavern, where they let us sit with drinks on the porch. I had a raspberry shrub (Martha Washington's recipe) and Luke and Dad had Thomas Jefferson's 1774 Tavern ale. It was so nice to sit out in the nice weather and relax. The food smelled so good that we considered coming back for dinner, but the City Tavern is pretty expensive. I'd never been there before, but I'll definitely go back, for drinks if nothing else.
We meandered over to the Book Trader, where Dad got a couple of books, and then to the Ritz at the Bourse, where we saw the Oscar-nominated animated shorts. We thought they were okay overall (Luke and I thought not as good as last year) and we liked the Wallace and Gromit. We decided on dinner at the Mexican Post (the one in the Old City area). Finally, we went home and watched the Oscars while I did some machine translating work and Mom hemmed our curtains and sewed the buttons back on my corduroy peacoat.
Monday
Luke had to go to work all day and I had to work in the late afternoon. Mom and Dad decided to wander off on their own for a while and meet me for lunch. They went to Liberty Place, where Dad bought a jacket, and to Whodunit, where he got some John D. MacDonald books he hadn't read. We went back to Zeke's for lunch (where I had my usual bagel with Nova lox) and then walked back into Old City. Athenaeum had a neat architectural book exhibit. We also got to see more of the building, including Napoleon's brother's stuff. We went in the Curtis Building to see the mural, and then we had to go our separate ways again -- I went to work and Mom and Dad kept wandering.
After I got out of work we all met at Rangoon for dinner. On the way home we went to the Foodery to get some local beers. That night we watched a Beatles Anthology "episode" (really each of those episodes are full documentaries in their own right) and Dad played guitar. Then we played Wii a little more. I'm not sure I convinced them to get one, but I will enjoy seeing the parents' Miis running around in the background when we do the Wii Fit.
Tuesday
I had the day off, but Luke didn't. Dad got a coffee at Starbucks and then the parents and I took a taxi over to the Art Museum to see the Perelman Building. I was impressed by the fashion exhibit in honor of Tom Marotta. I've just been getting a little bit interested in fashion (more in making it than in wearing it) because of Project Runway, and it was interesting to see the signature styles of different contemporary designers. We were also impressed with the surreal/psychedelic Marcel Wanders: Daydreams exhibit, with a huge lamp and knitted chairs and interesting lighting.
We took the shuttle up to the Main Building. We hoped to find a lunch truck -- it was another beautiful day, and it would have been nice to eat lunch outside. But there were none close by, so we went to the museum cafe for lunch. The cafe has great food, so it worked out fine. I had very good mac and cheese and grilled vegetables and blackberry lemonade.
Then we got tickets for the Picasso exhibit.
http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/354.html?page=2
I had renewed our membership at the Perelman Building, so one of the parents got in for free and then we used our free member Picasso tickets (although I'm hoping to be able to go back with Luke, too). I really liked the exhibit. Like Cezanne, the museum had set it up with lots of Picasso's contemporaries' works to show the cross-pollination and collaboration among them. I'm not sure which piece interested me most, but Dad liked "Chair with Gladiolus" (I couldn't track down a picture of it online).
and Mom liked a piece by Charles Sheeler called "Pertaining to Yachts and Yachting":
Because Lucas couldn't come, I got him a poster of "Three Musicians", which I knew he liked:
Mom and Dad also got the "Three Musicians" poster. We had had enough museum going, so after the gift shop and a quick run through the Philagrafika exhibit, we went out into the sun. We sat in the sculpture garden behind the museum for a little while, then went down to get a view of the boathouses. We walked along the shore path to the Race Street? entrance, and then headed back into the middle of the city. We stopped at Starbucks for coffee and a snack, and then went on to Rittenhouse. Lucas got out of work at about 5:30, and we met him for dinner at Monk's (where I'd never been). http://www.monkscafe.com/
Monk's is famous for its beer, in fact, it was called one of the "five best places in the world to have a beer"
Dad had Duvel Green and Cantillon Monk's Cuvee Gueuze, Luke had Duvel Green and Unibroue Ephemere, I had Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale, and Mom had an Allagash White. For dinner, Mom had the Trout Saison
(baked in Saison Dupont, cilantro garlic & spices); Luke and Dad had the chicken (which I can't find on the online menu); and I had the Monk's mussels (they're apparently known for the mussels, with mussels painted on the wall in the entryway) with Cantillon gueuze, garlic & parsley. The mussels come with pommes frites with bourbon mayonnaise. Dad also had the fries for an appetizer. The mayonnaise dipping sauce was delicious. Overall, I thought Monk's was great, and I hope we can go back soon. I don't think it will completely replace our standby Fergie's, but it's a good alternative.
