On Loyalty

I am loyal to Seattle. I defend it's raininess, I admit it does rain.  I stand up for it's poor baseball team while distracting  you with the thought of garlic fries at Safeco (and Shishka-berries....and those good stadium brats next to the secret escalator).  And, I acknowledge that while Seattle does have it's faults, I love it truly anyways. 

Which, is why I also love Pittsburgh. 

In Pittsburgh, you are proud of where you're from, but still give your home a hard time.  You bust it's balls.  You boo when you need to.  You call it out if need be.   You don't make excuses, you don't coddle it and make it a sissy city.

Burghers know that the Pirates are approaching their 18th year of losing seasons. They know it.  Yes, in the back of their mind they're thinking, "Well maybe we can get to .500....." but quickly change the subject to the Steelers (well, maybe not right now), OR the Penguins. 

They know that the city is a gem.  But, they're still open to sharing it.  Living in Central Pennsylvania for over 2 years, I can strongly state that people here are douchebags.  Straight up, loaded douchebags.  You know why?  Because they're mean!!  They don't care about you if you're not from here, and their left over PA-dutchness just translates into unfriendliness.  This is a known fact, I'm not being dramatic here.  I can be a successful nurse anywhere now, because I have tolerated and put up with Central PA nurses.  They're as harsh as they come.  PITTSBURGH on the otherhand isn't like that.  They like you. They'll toss you a beer and invite you over to their house.  They'll share their kishka with you.  It's a whole other world. 

SO, in summary, I heart Pittsburgh because their people are welcoming, they are in love with their city, but they're realistic about it's contents. 

Seattle, sometimes you just don't stack up.  NOW, I'm not comparing you to Pittsburgh, because Pitt doesn't have mountains or Tom Douglas, so they're automatically eliminated. 

But sometimes, you're kinda wussy.

For instance:

1) In June of 2007, K and I attended a legendary Mariners vs Pirates baseball game at Safeco.  Now, if you remember from above, the Pirates have had 17 back to back to back to...well you get it, losing seasons.  The last time they had a winning season, Johnny Carson was hosting the tonight show.  I digress....
My point is, we should have won.  We were close to winning. There was a point in the game where a rally was all they needed to win.  The music was thumping, our best of the best was up to bat, the Pirates were getting that familiar feeling in their stomachs again.  And do you know what happened?  PEOPLE JUST SAT THERE!!!!!! No rally. No standing, no yelling, no clapping. Nothing. 

Sometimes, Seattle, your lack of enthusiasm upsets me.  Seattle pride is sometimes nonexistent. 

2) Communication.   I love K so much because he's a sarcastic son of a bitch.  He'll dish it and take it, and give a high five for a good zinger.  Seattle, not so much.  I was sarcastic before I met the man of my dreams, but now, holy goat, I cut it up.  Which, makes me kinda sad, Seattle, because you could be so much more.  Out there, people take things kind of literally.  They're removed from that East Coast way of life, and are more laid back.  Which isn't a bad thing in a lot of ways, but when it comes to good  sarcasm, I have to look elsewhere. 

 Seattlelites: when people give you a hard time about something in Seattle, you take it personally and defend it, rather than giving it back.  Give it back!!  If someone asks you how many Super Bowl rings you have, ask them how Big Ben is doing.  Oh, sorry honey.  Really, I'm sorry!

3) Finally, dependability.  Out here (Pittsburgh and beyond), you just don't do certain things.  IF you say you're going to be somewhere, you're there.  If you say "I'll meet you at..... for....." you're there.  Friendships are like family.  I'm lucky because K has a loyal group of great friends, who will be there for you, defend you, take out someone if need be, etc.  They don't pull stunts.  They don't bullshit around.  They're present, they don't make excuses.  They're loyal BECAUSE loyalty translates through city, family, and friends.  Pittsburgh has that down pat.  Seattle, is kinda wishy-washy sometimes.  People do make excuses.  Friends are disposable.  Some people ask how you're doing just to be in the loop.  I would say that this is Seattle's biggest flaw. 

And I'm calling them out. Because, to really love a city, to be loyal to it, you have to understand it's weaknesses.  That doesn't mean you're turning your back on it.  If I had my way, I'd incorporate more people from Pittsburgh to Seattle.  Then I'd have mountains and great friends all in one little metropolis. 

I love you Seattle. I love you Pittsburgh. 

We all, like our cities, lack in certain areas, but to fully grow, we can't deny them.

Again, I'm sorry K. That was out of line.  =)  

#6: Take a mini-road trip

To somewhere more sunny. 

Unfortunately, road trips can only go so far when you plan them at one in the afternoon.  K had a eye appointment at 0845, to which they dilated the hell out of his beautiful blues.  And yes, he rocked the creepy terminator glasses that they give you at the doctors. Hotness. 

After the doctors, we had breakfast and watched the waitress yell at the line cook for a good 5 minutes.  Words like "tool bag" and "stoned" were used repeatedly-- all this over an argument about what's in French dressing. 

We rushed home after to feed the dogs (bad mommy, I know) and to grab my camera, because we were going to do something with our rare day off together. 

So around 1300, we grabbed some drinks and took off. 

Lame, I know.  But what do you want from a spontaneous road trip?  No excuse, you say?  Because there are Sheetz everywhere around here?  Oh well.

Drinks: check.  Music:  oh man, did we have music.  

LUCKILY, and strangely, my ancient cd holder--you know one of those black zipped binders where you can hold, like 200 cds-- was in the car.  No MP3s for this girl.   And do you know what was in that embarassingly old cd thingy? 

Dun dun dunnn.....

Freakin sweet right?

Music: so checked. Destination: well all we could come up with was Lancaster, PA.  A 45 min drive.  Through Amish country.  I'll take it. 

We drove, and we sang as loud as I've ever heard.  You know why? BECAUSE WE KNEW EVERY SINGLE WORD!   Ah, how I feel bad for my 14 year old brain.  We called out key changes and mimicked dance moves, and laughed, and laughed. 

At one point, K asked me, "Do you think less of me now?"

To which I replied, "No way! This is AWESOME!!"

He and I have known each other for 10 years, but we didn't know that we both listened to NSYNC until it was cemented into our not-yet-fully-developed-brains. 

Kinda makes me wish I studied Spanish like that when I was 14. 

So, Lancaster.  Amish country mixed in with Central Pennsylvania. You'll see buggies, you'll definitely see their "exhaust" laying on the road, and you'll also see clothes lines filled. 

But as you can see, it's still winter here (ah man), and so Lancaster was not as busy as I'd hoped.  No one's planting yet.  We took it for what it was and tried to make it a good road-trip anyways.  I'd pick a direction and then he would.  We drove over rolling hills and admired the farmscaping.  The grass is starting to brighten and pretty soon the fields will be busy.  This is one of the best things about living here.  Farms mean green and green means farm stands.  And even though I'll be planting my own little garden haven soon, there's nothing like farmstand produce.  Nothing.

And it was pretty sunny too.

Finally, a road trip calls for a pit stop.  Here was ours:

We stopped in Strasburgh, and had a bite to eat in their oh-so-cute store, which was filled with caramel apples, swedish fish, almond bark, and canned goods.  YES, I know it's probably a tourist trap, but what is a road trip, even a mini one, without that? 

And a buggy shot.  They don't like to be photographed, so I focused on the horse:

It was a good day.  We rolled down the windows, enjoyed some Elton John greatest hits on the ride home, and I rested my head against him as he drove.  Because, the best thing about a road trip, is sharing it with someone you love. Finding something new, discovering something together, laughing, and reminiscing:  that's what a road trip is all about. 

Thank you my incredible love, for humoring me and jumping in the car with me.  For singing loud and dancing in your seat.  For rockin those fine-ass terminator glasses.  For going back to the car at the pitstop and getting my camera.   For being you and loving me.  For ending the day with this:

Little did we know, this was a last-hoorah for a while for K's car.

Because yesterday, he hit a deer.  And that's all I'll say about the deer because I don't want to think sad thoughts. Yes, K's okay.

SO, (ah, don't think about the deer or the deer fur that was on his front bumper) anyways, today, is all about organizing and cleaning and putting things where they need to be.  BECAUSE, as good as days off with your love and his stupendous Justin Timberlake abilities are, getting things in order days are better.  They make you feel accomplished and like a super-girl.

My dog is eating everything in sight.  I need to finish this up.

Mmmmm....spring break

I'm savoring this spring break like no other. 

Cancun and Vegas breaks are so out-of-style.  Give me a little sunshine, a car, and a camera, and of course, my love, and I'm set.  End the day with a sleeping lab at my feet and his caring hand on my leg, and that's all I need. 

We had another adventure today.  Pictures and a post to follow.  I just want to live in this day a little more, and dwell in the fact that I'm getting back to my normal self.  Moving 3000 miles away from your home, your family, friends, and your mountains can change a girl.  It throws your equilibrium off, makes you dizzy, and out of sorts.  Seattle is very different from Harrisburg.  Duh.  But, the Seattle me shouldn't differ from the Harrisburg me.  I'm realizing that more and more.  I can incorporate the things I love back home even in Central Pennsylvania.

I thought about this deeply when we had our little mini-road trip today (!!).  In the last few weeks, I've taken a random drive, hauled the pup into the wilderness despite 10 inches of snow, ran, and embraced nature to the degree of almost-hugging-an-actual-tree. I did these things in winter.  In Harrisburg.  I've had salmon multiple times, grilled, and assembled my rubs with love in an artistic fashion, front and center in the kitchen cupboard.  AND, I have taken so many freakin pictures, that I'll actually remember what I've done!  

Moving brought out a hidden, brewing depression.  It wasn't his fault, it wasn't my fault, it was just there and it was amplified by moving.  Suddenly, I wasn't happy and I didn't have an identity, except for telling people, "I'm from Seattle," when I met them.  Therapy and medicine helped, but this is helping more.  Capturing and recording, sharing and contemplating, this blog has really helped me brush off that funk, and come into my own.   It's a simple blog, and it's developing, but it  helps me.  Maybe it will help someone else someday.  Maybe people will at least look at the pictures and think "ooh, pretty,"  or "my goodness, that is the cutest dog I've ever seen."  It's something and it's mine, and that's just good enough. 

So tomorrow, I will post again, and share more pictures. I will write about how great it felt so roll the window down in the car, and sing,  and laugh, and look over at a boy and realize how lucky I am to live here, how lucky I am to have found love.  I'll share those feelings, hit publish, and smile, because I know that my life is being lived.

And just because it makes me happy

Pictures of someone who loves the sunshine more than me:

Gotta love all the carpet fibers on her.  It's from rollin around in the sun. 

Enjoying the break

I have accomplished so much in my very short spring break.  Already, I've knocked two things off my springy list. 

Yesterday, after I posted, I took the initiative and dragged down the patio furniture (which were residing in the garage from the apartment move).   I change when I'm outside.  It's like the weather reflects my mood (called a pathetic fallacy by the way).  My garden is evolving.  In a month, plants will be in the ground and dirt will be moved, but right now I just have a patio for myself.  And my patio means terra cotta ready to be put to work, luscious red pots, seashells from home, and a new glass oil lamp that will accompany me on many starry nights. 

Even this guy couldn't touch the day.



Since my garden lacks color at the moment, I tried to compensate:

So, that's one down.

TODAY, I grilled!  The lemony chicken!  Chicken that was marinated in lemon and orange juice, drizzled with olive oil.  Grilled asparagus and potatoes.  And mussels.  The perfect appetizer.  Muscles with onions and garlic, and Chateau St. Michelle  Sauvignon Blanc. Cast iron skillet on a hot grill. Muscles on a hot iron skillet, with grilled, crusty bread to soak up those beautiful juices. 

You know what else tops off the day?  Achy muscles from yesterday's run (I go girl), and a spontaneous afternoon nap with my love and our dog.  In the sunshine. 

Oh, and I totally made a new wreath today (yeah, I do that).  A springy wreath. 

Now, I'm jammied up, snuggling in bed, and ready for the Oscars. 

Thank you for reading this little blog, and taking the time to look at these pictures and words.  These are simple enjoyments, but they make life what it is.  And writing about it, capturing the moments and making them something more, that's what gets me by.

