IMG_7933, originally uploaded by neepeople.

The last night of the company brew-ha-ha, a large dinner was prepared for us sales folk. I remember one of the district managers gasping “it’s cost ten large, and we’re not even finished!” as he choked down his whisky. Following dinner, my coworkers began the obligatory sales phenomenon of drinking themselves under the table. Having drunk myself under a table many years prior with this same group of people and not caring for the experience too much, I decided to go out on the town for some night photography. A virginal photographic experience to be sure.

Nighttime in a big city is so interesting. I used to go out a lot in my younger days, that is until I learned Baltimore has more crime and murder per capita than NY City. But Philly had a different feel, at least in this section. Given the number of people walking after sunset, dogs in-tow, professionals jogging, etc., I figured it couldn’t be *too* unsafe. What a blast! I can still smell the crisp, winter air mixed with that after-rain smell and a faint scent of gasoline. Mmmm… It felt ‘free’, and that was a good feeling.

This photo is obviously of an alley, so perhaps ‘Alley of Philadelphia’ would be a more accurate title. Nonetheless, its as close as I could get to a seedy shot, and it was right near the Raddison where I was staying. I sometimes miss those pretentious and self approbatory meetings… with $10,000 dinners… in fancy hotels… in a several-hundred-dollar-a-night hotel rooms. They have their place, you know?