Fa La La La Fall

Ive been experiencing great things lately.... so much so that I havent had the time to write!! For one, football season has started. I have been swept away by beer, spinach dip, vegan wings and Brady. Football season also means its Fall. And, of course, Fall means all kinds of events... all leading up to the holidays.

 I must, must, must start with my latest -and best- discovery. The best ALL VEGAN wings Ive ever placed my lips on... Thank you, Spak Brothers.

Pumpkin poptarts, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pies.And, cant forget the best beer of the season! Cheers to all things pumpkin...

Lets see... where to begin. The day after the first season opener game for the Steelers, I was driving to work. It was Monday morning and all I wanted to do was listen to some good music and sing myself into the work week. Pittsburgh, however, had other plans for me. The radio stations turned to talk radio...  they critiqued the Steelers til there was nothing left. There were experts and fans calling in. Crazy. I guess there is nothing wrong with this... just unheard for me. In Florida, I think there is an AM radio station or two that do sports talk or something along those lines... Im sure they mention the Dolphins every now and then.

Now, I work in a building with about 850 employees. On Fridays, its "show your support/spirit" day for the Steelers - and it almost feels mandatory. Im trying to fit in, even though I prefer to be the odd man out. Just not when I am the minority in a pool of 849 black and gold wearing pythons. I will admit, last Friday, I actually broke down and wore my Steelers toe socks. I had to repent a few times to the Pats and the guilt was so heavy and strong I almost couldnt walk...but I survived. And, I guess Fridays will get easier as I practice. :-)

On a different note... I think I am in love! With Fall! How absolutely breathtaking!! I remember as a kid we would pick up green leaves from outside. Then we would bring them inside and place them under a sheet of paper. Using fall colors, we would rub the crayons over the paper to make a "fall-colored" leaf. Seems like a lot of work! I went for a walk the other day and discovered these leaves actually just accumulate all over the ground. ha Who knew? And some are such perfect shades of red, orange, yellow and brown.

This is what I saw on my walk....

The nights have been cooler... the days not so hot.  And here, with the winding roads, mountains or hills (I still dont know what there should be referred to as)... the trees changing colors make the view simply beautiful. I think Fall may just very well be my favorite season thus far.

This has been the perfect time of  year to check out the trails and explore! Some are a bit creepy because of the spiders and snakes and lack of distinct definition of what is trail and what is oh-crap-this-isnt-the-trail. But, all in all, its calming and, again, unlike anything you find in Florida.

Well, thats about all for now... Ive got alot more to write so keep your eye out!

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Jagoff Does Not Equal Friendly

Friendly: adjective. Like a friend; kind; characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship.

To use in a sentence: I thought I would find friendly in Pittsburgh.

Reality: Friendly in Pittsburgh is... eh...not so much.

Ok, well, its a far cry from South Florida. BUT... they need a lot of work up here. My perfect perception in my little perfect Pittsburgh bubble keeps deflating faster than our gas prices are rising here (over 20 cents in the last week!)

I recently went down to the strip to do a little sightseeing and shopping. Not sure if you remember me telling you or not, but this is another area where you see black and yellow for miles. The most recent thing I have been seeing are shirts with this:

So I decided to start up a convo with one of the guys selling them in bulk (or so it seemed). This is how it went:

Me: "So, just out of curiosity, what does the hand symbol mean?"

The Jagoff: "If you dont know then I aint telling you.."

Me: "How am I supposed to know if you wont tell me?" I think this is a completely legit question.

The Jagoff: as he shakes his head "Go watch the movie 'Dude Wheres My Car."

Me: Really? Dude Wheres My Car? Ashton Kutcher's so-called claim to fame stoner flick that I was humored by at the age of about 21? And this man... who was probably 30 years my senior... is telling me to watch it just to understand their stupid hand signal? My thought? If you have to go all the way back to a crappy movie such as 'Dude Wheres My Car" to find the meaning of what Pittsburghers like to do with their hands at baseball games, it must not be too special. I walk away, calling him a jagoff under my breath.

Then, like a fool, I came home and looked up the video. Quite frankly, I still dont get it. If you do... please fill me in.

Needless to say, this dude on the strip is not the first rude one I have encountered here. I guess we are all human and we all have bad days. And... it is evident that we all like to take it out on other people. Even in Pittsburgh.

Hang on... Im switching subjects...

If I were in South Florida this time of year, it would probably be hot. Super hot. Humid. Super humid. And there would be thunderstorms every single afternoon. Big dark clouds that would roll in from the west just in time to flood the roads for rush hour. My entire life I have hated this time of year.

However, it has been B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. here in my new city. It is in the high 70's/low 80's during the day and in the 50's at night. The trees are beginning to turn...  

though I keep hearing that it is a bit early for that to be happening. Personally, I think we are going to have a rough winter this year. I say this because I think mother nature is going to test me... you know, since everyone says I wont be able to handle winter. No matter what she brings, I am ready for her. Bring it on, ol' lady.  

