I'd take G4 any day...

Most people I speak with back home haven't heard of the G20. Here, it's affecting most everyone's lives for a few days. Adversely. 'Cept those school kids...almost all of the colleges have closed their campuses today and tomorrow. 'Cept Pitt, cause is sucks, so I'm learning.

I've been receiving these long, drawn out emails from my unit director at work. If you live on the east end (which I do), please schedule yourself to work Thursday and Friday. Why? If you live anywhere else, it will take you 3 times the amount of time you usually take to drive to get to work. If you work 7a-7p today, you are welcome to stay at the hospital overnight. Why? You won't be physically able to leave. Why? There will be a 0.5-1 mile radius closed around the Presby campus. Phipps Conservatory is the scene of some big dinner this evening. No buses, no cars, and you better carry two forms of ID at all times in case you get accosted by the police.

If you don't prefer to live at your workplace (but I can't imagine who wouldn't want to have a one night stand with C. diff and MRSA and VRE), then there's another option: pay 40 bucks and sleep at Family House. As for the 7p-7a shift tonight, it will take you between 3 and 6 hours to get to work. You bes be leaving yo hiz at 2pm (when you should probably be sleeping so you can actually take care of people tonight). Hey, maybe they'll have a few extra hospital beds for a pre-work nap. Thank something or someone I still have class today, and that I have my own two feet and two wheels to get me to work tomorrow.

There are 3 designations for the wounded:

West Penn (right next to me in Little Italy) for the tear gassed protesters
Shadyside (right next to me down Aiken) for the beat up coppers
Presbyterian (my hospital, 30 minute walk/15 minute bike ride away) for the pres and co.

Ha. Maybe 10D will get to meet a well known diplomat. Maybe not. If something happens to one of them, they come to Presby and they take over. Take over? That means there will be no use for us, ie. they bring in their own staff and we get tossed aside. Sort of like that old phone book somewhere on my shelf...

Consult: Dream Interpreter

Someone used my deodorant. And I was pissed. I mean, royally, royally, pissed.

Fatigued and elated...

is the name of this summer game:

filling up on groceries
canoeing the Youg
looking out the window nook to see the early morning fog
baking in an oven though its door never closes
community herb gardens and pink wedding roses
a full time job and a book of matches
exploring new 'hoods with June love catches
wine corks in the park
and half-price Indian food
killing with kindness those who are rude
getting new two-wheels and revamping the old
refraining from complaining when the climate's a bit cold
Quiet Storm shakes and cemetery strolls
friends making faces that make them look like trolls
washing masses of one-person dishes in a too-tiny sink
starting to like that sweaty cyclist stink
parking in the garage then checking the mail
inability to keep up with graham crackers going stale
collecting triple A maps
hammering holes in the wall
knowing this could only be so great after summer warps into fall

Catch up, Cats up

I wanted to mention this before. As in, just after this happened about 1.5 months ago. Thus far, this summer, 2/3rds of the Grodek clan has traveled to this lovely city.

With this

that

and the other

able to set aside some time to see this burglar of a burgh, it's been quite possibly one of the best summers ever.


Bethany, West Virginy was even kind enough to show me what it's all about for an evening. As it turns out, the answer is Not Much. (aside from a college and winding roads). Jay came for a visit, one that was filled with park strolls, eating, country wedding music in the durtaaaay south, and more eating.


Although many of the items on my Prior to Going Back to School Activities List were not crossed off in these past few months, I was able to manage the time to hang out in Ohiopyle for a few days. Anna and I broke our bodies on natural water slides, explored an abandoned house, got invited to soothe our "sore" muscles in a random hot tub, consumed possum sauce, slept on the porch of that abandoned house, watched the sun rise over the clouds, and pseudo-spleunked in the Laurel Caverns.

Here is the view from Bowmann's Rock. Sunrise complete with clouds above, clouds below.

Class starts tomorrow. Umm. Gross.

Out the house

Brent graduated. The last of us kids.



Work orientation is almost over, and it's quite possibly the scariest feeling in my entire life (next to believing that bee swarms will eat you in your sleep). I think it will be okay once I get accustomed to the inter workings of the hospital. And saving people. Oyyyyyyy. I could, however, really get used to this working 12 hours shifts. 4 days of non-working days a week???!! It's the reason why Selena and the Boy are able to spend so much time in the 'burgh with me over the next few days! Danielle, give up the west coast!!

MeNmyBirfdayCake

Bees for Breakfast, Owls for Brunch, Ricotta for Dinner (must've missed lunch...)

The carnage...there was plenty more where that came from!

Most darling bathroom in the history of bathrooms: The Zenith. Be sure to enter the one on your left.

Chocolate Ricotta Torte. Recipe compliments of my sweet cuz Lorelei: http://favoritefamilyrecipes.tumblr.com/

I was introduced to the most amazing eating establishment this past weekend. It involved a vegetarian brunch buffet. BUFFET! All the richest, most delicious cakes, salads, and tea one could ever want. The bathroom wasn't too shabby either...

My friend DJ came to visit me! She's my first visitor from back home. We indulged in a little IKEA shopping spree. Spent lots and lotsa dough on needless household furnishings, all her influence.

Please try the above-linked recipe for a chocolate ricotta torte! It's so easy and scrumptious. Brought it to a friend's BBQ on Sunday. Should have made an extra and designated it for my apartment. Dang.