Today was a big day.  Benchmarks abound!

I got to tour the Actor's House.  This is an old house dating back to the late 1800s.  Its actually very close to my new apartment, but don't tell the actors, its seems that I might get many more complaints/requests if they knew I was that close!

The house sits behind St. Augustine's Church in Old City and was once probably part of the larger church property.  It has six bedrooms and a creepy basement and equally creepy attic, though creepy in different ways.  On the walk over we chatted about different things, including the idea that there was a trunk with relics in it somewhere in the attic.  Real relics, I wondered like body parts and the like, or more like vestments and church discards?  Either way it sounded cool.

While the house itself is half run down old house and half full of character, one thing is for sure.  There is some nice furniture in there.  Most of what's in the house was donated and acquired free and some of it is quite nice.  To my tastes anyway.  Old, solid wood dressers.  Some craftsmen style, some more Victorian, I guess. (I am not really up on my style eras.)  The closets are hilarious.  Some are barely six inches deep.  All but one of the rooms have en suite bathrooms with tiny showers.  I wonder if the Arden converted the house into its current "boarding house" configuration or if it was like that.  I'll have to look into that.  The showers are tiny modular things, so I knew they are all add ons.  Reminded me of my current yellow shower at my sister's.   But that's a different story, I digress.

Back to the basement which smelled a bit like my childhood basement, which is not a good smell.  You know you're in a new job when you are touring furnaces and caring that they are brand new.  Hopefully, that will be one less thing to break. It turns out that I care about things like that now.  The hot water heater, on the other hand,  not so new.  Oh, I forgot.  When Mary Beth was first opening the door of the basement, she said, "step aside while I open it.  You never know what's there."  Interesting.  I think the wall was fuzzy when I touched it, but I didn't touch it a second time so I don't know for sure.

We looked at all the rooms in order and came up to the third floor where there has clearly been a leak and there is extensive damage.  They already know they will be replacing the roof.  Another one of my projects.  I was having flashbacks to E Street. Oh god, I hope there's no structural damage to this building.  No one has looked into that yet.  Please don't let me be a jinx.

Finally, we came to the attic.  Again the admonition to step aside.  "Once there was a dead bird on the steps."  "How do birds get into the attic? Wait, I don't want to know."  By time, I have to tell you that I was sweating like a pig. Not only were we rising in the house, but because there are no actors yet, there is not air conditioning on.  The house itself doesn't have central air, just room units and there's no point running them until its time.

No dead birds on the stairs, but my sweaty body was a catch all for every spider web slung across the place.  Ick.  I was convinced that things were crawling on me but I was trying to act very nonchalant.  At one point I said that I thought something touched me and MB said, "Oh yeah, its possible.  People say the house haunted."  An interesting response since I totally meant a bug.  Note to self.  Try not to be in that house alone at night.

The attic if full of junk.  It seems that  my boss is a sucker for anything being given or thrown away, even if there's no possible use or need for the item.  Great.  And its no longer a mystery to me how birds are getting in.  A new roof while expensive and a pain in the butt, would probably solve a whole bunch of ills.

We spied a cool looking very old trunk and decided we would solve the mystery of the relics once and for all.  After climbing over a few bizarre odds and ends we lifted the trunk open and found it completely empty. What a let down.  In truth, I don't think I really did want to see some saint's severed hand, but I was at least hoping for some old church papers from the last century.  Nothing.  Hardly worth sweating over.

My tour was complete.  Actor's House was going to take some upkeep.

Next up was the electrical meeting for the new building construction.  Architect, contractors, electricians, electrical supply people and our folks.  All with Philadelphia accents.  Hilarious.  All of it was in English.  About half of it I could understand.  I learned quite a bit about medicine.  I guess I'll be learning the ins and outs of a renovation soon as well.

When the meeting was over everyone had left the office.  Now normally that's not a big deal  But in this office, the last one to leave has to turn on the alarm.  Also not a big deal if all goes well.  But remember, this isn't just an office.  This is a huge building with two theatres, huge basement, catwalk, light booth, and more than I can even find on my own yet.  Luckily there was still someone in the box office.  We left together, walking around the perimeter of the building to check all doors and then finally arming the building.  Like I said, not bad if all goes well.  Its did, this time.  I can only hope.  No wonder people rush out so as not to be the last person.  Its starting to make sense....

