Despite living on the east coast for eight years, I’ve never been to Philadelphia, so I decided to drive up there this past weekend and visit Moira, one of my friends from LSE.

The first thing we did was eat a cheesesteak from Dalessandro’s. I forgot to take a picture of it, but it was gigantic and very delicious. After devouring our cheesesteaks, we toured some of Philly’s famous sites.

Rocky statue near the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Kids running up the Rocky steps

Independence Hall

American pose in front of Independence Hall

Liberty Bell

Elfreth’s Alley, one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the U.S.

Kind of odd to see someone flying the Union Jack…

After walking around the city for a few hours we had a few pints at the Dark Horse, a great pub in the Society Hill neighborhood. It reminded me a lot of some pubs we frequented back in London.

On Sunday afternoon we saw the Phillies destroy the Cardinals 9-2.

We are wearing leis because it was Shane Victorino day.

I had a great time up there and would definitely go again. Plus, I was seriously craving a cheesesteak all day today so I might have to run up there just to have another one.

• finally going to see harry potter #
• the size of movie concessions these days is kinda insane. a large popcorn is like equivalent to an oil barrel. #
• writer's block like whoa #
• Never try and outsmart the DC metro. This isn't the Tube…you'll ALWAYS fail #
• Why does every tourist in DC wear an American flag t-shirt/hat/whatev? #
• Why did GW not purchase the Watergate Hotel? Only $25 million… #
• Might start drinking before Russian class to make the three hours less painful #
• "I just need to pay the mortgage." – The Yuppie Nuremberg defense. #
• another three hours of Russian tonight. Yay? #
• Joe Biden has the greatest job ever. I want to be VP now. #
• headed to Philly for the weekend…mmm cheesesteak #
• Ate a giant cheesesteak #
• Threw a penny on Ben franklins grave. Not sure if you are supposed to make a wish while doing so #

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• Outside studying Russian…movie and Mex food later #
• Wait, WTF, Lance Armstrong is riding for Kazakhstan?!?! #
• Summertime and the livin's easy #
• I have a rare talent of getting lost with gps in hand #
• Suluguni acquired from Russian gourmet…gonna learn how to make khachapuri today #

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The Arirang Mass Games are a go:

North Korea will stage its Arirang mass games from August, its state media said on Thursday, likely opening an avenue for foreign tourists and currency to flow into the state hit by U.N. sanctions for its May nuclear test.

Arirang, named after a Korean folk song, is the world’s biggest choreographed extravaganza with as many as 100,000 participants, much of it homage to leader Kim Jong-il and his dead father, Kim Il-sung, who founded the communist dynasty.

It is part circus act, part rhythmic gymnastics and features dancing girls, goose-stepping soldiers and a massive flip-card animation section.

In other news, I picked up my Chinese visa last week. Now I just need to read about the various Beijing hostels that my friends recommended and book one.

• At bull run shooting center…car here has an "I love palin" sticker…lolz #
• @laurmkor thanks, I'll put it right next to my Dick Cheney shrine! in reply to laurmkor #
• shoulder is killing me…must purchase recoil pad #
• I am ready to retire #
• I truly loathe CNN #
• I don't know about you, but Rammstein's "Du Hast" totally puts me in the mood to work on some spreadsheets #
• I've had my fun and now it's time to serve your conscience overseas #
• @laurmkor horrible MoDo column, as usual in reply to laurmkor #
• Watching some Chinese cop show. Apparently it's hilarious because everyone around me keeps laughing #
• Got my Chinese visa. $130 is freakin steep. #
• Listening to some 2Pac before Russian class #
• hanging out with a bunch of Soviets, as usual #

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The background music reminds me of something from a 1980s Nintendo game.

North Korea’s latest launch is not missiles, but a TV advertising campaign for a locally-brewed beer.

In a rare nod to commercial motives in the resolutely communist nation, the TV advert features a thirsty worker holding a mug of frothy beer.

Young women in traditional Korean dress are shown serving trays of beer to men in Western suits.

Billed as the “Pride of Pyongyang”, the advert promises drinkers that the beer will help ease stress.

“It represents the new look of Pyongyang,” the two-and-a-half minute advert says. “It will be a familiar part of our lives.”

Taedonggang Beer Factory has been making the brew since buying a British brewery and shipping it lock, stock and barrel from the UK in 2002.

The beer has been occasionally available in South Korea and is said to be of high quality.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, said to have a fondness for fine wines and brandy, has taken a personal interest in the brewery.

Only 64 days until Pyongyang (supposedly).

I ditched Movable Type and am now using WordPress for this blog. I wish I had switched sooner, as WP is a million times better than MT. The installation was incredibly easy and the wide variety of WP plug-ins have simplified many tasks that were a major pain in the ass with MT. I just have a bit of housekeeping to do with some older posts, but once that is done you can expect some new ones.

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