10,000 Things I Love About Pittsburgh

#73 - commute time

2012-01-13T21:06:00.003-05:00

if you tell someone your commute is "cross a river and through a tunnel," they'll have a pretty good idea of the duration of your drive.

#72 - Everything

2012-01-01T20:40:00.002-05:00

Everything.

Happy New Year!

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#71 - Sticking around

2011-12-26T11:33:00.002-05:00

Christmas means seeing three grandparents (thankful theyre still around), both my parents, 8 aunts and uncles (blood and through marriage), and three cousins who all live within an hour drive.

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#70 - Rick Sebak

2011-12-20T22:28:00.002-05:00

Seeing Rick Sebak in person makes me really, really happy. Like, little kid happy.

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#69 - pollution

2011-12-13T21:47:00.004-05:00

cuz sometimes it makes the sky pretty.*

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*don't get your knickers in a twist. I am not 'pro-pollution.' or anti-environment. I recycle. And use those totes when I go shopping. And buy energy efficient lightbulbs and appliances. I kinda drive like a d!ck, though, so it negates some of mthe aforementioned.

#68 - leaving options

2011-12-05T18:58:00.004-05:00

Spoke with my wife's former colleague the other night at a local dive favorite.

He's in retail/fashion buying. Young and and talented. Has had opportunities to move on and up, has moved up within his company, but declined to leave Pittsburgh. Cheap drinks were cited as the main motivation; I knew I could have dug a little deeper and he could find 10,000 of his own reasons he loves Pittsburgh. (Shameless plug!)

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#67 - dipping / part tabby cat

2011-11-29T20:11:00.005-05:00

The guy in traffic behind me this morning was steady dipping his shoulders back in forth in perfect sync with his windshield wipers - he was either listening to a song whose rhythm matches that of his wipers or is part tabby cat.

#66 - Yinzer Rocky

2011-11-19T18:02:00.005-05:00

I was riding past Heinz Field today, and watched this yinzer decked out head to toe in black and gold crest the trail, and as soon as the stadium came into view he stuck his finger in the air and started jumping up and down, like a yinzer rocky.

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Late addition: He was wearing sweatpants.

#65 - Costco

2011-11-16T21:14:00.002-05:00

Ok, so if Idiocracy comes true, Costco will be like an uber-SuperWalmart in the future; but I was pretty impressed with the friendliness of customers and the staff tonight.

Sometimes, it's the little things - a guy offered me his cart while I was walking in (the cynic could say he was lazy, but he was actually pushing it back toward the inside to make the buggy return guys' job easier) - then as I was leaving, I heard another customer offer his cart to someone headed into the store.

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#64 - bridges

2011-10-23T19:27:00.003-04:00

old bridges re-purposed

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#63 - squirrels

2011-10-15T19:53:00.001-04:00

Our squirrels will kick your squirrels' asses.

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#62 - police

2011-08-13T13:45:00.005-04:00

I was riding the bike lane downtown (double yellow line) between idling buses and crawling cabs, going a little faster than I should have with the occasional shoulder dip to miss a side view infringing on my not-so personal space, when a cop directing (slow moving) traffic said as I rode past 'make sure they can see you, and be careful' in the sort of way you'd tell a friend not a stranger. I saw three blocks of snow covered Gotham that ride but came home and appreciated not getting run over. And the cop.

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#61 - alternatives to drinking

2011-08-01T21:39:00.003-04:00

There are a myriad of things to do in Pittsburgh besides drink.... or at least things to do before you go drinking. In this instance, Kayaking on the Allegheny with my cousins.

#60 - Parking Chairs

2011-07-20T22:28:00.001-04:00

#59 - sea-town

2011-06-21T20:14:00.003-04:00

Having a dude from Detroit compare Pittsburgh's revival to Seattle's... in a positive manner.
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#58 - advice for transplants

2011-06-16T21:11:00.004-04:00

I'm actually old enough I can give advise transplants on the benefits of raising children in the Pittsburgh area (from the perspective of growing up here, not as a baby daddy). Namely that they will grow up kind, courteous, respectful, and yinzer.

#57 - charitable donations

2011-06-10T20:14:00.003-04:00

Pittsburghers will seriously give charitable donations. Not even hesitate, go out of there way, and bug you to give you charitable donations.

#56 - random Larkins Way yinzer kids

2011-06-05T14:28:00.003-04:00

"Take my picture and put it on the internet. I want to be famous."

"I found my skateboard in the garbage. It has ASS written on it."

