#299

Life:

• I finally got around to ordering my messenger bag; I went with the yellow and white one. The bike shop ended up gifting it to me. I was really touched and surprised. They also threw in a blinky light to clip to it for riding at night. I think I am now officially a cyclist, hahaha!
• I went on an inaugural ride with the bike and a friend. Somehow going at dusk through traffic to a bike where we rode the trails deep down into the valley to drink some beer seemed like the best idea. It was terrifying and a lot of fun! I think I shall do it again.
• I also think the bike ride may be why my left leg currently looks like this:
• They really mean it when they say NO PARKING. I got my car towed. I got my car back. It was fun but nothing I would like to repeat any time soon.
• Yesterday, Sniper and I took off to run around the city in celebration of her 25th birthday. We painted pottery and visited the Phipps. We saw the Agave plant that only blooms once in a 100 years then dies. It looked just like a plant.
  
• For the first time in 10 years when given the opportunity to plan the family vacation, I passed. I gave my mom the names of some websites and turned it over to her. I had absolutely no desire to plan the relaxing dream week for everyone else. I think we're going to Charleston, SC and we may be getting a condo or house. But I'm not really sure. I'll just show up with a bathing suit and it'll be just fine.
• Ohhh and I'm kinda seeing someone. It's new and fun! and we'll just see where it goes.
  

#298

I got a bike!!

That's right, a bike. It's super cute and blue! That's about all I know about it other than it has a Panasonic frame. My friend built it for me and then surprised me at work with it. Some dude I had only met once bought me some really nice tires for it. And then I was gifted a helmet and a lock. Its all pretty sweet!! Makes me smile uncontrollably really.

There's only one problem. They all expect me to ride it except the thought of riding in Pittsburgh traffic with Pittsburgh hills seems terrifying. I need some Michigan terrain, all flat and not cobblestones.

#297

Ok, so this town is entirely too small. I run into people I know all the time. It doesn't matter what neighborhood I'm in, I can find someone. And usually it really bugs me.

I mean, back in MI I can go weeks, months without running into someone I know in public. Sometimes I feel like I know absolutely no one in my hometown. So it really confuses me here, in a city of millions, I keep bumping into the same people.

But tonight for some reason, even in my bad, funky mood, seeing someone I knew made me feel a little bit better. It reaffirmed my love for this crazy, upside down town. A weird city that has captured my heart and refuses to let go. I can't quite put into words why I feel so connected here. I just know I'm not ready to move on from PGH just quite yet. Anyway, it made me feel just a little bit better and it's what I needed.

#296

I wavered back and forth about posting this and then I thought screw it. If I can't be grumpy on my own blog than where can I be?

I want all of my best friends living in the same city. I want a job I like. I want to do things on my own time frame. I don't want critiques from others. I want people to back off. I want others to step up. I want an apartment with long, flowy curtains. I want my car back. I want to cook again. I want people to stop wondering. I don't run through guys like that, I just don't. I want to stop second guessing my own feelings. I want to jump in rain puddles and blow bubbles. I don't want to be frustrated anymore. I want to be by myself and surrounded by others all in the same instant. I just want out for a little bit.

I love the word just.

#295

I need some opinions peeps. I want to get a messenger bag but I can't decide what color. I had narrowed it down to the deep blue/yellow one but then they came out with other colors. So which one?
PS They don't seem to fit in the frame. They did when I looked at the preview. I'm too tired to mess around with it but you guys get the picture (HARHARHAR!)

#294

So I'm officially 24. I was sorta kinda freaking out about it in the days leading up to my birthday but then I was told that I have 6 more years until I'm old. I'm going to take that and run with it.

My day was pretty fabulous and full of fun. My parents took me to Pamela's for breakfast and then we stopped by the Top Chef tour where we saw Eli and Richard Blais. They are very short. I took my parents on a tour of the city and showed them the new neighborhoods I'm considering moving to in August. My mom promptly freaked out and said no. We fought a bit over it, I drank some wine, we've agreed to keep discussing it. Dinner was at Church Brew Works. I had steak, it was yummy.

My night then took me to a bar to watch the Pens game and I'm ashamed to admit I cheered them on. But I should state that I never cheered for Crosby. Next we went to Lawrenceville: Art All Night which was really, really cool. It was a huge warehouse filled with people and art and musicians and oddly enough pirates. I wished we could have spent more time there but we ended up moving to Belvedere's where they were having roller skating. And that is how I ended up roller skating in a bar on my 24th birthday. It was an adventure for sure but loads and loads of fun!

#293

Modcloth hates me. First, they sell out of every dress I want. And now that it is too late, they are cranking out super cute dresses like these:


I think I would live in cute sundresses if the world would allow me.