There was more... a neighbor who says our new building is sending water bugs into her gallery, an AC compressor which needs to be replaced, rental questions but you've got the highlights.  What more can you ask for at a new job than a chance at relics!!!

All in all, a good day.  Starting, ever so slowly, to be able to do a couple of things,  not just listening listening, listening all day long.  Starting ever so slowly to feel a bit more comfortable and hopefully folks are feeling more comfortable with me.  Heading towards the end of week two, I'd say things are looking up.

Week One and I live to tell about it.

Well I've made it through my first week of my new job at the Arden and even started week two.  Why am I sounding surprised, you say?  Well mostly because they seemed surprised.  All last week people would come up to me and say, "you came back!" Uh, yeah...  just how bad was this guy that came before me.  I understand he only lasted a month.  I was curious to know if there was a pool on how long I'd stay.... for the right cut, I could help out with that.

But the first week wasn't without its ups and downs.  I think my favorite moment was when the production manager walked into my office carrying a mouse trap complete with dangling dead mouse and informed me that the next time Orkin was on site, she needed a new trap.  She walked out, realized she forgot something and came back to complete her thought.  Not a flinch out of me.  Orkin, check.  If I was being tested, I can only hope I passed.  But I actually don't think that was it.  She was just doing what she does.

On a different day, someone came to find me at a local business reception we were holding to show folks the plans for the new building.  "Hey, Hannah, I'm sorry to do this.  That's how they all start when they come to talk to me.  "The AC in the lobby isn't working and its blowing heat.  And we have camp in there."  No problem.  Now, one thing I did learn in my first week is that many of these folks are dramatic.  Office dramatic, not stage dramatic.  Like day 1 when my boss told me that there was a noose hanging from the side of the building. One woman's noose is another woman's phone wire hanging in a loop come unhooked from something.  Good to know.  But I digress.  No, the heat was not on in the lobby but it was true that non cold air was blowing.  So after checking with more than a few people and pushing some buttons on the thermostat, the repair company was called.   Now this is an important detail because this little theatre company lives close to the edge.  That's also new for me. They were able to get one of two compressors up and working but the jury is still out on the 2nd compressor.  This is my new job.

Oh and the Actor's House needs a new roof.

Mostly I have sat in meeting after meeting after meeting.  I am in a learning phase the likes of which I have not seen in quite some time.  Even the clinic was different because it was just me.  No others to need to learn from, fit in with, etc. Maybe that would have helped.  Oh wait, that's a different entry!

The Box Office, which falls under my purview, is in the throws of putting all their subscription seats on hold.  I have been helping out with that a great deal because a) it helps me learn the system and how they do things and b) its lets me actually accomplish something in my day rather than just listening ALL DAY LONG.

Oh and did I mention my commute?  I am officially one of those masses commuting into the city each day.  These people are fierce.  They take no prisoners.  Get in their way and they will mow you down.  I realized that one morning when I was a bit ambitious with the two flights of steps coming up to the street level from the train.  There I was bounding up the steps from the train with everyone else.  Herded along by the crowd I directly toward the 2nd set of stairs and up with go at a pretty good clip.  About half way up, I start to slow down a little bit.  Oh no you don't!!!  There were about 50 people right up my ass behind me.  I thought that stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left thing is Washington was strict, this is just crazy people coming at you en masse.  I got to the top embarrassingly out of breath.  Did anyone care?   No.  Yet again, just step to the side lady.  If you're going to gasp for air, you're going to have to get out of the way to do it.  I bet if I keeled over, they wouldn't miss a beat and just step right over.

Once I can breathe again, I head out for my walk.  Seven blocks from the train is my little theatre.  The walk if pretty cool.  I pass the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, US Courthouse, National Museum of American Jewish History, Ben Franklin's post office and some other cool stuff I haven't even figured out yet.

My new pedestrian lifestyle is coming together as we speak!

And I found an apartment walking distance to the theatre.  More on that as gets closer.

Day 2, week 2 is calling.  I will keep you posted.  What's going on in your world?

T minus one day.  

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job.  Its not the work that is the issue here -- my sister keeps telling me she has no sympathy.  I don't mind going to work... its more like the night before going to a new school.  Working in the clinic, or rather, creating the clinic, was like nothing I had ever done, so there was no frame of reference.  Besides, I worked from home the first year.  But while I know all will be fine.... I still have those new school butterflies.

