Wanting to wake up in wine country ready to get to some serious tasting, me and the almost-husband (AH) decided to head down to the Laurel Highlands after work on Friday. With our reservation confirmed at the gloriously historic Summit Inn Resort and armed with the news that the dining room closed at 9pm, we planned to hit the road by 7. This gave me enough time to properly pack. For a weekend devoted to wine tasting I reasoned I really only needed five things: sundresses, sunglasses, sunhat, and sunscreen. Oh, and a swimsuit for the indoor and outdoor pools and jacuzzi at the Summit. Fortunately, I decided to throw in some jeans and a sweater at the last minute because sadly the weather did not cooperate with my packing plan. Leaving by 7 allowed me to attend my Friday workout class to prepare for a weekend devoted mostly to eating and drinking.
Yearly Archives: 2009
Get out of town!
I prefer the dry whites
As with many Pittsburghers, I fled the city for the weekend in the hopes that when I returned I would find the city free of riot police and jersey barriers and navel-gazing news coverage. I may not have much trouble crossing a river to get to another neighborhood but I do rarely make it beyond the City Limits. I need to be reminded of the rich amenities and recreation just beyond. So how about a trip through wine country? And no, I did not fly to Napa or visit the Finger Lakes region. This weekend I was tipsily traipsing through the Southwest Passage Wine Trail and blissing out in one of Western PA’s greatest assets, the Laurel Highlands. The region (through the PA Winery Association) is working on highlighting the wineries as a great asset to grow the tourism industry and as part of that initiative invited IheartPgh to visit, all expenses paid! Interested in purchasing wine for my upcoming nuptials I quickly signed on to report from the grape-soaked trenches.
Here is a link to the Google map I made of the wineries and restaurants I visited, which I’ll be writing about throughout the week!
View Southwest Passage Wine Trail in a larger map
Which Hoops and How High????
July, 2009 – About 4 months ago, my husband asked me to update his resume and cover letter. After being assured that he was not being laid off (ALLEGEDLY!) I agreed. NOTE: Remember in The Full Monty when Tom Wilkinson was laid off but he kept getting dressed and leaving for work as if nothing happened so he would not disappoint his wife? It could happen . . . you never know.
Anyhoo, I said, “Sure, I’d be happy to do that.” After all, it was just the busiest time of year at my job AND 15 years since I wrote his first and only resume for the first and only job he has ever had post college. I also have no earthly idea what he actually DOES all day except ignore the well worded, and might I say, HILARIOUS emails write to him during the day. I mean I know what his degree is in and I know what his job title is but beyond that – actually, I most likely just said ”OK, I’ll be off of crack, I mean, Facebook in a second.”
I’m starting on that resume today.
UPDATE: This part of the story was written about 2 months ago when we decided to move back to Pittsburgh. About 2 days later, he was offered a job WITHOUT a resume or interview or job search. I don’t want to jinx it but if it all works out it will be perfect for moving home.
I, on the other hand, am right in the middle of all of trying to jump through all of the hoops necessary to even submit an application for a teaching job in PA. Don’t get me wrong – I think any and all screenings necessary for students to be safe are completely warranted in this day and age.
Add to that, the question of when to send an application for next school year – is it too late? too early? Will they really keep it on file for a year or will it get lost among the zillions of apps they get every month?? How do I even choose the right districts when I haven’t lived there in so long??
It all just makes me anxious to know that there is only so much I can do while still living in exile. Maybe I’ll check out some updates on Facebook to relax for a minute . . .
SUNDAE MARKET – October 4
SUNDAY OCT 4TH, 2009 – SUNDAE MARKET
Sundae market is a flea market on the Schenley Plaza lawn that showcases local artists, young designers, and people who just cleaned out their garage. So forget Craigslist, and stop bidding on eBay, come to Schenley Plaza and have some human interaction with sellers, or customers.
Spaces are FREE if you bring your own tables, or tables are available for
rent. visit the website for more info: http://sundaemarket.com
Everything kicks off at 12pm and goes to 5pm.
Musical tunes provided by: OLIE 6.0 FM
Once again it will provide an opportunity for Pittsburgh’s creative to sell their work as well as a chance for patrons to update their art collections and closets with original pieces from vendors of this city’s extraordinary homegrown talent.
You can find Schenley Plaza at 4000 Forbes Avenue
Continue reading
Hello Chicago! The Steeler Game from The Dark Horse
Last week we traveled to the windy city to meet up with the folks who are making a documentary about Steelers Fans at The Dark Horse Tap and Grille in Chicago.
I have to admit that I was a little nervous when I got of the plane and was walking through Midway airport wearing my Steelers t-shirt – it was not the usual sea of black and gold that you find at the Pittsburgh airport. I took the train from the airport to the Dark Horse and I was relieved to sit down across from a Steelers fan. These girls were headed to the game. She is not from Pittsburgh but she is a die hard fan and commented that she was nervous because she had changed her Steeler gear outfit from the week before.
Steelers Fan (and friend) on the train to soldier field
I arrived at the Dark Horse just in time to take the bus to the game – those who had tickets to go to the game had met at the Dark Horse earlier in the day for some pre-game festivities and then chartered their own party bus to head to Soldier Field.
Fans on the bus to the game
Then we made our way over to the Steel City Mafia/Iron City Beer Tailgate that was wrapping up – Bears and Steelers fans were peacefully coexisting in the parking lots.
Steeler's Tailgate Bus
Then it was back to the Dark Horse to watch the game. Interviewing some Steelers fans – everyone at the Dark Horse was dressed in black and gold, some are native Pittsburghers, others had attended school in Pittsburgh – one guy we talked to was a dancer who had attended Point Park – most had moved to Chicago for work. Continue reading