Birthday Astronomer: A Night at the Observatory

The Allegheny Observatory sits atop appropriately named Observatory Hill in Riverview Park. My first visit there was for Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos, a class I took because it was supposedly an "easy" A. Quickly I would learn that the study of astronomy and I are not compatible. Something - no - everything about astronomy simply dumbfounds me. That isn't to say I wasn't fascinated by it. I just could not figure it out for the life of me. And somehow - still managed to get B.

I returned to the Observatory two weeks ago to celebrate the 30th birthday of a dear friend, the supremely talented Eric Lidji. We were treated to a unique tour of the place provided by a friend who has been running around the observatory since he was a kid. His family's involvement with the historical landmark led to a the knowledge of every cool nook and cranny throughout the building. And I do mean throughout. We adventured through the stacks of journals, we entered the crypt in complete dark, and - this was a birthday celebration after all - we ate cake in the amazing tiered library.

Here are some photos from our night at the observatory:

Birthday Astronomer.

The view from above.

Dusty, approaching ancient volumes.

Love the spine of Baker's Astronomy.

Maps to...something? Maybe the moon?

Of course, I found an Allison-interest-appropriate box of astronomy journals.

Unlike whoever that Rowland may be, this Rowland did not fare well studying the sky.

The city.

We got to see Jupiter in one of the telescopes. It was oddly comforting to see it up there in the sky, inconceivably far away. It looked just like it does in all the astronomy books I sold when I was a salesrep for Pearson up in Boston. I may never understand it, but the stars, galaxies and cosmos will always be a fascinating thing.

EvBetPGH Instagram: January 2013

January is cruel. At least weather-wise. Last weekend it was amazingly mild. This weekend we're dealing with howling cold winds and temperatures ready to drop into the single digits. I look back on these photos from the end of last week and can only look forward to the upcoming months when the weather begins a permanent improvement.

From the Hot Metal Bridge at the beginning of a long bike ride.

On the Eliza Furnace Trail, under the FIrst Avenue trolley station.

Along the South Side trail, soon the sign will be hidden by new green leaves.

Adventuring the Slopes: StepTrek 2012

Last year, on an extremely hot October afternoon (for real - it was like 85 degrees), I walked up and down what seemed like a billion steps scattered throughout the South Side Slopes. I must be a glutton for punishment, because I enjoyed it so much that I did it again. This time, I took my buddy Ross along. It was the first of a day/evening/ night full of things that Ross and I set out to do. More on some of those another post. Tonight, we focus on steps. Lots. Of. Steps. The South Side Slopes isn't exactly a place where I'm likely to be found. It's prohibitive for someone whose main mode of transport is a bike. There also doesn't seem to be a plethora of entertainment up there either. But, it's really fun to explore, because it's full of outstanding views, tucked away spaces, and a stray cat or two. The StepTrek happens every October. The money raised from registration goes towards keeping the steps in working order. These aren't just fun, they're necessary!

Getting ready for Halloween. We are so, so close.

Not sure if this is still in operation, but the Kollar Club was a Slovakian club, and many immigrants from Slovakia in Pittsburgh came here to learn their first words of English. 

A typical street in the Slopes might end with a staircase.

Going up!

What do we have here!

This adorable little guy. Would have made a good addition to my mini-collection of black cats. But he looked pretty well kept, so he'll stay up there on the Slopes.

A witch, a view of the Cathedral.

I can't help but love every view of this good-looking city. We kind of rock.

Gotham City = Pittsburgh: The Dark Knight Rises

By now we have mostly all seen The Dark Knight Rises? Yes? Ok!

Bat signal at the Carnegie Science Center.

Pittsburgh, aka GOTHAM CITY, from the Carnegie Science Center.

Midnight IMAX showing made for a rough Friday at work, but it was worth  it.

This won't be a lengthy post. I've always been a horrible reviewer of things. It's either I love it, I was amused by it, or I didn't care for it. With The Dark Knight Rises I was amused and I loved it. Seriously. I know the movie has its logistical flaws and a lot of people had issues with Bane's voice or the big problem that needs to be solved before the end of the movie, but I enjoyed every second of it. Most all of the recognizable Pittsburgh scenes are in the second half of the film, starting with the Heinz Field scenes, which my brother, friends and I were lucky enough to be VIPs at the day of filming. I saw my office building (not for long though; we're moving to PPG Place in a week) and watched orphans run out of what would be Franktuary. I saw the Saks Fifth Avenue sign as well as the sign for Wiener World. It was a little disorienting during the chase scene when they kept circling around Kaufmann's (Macy's - whatever). It was totally fun, and I'm expecting to schedule a second viewing soon. Going to the Science Center and seeing it on that crazy IMAX scene was great, but I'd like to see it normally too. I think I missed a lot of stuff around the periphery of each scene.

Anyways. Great movie. Great fun when they were in town filming. Even though I wasn't in the movie, it feels like a small part of me can be because those are my streets. I walk down them every day. Just like Batman.

PGH CHEAP: Oh Yeah! We're Going to a Laser(tainment) Show!

Ladies and gentlemen, Fountains of Wayne:

Oh yeah, I went to a laser show. Part of Pittsburgh's 2012 Regatta (you gotta regatta!) was a nightly laser show at Point State Park. Of course, it was free and that fits into my budget for PGH CHEAP this July. I could think of no better way to spend an evening last Monday night, so I biked down the Eliza Furnace Trail toward the city at sunset and took in Lasertainment's highly enjoyable production. I have to admit, right before it started, I wondered if I wasn't about to be very disappointed in my choice of activity for the night. But I was pleasantly surprised, and even a little impressed by the show. 

The small screen was my first cause for concern that this laser show might not be awesome.

Waited for the sun to go down by reading and writing and sitting in the grass.

I cannot recall what song they used this dancing chicken for, but oh my gosh, the laser dancing chicken made my night.

This second video is really where it's at. Lasers and fireballs.

Cost of Lasertainment: FREE.

You Only Turn 29 Once, Pt. 2

The second half of my awesome Saturday birthday adventures was an incline ride and steak dinner atop Mount Washington.

We used a Groupon for our dinner, which kind of made it feel like it was free. Which was awesome.

But even more awesome was our table by the window. I mean, like right next to the window. Our reservation was for 8 p.m., which allowed a lovely view of the skyline during and early summer sunset. Pretty perfect way to eat a meal. (Especially one made of steak and potato.)

After dinner we convened with friends in their backyard for a fire, whiskey, and smores. At midnight, I was given high fives. I told the stories of my mom going into labor with me at Lacky's (or so I've been told) and about why my name is Allison Elisabeth. It was a fine way to end the night, and a finer way to ring in number 29.

I'm off to Boston for the weekend. In fact, I'm probably sitting at the gate for my flight right now, being all ridiculously early. (That's just how I do; I'd go crazy with anxiety otherwise.) The weekend after this I'm back to D.C. It's hard with weekends like these to accomplish as much Pittsburgh adventuring as I'd like, but next week I'll be starting a new little series that corresponds with one of my 30 Before 30 list items. So spend your weekend getting excited for that, while I spend mine celebrating the marriage of one of my first friends in Boston. Congrats, Erin and Dave!

30 Before 30

Yesterday, I turned 29 years old. I've never been one for shying away form celebrating my birthday, as I feel so many people in my life are, or are becoming. I hope I never lose my birthday enthusiasm, no matter how old I get. I wouldn't say I'm particularly excited about turning 29; it's not a year that warrants any extra enthusiasm. But, really, there is a reason to be excited. This is my LAST YEAR of my twenties. Which is kind of cool. My twenties have been a strange bit of time. They were Boston bookended by Pittsburgh. I made a ton of very awesome and very terrible decisions in both cities along the way, but ultimately, ending my twenties in Pittsburgh feels perfectly appropriate. I'm ready to start looking into some adult-ish things, mainly buying a home, and I'm starting to feel like my life is calming down a little. (Not in the stupid-fun kind of way, but the frantically worry about what I'm doing with my life kind of way. I'm still planning on doing ridiculous things all the time.)