Its not even really my first time in meeting some staff. I stopped in the other day and met four or five people above and beyond those I met during the interview process. But still....

It also means that the apartment search moves to evenings and weekends. Not good. I am seriously leaning toward one of the lofts I saw. I need to make a decision or it will be winter before I'm settled in my home.

Yesterday I looked at two more. The first was so minimalistic, it wasn't even there. I should have taken photos but I was so taken aback, I just didn't think of it. Here is the outside. This should have been my first clue.

It was a construction site inside.  Just frame, no walls.  I thought the loft with no walls gave me pause, this was just hilarious.  The funny thing is that the woman at the rental service told me there was a lot of buzz about this property.  I just goes to show, this whole process is so bullshit.  For some reason it made me think of a poem from long ago.  I want to say it was Robert Louis Stevenson but don't quote me.

Yesterday upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today
My god I wish he'd go away!

I looked at a different one that did have walls.  The problem with that one was that the walls were just too close together.  I don't mind downsizing but I would like to keep a little bit of my furniture.

After two duds, I was driving around writing down numbers and web sites from the sides of buildings - much to the chagrin of drivers behind me, I'm sure!  I found myself driving down South Street.

As a teenage, South Street was Mecca.  It was so cool.  For those outside Philadelphia, South Street was where you went to see Rocky Horror Picture Show and try to be cool.  Its still a massively happening place with more tattoo parlors and sexy lingerie stores than anywhere else I know.  But boy did I feel old.  One one corner was a market.  The banner along the top of the windows said Deli, Irish Food, milk, etc but the windows were FULL of bongs.  I had to laugh.  Further proving my oldness was my greater interest in a hot dog cafe than the bong store. I visited a place called Hot Diggity. Very tasty!  I had the South Comfort dog but the dipping sauces for the fries were awesome too.  Tamarind Coconut gets a big thumbs up!
I asked if they would ever have a half smoke and one guy even knew what I was talking about.  He said they might have it as a special .at some point!!!  Yeah!  I've never had a half smoke outside of DC and I miss them!  Nothing will ever replace Ben's Chili Bowl I'm okay with a cheap substitution before I get back to DC.

Finally, walking down the street I see these shoes in the window.   Now really.  Someone help me out here.  How in the  hell does a woman even stand in these shoes and not topple backwards.  Really.  That's a serious question.  Really.

My niece tells me I'm "not ancient."  I look at these shoes and I'm just not sure.  Just in case, I'm off to bed early tonight.  I will gather my pencil case, new notebooks and even plan my outfit.  Tomorrow I start a whole new adventure.

Things I'm learning.

1. How to negotiate suburbia.
Everything is 10 minutes away.  I'm sure its not really complicated, it just seems that way.  And did you know you can barely make a left turn in NJ?  You turn right to go left.  Its just a NJ thing.

2. How to negotiate the city.
Being far older then DC and way, way older than Miami, Philadelphia has tiny streets with people parked on both sides and sometimes right in the middle.  There are cars, pedestrians, dogs, bikers and all manner of beings right up on the curb.  These pedestrians are not shy.  When their light turns green, they step out.  Don't mind the bicycle in the road which is barely big enough for a car.  Don't mind the folks who wait until the light turns yellow to start across the street.  Oh and parallel parking is back in a big way in my life.  Good thing I was always pretty good at it since I'm calling on all of my skills these days.  Just yesterday, I put my car in a space where it just had no business fitting.  But I needed that spot and there were no others in sight. So in I went.

3. Apartments come in every shape and size in this city.
I am just at the beginning of my apartment search and have only seen about 5 apts.  One was just plain icky.  One was boring but fine.  One was downright cool but a third floor walk up.  One was totally doable with small fireplace.  I'm holding out for more space. Then there are the ones I've driven past which have been vetoed for the neighborhood alone.  Oh yeah, there was a reason I could afford that 1450 sq loft apartment.  In about 5 years that will be a happening neighborhood.  Right now, however, its  more than a bit edgy for this kid.  I'm out of practice.  Four years in Coral Gables has made me soft.

Things I'm re-learning.

