I placed a bid today on a house in Philadelphia. All I can say is watch this video to get any impression of my mood right now, and of what I imagine happening at la Casa de Stefans. All of these ladies are invited to my house on closing day!

Here’s a picture, kind of boxy (like much of Philadelphia) but in its own strange, Charles Brockden Brown-ish (the Poe of Philly) way, glorious. It reminds me, not a little bit, of Ezra Pound’s flat in Kensington Gardens, except with stray newspapers and cans, instead of skeins of loose silk, littering the adjoining empty lot.

I should mention that my nabe (future nabe, don’t jinx me) has had a reputation for not being friendly to “non-whites” — that bare wall seems ripe for some anti-Korean symbol to adorn it — at least as related to me by a local bar owner. But I’m quite confident that they will all love me as much as you, my blog readers, already do. And I think the apparent provinciality of Fishtown (yes, it’s called Fishtown) is over-stated.

Really, it’s a great place, just read THIS:

Beautifully renovated home in HOT area. Large 4 bedroom end unit is ready to move in. When you enter, you will notice the 9+ foot ceilings and new laminate flooring throughout the first floor. The living room (and entire house) has been professionally and beautifully painted. The dining room is spacious and has a powder room neatly located in the corner. The kitchen boasts new cabinets, sink, dishwasher, and range. The back yard provides privacy and is landscaped. The second and third floors each have two bedrooms. The second floor has an ENORMOUS hall bath w/ceramic tile. New w/w carpet runs throughout both floors. Other upgrades include newly coated roof, new windows through out, new heater, new water heater, upgraded plumbing, and updated electric. Block has had complete make-over (many other homes already renovated or nearing completion). Near the proposed casinos – make this your home and enjoy the financial appreciation to come!

This is all true. “Near the casinos” is a little frightening but they haven’t been built yet, I might be out by then, and they are on the other side of a huge highway, right on the water (I am not near the water at all) — just a sales pitch, in fact. I’d rather have that than a new basketball stadium (Philadelphia teams SUCK), though I think the design for the Nets stadium in Park Slope is actually quite gorgeous.