#pittsburgh condo

[felicity-berkleef]

Closet Glass Front Dressing room: A small, modern, gender-neutral dressing room with a gray floor, glass-front cabinets, and dark wood cabinets.

[discoboogie]

Bathroom 3/4 Bath One-piece toilet, flat-panel cabinets, medium-tone wood cabinets, a small, trendy 3/4 multicolored tile and mosaic tile gray floor alcove shower, and white walls and an undermount sink

[warnerfrancesca]

Built-In - Home Office Remodeling ideas for a mid-sized contemporary built-in desk study space with a light wood floor and gray walls but no fireplace.

[gyudons]

During the last practice in Pittsburgh before the holiday break, Sidney Crosby brought cookies to the rink along with, of course, some banana bread – “his mom’s famous recipe,” Marcus Pettersson said with a grin. “He’s got a little addiction,” Kris Letang added.

Crosby bakes for the group periodically throughout the season, one of many thoughtful gestures the Penguins captain makes for his teammates – impressive from anyone, much less someone of his stature. During this season of giving, Pettersson and Rickard Rakell had been marveling at the captain’s generous nature that very day.

“Me and Raks were actually just joking around about how good he is with giving gifts,” Pettersson said. “I don't know if he has a thought behind it about when he retires, that he is expecting a lot of gifts back from everybody (laughs). But I don't think so. I think he’s just a great guy.”

Crosby goes above and beyond to mark occasions for the people around him, whether it’s a holiday, a career achievement, or simply a memorable experience. His capacity to do all of that, in addition to continuing to be an elite talent at age 36 and an unparalleled leader, is remarkable.

Evgeni Malkin, Crosby’s fellow franchise center and teammate for nearly two decades, said, “It’s almost like he’s the perfect player, perfect friend. Some guys win just one Stanley Cup, they think they’re like a god, you know? But Sid, never. You see everybody wants to play here, first of all, it’s because of Sid.”

Letang joked that he wasn’t going to use the word perfect, “because there’s nothing perfect,” he laughed. “But he always makes sure everybody is taken care of, and they’re having a good time. He loves to get to know people. For me, what he did for my dad last year… the banana bread stuff… it’s just a way of looking at things, you never want to leave some people behind. There’s not a specific gesture that comes to mind, because it’s such a daily thing for him.”

Tyson Barrie, was touched by something the captain did for his agent, Bayne Pettinger, who had previously worked for Team Canada. Pettinger had been sitting with Crosby at another one of those BioSteel camps, which was in Montreal. At the time, Pettinger had recently come out as gay and mentioned in passing to Crosby how he thought the Pride warmup jerseys were so cool.

“Bayner FaceTimed me a couple months later, almost in tears,” Barrie said. “The concierge at his condo called him and was like hey, there’s a big package here for you, can you come down and grab it? Turns out Sid had gotten a Pride jersey framed for Bayner. He wrote, ‘Bayner, proud of you.’ That’s the kind of guy he is. You'll never hear about any of this stuff. He's just always doing stuff under the radar. He’s just a special guy.”

merry christmas! here’s a sweet little story about canadian hockey star sidney crosby

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Here's an old 1889 school converted into condos in Pittsburgh, PA. I think that this is much better than trying to make it into one big single family residence. And, it's affordable. The 1bd, 1ba unit is $235K + $211mo. HOA.

This would be the main lobby. Look at all the stairs. Kind of an interesting layout for a school.

One of those staircases must lead to this 2nd fl. unit. This is the living room, which is a large space with lots of windows.

If this was decorated, it would be lovely. Some color, pretty furniture and plants.

They have a small TV area set up in this corner next to the kitchen.

Spiral stairs go up to the loft bedroom.

I wonder if this unit was one big classroom where they built walls and a loft. Or, it could've been 2 classrooms. I went to a very old grammar school and the classrooms were very large with high ceilings.

You can see the bathroom from here. So, those stairs would have to be navigated in the middle of the night. I wonder if they would allow the owner to put a half bath up in the loft.

I love the kitchen. The oak cabinetry, black counters and that tile. The backsplash is gorgeous. I've never seen those colors- they're very vintage looking and so different.

That tile is stunning. I also like the black sinks.

The shape of the island is lovely, and you can easily fit a table in here.

The bath is just a standard 3 pc.

And, here we are in the sleep loft.

I don't care for this- there's no enclosed closet. I would want to enclose it and put a toilet and small sink in the corner.

Each unit has it's own utility closet with room for a small washer/dryer.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/171-S-15th-St-APT-205-Pittsburgh-PA-15203/11475231_zpid/

[katyawriteswhump]

See if I care

Late entry for @steddieangstyaugust prompt 24: ‘Go, see if I care,’ and also prompt 18 ‘right person, wrong time’ (I originally scribbled this idea for that one… whoops!)

Summary: When Eddie develops mysterious powers, he’s scared out of his mind. Steve is equally terrified of losing Eddie.

Rating: E. CW: problematic emotions, sexual content, self harm. Tags: established steddie, needy steve, eddie had powers. WC: 2000-ish.

…

Steve was staring into the pool, which had been emptied for the winter, when the mail van drew up outside.

He hurried over to take the delivery then turned over the single dog-eared letter. The address was written in Eddie’s hand. A thunderclap resonated through Steve’s chest, and he opened it quickly.

Steve, sorry it’s been ages since my last letter. Peru was a bust, so I followed the crazy visions to Pittsburgh, where I found this total badass with powers like mine. She’s helped me access locked up memories, and it’s blown me away.

Apparently, I spent several years as a kid in Hawkins Lab. Yeah, that dump that looks all shut up. They trained me to use my powers as a weapon, some bull about beating Soviets, and then something happened. Something so bad, my memory still won’t let me see it. After that, they must’ve somehow dumped me back with my uncle, and he was made to believe I was with my Pa all that lost time…

Steve skipped forward, flipped over the paper.

“Please, Eddie,” he whispered, “I need to know you’re coming home, or I’m gonna lose my mind.” 

….

Three months earlier

“This is a baaaad idea,” said Eddie, as he and Steve squished into the bank queue. “They’ll take one look at the tats, the hair, the name Munson, and they’ll pee their forced-conformity pants and run screaming.”

“Jesus, have a little faith.” Steve didn’t get what Eddie was so nervous about. “They’ll let us open the account, no sweat. I’ve got a reference from my mom, and she’s super-well respected.”

“Yeah, but putting down a deposit for a condo? It’s kinda drastic, dude. I mean—”

“Chill.” Steve’s fingertips brushed Eddie’s soft lips. “It’s gonna be f—"

“EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND.”

Steve’s heart literally leaped into his mouth. A bunch of armed guys wearing cartoon character masks stormed into the bank. Steve threw himself behind the nearest counter, bunched up with Eddie and several others from the queue. Screams and cries filled the air, echoed by the piercing rat-a-tat of gunfire.

Steve covered his ears. Oh God, oh God. But they’re only after money. They don’t want us. 

He lifted his face from his knees, reached for Eddie’s hand. Eddie looked frantic, clenching and unclenching his other fist.

“Breathe,” mouthed Steve. “It’s gonna be—"

At the sound of a child’s wail, Steve’s blood jumped again. He peeped around the counter. A robber wearing a Bugs Bunny mask had picked on a woman who’d been waiting with her kid. The little girl screamed and sobbed, while the robber waved his gun at the kneeling woman:

“Open the vault, NOW,” yelled Bugs to a quivering bank clerk. “Or you’re all gonna be finger-painting with mommy’s brains.”

Steve leaped to his feet, threw his arms in the air. “What is wrong with you, a-hole? Taking a hostage with a kid?”

“Yeah? You wanna be a hero? You wanna take her place?”

“Um…” Steve’s brain caught up with his instincts and his knees turned to jello.

Oh. Shit.

Steve felt a sickening crack across the back of his head. The next few minutes passed in a pain-drenched blur. He was thrown to the ground, dragged up again, pushed around. There was waaaay too much noise, more shouts about opening the vault, and he was scared he was gonna puke. He found himself held flush against Bugs Bunny’s chest, the cool butt of a pistol at his temple.

Always did hate that son-of-a-bitch carrot muncher.

“You wanna play games too?” Steve winced at the robber’s deafening yell in his ear, although the gun slid from his head. He lifted his chin to see Eddie facing them down. Looking pissed and spooked in equal measures. “Do YOU want a bullet in your brain, you long-haired loon?"

Steve’s terror spiked. Eddie lifted his arms and roared. A heavy blast hit Steve, throwing him backwards. He impacted something with a crunch and then landed with a heavy splat in a slick sea of blood and gore.

Somebody shot me. Or there was a bomb. I’m dying!

A wave of dizziness carried Steve far, far away.

…

Steve was in hospital for twenty-four hours, suffering from concussion, bruising and shock. Dustin visited Steve. His mom flew home, leaving his father alone in Paris. Robin was hard to get rid of. No sign of Steve’s boyfriend, though.

He was back at home in his room—moping and bored out of his aching skull—when someone tapped on the window. Steve hurried over, grabbed a wide-eyed, scared-looking Eddie and hauled him inside.

“Thanks,” gasped Eddie. “You know I suck at climbing.”

“Why not use the door like a normal person?” They stood nose to nose, breaths bated, not quite touching. “I mean, my mom isn’t mad at you. Not like I am.”

A beat passed. Steve glared and trembled and was pretty sure Eddie trembled worse.

“Steve, I’m sorry I didn’t swing by before.”

Steve exhaled crossly, mumbled, “Whatever.” They tumbled forward into each other’s arms and into a desperate kiss.

Steve made out like it was his last moment on earth—all that mattered was Eddie’s touch, Eddie’s longed-for taste, Eddie’s nearness. When they finally broke apart, Steve rested his forehead on Eddie's, burrowed his arms up the back of Eddie’s t-shirt:

“What the heck happened?” he asked. “That grainy footage from the bank is all over the news. Half the town believes you killed that bank robber somehow, and Dustin sure as heck says it’s real. Telekinesis, or something like that. Why didn’t you tell me you had freakin’ superpowers?”

“Because it’s scaring the shit outta me.” Eddie extracted himself from Steve and started pacing the room. “Look, Steve. I’m gonna have to get the hell out of Dodge. Alone.”

It took a moment for Eddie’s words to hit home. Steve staggered back and sat down heavily on the bed. “You’re dumping me?”

“Listen, I only discovered I could do this weird shit recently and it’s brutal.” Eddie hooked his arms around himself, unhooked them, and began wringing his hands. “When you were in danger, I hadn't a clue what to do. Then I threw Bugs Bunny into that wall so hard he exploded and you got caught up in it. I had literally no control over ANYTHING. You see why I can’t be with you?”

Steve’s jaw dropped. “You’re blaming me?”

“Not what I said, Steve.” Eddie clawed his hair. “Don’t you get it? I could hurt more people. I could hurt you. And here’s the real stinger—you’re the town’s whitebread hero for offering yourself as hostage. I’m more of an outcast freak than ever! Hawkins Post ran an editorial saying I commune with the devil and should be arrested for Bugs’ murder. Jesus, I goddamn hate that I killed, and I’d do it all over… to save you.”

“I can handle this.” Steve squeezed the words from tightly clenched teeth. “Christ, I can look out for myself. None of this is a good reason for us to split.”

Eddie stopped pacing, puffed out a sigh that sounded horribly like one of relief. “I’m sorry. You’re the right person. It’s simply the wrong darn time.”

“Go, then!” Steve leaped up and screamed point-blank in Eddie’s face. “See if I care!”

Eddie’s shoulders slumped and he turned away. He’d gotten one leg slung over Steve’s windowsill, when he peeped back, face crumpling. Steve dived forward and flung his arms around Eddie. Two seconds later, they were rolling on his bed, kissing each other stupid again.

“Holy shit. I missed you so much,” groaned Eddie.

Steve savored a flicker of triumph, then plunged his tongue back down Eddie’s throat. 

They peeled each other’s shirts off, kissing and breaking apart, then kissing again. Steve’s jaw ached, and all his bruises from the robbery started up singing. Soon, Eddie was dry rutting into Steve, jerky and desperate and hurting Steve worse. Steve didn’t care. His fingers tugged and tangled and messed up Eddie’s hair, and then he clung so hard.

They’d never had full-on sex. Steve was ready as always to roll over, spread his legs, and offer Eddie pretty much anything. He’d bang Eddie silly too, if Eddie wanted that. Eddie shoved his hand down the back of Steve’s pants, grabbed the meat of Steve’s butt and squeezed hungrily. Nevertheless, he seemed pretty happy carrying on like this, and they’d both already pushed beyond a semi. Steve fiddled down his own fly then Eddie’s.

“Damn, Steve… Gnnnng!”

They grasped each other’s dicks and scrubbed against each other’s stomachs, skins sliding, getting slippery and wet. Then they started up kissing again, and it was never gonna take long. Steve spurted messily over Eddie’s hand and chest. Eddie’s dick jerked crazily in the circle of Steve’s fist.

Jesus... Wow! Ouch?!?

Steve felt like his brain as well as Eddie’s dick exploded. Gaudy colors wheeled in front of his eyes, echoed by a disturbing crackling noise. Eddie broke the kiss, collapsed, boneless and sweaty, on top of Steve.

For a few happy moments, they floated, their heavy breaths falling into rhythm.

Then Steve spotted the broken window, the glass on the carpet.

And heard his mother’s shout: “Steve? Are you okay? What on earth was that noise?”

“Fine, mom. Uh, just a minute.” Thank Christ his door was bolted.

Steve remained on the bed, his brains still mush from the crazy-hot orgasm. Eddie was already on his feet, dragging his shirt on. Then he was at the window, gingerly hoisting himself over the shattered remnants of the pane.

“Don’t you dare!” hissed Steve, forcing himself bolt upright. “I’m coming with you. I just need to grab some stuff. Clothes… meds… cash.”

“Are you insane? You either bagged yourself a poltergeist who hates guys jacking off together… or I just exploded your window.” Eddie raked damp hair from his doleful eyes. “I’m sorry, Babe. I hope this won’t be forever.”

He lowered himself down and disappeared. Steve dithered, torn. He wanted to chase after Eddie, but his stupid concussion headache now hurtled back with vengeance.  Plus, his mom hammered on the door. “Steve! What’s going on?”

“I, uh… I dunno.” He straightened his clothes, bustled to conceal the worst of the mess. “I had the TV on, and… Something smashed into my window, I guess.”

He let her in and slumped on his destroyed bed, while she tiptoed around the glass. He dabbed his lips, still burning with Eddie’s kisses.

He waited till his mom had gone to call a glazier. Then he busted his knuckles punching the wall, nursed his bleeding fist, and cried.

…

Steve scanned the letter, helplessly seeking the words he needed.

The words that told him Eddie was coming home to him at last.

After Eddie had left, Steve had holed himself away with Dustin, who’d shared geek theories about Eddie’s powers—mainly gamma rays and other dweeby shit out of comic books. Dustin knew tons more about Eddie’s crazy-pants talents than Steve did. In fact, Steve suspected Eddie had spilled all to Dustin long before he’d been forced to reveal himself to Steve.

“His powers were changing him,” Dustin had told Steve. “Eddie was never one for heroics. And there he was, foiling bank robberies. It scared him shitless.”

“Total bull,” Steve had snapped. “Eddie always had that streak in him, I swear. The only thing he’s being a coward about is…

“… me.”

Yada yada yada. 

Me, me, ME.

Steve guts knotted tightly, as he scanned Eddie’s letter a third time. 

I love you, wrote Eddie, toward the end.

“I love you too,” murmured Steve. “When you’re ready to come home, I promise I won’t frogmarch you into another bank. Push you into all that grown-up crap. I’ll be there for you, when you need me. God, I’m such an idiot.”

He furiously screwed up the letter and dropped it to the leaves and sludge at the bottom of the empty pool. Then he jumped in after and fished it right out. He read it properly, studying harder than he ever had in class.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Take all the time you need, Eddie. I wish I could tell you… I’ll wait.”

…

Eddie conquers all, becomes a superhero crime-fighter known as The Stunner. Steve is his sidekick and Dustin his gadget guy and they all live happily ever after. 

Which is actually closer to the angst-light fic that I intended to write before this wrote itself instead 😛

Thanks for reading!

My Stranger Things fic on AO3

[misshoneyimhome]

Okay I need a lil bit of holiday angst followed by fluff, I’m thinking he’s on the phone with Alex and they’re prepping for the Nylander clan to arrive in Toronto for Christmas! Now you’ve met the family and adore them but you’ve never spent a holiday together and you’re excited as you think this is a huge step in your relationship! So you arrive back home from gift shopping and he’s on the phone and you’re about to pop in to say hello but you overhear him saying how he feels a little apprehensive and doesn’t know how he feels about you joining in on their holiday, big ouch you feel as though you’re rushing into the family and feel badly about planning this whole business, now if you stayed to listen longer you’d know it’s because he knows how much you live your family and he feels bad for keeping you from them for the first time at Christmas and he’s anxious because he wants to make it a perfect first Christmas together as it won’t be the last…but boy has some explaining to do when he finds you crying in your shared bedroom amongst his family’s presents😭

Oh yes! Nothing says Christmas more than a little holiday misunderstanding 😅 bb, I hope this comes somewhere close to your idea, and that you’ll enjoy a little bit of soft!Willy as he tries to comfort his girlfriend ❤️

Words count: 2.3+

➼｡ﾟ

My Only Wish I William Nylander ✿❄︎

"Okay, I think that's the final one," you quietly murmured to yourself while checking your list twice. And then with a contented grin, you set off for home after a successful Christmas shopping spree. 

