Pens 2 Detroit 1

I flew to Kansas City, Missouri via Detroit on Monday morning for a doctor's appointment. To my delight, this was on display at the airport.


I <3 Pittsburgh.

Miami, trick

Allow me to chronicle my epic New Years/Ultimate Pittsburgh fan trip to Miami, FL here since, thanks to a technological blunder, there are next to zero photo captures remaining of it.

Sad face.

So, I will rely on my prolific writing abilities to create a more vibrant and expressive album than any 6.0 megapixles ever could.

Morning. Wednesday. Momma so kindly drops me at the airport on her way to work. Ryan, my traveling companion for the next 7 days, is awaiting me inside the entrance. Like the seasoned travelers we are, no bag check required, and Ry-ry had wisely checked-in via the internet the night before. We cruised through security and plopped our asses at the gate. Without question, a rendition of Will Smith's Miami got its fair share of airplay on the soundtrack to our lives.

Two flights later (with a brief stint in Atlanta) we found ourselves in the hot bed of Florida sun, sand, and sexy motherfuckers: South Beach. Obviously, we felt at home.

The hostel was jammin'. Upon check-in we were greeted by a hip, friendly staff, clean and respectful roommies, and outgoing fellow travelers. The Jazz Hostel on South Beach (bringin' the heat) was the shit, if you will. In addition to the aforementioned points of positivity, the location was also bomb. Two blocks from the ocean and just on the edge of all the hot shops, clubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels that make South Beach what it is.

Day one was relaxed. We hit the sand and a TGIFridays and called it a night early. We did venture out briefly for a couple of drinks but found out quick enough that $12 a drink was the going rate, and that it was a little too rich for our hostel-staying pockets.

My illness definitely left me on the outside at times when I turned in at 10 pm while the party hadn't even started yet most nights. Somehow, I didn't miss it. I was there to take what I wanted and let the rest go. A new feeling for this girl, who's used to needing to be the center of attention and living in fear of missing out on anything--anything.

Day two: New Years Eve. This is the first time in my life I have been somewhere warm for NYE, and I took full advantage. A comfy mid/high 70's allowed for Ryan and myself to spend the daylight hours on the beach, even taking a shivery dip! The night was open and we discovered that our hostel was a hot spot in its own right, what with $1 drinks and a happening crew. I hit up some Mikes Hard Lemonade in the lobby, watched fire works on the beach at midnight with a few delightful Swedish ladies, and headed back to the Jazz before calling it a year around 2:30 in the morning.

The next two days were relatively uneventful, but certainly enjoyable. Filled with new friends from all over the world, a couple of Mike's, and two spiffy clubs (a mere $5 entrance fee for the hostelers =D)

Finally, what we'd been waiting for: SUNDAY. I woke up early (in the dress I'd been wearing the night before, with soaking wet hair...no, I have no idea either), tossed on my Pens t-shirt and Steelers jersey, and Ry-ry and I hit up a cab to the local enterprise to pick up our Hyundai Accent: our whip for the next twenty-four hours. Getting to the stadium was a fiasco all its own. but we made it, and pulled into the parking lot just in time to hear "We Are the Champions" on the radio.

Classic.

More to come on the big games and the rest of the trip in a future post. Gonna make this a two-parter. Gotta keep you on your toes and all.

Long December...

...and there's reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.

How true.

December was good though. Very good. Manolis spent the entire month with me--almost. He ducked out on Christmas Eve in an effort to spend some semblance of time with his family in Cyprus for the holidays. But, while he was here, we really enjoyed the time that we had. Pens game, shopping, Mo-town visit, meeting every friend and family member I could squeeze into a 20 day stay, eating out, cherishing each other's company. Yes, yes. A very nice time.

Now I'm trying to not worry too much about how long it will be until I see him again, and buckle down to get my finances in order in the next year, and focus on my health, and on my upcoming mini-adventure in Miami! =)

That's right, Wednesday I'll be heading to the Sunshine State to take in some New Year's mischief, a Pens game or two, the final Steeler game of the regular season, and some much desired warmth and relaxation.

Only a brief update. I just got off work and it's late. More to come. Check out photos!

The Days Fly By

Got my diploma today. Officially a jack of all trades, Master of Arts now. ;)

Went on a decent warm-up bike ride yesterday. about 15 miles. The goal is to be doing 60+ by the time Amanda gets here in early August.

So much exciting stuff coming up! Vegas 2.0 with my Boulder girls. OBX with Justin, Barbara, Buddy and others in tow. The Great Race (10k) in September. AND, the world's most exciting New Year's Adventure--EVER:

December 30th-January 5th

Wednesday--arrive in Miami, check into beach-front hostel, chill
Thursday--shopping, chilling, sightseeing!
Friday--night of mayhem as we ring in the new year in one of the nation's biggest party towns!
Saturday--trip it to Tampa for Pens vs. Lightening
Sunday--up early for the commute back to Miami. Steelers vs. Dolphins, baby. Woot! This followed by Pens vs. Panthers only 45 minutes later!
Monday--recovery day
Tuesday--back to the 'burgh after showing Floria what's up

Good times on a daily basis as well. My life is on continuous party/adventure it seems. After work last night Caleb and JFF hit me up for some old school South Side partying. We rocked out at Bar 11 (probably one of the best bars in the 'burgh currently), and reminisced.

Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, Pour Me the Brandy

Well, I bawled like a baby when they did it, but I can't remember when I've been this happy.

Maybe it's the going in and out of the hospital twice (that's right, twice. I had a repeat episode on Wednesday--still don't know what's wrong) in one week.

Maybe it's being back in my hometown finally after a hellish last semester of graduate school.

Maybe it's the uncertainty my future between finding a job and getting my long-term health in order.

Maybe it's the fact that I started off the season with them in Stockholm for my very first live Penguins game and will finish it off next week with them in Las Vegas for the NHL Awards.

Maybe it's that I got to tell Ray Shero in person on October 5th at the Globen Arena thank you for all he has done with this team because it is so much more than hockey; it brings our city hope.

Whatever it is, I am completely overwhelmed and overjoyed. This has only strengthened my passion (obsession?) for reaching my ultimate goal of working in community relations for a professional sports team. Because I know that this is more than sports. It's bigger than a Stanley Cup, a Super Bowl Ring, or any other athletic honor bestowed upon the Steel City. It is the pulse of our city.

And I am damn proud to be a part of it.

LET'S GO PENS!

Bah Hahahahahahaha!

Seems that everything is back to normal:

Last night Julz and I, looking darling I might add, were bar hopping like crazy in desperate need of finding a happening place. On a Wednesday in the 'burgh, that's just not happening. We exhausted our resources in Oakland and Shadyside then headed to the logical last ditch location: the South Side.

Pittsburgh is the only place where nobody can be out and there is still no parking. So, we snatched a spot on a side street and bounced out the do'.

"That's such a cute place," Julie said of this modern, swank little condo.

"That's Max Talbot's place."

"Really?"

"No," I said, casually. "But he does live in the South Side and that place is pretty nice."

Just as I say this, a black Range Rover pulls into said condo's garage. Julie sneaks up to put the inside of the garage in her eyeline.

"I want to see if it's him," she whispered.

Now, there's no explanation for the next thing I say. A simple mind malfunction perhaps, but for some reason--even though I knew darn well there was a home game tomorrow I say, "Nah, they're in Carolina anyway." So, yeah, just ignore that...

Upon seeing only a leg and a flip-flop exit the car, Julie convincingly (and loudly) proclaims, "That's a chick."

I peer in for the first time in this whole ordeal, now met with the entire mystery figure--who looks directly back at me.

"No, that's Max Talbot."

And, with that, he closed the garage door.


Now, there's nothing particularly rock-star about this story. We didn't tell him off at a bar this time or anything. But, given that history, of all people, how funny was it to see him.

Also, the timing. We bar hopped like mad, just happen to park on that street across from his place as he was pulling in, and--obviously--one of the funniest parts of it all was that I have JUST SAID "Yeah, that's Max Talbot's place," in jest! Which was only prompted by Julie's admiration of the condo.

So, yeah. We still got it. That magical ability for everything to be funny, and for Max Talbot to be everywhere.

Weekend Warrior

Party last night. Good times. I would post a picture or two, but, for some reason, my computer no longer recognizes my camera...slightly problematic.

Cleaning with Jen this morning. Listening to the Pens game currently (let's win it at their home!!!), and hopefully getting a little school work done later today.

How forward I am looking to moving home. And, with any luck, playoff hockey will still be happening in the 'burgh. I gotta go to at least one more game before the off-season. I'll just die if I don't!

Also looking forward to getting to some Pirate games. And, well, looking forward to EVERYTHING else that comes with moving home. I'm basically on auto pilot now. Just get through the next couple weeks. Take the good, but, really, purgatory continues. Here's to heaven, coming soon!

Weekend of Awesomeness!

Can we say "Let's Go Pens!"?





And, then, of course, Justin's b-day!








On to the wedding!

And, finally, OK Computer cover in Mo-town.

Good times, good times.

Feeling Pretty Good

2 papers down. One will need significant work as it was only a draft, but hey, the main part is done. Have the rest of the semester to finish up that and rework another paper for the independent study, and that's pretty much it.

Feels nice.

In addition to that the Pens wiped the floor with the Flyers last night. Freaking sweet.

And now I have the most amazing weekend ahead of me. Woooooot!

Things are looking up.

Pens' Holiday Hospital VIsit

Sykkie Finally Notches Hat Trick

I KNEW HE WOULD DO IT!