Because it has been so beautiful out, I have spent alot of time exploring. This past weekend we spent 6.5 hours at Kennywood. For those of you who dont know what that is... its an amusement park that has apparently been around forever. In fact, I believe they have one the oldest wooden rollercoasters in the U.S. that is still functioning. Did I go on it? No way, Jose. You put those 3 words in the same sentence and I am hauling booty the other way... Oldest. Wooden. Rollercoaster. I. think. not... With a H-E-Double hockey sticks NO!

The park itself was neat, though. It was small and homey. Lots to see.... a parade full of marching bands, shows of kids singing (Steelers & Pirates songs, of course), a strange creepy girl (I think) dressed in leopard and acting like one who scared me out of the bathroom (thats a story for another day...), cheap eats (I devoured a bunch of cotton candy and Im not ashamed to say so), laser shows, rides, fair games (where you can win stuffed prizes that come in... you guessed it... black and yellow). It was just a good night out with good memories. Apparently it is something that all Pittsburghers have grown up doing. I felt like I was one of them that night... only friendlier.

And last but not least.... I must share the new song that I learned. Enjoy! (And laugh)... CLICK HERE!!

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

It's Dark in Here...

Let's see.. Since the last post, I have encountered more of Pittsburgh and have transitioned into calling this my home. Which, by the way, is a very, very good feeling.

First off, my latest discovery: Schenley Park. This park is HUGE. It has rolling hills and hiking trails. It is home next to the Botanical Gardens and Consevatory, the University of Pittsburgh, the Natural History Museum... and on and on and on... In fact, I think it is safe to say that this is my favorite area of Pittsburgh.

What I think is the neatest thing is that, on Sundays and Wednesdays, Schenley Park has "Cinema in the Park." They put up a huge screen and everyone can bring their own blankets, food, drink, etc and sit back and watch a movie. I have gone on each of these nights. What amazes me is how it is so incredibly hot, but as you watch the sun set over the buildings of the University of Pitt, it begins to cool... far cry from Florida. Its beautiful, fun and calming.

There is always a downfall, right? Yes. The downfall of Schenley Park? Its lack of built-in bathrooms...

The downfall of this beautiful night outside at the movies? My bladder is the size of a pea. Look, Im a girl. And, quite honestly, I dont do well with squatting. In dark bathrooms like above. Especially if they are leaning. Do you see where I am heading? I spent my Wednesday night at the movies relaxing on my blanket while layin on my stomach... this is because while attempting to hover my 5'2 body over a toilet in the dark while the entire thing was planted on the ground at an angle that caused my pee to go where? You guessed it... straight  down, but angled forward... right onto my shorts. Not to mention, I did all of this while not breathing. I know, I know, gross and a bit too much information. I know that I didnt need to share this story, but, it just wouldnt be right if I didnt. Its the downfall of Schenley Park and it sat on my tush all night.

Next experience I have had? I drove downtown alone... This goes back to the blog that said there would be six signs wanting to lead me in six different directions... I knew where I was going, but I was still nervous. Its confusing. The roads here are so odd. Most have street lights on the sides at the corners. Last I knew, street lights were supposed to be up where everyone could see them... not in Pittsburgh. I spent most of my time trying to find where the light was to see if it was green or not... and realized afterwards that I didnt even pay attention to pedestrians! It could have been a disastrous trip, I suppose. All in all... I did it, only got lost once... and didnt kill anybody. Thankfully. The scariest part? The Fort Pitt tunnel.

I dont do well in tunnels. And, in this one, you cannot see the other side so it is extra scary to me. To top it off... there are lights that, as you are driving through, could be enough to send an epileptic into a seizure!! I dont know what they were thinking... I even had to close my eyes a few times!!

Just watch this video... (warning, if you are prone to seizures, please close your eyes if you are watching this in a dark room. haha)

At any rate, it was a fear of mine that has now been conquered. The big bad tunnel and the big bad city were ok to me. They didnt swallow me up and spit me out. They simply twisted me in circles, got me lost, then found... I'll get it next time.

Last but not least, another thing I have learned about my new city is that there are many, many storms... but their bark is MUCH louder than their bite. They roll on in to Pittsburgh, thundering and lightening, and then a little bit of rain and its gone. Now, I am sure they have some bad storms from time to time. But, after living in Florida all my life and experiencing a Florida afternoon thunderstorm on a daily basis throughout the summer, it makes Pittsburgh storms look like little red riding hood to the big bad wolf.

What I find so comical is that they interrupt programming, place a beeping warning along the bottom of the tv screen, radio DJ's warn the audience, everyone rushes to take cover...pulling out the lanterns and candles... because a storm is coming in....then...drip, drop.... its done. Mother nature is probably going to scorn me for making fun... but, frankly, I just cant help it. It has rained more days than it has been sunny since Ive been here... and each day was treated the same. Live through a hurricane, Pittsburghers... then we can talk.

