I had a great time in Philadelphia last weekend. I managed to fit in a visit with my friend Tiffini, a librarian friend from a past life, go bowling, go to a karaoke event that featured indie and punk songs, feed my pen fetish in the exhibit hall, visit some vendors, see some new products, eat some good food (those Amish pancakes are quite tasty), go to several ARL events, and make some new friends. However, there was a low point when I accidentally ate at the very apparently xenophobic cheesesteak joint in the city. Argh. I should have picked up on the fact that they served "freedom fries." I should also have noticed the blaring patriotic music which was somewhat bearable, until they started playing some song about "English being the language of thewhole United States." I don't know if it was the meat, or the song that gave me the stomach ache. I'm betting though that it was the song and the very, very wrong place. It's very disappointing to see a place like this thrive, and it does. Does nobody else notice this, do they all subscribe to this belief, or are they just happy to eat their cheesesteaks? ugh.