Fringe Benefits

Subways are underground for a reason. It's not to make efficient use of the land in overcrowded cities but rather to solidify its analogous relationship to hell. Hot, sticky, and completely amoral. How else could one up the fare to $3.10 without having a tell tale heart episode every time one walks upon the subway sidewalk vents? This twenty cent increase fits as well into my budget as it does in my skinny jeans i.e. poorly. So, I have become increasingly wary about the necessity of ventures beyond my North Philly apartment.

The 2010 Philly Fringe Festival has enough comedy, theater, dance, music and other arts to warrant shelling out the three dollars and change. The festival will be spreading its aesthetic wonders throughout Philadelphia from Septemeber 3-18. Tickets can be purchased at livearts-fringe.org and quite a few shows cost $5.00 and some are even free. Better yet, Temple University Freshmen who were wise enough to pick up a PEX Passport at the Student Center can get in to many Fringe shows for free with ID and the Passport coupon.

I attended an improv comedy act in Center City at last year's festival and was delighted to see such passionate performers. Rainy weather left the venue with only a handful of audience members, but the comics were still energetic.


The festival spans to almost every Philly neighborhood, except mine.

Admit You're Still Learning, Get Free 2-Day Shipping

As a college sophomore I have spent ample time tagging quickly behind bookstore sales associates through aisles crowded with more students than books. I have spent time with employees whose vibrant graphic tee's read "How may I help you?" but their hearts ponder "How many more books must I throw at you until the precariously balanced pile in your hands topples and/ or your arms turn into those of Stretch Armstrong?". I have spent time struggling to read off the next title from my coffee stained textbook check list, which always ends up at the bottom of my unstable stack of books, increasing the probability that those hearts' questions will soon be answered. However, the physical strain of book shopping is Cliff Notes in comparison to the unabridged "Odyssey" sized terror it imposes on my wallet.

Thanks to Amazon Prime I no longer have to spend time or money in the frantic bustle of my campus bookstore two days before classes begin. Instead, I'll be frantically navigating through amazon.com for the cheapest and least brutally highlighted books as possible. According to the website, "Amazon Prime is a membership program that gives you and your family unlimited fast shipping, such as FREE Two-Day shipping and One-day shipping for $3.99 per item on all eligible purchases". It will also run you $79 a year. If you aren't lucky enough to be currently pursuing a higher education that is. I merely entered my school email address and selected the word that best (and most vaguely) described my major to get access to a year's worth of Amazon Prime for free. The deal is advertised through Amazon Student, but don't worry the free shipping is not limited to items with an educational purpose. Although, I must contest that the platform heels I've been eyeing have the potential to teach me powerful physics lessons.

Free yourself from the crooks at the bookstore at http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info

An Acceptable Form Of Rebellion

After getting over my preconceived notion (whose origin is still unknown) that J.Crew's target market consists of middle aged elementary school secretaries with a penchant for canoeing, camping and playing fetch with their Labrador Retrievers, I fell in love. In my defense I may have been confusing J.Crew with Eddie Bauer. Makes sense, right? Now that my vision is no longer clouded with mosquito nets and murky lake water I can't look away. Not being able to comfortably afford much in the store, I have ended each mall trip with their latest catalog. Luckily, most of their looks are very easy to recreate with the musty piles of clothes in my parents' basement.


I especially enjoy the twinge of school boy mischief in these two looks. For a similar look, I dug up a blue short sleeve oxford from my uniform wearing days. It was a dismal part of my life as the administrators of my elementary school allowed no room for creativity with the standard blue or white button downs and navy blue Bugle Boy shorts. So, it was somewhat liberating to finally be able to pile on the gaudy jewelery and un-tuck that starch shirt. Rebelling against my past of Catholic school limitations turns out to be a fashionable endeavor. And this time the consequences are ruler beatdown free!

Pen & Sword: Both Mighty In The Hands Of Patti Smith

Long before the term was widely used, Patti Smith rocked the freegan lifestyle. She roamed the streets of New York at night rescuing mattresses, lamps, and any objects with at least one breath of vitality left in them. Curbside garbage became profound art at the hands of this true mother of reinvention. Besides being beautifully written, her book Just Kids showcases her thrifty and resourceful qualities as a college drop out in the city. Of all her penny pinching activities my most beloved is her grooming decisions. I'm proud of putting the scissors in my own hands and creating a fringe from my once long layers, but I cower in fear at the idea of chopping any locks beyond the frame of my face. Smith, along with her lover and friend Robert Mapplethorpe, felt no hesitation in cutting their own manes. Smith's best cut took her from Joan Baez to Mick Jagger in minutes. Her folk singer 'do is pictured above. If you are prone to fits of jealous rage I suggest you shield your eyes from the edgy photo below.

Kid Cudi: Soundtrack To Summer Sedation

At times, unashamedly engaging in summer indulgences (or those of any season) is an oxymoron to me. Some days I cringe as my cereal quietly clanks into a bowl at 2 PM, the sleep (and mascara) still in my eyes. Some days I refuse to allow "It's summer, what else are you supposed to do?" be a legitimate excuse for my laziness. But, on other days, when Kid Cudi's lyrics of unrepentant recklessness resonate through my car I find it quite easy to forgive myself for taking part in activities that are both detrimental to my health and unproductive on any scale. Even that semi-completed Natty Ice wizard staff.

His songs are even better at helping you rationalize your poor decisions when they're free. Download Kid Cudi's breezy collaboration with Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend and Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast. The song is titled "All Summer" and is legally free at http://play.converse.com/play/show/?p=1614 . Get it and quit being so hard on yourself.

Here Goes Nothing

Getting started is the hardest part. Term papers, magazine exercise routines, precariously functioning vehicles...all bitches to start. All appear to be insurmountable mountains when I'm at the base. Give it time, however, and the ride is as smooth as long boarding a freshly paved parking lot. Hopefully blogging will follow suit or, even better, provide an oil slick on that parking lot.