Taking A Picture

After I visited the new 9/11 memorial at the Schuylkill River Trail I was headed back up the ramp towards Market Street and noticed a woman (see bottom right corner) stop to take a picture (or video, perhaps) of 30th Street Station and the Cira Centre in the background, so I took one as well. The bridge shown is Market Street where it crosses the Schuylkill.

By the way, why is the official spelling "Centre" for the Cira Centre -- we are in the USA, after all -- and if that isn't odd enough, why is their website URL ciracenter.com?

Philly's New 9/11 Memorial: Good, But...

After I toured Eastern State Penitentiary this afternoon (pics will be posted at some point), I walked down towards Center City and decided to check out the city's new 9/11 memorial, which was dedicated on Tuesday, the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The steel beam, from one of the Twin Towers, isn't lying flat or standing straight because the artist says it symbolizes how our society is not as secure post-9/11. It's set in granite and includes plaques with the names of three Philadelphia residents who died in the attacks.

It's a little stunning to actually see a piece of one of those buildings. The placement of the beam is clever. It's certainly a fitting memorial. However...

Finally! My October 10, 2011 Photos

I know you've been waiting patiently yet desperately for me to answer such questions as the following:

"How is there snow on an 80-degree day?" And "Is that a...giant paint brush?"

Well, now you have your answer. Here is a slideshow of my pictures from last October 10th, a week before my precious freedom was taken away by the responsibilities of working for a living. I walked around the Penn campus, touring the new Penn Park, then walked along part of the Schuylkill River Trail and ended up at the new Lenfest Plaza.

Shirtless Thugs?

On Friday afternoon, with the 69-degree temperature tying the record high for the date, I decided to get some fresh air and sunshine, and went downtown. I decided to head towards Boathouse Row (via the Schuylkill River Trails), because there are plenty of people there jogging, riding bikes or, like me, strolling. And I figured a few guys might not be wearing shirts. Sure enough, there were a few very nice sights. However, I also found a weird message spray-painted on this wall.

These pictures were taken on a rather steep path that leads up from the Schuylkill River Trail towards the pavilion and gazebo that both sit on the cliff at the back end of the Art Museum.

I find myself wondering about the meaning of the message. Was there a recent crime spree in the area and the crooks were bare-chested? Or is this a comment on the many joggers and bike riders on the trails along the river? Perhaps some of them have bad attitudes and yell at slower-moving pedestrians or parents pushing strollers? I know I had to be aware at times of someone coming up behind me quickly. If I had made a sudden move they might have run right into me.

Anyway, after the jump you'll find a few more pictures I took. (None are of shirtless men, thugs or otherwise.)