Category Archives: Philadelphia

The hole where Borders was, and the dummies who dug it

Posted on May 17, 2011 by oddmanout215

Writers hate the idea of slush piles, where agents and editors dump unpublished works. On the last weekend of business at Borders in Philadelphia, I saw the equivalent of a slush pile for published works. It wasn’t a pretty sight. … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, Great Recession, livable cities, Philadelphia, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Low-stoop’ fiction writer seeks agent, brand

Posted on May 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

Citations from an article about the importance of tireless self-promotion in trying to establish a brand for your work: For artists, the great problem to solve is how to get oneself noticed. — Honore de Balzac, Lost Illusions Great success … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, mainstream media, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Python-esque rite in South Philly

Posted on April 28, 2011 by oddmanout215

Ah, the rites of spring in the `hood! You know — palm weaving, the Easter Parade on South Street, race riots in Grays Ferry. Here’s one that was new to me — the Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion of … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, immigration, livable cities, mainstream media, NJ, Philadelphia, Politics, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In the neighborhood, in spring

Posted on April 15, 2011 by oddmanout215

What’s he building in there?/What the hell is he building/In there?/He has subscriptions to those/Magazines… He never/Waves when he goes by/He’s hiding something from/The rest of us… He’s all/To himself… I think I know/Why… — Tom Waits Overheard while running … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, bicycling, livable cities, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On the road to Johnny Brenda’s w/ Nicos Gun

Posted on April 5, 2011 by oddmanout215

You’re achy and pissed when you pull into Roadkill, AL, or wherever, and sick of looking at each other, of the smell of each other in that RV you’re rattling around in. But South by Southwest in Austin was sweet … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, Philadelphia, pop music | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Correction, DN — Corbett wields the chainsaw

Posted on April 1, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here’s Josh Cornfield of the Philadelphia Daily News following up on reaction to the newspaper’s cheesy, Photoshopped front page photo on March 31: The Philadelphia School District apparently loved the Daily News’ cover yesterday as much as district parents and … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Recession, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Corbett to constituents: Go frack yourselves

Posted on March 19, 2011 by oddmanout215

From the March 17 Philadelphia Daily News: It hasn’t gone unnoticed to Pennsylvanians that the natural-gas industry is drilling the Marcellus Shale without paying taxes, while Gov. Corbett has been drilling into education and Medicaid. According to a Daily News/Franklin … Continue reading →

Posted in enviromentalism, Great Recession, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The end is near, Philly! For you too, NYC.

Posted on March 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

From The Raw Story: In the documentary Urban Danger, 84-year-old Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, who is serving his tenth term as the representative of Maryland’s Sixth District, explains why US citizens should avoid living in cities. “There are a number … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, enviromentalism, livable cities, Philadelphia, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DiCicco drops out, but has DROP to console him

Posted on March 8, 2011 by oddmanout215

And so it comes to pass that one of Philly’s most consistently [GASPS, GRABS FACE]-inducing City Council members would rather just take the DROP money and run, rather than deal with your broke asses for another cringe-inducing term. And it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in casinos, City Hall, Great Recession, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Consumer confidence & the price of Cheez Whiz

Posted on March 4, 2011 by oddmanout215

Pat’s Steaks, in South Philadelphia, which raised the price of its cheesesteak from a tourist-targeted $8 last year to $8.50, is getting by with a bit less profit to keep from raising prices again, said spokesman Tommy Francano. “Last year … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, enviromentalism, Great Recession, Gulf, health care, immigration, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments