Pittsburgh N' At

Hi Everyone!
In addition to being 'busy' at work (read: needing to seem 'busy' and hide my Internet usage from certain people in the office) I had Monday off for MLKJR day.

At my LAST JOB (not to mention the name of the organization specifically or anything...no seriously. I did that once and one of my co-workers was linked to my blog in his google news alerts...awkward) I didn't get MLKJR day off. It was super lame.

But, at my new job, I definitely got Monday off. I don't wanna work...I wanna bang on the drum all day. My freedom coupled with cheap jetblue fares, led me to Pittsburgh, PA last weekend. Well, the fares weren't the only thing that lured me, if I'm going to be honest. My FRIEND CAITLIN is from there and had invited me to come visit her. How could I pass up this opportunity?

Also, in case you don't remember C8, here she is in all her glory:

(Yeah I might have taken that. By 'might have' I mean that I DID take that...using the hipstomatic iphone app obviously).

Well, she moved to Spain for LOVE and because her job was lame. Before that though, Caitlin lived in NYC and we totez hung out and like, went to Spa Castle (I blogged about that b's, so don't even act like you haven't heard of it...actually...after my stunning recommendation, did any of you make it out there?) and French Movie Night (RIP) and drinking tea, obviously. Before that though, Caitlin and I went to AU together and were friends

(Nothing like a mutually unattractive photo to really bring people together. I always say that, this one time)

Caitlin is originally from Pittsburgh, so rather than visit her in exotic Spain, I thought I'd take a trip left and meet up with her during her Siesta there.

Let me tell you, it was a great trip! Pittsburgh has more to offer than you would think. Things I liked about Pittsburgh

1) The color yellow. So I think the prominence of the color yellow has to do with The Pittsburgh Steelers, whose colors are black and yellow in case you didn't know. But regardless of why, seeing bridges painted with BRIGHT YELLOW paint brings a smile to my face and a smile to the entire city I'm sure

(AUTHOR'SNOTE-Ihaven'tactuallytalkedtotheentirecityofPittsburghsomaybeyellowbridgesdon'tbringasmiletoalloftheirfacesbutwhatever.shutup.youredumb)

2) BEER. The Pennsylvanians like their beer. Coincidentally, I like beer, too. I went to a cool place on Saturday night in Da Burgh (that's what the 'natives' call it) called The Church Brewworks. It's an old Church that has been converted in a restaurant/bar/brewery. The vaulted ceilings and columns remain, but all the stained glass has been blacked out, and on the alter, instead of a Crucifix, there are big, silver, beer brewing vats. Instead of being in a church for God, It feels like being in a Church for Beer. That's a religion I could support!

3) French Fries. So, the peepz in Pittsburgh, like to put French fries on everything. UM...so do I! But normally, for fear of judgment from my peers, I don't. I eat salads with lettuce and other vegetables...boring. In Pittsburgh, I had a salad with FRENCH FRIES ON TOP OF IT. AND THEN, another time, I HAD A SANDWICH WITH FRENCH FRIES IN IT. Why get these things on the side and waste time and plates (and water washing those plates, which, is bad for the environment)?


4) Sammitches. I guess that's what they called sandwiches in Pittsburgh. I had an awesome sandwich at a place called Primanti's. UM...it had delicious, fatty, bologna on it, and coleslaw, and fries. Luckily, I was wearing a sweatshirt and yoga pants or else pant buttons could have popped.

(Sometimes you need fries on the side, too)

5) Museums. I do get off while visiting a good museum. I mean, I don't think that's the appropriate way to say what I wanted to say. UM. Moving on. We went to the Andy Warhol museum and the Henry Clay Frick house museum (Frick as in 'The Frick Collection' in NYC what what). In the Andy Warhol museum that was a room that made me die of happiness. It had fans blowing BIG, silver, BOX-y balloons blowing around. You could, basically, run around in the room and swat at shiny balloons as if you were a kitten. Since all it takes to set up such a place is balloons and fans...I MIGHT have one of these myself one day. YAY!

6) THRIFT SHOPPING. I am thrifty. AND I am a shopaholic. Therefore, I appreciate a good thrift store. Or, if I'm in Pittsburgh, I appreciate 10 good thrift stores since that's how many we went to...give or take. I didn't actually count. I did actually get a SWEET black, wool coat for $13 and a purse for $14 and a sweater dress with stripes on it (duh) for $14.

(she opted out of the teal jacket...why?!)

7) FRIENDS. OHHHH Caitlin, Brooke and I had an awesome time catching up. We giggled to our hearts content. And played Scattegories and Life. And drank champagne. And went to fancy dinner with Caitlin's parents.

8) The Airport. I have no expectations when it comes to airports except that they have a bathroom. Sometimes you don't want to go on the plane. Anyway...I was pleasantly surprised by the Pittsburgh airport. THERE WAS A DINOSAUR THERE. And a display case featuring Mr. Rogers sweater (he's from Pittsburgh, too...what what). And some Andy Warhol stuff. AwesomeFest2011

In conclusion, Pittsburgh, because of its use of yellow, french fries, beer and bla bla bla, is a place you should all go. WEEKEND WIN!