Springy

Ok, so it's not to that point yet, the trees are still bare and piles of leftover snow remain, but spring is coming!  It's on it's way!  We may have another snow storm in a couple of weeks, but today, today I will soak up the 50 degree weather and live in denial.

Classes are off for spring break starting today.  So I will be able to recharge and remember what it felt like before I crazily signed up for a second round of school.  I got home early today, let the dogs out, and closed the screen door behind me.  THE SCREEN DOOR!  That's right, it's that warm out, or at least it's not that cold out.  So here we sit, sunlight beating down on us, as the dogs roll on the ground and I massage the sun into my hair and skin. 

Yes, it rains in Seattle, and yes it has a lot of grey and gloomy days.  But, I believe that we need those kind of days in order to enjoy the sunshine more.  On the sunny days in Seattle, and boy are they sunny, the sky opens up and you fixate on the sky.  You think to yourself, "That is the biggest, bluest sky I have ever seen, " and "why is the sky so much smaller in other places?"  Mountains pop out and sigh, it's my own heaven. 

Still, I'll take the sunshine wherever I can get it, and right now, that happens to be in the basement of my new digs, at my boyfriend's house.  Which, is going pretty well by the way.  Anyways, spring break.  Back to spring break.  This is a pretty great start.  Two dogs, not trying to kill each other, Jason Mraz and Robin Thicke music, sunshine and fresh air ala screen door.  Life is good. 

I'm going to take advantage of this spring break.  I'm going to use it all up and not take it for granted.  And yes, I'm going to create a list, right now, that I may look at in a week and think, "Why didn't you do any of these things?"  I'll try anyways.

1) Finish painting the basement. What? That's not relaxing.  I know, but finished paint= opportunity to hang up my pictures.   And hopefully I will no longer sit in bed and look up at how freakin stupid the room looks with it's current paint job. 

2) Start my seedlings. I am going to plant veggies, herbs, and flowers from scratch. Haha.  But, I can't do that until the basement is all painted. 

3) Hike. Somewhere, anywhere. Definitely with Lilly, possibly the boyfriend.

4) Pull out the backyard furniture and grill. And then make something with the grill.  Like a lemony chicken. 

5) Have an epic movie night. Theme to follow

6) Take a mini roadtrip. To somewhere even more sunny!!

On a side note: 

I am a good girlfriend.  I cook him exquisite meals.  I watch hours upon hours of Steeler football and Penguins hockey.  I make a dive to the bar when we first enter a crowded bar, and emerge with 3 beers for the two of us and his friend (true story).  I ignore holey underwear. 

HOWEVER, none of that really matters compared to what happened today.  See, all of those things, which I have mastered in the last 4 years, are now second rate because I was mentioned on Pittgirl's website. 

Pittgirl is a Pittsburgh lover/commentor who has the damn funniest blog I've ever seen.  K followed her when she was anonymous and now she writes for Pittsburgh magazine.  Around the middle of Feb, I shared with her Kelle Hampton's blog about precious baby Nella's birth story.   A couple days ago I got a response from Ginny, and today, I get text from K saying that he was proud of me because I showed up on her blog.  Well, my name did as well as the blog I sent her.   

My coolness factor just increased by 10% with my boyfriend. 

I'll take it. 

Desperately Seeking Sunshine

I caved. 

I couldn't take it any longer.

Yesterday, I did something really bad.

I bought out-of-season tomatoes.  Blah. 

I craved bruschetta, Italy's most wonderful import.  Salty, fruity, garlicky tomatoes, with beautiful olive oil and basil.  BASIL.  My favorite smell in the whole entire world. 

I tried. I failed. 

They were tasteless, no depth, no flavor.  A disappointment. 

Tomatoes are meant to be savored in the summertime.  Hot-house winter tomatoes are a mortal sin.  What kind of Italian am I?

To make up for this, I will plant heirloom tomatoes next week, and drink of their bright, fruity, juicy selves.  I will continue to wait for summer produce.  I will dream of bruschetta and caprese salad, and heirloom reds and yellows with salt and pepper. 

Screw spring.  I want summer!