#292

I had an appointment with the eye doctor today. I bonded with the receptionist, Ginger. I think we're like best friends now. She helped me pick out my new glasses. I'd post the pictures I have of me wearing them but I'm making stupid faces in all of them.

But before I could get to my new glasses, they had to get approval from my insurance and it wasn't working. I had to call my mom to get my dad's SSN and she ended up giving me 2 possibilities. None of those were working either. And then it hit me, my life has been a lie. My family must be in the witness protection program and no one ever told me. Or we're royalty banished from our rightful home. God, it all makes perfect sense. But then Ginger broke my dream bubble and informed me that the insurance company had simply for some odd reason shortened my dad's name to Berna. I could have been a princess, I tell you.

I figured out how I am going to convince my parents that moving to Bloomfield or Lawrenceville is a good idea. They have Catholic Churches. No way will my parents have any issues now. Sure, I stopped going to church years ago and I don't really follow any Catholic rules anymore. That doesn't matter because with a church in my neighborhood there would be a slight, slight, slight increase in the odd chance that I may wonder into a church. Huzzah! WIN!

I've also decided I should get a handyman special apartment. And then I could paint walls and like nail stuff. I'd be awesome at it. And when you all come to visit, you could leave your mark. Think about how cool it would be, come on now, you know it would be.

#291

Life can be so ironic and cruel. Throwing the exact same situation in your face over and over again but with different people and different roles. I get it! You can stop now.

Anyway, today I wandered around Pittsburgh by myself. In all the time I've lived here, it was a first for me. I made my way to Lawrenceville for their Blossom tour. I didn't stop at all of the shops and I didn't take seeds from all of my stops. I did, however, find birthday presents for a few people who may have birthdays coming up. It was a very cool afternoon even if it was like 40 degrees out and I didn't bring gloves.

But as I wandered over Lawrenceville, I realized I really, really want to move there or Bloomfield. These neighborhoods aren't as pretty as Squirrel Hill and probably aren't as safe, not that they are super dangerous. They just aren't as family orientated. I just can't stand Squirrel Hill anymore. I feel restless and bored here. Nothing is new, nothing is exciting, nothing is inspirational. I want out.

#290

What do you do when you find out your new favorite donut place is owned by someone who's views are drastically different than yours? I don't mind that he has different views than me. The world would be so boring if we all felt the same way about everything. But I find that I'm having a big problem giving money to this business that is supposed to be about peace and love yet thinks "gays and lesbians as an immoral minority." It seems to be a big, huge contradiction. One that really, really bugs me. So event though the donuts were tasty, I don't think I could go back anytime soon.

I'm sitting in a cafe right now. It is their birthday and they are offering cappuccinos for only $.61. I haven't had a real one in a really long time. I forgot how could they can be with their frothiness. I may have to get another and then one to take with me when I leave. Also people watching is the single greatest free pastime ever. People are sooo funny.

I need to get some new headphones. I can hear that mine are about to die. They've lasted a year with is uber long for a pair of my headphones. I used to kill them within weeks. And while I will probably just buy another pair of earbuds from Target, I kind of really want to get a pair like these. They are so impractical and I would probably only use them a few times.

I discovered my mom may send me to Panama for Easter next year. Panama City, Florida not Panama City, Panama. I first assumed the country and was bewildered, certain I would die from a tropical disease but at least I would get to see the canal. I don't know how I feel about this. It probably wont happen. But just so you know, plane tickets from Pittsburgh to Panama City, Panama start at $377. That seems really cheap. It also appears to take all day to get there.

The 4th dress I picked out for my birthday is sold out. I give up and am just going to wear something in my closet. It seems like the most responsible decision and isn't that what growing up is all about.

I'm a bit late to the game but I watched the first episode of the new Doctor Who last night. I don't know what to think. I liked parts. I was bored during others. I spent most of my time screaming at the computer because I knew what he had to do and he was taking too long. I wished he would have kept young Amelia. I liked her a lot better.

Oh and with Toi's encouragement, I cut up a pair of jeans and made some shorts. So far I feel like it was the right decision and I am loving them.

#289

Why hello there! How are you today? I'm doing alright.

I spent Easter working and then I went to Easter dinner at some friends. I drank mimosas out of a purple cup shaped like a bunny's head. It had a bendy straw. It was delightful. Another highlight was a home cooked meal prepared by someone who was not me. It was delicious and while I did enjoy the vegan mashed potatoes, real ones are still king. I also realized how much I miss playing Spoons.

