Merriweather Post Pavillion--Columbia, MD

Alana and I traveled just outside Baltimore to Columbia, MD to see the Route 29 Revue. It was a mini-festival that had a interesting lineup, albeit, a jumbled one. The show started at 3:30 in the afternoon and didn't end until after midnight (well that's when we left, anyhow). The Old Crow Medicine show was considered the headlining act, with the supporting cast of the wonderful Felice Brothers, Levon Helm Band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (I think Alana now hates the band more than any other), Iron & Wine (who we both have wanted to see for a while), and another act that I can't think of off the top of my head (they were good whomever they were). It did turn into a bit of an endurance contest. However, the show was good, the weather nice, so all in all it was a nice Sunday get away from Philly. Here are some pics.

4th of July, celebrated the way the Founding Fathers intended

For the recent 4th of July festivities we were went to a nearby BBQ at the home of the lovely Danielle and Melvin. Our good friends from SC, Kemi and Jason, were in town that weekend so they came along for the good time. In addition, our other wonderful friends, Colin and Tina, where also there. So, you see, we had all the ingredients for a grand time.

Seaside Heights and Island Beach State Park

After our trip to Atlantic City, letting our hobo spirit be our guide, we traveled South along the Jersey Shore and stopped at a coastal town called Seaside Heights. I'd heard about a nearby barrier island called Island Beach State Park in a magazine and decided to give it a shot. It was a pleasant bucolic getaway from the urban jungle of Philly. The only downside was that I (Daniel), after 30 years on this planet, proved yet again that I haven't mastered the art of sunscreen application and got severely sunburned. And, I was wearing aviator-style sunglasses which was very evident even long after I'd taken them off.

Back In Action

Apologies to our vast readership out there for our infrequent posting. Things have busy here in Philly. That, and we have been arming ourselves camera-less when venturing out. However, we plan to pick up where we left off with more ongoings in our lives. First up is a trip Lanie and I took to Atlantic City and nearby Seaside Island, NJ. I'd always heard A.C. was one of the dirtiest places to visit-- and with praise like that where better to spend a weekend, right? It is actually not that bad of a place. Alana and I tried our hand at a couple of casinos, Caesar's being one, and lost about $40, all on slots. It took us novices $10 to figure out how they even work. Besides the casinos, Atlantic City has a huge boardwalk and is directly on the ocean. Who am I kidding, the place is kind of a dump. Here are some pics.

Sabrina's

Sabrina's is a local landmark when it comes to weekend brunch. To eat at their South Philly location you have to stand in line forever to be seated--but it's well worth it!! Sabrina's has a newer, second location that just so happens to be in our neck of the woods. We decided to give it a shot this past Monday. The atmosphere is much different. The place in South Philly serves up their outstanding grub from a space that is more like a big house that happens to have tables. The location in our 'hood has more of a diner feel. That said, both are outstanding in their own right. If you are feeling hungry, and are willing to put up with the wait, you can't go wrong with either location.

Eddie Vedder at The Tower Theatre

If anyone knows me at all they know one thing: I'm a Pearl Jam fan. They are the band that turned me on to music and made me the successful businessman I am today. No, I am a big fan and seeing the frontman of the band, Eddie Vedder, this past Thursday was a treat. Vedder opened the night with Daniel Johnston's "Walking the Cow". A perfect opener that accentuated his vocals. Vedder continued with numbers ranging from covers of Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City" to The Who's "The Kid's Are Alright". Eddie mixed the songs with a few funny stories about meeting Dr. J for the first time and hanging out at a bar in Chicago with Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson. Vedder is on top of his game these days musically, as was evident Thursday. Even though we had good seats at the show our pictures and video didn't really turn out as hoped. Perhaps you can catch a little of the vibe from what we do have. Enjoy.

Sardine Sandwich, Anyone?

I've been reading about the greatness of the Bahn Mi for some time now. According to New York magazine, The Vietnamese hoagie is reportedly better than just about anything you can put in your mouth. Well, with such a rave review we decided to give it a shot. First, we had to find where they served them. Looking online, I found a Top 5 list of best Bahn Mi's in Philly. Number 1 on the list is in West Philly (which can be a bit of hassle sometimes) so we decided on Number 2 on the list. O Sandwiches it located in South Philly, tucked unassumingly beside the famous cheesesteak places, Geno's and Pat's. After looking over their menu we decided to try the much bally-hooed tofu hoagie and the pork version. Both were excellent. The sandwich comes on a 10" baguette and is loaded with cilantro, jalapenos, shredded carrots, mayo, and onions. A tasty combination. Another upside of the meal is the cheap price. One hoagie cost a mere $3! Also, the place serves a sardine sandwich. Alana hates sardines. If I buy them for the house I can only eat them on Sunday. That's because the container, with it's smell, can be thrown out the very next day--trash day. I didn't try the sardine sandwich on the first visit, but did get to satisfy my curiosity on the next trip. My verdict? Sardines are meant for crackers not for sandwiches. Oh , well. O Sandwiches also serve bubble-milk tea or boba tea, it is one of the absolute pleasures in the beverage world. This sweet concoction is a sugary, fruit-flavored tea that has a slight milky texture with tapioca balls that rest at the bottom of the cup. If you are looking for a tasty, yet inexpensive meal, look no further than the Bahn Mi.