So This is Pretty Sweet

NHL All Star Game

VOTE.NHL.COM

Vote for the PENS!!!

Crosby
Malkin
Gonchar
Whitney
Fleury

Vote Early, Vote Often! =D

Check It Out, Yo!

Here are the pics from Stockholm!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2234336&l=913e4&id=14205063

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2234337&l=c664e&id=14205063


Poland, Germany, and Switzerland to come...

LET'S GO PENS!

Last night was pretty much the best night of my life. Well, that may be an overstatement, but only because I've had so many other good ones. Upon arrival in Stockholm on Friday (after flying from 6am on Thursday--without having EVER gone to bed Wednesday night--till 1:30pm on Friday--without sleeping on the plane Thursday night), I checked into my hostel (which is absolutely delightful), walked about the town a little, treated myself to a much too expensive dinner, and went to bed early to catch up on sleep. Yesterday was all about seeing the town as I walked from my hostel's part of town to the Globen Arena, where the Pens would play. There were a lot of Penguins fans here, and, surprisingly, many of them European, which was really cool, but at the same time made finding other Pittsburghers more difficult than I had suspected.

But, as luck would have it (and it always does for me), I sat next to the most bad ass Pens fans ever--this awesome couple from the 'burgh living in Germany for a year. We watched the game together, which was freaking awesome. A win in OT?! It doesn't get better. Then we met up with their other friends they'd met here, some Sweeds, some Americans living in Europe. We partied until about 4 in the morning and I crashed on their floor overnight. Of course, the entire time making American fools of ourselves screaming "LET'S GO PENS!" at random intervals throughout the night. I cannot describe to you how much fun we had.

Meeting up with some of them from last night tonight. There are plenty of tickets available from scalpers so I have every intention of going to the game tonight as well. Wish me luck and I'll post photos upon return to the States.

Vasa Museum

How cool is this?! My awesome prof. used to live in Sweden and gave me the lo-down on all the best things to do while I'm there. His number one, must do it, you'll regret it forever if you don't, there's nothing else like it recommendation was the Vasa Museum, a 17th century sunken war ship that was underwater for over 300 years before being brought to the surface, preserved, and placed on display in Stockholm. You can read more and see photos here:
http://www.vasamuseet.se/sitecore/content/Vasamuseet/InEnglish/About.aspx
Well, the Pens are blogging daily on their website while they're overseas (they arrived in Stockholm on Sunday morning), and guess where they took a field trip today? You guessed it, the Vasa Museum. Ummm...I pretty much can't contain my excitement. GO PENS! GO SWEDEN! =D

Commercials I could have done a better job at rule

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KOrvdvczpEA

Your day just got better.

Around 1am...2 1/2 hours before my cab picked me up to go to the airport for my 5am flight.

Lame.

Happy Birthday Mom

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/06/15/sports/penguins/doc4855e96b4fd52590805141.txt

So, what do you all think of this? Sorry...I'm definitely Pens crazy after that season. Like whoa.

I said it before and I'll say it again

My life really is a movie.

Went out with Kathy again tonight. Dara's brother works at Saddle Ridge and they were opening a brand new club inside called Bar Room. Since we had an in, we could get in for no cover. The three of us and Julz headed out for a crazy night on the town--but we had no idea how crazy.

The club was literally easily about 90 degrees. Everyone was sweating like crazy and near death the entire night. We dances like mad, Kathy (this being her second night at a club ever) was absolutely freaking out at the sight of each guy checking her out, these two fabulous (and I mean effing fabulous) gents pretty much used me and Dara as poles to dance on. We ran into Ron, my favorite old swing dancing partner, and then his girlfriend tells us that Evgeni Malkin is in the house. Dara and Julie were my party mates the last time we had a Pens run-in at a club. We looked at each other and about fainted from laughter. I ran into about everyone I ever knew in Pittsburgh and then I said to Julie, "this night is like a dream or something, every part of our lives conjoining." At that moment, Caleb, the world's best story-teller and our favorite person ever, walked up to us. Julz and I screamed. The night was complete.

We danced, laughed at the swarm of club rats hovering around Malkin, saluted Hitler on top of the table (don;t ask, that's all Caleb), and just generally had the greatest night of our lives. Oh, later on Ryan Malone was hanging out as well, and Foster got a picture with him on his phone, and was more excited about it than most of the girls in the bar. Which was freaking hysterical.

I came home and signed online, only to laugh out lout to myself at 3am as I looked the the facebook status I had left earlier today: Shannon Dickerson is going through Pens withdrawal.

Priceless.

And, of course, the quote of the night. Prompted by all of the people crowding around for hours just to get a glimpse of Malkin and, later, Malone: "Why fuck a Penguin when you can fuck your friends?" Courtesy of yours truly.

Basically, I am never leaving Pittsburgh again.

Fucking ever.

You can check out all the action at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2201570&l=e1d4b&id=14205063 .