Happy New Year’s! December 31, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Dick Clark, New Year's
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It’s the one magical day that cell phone companies rejoice, as millions of people all at once overwork satellites in hourly intervals for most of the day to celebrate one special midnight.
It really is interesting to think that New Year’s has become the tradition it is. Really, it’s just the passing of one day into the next, but we as a worldwide people have decided to use this annual date of Dec. 31 to drop balls from buildings, launch fireworks into frigid air or get wasted on a weekday for no reason.
It’s an opportunity to reflect on the happenings of the year, even though the most common memories are those from the past few months, if that. What really happened in March 2008? Who the hell knows. But the Phillies became World Series champs in October and Obama was elected in November. To many in this area, that’s likely what will be celebrated this New Year’s.
The Stover family tradition continues — to the dismay of some — in a night filled with board games, noisemakers and Dick Clark‘s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve (with Ryan Seacrest 2009). What would we do without Ryan Seacrest? Unfortunately, the world may never know. But, for better or worse, he has become a part of the tradition my family, friends and I have come to love year after year. The Taboo buzzer usually drowns him out, though.
So here I am, 2 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2008. I’m watching The Real Housewives of Orange County because nothing else is on at this obscure hour. This is my last blog post of 2008, one of the favorite years of my life. This year has brought me new friendships and helped me discover my passions, and that’s how I’ll remember it. Hopefully, your 2008 review grants pleasant thoughts, as well.
In this last post of chris-stover.com of 2008, I wish you and yours all the best this 2009 — you deserve it.
Talk to you all in 2009. Graduation edges closer…
The only recession-proof industry? December 31, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Alcohol, Murder, PLCB, Rum
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Mayor Michael Nutter announced that homicides are down 15 percent in 2008. That’s excellent news for the city of Philadelphia.
On the other hand, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board just announced that alcohol sales are up almost 5 percent.
I’m glad to see that Pennsylvanians know how to use their disposable incomes properly. Even I, as a mere college student, find the funds to budget for such essentials like Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay Passion Fruit Rum.
So Pennsylvania, support your local Wine & Spirits store, run by the PLCB. Let’s set a new record for 2009 and double this year’s earnings of $1.77 billion.
I’ll make it my New Year’s resolution if you make it yours.
Double Trouble on philly.com December 30, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: Alycia Lane, Gossip, Larry Mendte, philly.com
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What would Philadelphia be without philly.com?
Before you answer that seroiusly, give philly.com credit for its uncanny ability to organize all the gossip and sensational stories in one convenient page.
Case in point — Double Trouble, a look at all the controversial duos of the Philadelphia area in 2008.
The nice compilation of Councilman Goode and his aide, “Bonnie and Clyde,” the gay twin porn stars and, of course, Larry and Alycia, gives you all the information — and probably more — than you’ll ever need to know.
Enjoy.
U.S.’s oldest man dies at 112 December 29, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Obituary, Old People, Wikipedia
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One of my favorite entries in the Guiness Book of Records is the oldest living person record. I like to think of it more as a competition.
The oldest living man in the U.S. recently passed away at the age of 112 years and 206 days. That’s 16 presidencies (and just more than 20 days short of 17).
Old people have always fascinated me for an unknown reason. At the same time, I don’t think I could ever work at a geriatric home. Call me a hypocrite.
For more information on old people, I direct you to the Wikipedia page about supercentenarians.
Happy holidays from chris-stover.com December 23, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Clips & Videos, Random Rubbish.Tags: Google, Happy Holidays, Wikipedia
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It’s a few days before Christmas, which calls for an update. Despite my thinking it was impossible for Larry Mendte to get boring, I’m sure staring at it for a month isn’t too pleasing. So here are my holiday wishes.
First, I will share on behalf of The Temple News (featuring LeAnne Matlach and Dave Isaac).
And here’s a quote which, in hindsight, truly concludes my thoughts on the holiday season (as told by me to Dave through Gchat, fittingly):
“it’s awful. very boring. i’ve spent the past two days organizing my itunes and adding album artwork. and for those that don’t have album artwork…i’ve created my own in photoshop.”
So as the holiday season quickly approaches and passes, please keep a few things in mind: Google is still going to take over the world at some point, mostly with the help of Wikipedia. The Wannamaker’s/Lord & Taylor’s/Macy’s Light Show runs until New Year’s Eve. And Garnet Valley, Pa., is as boring over break as Lubbock, Texas, is all the time.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Generation Aloud: Cutting down your trees December 16, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Clips & Videos.Tags: Christmas, Christmas trees
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There’s nothing like cutting down your own Christmas tree. I headed to Landenberg, Chester County, to see what draws people to Schmidt’s Tree Farm.
MURL: A look at Fishtown gentrification December 9, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Clips & Videos, Journalism.Tags: Fishtown, Gentrification, MURL
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Fishtown has quickly become one of the most gentrified neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Through these two video packages and one interview clip, the Fishtown MURL team checks out the old-timers’ views of the “yuppies” moving in. Even Philebrity got in on the action (and to defend myself — 1) It is my own blazer, and 2) No one claimed this was breaking news).
Some Fishtown lifers don’t seem to mind the incoming younger generation.
Ed Herron has lived in Fishtown his entire life. He’s not going anywhere any time soon.
An excerpt from Herron’s interview about the rising cost of a bottle of beer.
