To Do List Around Pittsburgh

I spent a few days catching up on my list of 'things to do'. First was a drive out the Tanger Outlets. In a nutshell- not worth the drive. Here are my thoughts on outlets: If I wouldn't want to buy a particular item at full price, I'm not going to change my mind if you take ten dollars off the price. Many brand name stores selling the inventory that was- left over from last year? Too ugly to put in the malls? I didn't find anything I wanted, except for cologne. There was a perfume/cologne store that is worth visiting. So it wasn't a total loss.

Next place to check off my list was Rivers Casino. It's nice inside. Staff is very friendly as well. I'm not much of a gambler, but I did play the slot machines a bit. My complaint- almost every restaurant is cafeteria style. I was planning on eating dinner there, but didn't want my food on a tray (thank you) and wasn't in the mood for the steak restaurant, which did look very nice. Although, if I would have been in the mood for steak, I would probably have just gone across the bridge to Pittsburgh Rare instead.

Third thing which I made time for this week was a trip down to Schenley Park for a hike through the trails. That was a great afternoon. First make a stop at the Schenley Park Cafe for coffee. I ended the afternoon at Dell's in Bloomfield. That was the best day of the three.

I still need to get to the Warhol to see the Rock and Roll exhibit before it ends. Also a drive through town to see all of the murals by Fairey..... maybe this weekend.

As my friend Somer likes to say: "Peace to your universe".

No TV Time for Killers

As you all know, Pittsburgh has made the national news more than once in the last 6 months for fatal shootings. Senseless crimes that ended innocent lives. How does a human being intentionally kill another? Most victims don't have the opportunity to realize they are being victimized, they usually don't have the opportunity to react. What sick, dimented coward finds their salvation, their sanctuary in another person's death?

Here's my advice for the media: when this kind of thing happens, don't give the killer any attention. Reveal their identity if you must and then leave it alone. I don't want to know about the killer's house, hobbies, blog, dating history or favorite coffee shop. The killer chose a subhuman path and our media rewards them with fame.

The world is full of evil people boys and girls. Sensationalizing their behavior blurs the line between good and evil. Don't give killers the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Don't give them the opportunity to become famous. If the potential killer knows he will die a meaningless death, if he knows that no one will be reading about him in the papers or looking at his photo on t.v. afterwards, then maybe some of those potential killers will lose their motivation.

Think about it.

Shepard Fairey visits Pittsburgh

Last night I had some free time, so I thought it would have been a good idea to buy lobster. Want to feel like a barbarian? Cook a lobster and then eat it. It did taste good though, even if it made me feel like a caveman.

Good news: Shepard Fairey has been in Pittsburgh to install murals for the G-20 Summit. He is going to have an exhibition open at the Warhol Museum on October 17 and you won't want to miss it!

That is a brilliant move on behalf of the Warhol to bring him in- he is a great example of today's pop culture. I'm really looking forward to the show. Keep an eye out for the murals while driving through town, I'm sure they're going to be great images.

Have a great day! Ciao!

Live well

I was in Maryland for the last two days, but I spent today in Pittsburgh with friends who are visiting from Italy. Both lunch and dinner, good wine, lots of espresso and great conversation. How different it would be to live in a socialist country! We talked at length about the differences between our lives, expenses, conveniences/inconveniences..... There are undeniable benefits to a socialist society (I can already imagine how many emails I'm going to have over that comment!). Although, I think the transition would cause chaos if we ever decided to go that direction.

One thing my friends have learned about Americans during their visit (and I agree): Americans live to work and Italians merely work to live. They place a higher priority on the importance of a quality life. Now here's where the confusion sets in. A quality life is not a better car or a higher tax bracket, it's based on how you live. What good is the Malibu home if you work 7 days a week and suffer from ulcers and high blood pressure? Think about that as you start the new work week my friends.

Live well!

Perfect Day

It's now late Thursday night, early Friday morning. I just had a great evening. Nothing fancy, but a real nice evening. I went to Bloomfield with my dad for Polish food tonight. My mom is 100% Italian and my dad is 100% Polish, but I grew up with mostly Italian traditions. I had an apartment in Italy for awhile, I went to art school in Florence, Italy, I speak Italian (decent, but not great), but I know very little about Poland and Polish traditions.

Tonight we went to the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern for authentic Polish food. I love pierogi...I know that's just a wierd word if you aren't of Polish descent or from Pittsburgh- but trust me, they're awesome. Afterwards we took a drive into Lawrenceville and I saw the house that my dad lived in until third grade. That was nice. It's a tiny little house on a narrow little street, which made it all the more impressive.

We had shots of espresso at Starbucks before heading back to my place to finish the night with a bottle of wine.

I'm pretty sure this will be one of those nights I will never forget. Sometimes you just know and you don't need VIP treatment, a limo, or the glitz to make a night memorable. Sometimes you need exactly the opposite.

Have a great weekend everyone. Many wishes for happiness to all of you!

Movie Premiere- Bridge to Nowhere

Last night I attended the movie premiere for Bridge to Nowhere. I was there by invite from Michael Dolan, owner and studio head of Smithfield Street Productions. It was a great time and I am very excited for the cast and crew of the film, especially since it's a Pittsburgh based project.

It's directed by Hollywood superstar Blair Underwood and features Ving Rhames (who is a heck of a nice guy, but is still one bad lookin' dude in person- just like his movies). Also in the film was Thomas Ian Nicholas, he was a lot of fun, just a great guy. You would know him from the American Pie movies. I wish both of these guys great success, it was a real pleasure meeting both.

The after party was at Alto Lounge, an ultra cool place to be. It was a nice evening. I am grateful to Mike for his hospitality and I hope he realizes great success with this project.

Go see it. It's gritty, a little bit like Scarface, but rather than doing another a story about a drug lord, this story is about the rise and fall of the foot soldiers within the system. They are a couple guys from the North Side, friends who are looking for nothing more than a bridge to a better life. They discover it and then it begins to fall apart.

See it because Mike Dolan is a great guy, because it's filmed in Pittsburgh, because Ving Rhames is one bad dude, Blair Underwood is a great director and Thomas Ian Nicholas is a great guy.

Ok- now go see the movie.

Ciao!

Update

My first day back in town was enjoyable. I slept till 11am, made a trip to Starbucks and then spent the afternoon shopping. I picked up some cool new things from Buckle. I did go to the dojo tonight to train, so I was only lazy until sundown.

Busy day tomorrow- opening for Billy Ray Cyrus at the stadium. Wednesday is a red carpet event. I've never been asked to walk the red carpet for a premier before, so that should be interesting.

Hope you are all well and finding happiness.

Buona Notte.

Thought of the Day

In every moment exists the seed of enlightenment.

I'm back

I have been away from the blog for over a week now. First a few days in Ohio, then a week in Maryland, but now I'm back in Pittsburgh. Looks like a lot has happened since I've been in town last. The shooting in Bridgeville is the national news story that, unfortunately turned all eyes on our city. What a horrible, senseless thing. I have a lot of thoughts on that subject, but for now my thoughts go out to the families for their losses.

I have some unpacking and other odds and ends to take care of.... I'll post more later.

Hope you're all well. Thanks for all the emails - I didn't disappear afterall!

Ciao!