1. How to say water.
That's "wooder" to you non- Philadelphians.  Is it a DC accent I've adopted?  Is it just a "not a Philadelphia" accent?  Now I'm stuck in the middle somewhere.

2. A healthy respect for Philadelphia parking enforcement.
Ouch.  An expired meter ticket is $36.  What the heck is up with that?  No worries, parking enforcement, I won't make that mistake again.

3. Hands free cell phone use.
In Miami is was almost required to get in your car and get on the phone.  Everyone did it. Hands free laws, nah, no need for them.  We were Floridians, we didn't need no sticking laws!  Up here, its a different story.  All jurisdictions are hands free here -- and they ticket!  So after attempting to figure out not one but two blue tooth devices, I went with the old fashioned earphones.  It works just fine and I'm legal.  No more lurking with the phone and dropping it down when I think I see a police car.  Oh wait, its just a roof rack.  Guilt is a terrible thing.

4. How to miss your friends and keep going.
So for the second time in four years, I've left friends behind.  I miss you Miami friends.  I miss our chats, our dinners, our brief or lengthy encounters.  I miss who you are and how much you came to mean to me.  

I miss my book club in advance.  I miss lizards.  I miss orchids everywhere. I miss some palm trees but not others.  I miss mangoes despite the 200 that I brought up with me.  I miss cafe con leche.  I really miss cafe con leche.  But most of all I miss stability.  The known.  The safe.  But that's okay. I'm my way.  I still feel like I'm on some weird extended vacation -- just with more of my things. But I start my new job on Monday.  That will feel real I'm sure.  Then I'll just miss time off.  :-)

A week at the shore..a perfect transition!

Tomorrow we head back to the city. Not NYC but Moorestown, NJ. My temporary home. Close enough to Philly to commute while I look for an apartment.

It was a great week. One thing you can say about my family is that our highs are high and, as goes with the territory, the lows can be lows. But we rebound. The weather was great, if scorching at times. But if its going to be scorching, what better place to be than at the beach.

In the never ending fight against beach erosion, we had a slight incline as you approached the beach. Once you made it to the top of the dune, now the fun would start. The dune was easily 20 ft tall and they had created a makeshift ramp that went down along side of the dune. Down was interesting. Up was downright aerobic. Now add hot sand, a beach bag and a sand chair. It was like an Olympic event! One night, after staying late at the beach to enjoy our favorite time...my sister Rachel and I found ourselves left at the beach with not two but four chairs. We had four chairs, bags and ourselves to carry up. Now that steep ramp up was hard enough, but when you are laughing so hard you can't even breathe, well, I'll just say that I appreciate the fact that there were no videos or witnesses. Thank goodness for that bench at the top.

What's a week at the beach --oops, its the "shore" in these parts -- without great seafood. We had mussels, delicious! Crabs, and my favorite, steamers. Ipswich (soft shell clams). Yum. We had great food, great company, great weather and most of all, we had almost all of us. Some of the young ones in the family are flung literally to other ends of the earth. But the four sisters were here and mom too. Those occurrences are few and far between and times that I just can't put a price on. Yes, we had a big fight. Fine, I said it. did you think I'd ignore it? but we made it through and we always will. Four sisters as different and yet alike as any you can find. Four strong women used to running the show wherever we are who have to learn to work together and get out of those old roles and into new ones. Four sisters who will be sisters forever no matter what. No matter what.

So tomorrow we leave and head home. There's the rub for me. This is when my move will really hit me. Home. Home is where your stuff is? Where the heart is? Where your friends are? For a little while my key ring was pitiful. Just my car keys and some random key that I really don't know what it belongs to. But now I have a key to the house and a key to my storage unit. To paraphrase Stevie Wonder maybe these are my keys in the songs of life.

My goal this week is to do some figuring. I need to figure out how to get to work and I need to start to figure out where I'm going to live. I have been engaging the family in some online apartment searching. Its kind of fun to toss out an address and have my mom veto it immediately. There are some interesting prospects out there. I am actually going to look at two on Monday. I think its more of a scouting mission than anything else, but you never know.

My first day at work starts on Monday, July 16th. I feel like a kid starting a new school. But first things first. Tomorrow we head home and I begin anew. Up until now it feels like a weird sort of visit. Now it begins. Now the real fun starts.