Guest Post: Isaac Crow of The Fool Speaks

Another guest post for you today - from one of the first people I met when I moved to downtown. Isaac and I started working together at the Public Theater at the same time which was encouraging because it's always nice to have someone around who knows just as little as you do in a new job. We quickly became friends, because of his ability to put-up with my dramatics and our shared love of food, shitty television, and a dry sense of humor. If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then I'm sure you've heard Isaac mentioned at least a few times. His blog, The Fool Speaks, is a mixture of everyday ramblings, potential stand-up material, and an interesting outlook on the world around him. 

You'll want to check it out if laughing is something you like to do. 

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"Why Am I Here?" by Isaac Crow

When I tell strangers that I live in Pittsburgh I'm usually asked "why'd you move out there?". This is a difficult question for me to answer, at least if I don't want to come off as an asshole.

See I was born and raised in Moundsville, WV (that's in the northern panhandle if you don't know). I grew up on a small beef farm and I more or less had a good childhood. Parents were great, had good friends, all that stuff. But I was not meant to live on a farm. Frankly I was not meant to live in Moundsville.

Now I'm not bashing Moundsville, don't get me wrong. I know a lot of truly fantastic people there. But I knew after college that I was not going to live there my whole life, like my father has and many other people have. Living in Moundsville felt (to me) like arriving at a party after mostly everyone else had left. There is not much life there; a Walmart, some major chain restaurants, and a lot of bars. My mother tells me they might get an IHOP there soon. Which is great, but an IHOP is nothing to look forward to.

So when college was over (I went to WVU, if you're wondering. I'll talk about that on my own blog one day) I decided I would not stay in Moundsville past the summer. There were no future goals; the goal was simply to get out and decide what to do after that. My friend had a house in Pittsburgh and she graciously allowed me to move into a spare room, something I hope I'll be able to repay her for one day (I did pay rent, I was referring to repaying the act.).

After a few numb months of unemployment, I landed two part-time jobs, both in customer service. Roughly 3 months after getting these jobs, my car had a major malfunction and "died".

That was a major turning point for me, losing that car. I didn't know what to do; I'd had a car since my sophomore year of college. Well I did what I had to: I bought a bus pass. Most people would consider that moving downward, and I suppose it is. But for me it was liberating: a car was something I relied on in West Virginia. I needed it to go anywhere. But here in Pittsburgh I could travel just with my own feet and a pass. I felt oddly independent because of it, and I lost weight to boot.

So I had two jobs, lost my car, and was living in a city most WVU fans despise. So, friends of my grandparents want to know, why?

Well let's start with food. It's a petty thing to start with, but I love food and Pittsburgh has delivered on that front. When I work downtown we have a regular pizza place, Milano's, that we go to for slices during work. It's not the best pizza in the world, but the point is I have a regular pizza place and it's NOT Domino's. I can also find Chinese restaurants that aren't buffets! Just hit up a City Paper or something and see all the food options, they're never-ending. In Moundsville there are two "Mexican" restaurants and they're owned by the same people (and somehow one of them is worse than the other).

Now let's talk entertainment. Tomorrow I'm going to see a show down at Altar Bar in the strip district. Next week I may go to The Moth at the Rex Theater in the south side. When fall roles around and my job at PPT resumes I'll have a lot of good plays I'll be able to see. Parades seems to happen every other month and there's always a fun convention going on downtown (get it furries!). There's always something to see in Pittsburgh and while I'm not the biggest social butterfly, it's nice to at least have the option.

Also, Pittsburgh exposes me to a wider diversity. It would seem very ignorant to say "I moved to Pittsburgh because I wanted to see black people." but keep in mind if I did just want to see black people I would have a difficult time in Moundsville. I'm not going to pretend that Pittsburgh is free of racism and prejudices, but the fact that every day I see people of any race or religion is tad more exciting than the all-white cast of Moundsville.

My sexuality was also a factor in my moving, because being gay in a small town in West Virginia is something I am not brave enough to attempt. The other evening I was walking to my friend's apartment up the street to watch TV. I ended up walking behind a gay couple, about my age, that were holding hands as they walked. I followed them for a few blocks and we passed a few people. Nobody sneered or yelled or did anything to point out the fact it was an all-male couple. Again, not saying  Pittsburgh is some homophobic-free utopia, but the thought occurred to me "you wouldn't see this is Moundsville." And if you did, I shudder to think of how it would end.

Wow, reading all this back to myself it seems that when people ask me "why'd you move to Pittsburgh?" I should just say "Because I fucking hate Moundsville." Again please know that that's not the case. I had lots of fun times in Moundsville. On my moving day I actually cried because I knew I'd miss my family so much

Chelsea never asks me to do her Fashion Fridays. I got this gem at the Strip.

