SCENE IN PHILADELPHIA

A glorious weekend!!!! The weekend jolly was nothing more than a mere weekend getaway, spent with a few friends just to get out, drink and be merry. It also became a small celebration of sorts as I learned Thursday I got a company award for Visual Showroom Manager of the year! Quite a surprise!  Who knew my Joan Crawford standards and OCD would pay off?  I got back to the Casa this morning met with cooler temps, some drizzles and cool gales. Yesterday was warm and sunny and we even caught a glimpse of the Obama's, and Clintons arriving at the Kimmel Center. Earlier at lunch at my favorite Cuban eatery, we had seen a huge motorcade and had no idea what or who it was, but no fear it was the dump. He hates Philly and would never show his face again. It was later while walking we caught the glimpse of the Obama's and Clintons at the Kimmel Center. I learned later all four former presidents were present along with Jill Biden and the likes of Tina Fey, Kate McKinnon, Nicole Kidman, Hoda Kotb, Garth Brooks, Tom Brady and many others were all present for talks and interviews on American History, the past and current times, immigration and what it means to America, democracy, social justice and healing division. The event was apparently sponsored by the History Channel. Again, in Philly one never knows who you'll see. Anywho...some nice sights on a wonderful spring walkabout. Most of our time was spent in the fabulous Rittenhouse Square neighborhood this trip. 

Rittenhouse Square one of my favorite places to hang out was planned in 1682 by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme making it the fourth oldest park in the US. Of the five Philadelphia parks they planned, Rittenhouse is the only one to continuously retain it's original intent: an urban square to be used as as a place of retreat and respite. And the park is very well tended to. If you live there no doubt you've seen the staff and volunteers cleaning benches and weeding and other chores to keep the park a lovely place to visit.

And no visit to Rittenhouse is complete without dinner and cock-a-tails at the Parisian inspired brasserie, Parc!

Lobster cocktail

There's always time for a cock-a-tail!

And dessert...profiteroles.

Enough said.

RITTENHOUSE SQUARE...

...and other views. 

I got into Philly late this afternoon and staying overnight in Philly with a friend before heading to New York to meet the clan tomorrow. Once off the train, I was already greeted by a stunning tree in 30th Street Station, then headed to Wanamaker's for a organ listen before closing. A short walk about yet again makes me miss Philly, and how beautiful the city is. Just walking around for a bit before settling in tonight got me into the spirit of the holiday. Everything is sparkling. That old song from Auntie Mame, We Need A Little Christmas rings true, in these times we are living in. It seems to me I'm seeing more lights and decorations then in years past. And since I love Christmas Pyramids and have quite a few German ones, I was so happy to see a huge one in Love Park. It's now raining and my friend informs me he made a homemade butternut squash and apple soup for dinner. I tell you; I have the best friends. I will sleep good tonight.

PHILLY PRIDE

Philadelphia pretty much told the Dump he could go fuck off. 

If you're in Philly and by City Hall you'll notice the Pride flag flies, as a symbol of Pride and unity for the LGBTQ since 1978.... and this year the city has also had City Hall illuminated in the Pride colors. I had the pleasure children of going to Philly Pride two weeks ago right after New Hope Pride. And it was the biggest crowd Philly drew yet in all the years I'd been going. I knew with Philly being a very old city it had great history, but even I got an education, when I met a handsome guy who turned out to be a Temple Associate Professor of English and LGBT studies when we were at The Little Gay Bar for drinks, who told me Philly was one of the first cities to have the concept of a Pride. Those demonstrations were more commonly known as the Annual Reminders. They started a good six years before Stonewall. One would have to go back to Sen Joseph McCarthy and the Red Scare. But he eventually turned his attention to gay people, specifically gay people who were working with the federal government. The Red Scare became known as the Lavender Scare and hundreds of people were fired from their jobs.

Ms Mahogany!