#55 - memorial day fashion

2011-05-31T21:20:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure which was classier - the guy drinking outside Belvedere's at 2pm with a tightly permed mullet and a sleeveless belly shirt, or the guy walking through highland park with a bag of charcoal and a parrot on his shoulder.

#54 - stranger

2011-03-19T16:57:00.002-04:00

Having a complete stranger tell you about how he and his wife take their four kids camping in their '71 VW camper van at presque isle every summer while stitching up your grandma in the ER.

(she's doing fine, 13 stitches and on her way home)

#53 - beauty and destruction

2011-02-26T19:12:00.002-05:00

there is beauty and destruction almost everywhere you look

#52 - shortcut

2011-02-26T19:08:00.004-05:00

having a shortcut from my favorite pub across a baseball field underneath a bridge two blocks over straight to my house.

#51 - Momentum

2011-01-16T21:39:00.003-05:00

I love how Steelers / Ravens games have wild momentum shifts, the kind fueled almost entirely by emotion, that you often see in college football games but so rarely see in the NFL. Truly awesome football, especially when the Steelers come out on top.

#50 - Heinz Ketchup

2011-01-04T21:19:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, after a late night at Dee's, my wife and I picked up some late night Gyro's.. with fries of course. Got home and the Ketchup included with the fries WAS NOT HEINZ. Cmon, what a place to cut cost! (I'm protecting the identity of the Gyro shop so some drunk angry yinzer doesn't burn it down... although that may be fitting.)

Fast forward to last week. Went to England with my wife to visit family and friends. Everywhere we went, Heinz ketchup, Heinz Mayonnaise, Heinz Mustard... I was so stoked I wanted to tell everyone Heinz was from Pittsburgh!

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#49 - Sunshine

2011-01-04T20:07:00.004-05:00

Pittsburgh may be cold, dark, and grey for quite a few days out of the year - however when we need it most, the sun screams out.

#48 - Local Celebrities

2010-12-17T17:59:00.005-05:00

That whole 15 minutes of fame was a load of horseshit, at least in Pittsburgh. We don't become famous - we become local celebrities for 15 minutes.

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#47 - Forgotten groceries

2010-12-05T15:16:00.004-05:00

We picked up some lunch meat at our local Giant Eagle this afternoon, and as we were walking out a woman (it's Sunday so it goes without saying she was wearing a Steelers jersey) briskly walked by us calling out 'sir' to catch the attention of a gentleman who had forgotten a bag of groceries. The man said thank-you, took the bag, and we entered the cold.

I took this for granted today. It's a small gesture but one that should be acknowledged as grand not ignored as trivial.

#46 - Fall

2010-11-22T20:53:00.001-05:00

#45 - tunnel love

2010-10-31T18:10:00.005-04:00

I guess this is more of a love/hate kinda thing - fairly unique to Pittsburgh is the speed (or lack thereof) at which people enter tunnels.

Which is why I propose the following:
At the entrance of each tunnel in Pittsburgh (or, at a minimum, the Squirrel Hill, Ft Pitt, and Liberty Tunnels) put up one of those big orange construction signs that says "Free Jeff Reed autographs at the next exit." Halfway through the tunnel, put a sign that says "Homeland security reports there may be a bomb in the tunnel" because we all know by the halfway point, everyone would have forgotten about the allure of a Jeff Reed autograph, realized they were in a tunnel, and slowed the F down. At the exit of the tunnel, a sign will be placed that says "Due to Jeff Reed killing the terrorists, he has blood on his hands and is unable to sign autographs."

I feel this would greatly improve the flow of traffic in and out of Pittsburgh Tunnels.

#44 - Aiding and abetting a potential felon

2010-10-10T10:53:00.006-04:00

I got lost with my new camera (Canon G12, stoked!*) in an industrial park in Hazelwood. Well, more accurately, I ignored a bunch of no trespassing signs to check out some cool decaying buildings. After cruising around for a bit, I realized the only way out was the way I came in - 1.5 miles in the opposite direction of my final destination. I found a gate, chainlink, barbed wire on the top, with just enough of a gap I could potentially squeeze my skinny pierogi ass through. As I stood and contemplated the gap in the fence, an SUV on the other (free!) side of the fence stopped, and with a smile, a passenger said "Need a hand there buddy?" I was obviously where I wasn't supposed to be, with a 5 o clock shadow, a little hungover, and these random yinzers were willing to help me navigate over a barbed wire fence.

I thanked them, sent them on their way, and hopped the fence with a bit more lightness.

*98% of the photos on this site are 35mm (Canon AE-1, older than I am) With the acquisition of the G12, I will be interspersing digital and analog - I'll always note which is which from here on aht.

Digital

#43 - Ft. Pitt Tunnels

2010-09-29T23:19:00.004-04:00

Blazing through Ft. Pitt Tunnels on a Wednesday night, seeing the Pittsburgh skyline, and hearing Weezer El Scorcho replace static as stereo reception returns.

#42 - Uphill courtesy

2010-09-06T13:06:00.004-04:00

A little something something I learned while Mountain Biking is simple trail etiquette - one of the most important ones being if you are on single track and encounter another rider, the one going uphill has the right-of-way. This is unfortunately not always followed on the roads, but what the hell, d-bags are shooting bouncers in front of Town Tavern.

I was riding solo across Ft. Pitt bridges narrow ass sidewalk, and on the Mt Worshington side I encountered a group of half-dozen cyclist, varying in age and ability. I stopped to allow them to pass (they were going uphill, duh) and leaned against a fence which nearly gave way, causing me to comically almost fall and tumble to my death. I secured my footing and the group passed me, each with a huge smile and an authentic 'thank-you'

#41 - Dee's Cafe

2010-09-06T13:01:00.002-04:00

#40 - pass

2010-08-20T23:30:00.002-04:00

The scene: Pedaling up a steep, gravely road construction sidewalk. A woman walks down towards me. She sees me, my sweat soaked shirt, and steps aside with a smile. "Thank you." I say with a sweaty smile. "You're welcome." She returns the smile, and we cross paths.

Two weeks later, I saw the same woman. Same smile. Same pass. Warm welcome deja-vu.

#39 - Photo Oppotunity

2010-08-04T19:27:00.005-04:00

I was pedaling up the northshore trails slight grade toward the Science Center when I noticed a young couple trying to catch the beautiful backdrop with the locked elbow outstretched facebook arm. 'Do you want me to take your picture?' I asked slightly out of breath. The boyfriend obliged readily while the girlfriend looked perplexed. I believe I caught the incline in mid-travel which is always a nice touch. I handed the camera back accepted my thanks and headed on my way, with each pedal stroke reminding me how in a lesser city a cyclist in a similar situation could have quickly sprinted away with a digi cam but in Pittsburgh we don't think twice about random acts of kindness.

#38 - Weekend Backpacking

2010-08-04T19:01:00.010-04:00

A quick 1.5hr drive from Pittsburgh lies Ohiopyle, home of whitewater rafting, cycling, the falls, and one end of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) a 70ishmile long hiking trail through the beautiful Laurel Highlands (duh). It has primitive campsites along the way, making it must-hit for backpackers in the region.

My father and I recently spent 3 nights and 3 days hiking about 36 miles on it, and since I did not have cell phone reception most of the time, and don't even have a twitter account, I twittered in my notebook.

Hike in was hot.

Air was thick I was dehydrated at the start but still could have used a starting beer at Falls City.

Alone and humid in campground. Clothes soaked to skin.

Wearing a wet bandanna around my neck I feel like John Waters or a lesser talented better known Hollywood type.

A mouse crawled across my back while I was sleeping last night. I want to keep him and call him Stuart although that might be a little weird.

Fleet Foxes S/T is the best thing to have stuck in your head where there is no sound but trees.

Whenever I hear music the next time I'm going to grunt and jump around like the boomerang monkey boy did in Road Warrior.

I hate Starbucks but I'm going to love the shit out of this coffee.

Flaming Lips - also not a bad thing to have stuck in your head.

Holy shit! It's Bruce Springsteen.

Hiking near a gun club is like hiking in Colombia.

Saw two wild orchids before they were eaten.

Harold was divine bovine.

MRE was spam.

Grundies = less chafing.

Frog the size of a Homie just ran away from me.

Third night sleeping on wood floor is the toughest. I actually miss soft mattress at home.

I can't believe I missed Father Flamethrower and Pittsburgh Policy at Excuses!

It's best to break long hikes into sections, like .7 miles to the rest area - same distance as my house to Dee's.

Diner food!

#37 - Beer is a massage from the inside

2010-06-13T20:58:00.002-04:00

Went on the MS150 ride this year with my dad, uncle and a few friends. It's an epic, two day, 150ish mile ride for a good cause. For the first year, they had a beer garden on campus saturday night (it's a two-day ride from north of Pittsburgh to Conneuat, Ohio, on lake erie) The beer tent was freaking mobbed - two free beers for a each participant. I don't think the organizers anticipated how much a bunch of athletic cyclist types dig the hooch. But in Western PA, the athletic cyclist types definitely enjoy finishing a ride with a few suds.