Thats about it, for now...'til next time...  

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

And The Bubble Goes Pop

I have been busy trying to re-employ myself, visiting the wave pool (which mocks my beach but is better than the lake), and learning about my new city. I am so glad that I made my move and each and every day I learn something new. Some things surprise me, others dont. But what I have discovered is this: my new reality is that my old reality of Pittsburgh was not a reality at all. Got it? It was a perfect bubble of what I thought Pittsburgh really was. Now, I am learning what it is like to actually live here and my perfect little Pittsburgh bubble had to pop faster than I could scream "JAGOFF!" Am I ready to leave? Not for a million bucks. What I am ready for, however, is to fill you in on what my new life is encountering.

Previous bubble buddy; new reality:


1. Wasps and/or Hornets and/or anything else that flies, buzzes and stings. They are everywhere!! And in mass quantities. Pools, doors, cars, porches, water fountains. You name it, they will be there. Crazy. I think I may introduce some wasp and/or Hornet and/or anthing else that flies, buzzes and stings spray to these folks. It really does work if  you use it.


2. Speaking of wasps and/or Hornets and/or anything else that flies, buzzes and stings, there are the oddest bugs up here. They have tons of spiders, flys, beetles and lightening bugs (not sure of their "proper" name) as well as these horribly ugly creatures:

The house centipede. I about flipped my lid when I first encountered one of these coming out of the drain in the bathtub. Thankfully I was still dressed and could scream for backup. After looking them up, I now see that they can sting similar to bees and wasps. Go figure.


3. Heat. Folks were lying when they named Florida the 'Sunshine State.' It is sunnier and hotter here than in Florida. I cant count the amount of times I have heard "Oh you are from Florida so you must be used to this heat, right?" Um, heck no. It is a different kind of heat. One that sizzles your skin like its frying up bacon... and, with no ocean breeze, you can even smell it frying! Horrible. But I am fond of the lovely shade of tan I am turning. Thank you, sun of Pittsburgh. By the way, I cannot wait until fall. Ahh...

4. People. They are nice. I was correct when I said that. They are alot more friendly than those in south Florida. Strangers will have conversations with you, people actually may wave when you drive by, etc. But, I have encountered my fair share of rudeness. Dang it, Pittsburgh, I liked my prior perception. Now I know that rude people have infested all parts of the country. Hip Hip Hooray.


One thing I have noticed is that I find myself being friendlier at times. I contribute this to the fact that I have about a 90% chance of getting a kind, friendly response here vs. a 10% chance in my prior city.


5. When I said you can purchase Steelers stuff everywhere, I wasnt joking. Even in July. I was at the grocery store... Giant Eagle... and after I paid for my groceries and was leaving, look at what I saw:

Their own little store inside the grocery store. Unbelievable.


Need a new purse? How about one of these 'new-for-summer styles':

Raining? Dont forget to pick up an umbrella or poncho:

I cant wait until I go back and read this blog 3 years from now as I finish washing my black car with yellow pinstripe and black and yellow spinners. Oh, and, of course, my "Go Steelers!" bumper sticker. This will have all been done while wearing my Rothlesberger jersey and black and yellow flip flops.


Then again, I shall not be a traitor. I will keep reminding myself of this so that I do not fall under the spell of Pittsburghers' black and yellow brainwashing!


6. Learning my way around has not been as difficult as I thought it would be. Thus far, I have not gotten lost. I can say, though, that having a car with a large hood makes it difficult to see as you are going around curves that are going uphill. It makes it feel like my car and I shall be dropping off into the unknown on the other side. Scary, but fun.


Thats about it for now... more to come as my new reality forms itself...


Sees ya!

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

1,118 Miles of a Truck's Butt

1,118 miles. That is how far the trip was. Let's see... once I  left Florida, we went through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and finally Pennsylvania. It was one heck of a long drive.

Most of the trip was rather boring... trees and road. In fact, my view was this:

Yes, I followed this yellow Penske truck for 1,118 miles. At first it was kinda hard following something for so long that I couldnt see beyond... but by mile 542 I found comfort in the little truck. My eyes stared into the yellow sea of nothingness and daydreamed about the adventure I was embarking on. I was told over and over by the person behind me that my car was swaying all over the road. Perhaps that is why!

The Carolinas were beautiful. This warmed me, in more ways than one:

I LOVE cajun boiled peanuts. And, since I could never get them in south Florida and I surely wont be able to find them in Pittsburgh... picking them up when we stopped for gas was a MUST. And, to top it off, while I was chowing down on the boiled peanuts, I was staring out at all of the wildflowers that were found in the Carolinas. Beautiful! If my hands werent sticky from the nuts, I wouldve taken a picture!

Next up? Virginia... which had a very welcoming sign in their "Welcome Station" Rest Area:

When you walk into the bathroom, this sign was on every single mirror. It made me want to run to my car, put on my seatbelt and speed through their state to get to the other side. Um, Im not going to be the next fatality. How dare you even think like that! It had somewhat of a Final Destination-type effect on me. "Welcome to Virginia... its time to play... you are the next contestant on 'Are You Virginia's Next Traffic Fatality'!?!" I guess that is how they keep outsiders away.

Oh, West Virginia... how you are not much better, maybe even worse than regular ol' Virginia. Mountains, mountains, and more mountains. Did I mention there are mountains in West Virginia? Speaking of such.... Never Again!!! I felt like I was on a roller coaster for hours! My stomach spent most of the afternoon in my throat and in my hand I held a plastic bag so I could vomit as I drove. Awful, eh? We had to stop just to let my stomach settle. And... dont forget my ears were clogged and popping and my face felt swollen from my sinuses. Lovely. I dont think I will be re-visiting anytime soon. If ever.

All in all... It took us 3 cars, 2 days, 1 overnight hotel stay, and 6 people.... but we made it to Pittsburgh, unloaded the truck, unpacked, and got settled... in less than a week.

So far I havent had time to confront those worries... but I will keep yinz posted as I knock them down, one by one, with my mad ninja skills.
  

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Jittery Jit.. Jit..Jitters...

This is it. By the time this posts, I will have just about 4 more days as a Florida resident. Then, I will be on the long 18-hour trekk to Pittsburgh in a mini caravan of cars and a moving truck that contains every material possession I have accumulated. Scary? A bit.


I had no idea I would react the way that I am. All of the worries that I previously blogged about... I am about ready to face them head-on. It was not as big of a deal just writing about them as it is knowing that I am going to have to reach my hand out and greet them. And, of course, battle with them, fight them, throw them down and stomp on them. Im going to need alot of energy for that! Good thing I have kept my ninja skills out of the moving truck and in my back pocket.


I feel sad leaving friends and family.... I dont want to cry, but I know that I will. Im a barrel of emotions when it comes to things like that. A farewell party? I will have to warm up my vocals singing... "Its my party and I'll cry if I want to... " Maybe I can stick some tissue under my eyes and hold it on with a rubber band around my head.


The sad thing is I dont really know why I would be crying. Yes, I am leaving. Yes, I am going to miss people. But, it is not like I am not going to see them ever again. Heck, its not even like I see them all the time now! So what is the big deal?! Here is what I discovered....


My crying is a response of energy and emotions that have been built up over the last few months. I think my body doesnt know a better way to get it out. So, why not cry? Why, thank you... I think I will.


My competition... here. :-)


On the flip side, every daydream I have had for the last several months is becoming a reality. I am extremely excited. When I was younger, I feared change. But, as I have grown, I embrace it; welcome it. With that said... I look forward to:


1. Fighting with the Steelers.
2. Sliding down a hill on ice while driving someone else's car.
3. Carrying, but never having to use, my blow up raft to exit the city.
4. Learning a new language.
5. Making new friends.
6. Getting lost.
7. Getting lost.
8. Getting lost.
9. Learning how the use the GPS on my phone so I dont get lost.
10. Not having to fear lizards.
11. Seeing the change of seasons and raking leaves in the fall. (Then jumping in them as I have seen in movies. haha. Though, I am sure, as an adult, it wont feel as nice)
12. Making snow angels.
13. Discovering new places.
14. Learning to love the LAKE.
15. Hiking trails... that dont go on a flat sidewalk next to a stinky canal or swamp.


Well, that is about it. Im a ball of emotions - anxious, scared, excited, sad, dreamy - but I guess that is what new adventures are all about. It took forever for this day to arrive... next post? From my home in Pittsburgh, PA. Sees ya (Pittsburghese)

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Beware of Bow Ties

Memorial weekend at the airport has a bit more security than normal. Im not sure what you call the guys and gals who wear uniforms that resemble park rangers... but they were at every turn. As usual, I get through security and to my seat with no issue. Sit down, get my tasty, ice cold, pre-departure adult beverage from the nice business class flight attendant, pull out my ipod and my book and Im ready to head to PA for the weekend. Then, in walks a man so tall that he had to hover through the plane with his head bent down all while wearing suspenders and a bright red bow tie. Guess where he sat? Yep. Right next to me. Now, generally, I am not one of those overly friendly flying buddies who like to carry on conversations while I travel, but this man didnt seem to get that impression from me. From the moment he sat down with his rather large bag of fruity candy he was nothing but verbiage... and all thrown in my direction. He talked for much of the time about Pittsburgh and filled me in on a few secrets.


1. It is illegal to drive with snow on your car. Good to know, I suppose. I can understand not driving with snow on the windshield as that would be quite idiotic (or, in Pittsburghese... lunch head-ish) but getting the snow off of the entire car? Seems like a big task if you ask me.


2. It is perfectly normal for those residing in Pittsburgh to make the right lane of a roadway into street parking. This I have actually witnessed. It really is not uncommon to be driving down a road, with 2 lanes in either direction, and the right lane all of a sudden becomes parking. Its odd but apparently legal, according to Mr. Bow Tie.


3. Downtown Pittsburgh is surrounded by water. The only way to access the city is by bridge. This I do know to be true, as there are 3 rivers that surround it. However,  he proceeded to state the following: "Imagine if a terrorist blew up all of the bridges that led into the city. Everyone in the city would be stuck with no way out. It would be the perfect plot and is a very scary thought." Scary thought? Absolutely. Scary thought while flying mid-air next to the fool who has a brain that thinks in this manner? Even scarier.


It was at this point that I put in my headphones and turned to stare out the window for the next 2 hours. The funniest part of the whole trip was once we had landed in Pittsburgh, Mr. Bow Tie proceeded to pull out his United Airlines badge and place it on the front of his shirt. Yeah. I sure hope United has strict background checks for its employees, as well as a bit of  psychological testing, too.


Note to self: Carry an inflatable raft when entering the city.


On a lighter note... (and thankfully I am still alive to have one...)


I love fireworks. There is something magical about the whole adventure. The waiting and anticipating, staring up at the sky watching the beautiful colors, shapes, etc. Trying to guess... "oooh there are tons right now, I bet this is the finale... " and then, "nope, not yet." This is how it went while watching  PNC Park's fireworks after the Pirates game on Saturday night. They have fireworks on the river after games quite often. And, let me tell you, it is the biggest, best fireworks display I have ever witnessed. And, it is not even the 4th of July. Can you imagine? Rumor has it you cannot even get close to the city on Independence Day and I can see why. At any rate... here is the view we had from across the river:

We were directly in front of the fireworks barge. It was spectacular. And, well, the whole thing made me feel a bit warm and foozy, too. Combined, of course, with a slight bit of paranoia thanks to Mr. Bow Tie. You know, sitting on the inside of the city, next to the bridge, hearing loud booms... dont judge, it would have made you paranoid, too! I survived. And so did the bridges.


I will close with one last lesson about Pittsburgh....


Allegheny County is a dry county. It was HOT in Pittsburgh over the weekend and what can quench your thirst when your blood is boiling?! BEER! Where I am from in Florida, you can purchase a beer just about anywhere.... gas stations, drugstores, grocery stores, etc. Where can you buy beer in Pittsburgh? Only at a beer store. Or a bar. Hmm. And how does the beer store sell beer? By the case. Thank heavens I was thirsty. I went for one beer, I had to buy 24. This law seems a bit ridiculous and twisted. In their effort to keep me from drinking a beer, they got me to drink 24. Someone should bring this to their attention... Bottoms up!

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Stranger Danger!

I feel like this blog should start with this...

Its been a tough ride. You know, that in-between stage where one is neither here nor there, but rather stuck in the middle of a vortex. I am trying to get to Pittsburgh with an official move date about a month away, but I am still stuck in Florida and the forces in my little vortex are keeping me here... for now. Though I must say I am slowly s..u..f..f..o..c..a..t..i..n..g.


While I can still breathe, lets move on...


The funniest thing I have learned is that all of the friends whom I havent seen in years and some I have barely spoken to in quite some time are all rushing to tell me... "oh we sooo need to get together before you move!"


My response? "WHY?!"


This concept baffles me. Why now? Why... after 34 years of living in the same area of the state, mind you...  are you just now wanting to get together? Are you afraid that when I move you wont see me anymore? Because, really, you havent seen me in years. So, technically, I could still be living here and we still wouldnt see each other.

Maybe it is is proper etiquette. Maybe when one family moves, all of the other stepford wives get together and say, "Well, I suppose we should throw a party for Alice because according to Peggy Post's recent article, etiquette guide #423 states that, when one member of a community leaves, all other members must make her feel special because soon she will be alone in a new place and, until the new stepford wives bring her a fresh baked apple pie, she is going to feel alone." Um, yeah.

Or, maybe it is good riddance? I wouldnt mind a (mutual) good riddance party...

The truth of the matter is... if you havent physically been in my life over the last several years, then there really isnt a need for me to see you when I go. Those who have played a role in my life will get my time. Who would have thought this would even be an issue? If anyone knows why this is our nature, please enlighten me with your comments... And, for all the loners with no friends... if you want some... just say you are moving.

Before I get blasted by hateful email from friends who read this blog... I do want to see you before I go. Its safe to say that because those other people who want to grab dinner or drinks to "catch up" before I go probably dont even know this even exists. Only my friends do.

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Home for the weekend!

I snuck out of Florida this past weekend and spent some time in Pittsburgh. It was just what I needed... cooler temperatures, two nights out on the town with my favorite person, wandering around the city window shopping... it was perfect. I ♥ this city.


The bars that I visited in Pittsburgh were relatively low-key, hole-in-the-wall type of places with good music and even better drinks.

This guava margarita really hit the spot.




