Pittsburgh Trip

I took a weekend trip to Pittsburgh at the end of April. The reason for the trip was CMU's annual Carnival event, but really just an excuse to see all my ole CMU alum friends in the same place at the same time. One of the events that my friends are into is called buggy.

The short explanation of buggy is that they take petite girls and put them in a custom hand-made racing buggy and people called pushers, push them around a course on a 5 or 6 person relay around a course. On the downhill of the course the pusher lets go and the driver takes over til the next hill. Here are some pics.


Yes, there is a person in that...





My friends....

All My Friends Are Awesome!

Yipee! I got home from work today and had a very special package waiting for me! Carsen and Yuki sent me an awesome package containing some very special Pittsburgh momentos. They sent me a Steelers Terrible Towel, Steelers bottle cozy, a Yipee! eraser, and a cute card. I can't believe I lived in Pittsburgh for so many years and never owned a Terrible Towel. I didn''t learn the value of a good bottle cozy til this past summer. As for the Yipee! eraser, well you'll just have to visit the Shadyside Starbucks to discover the meaning of that.

One For My Homies

I have written this a bit in advance, but have decided to schedule this posting for while I'm on the road. I just wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout out to my Pittsburgh friends who have really put up with supported me through all I've been through in the last year and especially the past few months.

CARSEN: When I first asked if I could crash at your place, I really thought it would only be for a month - two at the very most. It ended up almost 5 months. My bad, dawg. You're gonna gets what's coming to you, mang. Thanks for putting up with me and listening to my countless stories. Did I tell you about the time???

YUKI: Yuki! Thanks for all the wonderful meals and girl chats. Come play in California! Quit!

AITON: I will never think of Vanilla Ice the same way again. Thanks for letting me store stuff in your basement. I have some extra trash cans if you and Hil need them. She'll be thrilled to have them in your house. I'm ready to start the next label design when you are.

HILLY: You are the best moving buddy ever! I owe you forever! Thanks for the empty cardboard box intervention. I didn't realize I had a problem til you stepped in. I now live virtually cardboard free and I have you to thank for that.

JANICES: My move back to Pittsburgh 5 and a half years ago started with me in Florida, driving north on 95. I called Janice and left her a voicemail that said.... "Hey Janice, I have a funny story for you". Two days later I was crashing in her living room where I stayed for the next 4 months.

She doesn't even live in the burgh any more, but this crazy girl (AKA my bestest friend) went to two different gas stations and got me gas cards for my trip. You da bestest!

ANNE: Thanks for coming to my last night in Pittsburgh get-together. You know that I always end up back in the burgh eventually. Thank you so much for the claddaugh key chain , gift card and note!

ADDIE: Thanks for coming up from DC to visit before I left. You rock, Matty not so much ;)

DREW and LINDSAY: I'm so glad I got to spend time with you both before I left! It better not be another 14 years before we hang out again!

PETE: Thanks for the super mixes!

SEAN: Thanks for the CDs! I will think of you as I do my car karaoke.

I miss everyone already!

On the Road

As I type this, I am packing the rest of my stuff and getting ready to hit the road. My google directions are printing. Yes, I am that much of a procrastinator. I had a bunch of friends over last night for my last hoorah. It was a great time. I don't think it will hit me that I am leaving til I hit Ohio.

I will try to post with pictures soon!

Last Day at Work

Friday was my last day at work. It went well. A group of people were nice enough to take me out to lunch and they gave me a nice card. It was a great 5 years in which I learned a ton. I am grateful for the opportunities that I was given there (thanks for hiring me, Ed!). I am looking forward to what the future holds.

Oh crap, no more paychecks!

Leaving Pittsburgh To-Do List

I guess it's a little late since I'm leaving by next Wednesday, but oh well. Here's a list of things to try to do before skipping town. I'll have to keep editing it as I think of things.

• Primanti's - done, Friday in Harmarville - followed by Glen's Custard
• Piper's - sometime this weekend
• Pirates Game - Monday night, but only if Aiton's In

List items that were accomplished over the past few months of living in the 'burgh (instead of 'burg)
• Pittsburgh Zoo (with Anne, Ray, Christian, and Mary) I had never been there in all my years in pgh.
• First Night Arts Festival
• Carnival
• Fuel and Fuddle - Hil
• Pamela's - Addie
• Vinatge Grand Prix
• Fatheads
• Hough's and the list
• Lots of Harris Grill outdoor dining
• Cool As Ice at Hoosac House

Cool Things that I'm glad I got to do in the past year
• Fallingwater - who knew it was 30 minutes from my apartment for 3 years
• Kentuck Knob
• Penguins Game w/ Revo

The Calm Before The Storm

Nothing new to report here. One last week at work to go. After that, I have a weekend and a couple extra days to get ready and then the big trip. I haven't done any further trip planning yet other than making that picture for my last post.

Pittsburgh weather and atmosphere has been wonderful lately which makes it harder to leave. Every year, for the first two months of summer here it thunderstorms everyday. August and September are usually perfect, sunny everyday.

I really should start packing or planning or something....