#36 - Crooklyn

2010-06-04T11:27:00.003-04:00

I wrote an article for my webzine, working class zero, making fun of Brooklyn Heights hipsters and how they look like Muammar al-Gaddafi, and in the first draft I wrote 'Brookline' instead of Brooklyn half the time because I'm such a goddamn yinzer.

#35 - out of town clothing selection

2010-06-04T11:22:00.004-04:00

I didn't realize it until after I packed, but for a weekend away in upstate NY, I packed no less than (3) Pittsburgh related T-shirts, and am wearing one for the drive - Polish Hill Strangler, Rustbelt Homewreckers, Head Board Shop, Black Star Tattoo. My 'Jesus Loves the Steelers' stayed on the hanger since it's not season.

#34 - churches

2010-05-28T20:02:00.002-04:00

Churches as places of worship, as bars, as restaurants, as brew pubs, condos, decrepit, falling, selling pirogi, welcoming saints and sinners, dominating our skyline.

#33 - proximity

2010-05-26T23:28:00.002-04:00

Living in Pittsburgh means having 3 grandparents (1 recently passed), 2 parents, 8 aunts and uncles, 5 cousins, and 196 friends from high school living less than 45 minutes away.

#32 - The Pittsburgh Wave

2010-05-19T20:12:00.003-04:00

Went cycling with the wife tonight. Stopped at a 4-way stop signed intersection. My wife wasn't sure which way we were headed so I gave the SUV to our left the obligatory Pittsburgh wave. The woman driving responded with a wave. It became the classic Pittsburgh wave showdown, each wave becoming a little more flamboyant until finally I was defeated, and my wife and I cruised through the intersection.

An occurrence that seems everyday normal, nay, boring to the average Pittsburgher is something that would never occur in another city of this size.

(Note: I was going to mention how when I first moved to upstate NY I tried the Pittsburgh wave a few times, and people looked at me like I was insane or possibly waving a gun at them - however, I swore this blog is going to be positive)

#30 - Pittsburgh Bands

2010-05-13T22:59:00.004-04:00

I don't know if it's been tabulated but Pittsburgh has to hold the record for most bands named after / with reference to the city.

Off the top of my head:
Polish Hill Strangler (gotta represent)
Yinzers
Steel Drunk
Enemies of Yinz
Commonwealth Conspiracy (OK..sorta)
Le Cachot
Donora
Irwin
Dawn Cannon

Please add more in the comments! I know I missed a ton.

#29 - Pittsburgh Left

2010-05-08T12:36:00.005-04:00

"Is he going to make a Pittsburgh Left?" - My wife, been here for almost three years, about the cop car facing us at the light.
"Probably. He's just going to go for it." - Me
"What's the protocol?"
"He's a cop. You let him go. I hope he waves." - Me

Light turns red. I flash my lights to let the cop go. He makes the left and motions WITH HIS COFFEE thanks.

I love this town.

#28 - Random Acts of Kindness

2010-04-23T21:49:00.006-04:00

My dad swung by the other night. Fortunately I was doing some work outside the house, not sitting on the patio slamming beers. My wife was inside. It was a very domestic, tranquil evening, the complete opposite of the following evening.

The green Ranger I first learned stick on pulled up, my dad jumped out, and told a story that you would only be told in small town America, or small city Pittsburgh - he was about to leave costco when he noticed a young couple struggling to fit flooring into their Toyota Yaris. (tiny) The hatch wouldn't shut, and the driver couldn't put the seat back. It was a cluster and probably could have wound up on the internet as one of those 'oh shit' photos.

After some chuckles, my dad approached the couple and offered to help. He loaded the truck up, and followed them up the southside slopes (getting to the slopes means traveling up roads as steep as the hills of san francisco). Upon arriving at their home, he asked 'did either of you think to get my license?' Of course they hadn't. They shared a laugh, and offered money, but we all know that money is no good as long as we all keep performing random acts of kindness.

#27 - Stoked on Pittsburgh

2010-04-18T12:16:00.005-04:00

Those who truly 'get' Pittsburgh, be they locals, transplants, or expats, have a certain glint in their eyes when talking about the burgh that is truly amazing.