I've learned how to say no. Well, kinda. This guy who was at Easter dinner showed up at work today and asked me out. I almost said yes because it seemed easier. He suggested fishing and then I got really intrigued. But I held my ground and told him I was sorta seeing someone (LIE, all LIE, I'm as single as they come). So while I'm not going out on a date with him, I still couldn't bring myself to tell him flat out no. I'm working on being more assertive. I promise.

Alright, that is all I can think of which is weird because I swear I had something else to write about it but nope.

Love,

Moi

P.S. (ETA) I remembered!!! I have a cold. I would really like to breath out of both of my nostrils. Though I do really like being able to swallow without sharp pains attacking. Also, the heat wave has me sleeping with my windows open. DEAR GOD THE DAMN BIRDS ARE SOOOO LOUD. I HATE THEM. DIE BIRDS DIE!!!!

#288

Today was a day of breakthroughs.

First, I wore shorts. I don't normally wear shorts. In fact, at the end of last summer, I bought my first pair of shorts in years. I may have blinded people with my white, white skin today but it felt good.

Second, I watched Up! Now, I got the DVD for Christmas but I haven't been able to watch it until today. I saw the movie in theaters with Toi and absolutely loved it. However, the movie, especially the first 15 minutes, makes me feel all saddddddddd and a tiny, teeny bit alone.

Third, this didn't really happen today. Nor is it really a breakthrough but it made me really, really happy. I was able to order an Oberon! And it was tasty!

#287

I want to get a dress to wear for my birthday. The only problem is every dress I like is out of stock. I find one I like and then poof! it's gone. I should probably just wear the one I bought for last year and never wore. That would be the responsible thing to do. But I can't help myself, I really want a new one.

#286

It's been a while, whoops. I kept composing entries in my head but no one else can read those so this entry is dedicated to Toi!

It has now been 4 days since I started this post so I think I'm just going to write whatever comes to my mind.

• Pomme came to visit! It was awesome! I made her take the bus with me all over. We explored bridges and found a cemetery in the middle of the skyscrapers. We ate here and here and here. Yummmmmm!!! We also visited the Andy Warhol Museum. My favorite room was the 'Silver Clouds.'
• I met a member of Huey Lewis and the News. We had a drink together.
• Everyone lately has been asking me about my plans for the future and what I want to do with my life. And guess what? I have no clue. I don't know. I'm working on it.
• I went on two dates last week with two different guys. It was interesting. They were fun and I had a good time. But I just didn't feel that spark, you know? I, again, don't know. I want to feel that spark. And then I just feel bad. In fact, I saw one of the guys at the grocery store and I fled to the back of the store until he left. I'm a coward.
• Passover started last night so for the last week, work has been insane. I hate it. LOATHE IT. I'm trying to be nice about it but I can't. Not being able to eat carbs really makes people go insanely bitchy.
• My printer and I are currently engaged in a battle. I keep losing but I'm refusing to give up. I think I could win if I just keep trying.
• I went home for my cousin's wedding. I learned that my family thinks I'm an alcoholic or at the very least, a lush. Sweeeeeeeet. I really don't think it's my fault that the only time I appear in the wedding photos, I'm at the bar. It's totally the photographer's fault.

#285

Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do. You might really, really, really wish things would work out differently. That you could get everything you wanted. But life isn't like that.

So you end up having to do what's best for now and that is just the way it works out.

Right?

#284

I totally meant to update earlier. I've just been feeling really run down and tired. I think the winter blahs are totally in full force. I had to give up one of my days off this week. Next week looks just as crazy.

I dealt with Valentine's Day by going on a mini online shopping spree. I got some new shirts but I'm most excited about my new pair of Doc Martens. They arrived this week and are sooooo comfy. I feel like I should get some flannel, holey jeans or baby doll dress and rock out my inner early 90's chick.

I tried some homemade amaretto the other weekend. I think my uncle called it stump something. I can't quite remember. Whatever it was called, it was delicious.

I want a jeep.

#283

What is worse than being asked if you have a Valentine?

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Being asked why you don't have one?

#282

The stamp last night at 80's night read 'You Are Beautiful.' For some reason, it really tickled me.

#281

It is currently snowing outside my window. The thick, slushy, wet kind of snow. It is supposed to fall all night for a grand total of 2 to 5 inches. And thus the terror starts all over again.

The friendliness that comes from surviving snOMG '10 is very quickly vanishing. The citizens of Pittsburgh are getting very possessive over their parking spaces. Their parking spaces on public streets. They expect no one to park in their spaces while they leave them vacant to drive around the city. Pittsburghers don't quite understand the concept of public property.

They keep looking at me with looks of disbelief when I say this amount of snow is normal for winter or I don't think that it is the end of the world if we get 2 more inches of snow. They are all wacky. It just doesn't seem real anymore.

#280

Music I can't get enough of lately: