Before the Steelers Parade
Before the Steelers Parade downtown at the Point, I walked out to Fifth Avenue about 11:25am. At the bus stops, every bus heading downtown was packed with humanity. A motorcycle police-escorted set of buses heading in the opposite direction had several "decoy" buses in the convoy, and one bus which most likely held the Steelers. My physical therapist and I discussed what I had observed about the buses later today.
Renee and I lunched together, and we enjoyed each other's company, especially since she will have a new job next week downtown.
Today I signed up for a health club (the same one Mom and Dad belong to). I'm really excited about using the heated pool and taking chair yoga!
I also ran some errands in Squirrel Hill.
Labels: diocese of Pittsburgh, excited, exercise, health, Pittsburgh, Point, pool, Superbowl, thankfulness, water exercise, Zubik
Post-game Superbowl XLIII 2009
Waow! We all got to the third quarter, and thought it was in the bag, when the Cardinals made a touchdown...with 2:36 on the clock, it was down to the wire. Santonio Holmes really pulled it off with less than 40 seconds on the clock. Then the next thing we knew, we were six-times Superbowl champions. (We won the six-pack)
Until half-past midnight there was honking and celebrations audible from my home's sheltered window, and WPXI's Peggy Finnegan was still covering the celebrations on the streets of Oakland and the South Side well into the night. Pittsburgh Public Schools and a number of other private schools started two hours later today. We take our football seriously in this town.
Labels: celebration, games, Pittsburgh, school, Superbowl, TV
Ground Hog Day 2009; Clean Coal
So I awoke, tuned into the radio (which described the Steelers win last night), and soon after there was a live broadcast from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania....during which the Ground Hog (a.k.a. Ground Pig) noted that the Steelers had won (again), and that he saw his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter.
Check out this website out for a quiz on Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog.
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I had received a mass email encouraging President Obama to not focus on "clean coal." Note that coal CAN be burned cleanly, if the proper scrubber technology is utilized (such as developed by Dave, the husband of a friend). This reduces acid rain.
Labels: cold, email, EPA, international culture, Pittsburgh, rain, science, seasons, Superbowl, weather, Wellesley
Superbowl XLIII
Saw:
The President talk before the game
The singing of "America the Beautiful" and the national anthem
the coin toss
the longest play (~100 yards) in Superbowl history
Now, it's half time time (17 to 7)---time for Bruce Springsteen
Labels: games, Pittsburgh, Superbowl
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B = SUPERBOWL XLIII SUNDAY!
Today at noon Mass Fr. Breier mentioned Superbowl issues. Several of us in the choir and many in the congregation sported NFL-licensed Steelers wear. We were warned by Don and Fr. Breier for moderation in celebration...don't get "out of control."
A little over a week ago, there was a small wooden lemonade-stand near a construction site. Young students were asking the Steelers for autographs there.
Nancy and I headed to Union Grill for lunch, finding that it was closed. We then shopped at the museum stores and ate at the Fossil Fuels cafeteria. I found a nice gift for Joyce at the museum stores. Nancy collects pressed pennies, and we had our picture taken by the entomologic Superbowl XXXXIII sign w/ the expired, stuffed cardinals.
I will spend the Superbowl with William, Marissa, and their family.
Labels: Carnegie, celebration, Church, Curb Your Enthusiasm, dining, friends, gift, museum, Pittsburgh, Superbowl
Hanging out with Maureen
This morning for breakfast Maureen and I went to a cafe in Regent Square. I had the ricotta cheese and berry crepes special, which were reminiscent of blintzes. Maureen had the pumpkin pancake. We both enjoyed our breakfasts.
I ran an errand in Squirrel Hill. Then we went to the Waterworks Mall, where I picked up jewelry findings and equipment (and a Steelers T Shirt), and she returned an item from Christmas. We stopped to have a snack at Taco Bell, and then we stopped by Barnes and Noble for magazine, book, and CD window-shopping. We then went downtown to Macy's and Brooks Brothers to get Jonathan a sweater gift (on the way noting early street closures in the Strip, where people wandered in the street like wildlife bedecked in hues of gold and black). Finally, we stopped by the Panera near Maureen's home, where we got two cherry cheese danishes and hot beverages (I still think the hot cocoa at Crazy Mocha was better, richer). All in all, we spent some great time together shopping and enjoying each others' company.
Back to grading...
Labels: biology, dining, jewelry, shopping, Superbowl, work
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra--Gabriela Montero
Earlier this evening, Maureen and I went to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall. Andrés Cárdenes, concertmaster, conducted tonight. The program consisted of:
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 in one movement (Samuel Barber)
Rhapsody in Blue, with Gabriela Montero at pianoforte (George Gershwin)
Improvisation on an audience-supplied theme, by Ms. Montero
INTERMISSION
"Air and Simple Gifts," with Ms. Montero, Andrés Cárdenes, Associate Principal Cello David Premo, and Principal Clarinet Michael Rusinek (by special permission of John Williams)
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107, "Reformation" (Felix Mendelssohn)
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The first piece was rather emotive and dramatic.
The Gershwin piece had imaginative, moving phrasing as provided by Ms. Montero on the pianoforte. The crowd responded with an appreciative standing ovation.
The improvisation on the Steelers' chant "Way to Go, Steelers, Way to Go" was nothing short of inspired, ending in a Latin beat (cha cha?). She is a wonderful, beautiful natural talent---and the audience erupted with an immediate standing ovation.
We saw Fabiola and Jose on the landing at the Dress Circle level at intermission. We exchanged greetings, as we were on our way to the Grand Lobby to greet the artist at intermission. The elevator was inoperable, so we waited in line patiently. Gabriela Montero signed my CD and program, and we chatted ever-so briefly.
The next piece was a pleasant surprise---the
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra received permission to perform "Air and Simple Gifts," with Ms. Montero and the PSO musicians this weekend. "Air and Simple Gifts" was the musical piece commissioned for Barack Obama's Inauguration Ceremony. For the last curtain call, Ms. Montero in her black-with-gold-hemmed dress sported a Terrible Towel 'round her neck.
The Mendelssohn's "Reformation" Symphony provided a suitable anchor to the evening's program.
As I exited, I ran into Richard Teaster and showed my appreciation for the music on the 9th of this month at the Cathedral. "A well-performed program that included diverse pieces," I said. "The Friday before Palm Sunday we will be in Synod Hall," he indicated, inviting. "Thanks," I said.
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Maureen and I headed to Crazy Mocha in Bloomfield for cups of hot cocoa and a Devil's food-cream cheese muffin. I spotted a doggie under the table next door..."Pippa" is her name, as her owner mumbled her name so that she would not think he were calling her.
Labels: American history, Broadway, celebration, Choir, citizenship, dining, games, Montero, music, Pittsburgh, politics, PSO, seasons, sports, Superbowl, surprise
Superbowl XLII 2008
Saturday night, I went to faith-sharing at the Newman Center. It was great to see my friends, and sing and share fellowship with them.
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Sunday night, Mom and I had dinner at William and Marissa and Beatrice's home. Beatrice, as predicted, asked for me after she saw Mom. She also asked for Lolo. We all had fun playing for a bit while Wawa watched the game (NE Patriots vs. the NY Giants). I noted that I had lived just a little longer in Giants country than I had in Patriots country...William recalled that he, too, lived in Patriots country for a while, too. We enjoyed dinner (consisting mostly of dips, including one recipe by Chere), sang "When you're happy and you know it," with Beata signature motions, and read a bit before a diydoo change, after which Mom and I returned home.
It was great to hear that the Giants won, after winning in a Steelers-type win (not being the favored team).
Labels: Church, Faith, games, read, singing, Superbowl
After Super Bowl XL
After the Stillers won Super Bowl Xl last night, Oakland exploded into a continuous street party. Anjali--who watched the game with me--and I heard whoops and hollers of joy and car horns beeping, fireworks going off. We bundled up and braved the cold, wind, and swirling snow to go to her bus stop. The city had gone mad! Large groups of people poured into the streets decked out in black and gold, in jerseys, and brandishing Terrible Towels. Cars were tooting their horns. We passed a lone overturned mailbox. We high-fived several large groups of people as they walked by. Several police surveillance helicopters loomed overhead, but the bitter cold was enough of a riot deterrent to make their jobs easy.
Tomorrow at 11 there will be a parade to welcome them home. What a great thing for Pittsburgh!
Labels: excited, games, Superbowl
