My blog n'at

That would be my son at 18 weeks. Lushie and I found out yesterday we’re having a boy and thought it was time we told everyone. Honestly when you see Lushie it’s pretty obvious she was carrying someone in there. We’ve known since August, our family has known since late October and those whom have seen Lushie have figured it out.  We’re looking at late April so me and the spud can watch the Stanley Cup playoffs together

As down as I have been about the impending layoffs this changed my mood completely. I was glowing yesterday and I had to do everything in my power to not blurt it out until I got the pic scanned. I was debating posting since I am job hunting now but we’re covered on benefits well past his birth so thankfully that won’t be a concern of ours.

The baby showers are already being planned and the plus side to having family so far spread out, 2 parties! This kid is going to get spoiled and my basement is about to shrink. I honestly think that family is having the hardest time trying to grasp the fact that we already have a lot of things planned and ready. When you’ve been through all we have you kinda have your shit together.

Oh yeah, now you can truly say that yes, I am Father Spoon

cheers!

I want to thank all of you for your support since last Thursday. It has truly made a difference in getting through these last few rough days.

For those who haven’t heard I’m one of the Ericsson 250 at the Warrendale office who found out last Thursday that our location is being shut down. I can’t go into details that haven’t already reported in the media but by the end of 2009 the business which started out as FORE Systems will be no more. Once my last day has passed (TBD) I’ll think about a recap of my last 10 years.

Articles about the closing
Ericsson to close Warrendale plant near Pittsburgh; 250 jobs affected
(Pgh Business Times)
Ericsson to close Marshall plant; 250 jobs affected
(Tribune Review)

Lushie and I have had many long conversations this weekend about what we’re going to do. I’ve been working on my resume and started searching job sites so please stop asking me. Most know that I refuse to sit on my couch like an unemployed slug so I will be keeping myself busy. Along with my schoolwork (this layoff will not stop me from getting my degree) I’m going to spend time finishing up Studio B, focusing on my writing, revamping a few sites I run and spend more time expanding my food appreciation.

Now for the question I’ve been asked most, “What about the podcast?”. Sickpuppy and I met shortly after the announcement and agreed that we’re going full steam ahead. Coming off another finalist honor at the Podcast Awards we owe it to our fans to keep on recording. In fact there may be more SIDT productions than we expected. We got together last night over many beers to discuss the direction of this show and lets just say it will be one fun ride.

So anyone out there looking for a new media/social networking/web producer/web manager/multimedia specialist guy shoot me a message   I’m also entertaining craft beer sales.

Short work week ahead which will be comforting even with all the drama that is a family holiday to close it out. There is a beacon of light through all of this which I’ll share shortly.

cheers!

That is hands down my favorite picture from the night.

Along with myself and sickpuppy, celebrity judges for the beer festival were Jim Lokay (KDKA), Demetrius Ivory (WTAE), Ron Man (B94) and Zeke (Y108). These guys could all be future professional beer judges! just sayin… Very cool to find out Zeke homebrews also. I’m sure sickpuppy will be after him about samples.

We had 20 beers total on each of our lists and we were split up over different brewers along with the people who attended had their chance to vote on favorite beer. Out of the beverages that SIDT judged, we had a tie for best beer. It was the Oskar Blues Old Chub and Ommegang Hennepin. Overall best beer of the night was hands down the Snow Melt Winter Ale from Scott at East End Brewing.

This was my first time visiting Saddle Ridge and Bar Room down in Station Square. I could see myself going to Saddle Ridge to enjoy a band but it’s a little too country for me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice place, just not me. Bar Room was more my speed these days. Granted that it was packed with people it seemed like someplace I could get a decent martini. Yes, I drink martinis. Hendricks Gin, not vodka. 2-3 olives.

The event was very well organized and I applaud Claire and her Angels for a job well done representing the Pittsburgh Rugby Football Club and helping out The PLEA Agency

Following the fest a group of us went to Ruggers Pub to hang out with the rest of the rugby folk. It’s 2 blocks off Carson so unless you know where it’s located you’d probably never go there unless you’re lost. Kinda like most great places on the South Side.

This was my first time in a rugby bar so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Instead of bar fights with drunken English and Irish thugs I found a haven filled with great people who are passionate for the sport. I shared a few pints with players and fans while being educated on the game and it’s history in the area. Would I ever play? I’d entertain the idea but I’m sure Lushie would take out extra insurance on me. I do have a new respect for these players and the sport. I may even have to go down and catch a few matches.