I took this pic while doing some window shopping downtown... and enjoying the view (which is quite different than a view from south Florida...) There is just something about being downtown here... it may appear to some to be dirty buildings and sidewalks, but to me it seems more like history than dirt. I love how the sun is up, but unless there is a crack between buildings, you probably wont see it. The scenery in general gives me goosebumps.

We had to use the restroom. So, we stopped at this Burger King...

Which, judging by the sign, we should have known the kind of experience we were in for. In order to use the restroom, you had to buy something... then have an employee open the door for you. We first asked for a decaf coffee. After being advised that they dont have decaf, we ordered a small coke... the trip to the bathroom cost us just under $2.00. Crazy. But having a toilet to use at that moment would have been worth any amount of money. ☺

For the entire weekend, I only have one complaint.... Pittsburgh has got to have more smokers than anywhere else I have ever been. For years in Florida, smoking has not been allowed in most places. While I am not too sure what the laws are in Pennsylvania... I do know that every bar that I went in to was coated with a smokey haze that you had to peer hard through in order to see where you were going!


Ive enjoyed bars with smokers before, but in Pittsburgh, it always seems like everyone smokes. Every single piece of me... stunk! This is such an awful thing to wake up to when  you feel slightly hungover from the night before. I may as well have taken my clothes and washed them in a washer full of smoke and hung them to dry in the Phillip Morris corporation's test laboratory. Horrible!


Even worse? The next day as I unzipped my purse... BAM... the stale, stinky, smokey smell blasted me in the face. Not cool, Pittsburgh. Not cool.


I did a google search and this is what I found...("Best Cities for Smokers")

© AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar"

No. 11

Pittsburgh
Ordinance: None
State cigarette tax: $1.35 per pack (26th)
How many smoke: 25.5%
Pennsylvania Supreme court rendered anti-smoking ordinances imposed in Allegheny county and other local governments null and void. Only major cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia can pass anti-smoking legislation if they choose. Only Philly has done so.

Note to self: Carry a gas mask and body suit with air freshener when going out for the night!

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Adios, Worries!

Ok, now that I have blasted through all of my worries and have diligently listed the pros & cons of leaving Florida (which made my choice seem fairly evident), it is now time to see what I am so excited about.


Excitement #1: The arts.


I get emails very regularly from Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust that tell of all of the upcoming events in what is dubbed the "cultural district." From plays, musicals, operas, cabaret... you name it, they have it. Every time I open my email, I smile and immediately get dreamy. Its not like I cant see these types of shows in Florida. Technically, I can. But it is very limited...and lacks the whole experience. Parking and walking the city's streets with tons of other excited patrons, crowding together to get in the door... and there is just something about the theatre in Pittsburgh. It has that smell of history. You know, like an old library. Sorta makes you feel like a kid again! 


The majority of the shows take place in the Benedum Center. When I first went there, walking in the door took my breath away. It was beautiful ... and my nose.. ooh the smell. Here is what it looks like inside:

Beautiful, isnt it?


Aside from shows, Pittsburgh has its own orchestra... the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They have shows and various events, as well as some free shows throughout the year. I absolutely cannot wait to check this out!


Even better?


I hear there are various free performing arts events that happen on the strip. And, a place I have read about... (thanks to Pittsburgh Vegetarian's blog) ... is a place called Leaf and Bean. Apparently this is a coffee shop on the strip that has a singer/songwriter open mic on Saturdays. Now, I surely cannot sing, so that is not why I am so excited. Rather, what could make a Saturday better than getting up and strolling the strip, picking up fresh produce, nifty trinkets, and relaxing with a cup of coffee listening to lyrics from someone's latest song?? I do believe this is how I am going to spend my first Saturday in my new city.

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

A Bit of Reason

Since I have started this blog, I was asked by a dear friend of mine to blog about the pros & cons of staying in Florida, rather than moving to Pittsburgh. (I believe she thinks I have been gloating too much about my new-found city which results in leaving her.)


I think I will start with the cons, since I'd rather end on a positive note... for her sake.


Cons:

• Florida is hot. 360 days out of a year we will run the air conditioning.
• Florida has hurricanes.
• The cost of living is higher.
• I could drive with my eyes closed as I know the roads like that back of my hand. Change is good... it keeps the brain active.
• People are unfriendly which bugs me as I get older and my patience diminishes.
• Humidity. It makes my hair frizz. Bad.
• It takes FOREVER to drive out of the state to visit new places by car.
• There are too many spanish-speaking stations and no rock stations on the radio.
• Everything bad that happens in the U.S. has a "Florida connection." That should say enough in itself.
• Florida only has 2 seasons. Summer and Hurricane season.
• We dont have a Trader Joe's.
• I hear way too many sirens, gunshots, etc.
• Lizards.

Pros:

• Friends, family and familiarity.
• Florida has more concert tours locally, it seems.
• Snow shoveling doesnt exist.
• The ocean.
• Florida doesnt really require you to watch for deer crossing while driving.
• Florida has a diverse population, giving the opportunity to meet people of different backgrounds.
• No need to layer clothing to walk outside only to get in a car with the heat blowing and have to remove the clothing, layer by layer.

