Saturday, November 03, 2007
Tagged: A Weekend in Pittsburgh
Since Rhian (and hopefully Lisa) and Jennifer Estep and Colleen Gleason, Tilly Green, and Shane Gericke and everyone else I've forgotten (leave your name in the comments and I'll add you) are coming to my fair city in April for the Romantic Times conference, Rhi thought it would be fun to tag me for the Weekend in (insert your city here) meme. (but feel free to give her some garbage 'cause she's not supposed to be tagging me for things! she's supposed to be designing a ShapeShifter logo!)
Since you guys should be able to look cool and sound like you've got a clue, here's a primer, in the form of the meme.
Best Place to Eat: The Carlton in the Mellon Building. Can't walk there from the hotel, the tablecloths are white and the wine's famously priced at $10 over cost, but this is my favorite. Hands down. Sure, you'll spend $25 an entree, but you'll be in ecstasy with every bite. (DO NOT, I repeat, do NOT look at their dinner menu! Aaugh! Take me there now!)
There's also the Church Brew Works, in Lawrenceville. This is where we bring out-of-town friends to eat (assuming they don't keep kosher). Slightly cheaper and instead of wine, go for the beer. They're not making the Belltower Brown Ale at the moment. It's my favorite. They serve bison, too, from time to time. And if you can get the rattlesnake and cactus pierogies, you're set. Don't forget the ice cream!
Best Shopping Mall: Downtown? Forget it. Try Macy's or Saks. Otherwise, it's out to the Burbs with you!
Famous Landmark: Duh... the Point. You'll be able to see the famed fountain from the ballrooms of Hilton, which is located across the street from another famous landmark: Point State Park. (see a pattern?)
But be sure to spend any free time on the inclines or the Gateway Clipper. I wish the convention was going to be small enough for us to party one night on the Majestic. It's always fun to cruise the city's other famed landmark: its three rivers. If your hotel room's high enough, you'll be able to see them. Assuming you're facing the right way.
Take a trip into Oakland and check out the Cathedral of Learning. More famously called the Tower of Ignorance, or the Pittsburgh Phallus, it's a mastery of gothic architecture. If you have time (which I doubt you will), take a tour of the Nationality Rooms. Classrooms on the first, second, and third floors have been reconfigured to show and celebrate the different countries around the world. I had classes in the Chinese room and the one on the third floor with the lights that took forever to warm up and the chairs we weren't allowed to move into a circle. That made it hard to hold a really good writer's workshop, but the professor more than made up for it.
Have I mentioned PNC Park or Heinz Field? This is a sports town, baby. If the Pens are in the playoffs, I'm bailing on you guys for a few hours!
Best Tourism Attraction: Any and all of the above, but don't forget to add in a Just Ducky tour if you have the time. And remind me to tell you the story of how I managed to get a group of fifteen or so of us bicyclists chased by a Just Ducky boat...
Best Place for the Kids: The Carnegie Science Center. No contest. The Children's Museum is fun, but it's nothing compared to the Science Center. And don't accuse me of being biased; I've got memberships at both places. Like you'll be bringing the kids anyway...
Popular Outdoor Activity: Must be a Pirates game 'cause there's no other reason why people go when they stink so bad...
Seriously. Biking is gaining a foothold in the city; bike paths are springing up all over the place. Soon, you'll be able to bike from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Not in one day, though.
And if the timing is right, check out the Head of the Ohio. Since it won't be, come back in October.
Breathtaking Views: I'm partial to the view of the Bayer clock on Mt. Washington, as seen from the banquet rooms in the Hilton, but that's because I watched the minutes tick away during my wedding to the Tour Manager.
For better ones, be sure you're watching as your taxi or limo brings you through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and you've got the famed panoramic view of the city stretched out before you. Or ride the incline and see the city from Mt. Washington. Keep your eyes open; a tornado's been known to touch down on Mt. Washington. And keep your hands on your wallets, too. They've been known to find new owners while you're up there.