We went back to the apt. (with a stop at the Foodery to look for Thomas Hardy ale on the way) and watched another Beatles episode, then Dad and Luke played guitar and Mom and I did some Wii skydiving and frisbee playing.
On Wednesday (yesterday) morning, the parents went home. I was sorry to see them go. It was another good visit, filled with adventures. I wish I hadn't had to work while they were here, but I don't think it disrupted things too much. Now I'm back to paper grading and eating at home and looking forward to their next visit.
They left a day early so they could go to the L.L. Bean store and stay over in New York. On Saturday they went to Ellis Island before getting back in the car to come to Philly. We'd had a week of grey weather, but suddenly it was Spring. Saturday was beautiful. They got here mid-afternoon. We unloaded the car and then miraculously found a parking spot pretty close to our apt.
Saturday
First we went to the Atlantic Books on South Street, which is unfortunately closing. All books there were half off. We walked down South Street to the new British football store (Covent Garden). It was still early, and we weren't quite ready for dinner yet, so we walked along the Delaware for a while before coming back to eat at the Artful Dodger. Dad and I had the cashew-crusted chicken and Mom had the tuna steak special. Mom had a Walt Wit beer and Dad and Luke had Hop Devil. That night we tried out the Wii and Dad got to play guitar for a while.
Sunday
We've lived here long enough and the parents have visited often enough to see all the "major" sights in Philly. Which is nice, because we could now explore some of the smaller things. Sunday was another beautiful day, so we set out walking toward Old City. We first happened upon the American Philosophical Society's Darwin exhibit. I really liked the collection of all the editions of Darwin's books, and I was also struck by his writing style. I'd like to read The Voyage of the Beagle sometime. Mom liked the way they had the museum set up with interesting activities for kids.
Then we went to Pine Street and sat in the churchyard in the sun while we waited for noon, when the Kosciuszko museum would open. The museum was fun -- I'd never been there before. It's very small and has a replica of Kosciuszko's room. Mom and I got our National Park passport books stamped.
We went to Zeke's for lunch/brunch. I had scrambled eggs with Nova lox and Dad had eggs benedict. Luke just had soup -- he was probably smart to pace himself.
We walked over to the Eyes Gallery (where they have lots of Mexican imported art -- Dad got some tiles and Mom got me an Easter Egg with a swan in it and I got a few beads) and then to Brickbat Books. I picked up an Easter book to put with the collection and Anne Sexton's Love Poems. Then we went to the City Tavern, where they let us sit with drinks on the porch. I had a raspberry shrub (Martha Washington's recipe) and Luke and Dad had Thomas Jefferson's 1774 Tavern ale. It was so nice to sit out in the nice weather and relax. The food smelled so good that we considered coming back for dinner, but the City Tavern is pretty expensive. I'd never been there before, but I'll definitely go back, for drinks if nothing else.
We meandered over to the Book Trader, where Dad got a couple of books, and then to the Ritz at the Bourse, where we saw the Oscar-nominated animated shorts. We thought they were okay overall (Luke and I thought not as good as last year) and we liked the Wallace and Gromit. We decided on dinner at the Mexican Post (the one in the Old City area). Finally, we went home and watched the Oscars while I did some machine translating work and Mom hemmed our curtains and sewed the buttons back on my corduroy peacoat.