This is all a longwinded way of saying that I've made (rather, am making - it's not complete yet) a list of 30 Things To Do Before 30. I plan on spending my last year of my twenties doing things I've never done before, have always wanted to do, haven't done in a long time, etc. I've been brainstorming with friends, so I expect the list will be complete soon, and when it is, I will re-share it with you. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment! Here's the list as it stands now.

30 Things To Do Before 30

1. Walk the Panther Hollow Hidden Path

2. Take in a Laser Show at Carnegie Science Center

3. Finish Pedal for Pennies

4. Take the Carrie Furnace Tour

5. Have a picnic at four different skyline viewpoints

6. Take a Pittsburgh Duck Boat Tour

7. Take a class in film or art at a Pittsburgh facility

8. Finish neighborhoods stitchings project

9. Visit the Frick Art Museum

10. Go to the Pittsburgh Zoo

11. Go to the Symphony

12. Get to 400 posts on EvBetPGH

13. Start the sidewalk chalk project

14. Go to Banjo Night

15. 21 questions project

16. Cut my hair, kinda short

17. Go white water rafting

18. Redesign my poster wall

19. Go to the casino

20. Field a softball team of friends

21. Take a limo ride

22. Go to Sandcastle

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Later this week, I'll fill you in on what I did to celebrate. But here's a quick preview:

An Official "Unofficial" Start to Summer: Pirates Beat Kansas City b/w Boyz II Men in the Steel City

A few times this week, I've been walking with someone and felt that wonderful feeling in the air that says "summer is here!" and I've repeated the silent announcement aloud. I've been met, more than once, with the argument of "well, technically it's not summer yet." Yes. I know. I know the technical start date for summer is June 21. But if we take that as an unbreakable rule, my birthday would fall in the spring, and I am a definite and undeniable summer kid. 

Listen. It's summer. Deal with it.

And a great way to kick off the official "unofficial" start to summer? Watching a Pirates game on a cloudless evening and then sticking around afterward for a special performance by Boyz II Men.

Yes. That's right. Boyz II Men. 

No ballpark, no matter where, has as beautiful a view as PNC Park.

My dad and I spent the majority of the game in the standing room section behind homeplate. We actually ended up with a coupe of our hockey game acquaintances, which was a nice surprise. Also a nice surprise was being a section removed from the craft beer stand, where I purchased many Bitter America cans.

I'm so mad that I missed the June 8 t-shirt. Someone make a time machine, please!

The Pirates scored their five runs in a single inning, which was exciting and concentrated and much enjoyed by all. I love Pirate games for the familiarity. No matter how long it's been since my last visit to PNC, it always feels exciting to see the Pierogies race, watch the ridiculous lewdness of the Pirate Parrot, and sit and stare at the skyline (especially during a night game when you get to watch the sunset too) and wonder how somewhere could be so perfect. (Okay, well maybe that last one is just me, but I suspect there are a number of other skyline-admirers/ponderers out there.)

After the game ended, the field was readied for what many believed (myself included, to be honest) was the real entertainment for the night:

Yes. Boyz II Men. My dad and I went back up to our assigned seats and joined two friends of mine for the rest of the night. Boyz II Men played the hits, and, of course, saved Motown Philly for last, so we all went out on a high note of dancing and singing.

Roses were tossed out into the crowd for "I'll Make Love to You."

The next day, I met up with Allie on the South Side for our first softball game. It was a scrimmage. And we (the whole team) was laughably terrible. Which means we should have a good fun time playing ball and drinking beers throughout the summer. Normally our games will be on the North Side, but today's scrimmage was played atop Mt. Washington. I can now check an item off my Pittsburgh to-do list, that I didn't even know existed as a desire until I was right there doing it.