Riverside, there's always the Gateway Clipper. You'll be able to look inside the bowl of Heinz Field, which we know a certain author will be doing, to snap pictures to bring home and hang on her walls. Hallowed ground, Heinz Field.
Only found in Pittsburgh: What? All that's not enough??
Well, then, let me remind you of this: ME.
If you'll be joining me in April, be sure to let me know. I'd like to try to take you guys out for the best fries you'll ever taste. Followed up by even better ice cream.
I'll bring the Zantac, have no fear.
Since you guys should be able to look cool and sound like you've got a clue, here's a primer, in the form of the meme.
Best Place to Eat: The Carlton in the Mellon Building. Can't walk there from the hotel, the tablecloths are white and the wine's famously priced at $10 over cost, but this is my favorite. Hands down. Sure, you'll spend $25 an entree, but you'll be in ecstasy with every bite. (DO NOT, I repeat, do NOT look at their dinner menu! Aaugh! Take me there now!)
There's also the Church Brew Works, in Lawrenceville. This is where we bring out-of-town friends to eat (assuming they don't keep kosher). Slightly cheaper and instead of wine, go for the beer. They're not making the Belltower Brown Ale at the moment. It's my favorite. They serve bison, too, from time to time. And if you can get the rattlesnake and cactus pierogies, you're set. Don't forget the ice cream!
Best Shopping Mall: Downtown? Forget it. Try Macy's or Saks. Otherwise, it's out to the Burbs with you!
Famous Landmark: Duh... the Point. You'll be able to see the famed fountain from the ballrooms of Hilton, which is located across the street from another famous landmark: Point State Park. (see a pattern?)
But be sure to spend any free time on the inclines or the Gateway Clipper. I wish the convention was going to be small enough for us to party one night on the Majestic. It's always fun to cruise the city's other famed landmark: its three rivers. If your hotel room's high enough, you'll be able to see them. Assuming you're facing the right way.
Take a trip into Oakland and check out the Cathedral of Learning. More famously called the Tower of Ignorance, or the Pittsburgh Phallus, it's a mastery of gothic architecture. If you have time (which I doubt you will), take a tour of the Nationality Rooms. Classrooms on the first, second, and third floors have been reconfigured to show and celebrate the different countries around the world. I had classes in the Chinese room and the one on the third floor with the lights that took forever to warm up and the chairs we weren't allowed to move into a circle. That made it hard to hold a really good writer's workshop, but the professor more than made up for it.
Have I mentioned PNC Park or Heinz Field? This is a sports town, baby. If the Pens are in the playoffs, I'm bailing on you guys for a few hours!
Best Tourism Attraction: Any and all of the above, but don't forget to add in a Just Ducky tour if you have the time. And remind me to tell you the story of how I managed to get a group of fifteen or so of us bicyclists chased by a Just Ducky boat...
Best Place for the Kids: The Carnegie Science Center. No contest. The Children's Museum is fun, but it's nothing compared to the Science Center. And don't accuse me of being biased; I've got memberships at both places. Like you'll be bringing the kids anyway...
Popular Outdoor Activity: Must be a Pirates game 'cause there's no other reason why people go when they stink so bad...
Seriously. Biking is gaining a foothold in the city; bike paths are springing up all over the place. Soon, you'll be able to bike from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Not in one day, though.
And if the timing is right, check out the Head of the Ohio. Since it won't be, come back in October.
Breathtaking Views: I'm partial to the view of the Bayer clock on Mt. Washington, as seen from the banquet rooms in the Hilton, but that's because I watched the minutes tick away during my wedding to the Tour Manager.
For better ones, be sure you're watching as your taxi or limo brings you through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and you've got the famed panoramic view of the city stretched out before you. Or ride the incline and see the city from Mt. Washington. Keep your eyes open; a tornado's been known to touch down on Mt. Washington. And keep your hands on your wallets, too. They've been known to find new owners while you're up there.
