Mel

Skate (b)log: The Indecision

As much as I miss roller derby, I love my new life, where with its relaxation and NO PLANNED PLANS… and limbs without bruises. I enjoy spending time with the boyfriend at home, without having to miss saying “good night” because I’m not home until after 10 (and you all know, that boy is in REM sleep by 9) or missing dinner because I have practice (and I’m back to living on...

Mel

“Stop Being White Trash!”

That’s what the female counterpart yelled at her male companion while he walked at least ten steps ahead of her on Penn Ave. Likewise in anger, there was another old man all sincerely pissed off that he couldn’t find an unlocked entry door at Heinz Hall. Then there was a guy across the street from us arguing with someone passionately. Without knowing the back story, these people were MAD,...

Mel

PT: I dream of penis

I suppose I can think of worse places to lie my head: Crocheted Penis Pillow (ETSY, where the world of awesome handmade and perversion collide) {h/t Kel, I think}

Mel

Made to Order

I’m a sucker for a good burger — even more so if I can have the juiciest, bloodiest medium-rare burger. With cheese, of course. But those perfect hamburger dreams can quickly spoil upon receiving a sandwich that is blackened, char-grilled and cooked so dry that it is unpalatable. I don’t claim to be a cook (for seriously, ask my partner), but at least I know that a rare burger should have...

Mel

A small (one page) request.

It’s the weekend. HAPPY WEEKEND! Would you mind answering a few questions about my blog? Sit back, have some hot cocoa (hopefully you have extra flavored mini-marshmallows in that mug!) and curl up with the kitties. They’ll love you for it. *I* will love you for it. I promise, it’s only one page, ten simple questions that won’t take you long at all… unless, like, you...

Mel

Back to the beginning: What About Mel?

This blog has been many things: a dating and relationship blog; a travel blog (the world over); a cathartic piece of me on the internet to deal with my unnerving social anxiety, horrible breakups and various personal problems; an exposed diary; a fashion (help me) blog; a foodie blog; a roller derby training blog; a place to rip on my ex-boyfriends; and even a bit of a city guide. And hey, at one time,...

Mel

“Oh Em Gee — he’s going to propose!”

It seems to be a theme for friends, family and coworkers (and nebbies) to think that when you a) travel b) move in or c) move with your significant other that engagement rings are somehow immediately associated with said life event. Like, THAT’S THE DEAL, UNIVERSE — change of zip code and the nuptials will follow! While I like to think I finally set my friends and family straight that I am no...

Mel

PCPGH: What this event needs is more viral cat videos

Pittsburgh PodCamp (5!) was this past weekend. You can read my professional viewpoint of the event on my copywriting and social media blog. On this here piece of the Interweb, you get my opinions on the people. Because there were all kinds of cool cats in attendance — most of which are completely socially inept much like myself. Oh, how I love to fit in! And start 8,000 conversations that will never...

Mel

PT: Cooking up with Mel

I saw a Cock Soup packet at the Mexican grocer last week. TRUE STORY. I think that it has made its way around the Internets, so you can Google for a picture (or maybe you will not after reading this post). But seeing the potential for a seriously lip-smacking lunch, I daydreamed about penis-related recipes. Yes, I already own a penis-shaped cake pan. Then, found a set of recipes for Penis Stew. And life as...

Mel

After PodCamp Pittsburgh…

So many words to describe Pittsburgh PodCamp 5: informative, exciting, overwhelming, fun, tiring, engaging… There are more, I’m sure, but my brain is still a bit dead today from the two-day unconference. There were quite a few sessions that I was interested in, with several of those overlapping. Thankfully, all the live feeds will be edited and uploaded in a couple weeks, available for public...

Mel

Exploring Pittsburgh in my blue shoes!

I already had a friend who lives in Pittsburgh, prior to my moving here. I can’t tell you how nice it is having someone to recommend random places for services that I need or restaurants and bars in which to get drunk (classily, of course). Without being all strange-eyed, wondering why I’m asking if Pittsburgh has anything that resembles a penis. So, we had a little girls night on Tuesday. She...

Mel

Skate (b)log: Update

Some of you may be wondering what’s been going on with my roller derby life (and those who aren’t, well, piss off) since I used to blog about it ALL THE TIME. I made the difficult (and sad) decision to drop out of Burning River Fresh Meat program the week we were moving to Pittsburgh. Everything was completely overwhelming and more stressful than I imagined (or really could handle), so...

Mel

International Freelancers Day

What sessions will you be logging into? SEO Copywriting with Brian Clark is right up my alley, and I think I’ll sign in with Dan Poytner’s “So You Want to Write a Book” (because that’s only been on my lifelong bucket list for oh, the last...

Mel

PT: Iceballs?

I’m getting increasingly familiar with the Pittsburghese, even if mostly in jest. In my quest to find the most hilarious words, I was told of “iceballs.” Or, as we referred to as “Sno-cones” in Ohio. This, of course, provoked me to research ridiculous forms of iced desserts for Penis Tuesday that look, sound or taste (ew) perverse. Which is a LOT, considering that sucking on...

Mel

Boredom, beer and comparing the ‘Burgh to Cleveland.

I’m starting to bore working from home. There are so many reasons that I love it — mostly being able to work at my own pace and schedule — but before you know it, I’ve been in the building for three whole days, so that when I finally see people I introduce myself with “meowww!” and a scowl because all I’ve talked to is a cat and muttered incessantly at the laundry....

Mel

One week in Pittsburgh. The first of many.

Let’s start with food, shall we? First things first, I am in LOVE with the Pittsburgh Public Market (I’ve already been twice this week), and I am totally excited for its growth (and the eventual addition of East End Brewing to fill my Uni-growler). The vendors are great — and the herb guy even sells catnip. Love. The Strip is both a wonderful and annoying experience — much like my...

Mel

Settled & Back to Work

Boxes are unpacked, Rudy is back to his regular eating-and-sleeping habits, and we are well into our first week in our new home: Pittsburgh. It was certainly nice to take a week off before the move. Today, I’m fully back to working on a couple new Web copywriting projects and editing drafts for existing content, as well starting on a new social media account with fashion blogging in the mix. Bulk...

Mel

You’re the song I hate

It hasn’t been a particularly BAD week, just… annoying. In that way, like every place you walk you kick something or bump a hip into a doorknob or close a finger in a cupboard. Then, to top it off, you burn your forearm on the iron. Yeah, like that. So, I made a shit list of things I regularly hate and other things that made me roll my eyes this week because people were pissing me off (mostly...

Mel

This city water is awesome for my hair, but horrible in my mouth.

First things first: is it even SAFE to drink the city tap water? I don’t know about any funky amoebas or parasites that swim around these parts. If it’s only the rust belt taste I need to get used to, then we’re good. And fluoride is good for me, mmm-kay? In Phoenix, you can’t drink the tap water because it’s so hard (TWSS). It will seriously give you the worst cramping...

Mel

PT: If you’re friends with pee, then you’re friends with me.

Coming to you from a new location! It’s no coincidence that Pittsburgh and penis begin with the same letter. It’s all in my master plan, people. Today’s Penis Tuesday is brought to you by the letter “P.” So, while I got you here, I want to know: do you remember the first time you saw a penis? Obviously, for men, you have seen your penis since your eyes first opened and you...