The Poverty Jet Set

Audrey and my show Illadates just got honored by the Public Relations Society of America. They awarded us (and the forward-thinking folks at GPTMC & uwishunu.com who financed it, promoted it and hosted it) with a Bronze Anvil for “superior performance in the design and execution of individual tactics within broader public relations campaigns.” Pretty rad, eh?

“The Bronze Anvil Award annually celebrates the growing scope, creativity and strategic importance of public relations tactics, and represents the highest level of tactical achievement in the public relations industry,” said Arthur Yann, 2008 Bronze Anvil Award committee chair. “The outstanding work done by this year’s recipients is truly deserving of such noteworthy recognition from their industry peers.”

And please pardon me, but I can’t help use this opportunity to share one of my banner ads I made last year (when we were still called “Cheap Dates”). It makes me laugh:

In my recent music blogging travels, I’ve discovered a ton of cool new music. From time to time I’ve had conversations with some really amazing up-and-coming bands who want to play a show while passing through Philly. I decided now is the time.

New friends {{{sunset}}} and Gangi will be here, so we thought we’d show them a Philly good time. Come join us for a fun lil’ freakout party at The Marvelous with my friend Norm Fetter (the psychedelic mastermind behind the Enumclaw tour-de-force) and my very own dear wife Hunter Gatherer - who will be joined on stage with the amazingly talented Mary Lattimore (of The Valerie Project) - as we celebrate the coming summer of music.

It’s happening on May 17th at 8pm. Wouldn’t you like to come? Of course you would! Add this to your Facebook calendar, or check it out on Going.com.

[UPDATE: Gangi can't make it and had to cancel, but the show will go on!]

After a rollercoaster of a house-buying, mortgage-getting, Fishtown-loving, Fishtown-hating, cold-featin’, day-dreamin’ process, we FINALLY closed on this beautiful house this morning. Here’s me, pretending to sign one of the 1,000,000 legal documents signing my life away:

So Audrey and I are officially homeowners. Who’da thought! Us hippies. Crazy. We’ll have you all over for a fun party to celebrate very soon!

The independently-published student paper The Temple (University) News just did a nice interview piece about our Illadates Show. Pretty cool they found us. Jimmy Viola did a great job reporting. Reminds me of my ol’ Penn State Daily Collegian days as an Arts Beat writer.

We haven’t yet started thinking about doing a Season 3, but apparently at least a few people are interested. That is flattering to see. In fact, there are some days I miss making the show. It sure was fun to get paid to go on dates! Have you watched all the episodes? Dang, kid, there are 24 of ‘em! What are you waiting for?

An aside: I’m interested in seeing how the Illadates media lives on after we’ve done making it. Will people continue to watch? Will people discover the shows a year from now and email me saying hi? What happens to a web series after it retires but before it gets pulled down offline?

[UPDATE! We got it! It's ours!]

It happened real quick (and it ain’t over yet), but Audrey and I just bought our first house! It’s a super fine lil’ abode on the edge of Fishtown in Philly. It was sold to us by a stylish and lovely woman and fellow blogger. We’re very, very excited about it! Closing in a few weeks. Cross yr fingers for us. And then come join us for what will be one heck of a house warming party! Yeeee-haw!

(and see more photos!) & (more…)

My buddies Andy, Chetana and Darshana have been playing music together for a while in an outfit they call ravens:and:vultures. They’ve got a new EP out you should check out if you’re partial to pretty, trippy, folky, experimental dream pop like I am. Unfortunately, I missed their show at Johnny Brenda’s last Saturday after I said I’d try be there… oh the guilt!… but I’m sure they’ll be playing again soon!

Here, have a listen:

Oh, and don’t forget to friend ‘em up!

[photo credit, my brother-in-law Brandon]

Audrey and I are in much need of a long vacation after many months of hard work. So it’s off to Tulum, Mexico for our honeymoon! We promise to return with good stories, funny videos and lots of amazing photos to make ya jealous. In the meantime, we are unplugging completely. No inkernet. No phone. Nothing. Just hammocks, margaritas, ocean and sunshine. Happy Holidays! See you soon!