I continue to be both flattered and amused by the range of terrific Philly bloggers on PhillyFuture – the Phlogging collective. Flattered because my fine city makes a fair showing for itself, considering that it’s not generally considered to be at the forefront of such electronic things. Amused because, if you are a Philly blogger, I AM YOUR GRANDDADDY. Or, really, considering internet years, possibly even older.

In any event, we’re directly related enough that it’s probably illegal in Pennsylvania for my blog to sleep with any of their blogs. Although, that’s probably considered sodomy here anyway.

(Actually, PA’s Sodomy law was struck down in 1980, though puzzlingly not repealed by legislature until 1996. Also, let’s not forget that our very own Senator Santorum defended such sodomy laws, memorably quoting, “If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual [gay] sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything.” This was all partially in reference to Texas’s law coming under fire in 2003. The law (which was same-sex only) was eventually struck down in Lawrence v. Texas. (To see the Senator remarkably intelligently defend his comment from a legal standpoint (rather than a conservative one), watch this movie at the otherwise rather vulgar (but entirely warranted) Spreading Santorum.))

(Wow, look at me being all educational and stuff.)

Of the Philly blogs i perused the best layout was definitely Vintage – for a quick recap of their whole deal, check out their best of ’05 feature. (Similar happenings should be occurring here soon, but on a grander scale). 50 Bedroom combines political savvy with a humorous bent towards witty Onionisms. Also amongst the Brotherly lovin’ crowd, i was delighted to find a mom with solid opinions on (overhyped, hard to listen to) hip music. And, she used to live on Ross’s block.

In the “Um, don’t we live in America” category, Her Jazz blogs a story (with video) about cops breaking up a local DIY music show due to a misunderstanding, but subsequently FREAKING OUT and getting violent as they rough up the promoter and are captured doing so on dozens of camera phones. Notable quotable: “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but we have the responsibility as citizens to record this.” Watch the video (beware, it’s loud).

Back to political news, Philly’s Committee of Seventy has always wanted you to vote, but their Director of Civic Education wants you to get voted for by running for office (via Young Philly Politics). My friend Josh did just that by writing himself in for Judge of Elections, which he now is – for the next four years! Josh is probably the only Judge of Elections i’ll ever play laser tag with.

So, yeah, stop writing in Mickey Mouse. Or else…

In other news, i’m usually not a fan of gimmick weddings, but can a Philadelphian really beat getting married in front of the Franklin Institute Heart? (oops, i punned). That item was logged by ColorWhirl, who also pointed me to the wonderful (though non-Philly) Vegan Lunch Box – a mom who packs very yummy vegan lunches for her little one every day. I had soy taco sloppy joes for lunch today, and they were incomparable!

Vegan Lunch Box is up for Best Food Blog at the 6th Annual Bloggies. Way back when i had a discussion about the nomination process of the 1st Annual Bloggies with founder Nikolai Nolan. In retrospect, i was mostly pissed off that Trio wasn’t (and was never) nominated for “best non-weblog feature” in the days when podcasting meant nothing, let alone had it’s own freaking award category. But, i digress. I stopped being upset when Rabi (another vegan!) won the “best kept secret” award.

Which all just goes to prove my thesis that i am now grizzled and ancienct in blog-years. The end.