The people who see Pittsburgh as more than a city - a home, a friend, a family member. It transcends geography and is a part of us.

#26 - Local Celebrities

2010-04-13T21:50:00.005-04:00

Without blue bloods, movie stars, worldly famous writers, playwrights, or artists, we elevate the celebrities we have to almost mythical standing. The athlete, the evening news anchor, the transplants made it big.

However, when they prove themselves an ass, on the field, on the screen, or off, we as Pittsburghers don't take kindly to half-hearted apologies and insincere promises of changed behavior. The grumblings may get quieter if the football is thrown well, but we'll all realize talent doesn't make the person.

#25 - Bike Rides

2010-04-11T21:45:00.005-04:00

I love bike rides that unfold like a well written short story. The protagonist (me, my bike, as one character) the antagonist (fucking cars), setting (the city), plot (bike ride, duh) setting (Pittsburgh) climax (Schenley overlook or maybe the cool down beer at Ruggers). The story might sound basic but it writes itself a little different each and every time.

#24 - Steelers Audi 5000

2010-03-03T20:35:00.006-05:00

Driving home tonight from work, inbound on East Carson street, I saw the creepy crawling rushhour outbound traffic smoking its way home. My light turned green, I hit the gas, and in the sudden flurry of white, red, gold, gold, anonymity of working class stiffs I caught a glimpse of black and gold fury, a black audi, gold hood, gold trim. 'A Steelers Audi?' I thought, hopingly. The IX, X, XII, XIV, XL, XLIII in gold along the fenders. A steelers Audi, indeed!

#23 - YAA

2010-02-23T21:36:00.004-05:00

After a record snowfall, the city of Pittsburgh was crippled. Our beloved boy mayor was stuck (skiing) in the Laurel Mountains for his birthday. Median snow drifts locked up cars up and down streets primary, secondary and tertiary. Every time I saw a car stuck, the Yinzer Automobile Association would leap into action - there were always 4+ people walking up, pushing, shoveling, cars stopping offering shovels. It was really amazing. Zero bad vibes from the Yinzer Automobile Association.

#22 - The Endless Possibilities on Hot Metal Bridge

2010-02-17T21:26:00.004-05:00

#21 - Unicyclists

2010-02-15T19:13:00.004-05:00

Pittsburgh has a unicyclist so hardcore he was cruising down the sidewalk through 6" of snow.

#20 - Killer Parties

2010-02-02T22:55:00.001-05:00

Killer Parties almost killed me.

#19 - security deposit

2010-01-12T23:30:00.004-05:00

Our landlord waived our last months rent and called it even-steven since we put a deposit down. Site unseen of our apartment (which is in decent shape, I might add). Amazing. First time receiving a full deposit back.

Then again, we always paid our rent on time. Didn't bitch too much. And we weren't drug dealing fetish hookers. (yeah, we had a whorehouse two doors down)

#18 - Common Courtesy Hit N Run Follow-through

2010-01-06T23:26:00.001-05:00

I talked to the dude who hit my car.

The phone number was legit.

He offered me $100.

The damage was minimal.

I agreed.

A check for $100 arrived today.

I love Pittsburgh

#17 - Common Courtesy Hit N Run

2009-12-29T21:07:00.003-05:00

I parked at the laundromat last night. A corner spot. Something told me I shouldn't have parked there, but there was a snow outline from the car that had parked there previously.

Not 15 minutes later I walked out to find a note under the wiper on my car. It said "I hit your car. Please call me. [phone number]"

People in Pittsburgh have common courtesy, even when it comes to hit N runs.

#16 - Steelers

2009-12-22T01:24:00.003-05:00

The loss that Pittsburghers feel
after the Steelers fall
is probably an embodiment
of battles lost
against
corporations
foreign competition
hope
and fate.
It is more than a simple
loss for a team
it is a loss for this town
with chips on its' shoulders
dragged down
beat up
left for dead
and recovered
with little to show
but inaccessible jobs in
medical technology
and a bitchin' football team.

#15 - Bartenders with Rhinestone Studded Steelers Shirts

2009-12-22T01:18:00.002-05:00

It seems perfectly normal when your bartender is wearing a Rhinestone Studded Steelers Shirt. During the off-season.

#14 - Unemployed Dudes w/ Yinzer Street Cred

2009-12-14T23:08:00.001-05:00

Unemployed dudes who used to play bass in a crappy yet relatively popular Pittsburgh band (i.e., Buzz Poets), live in their mom's basement and drive unreliable '86 IROC-Zs pull more ass than white collar professionals who drive BMWs.

