Mel

{get aht} Powered by Grayskull: Toonseum’s new gallery

This Saturday was the ribbon cutting ceremony and opening of the new gallery in downtown’s Toonseum. Special guest and legend and Pittsburgher — and namesake of the new gallery — Lou Scheimer was in attendance. So was She-ra, naturally (and totally random that I met the woman-behind-the-sword the night before at our local bar). Bill Peduto also acknowledged, with proclamation, November...

Mel

{stalking} my new neighborhood

I am officially obsessed with this part of the city. Stalker proud. Snapping dirty photos of you when you're not looking. Cheese! *click* {open to read and see more}

Mel

Bricolage: Midnight Radio Shenanigans

In the time it took me to draft this post last week, the last performances of Midnight Radio sold out. Good things for Bricolage; bad for you because you missed yet another amazing episode (not to mention, a pretty swanky speakeasy atmosphere). {OPEN TO READ MORE!}

Mel

I didn’t go to broadcasting school to be on the radio.

UPDATE: Winner has been selected and notified. Thanks again to Bricolage for the giveaway -- and for their invitation to see the show. Cheers! Did you know that I went (and subsequently dropped out of) broadcasting school? As with many things in my life, I realized that path was not for me -- but not after dishing out, in this case, a few hundred dollars for the experience. While the thought of being behind-the-scenes of both television and radio production is geek-tastic, that opportunity was squandered because of the overwhelming effects of my social anxiety directly tied to being ON camera or ON the air. Yet, that's always where the teachers (and students) seemed to want me. {keep reading for more... and a GIVEAWAY!}

Mel

Random Summer Photos (of my body parts)

Brief summary of my whereabouts this summer… At the end of June, I went to the Philly area for ECDX: Random. Then, we visited friends at Tappan Lake (in Ohio) during the Fourth of July weekend: It rained a little. Then DOWNPOURED and thundered a lot (thankfully, we got off the pontoon in time). But the remainder of the day was gorgeous after the storms passed. I also had one MAJOR thigh bruise to...

Mel

What this weekend needs is more Missy Elliott.

Can I commiserate with the sentiment that this summer is going WAY TOO FAST?! I'm pretty sure we're booked through the end of August; myself, with a variety of events and requisite derby activities... especially now that I've added Monday nights to my practice schedule. {oh, but there's MORE!}

Mel

“Mel has MRSA in her butt!”

If only you were there...

Mel

In Pittsburgh, the weekend matters. Especially if you have visitors.

AB’s parents came into town for the weekend. It was fun to play host and show them our “new” city… especially now that we know our way fairly well around Pittsburgh. Friday, we celebrated my (belated) birthday dinner at Eleven. As always, the meal was AMAZING (plus my entree was free, courtesy of their awesome birthday meal program… but I made up for it in appetizers and...

Mel

Are you a Hunter or a Gatherer?

Me? I'm a gatherer. Most importantly, the boyfriend is also a gatherer. Thankfully, I am not an ultra-gatherer because that description had VERY little to do with my personality. But I'm sure my result had everything to do with the "what would you do if you saw a giant, hairy spider" question of the test (otherwise, I think I would have scored a little higher in my category). But what does it all mean?! Last night Pittsburgh bloggers were offered the opportunity to check out a special preview for Bricolage's Hunter Gatherers performance.

Mel

The boyfriend is both complementary and complimentary. And hot.

For all the times I’m PMS-y or those disheartening moments that I feel completely disconnected, there’s one weekend that completely reinvigorates a relationship that has seemingly fell into weeks of work stress and sexless nights. And that was this past weekend (the reinvigorating part, not the… never mind). Also: OMG, the two-year “slump” is almost here! *eye roll* I loved...

Mel

Social Media Saturday Haps

Seeing that I had a drafted post from LAST month about Social Media Saturday (which just happened again yesterday) — totally unacceptable — I’m using it for today’s Sunday post. Ahhh, my first adventure in Robinson. I missed the (376) Parkway entrance three times. THREE FREAKING TIMES. Each time I’d see the sign, I would miss the turn or the lane… so freaking...

Mel

First! I’m having a lot of ‘em in this city.

First things first, enter my November giveaway for a $75 gift certificate towards your purchase at one of the awesome sites within CSN Stores. This post AKA: football and ridiculous shoe choices. A couple of weeks ago, we participated in our first Steelers tailgate since the move. I only go for the party. And to laugh and roll my eyes at girls who wear leggings-are-not-pants and five-inch heels to a...

Mel

Return to Cleveland: for craft beer

During our visit home this past weekend, we took part in the closing ceremony of Cleveland Beer Week: BREWzilla. While I would have liked to take part in the smaller, more intimate events scheduled, this party is still a great way to celebrate a birthday with 80+ of your closet brewery friends (ahem, AB’s). Having high expectations from last year’s debut event — which I wrote about...

Mel

And Friday, I’m in love with this city.

I think waking up in the middle of the night, pushing myself out of bed while pulling my shoulder out of its socket made my current roller derby decision for me. My shoulder is officially effed up (or “edged” as my WordPress app wants me to auto-correct). Moving on… This city loves its Friday Happy Hour as much as its fireworks. And you won’t hear me complain (unless it comes to any...

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

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

Jesus Juice and Cocoa Butter

I do not drink the juice. Unless it is whipped cream vodka. Holy crap, that stuff is good. Too bad it’s a shitty brand because I would have loved more than one drink. Where to begin. Weekend weirdness. To say I was accosted by bible thumpers in Public Square between the bar and home on a Friday night is a gross overstatement, but for serious… This guy — thinking he was an everyday...

Mel

Missed Connections

Today was a great day to ride a bike (downtown to West 25th), seek out a patio (ABC Tavern) to enjoy a beer (Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale), go home and make foods (I made guacamole; AB made enchiladas). Before I move on, why don’t places open until after 4pm on Sundays? Somebody asplain, please. Thank you. And what a beautiful day to have my iMel crap out on me and realize that merely syncing the...

Mel

Oh, another birthday.

3 is the number of personal completeness. I’ve got some of that times two now, or doubled down, err… mirrored. Duplicated! Yes, duplicated. Mother’s Day this year also marks my 33rd birthday. I don’t know if I feel OLD so much as I feel tired. And mostly of bullshit. Can 33 turn you into a bitch? Because I’ve mostly been emotional (read: crying) the last couple weeks, and...