But not in July. I took a well deserved break from the interwebs and focused on work and my family.
August 2011
I sat down with Pitt Girl… err Jane Pitt… err Ginny and gave her a quick education on craft beer while we mocked each other for 2 hours at Bocktown. It appeared in her August column in Pittsburgh Magazine.
September 2011
I drank a box of Franzia. I provided, served the beer and attended Podcamp Pittsburgh 6 briefly and made the most out of the after party in true SIDT fashion which included tailgating the party. The Teaspoon Project took shape and also forced me to buy a new digital camera. Craft Pittsburgh had a nice spot of us in their latest issue. I had Dave’s Hot n Juicy in my mouth. Yes, I’m still giggling over it.
October 2011
I planned and executed the perfect homecoming concert with the help of 76F weather and Scott Blasey playing a standing room only show. Hockey season started which lead me to eating a $12.50 burger. The infamous (That means more than famous, Dusty) Jim Lokay said farewell and left Pittsburgh for Bawwwstun. Yinzer traffic hasnt been the same since and Beantown got classy. Kadhafi was finally held accountable for Doc Brown’s death while his people shoved many things up his ass. I really don’t understand my kids some days.
November 2011
I finally learned how to home brew. I’m proud to say that as I’m typing this that my stash is just about gone. Google Plus proved it’s absolutely insane. My ongoing battle with a root canal started and still isn’t finished.
December 2011
Chris Cornell played one of the best solo shows of any artist in the history of music. I fell in love with LuLu’s Noodles. Dealt with a very emotional day as I celebrated the 5th anniversary of my dad’s passing by cracking open my very first bottle of homebrew with him. I visited the Golden Corral for the first time and was left speechless. The kids took down Santa and O-man turned 1.
So there is 2011 in a nutshell. 2012 the world is supposed to end of the world so I’m debating if I should plan to do things or kick back and take it easy. Who am I kidding, I’ll be running between work and kids activities while bitching my basement still isn’t clean.
Stay thirsty my friends…
I first met Jim a few years ago as a member of the elite softball squad known as Yinz Team and little did I know that the KDKA weather traffic reporter would become a great friend. When my kids were born Jim made sure we were OK. When times were tough during my layoff he was there as a shoulder to lean on and a bud to have a drink with.
Jim is Pittsburgh. He represents what makes this this city great from his charitable acts to all around kindness. This city is truly losing a son and Boston is gaining a kickass person.
Thank you captain for always being kick ass and make sure I have a couch to crash on when St Patty’s day rolls around up there.
cheers!
spoon
Here is video of Jim’s sendoff from today
We’re bringing Teaspoon home today and since I’ve been neglecting this blog that I should have some fun with it. Really, what could I have possibly been busy with these last 4 weeks right? Start watching below and hit refresh throughout the day. I’ll post at random times when I have a chance. Newest entry at the bottom. Feel free to comment away!
This is probably also the last of continuous Teaspoon updates. I said I would keep him away from the internet and here on out I plan to do so unless its something monumental. I’ll take the weekend to get situated and then it will be back to regularly scheduled blogging. I’ve been keeping a running list of subjects I want to address.
- 11:30pm (3/25) - Checked into our nesting room. Better than any hotel room we’ve stayed but no room service. Vending machine may become my friend.
- 1:05am (3/26) – Teaspoon is eating and quacking like a duck
- 2:49am – Woke up and found teaspoon giving me the “pick me up NOW” look. I gave in.
- 4:15am – Benson is on Fresh Prince as Will’s boss at a dealership. Nick at Nite has become a staple in our house. Benson is still a pimp.
- 4:30am - Plus side to having Teaspoon at the NICU for the last month, he’s on a schedule when he comes home. He also just baptized mommy. Running count, Mom – 3 Dad – 0. Daddy rules!
- 5:07am – It’s 50F! That’s a heatwave! Watching the KDKA Morning Show and reading Jim Lokay’s tweets while Teaspoon naps before his 7am feeding.
- 5:38am – I just opened my Google Reader for the first time in less than 24 hours. 738 new entries. So far the highlight, Dogfish Head has a new IPA coming out. Awwwww yeah!
- 8:00am – Fell asleep around 6am and a nurse came at 7am to get Teaspoon from Lushie for a final checkup and feeding with the doctor. Monitor didn’t go off all night! I’m going back to sleep for a few. Could be the last I get for a long time.