Next year I expect to see you at this event! no excuses!

PittGirl broke up with all of us today and headed off into blogger retirement. As a fan i enjoyed reading the humor every day as a brief escape from the strain of everyday life. While I didn’t always agree with everything I do have to give her respect for holding out as long as she did. Being anonymous online for over 3 years is no easy task and honestly takes skill and really good friends/family to hold that secret. There are a lot of whack jobs out there also. It’s a feeling you get. You known when it’s time to go.

PittGirl’s blog showed that ordinary people have a voice and was the first true blogger celebrity in this town. She was able to stir up controversy and spark creativity in her fans that would be a print media producers wet dream. I’ve actually made some good friends by commenting on her site and if it wasn’t for her site I would have never learned about Something to be Desired which turned into becoming active in Podcamp and well you know the rest.

She’ll get the itch again. We all do. When she does I’ll have my RSS ready ready.  Until then enjoy your retirement with a lifetime supply of Zima and pigeon free roaming.

Cheers PG!

BTW, this means you can play on Yinz Team now if you don’t already

There are very few rules I tend to stick with when I write on here. The number one golden rule is no picture of Lushie (only if approved) unless I want to die. She’d rather stay off this thing and I can respect that. Well unless she wants to rant.

Last night the 2 of us were invited by the Pens to have Christmas photos taken on the ice at Mellon Arena. Yet another reason why they treat their season ticket holders better than any other sports team in the city. We started with a picture on the Zamboni followed by the goal on the south end, penalty box, players bench and finally the moment of truth… center ice.

I have to admit that actually standing at center ice and not just where it may or may not be because of flooring was pretty freakin cool. I had chills. This was like stepping up to home plate at PNC Park. I had to take a moment to reach down, touch the ice with my hands and absorb the moment. I’ve played hockey and even curled for a bit so I know what it’s like to be on ice but when it’s the one of the team you love, it’s special.

We have a nice collection of pictures that the Pens have given us a chance to make into greeting cards. The one above is from my camera phone so trust me when I say the quality is hella better. We’re probably going to have some made for family once Lushie finds the one she likes. After that I may post them online.

Tonight is Pens vs Flyers at the Mellon Arena. Drew is probably already drinking in Philly to numb the pain of the impending doom. After the comeback in Detroit is there really any question?

cheers!

“The Neighborhood Walk is a chance to recognize the place you live, work, or call home — and to introduce it to the world.

On November 11, 2008 (11/11/2008), bloggers, podcasters, vloggers, photobloggers and others are invited to take a walk around their neighborhood, make media about it — a blog post, photo gallery, video, or whatever you prefer — and post it on the web. ”

Unfortunately with my work and school schedules I haven’t been able to go around my neighborhood and snap pictures for this. I’ve moved many times since I first came to Pittsburgh in 1998. Main reason for frequent moving was that I wanted to learn the city before we finally made a decision on where to settle down. Family joke is that my brother would always say on trips to Erie from Pittsburgh “My family probably moved and didn’t tell me.” I think one time we might have actually done that.

Instead of touring my neighborhood I thought I’d talk about my old neighborhoods as I’ve been cursed with always having the weird guy living next door. Here are my top 2 neighborhoods.

Erie, PA – I lived on E 6th St with Lushie for a year. She had this old guy Rufus who lived next door and would go out at 4am every morning in the winter and start his beat up truck. It would run for 2 hours (complete with backfire) and then turn it off. He never drove it, just ran it. It was also right outside our bedroom window. In the backyard was this old bar which we were told was from Erie’s first mayor and considered a historical landmark. All it did was house bats which frequently would fly into our windows at night.

Oakland, PA – Everyone who knew me back then remembers VICTORIO! If you lived in Oakland during the late 90′s/early 00′s you may know him as the homeless looking dirty old man who hung out at Krausers. He actually lived next door to me on Parkview Ave. He would come over every day and say “your mudder farking pipes are leaking into my farking basement”. Kinda like Roman Moroni from Johnny Dangerously. Griff loved the guy and after a box of wine we’d go over and talk to Victorio about why he thinks he’s in Italy and listen to him bitch about the neighbors.

