Bleeding Rainbow performs at Johnny Brenda’s at the edge of Fishtown.

West Philly.

Kyle, visiting from Brooklyn.

North Philly.

Mac in the Italian Market.

If it weren’t for the newish Gatorade logo, I wonder if this could pass for 35 years ago?

•Also: do a Google search for “illegal dumping,” and check out the locale of the first three results. Illadelph representing.

Last summer, for Hans’ (center) birthday, DLISH (left), made light pink t-shirts for everyone with Hans’ likeness on them, and we ambushed him on the High Line in Manhattan. Even some bystanders joined in, donning the shirts. Needless to say, he was speechless.

The Divine Lorraine Hotel is one of the most recognizable and high-profile abandoned buildings in Philadelphia. There was a small fire on the roof the other night that brought the authorities out, but it was quickly extinguished.

• Thanks to Terry & Molly for hosting a great, weekend-long party in South Philly (the annual event is colloquially known as “Thrilladelphia”). It brought a bunch of folks in from NYC (including Kyle and Lisa that crashed with Jenn and I), as well as gathering up the usual North & South Philly undesirables. Good times. I will say, it’s dangerous (cholesterol-wise) to spend that much time about two blocks away from Pat’s & Gino’s with drinks in hand at all times.

Eastern State Penitentiary had been decaying for decades in the middle of Philadelphia, and someone brilliantly decided to reopen it to the public, but in a state of perpetual, controlled decay. Unfortunately this meant the removal of most of the plant matter, but still a decent place to wander through.

Frankford Ave near Girard, where Northern Liberties meets Fishtown.

Facing south toward Center City, about twelve floors up, on the top of an abandoned warehouse just north of Girard in Olde Kensington, Philadelphia.

The top of an elevator shaft.

Rich had the idea to check the spot out — and the views were stunning.

Luckily Rich brought a light — the ground floor and basement levels were pretty dark.

• Jenn and I checked out the Hobo Film Festival at Space 1026 in Chinatown a few nights ago. It was a great selection of documentary shorts from over the past few decades showing the lives of the people who hop rides on freight trains.

“Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled.”
- Mohammed

• A week and a half ago, I had the opportunity to see Mayor Nutter speak to a gathering of design professionals at the WHY-Y space (one of Philly’s PBS stations). He gave an introduction to a night of round-table discussions on the current state (and future) of creative vitality in Philadelphia. The man is a great speaker – he had the room laughing, I’m a fan.

The Starlight Ballroom Dance Club is near Spring Garden.