Being in a new place without a job or schoolwork leaves you with a lot of time to explore. And, since my roomie is off being a lab rat, I’m fending for myself.  Luckily, I got a good pair of walking shoes, so I’ve been hoofing it around my little neighborhood. I’ve found a few bits and pieces worth noting.

• I found that one of the perks of strolling around the city is that, more often than you’d like, you end up being a cigarette puffing co-pedestrian. And, though that sucks, sometimes they’re smoking cloves, and that’s the lesser of the evils.
• I found out that Shake Shack makes delicious custard. And it’s even more delicious when it’s free and served in a pop up garden.
  

  Yummy.

• I found myself spending three hours in Barnes and Noble reading a Young Adult novel.  Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, the second book in a little series I started this summer. Yup, it’s a little silly, but it’s nice to read some pleasure literature before things start getting grad school-y.
• I found my first Philly craft beer event to be delicious, though I also found that I shouldn’t attend an all-you-can-drink event on a fairly empty stomach.  The Brew and Chew at Cavanaugh’s was a tasty foray into some new River Horse beers and a few tasty tapas. I also met a few folks, and feel like there could be a Philly Beer Family out there, just waiting to fill the void in my heart that exists ever since leaving my beloved NCBeer crew.
  

  River Horse Hop-a-Lot-Amus

  

  Special Ale paired with a short rib flatbread topped with Havarti cheese, tomato, and arugula

  

  Double Wit paired with a Mahi Mahi taco, purple slaw, avocado (yay) and a spicy lime drizzle

• I found Heaven in a hot dog bun.
  

  Ay, chihuahua!

  Oh, sweet delicious sausage.  Underdogs is this tasty little joint on 17th Street.  I got the Chihuahua, a chorizo sausage with sautéed onions, chipotle mayo and queso blanco and fries with that same chipotle mayo.  My GOODNESS, talk about delicious. And yes, I chowed every one of those french fries soaking that bag with grease.

  Chapel Hill friends, imagine a hot dog version of Buns. Amazing fries + dipping sauces, every topping imaginable, and friendly employees. If you try every single one of their 23 dogs, you get your name put on the Wall of Fame.

  First Philly goal, made.

• I also found that sleeping in a new place with odd hours makes me want to nap constantly.

Gooooood night (good afternoon? Good grief.)