Riverside, there's always the Gateway Clipper. You'll be able to look inside the bowl of Heinz Field, which we know a certain author will be doing, to snap pictures to bring home and hang on her walls. Hallowed ground, Heinz Field.
Only found in Pittsburgh: What? All that's not enough??
Well, then, let me remind you of this: ME.
If you'll be joining me in April, be sure to let me know. I'd like to try to take you guys out for the best fries you'll ever taste. Followed up by even better ice cream.
I'll bring the Zantac, have no fear.
Labels: Jennifer Estep, meme, Pittsburgh, Rhian/Crowwoman
Friday, April 13, 2007
Susan Speaks: Lots to Party about!
First off, come hang with me today at Working Stiffs. I sort of like it there; hope you do, too. (but not more than here! How dare you?)
Secondly, my buddy Claire nominated me for a Blogger's Choice Award. Please go vote for me.
That's it for now, but isn't that party-worthy? No? Then try this on for size: Penguins. Sid the Kid and the Wonder Twins in the post-season for the first time.
And some really great confections from my favorite baker to go along with them. Let's go Pens!
Secondly, my buddy Claire nominated me for a Blogger's Choice Award. Please go vote for me.
That's it for now, but isn't that party-worthy? No? Then try this on for size: Penguins. Sid the Kid and the Wonder Twins in the post-season for the first time.
And some really great confections from my favorite baker to go along with them. Let's go Pens!
Labels: Blogger's Choice Award, Pittsburgh, Working Stiffs
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Me, me, all about me
More about me than you'd ever want to know... Right Spanking Here
Labels: cool stuff, Pittsburgh, Susan
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
You in Pittsburgh?
If you're in the Pittsburgh area come Friday night -- yep, the thirteenth -- you might want to stop by the beautiful Southside Works and, in particular, Joseph Beth Books, where my new friend Rebecca Drake will be doing a reading in support of her new book, Don't Be Afraid.
Buy a copy. Have her autograph it. Take a picture with it, her, and you. Send me said picture and when I recover from BAFAB, maybe I'll send you a goodie.
If you're not in Pittsburgh, well, maybe you should reconsider that fact. Or at the very least, keep an eye on Rebecca's website and maybe she'll be doing a signing near you. She's cool. It'll be time worth spent and crowds well worth pushing through.
Btw, you should also be keeping an eye on Working Stiffs. If you go to Rebecca's readings along the way and tell her you're a Working Stiffs reader, she just might have a goodie for you.
Hey, it's October. This month is all about goodies, especially with the Steelers and Pens not giving us many. Yet.
Buy a copy. Have her autograph it. Take a picture with it, her, and you. Send me said picture and when I recover from BAFAB, maybe I'll send you a goodie.
If you're not in Pittsburgh, well, maybe you should reconsider that fact. Or at the very least, keep an eye on Rebecca's website and maybe she'll be doing a signing near you. She's cool. It'll be time worth spent and crowds well worth pushing through.
Btw, you should also be keeping an eye on Working Stiffs. If you go to Rebecca's readings along the way and tell her you're a Working Stiffs reader, she just might have a goodie for you.
Hey, it's October. This month is all about goodies, especially with the Steelers and Pens not giving us many. Yet.
Labels: books, Pittsburgh, publishing, Working Stiffs
Saturday, September 02, 2006
A somber moment
I just wanted to take a minute and wish condolences to Judy O'Connor and her family on the passing of Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor. I'm the rare Pittsburgher without ties to the Mayor, but that doesn't mean I'm not sad for losing him, especially when he'd gotten off to such a great start with moving this city forward.
I hope that everyone in the city will support new Mayor Ravenstahl (and I hope I spelled that right) the same way they supported Mayor O'Connor. Ravenstahl may be young, but that doesn't mean he can't get the job done. Let's give him a chance.
I hope that everyone in the city will support new Mayor Ravenstahl (and I hope I spelled that right) the same way they supported Mayor O'Connor. Ravenstahl may be young, but that doesn't mean he can't get the job done. Let's give him a chance.
Labels: Pittsburgh