Well, that sums it up for now. Im not knocking either place... Im sure they each have good and bad. But, I am moving. Gaining a new experience with new people. Without lizards.

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Steelers vs. Patriots

Ive been a New England Patriots fan for many, many years.


Worry # 7: Im going to get beat up.


I have never in my life seen such die-hard fans. My first visit to Pittsburgh was in May...well after football season had ended. However, if I didnt know it was May, I would think it was the week of Super Bowl and the Steelers had made it to the event. EVERYwhere I went I was bombarded with black and yellow. Or, as I have recently learned, black and yella. Rarely in Florida do I see someone walking around in a football jersey in May. Granted, we have the Miami Dolphins down here and we arent too proud, but nonetheless, no one wears a jersey. Im not too sure how Pittsburghers missed this one, though. They think it is appropriate anytime, anywhere.


Those street vendors on the strip? Its black and yellow for as far as you can see. Even chain stores that are located in the area have a special section just for Steeler gear. Restaurants? Forget pictures, their walls are decorated in... you guessed it... black and yellow jerseys. And dont forget these:

The Terrible Towel is everywhere. I have seen their fans wave them, but I had no clue what their purpose was. Truth be told, Im not sure I still understand. But I do know that I have seen more than I ever thought I would.

I have told a few people that I am a fan of my Patriots... this sentence makes people of Pittsburgh shudder and basically tell me to change my team or get the hell out. Houston, we have a problem. I am moving to your city, Pittsburghers.

How does one just "change" their team? I have followed the Patriots since I learned the basics of football. We had Drew Bledsoe who was being coached by The Big Tuna. We have had 7 appearances at the superbowl, setting a record for having 3 superbowl wins in 4 years. In the 2000's we also set a record for having the most wins overall in a decade.

I know, I hear you yelling at me right now... "but, but.. the Steelers have 6 superbowl wins." And 6 trumps 3. I gotcha. It doesnt make you better, Pittsburgh, Im sorry. And it doesnt change my love for my team. I may get angry at them, I may yell at my tv when Brady is having an off night. But, deep down, I know he almost always comes back better in the 2nd half. And there is almost always victory.

Im glad to see that Pittsburgh supports their team... it says alot about them. Something you dont see in Florida, that is for sure. But... I just cant switch. I will carry some pepper spray during season as I sit at the sports bar eating vegan wings and drinking a heine... and cheer with each touchdown the Pats get over the Steelers. I'll be safe. Or, at the very least, be thankful for having health insurance. What I wont be is a traitor. 

I am looking forward to hanging this proudly in my new home:

And for safe keeping... I will walk on these:

And, Steelers... remember, its a game and all in good fun. ♥

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

Pittsburghese - It's a bit jaggy.

Moving to a different part of the same country shouldn't come with a different vocabulary. Last I learned, we are an English-speaking country. However, all one has to do is walk through the city of Pittsburgh and look at signs, t-shirts, etc and you learn that a whole list of vocabulary has been missed by Webster.


Worry #6: Ive never had to worry about appearing as an outsider where I have lived. Especially when it comes to speaking the language. Yinz understand?


On my very first visit to Pittsburgh, I was taken to the strip. I thought it was nifty checking out all of the street vendors and such. But I was extremely confused when I was looking at t-shirts that read "Yinz..." or "...Jagoff." I had no idea what they were supposed to mean and still wasnt too sure even after I asked. This lead me to do a little research of my own.


What I discovered was the language of those living in this city has actually been dubbed "Pittsburghese." They even have their own translator that I found here on google. How crazy is that?!  But,  I tried it out by typing "You are an idiot." Translation? "Yinz are a lunch head." Oh, boy, I have a lot to learn. Lunch head?! That is a new one. I will practice it today on the first idiot I encounter and will be sure to post a pic later of the reaction I get after referring to him or her as a lunch head.


So here are a few more words that I have discovered:

• Yella - Yellow
• Cattywompus - things that are diagonal from each other.
• Arn - Iron
• Bitzle - A piece of dirt on the floor.
• Church Key - a bottle opener
• Clod Hoppers - work boots
• Grass cutter - a lawnmower
• Jagoff - one who jags around; jerk
• Jimmies - sprinkles
• Jumbo - Bologna
• Pop - soda
• Yinz - yous
• Yinzer - a Pittsburgh native who talks right. Used in a sentence: I am not a yinzer. Yet.

Two that I actually already say, which is a bit re-assuring for an outsider, is Hunky-Doory and Greazy. I also call a shopping cart a 'buggy.' That would be 3 points for meeee! Maybe they are more well known phrases that Pittsburgh folks think are their own, but really arent. Who really knows, but at least I feel like I have one 'hill' (heel) in the door, so to speak. ;-)


The problem really isnt me speaking these terms... which I think I will feel a bit odd doing so... but if I am walking in the cold and my nose is runny and someone looks at me and says I have a  "sheeps leg" hanging from my nose, Id sure like to know they are telling me to wipe it!


