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. Then when the boyfriend doesn’t want to do anything, I get all bitchy about being bored (like it’s somehow his fault he works in an office WITH PEOPLE). Thankfully, I’ve got a few upcoming opportunities brewing that will get me out, experiencing my new awesome city. And yes, making new friends who are not furry balls of cute who scratch my couch.

So, since I was beyond bored — and because I called my boyfriend an old man — we went out both Friday and Saturday night. While “bored” is probably not the best word to describe my emotion, I am new here and jealous that the boyfriend has seen a lot already, since he’s worked here for six months. I totally understand that he wants to stay home and relax, having traveled for so long… what I’m trying to say is that I need some friends.

Side note: I actually started my weekend a little earlier, with a beer lunch at Sharp Edge Bistro — which is practically across the street. Something we noticed on our happy hour adventure on Friday night downtown was the rare use of valet services. WHAT A CONCEPT: people come to the city for dinner, theater and what-not and are not catered to their suburban laziness! I have ALWAYS hated the idea of valet on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. ALWAYS. The street is cluttered with huge-ass garages and people are that inept at parking in them. ‘Burghers find street parking (which typically comes with $30 ticket) and garage space (of which, is a LOT fewer than what Cleveland has). Also? People dressed up (from the theater), waiting for the bus. When was the last time you saw that in Cleveland? While I’m sure at some degree it exists, I can honestly say in my lifetime, that I have seen that ZERO times. There are certain exceptions in Pittsburgh, of course, but nobody will be parking your hooptie, thankyouverymuch.

Is it strange that I am so fascinated by people in what many consider to be a like-sized and minded city to Cleveland? I’m not so sure that I agree with that comparison any more.

Regardless, we had an interesting experience checking out a rooftop happy hour (blech, smokers), a martini bar with an OK beer list and an amazing “lawyer bar” called Common Plea.

Saturday afternoon, I blocked out because I was extraordinarily bitchy from not eating for close to six hours while we did our grocery shopping and errands. Moving on…

Downtown was really crazy, when we decided to head off for a cab JUST AS THE THEATER WAS LETTING OUT on Saturday night. The cultural district was just… mobbed. And when we called for our “classy” cab, we were told 45-minute wait. No dice, when you need to be at an event, err, like, now. We ended up having to walk up to the Omni to use their cab stand because this city apparently has the same lack of cabs available, unless you are at a hotel.

Next up, I need to start figuring out the public transportation here. Yes, I already have a car, but using a cab ALL THE TIME will get old and expensive real quick.

My beer lunch during the week was for a purpose: to purchase tickets for the (sold out) Steel City Big Pour 4. The biggest beer event in town in our first week? I had to be there. My new buddy at Craft Pittsburgh helped make that happen.

SCBP4 took place at Construction Junction – don’t ask me the neighborhood, I think it was somewhere in South Homestead or Point Breeze or likewise bullshit, but it seemingly took forever to get there. The Junction is this awesome recycled or reusable building materials warehouse, the size of a Home Depot. They have EVERYTHING — including toilets in every color of porcelain. I need to go back for a tour (and find a vintage vanity mirror). For serious. The Big Pour event was a blast, and it was really amazing to see the amount of local brewers/crafters from around this area. Ah, yes, craft beer is alive and well in da ‘Burgh.

I likely need to start a Pittsburgh Bucket List. I’m looking forward to getting my happy hour on at the Milkshake Factory this Wednesday (impromptu Tweet-up, anyone?), a visit to a new restaurant open with a friend (and more of her Browns/Steelers fan ribbing) and Pittsburgh Podcamp 5 (super excited to meet some of my favorite local bloggers and tech peeps). I also met some great peeps at Downtown Lunch Club on Monday. We have a Downtown Resident Block Party on Saturday night (free food and drink: sweetness). It’s going to be another awesome week here.

I will not get bored.

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