Philly, Pencil-vein

Slogging through rain and hills, we made it to Philly, just as Brendan (Solid Gold) was getting out of work. We had some dinner, and then Luren and Alex came by. We were sitting about listlessly when the rain started coming down in buckets. Never ones to let a moment go to waste, Sam, Brendan, and I got down to our undies and ran into the street to frolick in the rain. Whooping and yelling, running and jumping, we elicited cheers from the girls upstairs and the bar across the street, and quickly the attention of an undercover cop car. The officer asked us our business, and I told him "enjoying the rain" which was truth. He told us, "get inside or I'll take you in". We went inside. After a bit we went for a ride in Brendan's roommate's car, who was away, to Brendan's studio, but our travels took an unfortunate twist.
KABLAMMMO! Crossing a side street we were t-boned by another car! NO ONE WAS HURT! thank god. It happened quite slowly actually. The lights from the other car came too close, tires squeeched, and my head bounced of the passenger window a couple of times. We were pushed onto the other curb. Everyone got out a bit dazed, but completely unscathed. The other car was completely fine, but ours was done for. these pictures are from the next day, in the lot.


Poor Luren was the most upset, as she was driving her good friends car, but the safety of all people involved brought some perspective. Thanks Volvo! We waited for a police officer for while, though we were passed by a number of cruisers, and then for a tow. Philly is a crazy town (this experience is not indicative). The next day was much more laid back. We visited Brendan's studio at PIFAS (Philadelphia Institute For Advanced Studies). What a cool place! Like an artist shanty town in a warehouse.



A bunch of the 17 artists at PIFAS had built strucural roofs on their studios and had set of roof spaces

Later we biked down to South Philly, made lunch at B's work, and then went to visit Luren at the Naval Yard, where her office (free peoples, a clothing company owned by Urban Outfitters) was located. We had some ID troubles at the gate, but Luren came to meet us and we road passed the dormant navy ships to an abandoned suburb, that had been used to house naval officers and their families.



A number of the building had burned down, and looked beeeeyoutiful.


The whole while planes were flying low overhead, to land at the airport.

We then went to visit Urban Outfitter palatial cafeteria area in what must have once been a foundry-like spot for the the navy.

That night we went back to Brendan's studio where there was an opening of their resident artist, K-Fai, with cat people, cat people installation, a cat man singing songs, and a cat people's film adaptation of Othello. After the catting, Jimmy Cozens and his band boogeyed down for us.

After that we visited another studio space with a skate ramp, a dog, and a drunken ex boyfriend making a scene. We left quickly, to got to more studios. There is a lot alot a lot of cool studio spaces it seems in Fish Town, where brendan lives. We were very sleepy after all that! Tonight I am going to play a show at Brendan's. The Man with No Brain, siging out.
Love and Hugs