"Diners"
​written by Ash Catcher.

When it comes to you, nothing could come second. 
When I open you up I think I have died and gone to “Heaven”. 
Bottomless mimosas? No, I'll choose black coffee. 
It is the only stuff that works these days, everyone now acts like pandemic zombies. 

Fluorescent lighting is never flattering- especially after 2 A.M. 
But my mug is starting to look effervescent, how many did I just slam? 
Caffeine overload in the making, too much hot bean water, makes me shaking. 
Never was the best for me, always been shit at decision making. 

“No you decide, you pick….” I can barely croak back. 
Oh shit what sign? I mean what is your zodiac? 
I am not too sure we are compatible, I am sorry I think I need to go. 
Not going to set you off, or give you anymore ammo. 

Empty those emotionless bullets all in one. 
My life feels like a series of universal signs and reruns. 
Cause everything that happens to me, happens in diners. 
If you want to make up for anything, I could use some new tires. 

Over-easy makes me queasy. I just can't eat eggs. 
Halloween is coming up soon, and I really don’t want to be Greg. 
I could use some carbs, maybe a sandwich or two. 
We all lost our minds because of another flu. 

Why are condiments ( always left out?) 
Why is my phone listening to all these ad bombardments? 
How is it that when breakfast comes to mind,
Breakfast meats in PA can't seem to get aligned. 

Side dish, side piece, it is all the same. 
Fuck off from the city eventually, and live in the woods in an A- Frame. 
My time is limited here. 
Nothing is forever, some things just disappear. 

Written By: Ash Catcher 

Hey, it has been a minute! A lot of changes have happened in the past two weeks, I gained a lot of good things, all good things. I also gained an extra year of life so that has been nice as well. So coming off all the birthday hullabaloo I was so thankful I had the opportunity to check a few things off of my bucket list! I went to Cherry Springs for my birthday, it is the darkest spot in all of PA- about a little over 4 hrs outside of Philadelphia where I am currently residing, there is this astronomy field where you can see everything well. I saw stars like real fucking stars for the first time in my life. It was a sobering experience. Sometimes you just need to look up and realize how small you really are. I saw the Milky Way- in its raw entirety despite the clouds which kept rolling in made it all the more spooky.  There is so much more out there than you, your drama, and your bullshit.

I stayed at a beautiful AirBnB over a cafe and art gallery, about a 20 minute trip from Cherry Springs National Park, I traveled deep within the Tioga State Forest, I really needed to just get out and stick my feet on something other than concrete. On the way I made it to the Kinzua Sky Bridge- it has been something I wanted to see for years now all of these things that I wanted are finally coming to. 

This Sky Bridge was something else; it survived a tornado almost 20 years ago. So if a man made structure can withstand an environmental disaster, any problem I face in my life should be a piece of cake… uh birthday cake. I was happy to get out a bit and take some time off from work. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had 3 days off in a row. I am so thankful for this opportunity and will be consciously traveling more this summer. Slowly getting back to Ash.

I also got to see the “ PA Grand Canyon” I have never seen the real one out West but best be sure I plan to do that too. It looks like a glorified gorge, but it was only 10 minutes out of my way on my way back to Philly. So why not? It was decent, lots of people, and a pretty extensive gift shop. I really want to go back and hike in Tioga and Susquehanna State First Parks more. I just need some trees. I love that feeling of feeling small in nature. It is such a grounding experience. ​

Anyone who wants to take a hike hit me up! See you next week!

-Ash Catcher 

By Ash Catcher.
​Once a week, I think it is neat 
That we like to put something out that is tangible, and concrete. 
Every time it happens to be, a Wednesday that I can see. 
Under sharing, over posting, I need to stop highlighting my coffee.

You wrote a song about this day. 
And I work on this day at the cafe.
Something about Wednesdays.
Ash, bring it back to present day. 

That I am out there working, and you are on your couch. 
Slouched over a computer, fix your posture- ouch. 
Trapped in a place where nobody can stand to be. 
I sometimes question the legitimacy of your “company”. 

