Brotherly Love
May 5, 2008 | Filed under: Planes trains and automobiles, Whoopdie Doo
“You can fall in love at first sight with a place as with a person.” ~Alec Waugh
After every other step I took in Philadelphia this weekend, I would stop, look around and declare my undying love for the city. There was a brief moment while at Lori’s when I started to suggest that maybe she should get a roommate. And that roommate should be me. Lest one think that I’m destined to live in suburban upstate NY for the rest of my life, you would be wrong and/or high. Philly is the size of DC but lacks the job factor and the oppressing heat and humidity come in July. It’s that type of humidity that you step into and you can feel it surrounding as it asphyxiates. As you are choking on every last word, the humidity is making you its bitch.
Someone recently asked which of the cities I’ve visited would I actually live in. DC, San Francisco, Chicago, Madrid, Brussels and Atlanta made the cut. The thought of living in Manhattan with several million other people all up in my personal space and breathing my air makes me violent. Philly wasn’t even on the list and had been shamefully forgotten until walking around yesterday afternoon. But the part that really drew me in, the part where I realize that I’m slowly turning into an actual adult that takes cost of living very seriously; was when I got my check after spending Saturday night out where I had more Grey Goose and sodas than I care to remember, two shots of patron silver and a giant ass plate of pizza tater tots (that last part is proof that there is a God) and my bill came out to like 13 dollars and some change. Love means never having to say you’re sorry. It also means being able to buy four drinks with a five dollar bill.
And now I get to tell people the story of that time I made out with Philadelphia.
jenny says:
What? I totally made out with Philadelphia this weekend too! Hussy.
I really had the same feeling - Philly is a really cool city. But I’m glad to see that Chicago has made your short list. Come on! You know you want to live there!
So great to see you again and oh, the tater tots. We’ll always have the tater tots.
Momo Fali says:
Really? Because I pictured you making out with the pizza tater tots.
Jamie says:
I love Philly, which can get a person teased here in Chicago…but I really love all the squares and the neighborhoods and this cheesy restaurant named El Vez - I would move to Philly solely to be within a cab’s ride of their blood orange margaritas.
Nic says:
Pizza tater tots?!?!? WHERE? Also, cheap drinks?!?! WHERE?
I should not live in the expensive part of the city.
LisaB says:
I really like Philly too! Not sure it’s “my” city but it’s one heck of a fun place to work/visit!
Cheryl says:
Aww, sorry we missed you but glad you enjoyed our fair city.
Best of luck from a frequent Philly reader.
Jennie! says:
Yeah, my beers were $2. I’m pretty sure I pay more than that in Ohio. True story.
slynnro says:
WHAT IS A PIZZA TATER TOT? I must know.
Miss Britt says:
I could not believe my tab for the night was $21.
Then I remembered that two of my drinks were not on my tab and a few more were paid for by somebody else.
But still! $21!!
Lori says:
When you asked whether Philly was expensive and I said “NOOOOO,” I wondered later whether I was too emphatic. I was thinking compared to San Francisco, Manhattan, and DC, but I wasn’t really sure about Albany. Looks like I had it right.
You *can* spend money here if you want to, but you don’t HAVE to. Philly’s a cheap date.
We do have that oppressive humidity in the summer (though to be fair, DC’s *is* much worse — DC’s is the reason I cut my long blond locks off 16 years ago), but it can be worked around. Working at home and not having to go outside helps.
Al could also write an entire blog post on Tips For Avoiding Inclement Weather (Including Oppressive Heat and Humidity) When Walking To Work in Philadelphia. He’s the prince of the air-conditioned shortcut.
torrie says:
Every time I visit a city in the spring I want to live there. Visit Philly in the winter and then you will see how you really feel.
(Although- you do live in upstate NY. You know what a crappy winter is like.)
Kristabella says:
Pizza tater tots? Heaven on a plate right there!
Desha says:
Have you been anywhere in California outside of LA/SF? Theres’ some GOOOD stuff in the middle here! Glad you had such (cheap!) fun!
rebecca says:
Um, PIZZA TATER TOTS? That sounds delicious. Agree: possibly proof of divine existence.
Giselle says:
I’m going to Philly in August with my friends. I have to know where to get the cheap patron. Please share.
Rhi says:
That’s it. I’m moving.
Schnozz says:
Dude, *I* was in Philadelphia this weekend!
We really must compare travel itineraries more often.
chirky says:
Hey - I was in Philly* this weekend, too! But what the hell are pizza tater tots? And where can I get some?
*Lies, all lies.
Thursday says:
I’m British. What are pizza tater tots?
Dave2 says:
Thanks so much for making your way to TequilaCon this past weekend… it was great to meet you and chat for a bit!
I always love it when people post their “short list” of cities they would live in. For me it goes something like… Edinburgh, Seattle, Chicago, London, Portland, and New York.