#13 - Group Photos

2009-12-07T21:01:00.002-05:00

Making a group of foreigners' evening by offering to take their photo with their camera, completely unsolicited. A few extra seconds in the cold for strangers' lifetime memories.

#12 - Positive Jams

2009-11-30T21:07:00.000-05:00

Skateboarding through Southside the other night,
searching for zen amongst sidewalk gaps and cracks,
a young PAT bus driver enjoying a smoke break outside Ghetto Bird
interrupted my crowded solitary endeavor with a question and a compliment.
"Nice Manual" he said between puffs and small talk.

A few minutes later, a few thousand rotations
of urethane through the gritty grime of city streets and sides
and I found myself cruising a parking lot
yanked to reality
by a woman of questionable integrity
"Can you read this?"
My cynicism said "scam" until I saw the paper
a phone number scrawled.
I read the number.
She inserted two quarters into the pay phone
which seemed written into my evening
dialed the number
said
"Thank you so much, hon. You're great at Skateboarding, by the way."

I smiled and skated off.
She smiled and ordered drugs.

My push was a little lighter on the way home
having given and gotten something
from the bus driver
the drifter
and the city.

#11: Plans for the inevitable Zombie Invasion

2009-11-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

Setting: Spotlight Costumes
Me, My Girlfriend, two employees.

"Why does your roomate have Nunchuks?"
"For the Zombie invasion. Duh."
(The girl at the register smiled knowingly)

It's not simply arming ourselves with blunt objects; many Pittsburghers have a detailed plan for coping with the inevitable zombie invasion.

For example, my roommate has nunchucks. I have a Pirates souvenir baseball bat. My roomate has a discreet, reliable, 1997 Chevy Lumina with everything you need to survive a zombie invasion in the trunk. My parents have food and supplies for months (a shopoholic mom and a hoarding father combine to create the ultimate Zombie survival destination.)

#10: Completely Inappropriate Speed Limits

2009-11-18T20:22:00.000-05:00

Roads with a 40mph posted speed limit that are so narrow and potholed you (and the rest of traffic) cannot possibly travel over 25mph, juxtaposed with 25mph posted speed limit roads that are built like limited access highways so you (and the rest of traffic) cruise at 50+ mph.

#9: Global Warming

2009-11-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

If people continue to believe that some dissenting opinion on global warming gives them reason to continue to drive school-bus sized SUVs and leave their lights on 23 hours a day, 364 days a year, Pittsburgh will soon be a tropical destination like Florida or the Bahamas(which will no longer exist). The occasional Polar Bear floating down the Mon on a glacier will serve to remind us how good we have it.

Note: This photo was taken with a 35mm Kodak throwaway camera. I think, in the right light, throwaways take better pics than all but the best DSLRs.

#8: Out of State Steelers Bars

2009-11-12T17:59:00.000-05:00

With plans to visit friends in Columbus, OH, Saturday night, I was concerned I wouldn't make it back for the Steelers / Bengals game Sunday at 1pm. Turns out there is a Steelers bar less than 10 minutes away from where we are staying. Epic.

#7: Local News During Football Season

2009-11-09T20:02:00.000-05:00

5:00 pm: Local News (Steelers)
5:10 pm: National News (City where Steelers are playing /opponents are from)
5:15 pm: Weather (game conditions)
5:20 pm: Sports (STEELERS!)
5:25 pm: Human Interest (Steelers)
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

#6: Unexpected Weather

2009-11-08T21:03:00.000-05:00

69 degree days in November.

#5: Location, Location, Location

2009-11-07T16:08:00.000-05:00

I'm about to jump in my car and drive 2.5 hours to a place with the least light pollution on the east coast.

#4: Six Degrees of Yinzer

2009-11-06T22:33:00.000-05:00

I was talking to another department's manager today at work, and found out his wife's sister owns the arcade my punk band played at last weekend.

#3: Baggers

2009-11-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

Baggers who have no qualms about striking up a conversation based on your grocery purchases.

#2: Stuffed Shirts

2009-11-04T21:49:00.000-05:00

When you close your eyes and listen to the six figure stuffed shirt upper management at my company, they sound remarkably similar to the yinzers at my local tavern.

#1: Courtesy

2009-11-03T18:48:00.000-05:00

I love how rush hour traffic stopped this morning on 885, allowing a drunken raccoon to return to the foliage on the side of the road. No horns honked, no firearms discharged, no raccoon smooshed.