Take that however you please. 
I can still taste the animosity. 
One day a week where I spill my guts. 
Kinda like you did with Chestnuts. 

Koalas seem like little bitch bears,  and waffles are too sticky. 
I should be more careful of my wording, But it all starts to get fuzzy. 
I am glad we both just get a day.
Well good night, I am gonna go away and hit the hay.​

The other week, my brother, and I had a free day, something that has been a huge rarity in my life as of late. I chose to go to this abandoned Terracottas Factory in New Jersey. What I don’t like more than  a 3.5 hr round trip to see abandoned shit on a sunny day, I will never pass that up. Off the weirdest Blair Witch like road I have ever encountered, past train tracks and down a ways I always have this weird feeling in my stomach when I am going somewhere new for the first time. It reminded me of a bit of Walking Dead and Mad Max. Someone I am pretty sure was also getting their engagement photos done here with their Bronco. Like I said, a bit dystopian so close to the beach too, but still 20 minutes from Surf Taco. 

The Brooksbrae Terracotta Factory in the Pine Barrens gives me some major nostalgia for Centralia if you don't know me or you live under my rock collection. I have been there over 10 times- it's just an abandoned highway. This is just an abandoned structure in the middle of the woods. If I was a 7th grade boy with a paintball gun I would have a small heart attack. 

The decaying Brooksbrae Terracotta Brick Factory sits over the railroad tracks along Pasadena Woodmanse Road in the tiny New Jersey town of Pasadena. Though the location is in Google Maps, the directions bring you to a dead end of residential homes. Upon my arrival, oddly, there was a shit ton of graffiti on the road thus indicating we had arrived. Sweet, rad, cool we made it alive. I got spooky vibes but didn’t pick up anything really that unsettling. I know the Pine Barrens in NJ is kinda known to house some questionable activity. I did get Rob Zombie, Devils Rejects vibes. 

I think I just like having a niche little hobby that only a few other people can get. I get excited seeing other people outside at the same spots as me. It feels like a little club. I am always doing research, asking my other photography friends where the best little spots are. I just want someone to go on cool summer adventures, I  practically live at the beach on my days off, this summer I have a whole check list of places to go, boxes to check and pictures to take. I would certainly come back here again. It was a quick hit in and out in 30. I am really there for the journey you know- the destination well that can change. 

I have a feeling that this summer is going to be interesting for sure. 

Until next week I promise it will be a bit longer.  

-Ash

​9 
By Ash Catcher 
Photo Credit: Harley Maile, Photodelphia

It is all a numbers game, or so I am told. 
7 is supposed to be lucky, and it shows. 
But for me it has been the number nine. 
I have no idea how it started, but it happens all the time. 

In ’99 I saw Phantom Menace. 
Oh good god another Star Wars reference, lord help us. 
In 09’ I saw that movie nine. 
It was pretty good, and got me interested in graphic design. 

That was also the year I saw AFI with you 
I was freshly out of my upmtenth 302. 
Fall was tough that year, and winter also
That was it, one and done, gone and blocked now, built up a wall. 

It all comes back to that number nine. 
I have lost track of how many times you have used “ I am sorry, lets try again” 
Iets chalk it up to 9 give or take. 
Each time I let you back in my life it has always been a mistake. 

But damn can you blame me, you raised an optimistic. 
But buy ’19 I know better now, fuck you, fuck off- I am done with this. 
I will never let someone run me like I let the 9 of you. 
I am done with that submissive shit, this lesson was long overdue. 