- 9:26am – Just got an update. Teaspoon is going home at 5.6lbs and 19 inches long. Birth weight he was 4.1 (17 inches) and at his lowest was 3.2 pounds. Good thing Yinz Team gave me their leftover HGH.
- 10:42am – Teaspoon is pitchin a fit. He’s getting his outfit on to leave and does not like it one bit. Daddy is shutting down and getting bags ready. Here we go!
- 1:48pm – We’re home! It was a rainy ride north but we’re all settled now. Teaspoon is sleepin, Lushie is pumpin and I’m ordering lunch. Life is good.
- 3:05pm – Pizza Hut never tasted so good. Seriously though, 8 slices in a large? I think the pizza shrank.
- 5:07pm – Got a feeding done and all 3 of us are going to try and nap at the same time.
- 6:47pm – Nap was under and hour but that’s a start. Teaspoon is ready to watch some PITT basketball tonight with daddy.
- 7:54pm – Pitt’s defense has more penetrable holes in the paint than Jenna Jameson.
- 9:05pm – Teaspoon just gave mommy (holding a bottle) this look as if saying “Should I Drink That?“. I guess it could have been “bluuuuaaarrrgggh” too. World may never know.
- 10:37pm – Kid is fed, Pitt won and I have to record a video for a class final due tonight. This is going to be a long night.
- 11:44pm – OK, we’ve gone a full 24 hours and it’s time to end this post. I just wrapped up my video for class, Lushie is catching a nap and I’m wide awake listening to Teaspoon make noises. Everyone, life is good. Oh yeah and GO NOVA! My brackets could use it
All times Eastern Standard Time
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!
Would you LOOK at that thing! Sweet jesus I love the internet!
Last week I posted about the Hamburger Fatty Melt and how it was sinfully delightful. I also said that I would think about different ways to improve on it. Well, I wasn’t the only one.
Check out the latest developments on A Hamburger Today and envision the artery cloggin photos from round 2. I think that Woy, The other white Jim, tehjim and myself may have to conduct extensive research in the name of science and to save mankind from… something. I’m sure I’ll think of it later when I’m having a beverage at Podcamp Pittsburgh 3.
cheers!
I need to take more weekends off from being online. Almost glad that I don’t have a crackberry or a phone I can surf more with.
Friday
Spent the day at our friend Terri’s house. Plenty of food and fireworks and then a night of relaxing on the couch and packing for the weekend
Saturday
Before we headed out for a weekend of family picnics and roasts we had to make a quick stop at the Pittsburgh Mills for a phone charger for my MIL. Because it was special ordered from the store she had to pick it up there and since it was on our way so we decided to save her a trip.
Verizon Wireless in the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills has to be the largest collection of clueless elitist jagoffs ever assembled and reinforced why I dumped their asses long ago. We’re greeted by 2 men in suits. Lushie says we’re here to pick up a phone charger that was special ordered by Steve to which they reply “we don’t have orders in the store. It would have gone to your house.” Lushie says “It was confirmed that it was here which is why we are here… the corporate store.” Suit 1 replied “You’re not listening, we don’t have orders here.” Again Lushie states “My mother ordered it here and it was confirmed over the phone it was here.” Now the manager comes up and without missing a beat reminds us “I thought he explained it to you that we don’t have orders here.” Quality customer service. We left without the charger and apparently they cant even look up accounts to see what phone you have. Assholes.
Saturday afternoon was filled with family time, bocce, kickin back in the summer sun and blue skies while enjoying the country air. The pics above are of Bella and the crazy insane campfire filled with plenty of beverages, hot dogs and moon pies. Good times my friends.
I love family picnics with my in laws. They really know how to throw a picnic to feed the masses and not worry about how freaking quaint everything looks. You have tables, table cloths, and rows of great summer food. There’s no talk of how to dress your hot dog or how to properly display a dish. It’s “did you eat enough?” and “did you like it”? That’s what summer is about. Having fun and being a bum. If you want snobbery, host a dinner party and wear a suit.
Sunday
Sunday was a crazy day. We had 2 cars with us (long story) but this actually worked out perfect. Lushie had planned on going shopping while I made the drive back to Pittsburgh for an exhibition Yinz Team softball game against Jim Lokay‘s squad. While I bitched and probably lost 10-15 pounds in the sweltering heat at Frick Park, I did manage to rip out 3 doubles and a single in 5 at-bats. Yinz Team is coming around and a mark in the win column is on the horizon. Came home for a shower and chilled in the AC until Lushie came home. Capped the night off with dinner at Mad Mex. Life is good.
How did you spend your holiday?