I realize the reasons I gave above could be applied to any big city (and who knows, in a few years I may be in a different big city). But there are other reasons I like Pittsburgh: I've made some really great friends here. I've learned some new words, "jagoff" being a personal favorite. At one point I lived within walking distance of a movie theater, which was just an awesome thing. Not to mention the city keeps me supplied with things to yak about, either by going to see things and reviewing them or simply inspiring me to talk. So there it is: my long answer to a question most of you didn't ask. But the next time a friend of my Nana's from church asks me "Why'd you move to Pittsburgh?" I'll probably grin and say "It's just fun there."

Sorry if there was more swearing in that post than you're used to around here. 

Sometimes it just helps to make the point and I love Isaac too much to tell him to censor himself. 

Except I will make fun of him for that shirt, especially because the font it's in is Comic Sans. Yuck.

Anyway, hopefully you all enjoyed his story and will check out his blog as well! Happy Tuesday!

Fashion Forward Fridays: Broke Little Rich Girl

Remember last week's Fashion Forward Fridays when I said I had something else planned but I couldn't make it happen just yet? Well, fear no more, Pittsburgh fashionistas, this week's feature is worth your wait. A couple weeks ago, Samantha, owner and creator of Broke Little Rich Girl, reached out to me to team up to bring you this post and I was instantly excited about this. BLRG is a new Pittsburgh boutique...on wheels.

That's right. Sam and some friends got an old box truck and transformed that sucker into Pittsburgh's newest boutique. (Is your jaw on the ground, because mine was.) I love, love, love this idea and I really see it working out well since Pittsburgh has really been heading in the "mobile is best" direction recently. Check out my interview with Sam and definitely be sure to check out BLRG's GRAND OPENING, tomorrow in the Strip District! (Specifically 23rd Street between Smallman and Penn.)

Before & after of the truck! All photos provided by Sam.

Tell us a general overview of Broke Little Rich Girl.
Broke Little Rich Girl is a mobile boutique that brings trendy, classic, with a touch of vintage inspired clothing and accessories to the women of Pittsburgh at affordable prices. The BLRG truck carries a unique assortment of products in a unique boutique setting.

Pittsburgh is a very mobile city and already has a lot of food vendors in similar trucks, is this how you came up with the idea of a boutique on wheels, or did your inspiration come from somewhere else? 
I have actually always wanted to open a boutique, but the idea of waiting around for customers didn't feel right to me. One day when I was visiting NYC I was at a fair and saw this fashion truck and when I walked in I just knew that I HAD to bring this to Pittsburgh. I have always loved the food trucks. What they're doing, especially here in Pittsburgh, is so innovative so they are also an inspiration. I hope to partner with them in the future to do events together because everybody loves to eat and shop!

If I become a hipster, blame my brother.

On Saturday, bright and early, I joined my brother, Eric, for Record Store Day. We bopped all around the city to Dave's Music Mine in the South Side, Eide's in The Strip District, and Sound Cat Records in Bloomfield, to get some totally sweet deals on some exclusive music on that lovely old vinyl.

Record Store Day is a nation-wide day to encourage people to get out and support stand-alone record stores and really to promote local business. Eric, who has always been my music guru, recently has been bit by the vinyl loving bug and is using our dad's old record player. But I have just started to become more interested in the possibility of getting a record player, so I tagged along to start my collection. Guess I need a record player now!

While I have been to Dave's before, Eide's and Sound Cat were new to me and I was actually surprised at their large quantities of music on vinyl and CD. Record Store Day is not just for buying vinyl, you know. Here's a look at the goods Eric and I purchased, at got fo freee! Have a great (Music) Monday, everyone!

Brother Instagramed me while I looked for some goods in Sound Cat Records.

Me & Eric with our finds and free stuff! (I'm so happy, I found Amy Winehouse on HOT PINK vinyl.)

Cuzamil en miercoles!

Alright, Pittsburgh friends. You need to know, if you don't already, that Cuzamil Restaurante Mexicano is the place to get your fill of yummy Mexican cuisine. I went to their Squirrel Hill location during late-February with my friend Issac and I love myself for doing so. Although, now that I know they have a downtown location too, I hate myself because I'll be there too often for my bank account to be okay with. I guess you can stop reading this post if you don't like Mexican food, but if you're like me, your mouth is already watering.

