Interesting Things About Pittsburgh

This was originally on the right hand side of the blog, but as 'here' is no longer Pittsburgh, I need to refresh. But for posterity, and for us all to look back and laugh, here are the goods:

Interesting things about "here"

• I take back all previous comments about PGH drivers... they stink. They stink like garbage.
• Cars like to get all cozy with bicyclists.
• Fogging up glasses.. in the morning... walking outside.
• 90 Degrees + Humidity + Rain = Grossest Summer Rain Ever
• Car to Car Conversations.
• I miss Rocky's
• Fireflys. In the words of my dear friend Brodie: 'I didn't have a favorite bug... but now I do.'
• No matter what, you have to hate Philadelphia.
• Speed limits are more of speed suggestions.
• Tolls are dang expensive (just for you Caleb)
• I need to get into SteamPunk
• P3 where have you been all my life?
• Watch out for Hipsters
• Smell for Alcohol before getting into a conversation on the bus.
• It is not appropriate to wear a Terrible Towel as a hat.
• Pittsburghers don't know how to drive in the snow. And most (like 98%) don't have snow tires.
• Don't use a shovel to move snow... just throw salt at it. It will go away.
• CMU students like to boast about how little sleep they got.
• During Hanukkah, saw a car with a 6 foot, electrically lit, Menorah driving down the road. Awesome
• They don't know what a "California Stop" is because they just don't stop. And Red Lights are optional.
• The loudness of your walking is inversely proportionate to your importance.
• Made it all the way to School with my fly down. Awesome.
• Is "Robustify" a word?
• I silently judge young, able bodied people who sit in the front 1/4 of the bus.
• They don't follow Traffic Laws... at all.
• The trees are not all changing, some are still green.
• Rob Wever - I hope you got your tire fixed
• Whiteboard tables - Genius
• Short Skirts and Dresses are not appropriate for bike use.
• Yinz luv da Stillers - valid english here....
• Pghers are very particular about how lunch meat is sliced
• Some one from Pittsburgh is a "Pittsburgher" (Pitts-berger)
• "Watch Children" Signs are a little creepy.
• It is really hilly here.
• They don't appreciate Chili like I do
• I am at an "international school"
• "Stop here on Red" signs are way back from the intersection
• Unprotected Left Turns get the right-of-way (aka The Pittsburgh Left)

Temporrary Intteruption

*** Your regularly scheduled blog post will return tomorrow when enough sleep has been achieve to stop making simple spelling mistakes. Enjoy the half broadcast!***

Chocolate Mint Dreams

One of the best things I opened up when I was unpacking was my cook books! I got my cookie book back! So I think I may make it a Sunday activity to make a new cookie recipe. These are a great St. Patty's day cookie! So bright and rich looking and with a great mint taste! So to start it off, on page 86 of 'Taste of Home: Cookies':

Chocolate Mint Dreams

3/4 cup Butter, softened.
1 cup powder sugar
2 x 1 oz. Unsweetened Chocolate Squares, melted, cooled
1/4 teaspoon Peppermint extract
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips

Icing:
2 tablespoons butter, soft
1 cup powder sugar
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
green food coloring
1 -2 tablespoons milk

Drizzle:
1 cup chocolate chips
tablespoon butter

Makes 3 - 4 dozen

In large bowl, cream butter and powder sugar, until light and fluffy. Beat in chocolate and mint. Gradually add in flour and mix well. Add chocolate chips. The dough gets to be kind of dry... but that is ok. These are drop cookies, they will be more like a cake than a hard crisp cookie.

Take about a tablespoon of dough in your hands, roll in to tight ball. Place on ungreased cookie sheet with some room for cookies to spread out. Bake for 7-9 minutes at 375 or until firm. Remove from oven. Let sit for 5 minutes, remove to cooling rack.

Once all have cooled off completely. Make the Icing! Combine butter, sugar, peppermint, food coloring and just a little bit of milk. Mix really well. If too thick, add more milk, but only a little bit at a time. The milk and powder sugar do a lot. If your icing gets too runny add more sugar, if it is still too thick, add a little more milk. Just go slow and mix well. Using a spoon, frost cookies. In a ziplock bag, add chocolate chips and butter. Microwave on medium for 1 minute at a time until everything is melted. Kneed by hand. Cut a small slit in the corner and drizzle all over the cookies.

Eat and Enjoy!

I had to make sure they were ok to eat!

And the glamor shot, so my blog can have 'internet cred'.

Act Three: Using the Kitchen. Like a Boss

I am loving this Kitchen. Of the kitchens I have had the pleasure to use, it is second only to my mother's. Lots of space to work on stuff, things are set up efficiently.

Last Sunday I had to break in the waffle iron in family tradition.

I really don't like my waffle iron. They always have holes, and it always over flows. At the same time. Go figure.

 As per tradition, I made up a batch of cookies last weekend as a way to introduce myself to my neighbors.

Mint and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Only the Best.

MMMmmmmm...

All ready for delivery!

