RUNIN Philly

Back to back Robbery during Philly Marathon

2011-01-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

Philly to me represents love and friendship. The city is historically significant in its symbolism for Independence for America and the rest of the world, as she is the birthplace of the first amendment. That's why when visiting this great city and overhearing a protest brewing through Love Park through the heart of Philly, I wanted to check out what the commotion was all about.

The Objective Reporter
It's important to mention that when filming an event, I am simply just that--observing the facts and giving the people who are passionate about something a chance to voice their concerns.

Normally, with video, I don't discriminate against the message and don't editorialize the news. If the event is interesting, unique, content appropriate and has has presumed qualitative value for others, I am apt to turn on my camera and record.

Only after during blogging, do I occasionally provide my point of view, summary or commentary, in which I am doing now.

Stimulating the Economy
The group of vocal but well behaved protestors were fired up about the Federal Reserve especially with the latest round of Qualitative Easing. Two weeks ago, the Fed, in an effort to stimulate the economy, decided to purchase $600 billion of government bonds which they hoped would drive down interest rates. In order to do this, the Fed would have to print new money.

Unfortunately, the world markets reacted negatively. The Bond markets sold off drastically, driving up interest rates.

Ironically, the Fed protest occurred while Macy was kicking off its holiday Christmas season.

Make a Wish
The featured guest at the Macy's event was Santa Claus, the Phillie Phanatic, Teen pop-singer Josh Golden and loads and loads of happy, jumping children who at this time, likely wished the Fed would continue printing money to bring more Christmas sales. Noticing this interesting irony, I once again, whipped out my video camera and started filming the dual events as they peacefully crossed each other's paths.

While I was climbing up a huge flowering pot to get a better vantage point, some cunning thief reached up and behind me and stole my wallet. In a flash of a moment, I noticed something missing and by the time I found out, the "Christmas" crook had already made it pass the crowd, $200 richer and my credit card and ID to his name. Against my inner wishes, I had dramatically just stimulated the local black market economy.

Marathon Madness
The very next day, after the Marathon, I was both tired and thirsty and wanted to get something warm to eat.

My Dahon foldable bike, was a life saver this weekend as it took me all around Philly and got me to the race quickly and effortlessly.

I rode my bike to the the vibrant and visible Redding Terminal Market. Located adjacent to Chinatown and the Convention Center, this was a very popular hangout for locals and tourists with a craving for local culinary or dishes of the world. The food was spectacular, fast, and wasn't cheap. I was gone for less than an hour, enjoying delicious BBQ chicken and a cool, refreshing Sam Adams. Feeling good and full, I was aghast to find my beloved foldable bike missing.

What Are the Chances:

Some thief had the nerve to cut my bike cable and lift my bike in front of thousands of pedestrians and passerbys both on car and on foot. I was stunned; A stunt like this would seem unlikely in DC and it was the same bike and lock which I had used numerous times all around NYC with no incident.

That is strange. Two thefts in one weekend, a first for me, and I hadn't made it home yet.

Applying "RUNIN"

As a responsible person, I wasn't upset with myself. I wasn't careless. I felt that I had taken the necessary precautions during my planning and preparations. Instead, I wanted to try to learn and understand how this could have happened and what I needed to do to prevent this from happening again.

That is why I blog about my incidents, my mistakes, my drama. It isn't to gain sympathy or to use as fodder for discussion; It is to share my mishaps and to try to understand it as much as I can so that something like this can be averted in the future.

Love Park Philly: "The Line Endures" (Video)

2010-12-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

"Love will always be there, even if romantic relationships come and go, love endures."

"Sometimes bad things happen for a reason. No, actually bad things always happens for a reason; often times we just fail to see the the true message it brings."

After being pickpocketed in front of Macy's (while filming the Make-a-Wish event and the Federal Reserve protestors) and biking regrettably but cheerfully back to my car in Fairmount Park to grab more cash -- the only thing now left in my name, I stumbled upon something that totally brightened up my whole visit: couples of all types, lining up anxiously for a memorable shot in front of Robert Indiana's Love Sculpture.

There were couples, madly in love, young and old, friends, platonic and borderline lovers, some rekindling the fire after many decades, their progeny now with many children of their own, wanting to know how the fire sparked that caused Mom and Dad to become ONE.

The image of couples romancing, the line never stopping, made me truly realize that this was too good of an opportunity to let slip by. In life, you either just live by, or you LIVE in it. I chose the latter.

The Filming

I set up a camera on the platform behind by the water fountain to film time lapse to prove once and for all that while I was there, the line never stopped forming -- truly all day and night -- there's always some couple approaching or waiting in line to get their picture-perfect shot. If not lovers, there are skaters -- one or the other, people tend to flock to and admire the simple but meaningful iconic image made famous by Robert Indiana.

To complete the all encompassing emotionally powerful scene, I decided to chat to couples and ask them two simple but sound questions: 1) Where did you guys meet; 2) What are your plans in the City of Brotherly Love.

