Hemingway's Island Paradise

A little over a week ago I went to Key West for a week-long vacation, and I figure I should write about it just in case you're debating whether or not to go to Key West (don't deny it, you totally are). 

First off, let me just say that it's hot. And sometimes uncomfortably hot. But there are nice beaches and it's near the equator, so if you want to lie in the sand and soak up the sun while waves tumble gently in the background, it's ideal. And there's a lot more to do there besides tanning - the island has a literary (Hemingway, Frost), military (lots of forts to see), and presidential history that's represented through several museums, plus there are lots of day trips to take that will satisfy the wildlife/watersporting enthusiast, and tons of bars and restaurants for the foodies/drunkies. And everything is walkable since the island is small, so you won't need transportation. 

The island's mishmash of activities is also something that made it a little strange, since it seemed there was no coherent message that Key West was broadcasting. Often at night, we'd be walking down the main drag (Duval Street, Key West's idea of Bourbon Street) and we'd pass drag queens, nudie bars, raging drunks, and families with small children - all in one block. That was a bit startling, but I guess it's better to have something for everyone than a niche no one will appreciate. 

So that's my oh-so-short review of Key West. I would like to add, though, that the sunsets are unbeatable: 

and you really can't deny the attraction of views like this:

So if you're in the mood for some Jimmy Buffet-worthy margaritas and a day at the beach, head on down to Key West. 

In local news, last night the Phils beat the Nationals in a game that included not one, but TWO grand slams. And I was there for one of them!

 

World Champs WHERE? Philly!

Since we had to watch a few World Series games in DC, where there were Rays fans abounding, it was GREAT to get home and be able to watch them in Philly. We were planning to go out Sunday night and watch game 4 in a bar, but when we got back to our apartment and saw this news story plastered all over the place, that idea was scrapped. 

It's a pretty scary situation to hear that people who live less than a block away from you were attacked by a man with a butcher knife. And it's not even like it was a helpless woman by herself, it was a couple. So even if I'm with Will, I can't feel entirely safe. We haven't heard much about it this week but they still haven't caught the guy, so it still makes me uneasy. Maybe with all his publicity last weekend he's decided to go away. Let's hope so. In any city I suppose these dangers exist, but you never think it'll happen so close to your apartment, to people so similar to you (they were a 25-year old couple living together). 

After hearing about that, Will and I went around the apartment and picked out blunt objects we could use to hit someone over the head with, if need be. We also thought about buying a taser gun. Haven't yet, but I sure feel safer now that I have mace. 

And on to a much better piece of news: THE PHILS WON THE WORLD SERIES! It was absolute mayhem here Wednesday night. Bars were packed, people were wasted, Broad Street was hopping, guys were climbing on light poles, women were flashing people... it was just absolutely crazy. But in a good way. It was a huge, glowing ball of energy and happiness. Then Friday was the victory parade and that, too, was insane. Trains stopped running, people couldn't walk on the sidewalks... it seemed like the whole world was in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon. But again everyone was celebrating and being nice to each other and it was just wonderful. Here are some pics that I got, enjoy. I know Philly will be enjoying for the next year!

Broad Street Wednesday night

Broad Street Wednesday nightBlanton - the pitcher who hit a homerun!
Utley and Howard, the dynamic duo

The trophy!!!

Celebrating European Colonialism

It's Columbus Day, and I've worked it so that I am totally free - no selling admission to hungry tourists or organizing mismatched shoes at the Gap - just me, the TV, and hopefully a run and some shoe shopping. Oh and if I work up the enthusiasm, I may also clean the apartment, which has gotten filthy. When you have a job that's exhausting, and I assume most people do, it's easy to come home, plop yourself down on the couch, and spend the night watching House reruns followed by the Daily Show and Colbert Report. Then clothes and dirt and mail and dishes pile up around you and one day you just scream, "I CAN'T LIVE IN THIS FILTH!" and clean it all up. Perhaps today will be that day. 

But tonight is a must-watch TV night, as the Phils are battling the Dodgers in the 4th game of the NLCS postseason, which they lead 2 games to 1. But it's in LA, and they got killed last night in LA (and throughout the regular season) so it's really imperative that they get their act together and win this. 2 games to 1 is dangerous. 3 games to 1 is pretty much a guarantee.

 Baseball has always been a sport that I understood, but i've recently become a really big Phillies fan. I can name the majority of players on the team (pitchers may or may not be included in that) and have seen enough games and know enough about the players to be able to hold my own in a discussion with boys. For instance, I know we can't count on Ryan Howard in this postseason, and we've really got to look to Victorino, Burrell, and Utley for the big hits. Or, we could just put Brett Myers in as a designated hitter. 

See... didn't you just forget you were reading a girl's blog? Probably not. But I'm proud of myself and fan enough to make a shout-out and say GO PHILS tonight! BEAT LA!!!!

12th and Market - The Gallery

Last night, after gorging myself at the Phillies roller coaster-like loss to the Marlins (SERIOUSLY, guys, getting everyone's hopes up and then leaving men on base is worse than blueballs! Or so I've heard...) I was driving home and heard some disturbing news on the radio.

Foxwoods Casino is in talks to relocate to The Gallery at Market East!

Oh, what horrible news this is. Casinos in general are just bad news - drunk gamblers stumbling around at all hours of the night, increased traffic, people driven into debt by excessive betting and then taking it out on the community - all around there's not much good that can come of it. Sure it might provide some jobs and increase tourism, but there are more sanitary ways to create jobs and are gamblers really the types of tourists we want in the Philly? I think it's safe to say we don't want to become another Atlantic City.

But then to take all the negatives about casinos, and plop them right down in the MIDDLE of a city that's already having trouble with people beating others with hammers on the subway... well that's just adding insult to injury.

To be fair, I don't actually know if casinos elevate crime. And I've gambled myself and find it fun (craps, anyone?) so I don't think all gamblers are lowlifes. But when I think about the sorry state of the Gallery and Market Street as it is today, I don't see converting it into a casino as a step up by any stretch of the imagination. I mean you've got Chestnut, with its restaurants, cafes, and delis, then Walnut with its theatre and quality shopping... and then there's Market Street with its trash, abandoned buildings, graffiti-ridden bus stops and public transportation nightmares... it deserves a better revitalization plan than a flashy slot-machine haven.

Is that really what we want people to see when they step off the train for the first time? Or when they venture from City Hall to Old City to partake in the historical treasures of Philadelphia? I think not.