While I am off to play and study with the translator, I will leave you with a translated quote from Ben Franklin: "A sputzee in da han is worth two in da bush."  Amen.

"Im one of dose reg-a-ler weird people" ~ Janis Joplin

(as translated by http://www.pittsburghese.com/translator.shtml) :-)



Perfection vs. Reality

If you have ever been to south Florida, then you know that we are not the friendliest people. Technically, we are "the South," but "the South" really ends somewhere around the middle of the state. Anything below that may as well be known as a melting pot of New York, New Jersey, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and the regular old Florida crackers. Again, we are not friendly, as much as I hate to say that.


Im not sure what causes this unfriendliness, though. Whether it is because we have such a mix of people with different ideals of living, driving, etc., or because the people that make up our area have never been taught manners. For example, when you are trying to pull out on to a street and cars are backed up, forget about Mr. Friendly letting you out. He will pull up and block you. Wait your turn... whenever that turn may come.


Driving down the interstate proves to be tedious, as well. You have cars that will drive 95mph in a 65mph zone, mixed with cars that will drive 55mph in the same zone. This can be a bit, well, deadly. No wonder our accident rates are so high. Perhaps in the Caribbean, no one sees the need to rush... but when you put them on the road with those from New York driving a distance of 20 miles from point A to point B in a New York minute... lookout!


I have had the opportunity to meet people from Pittsburgh. They are just, well, nice. And calm. Almost to a fault. No one seems to rush, no one seems to panic, no one seems so rude. It is like being in a different country with a whole new breed of people. A glorious breed!

Worry #5: My perception of the perfection of Pittsburgh folks could be faulty.

Sometimes I get visions in my head that allow my mind to start thinking in a certain manner, only to be crushed later. In fact, I dont just do this sometimes, I do it quite often. For instance, the likelihood of there being a rude person in Pittsburgh who is going to try to run me over on the road one day is probably fairly high. I just havent met that person yet, so the opinion I have formed is that he or she does not exist. I will probably be disappointed when I do. It will burst my little perfect Pittsburgh bubble. And then I will react the best way that a south Floridian knows how... attempt to show them that I can run them over just as well, if not better.

Yep... an outsider in Pittsburgh. On the loose.

Note to self: Keep a clear mind and just welcome the friendliness, rather than expect it.

In the meantime, I figured I would prove my statements a bit by saying that according to the US Census, Florida had 2,558 auto accidents while Pennsylvania had 1,256 in 2009. The attitude of the driver has to account for something!! Bring on the happy :-)

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin



The BEACH - a matter of opinion.

The beach. Its beautiful. There is something about the smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing, the feel of the sand under your feet. It is pure relaxation.


This leads me to worry # 4: 'The beach' in Pittsburgh something looks like this:

Although you cant tell in the picture, there is a little bit of sand up by the water, but there is just something odd to me about laying a towel down in grass to absorb the sun. Its not what I think of as natural. The water, well... its dark, kinda mucky, and I cant taste the salt as it hits my lips. In fact, when it did hit my lips, it kinda grossed me out a bit.


Further, the sand in the water at the beach is usually hard. When standing in the water in this 'beach,' it feels mushy and really creepy between your toes. And, my beach is ALWAYS open. In Pittsburgh, it is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I mean, I guess it makes sense since you wont be going to the beach while wearing a winter coat and cuddle duds, but...


Im not knocking the beach-goers of Pittsburgh. For a lot of people, I am sure this is what they look forward to each year. I just have always lived by the real beach which is why it would make this look equivalent to a 3rd graders construction of an erupting volcano to someone who lives in Hawaii.

Since I like to think that my glass is half full, rather than half empty, here is my list of pros/cons.

The Pro's of a Pittsburgh beach:


1. I will lay my towel on grass. Therefore, I will not find sand in places on and in my body where sand just shouldnt be.
2. They have decently nice bathrooms at their beach. No more having to pee in the ocean.
3. No sharks.
4. It gets hot up there with no breeze off of the ocean, so any water will probably be a very welcome treat.
5. Again, no sharks.
6. My eyes wont burn from the salt water.
7. They net off pieces of the water to keep unwanted species of water creatures away. So, once again.. no sharks.
8. There are no waves - which means I can no longer 'jump' them - but it also means that the water wont be rough and the idea of rip currents, I suppose, will be non-existent.
9. When I am really missing the ocean, I can always put on my bathing suit and watch this cam.
10. One last time for good measure - NO SHARKS!

 The Con's of a Pittsburgh beach:


1. It is just not my ocean.


The funniest part is when I think about how many times a year that I actually do go to the beach..... Id have to say about 2. Maybe 3. So, in all reality, what am I really worried about? The fact that I may possibly, sorta, kinda, one day miss the beach? Yes. Just because I can.

"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin