Delivering Fenton, the automobile fiasco, Beatrice's bike, the Student Prince
Tuesday I was to go with Maureen to Ross Park Mall. We planned to meet Nancy C there. I volunteered to drop off a package of art glass to Joyce (she left it in Mom and Dad's car) at Gene and Phyllis's home. I went to the gas station, filled up the tank, then went to the coffee shop across from Maureen's home. When attempting to start the car, it wouldn't. Dad came by and waited for the tow truck for us, bringing the other car.
Maureen and I stopped by Gene and Phyllis' home, saying bye to the the whole family. As 79 S was backed up, we took 19 S and picked up Krispy Kreme donuts on the way. We met up with Nancy at Ross Park Mall, and I got quilting pins for Mom at Jo-Ann's Fabrics.
I received good news in snail mail today.
Wednesday, I went to the Newman Center for discussion of this Sunday's (Assumption) readings. Spoke to some of my friends in the evening. Car still in the shop.
Thursday, I spoke with my health coach (I had lost weight and had gained it back in the same time period---time to analyze in a 2-day span my caloric intake). Mom had a hairstyling appointment at 10.15. Mom, Dad, and I had burgers across from the Park where we went at ~12.40pm. Beatrice won a lottery to get a bike and helmet from the City. The Mayor presented it to her. Lolo, Lola, her mommy and brother, and I were there.
I picked up a book at the library, my "homework" to read, c/o S.
I watched the silent film, the Student Prince, based on a book called Old Heidelberg.
Today we picked up my car at the garage from repairs. I later met Marissa and children at the restaurant across from her exercise facility. We had fun eating 18.00-20.00! I then watched Lisa Kudrow on the new show "Who do you think you are?"
Labels: automobile, bicycle, Carnegie, cinema, dining, Faith, farewell, friends, library, niece and nephew, politics, repair, shopping, snacks, TV
This Week in June 2010 II, Car Day
Monday day I went with Marissa and the children to the Mount Washington library (closed) and to the Science Center (open!). Monday evening Maureen and I went to Waterworks Mall, where we looked for travel items for her and I got sushi.
Tuesday morning Mom and I picked up my car at the shop, where it has been in repairs since Thursday afternoon. I spoke with my weight management coach, and then went for physical therapy. Tuesday was a Day for the Car, as the battery was dead after I exited physical therapy. Mom and I went shopping, and in the evening Maureen and I went to the Waterfront. Shops were closing soon after we purchased her swim cap.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I went for my annual blood work. I went to the computer lab afterwards, and completed some computer work, as well. Mom and I watched "America's Got Talent," where we noted that a large number of Portland contestants were pushed through to Vegas.
~~~
Time for physical therapy.
Labels: automobile, computer, exercise, health, international culture, library, museum, repair, shopping, swim, talent, travel, TV
Spring Forward (Ahead of Time)
I awoke about an hour ago to work on personal paperwork on the computer.
Yesterday after lunch dropped the car off for inspection, repairs, etc. New brakes, brake sensors, windshield washer pump, and lightbulbs for the dashboard were done. Then I picked up the car at about 16.00, picking up William from work for a late lunch/early dinner. We drove to the fish fry uptown next to the Civic Arena (soon to be gone for a newer arena). We enjoyed a fish dinner and mac & cheese, and he brought an order of pierogies for Marissa and the children.
I dropped him off at home, proceeded to TJ's for groceries, then went home to change before heading off to the symphony with Maureen and Karina (meeting Nancy there). We were all in good spirits, and the program was
Classic Tales
Gianandrea Noseda, conductor
Benjamin Hochman, piano
The PSO played
G. Rossini La Cenerentola, Overture
W. A. Mozart Concerto No. 19 in F Major for Piano and Orchestra, K. 459
(with Mr. Hochman)
~Intermission~
P.I. Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 "Polish"
Mr. Noseda literally danced when conducting: Predominantly lyrical dancing, with some "popping"-type moves occasionally. He was a joy to watch.
Mr. Hochman was light and delightful with the Mozart piece. A standing ovation ensued, and he played a solo encore. Andres Cardenes joined the PSO for the last piece, Tchaikovsky's only symphony written in a major key.
We all retired to the Greek restaurant across from the Renaissance Hotel and Byham. Nancy and I each enjoyed a plate of Greek food and salad, my main dish being the phyllo-enrobed lamb, exohito. Maureen and Karina both enjoyed desserts.
~~~
About the heading on this post:
Yesterday I set my clocks in my bedroom ahead, so that I can practice "Spring Forward" daylight savings time a day ahead. Thus, "springing forwards ahead." That does not, of course, preclude the fact that I'm slightly tired right now....
Labels: automobile, dining, fish fry, international culture, music, organizing, Pittsburgh, PSO, repair, shopping
Today
Today I slept in after my alarm went off. I drove my friends and me to Millvale for brunch. We visited the bakery afterwards, and we all were sufficiently sugared up to turn down the baked goods. A visit to St. Nicholas Church, a Croatian parish, ensued, one which had a parish fair, tours of the church building, and beautiful murals in tempera by Maximillian Vanka. He included pastoral peasant scenes from his childhood, and a prominent depiction of Mary and Christ above the altar which depicted Mary as a robust, buxom peasant woman under an arch announcing "Marijo-Kralijice Hvala-moli za nas" or, "Mary, Queen of Croatia, pray for us," translated by Diane. Scenes from Vanka's mother country and of Pittsburgh were portrayed opposite from pieta and other scenes. We also saw that talks by Fr. Scott Seethaler OFM CAP announced.
