Anatomy of a Weekend: Last

I really don't feel like writing.  I have a headache and it's been far too long a day.  I'm exhausted to the point of not having enough energy to walk upstairs and brush my teeth.

That's what I started to write, last Monday.  I guess the week didn't get much better because I haven't written a word since. 

Last weekend was actually a great weekend.  We infiltrated Pittsburgh.  Flew under the radar and didn't tell a single family member what we were doing, therefore allowing us to do whatever cultural thing we wanted.  And I can write that here because none of them actually read this blog. 

WE WENT TO PITTSBURGH LAST WEEKEND!!!

=)

We got in and out without anyone knowing. 

Our purpose of the trip was to see the Phantom of the Opera before it left Pittsburgh forever.  Which, is actually a blessing because the bloody thing was pretty awful.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise: the Saturday showing was this close to a community theater production of Phantom.  Acting was horrible, the stage hands were very visible, and the chandelier was so freakin slow, I'd like that 5 minutes of my life back. 

We didn't stay the entire show though, because K ripped his pants. 

It was a gift from God.  We stood up at intermission, both keeping our mouth shut about the quality of the show so as not to offend the other, and there it was: an eight inch, perfectly straight rip right under his left pocket.  The seat gods must have put something sharp there in order to provide an excuse to leave.  

Which went something like this:

K: It's really up to you if you want to stay or not.  I'll be fine.

C: No, I don't want YOU to be uncomfortable. 

K: But, I don't want to take THIS away from you.

C: Really, I insist.

K: No, I insist. 

Conversation all during our walk down the stairs and out the door. 

There were some highlights to the trip, however. We went to the ZOO, which we've wanted to do for a very long time.  The weather kept up and we went early enough to avoid the mommy crowd. 

The elephants really stole the show, as always. 

The Pittsburgh Zoo has tons of personality.  And I mean, the people.  From the two leathery, sixty year old women who were overheard talking about a Liger, which despite it being a totally fake animal made up on Napoleon Dynamite, is apparently "the largest mammal on earth", to the parents, teaching their children about sloths by exclaiming "look at the monkey!"

My favorite Pittsburgh touch was the elephant height chart. 

You see, Mario Lemieux is a new addition to this pole.  He, over the summer, replaced a certain quarterback who allegedly did a certain unwelcomed act in a certain Georgia bathroom. 

But seriously.  He's still suspended 4 games, even though his height is no longer measured against elephant's in the zoo.  I think the man's suffered enough. 

There were other notable animals at the Zoo, but I'm always an elephant fan.  Especially the babies because they're so little, and yet so wrinkly. 

The biggest feature at the Zoo is the newly renovated Aquarium.  It's impressive, but I kinda want a bumper sticker now that says "My Aquarium can beat up your Aquarium" because there's nothing like the Seattle Aquarium. 

We do not have these in Seattle though:

We're not sure how they heard about the Zoo. And yes, I know they do not like having their pictures taken, but shut up because they do not know what a blog is and what are they going to do about it?

We brought a souvenir home because K said, "Whatever you want, tell me and I'll get it.  Let's make this a memory." Ahh, yes I know.  I named him Pete because that kinda sounds like Pitt.  Yes, Lilly has already chewed on him.

Can't you see the resemblance?

And I'm always a sucker for a good hotel.  The Hilton in Pittsburgh did not disappoint.  I LOVE hotels.  Like, really love hotels.  I love the clean room.  I love putting all of our suitcases in the closet so not to clutter the room.  I love turning down the bed at night and climbing in bed, surrounded by really soft pillows.  I love taking 15 minute showers, wash, rinsing, and repeating, and then stepping out and using the entire bottle of lotion that they give you. I love taking extra time to wash my face, exfoliate, floss, and put on the nice night creme.  Seriously girl, why don't you do that more often?  Sigh.  I also loved the view. 

Our trip ended on the South Side, at a fuel station converted into a funky outdoor diner, complete with vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan dishes, and it's fair share of juicy burgers and fries.  They were featuring brunch until 2 and we couldn't resist.  Let me just tell you, if you want your Sunday to start off on the right foot, go to the Double Wide Grill and get yourself some stuffed french toast with bananas on top.  The food was almost as great as the service, and there was something about the easy, breezy way of the waiters that reminded me of home and their "that's cool" attitude.  It definitely mastered that laid-back, Sundays are for brunching and dog walking, city feel. 

We needed this (last) weekend.  We needed the sleep, we needed 15 minute showers that you don't pay the water bill on, we needed to get out of Harrisburg and just have it be the two of us.  So, if you're from Pittsburgh, and you're reading this, kinda pissed that we didn't call you, too bad!