Yesterday Albert and I went to the Independence Brew Pub and our food tasted awful. I was remembering the first time I went there, which was for an initial Phillyist meeting. I sat next to Star Foster and thought she was just lovely. I think that was the only time we ever met in person, but we were in frequent contact during the early days of Phillyist. I stopped writing over there, mostly because life got in the way and I am not that ambitious, but I loved reading Star's posts. When I came home yesterday, I checked my email and saw a note that Star had died out of the blue that morning. Like everyone else, I couldn't believe it. My heart aches for those close to her. I am choking back tears at work as I read her boyfriend's words. A commenter at Philly Future said we should scatter her ashes all over the blogosphere. So this post is for you, Star. I am a lazy blogger, but Star was not. Philly has lost a beautiful voice.

Last night I was talking to a fellow Temple student about the environment of our fair University. I really like going to Temple, as it is affordable (comparatively) and convenient for me. But the main campus is kind of. . . I don't know, unfriendly. I know unwelcoming campuses, as my undergraduate school was designed by a famous prison architect. Temple actually has a lot going on, but. . . not a lot to make you want to stay and hang out there. I mean, plant some flowers or something! Erect some non-institutional seeming coffee shops or bars right on campus. It's just not at all cozy, and I feel bad for kids who live in the dorms who have nothing else to do but, presumably, stay in their rooms and drink.

I guess I am naive, but I actually thought it was a good idea that someone decided to build a movie theater in North Philly. I told my classmate last night how excited I was. Then, this morning, I clicked on philly.com and read this. God, the thing has only been open two days. What is wrong with people?

You know, Gwyn, I think there are a lot of messed up things in this country, too. And I think it's great that some people have the luxury of choosing which country they would like to live in. But you know what makes me align myself with damn near every right wing yahoo in this country? When phony-baloney celebrities talk about how great other countries are and don't do a damn thing to improve things in the U.S. except make crappy movies and talk with fake British accents. If she lived here, I think I would be more receptive to hearing her criticism. But hearing her say all this stuff from her castle in Britain is just infuriating. It's like when someone from outside your family says something bad about your uncle who drinks too much and acts like an jackass on Thanksgiving. You can say it, because he's still your uncle. But Gwyneth Paltrow sure as hell cannot. Do us all a favor Gwyn, and shut up.