We went to Whole Foods for pumpkin raisin spice iced cookies and to Trader Joes. We had dinner at Taco Bell, and headed back to Maureen's home for tea and cookies, discussion, and checking email.
Labels: art, Church, dine, dining, diocese of Pittsburgh, friends, photos, repair, tea
Second Day of G-20 in Pittsburgh: Police Presence
Before 11.15 am today I:
Read Haggai 2:1-9 and Psalm 43:1-4.
Had trouble getting into the church building
Said the Rosary and Chaplet with a group of people (including Dad, Oscar, his daughter Christina, Maureen, and Lisa C.)
Picked up my wallet, and walked with Maureen to Pamela's, Oakland
Saw < 10 potential protesters at Schenley Plaza
Saw foot police in dark colors in a group of ~20 on Bellefield Avenue heading south
Saw firemen from Sewickley travelling west
Saw PAT buses marked SPECIAL bearing troopers
Saw a lot of police presence, in general
Sat directly under a broken and boarded window at Pamela's
Enjoyed my breakfast with Maureen, at a lively restaurant, next to gentlemen who ordered takeout, and single people, some carrying soft-sided luggage. Some of those dining looked as if they might be protesters
We met up with a man taking a photo of the damage at Pamela's
Saw a woman taking a photo of the damage at American Apparel
Saw McDonald's boarded up with plywood
There was a white tent over the W entrance of the Cathedral of Learning
Stopped in a computer lab on campus
Saw well-dressed foreign visitors from Japan visiting the Cathedral of Learning
Saw a convoy of motorcycle police traveling north on Bellefield at the same time as we
Saw a platoon of county mounted police travelling south on Bellefield
saw the Mellon Institute had "Falling Objects" tape around the front entrance
Saw bicycle police at the NE corner of the Mellon Institute building
Saw Fr. Barry and Fr. Kim walking about
Generally, there were fewer U Pitt-looking students on Forbes Avenue,
Fewer pedestrians,
less foot traffic,
less vehicular traffic ("It's eerie," said Maureen)
no parked cars for stretches.
I think I'll do my laundry this weekend...
Labels: American history, automobile, citizenship, ice cream, international culture, languages, photography, prayer, read, repair, school, St. Paul Cathedral, work, writing
Preparing for Jenny's Arrival
After Luce departed early Monday morning, I took a brief nap. Mom, Dad, and I went to Greentree for the Chinese Buffet, and went straight to Dr. Pat's office to pick up supplies for the medical mission. We stopped at Tuesday Morning for some shopping, and I went home and did some laundry and dishes in between a cool lemonade break with Maureen. I dropped off the pill cutter for mom late Monday night.
Tuesday I lectored and also attended the evening Mass with Maureen. I had my physical therapy in the afternoon, as mentioned in my previous entry.
Today I went Downtown to pick up shoes I had dropped off for repair, went to Mom & Dad's, then picked up my meds and ran into Jenn, who will meet with Jenny Friday. Spoke with Jenny, some other friends, and took a bus home. SR gave me little magnetic words!
I must vacuum and empty the dishwasher before tonight is over...
Labels: cleaning, friends, health, Mass, medical mission, music, phone, repair, shoes, St. Paul Cathedral, walking, writing, Zubik
Re-Inaugurating the Organ; Preparing to be Coat Check Chick, Me
The re-inauguration of the St. Paul Cathedral von Beckerath organ after renovations will be through a series of concerts next week. The concerts will coincide with the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians XXVI. I have been assigned, with Jay, to the coat check.
After morning Mass Don and I inspected the cloak room for potential organization for use as a coat check room on Monday night. The door locks, and all that are missing are a doorstop and a system for the coat check, which we discussed. There is also a long rack with tri-hangers for Tuesday night ("for self-service").
~~~~~
I saw Brian F., a former coworker, as I was exiting St. Paul Cathedral. We wished each other holiday and new year greetings.
Labels: celebration, Choir, Church, cleaning, music, organ, repair, St. Paul Cathedral
Physical Therapy, 3 Repairs at Home
Physical therapy went on today without a hitch, as well as without crutches.
It is great that I live in a cooperative building, as so many things are taken care of by the maintenance here. The garbage disposal (for the second time within half a month), a bulb stuck in the main light fixture of the masters bedroom, and the shower drain (snake, as usual) repairs were requested at ten this morning. I was pleased with all of the repairs---Bob even reworked the whole wiring and fixture in the masters bedroom--except there were tiny burn spots in the embroidered afghan through to the underlying pink coverlet. I sadly explained to Ida and Ralph what had happened.
~~~
Mom, Dad, and I watched the DVD/still photos of Dad's fiftieth medical school reunion. It was a greatly festive event, including a group photo, a march by the sixtieth and fiftieth reuniting classes, choreographed group dances in which Dad and Mom competed, and two demonstration dances with thirty-four couples. The audience was whooping it up for the 34 dancers as they danced in unison.
Labels: BAD, cleaning, dance, health, home, medical mission, music, organizing, Philippines, Pilipino culture, pool, repair, school, surgery, water exercise
