Philadelphia – Page 4 – Sam's Online Journal

October 27, 2014October 27, 2014

Going Downtown, Part 1

I guess it was one of those things I took for granted coming from Philadelphia, that feeling of culture and grit tied up and twisted together into one beautiful… thing. And we spent too much time at the end living in the suburbs, that place we called “Almost Philly” where everyone dressed the part and … Continue reading Going Downtown, Part 1

October 23, 2014October 23, 2014

Like a Ghost

I got into Philly around 4 this afternoon and surprisingly enough only hit minimal traffic down around center city. I don’t usually come all the way into the city but I’m staying with my sister and she lives in town now. What an adventure to find a parking space though. 21st Street was torn up … Continue reading Like a Ghost

October 21, 2014

Waiting For Miss Crow

“Did you know when you go it’s the perfect ending to the bad day I was just beginning? When you go, all I know is you’re my favorite mistake.” ~Sheryl Crow There were at least 20 black folks camped outside of the HMV on Walnut Street on that cool September night in 1998. Behind them … Continue reading Waiting For Miss Crow

August 30, 2014August 30, 2014

@Honey’s

The place used to be a warehouse. That much is clear. With its exposed beams and flaking brick interior it almost could have come straight out of a book by Charles Dickens. But it isn’t sitting there unused and abandoned. Instead there is a line outside full of couples leaning against its side, chatting and … Continue reading @Honey’s

May 22, 2014

Sleeping on the Trolley

I fell asleep on the trolley once and went all the way down to the place where it turns around. I had to be awakened by the driver when we reached the end of the line, and he seemed none too pleased while he was shaking my arm and screaming in my ear. You’d think … Continue reading Sleeping on the Trolley

May 5, 2014

Tale of Two Cities

philadelphia_skyline_5d_winter_2008_9619_wallpaper — My birth city. Philadelphia.

It was the best of times, it was the better of times. Or something like that. It’s been said that people either love the place they grew up in or they hate it. So many people spend so much time trying their hardest to “escape,” to get out and move on with their lives, because they don’t appreciate the place that raised them. While others are quite content to live and grow old in the place of their birth, around the people who have always been around and who will always be around.

I’m a bit different. I love where I grew up but I don’t still live there. Philadelphia is the most amazing city in the world. I was just there last weekend, and every time I go back it both reminds me why I love it, and why I still miss it so much. Of course I haven’t lived there since late 1998, a span of over 15 years, but it’s still a version of “home” that I treasure more than almost any other place in the world.

There’s just something to be said about that Philly atmosphere, even though I’ve never had one of those famous cheesesteaks (it’s the first question I get asked whenever anyone finds out I’m from the city of Brotherly Love). I mean, that Philly vibe is one of the most unique I’ve ever been around. I liken it to being a fan of a football team. You might adore the team, but when it does something stupid you scratch your head and complain. It doesn’t mean you don’t still love the team. You’re just so invested that you feel a part of it, even when you have no say over it. Continue reading “Tale of Two Cities”

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