Although I cannot comment on how authentic Cuzamil actually is compared to other "authentic" Mexican restaurants because I have never been, if you're going to say "I'm in the mood for Mexican, let's go to Moe's/Chipotle/Taco Bell." Stop. Talking. I understand that everyone needs a yearly intake of Grade D meat once in awhile, or just something super cheap or quick, but come on, guys. Step up your Mexican food game and go to Cuzamil.

During my last visit I had the fish taco special, which at the time, sounded gross but it was Friday during Lent and I was playing into the hands of the Catholics and went for it. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Get the fish taco special if it's available when you go. Anyway. Another great thing is that the excellent cooks at Cuzamil also buy local, from vendors in the Strip District, so you know what you're eating is fresh, and helping out other small businesses in Pittsburgh. Go there for lunch or dinner today and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Others Out in the City!

This weekend, while MJ and I were very "yinzer" and ate our fill at Primanti's and walked across the Smithfield Street Bridge to Station Square so he could buy his first Steelers jersey, I realized that nothing we were doing was really worth blogging about. Everything we were doing was worth savoring, chowing down on greasy food, strolling across the bridge with the greatest love I've ever known, you know that couple stuff that no one really likes to read about. (So I'll spare you.) But I knew other people were out in the city and their escapades were fresh and worth some blog space, so here are two of those people, with reviews of their events for you...
 

Chicago going on now at Heinz Hall. Photo from Cultural Trust.

Julia
-This was what you can say classy with a touch of yinzer. The Broadway musical Chicago was in town and my boyfriend had bought us tickets for our anniversary. Chicago is one of my absolute favorite musicals. I mean let's be real here, where can you go wrong with a musical about sex, murder, and jazz? It was at Heinz Hall which, I feel, is the most gorgeous building in the city. When you walk in you feel as if you are royalty with the way the concert hall is designed. The music was fantastic and the live band was on the stage with the actors. They were constantly making the audience and myself laugh with little jokes thrown into the dialogue here and there. Of course the hot boys on stage with the actors was a plus. The yinzer part of my weekend was taking a trip to the Strip District with my boyfriend. I started my Christmas shopping for my brother on the West Coast and my other brother in Virginia. We got some great Steeler Nation t-shirts and I bought myself a few gorgeous scarves from street vendors.

Isaac
-Friday night I went to the 9th Annual Theatre Festival in Black and White, presented by the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. It's a really neat event where they have 10 short plays split into two separate programs. The "hook" of the event is that black directors direct plays written by white playwrights, and white directors do plays by black playwrights. I only saw Program A Friday night, but the program features a wide variety of genres and tones. Plays range from the bizarre to the realistic to the supernatural, and all provide something different. I would recommend anyone interested to go see one of these programs (playing the last few shows next Thurs-Sat) to see some good local theater. (And you can read Isaac's full review of this event here.)


So what did you do this weekend? Anything worth, blogging about? Tonight I have been invited to attend an exclusive blogger event with Maniac Magazine. I'm pretty excited about it, but I need to knock out this fever and headache before then! I will be blogging more about this event later tonight and tomorrow so be sure to come back and check out what comes from this event!

Pamela's: A Pittsburgh Legend

Pamela's in the Strip.

Alright, I will be honest, I use to be a fraud. You read that correctly. For the past few years I have been fraudulently referring people to eat at Pamela's Diner, when in reality, my first ever trip was Monday morning. However, now I feel safe to say that at least I know for sure I have never led anyone in the wrong direction! I have known that Pamela's is a staple in Pittsburgh for breakfast and lunch, simply through word of mouth, but surprisingly I made my first trip to the Pamela's in The Strip with Eric yesterday morning.

While I know Pamela's is known for the pancakes, I, true to form, ordered the veggie omelet with a side of home fries. I don't eat breakfast often, but when I do, I always pick the veggie omelet so of course Pamela's had to pass this test on the first visit to ensure a second. And trust me, they've ensured more than just a second one. Needless to say the food was yummy. But what I loved most about Pamela's was the building itself and the decor.

From the moment I walked in, I noticed every little detail that made me love just sitting in the diner. Maybe it was because I was actually wearing my glasses, but I noticed little things that might be missed otherwise. Each of the pictures on the wall, the late '50's theme, it was like we walked into an Instagram photo...only authentic. Diners are quite possibly my favorite things so I felt right at home here, especially since every song that played while we were at Pamela's reminded me of all the CD's I have at some point borrowed from my parents. (Cue music: Looking Glass, James Taylor and Annie Lennox). What a great vibe.

Now that I've been to Pamela's in the strip district, I feel like I must make it to each one of them at some point, which means at least five more breakfast trips. And the next trip I will order the famous pancakes. But dearest Pamela's owners, one request...please, please, please, open another diner downtown! I promise I could probably keep you in business completely on my own.