Monday
Luke had to go to work all day and I had to work in the late afternoon. Mom and Dad decided to wander off on their own for a while and meet me for lunch. They went to Liberty Place, where Dad bought a jacket, and to Whodunit, where he got some John D. MacDonald books he hadn't read. We went back to Zeke's for lunch (where I had my usual bagel with Nova lox) and then walked back into Old City. Athenaeum had a neat architectural book exhibit. We also got to see more of the building, including Napoleon's brother's stuff. We went in the Curtis Building to see the mural, and then we had to go our separate ways again -- I went to work and Mom and Dad kept wandering.
After I got out of work we all met at Rangoon for dinner. On the way home we went to the Foodery to get some local beers. That night we watched a Beatles Anthology "episode" (really each of those episodes are full documentaries in their own right) and Dad played guitar. Then we played Wii a little more. I'm not sure I convinced them to get one, but I will enjoy seeing the parents' Miis running around in the background when we do the Wii Fit.
Tuesday
I had the day off, but Luke didn't. Dad got a coffee at Starbucks and then the parents and I took a taxi over to the Art Museum to see the Perelman Building. I was impressed by the fashion exhibit in honor of Tom Marotta. I've just been getting a little bit interested in fashion (more in making it than in wearing it) because of Project Runway, and it was interesting to see the signature styles of different contemporary designers. We were also impressed with the surreal/psychedelic Marcel Wanders: Daydreams exhibit, with a huge lamp and knitted chairs and interesting lighting.
We took the shuttle up to the Main Building. We hoped to find a lunch truck -- it was another beautiful day, and it would have been nice to eat lunch outside. But there were none close by, so we went to the museum cafe for lunch. The cafe has great food, so it worked out fine. I had very good mac and cheese and grilled vegetables and blackberry lemonade.
Then we got tickets for the Picasso exhibit.
http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/354.html?page=2
I had renewed our membership at the Perelman Building, so one of the parents got in for free and then we used our free member Picasso tickets (although I'm hoping to be able to go back with Luke, too). I really liked the exhibit. Like Cezanne, the museum had set it up with lots of Picasso's contemporaries' works to show the cross-pollination and collaboration among them. I'm not sure which piece interested me most, but Dad liked "Chair with Gladiolus" (I couldn't track down a picture of it online).
and Mom liked a piece by Charles Sheeler called "Pertaining to Yachts and Yachting":
Because Lucas couldn't come, I got him a poster of "Three Musicians", which I knew he liked:
Mom and Dad also got the "Three Musicians" poster. We had had enough museum going, so after the gift shop and a quick run through the Philagrafika exhibit, we went out into the sun. We sat in the sculpture garden behind the museum for a little while, then went down to get a view of the boathouses. We walked along the shore path to the Race Street? entrance, and then headed back into the middle of the city. We stopped at Starbucks for coffee and a snack, and then went on to Rittenhouse. Lucas got out of work at about 5:30, and we met him for dinner at Monk's (where I'd never been). http://www.monkscafe.com/
Monk's is famous for its beer, in fact, it was called one of the "five best places in the world to have a beer"
Dad had Duvel Green and Cantillon Monk's Cuvee Gueuze, Luke had Duvel Green and Unibroue Ephemere, I had Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale, and Mom had an Allagash White. For dinner, Mom had the Trout Saison
(baked in Saison Dupont, cilantro garlic & spices); Luke and Dad had the chicken (which I can't find on the online menu); and I had the Monk's mussels (they're apparently known for the mussels, with mussels painted on the wall in the entryway) with Cantillon gueuze, garlic & parsley. The mussels come with pommes frites with bourbon mayonnaise. Dad also had the fries for an appetizer. The mayonnaise dipping sauce was delicious. Overall, I thought Monk's was great, and I hope we can go back soon. I don't think it will completely replace our standby Fergie's, but it's a good alternative.
We went back to the apt. (with a stop at the Foodery to look for Thomas Hardy ale on the way) and watched another Beatles episode, then Dad and Luke played guitar and Mom and I did some Wii skydiving and frisbee playing.
On Wednesday (yesterday) morning, the parents went home. I was sorry to see them go. It was another good visit, filled with adventures. I wish I hadn't had to work while they were here, but I don't think it disrupted things too much. Now I'm back to paper grading and eating at home and looking forward to their next visit.
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