-Ash 

​

The past couple of weeks have been interesting to say the least. Uh not sure how to put this any other way other than I have been on a somewhat informal spiritual manifestation kick.  What exactly is manifestation, one of my new friends asked me that question the other day, and in response I gave the most Ash like response, I changed the topic to something else. I am not 100% sure what it is but it has been happening an awful lot. I think about people, and then they appear, I am listening to music while running and a song comes on that I am thinking of unprovoked. I was looking for a rock the other day in Wissahickon to take home, and then this girl walked by and gave me a rock that was in her hands. It is small things like this that I know can add up to something bigger. The house I was looking at the other day, I got that now ( I am just not looking forward to moving for the 1,000th time but that is okay) This new place has a sunroom, a grotto, a huge tub A Christopher WALKIN closet, I had to - everything I can ever want- and I can't forget the most important thing I have manifested this year was Banner. <3 

But Ash you always go on about nothing without saying something so I am going to school you on a little crash course on manifestation. It is 110% a mindset. Get your mind right, and everything will follow suit. Manifestation is defined as an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory, on an abstract idea. ( I have a shit ton of those) 

Now Spiritual Manifestation is something that I have been more centered on is that the theory that through regular meditation and positive, constructive thought, you can make your dreams and desires become reality, Spiritual Manifestation holds that if you really want something and truly believe it's possible, it will happen. It's kinda like that feeling you have in your gut, you know it's there but you can see it- it's a feeling- that the whole universe is behind it kinda thing. 

I moved to Manayunk a little before Christmas of 2019 and ever since then there has just been an odd ass series of events that have led to this huge chunk of self discovery and independence. I barely notice other people anymore. I think the odd thing about the Yunk is that it is like this weird limbo state, moving here taught me that whatever I put my mind to I can not only achieve it, I feel super at home, I love being around trees, and still being close to the city. It is a really good location. I have found weird little things and people and I have to say I just think it is the universe confirming it all. I feel like everything is divinely guided one way- I will be sure to touch more on this in another blog post. I would love to talk about it more.

I find the more friends I make in the area the more I can look past the  “Inauthenticity” that I see on occasion. It is easy to look past when things have made an enormous turn around. I love being at home, with my cat, records, art, and books, I just have this infinite need to create things that I care about.  I love going out, now that things are opening back up and seeing music again, and hiking and doing Ash things too but I am doing them more sparingly. I reserve my energy now for myself and put myself first, something I have struggled with for a super long time. I haven’t had a lot of time off yet from work but I have never loved what I have done more- and yes I miss teaching but  I think I just like the fact I can make people happy, and I am a very good listener. I love what I am doing with my life- I am nowhere near as complacent as I once felt- I just feel so light. 

One more thing I want to say about Manifestation- cause I am writing this in the car on the way to the beach-  you gotta put yourself first when you manifest. Avoid what I like to call low vibe people, energy vampires, people who always complain, and bring drama your way. Avoid those people and it is amazing what you can accomplish: Spiritual Manifestation is the theory that through regular meditation and positive, constructive thought, you can make your dreams and desires become reality. Spiritual manifestation revolves around the New Age concept of the Law of Attraction. Simplified down to a single statement, the Law of Attraction states that think and act in a positive way, good things will happen to you, but if you think and act negatively, bad things will happen to you.

So think positive, eat some veggies, drink water (not alcohol), stick to those boundaries, and keep your mind right! 

I’ll ttynw 

-Ash Catcher

​"Tea Pigs"
 Written By: Ash Catcher

     There are a handful of remedies that seemingly have the power to abate — or at least provide comfort in the face of — nearly any problem at hand. I am not talking about another acid trip altho that seems to reset just about any problem I have had in my life.  A nice, long shower, an extra few hours of sleep, and a hot mug of your favorite tea can have real healing powers, I am talking more wholesome then MDMA-  So it’s no surprise that, in the throes of 2021 we’re constantly reaching for the kettle. 

     Right now, tea culture is at its peak ( I think!). You’ve likely found yourself scrolling past targeted ads for herbal elixirs or swiping through endless Instagram stories depicting still-steaming mugs. You’ve heard celebrity endorsements for choice brews and you’ve read about “wellness tea” in magazine roundups devoted to self-care. The stuff is more popular than ever but...why now? 

     I am a tea snob, if you thought my coffee addiction was bad wait till you see me compare kettles. I am a pour over addict- and apparently you can do pour overs with loose tea. GAME CHANGER! Alert the media and my big ass tea box on my kitchen window sill.  I am not sure anyone was aware but this past year aged me just shy of like 30 years so now I am in bed by 9, and haven’t had a warm cup of tea in almost 3 years….  I just forget about it okay.  I hosted a party one time and drank 12 cups of tea. I am just a feen for the leaves. 

