In the small white car there was a Basotho hat, and a big green bag. And boxes full of photos showing many things and people. There were dishes and toys, a hairbrush and clothes. And a woman singing, as she drove away in the car.

Goodbye Pittsburgh. Good bye buildings in the Pittsburgh skyline.

Goodbye Steelers, goodbye Pens.

Goodbye Strip and goodbye Phipps.

Goodbye old barn selling tobacco, goodbye Schenley soccer practice.

Goodbye bratty kitty, goodbye near-Western city.

I’m proud of myself for driving pretty well. I left Pittsburgh at 1pm… and reached my destination at 9pm. That was partially due to a detour into Harrisburg in search of Starbucks. Harrisburg was uncomfortable for me. It felt like a ghost town, and there were signs of a strong, far right, Christian community. 9pm arrival was also partially due to the difficulty navigating new highways and roads, poorly lit, after dark… but I made it. And the half hour inching towards the tolls, but anyways…

I’d like to post a complain to the state of New Jersey, though. I was looking forward to my welcome sign. Don’t all states have “Welcome to [our state]!” signs when you cross the border?? All I got was a “Last Pennsylvania Exit!”

I spent most of the drive singing. Didn’t do any serious thinking. Did a lot of silly thinking and enjoying the view of the mountains. Remembering my favorite things to look for when I would drive into Pittsburgh from Baltimore, months ago.

I feel like there’s some intrinsic difference to Eastern State highways, but I can’t put my finger on what it is, and may just be imagining it.

I’m dead tired – this post might reflect it. Off to bed, methinks…

I’m finding it much easier to sleep deeply when I have to get up at 8AM every morning! On Monday night I could barely sleep because I was so excited to be teaching the next morning… but every night since then, I’ve been sleeping deeply. Next week is as busy, but the mornings aren’t as early; hopefully I’ll still sleep well. I’d make myself get up at 8AM, but it doesn’t really have the same impact if I don’t have somewhere pressing to be in the morning.

I’m really loving volunteer-teaching for the botanic gardens. I’m also making some good contacts, so we’ll see if that leads to something.

Pittsburgh is enjoying an unexpected bout of Spring; temperatures reached 58 today. Jasper is enjoying the open windows as much as we are:

Checking out the scenery

Enjoying the view...

He is undeterred by the windows that are only slightly open:

Squeezed cat...

After teaching this morning, I spent an hour or two baking hamentashen – Purim cookies – and I did take pictures – but I’ll save that for another post.

*wakes up* “The sun is out! Oh, I should go outside today. I could go running. Or if nothing else, open my windows!”

*checks Weather.com*

“9 degrees….”

*sighs* “Oh well, at least I can open the blinds and get some sun.”

Every town has a story

I wrote not long ago that Carrick just seemed to never get off the ground. I found out today that was a misstatement. Carrick (I think- South Side was, and Carrick is right next to South Side…I should double check this.) was originally the Borough of Birmingham- home to many of Pittsburgh’s iron and glass factories. From the 1844 Pittsburgh and Alleghany Directory:

The Borough of Birmingham is a flourishing town, situated just in sight, within a mile of Pittsburgh, on the opposite side of the Monongahela River, and an excellent steam ferry boat plies constantly between our city and our flourishing manufacturing town so well named.

Granted the writer is obviously a bit biased Early hypothesis is that Carrick never survived Pittsburgh’s fall from the glass capital of the United States in the 1950’s. But there’s much more research to do before I know. It was awesome to look at a map from 1851 and find streets I pass every day.

Getting hands on with materials

I’ve always admired John’s knowledge of materials. Others’, too. I simply don’t have the experience to think of what materials can do what, become what. But today I found that I’m not as totally lacking as I once thought- I’ve been learning- and I’m continuing to learn. One thing I learnt during MEP is what to do when someone presents you with tasks that you have no idea what to do with. First, you stay quiet while they explain what they want. Then later you break the task down into its practical, necessary steps (this also clarifies what questions you need to ask). And suddenly it’s not impossible anymore, suddenly you even own it. That’s how I felt when asked to comment, and present my own ideas, on what to do with exhibit space that’s being renovated. I’m coming in at the end of the project, so I don’t have most of the background knowledge the others do; I’m not familiar with the exhibits, with what’s been there in the past, with what changes are being made for the future. But it came together in my head… I presented some ideas to one of the project coordinators and she liked it, gave me the go ahead to research ordering materials, etc. I’m especially excited because this means I’ll have off-computer work to do soon.

Fun on a weekday night

After work I met two girls I’ve been friendly with for dinner. I wasn’t sure what to expect because they can both be pretty quiet. But I had a great time. We met up at 6:15… after dinner they convinced me to walk to the bank because I had a check to deposit. I’ve NEVER seen a bank ATM do things like the ones in Pittsburgh. It sounds silly but we had too much fun about it, walking and talking. We started walking back to the car when we did an about-face for ice cream…. I didn’t leave for home til 9:15.

It’s now 10:30, and tomorrow is an early day at work, so I’m off to bed.