Only in Pittsburgh

This past weekend, Dave and I took a trip to Pittsburgh to visit my Dad and watch a little football.  We were excited to see Pitt pull of a huge upset over Virginia Tech by a score of 35 to 17.  While we were there, Dave got hungry so we stepped out to get some stadium grub at Heinz Field.  Dave opted for something more substantial than my soft pretzel: The Allegheny Burger.  A burger topped with keilbasa and a perogi.  Few things are more Pittsburgh than that.

The next day we went back to Heinz Field, this time to cheer on the Steelers during their 27-0 win over the New York Jets.  It was wonderful.  But the entertainment truly started before we even got into the stadium.  In order to direct the massive crowds of people crossing the streets separating parking from the stadium, and to make sure the cars could get through without hitting people, police officers managed to make everything run smoothly.  They were there for the Pitt game, too, but on Steelers game day, they carry equipment other than their whistles.

Yup, that policeman is directing traffic with his Terrible Towels.  So was his friend, but I only got on shot.

I love seeing the crazy that is Pittsburgh. It makes me feel at home with my peeps.

Oh, and then I totally dominated fantasy football this week...to make up for the fact that I lost to JR the week before.  

Let The Games Begin

This evening, D and I will begin our trip to Pittsburgh for my Family Reunion on Saturday. We'll get into my parent's place tomorrow afternoon. My brother will already be there with his daughter and her half-sister. My sister will get in with her husband and two kids on Friday. We'll harass each other and have a great time and leave on Monday.

I'm really looking forward to it. Mainly because I'm sure I'll get blog-fodder, especially from my brother, J. He can't help but be funny and do dumb things. It's almost like a super-power. And he also can't help but get himself into trouble and think and can one-up my sister and I. So we band together and verbally bitch-slap him into submission until he's talked himself into a corner and is left with no choice but to drink more beer (or some random combination of liquor he finds in my parents house. True story--he once, (maybe more than once?) drank a pint glass with half milk, half Bailey's. Not a bad combination, it's just the quantity that kills me. He did have the presence of mind to use it to wash down a stack of cookies, though).

Anyway, to prepare for his antics this coming weekend, which I'm sure will be quickly checked by my sister, I thought I'd share this nugget. Especially because I'm sure this situation will be debated more than once this weekend.

My parents hold 4 season tickets to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They've had their seats since the mid-70s and have been going to games since then. Growing up, it was a BIG DEAL if one of us got to go to a game. Now, it's a matter of who can get their check to Mom the fastest.

Due to the deadlines of when the payment for tickets are due and when the season schedule comes out (usually within weeks of each other, sometimes payment before you know what the schedule is), you really need to commit to how many games you want to go to and send your check, not necessarily knowing which one you're going to get.

Last year, being that the Steelers had won the Superbowl the previous season, we knew the Steelers would have a home game and be the first game (read: Thursday night) of the season. What was unclear was exactly when the season would start. I got my check in to Mom first and secure my spot at first dibs. Lo and behold, the Opening Game was scheduled for the Thursday before my wedding. Woohoo! Let's kick off the wedding weekend getting crazy at the football game!

After several months of debate and a lot of grumbling on my part, it was decided that it would be best if I didn't go to the game and lose my voice. (Happens every time--what can I say? I'm a screamer.) What with having to do last minute wedding details, my sister and I decided to stay home with Mom and the kids and the boys (Dad, J, D, and my brother-in-law, N) would go to the game.

About 2 weeks before the game, I got a call from an aunt who's niece had two extra tickets and did my sister (A) and I want them? Um, hell yeah! Jokes on the boys now, because our seats were much better (let's just say my parents seats have a skyline view, and these seats were 35 yard line).


Never mind that A and I were fed a lot of beer from the two guys next to us and kind of forgot about eating dinner--we had a good time. As a result, however, J says I owe him.

Fast forward to this year. In February, I'd sent my mom a check for something that ended up falling through. She'd mention she would shred it, but I told her to keep it since it was the same amount for 2 tickets to a game. Score--first dibs secured yet again.

In April, the schedule was released and I immediately see two possible choices. And then I get a phone call from my brother.

J: Hey, did you see the schedule? What game are you going to?

Me: Not sure. What game did you want?

J: Well, I was thinking that Atlanta game looked good.

Me: Oh, you mean the home opener? You mean the game that falls on my one-year anniversary? Yeah, I don't know about that.

J: Ok,that's fine. I'll take the Patriots game.

Me: Oh, you mean the game my husband really wants to go to in order to irritate all our Patriots-fans friends?

J: Dammit.

Me: Yeah, I'm not sure, I've really got to think about this. Which one do you really want?

J: Well I would love to see Tom Brady killed on the field.

Me: Ok, well, what are you going to do for me?

It went on like this for a little while. D and I had already decided to take the Patriots game, but I enjoyed tormenting my brother, as is customary.

So I'm sure this weekend there may be some "discussion" related to the games, perhaps bribery may be involved. All I know is that I will continue to get my money in early and often, because tormenting my brother is hilarious.

Displaced, Part 1

Because I have a feeling there will be more on this topic...

There's this thing about being from Pittsburgh that makes you really proud of where you're from and really annoys other people when you infiltrate their perimeter. I'm not sure why it is, but most of the people I know who are born and raised in Pittsburgh, tend to be more nostalgic about where they are from and are either happy to stay where they have roots or very eager to get back. Not everyone, mind you, but many. And maybe that depends on where else you go and the demeanor of most people in your new town.

I'm not exactly thrilled to be living in Massachusetts. The weather is fickle and the winter's general stink (ok, so this year when dodged snowmageddon, but you just wait, I'll probably be reporting ice and snow in April). My family is pretty far away--serious planning is necessary to visit, rather than deciding on a Friday evening that I was going to see my parents that weekend when I lived in Central PA. But the worst part for me is that by and large, the people up here suck.

Ok, I'll admit, there are exceptions (and that is why I am friends with you), but generally speaking they suck. For reals. Now, it's definitely worse in Boston (where I work) than in Central Mass (where I live), but it really bothers me that people have such a disregard for other people around here. There is very much a "me-first" and mind over matter attitude (as in, I don't mind and you don't matter) with many people in this area. For example, today I was walking to work and a woman who had been behind me sped up, was walking next to me, and then passed me. So, you want to walk in front of me. Ok, no bigs. But then she cut in front of me and slowed down so that I tripped on her heels. Really? You are walking on a wide sidewalk. Is it really necessary to walk like you drive? And there was no apparent reason for it either. I hadn't passed her earlier and cut her off. No one was suddenly coming towards us and would have knocked her down had she not moved in front of me. She just wanted to be first. ??? WTH is wrong with people? And this is pretty typical behavior on a walk to work.

I work in a department with quite a few imports from all over the country. One of my close friends and coworkers is also from a Mid-Atlantic state and has commented on the same thing--that people in and around Boston are nothing like the people where we grew up. We both grew up saying hi to someone you passed on the sidewalk, even if you didn't know them. It might sound a little Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, but did the majority of Bostonians grow up without manners? It's not all about you, people!

Maybe it's because it's been raining for 2 days and yesterday we lost power before I left for work. Or maybe it's because some jerk woke me up on the train this morning and I have on my crankypants. But more likely, people in this area of the country are just asshats. Regardless, Boston, this one's for you:

(PS: Yes, I am disappointed at not being able to find an appropriate LOLcat. Thank you for noticing. And for that, I shall reward you):

(PPS: Yes, I know it's not a cat. So what? Please see yesterday's post regarding who does the judging. That also applied to who makes the rules around here.)