Meaning

This love sculpture meant something deeper to me; that love will always be there, even if romantic relationships come and go, love endures.

Looking Back
And as I set my camera on the platform behind them (where the water fountain now lies dry), I had the unique opportunity to look back in time as they were forming in line, oblivious to my vantage point and perspective.

Metaphorically, the stage and camera was a rolling film of life in the past showing people getting together and couples and families making commitments privately and publicly.

The posted video is the results. I hope you find it enlightening as it was for me. Actually the story from one of the couples uncontrollably melted my heart. My heart is still in tattered pieces as I happily revisit this scene.

I Dig Deeper

My perspective and take on this scene is unceasing; I keep thinking about what love means, how it changes and how we grow because of our experiences in relationships with people.

Past Relationships
Personally any person I have shared my life with, I still care for, wonder how their life is, and have love for them even if we are no longer romantically involved.

Why can't we continue our love for each other regardless of whether we are a "couple" anymore? So as I look at the couples approaching the statue, a sign of their initial commitment is obvious, yet as they walk away, I can't help but wonder what happens after, how long will each of them last, and what vital pieces truly hold them together for the long run?

Is there really a concrete answer, or is it just as I am seeing it, we are all lining up, putting in our bids, and life will take over; our society influencing each of us who are trying to figure out how it all works....?

Taking Responsibility for My Robbery

2010-12-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

Philly to many represents love and friendship. The city is historically significant and signifies independence for America and the rest of the world, as she is the birthplace of the first amendment. That's why when visiting this great city and overhearing a protest brewing through Love Park and the heart of Philly, I wanted to check out what the commotion was all about.

The Objective Reporter

It's important to mention that when filming an event, I am simply just that--observing the facts and giving the people who are passionate about something a chance to voice their concerns.

Normally, with video, I don't discriminate against the message and don't editorialize the news. If the event is interesting, unique, content appropriate and has has presumed qualitative value for others, I am apt to turn on my camera and record.

Only while blogging, do I occasionally provide my point of view, summary or commentary, in which I am doing now.

Stimulating the Economy

The group of vocal but well behaved protestors were fired up about the Federal Reserve especially with the latest round of Qualitative Easing. Two weeks ago, the Fed, in an effort to stimulate the economy, decided to purchase $600 billion of government bonds which they hoped would drive down interest rates. In order to do this, the Fed would have to print new money.

Unfortunately, the world markets reacted negatively. The Bond markets sold off drastically, driving up interest rates.

Ironically, the Fed protest occurred while Macy was kicking off its holiday Christmas season.

Make a Wish

The featured guest at the Macy's event was Santa Claus, the Phillie Phanatic, Teen pop-singer Josh Golden and loads and loads of happy, jumping children who at this time, likely wished the Fed would continue printing money to bring more Christmas sales. Noticing this interesting irony, I once again, whipped out my video camera and started filming the dual events as they peacefully crossed each other's paths.

While I was climbing up a huge flowering pot to get a better vantage point, some cunning thief reached up and behind me and stole my wallet. In a flash of a moment, I noticed something missing and by the time I found out, the "Christmas" crook had already made it pass the crowd, $200 richer and my credit card and ID to his name. Against my inner wishes, I had dramatically just stimulated the local black market economy.

Marathon Madness

The very next day, after the Marathon, I was both tired and thirsty and wanted to get something warm to eat.

My Dahon foldable bike, was a life saver this weekend as it took me all around Philly and got me to the race quickly and effortlessly.

I rode my bike to the the vibrant and visible Redding Terminal Market. Located adjacent to Chinatown and the Convention Center, this was a very popular hangout for locals and tourists with a craving for local culinary or dishes of the world. The food was spectacular, fast, and wasn't cheap. I was gone for less than an hour, enjoying delicious BBQ chicken and a cool, refreshing Sam Adams. Feeling good and full, I was aghast to find my beloved foldable bike missing.

What Are the Chances:

Some thief had the nerve to cut my bike cable and lift my bike in front of thousands of pedestrians and passerbys both on car and on foot. I was stunned. A stunt like this would seem unlikely in DC and it was the same bike and lock which I had used numerous times all around NYC with no incident.

That is strange. Two thefts in one weekend, a first for me, and I hadn't made it home yet.

Applying "RUNIN"

As a responsible person, I wasn't upset with myself. I wasn't careless. I felt that I had taken all the necessary reasonable precautions during my planning and preparations. Instead, I wanted to try to learn and understand how this could have happened and what I needed to do to prevent an incident like this from happening again.

Now, rest assured if a similar situation happens again, I would be less forgiving of myself. We must be responsible people to also ensure we don't get bitten twice.

That is why I blog about my incidents, my mistakes, my drama. It isn't to gain sympathy or to create a fodder for discussion. It is to share my mishaps and to try to understand it as much as I can so that something like this can be averted in the future.

Great Vibrations (Video)

2010-11-22T23:51:00.000-08:00

Philly Hearts Charities (Video)

2010-11-21T18:49:00.001-08:00