So the people living around me: Below is a very nice lady (27 - 37 ish) who may or may not be in the medical profession. I had talked to her the weekend before after I tore apart the crate with a hammer. I apologized for being so loud, and told her I would bring her cookies for make up for it. I did. She was surprised. Above: A couple who had just gotten back. Their apartment was frigid, as their door had blown open while they were gone. They are awesome. It was what I wanted in bringing cookies. I talked to them for a good 15 minutes. We exchanged phone numbers, talked about the area. Set up a good rapport, in the future, I would not mind asking them for a wine opener (something that I tried to do in the Tri and failed) or for some sugar. Next to me: a lovely mom and her daughter. They were both a little shy, but I got to say hi :) And the other side never did respond, so I left the cookies, but I have not heard from them.

So while I was making cookies I was also preparing a 'proper' Sunday meal. I amazed myself with this pork roast, wild rice and green beans:

Ah Yeah... Reeds.

Today I made two things. Mint Chocolate Cookies and Tangy Stew. The following post are the recipes!

Act Two: Life of the Party

Work is going great! This past week went by so fast, and I spent a lot of it working on this interface device. I am excited to go in to work, I am motivated to get stuff done, I am productive. Everything, so far at least, you could want in a job.

The people are also a great aspect. They seem like a good group of peers. To be honest, we all (yes, I am including me in this too) have our quirks. We are engineers for goodness sake. This makes for some interesting lunch conversations: Starcraft commentary, Four Square World Championships, Dangerous things to do in Boston, My maple faux-pas.. among other things.

Outside of work, a lot of my social interactions have been with Wes. Which is great, because he is awesome. He and I share an office, so we spend a lot of time together during the day. We seem to be very different, but get along well. He is a rock climber, in to extreme sports, likes coffee, does not like Rocky's... and we share a particular passion for trying new food places.

Last weekend he and Jamie (his girlfriend who was visiting) came over and we all made some great southwest chili with corn bread dumplings. This past Saturday, seeing the need for some green, we took a trip to Lowes for some foliage for the office and our respective apartments.

And ok replacement, not nearly as cool as the plant Holly gave me.

 In addition. This past Thursday was the start of mustache March. You all know what that means:

This....

to this!

Only one single person commented on it at work. This either means they didn't notice, they think I am serious, or they don't know how to respond. I cant wait for the Mohawk.

Act One: Modern Living

Yay! Pictures! The apartment is great. I am really enjoying it. There is a ton of room, there is great light during the day. At night it is a little dark still. I need to invest in a few lamps. Here are a few pictures. Let me know if you have any questions, or you can arrange for a Skype tour ;)

The look from the front entry way.

My lovely table and the back deck.

The Bob Griffith Collection. I love the pictures! Thanks Gpa!

This was one of my Christmas gifts from Gwyn! I love it! Now we just need a PA one for her.

The living room! Notice the big blank walls, that is the future location of a private gallery of Gwyn's art :)

My new entertainment system. Thanks Mom and Dad!

The ever growing picture wall.

Pierogie Lights!

Entering my room. The bathroom is on the right, and the game closet is on the left.

My awesome desk. My computer was still a little sick at this point.

Looking back the other way, in to the entry way.

The Men's room. It has become even more decked out.

That flag is now hanging from the ceiling.

And Gwyn's room.... man, she should clean up once in a while...

So there you have it, the first look at what I am sure will be a very rapidly changing apartment. I spared the picture of my make shift dresser made out of boxes... just like the Tri. A dresser and bed frame are on my list.

If you are curious as to the lay out, I refer you to this post with a great picture :) If you have requests for more images, let me know, I love taking pictures and sharing!

This Boston Life.

I know you are all getting on ever few hours checking to see when I will post the pictures I have been promising... I know, I know... You have all been waiting.

Seeing as I have been listening to This American Life all day, I feel this is fitting (read this in Ira Glass' voice for full effect):



Last Sunday I was leaving a busy grocery trip at the local Market Basket, when an event happened that was so unbelievably weird to my Spokane upbringing. After I had unloaded my good in to the back of my car, I set off to return my cart to the store. I was forced to park a good 3 or 4 stores down due to the packed parking. As I cleared my car, I heard a honk, and looked back to see a car waiting for my spot. I realized that there was a line of cars behind her waiting for her to move, and she was waiting for my spot. I was not about to become one of the many Burlington-ers who haphazardly leave their carts in the lot, and continued on. I then heard it. The thing that ushered me in to this new space. The lady leaded out of the window, and in a perfect Boston accent yelled: 'Leave the CAAAART!!!' 

What happens when you move in to a new place? What sort of people do you run in to? How do you set up your new living space? Well, that is the subject of the posts today. From Burlington MA, it is 'The Bard Of Lincoln,' presented by Blogger. I am Scott. This is a special kick off post, today we have stories about one guy getting used to living in a very different place, presented in five different acts:  In Act One, we will look at modern apartment decorating, and the controversy that follows. Act two, we focus on the social interactions, both at work and otherwise. Act Three, two recipes and the best way to meet new neighbors and make friends at work. Act four, a brief rebroadcast of material from our Pittsburgh. And wrapping up with a look at a great new website that just went live.

Stay with us.