The Steelers

I enjoy watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I got to actually attend a game this past Sunday. I never had so much fun, really, even if we did lose. I tailgated with my friend Brandon and his family & friends beforehand, enjoyed at least the 1st half of the game (things started going downhill during the 2nd half), and then tailgated more afterwards, drowning our sorrows from the loss in some good, cold beer. I'm worried about our young quarterback, "Big Ben", and I feel he's a little afraid to play as he used to do with such gusto. Granted, he's suffered from his motorcycle injury and then appendicitis, so I can understand his fear, but I'd like to see Coach Cowher put Charlie Batch in until Ben seems a little more himself. Not that I'm an expert on football, but I'm glad I'm not like the young woman sitting beside me during the game who had to keep asking her boyfriend what EACH play meant. Oh, and then she made him leave during the last 7 minutes of the game, remarking, "nothing can really happen to help them in the last 7 minutes, right?". And he left. Not me - I was there with the other die-hard fans, waiting until the last few seconds when we really threw it away. That is one thing I truly love about this city, the football fans. There is no other city like it, and there are no other fans like Steeler fans (just go to another city and visit a Steeler bar there). So, Sunday was a very good day, even if we had to lose to the Bengals.

You've Been Tagged

Thanks to Helen, I'll give this a try . . .

1. Which famous person would you most like to learn that you are descended from?
Eleanor Roosevelt - she was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated herself to politics and causes dear to her, yet never lost her grace.

2. Which famous person would you hate to learn that were descended from?
Julius Caesar because I'd hate to have such arrogance running through my veins.

3. If you could be ancestor to any living famous person who would it be & why?
Natalie Portman because she is a role model, she's talented, she's intelligent and she is not afraid to stand her ground.

4. If you could go back in time and meet any known ancestor(s) of yours who would it be?
My step-father's paternal grandmother because she was a single mother and I'd like to know how she was so strong and able to raise so many children on her own and have so much love in her heart.

5. Tag 5 people.
BB
JC
JB
LM
anyone else who might read this!

Updates, Observations, etc.

So, I believe I noted my ankle was sprained about 3 weeks ago as I was dog-sitting. Come to find out, after some x-rays, it seems my 5th metatarsal (sp?) on my right foot is fractured. No wonder the pain wouldn't go away. Now I'm in a brace/boot type contraption that actually is alleving the pain considerably, but it's a hassle, let me tell you. So, I'll be hobbling about for at least 4 more weeks . . .

Work at both jobs is intense right now. The president of my company has decided to have me dedicate half of my time to project control, which I actually love, but it's tiring to spend so much time working on schedules and reading materials. Then, at BB&B, I'm training to be a front-end supervisor and also to be a bridal consultant, and this training entails more reading. Whatever happened to reading for fun?

My birthday was a lot of fun. The Friday before it was spent at a happy hour at Six Penn Kitchen with some of my dear friends who happened to not be going out of town for the Labor Day weekend. After drinks and appetizers there, some of us went to the Southside to hang out at the Carson City Saloon and then later to Bar 11. The Friday after my birthday was spent at dinner with my best friend, B, at this yummy restaurant called Eleven. Every birthday he and I get coupons from the Big Burrito restaurants so we can save $30 on an entree, and we have frequented every one of the restaurants except this one, the newest. It was an amazing experience, and though pricey, one I'd do again because the service and food was divine. And it's always fun to get all gussied up for a delightful dinner. :-)

I am still down in the dumps about not getting to go to Charlottesville and I actually had a panic attack last night, which I attribute to that and lack of sleep and stress from work. I really enjoy being friends with Nirav, though, because he seems to be able to calm me down. I wish the panic attacks didn't get worse the older I get - along with grey hair, I get this, too. :-(

I don't understand why when I offer advice to the people I love that it is seen as me somehow trying to be in control. I tend to be very opinionated and try to help my friends all I can, which seems like I'm butting in, but I do it out of love, really. I am very protective and seem to be able to sense things and just want to keep the people closest to me safe. I know it's hard to hear things you don't want to hear or even think about from someone close to you, but I know from experience that it's always because someone is trying to look out for you and save you from pain.

It's a bit chilly here in Pittsburgh today - I'm so not ready for summer to be over. :-(

I know, I know, I've been MIA!

Sorry for the LONG time since I last wrote. I will try to catch up on some things - my 35th birthday rolling around, celebrations I had, the fact it's been a year since my nephew-in-law had his accident (which led to his death), and other things I find I need to talk about. I've missed writing, and have especially missed the support you all give me.

Another Trip I Have to Miss

When I didn't go to NYC, my best guy friend, B, and I agreed we'd definitely go to Charlottesville, VA together for a DMB concert. In fact, he promised. Then, for my birthday, he surprised me with an extra set of tickets for the first night of concerts, so we could make a whole weekend of it. Keep in mind I'm supposed to be in the Outer Banks this week on vacation, but due to financial constraints and work obligations, I decided not to join my niece and some of her family there. So, C'ville was going to be my 'vacation'. Now, what I am about to say may sound petty, but I'm still upset and am trying not to be. B's girlfriend was not too keen on us going to C'ville together and decided to pitch a fit about the whole thing. And of course, B was in the middle and I took myself out of the whole equation by saying I won't go. Why would I subject myself to going if it's going to upset him and her? But why should I have to even do that? I'm not trying to be a martyr but I also didn't want to feel badly about something I knew I'd enjoy. I really want to go, but don't want to go by myself or try to find someone to go for one night. And I'm not trying to be a 'girl' about it - it wasn't a date weekend or anything like that, just two friends who like the same music going to a new place. But she really was jealous that he was going somewhere she wanted to go and she wasn't getting to go, and she was making it hard for him. Now, I know it's hard to fathom two people of the opposite sex being 'just friends'. But, it's also not fair to punish the friend because you don't like it. I just feel sick about the whole thing. I actually cried last night while at work at BB&B because a DMB song was playing and I haven't seen them in months.

Anyway, my consolation prize for not going is that I get to use B's Steeler ticket that Sunday while he and his GF are in Virginia. And I will have fun, and not pout, and just accept the fact I can't have everything I want.