In 1952 Eisenhower signed an executive order, which made it illegal for gay people to work for the government, and other states had explicit anti-gay laws too. Two key organizations, Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Society, wanted to do something, and they decided to take action in Philly and wanted to advocate for equal rights in front of Independence Hall. Which is why the demonstrations were call the Annual Reminders, because they wanted to remind everyone of our country's promise of equal rights and the pursuit of happiness for all. The goal was that in Philadelphia, July 4th was associated with freedom, but there would be a lot of tourists, so more people would see that gay people don't look like the screaming, loud queen or butch stereotypes. The first protest was on July 4, 1964. About 40 people showed up. Mind you, it was still dangerous to be out and advocating like this as being gay was listed as a mental illness. The groups made signs, and stood or walked, but remained silent. And dressed neatly.

This bitch?

Giovanni's Room. the oldest and one of the last all gay book shops in the country on the corner amidst the festival

Britttany' Lynn had the biggest children's Storytime Hour and made the Guinness Book.

Not one but two Dyke Marches. Heyyyyy Girls!

Getting the 500ft Pride Flag ready for its travel through the city.

It was the fifth year for the reminders, and it was just a few weeks after the Stonewall Riots in New York City. The owner of the Oscar Wilde Bookstore knew what was going on in Philadelphia, so he bussed over 50 activists to Philadelphia to get involved and join in with the Annual Reminders. Then, each year it grew. Now look it...over 300.000 people and the flag has flown each year since 1978!

PHILLY GET-AWAY

 
 I tell you; I don't know whether I'm coming or going these days. Out of suitcases and then into others!!!Upon getting in from my big trip last Monday, I had a three-day work week, before packing up again. And you're thinking, but Mistress, your always in Philly. And yes, I am very partial to this cultural city, but I also had good reason. Months ago, the infamous Sixpence announced he was coming into town, and a connection would be a close call since my trip had been pushed back. But I also knew I wasn't passing up on this golden opportunity. So off I went. And I wasn't disappointed dearies. Yet again, a great hit off! And yet again another blogger who is just like their blog and then even more. It must have been like watching the queens enter the workroom and connecting right away. I knew we'd have much to talk about, we had some major kiki-ing, which I enjoyed immensely. We talked of everything under the sun. Six is a really welcoming guy, cute, and easy to talk to, filled with interesting stories, and is very knowledgeable on many things. I also could feel we were being presided over by our late great Warrior Queen, Anne Marie. On Friday, I met Six at his hotel, where we stayed and talked and drank. Well....I might have knocked a few back. It then occurred to me it was the very spot where Anne Marie, Todd, and I met Fearsome Beard when he came into town. So, I knew she was present. Saturday, I decided Six should see the Muesum of Art, and possibly the legendary Giovanni's Room if time permitted, I mean being gay and an avid reader and all. We did both and I gave Six a bit of a walking tour on the lovely walk up the Benjimin Franklin Parkway of some sights and a brief stop at the Rodin Muesum. After, we enjoyed a nice dinner in the Gayborhood at Tria, for dinner and drinks, well, I may have knocked back but a few, then showed Six one gay bar, Tabu for a drink, well, I may have knocked back a few, before our lovely weekend would come to an end. After, I walked him back to his hotel as he had his flight out in the morning. I felt bad too, being a night owl, I may have kept him up later then his normal time, but hey, I didn't want to let him go!! But bid a farewell we did, after, the Mistress went for a nightcap, well, I may have knocked a few back, before returning to my hotel and enjoyed a very nice hotel assignation. But that's another story kids. It was great meeting you Six!!!! We must meet up again, I adored you and want to learn more! In between Six's conference details, I was also able to meet up with reader Mahogany Empress for coffee and pastry and my ex-boss who is the Visual Display Manager of the Macy's in the Wanamaker's building where he has done wonders with the place. Some of the sights from the weekend.

Quaint, very autumnal streets of the Gayborhood.

Rodin Museum

City Hall

Every year this guy appears as the Grinch at the Christmas Village at City Hall. He is amazing. Stand like a statute but drop a tip in and he springs to action for selfies. Many think he is a statue till he moves.

The above mural I just adored and could be seen from my hotel room at the Alexander Inn. The one below was two blocks down the street. Philly must have close to 100 murals all over the city.

Giovanni's Room

It was a good weekend, and both trips helped me to center and clear the mind after the elections...I needed this, these distractions, and thank you Six for being part of it. Now chin up, tits out, onward and upward, I say.