All Hell's Breaking Loose

 WOW!

Sports in da Burgh are falling apart.  Steelers, Penguins, Pitt Panthers, (of course the Pirates have stunk for some time - I think we just accept it now.)  The Steelers crapped the bed at the end of the season losing 4 straight at the end of the season and then get embarrassed by the Ravens in the playoffs.  The buzz is Tomlin is safe and won't get canned.  The team seems like a mess with disgruntled players and accusations that vets went soft at the end.  The Rooney's need to right that ship in the off season.  Steeler fans are known to be intolerant and won't put up with much.

Equally as bad are the Penguins.  They seem to be having trouble on and off the ice.  It seems that nearly everyone is unhappy from Coach Sullivan to the players (Jarry on his way tot he Baby Pens) to the fans.  The front office needs to decide what is the path forward.  Rebuild or chug along with the same-old-same- old.  What's going to sell tickets?  It's time to decide.

Coach Narduzzi and the Pitt Panther football team were Jekyll and Hyde this past season.  The first half they were pretty darn good and the second half (including the bowl game) were just ugly.  What to do here is anyone's guess.

As fans, were stuck with some train wrecks and some mediocrity.  Dark days in the Steel City for sure.

(Un)Lucky Number

If you ever get the chance, listen to Lene Lovich's song, Lucky Number, on her 1978 Stateless LP.  It's a quirky little pop number that is quite catchy.  13 is considered an unlucky number and Friday the 13th is viewed as a day of bad luck.  On this Friday the 13th, I thought I'd share some trivia about this day of dread.

Fun facts - There can be no more than 3 Friday the 13ths in a calendar year and no fewer than 1.  Any month starting with a Sunday will contain a Friday the 13th (*see current month). 

History - One possible source is found in Norse Mythology.  A dinner party was held in Valhalla.  12 gods were invited.  Loki was not included.  He arrived as the 13th guest.  He then tricked the Goddess of Darkness, Hoor, to shoot Balder, The God of Joy, with a mistletoe tipped arrow.  His death sent the Earth (Midgard) into despair.  Since then the number 13 has been viewed as unlucky.

In Christianity, there were 13 individuals who attended the Last Supper on the night before the crucifixion of Jesus. Also, members of the Knights Templar were arrested by officers of King Philip IV of France on Friday the 13th, 1307.

Of interest is the 1834 play, Less Finessus des Gribouilles, in which a character with a long string of bad luck states, " I was born on a Friday, December 13, 1813 from which come all of my misfortunes."

Also, the Italian composer Rossini was always fearful of the number 13 and disliked Fridays.  He felt them to be "unlucky".  Rossini died on Friday the 13th, 1868.

Probably more about Friday the 13th than you ever wanted to know.  Regardless, be safe out there today.  Maybe stay away from Camp Crystal Lake!

The Cruelest Month

In his poem, The Waste Land, T.S. Eliot, states the April is the cruelest month.  For the University of Pittsburgh Panther Football Team it was November. The Panthers lost  all 5 of their games by a combined score of 167 to 100.  Boston College, Louisville, Clemson, Virginia, and SMU all took it to the boys in blue and gold.  It was embarrassing at times to watch how badly the Panthers were playing. They were on a roll going into month number 11, 6 wins in a row.  Then the bottom dropped out. What happened??? Too many turnovers and penalties, overall failure to execute the offense, and/or the defense couldn't stop the other team.  I wish I knew.  It was good while it lasted.  Time to regroup and look ahead to next season.  As always...Go Pitt!

Clean Up The Mess

A friendly public service announcement.  If you use or have ever used Mod Wash to clean your car, double check your credit card statement for unauthorized reoccurring monthly charges.  If  your not paying attention (as I was not) you're getting billed for something that you did not want and/or authorize.  It is never explained to you clearly in the beginning and is quite misleading.  Not "modtastic" at all! 

Steel City Sports

It's kind of a mixed bag as far as sports are concerned here in Pittsburgh.  To the surprise of many, the Steelers are having a super season.  They are currently 7 and 2 and on top of the AFC North Division.  Their schedule ahead is a rough one.  Hopefully they can ride it out and get into the playoffs.  Best of luck to the guys in black and gold.

The Pitt Panther football team has had a good go of it.  They have stumbled recently but still can right the ship for the remainder of the season.  They certainly have been fun to watch.

Panther basketball is off to a 3-0 start.  Hoping to see good things from them this year.  They seem to have the horses to get it done.  Go Pitt!

The Penguins are a whole different story.  This is a team in dire need of rebuilding.  I've been to PPG Paints Arena for a couple of games so far this season.  They looked great in each of them.  If they could keep it consistent, they might stand a chance.  They are currently 6 and 9 and near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division.  They took a 7-1 beating yesterday by the Dallas Stars.  YIKES!!!!

Well sports fans, that it for now.  Be safe out there and take care of each other.  Until next time...

The Land of the Ice and Snow

I went on an Alaskan Cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Ship Encore.  The ship is beautiful and very well kept.  The crew could not have been kinder or more helpful. Kudos to all.  The food was decent.  The specialty restaurants were very good.  The entertainment was enjoyable.  All-in-all a good experience.

Alaska was not what I envisioned.  No snow - just on top of the mountains. Ice, yes, in Glacier Bay which was pretty cool...cold???  Got to see some whales while in Juno.  Skagway was fun (a little tourist trap).  Glad I went.  Cross off one more from the bucket list.

Victoria, Canada is a great place.  Enjoyed the tour.  Would have liked to have spent more time there.  Got to spend a couple of days in Seattle. The Space Needle was crazy!  Stayed at the Edgewater hotel (lots of famous bands have stayed there going all the way back to the Beatles.)  Wonderful place!  It was nice to get away for a bit.  I'm glad to be home. 

Speaking of ice, I went to the Penguins-Sabers game last night.  What a phenomenal experience!!!!  Geno scored his 500th goal.  Sid scored his 1600th point and then gets the game winner in OT. I have to say I loved the game.  It will be one that will stay in my memory for a long time!

In case you've wondered why no hobby stuff as of late, I just moved and am still in the process of unpacking here at the new place.  It was time to downsize and get everything on one level.  I got a bonus, my new neighbors are super great.  It's a fresh start and I'm happy about it.

Until next time....be safe out there!

A Trip to Clover Valley

Recently I discovered some great stuff by Clover Valley.  Their seasoned pretzel twists are out of this world.  They taste almost exactly like the one's my mom made when we were growing up.  I'm seriously addicted to them.  I also enjoy a good trail mix.  There have several varieties to choose from.  Each one I have tasted was great.  

Dollar General Stores carry Clover Valley products.  I have to say they have not disappointed me.  Try some.

Dinner and a Show (or the other way around)

The family and I went to see Hamilton at the Benedum Center here in Pittsburgh yesterday.  We had a fantastic time.  Every aspect of it was incredible.  Kudos to all involved it making the show a wonderful experience for the eyes and ears to behold.

I first became aware of Hamilton when I saw a video clip of Lin-Manuel Miranda performing Hamilton at the White House for Barak and Michelle Obama on May 12, 2009.  At the time, he said he was working on a Hip-Hop Album based on the life of Alexander Hamilton.  I saw it and was blown away.  When the musical opened in New York in 2015, I wanted to go.  Life has a way of getting in the way, so I had to wait.  I must say, it was worth it.

After the show, we all went to dinner at the Roman Bistro in Forest Hills.  We enjoyed a fine dinner and talked about the show, caught up on each others lives, and generally talked about the crazy world we live in.  

It was a great day.  Spending quality time with family can never be beat.  We were all brought together to hear the story of an orphaned boy, an immigrant, who came to these shores to improve himself and to give back to the nation that took him in.  Many American families, like mine, have an Alexander Hamilton in them.  Someone who dreamed big and wanted to become apart of this great nation.

What a Comeback!

 I watched the Pitt-West Virginia game yesterday,  What a day for college football!  It was a hard fought game going back and forth throughout.  The Mountaineers got a 10 point lead late in the game.  The Panthers rallied and scored 2 touchdowns in the closing minutes.  As a Pitt alumnus, I couldn't be happier with the outcome.  Congratulations to Coach Narduzzi and the Panthers. Hail to Pitt!!!!!

I've Seen Fire and I've Seen Rain

It did rain a little yesterday here in da 'Burgh.  It stopped early enough for the fantastic James Taylor Concert last night at The Pavilion at Star Lake.  I saw the fire and passion in that man as he sang classic hit after classic hit.  Taylor is 76 and you would never know it.  Is he the same James Taylor as yesteryear?  No, but he was amazing just the same.

He opened with Something in the Way She Moves.  Fan favorites like Copperline, Sweet Baby James, Carolina on My Mind, Mexico, Fire and Rain, Country Road, and How Sweet It Is (Marvin Gaye Cover) were all included as well as a couple of Carole King songs like You've Got a Friend.

The crowd was into it on the cool fall-like night in Burgettstown.  Many shouts of "We love you James!" throughout the show.  James responded in kind.  He seemed to be enjoying himself as he gave us snippets about each song and introduced his band members.  His sense of humor was present throughout the evening.  I'm thrilled I had the chance to see him.  The experience was even better as I got to watch my family enjoy the concert right along with me. A truly magical night.

You Spin Me Twice Round

Back in 1996, I went to see Twister in the theater.  It was intense.  Paxton and Hunt were great.  

I saw Twisters today.  I was curious to see if it was just another remake.  It's not.  It's great!  It's intense.  Terrific story, acting, script, special effects....I could go on.  I won't.  Go see it yourself.