The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

What a difference a bed makes! I couldn’t take it anymore so I went out today and bought a bed - a new bed. And man, let me tell you, it’s worth the price. To have something that you’ll lay on, night after night, is so important. I went down to the Rockaway Bedding in South Philly near the water. Ken, the sales guy, was really nice. He gave me a $1200 bed for $460!! And while I can’t guarantee you’ll get the same kinda price or deal I’d say they’re worth a look. He was also very helpful in getting it on top of the car. Treat yourself right to a good bed. Ask for Ken - (215) 755-4250.

It’s still a work in progress - and will be for some time to come, but I was able to take another step closer to making it feel like home in here. I built a fire in my place for the first time. The maintenance guy was nice enough to come over and get it all secured and cleaned. Now I can at least sit back, relax and read in front of the fire place this winter break. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood.

Ahh… It feels so good to have all my stuff out of my brothers’ places and into my own little part of the world. It ain’t much but it is mine. Very deep bows and tippings of the hat to Denise for helping me out with the chair and chest. It really made the place feel like home - well, like a home. It’s getting there. Maybe I’ll be able to pick up some more furniture by the end of this week/beginning of next week. I did my first photo shoot in the house - Tom stopped by for us to work on some of his stuff. I also ate at Tavern On Green - a small little local eatery. Fish & Chips. Nothing big but the food was good. I’ll have to poke around and see what else is here (besides a hoagie joint on every corner).

A thousand pardons and thanks to my brother, Mike, for helping me get the last of my stuff over to Green Street. He helped me brave the icy elements last night to get the rest of my crap in my new pad. Now that I’ve got all my old stuff there, it’s time to get some new stuff. I need furniture badly - when I moved here from San Francisco/Madison I only brought what would fit in my car. So the Quest For a Full Apartment is on. Feel free to send donations to the QFFA Fund.

Like any good bachelor, I had my first dinner in my place this weekend with dishes I just bought and ran through the dish washer. So, what was this fantastic first meal? Corn flakes, of course. I did say I was a bachelor.

I thought I’d create a new blog to talk about things that occur in my new neighborhood (the South Philly blog will get retired). I’m located in this neat little flux of the Art Museum, Fairmount and just on the fringe of North Philly. The neighborhood’s been revamped and has a “buffer zone” of three or four blocks before you enter into some of the “les desireables”. I’m three blocks from the Broad Street subway line and a 15 minute walk to Center City. So stay tuned, I’ll put of some shots of the area as soon as possible. Ciao.