One night while chilling on my porch he came over and said he smelled gas at his place. I went in, praying to God he wasn’t going to hack me into pieces, and called Griff on my phone to make sure I wouldn’t die. All he had was plastic grocery bags stacked to the ceiling, a couch and a table. I searched around and found out that his stove was on but not lighting. Let the place air out and then fixed it for him. As I left he said “Kevin, you mudderfarker… You’re alright.” Kevin was the name of the guy who owned the house I was renting.

I dont know if he’s still alive or not but he was a character. I have a picture of Victorio somewhere on disk that I’ll have to find it.

What makes up a great neighborhood are the people who live there. I’ve lived in some really nice neighborhoods but the most enjoyable have been with the memorable neighbors that make it unique. I’ve missed each place and have thought about moving back again to each of the areas but we’re pretty relaxed where we live now.

Well, until we move again.  May have to give the west a shot

For the record I had ONE beer and that was because I had a review to write. I didn’t make the same mistake as I did in 2000 when Dan and I shared a house in Bellevue. Being the young 20 somethings of the time we decided to have fun with our friends and drink until a winner was announced. Bad idea since a winner was weeks away, though if we were unemployed I bet we could have stuck it out.

Am I thrilled with the results? Not really but I was proud as an American to see so many people taking pride in their rights. Here are my thoughts on last night.

1. CNN – for the love of all that’s holy and good do NOT use that hologram bit again. FAIL!
2. Fox News – Nice blunder
3. All TV media – STOP predicting the winner when ZERO percent of the vote has been reported. I know you want to be first kid on the lock with the shiny new toy but for the love of God let us know our vote was worth something before jumping the gun. All of you were changing colors.
4. What better way to say “your vote doesn’t count” than to announce the winner when 5 states still have yet to report. Wait until the following day to announce a winner. Idaho needs love too.
5. Worst coverage goes to Fox News. From the rumored Black Panther involvement to exit poll stats that would not have shocked me to include “number of people who drink beer over wine, 90% for McCain but of those, 65% would vote for Obama if it was light beer.” It was like watching a network for people with no attention span. Your screen was hella busy with random stats and flashing nonsense. Icing on the cake was when an anchor said he could figure out digital voting and those who can’t are dopes. Stay classy Fox News!
6. Best coverage goes to NBC even with their awful Romanesque 3D background which was worse than watching Krull sober. Just because you have a green screen doesn’t mean you have to use it. Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw bailed you out.

To end on a positive note, big congrats to my friend Jesse White who dominated in his race. We need more young talent in power who’s willing to fight. If you haven’t heard, he’s also a badass.

go America! go Pens!

I hate politics around election times. People who we look to for guidance are busy with name calling, trashy ads and lies. Most of the supporters have become extremists. Ripping down signs of their candidates opponent as if that would make a difference. Spray painting X’s over signs and posters. Throwing blocks through the offices of the opponent. Why? What does this prove? It shows to me that you’re all fucking nuts. This is as bad as those nut jobs who go around trying to “shock you” into seeing reality.  We do see it and most of the time we ignore you. The mainstream media is obviously biased, we all know that, but I hope that your vote is for who YOU believe in. Not what your friends, family or co-workers tell you to do.

If my dad was still alive he’d probably be jacked that I’m voting outside my party on a few things but he’d be happy because I’m voting. When I went to vote for the first time in Erie I remember how proud he was and told all of the people working “this is my son, he’s voting for the first time.” Yeah it was embarrassing as hell but he was proud. He was a union guy so you always vote no matter what.

Feel confident and proud in your vote and also be educated about why you’re doing it. This is what makes America great.

My grandfather passed away in 1989 at the age of 89 when I was 13. I realized years later there was so much more I could have learned from him but when you are 13 you’re starting the teenage angst. He taught me that those damn rabbits eating his garden needed to be chased away with a shot to the ass with his b b gun. Rumor had it he could also find water with a stick though I never saw this. Lawrence Welk was a pimp and never let age be a factor. A few days before he passed he bowled a 206.

One thing I still do to this day which I picked up from him was a DST tradition. Every time we turn the clocks back or forward you have to stay up until 2 am to do so.  Why did he do this? Eh who knows but we never questioned it. After a while clocks were doing it themselves but since G.W. screwed with the date not all appliances do it correctly. He’d say we are lazy for having a machine do it, I say most of us need sleep. When we have kids I know that I’ll pass this onto them and tell stories of their great grandfather’s skills.

Last night at 2am I raised a pint for gramps and changed all of the clocks in our house.

Cheers Gramps!