On the evening of Saturday, September 19, the house that I share with four of my friends was burglarized.
The items stolen included three laptops, an iPod, and an Xbox 360.
Along with the stolen items came various damages, including a broken TV stand (which was put to use as wood to jam the windows shut) as well as a busted DVD rack.
For a group of college students, every cent counts, so a burglary like this is particularly devastating.
Fortunately, the group has recovered, and is now seeking alternate housing, deciding that the burglary was the last straw for this house.
It was a particularly rainy day with nothing in the world to do. Seeing as though all of my clothes that were fit for others to see were in the wash, the option of actually being seen in public was definitely not available.
Coming to this realization, I eventually reasoned that reading about the history of the American Nation had caught my fancy, and I decided to read about it in "Idiot" form.
"The American's have no where to go now!" I said to myself. "Washington has no chance!" But alas, the redcoats are defeated at Trenton. "How could a ragtag bunch of ne'er-do-wells defeat the powerful redcoats?" It wasn't looking good.
The French had come around the rear and surrounded Britain, spelling an end to the war. "Not the French! Anything but the French!" I proclaimed, and launched the book.
Here is the book in orbit.
I stomped out of the room, extremely angered by this shocking read.
When I entered the hall, I slipped on what I could have sworn was a musket stuck in my legs to trip me. After landed on my head and regaining consciousness, I laid on the floor and saw something quite peculiar.
George Washington had collected a troop strength of approximately $3 of US currency and was about to mount an assault!
I had mere seconds before the General deployed the bills, and I was transfixed by their parachuting skill.
"Save me!" I cried. The rest is a blur. Since that day, however, I have never again doubted the power of George Washington.
This first shot was taken as I approached the cafe from down the street. I tried to get a sunny day as the whole area is lined in trees and make some cool shadows later in the afternoons.
Here's a close-up of one of our signs, this one on the theater marquee that the cafe shares a building with. I thought it made pretty clear where I was and what the theme of the story was going to be.
Next, is the shot of the actual store front. I thought it would be cool showing the outside and inside through the windows.
Showing the progression of the story, the invisible customer approaching the front counter. More of a quick snap at what people get to look at while they wait in line.
Here is the picking out of syrup flavors, an essential part of the coffee trip, but I really liked the colors of the bottles. Most of the shop has green or brown hues so I wanted to get some color in.
Here we have the invisible customer ordering their drink from my co-worker. Another key part of the storyline, but also a wider shot of what the counter looks like in the shop: lots of colors, bottles and different things going on.
A quick shot of the food case from the inside out. Going outside in gave too many reflections.
The finished product! After selecting the syrups and ordering of course comes the actual cup of coffee.
Last, we got a quick picture of the condiment station. The final step after getting the coffee is the cream and sugar. Enjoy!
As part of Ann Weaver Hart’s Temple 20/20 plan, a vast number of University buildings are being built or renovated. The plan, set to unfold over the next decade, envisions Broad Street as the centerpiece of a rejuvenated campus, with an emphasis on student life and recreation. Among the expected additions are a new library, a new performance center, a green space, a new science center, and storefronts along Broad Street. The green highlighted areas represent portions of campus that are currently, were recently, or are expected to be modified by the plan.
The Baptist Temple located at Broad and Berks is probably Temple’s most visible construction project. The 127-year-old building is being converted into a performance center featuring a 1,200 seat auditorium designed to host both lectures and the arts.
The Baptist Temple renovation, estimated to cost a total $29 million, is expected to be completed in early 2010.
According to the Temple 20/20 plan, Barton Hall will be torn down and converted into green space for students. A new science center is tentatively planned to take the place of the dirt lot near 11th and Montgomery. No date has been set for demolition.
Alter Hall of the Fox School of Business finished construction and recently opened its doors in April 2009. Neighboring Speakman Hall is also undergoing an internal and external facelift to match Alter Hall’s flashy look.
Four workers take on a less grand but still important addition to the campus—a wheelchair access ramp to Anderson Hall.
The Fresh Grocer, set to open in early 2010, fulfills the Temple 20/20 plan’s promise of extra shopping venues along Broad Street.
That’s not the end of it. Plans are already underway to convert the parking lot across from the Temple into a library and to update Pearson and McGonigle Halls. Work is currently being done on the athletic fields along 15th and Norris, not to mention the newly completed, $160 million Medical School building set to open next month. Keep an eye on Temple’s evolving campus over the coming years.
Sources:
"Alter Hall Construction Blog". Temple University. 22 September 2009 .
"New Medical School Building". Temple University. 22 September 2009 .
"Office of the Provost". Temple University. 22 September 2009 .
Snyder, Susan. "Temple president's plan for the decade". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 September 2009 .
"Temple Baptist". Temple University. 22 September 2009 .
Wyrosdic, Kali. "20/20 plan sets sights around campus". The Temple News. 22 September 2009 .
After freshmen year, my best friend Liz decided that North Carolina State wasn't for her. She moved to Conshohocken - just a train ride away from Philly where she grew up. She loves the city vibe so she couldn't stay away for long. Now, she works at Urban Outfitters on Walnut Street. Rather than drive, Liz relies on the regional rail to get to work. The following is a documentation of her travels.
Liz takes the R6 from Conshohocken into Center City. At Suburban Station, she climbs the steps up to JFK Boulevard. Over the past month, Liz found the most direct route for walking to work.
Liz heads down 17th Street where the sidewalks are lined with leafy, green trees. With the sun shining bright, it's a perfect day to spend outside. Despite the beautiful weather, Liz is excited to work at Urban.
At 17th and Samson, Liz crosses the street, getting closer to her destination. She smiles to herself about an odd-looking passerby. The people you see in the city.
Across from Urban Outfitters, Liz stops in ING Cafe for an iced coffee to energize for her lengthy work day. Since it's such a nice day, she sits at a table outside The Coffee Bar on Locust Street and people-watches.
To relax before a busy day at Urban, Liz smokes a cigarette while drinking her coffee.
After her coffee break, Liz heads back up 17th towards Urban Outfitters. She waits at the corner to cross.
At the corner of 17th and Walnut, Liz realizes she successfully made it to work on time (which isn't always the case). She completed her journey from Suburban to Urban and is ready to get to work.