Call it what you want there is just this weird satisfaction of having a warm comforting drink- dont get me wrong I drink iced tea in the summer like its going out of style- I do my own blends- I'll get pretty wacky with the combinations too- we go beyond the realms of raspberry mint- or blackberry sage iced tea altho both are good and I would either offer lemonade mixed in with that and/ or some boba pearls. Why not get fancy? Life is too short and if I want something I want it to be worthwhile! — 

UNTIL next week- that is the tea! 

-Ash 
​

[Photo Credit: Harley Maili, CEO and owner of Photodelphia Studios]
​By Ash Catcher.
"I like odd things, and people, of which I have met, and collected many thoughts about my life…. I am a squirrel.  I hide things, and you only see the tip of the iceberg- plus I nut up." 

     Apparently I come from a family of collectors. This is not news to me, I just thought I had a shit ton of interests and had trouble honing on one specific focus ( very Ash I know) but what I didn’t realize is what or exactly what it was that I had squirreled away. I am almost 30 and I have been collecting records since I was 15, that's almost 2 decades collecting vinyl, which you know if you have had the pleasure of hauling vinyl up and down flights of stairs ya know that shit is heavy. I probably have like close to 200+ vinyls, 7 inch, you name it I have it. I just cleared another record player, I think I am on my 4th or 5th. I just obliterate technology like Jubilee.  Headphones, computers, you name it UH PHONES! I am collecting those too apparently… Books, art, clothes  PLANTS! I think I just have a lot of stuff, but it all seems to have its own home, and such. I can't even begin to get into how many concert ticket stubs I still have-  I am going to have to do something super special with those!  SO I wanted to take a quick look at why humans feel the need to keep things. Nine seemed enough to me, and again love those odd things: 

1. Knowledge on a specific niche, topic, or genre:  I love rocks! I have a huge rock collection too, yes I am 6. 
2. It's relaxing and stress reducing: I love to sit, and listen to records that are a huge stress reducer for me. 
3. Personal pleasure, pride and ownership: Very proud of all the black dresses I own, oh you need one? 
4. Social interaction with fellow like minded collectors: I used to love going to book clubs, I have too much books for my own good, yes I have heard of a kindle, no I think they are stupid. I just like odd things. 
5. Competitive challenge. 
6. Street Cred amongst your fellow collector friends: I am not one to brag, but if you do I think you are a complete tosser. 
7. Altruism: I donate my time to teach art classes, but that is not for everyone, and not everyone who collects things does this. 
8. Nostalgia: Nothing like bidding on something you owned when you were 5 in the mid 70’s at 3am. 
9. Accumulation of general wealth: measure of security and freedoms. If I wanted to I could sell off my record collection and put it towards a down payment on a house. But honestly my music collection is worth more than just a cookie cutter house- but. a treehouse or a cabin in the pococnos….. mmmm Ill get back to you on that.  

     I have a shit ton of things, there is no other greater unit of measurement to describe all the things I have acquired.  I have a lot of plants, books, clothes, records, artwork ( mine and others) and now cat things. THANKS BANNER!  It can sometimes be overwelhming…. Oh and mugs please please if you see me with a mug in my hands if there is nothing hot in it please wack it out of my hands I don't need another mug, but I have been looking for more wicker chairs. 

I love collecting things. This problem fills some sort of emotional void that I developed as a child. But what I love more is liquidation. I love selling off my things. I get an enormous rush from getting what is essentially something that just sits there and turning it into fast cash. I do this like close to every other season. I donate clothes, and try to be fashion-conscious. I feel like you got to spend a little money to make money. I really like researching and pricing items, something that I have inherited from my dad I am sure. He has an enormous collection of items as well. I really didn’t have much choice in the matter. it is just something I am weirdly good at. Desire, Acquire, Catalog, and Sell- it is really quite fool proof. 

I am always so curious to see who likes to collect things! 

See ya next Wednesday! 
-Ash Catcher