Couple of Old Pharts

This post is a little out of place, but sadly, your Phartbloggers have been too busy for arts and culture lately. The closest we got was this past Friday's My Chemical Romance concert at the Nassau Coliseum. I know what you're thinking--emo death cult?? Yes, friends. The Phartbloggers are so sophisticated in all other forms of culture that their taste in pop music is a tad lame. It was Phartblogger #1's birthday, and he wanted nothing more than to bop around and pump his fist to the harmonious tunes of every 13-year-old rocker's dream band.

We got there and didn't think it would be that bad. We were surrounded by kids but also adults, and not just moms and dads. We felt really cool when we saw thirty-somethings in black makeup and tattered clothes. We might have been straight-laced, but we were representin' our lameness.

But then something interesting happened...we weren't the only lame ones there. First off, the music, not that loud. We could hear each other when we screamed in each other's ears. Not right. Secondly, no one got up out of their seats until the very end. Thirdly, Gerard Way (the most tragic lamo and closet gay man ever, but Phartblogger #2 is strangely obsessed with him) STOPPED A SONG to "save" a mosh-pitter who was apparently in peril. Then he gave us a speech about proper pit behavior. Um, I recall almost dying a horrific death in a Rancid pit (THAT'S THE NAME OF THAT BAND, PHARTY #1! Finally remembered/looked it up.) at Lollapalooza 1996. That's how you become a tough concert-goer. Don't stop the death. They chose to buy that general admission ticket. They want that in their obit. Boo.

They did their whole new concept album in perfect sequence. That was kinda cool. I wish SP had done a Mellon Collie concert like that, but I digress. Then they did a 6 song encore--hello? It was like a whole nother concert. They did the crowd faves (trust me) and made everyone dance around. The Phartbloggers were getting tired, but we bopped along with the mom in our row.

As we were leaving, Pharty #2 remembered her first trip to the Nassau Coliseum in 1996 to see Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan was the love of her life, and she cried during their encore of "Drown." There was something sad about this memory, but nice at the same time. She also remembered her ears ringing, unlike this evening.

As we tried to leave, our true oldness came through. A Long-Guyland teenager was trying to cut in front of the Phartbloggers' sensible Camry, and he decided to side-swipe us when we didn't let him in. Genius. Pharty #2 was instantly out of the car and announcing his license plate to the 911 operator. When will they learn--don't mess with an NY talian girl's temper, especially not in a vehicle!? Then the punks (yeah, I said it. I decided against "hooligans," but that was a close second) drove off!! We decided to just let them think that the cops were after them all night rather than wait there to file a report about a smudge on the Camry.

Ten minutes later, Phartblogger #1 turned 27. How fitting.

Pheasting in Philly

Last week, the Phartbloggers partook in an age-old Philadelphia tradition (well, at least for the last few years)—the Center City District’s Restaurant Week. This is a wonderful opportunity to try a new place, go out on a limb, and get a great dinner for a good price. All of the participating restaurants prepare a three-course dinner for $30 per person. Now, we don’t typically go out for multiple-course dinners unless it’s a medieval restaurant in Siena, Italy, but that’s a story for another day.

We had the joy of sharing dinner with our friends, the Gilberts. Check out Mr. Gilbert’s awesome blog. He’s a hoot: http://www.hotpatriotaction.blogspot.com/ We decided to go to Bistro Romano, which is an Italian place off of Headhouse Square in Society Hill. It was pretty much the coldest night ever, so we were very happy to get into this warm establishment. We were greeted by our friends at the bar. Unfortunately, as soon as we got there, a renegade patron decided to knock into our friend and spill her wine all over her outfit! But the lovely bartender helped clean up the mess AND comped our drinks. We’re off to a great start!

The décor is quite authentic Italian-American. Sinatra playing, dim lights, exposed brick walls, but it wasn’t cheesy. It was actually just dim enough to be soothing and not be pitch black. We enjoyed our meals thoroughly. PB #1 had a stuffed beef dish, and I had the tilapia. And the desserts—oh…my…goodness. I was incredibly full. We had a wonderful chianti and a glorious time. The Gilberts had their rehearsal dinner in a private, wine cellar-like room in the restaurant. I think the PB’s will have to look into that possibility for our nuptials. PB #2 loves nothing more than a pasta, a good red wine, and some Sinatra.
Also, Bistro Romano often has a murder-mystery dinner theater. PB #2’s old roomie starred in one of their productions once. Check it out!

Basically, you can’t lose with Restaurant Week. No matter what, you feel like you’re getting a great deal. And in the middle of January, it’s nice to treat yourself. I think they do it twice a year, so definitely keep an eye out!

Philly Pets who need a home: Gentle Ben

So here at PhartBlog, we care about all things Philly, not just the arts.

After seeing some rather disturbing behavior by some local pet owners in our area, we have decided that we need to help out as much as we can to help our little friends. Maybe weekly, we will have an update with a local pet who needs a good home. In case anyone is worried about adopting from a shelter, just look at Tink





So here is the first guy who needs a home:

Meet "Gentle Ben"

I am very sweet and gentle, just like my name implies. I was born approximately August 2004 and at some point was left outside to fend for myself. I was so scared that Animals in Crisis had to trap me to get me to the vet. I was even more scared in the trap, and tore out some of my claws trying to escape. Now my paws have healed and I am the biggest baby in the world - I just love to be held and petted. I am neutered, tested negative for FeLV/FIV, have my shots, and have been wormed and Frontlined and am ready to go the my new home.
Animals in Crisis Inc.
Philadelphia, PA
mailto:cat160@aol.com?subject=Petfinder.com
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6749350