*blue balls not included.
Do you have favorite road trip foods? Mine have always been Nilla Wafers and 50/50. But since I’m becoming a LOT more annoying conscious about what I put into my body… well, frankly, both of those things SUCK. Also, why the hell can’t I find REAL ginger ale?! I did find some moderately healthy ginger cookies (which have an ingredient list that I can read and understand), but how do I... 
the week:
This week has been filled with highs… and unfortunately, some lows. But through the smiles and tears (and uncomfortable talks), I discover my strengths and faults. With that realization, I need to make some changes in various parts of my life to achieve my goals. And I know this paragraph is worse than your old college friend VagueBooking, but there are some things that I’m just not... 
I tried to get tickets to Bill Maher for the boyfriend for our anniversary, but I was seemingly the LAST LIBERAL IN PITTSBURGH to hear about him coming to town. It was sold out.
Then, at happy hour dinner on Friday (at Las Velas, naturally), we were trying to figure out our plan of action for the evening. I saw a tweet about the Power game, but couldn’t remember why it wasn’t on my calendar... 
the week:
We have patio furniture!
Do you know how tedious this type of adventure is? Most patio furniture sucks — and is super uncomfortable. And when you find something you kind of like, what the hell, is it expensive. But since I’ve moved my work outdoors for the season (or at least, temporarily, says Local Weather Guy) and my doctor says I need some Vitamin D, I need places to sit and get... 
the week:
We “officially” got into our community garden plot since returning from vacation and talked to the old owner about what’s already planted — and it comes pre-planted with a lot of useful items: asparagus, rhubarb, lots of berries and greens, among others. Oh, and some herbs! Rhubarb is already good for us to pull too, which I’m looking forward to using (mmmmm, rhubarb... 
As much as I want to enjoy a stress-free vacation, I’m already stressing out about HOW WILL I RELAX?! I swear that every trip shaves another year off my life. Also, I realized that my Xanax prescription is from 2002. That translates to: INEFFECTIVE. Looks like I’ll be making a traveling care package of varied mini bottles…
SCRATCH THAT! Easy-peasy call to the doctor, and I have one... 
And my wine with my vodka. But not really, because I’M OLD AND CANNOT HANDLE THE HANGOVERS. Ahem.
the week: Valentine’s Day was this week… you know, that holiday that I poo-poo’d. We kept on the tradition I started last year of having fondue (celebrated on Sunday, since Tuesday was a practice night for me). It was delicious. And reaffirms all I need is him and cheese and bread and... 
the week: all three of my cats had vet appointments. I had my annual vag tune-up. Everything is furry, tested and in working condition. WAAAAAAIIIIIIITTTT A MINUTE…
I had a Friend Date for Billy Elliot this week, which started with drinks at Andy’s and dinner at Habitat (I give good date). The musical, I adored. Oh how I laughed and squeed! For most of the production, I was high in my seat with... 
the week: oh, that pesky Phil saw his shadow, which means SIX MORE WEEKS of this awesome winter weather. Glass half full, guys.
It’s Friday, so here’s a cute cat picture:
Curious, this one, about EVERYTHING.
Like I am about 30 WAYS & DAYS OF MAC N’ CHEESE. Every time I think there isn’t a God…
weekend: duh, derby! Come to the Sweetheart Valentine’s Bout & Open... 
the week: do you know what it’s like to exercise for 3.5 hours straight? How about that length of time for continuous play of roller derby? I can already tell that my endurance is improving — one of my goals for the season. But if you see me limping around like an old lady, showing off arms-full of bruises, YOU KNOW WHY.
*sigh* And I love every minute of it.
Underwear Afternoons?
Have you heard... 
Chachi Plays is back for Year Two!
And the money raised by this year’s 24-hour video game playing marathon will benefit two local causes: Toonseum, to start an art program for at-risk youth; and the Father Ryan Art Center in McKees Rocks.
Chachi Plays for Kids will be also be held at the Toonseum (7pm-7pm, Friday, February 10 to Saturday, February 11) in downtown Pittsburgh. The full gaming schedule... 
the week: Toast! Kitchen & Wine Bar for Pittsburgh Restaurant Week with a group of friends. I strayed off the chef’s tasting menu, and selected my own four courses. And everything was delicious — especially the beef tongue chili and CARROT CAKE BREAD PUDDING. Where did you enjoy a local meal this week?
Speaking of pudding, KEN RICE PUDDING… I haven’t stopped laughing all... 
Oh, HAI 2012! Hopefully you continue to bring good things to my life and none of that bullshit. Here's part two of my year-in-a-review recap thing-a-ma-jig. {click title to read the whole thing, silly} 
Oh my, 2011, you were EXCITING. Not as exciting as braces, of course... OH WAIT, I still have THAT to look forward to next year?! *hip-hip-hooray* {open to experience the best of 2011, month-by-month} 
Ho-Ho-Ho!
Oh, so now it’s the last minute and essentially you’re fucked. But I’m going to share this gift guide with you anyway. So… CONGRATS! You survived long enough to not get dumped before Christmas. I mean, no man is that much of a dick he’d dump you the day before a holiday and after all the gifts are purchased, right?
RIGHT?!
Men’s gifts come in three easy... 
My first year anniversary of living in Pittsburgh was Labor Day weekend (and here we are already approaching Christmas… I need to check my drafts for lingering content more often). November also marked the EIGHTH year that I’ve been blogging (which I apparently love missing out on blog anniversaries too). EIGHT. YEARS. I won’t even attempt to talk about the changes in my life since I... 
Two years ago, I posted a Mel's 12 Days of Christmas Gifts Guide for your Lady Friends that STILL gets a ton of hits this time of year.
But that was Cleveland; now, this is Pittsburgh. Shit just got real, didn't it? {open for a girly gift guide gathering of good tidings} 
This blog is about pursuit: a transplanted Clevelander (me) in a new city (that's you, Pittsburgh!), pursuing the role of a self-employed copywriter, becoming a roller derby badass and somehow merging all my to-do items into one ever-growing Bucket List.
And of MY boyfriend. His blue balls started this mess.