Meanwhile you’d been out hunting for gifts, your boyfriend William Nylander was busy getting things ready for his family's visit.

This Christmas marked your first year celebrating it together, and although it felt like a significant step in your relationship, it just felt right. You and William had been dating for almost two years, and an official couple for almost just as long, so spending the holidays together seemed like a natural decision.

Initially, you were a bit unsure about skipping your usual family Christmas, but with work commitments looming with important meetings on the 22nd and William's home hockey match on the 23rd it made more practical sense to stay put in Toronto. Besides, William had extended an invitation to almost his entire family to join in the celebrations.

Or perhaps, it could have been his sisters' insistence to have everyone together that pushed the plan forward. Nonetheless, they were all set to arrive on the 22nd, catch the Leafs playing against the Blue Jackets on the 23rd, and then Alex would fly in from Pittsburgh, giving you all ample time from the 24th to the 27th to enjoy the Nylander family's company. And this year, you were to be a part of it all.

You were absolutely thrilled. Christmas was your favourite time of the year, and there was nothing you wanted more than to spend those days with your beloved boyfriend. You'd found him the perfect present, or maybe even presents, and you'd also sorted gifts for all his family members.

Despite William's insistence that you shouldn't spend all your time and money on gifts for his family, you couldn't help yourself nor contain your excitement. You were simply too eager and joyous about the upcoming celebrations.

You adored his family, and it seemed they felt the same way about you.

William surprised you by introducing you to them rather swiftly, which was unexpected as he wasn't usually the type to share his personal life so soon. But he was simply immensely proud to have you as his girlfriend, and he just hadn’t been able to resist mentioning you to them. So soon after, he pulled you into a family video call for a virtual introduction. Then, during the following off-season, you spent almost two months in Sweden with all his family and friends.

Returning to the condo, you struggled to unlock the front door while juggling numerous bags and holding your phone in your mouth, but eventually managed to push it open.

"Hey babe," you greeted softly upon entering, but there was no response from William.

Thinking he might be in the bathroom, you carefully set the bags down before removing your coat and shoes. But just as you were about to call out once more, William's voice echoed from the living room.

"I don't know, Alex," you heard William's voice sounding rather intense, almost irritated, you thought. "I mean, I love y/n, but I’m just not so sure about her spending Christmas here with us."

The sudden mention of your name caused you to freeze in place.

Moreover, you were baffled by his words. Why would he suddenly express uncertainty to his brother about you staying for Christmas? You'd discussed it several times, and each time, William had appeared genuinely thrilled about the idea. It was even his own suggestion when you’d mentioned the stress of travelling during the holidays.

His words cut deep, leaving a painful sting in your heart.

"I know, it's just... she's been putting in so much effort, and she seems genuinely excited about the whole thing..." William's voice resonated through the condo. You hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but you merely found yourself unable to move. William was talking to Alex about you, and it didn't sound like a positive conversation.

"No, she's out Christmas shopping right now... I just don't know how to say anything..." William's tone was gentle yet slightly husky, and his voice began to quiver as he talked about you spending the holiday with him.

Listening to one side of the conversation, you felt your heart shatter. Naturally, you couldn't hear Alex's response.

True, you had put in a tremendous amount of effort. You wanted your home to radiate the holiday spirit, maybe going a bit overboard with decorations, perhaps choosing a rather large Christmas tree, and even deciding to prepare every variety of Christmas dishes, blending traditional Swedish courses with Canadian ones.

However, you had believed this was what you both wanted. Although William wasn't adept at planning such gatherings, you interpreted his expressions as pure excitement, reflecting the joy you felt in organising the entire event.

But clearly, you were mistaken.

Perhaps it had overwhelmed him. Maybe this step in your relationship was too significant, and now he was having second thoughts.

"I just feel bad... maybe we shouldn't have agreed to do this..."

Slow tears traced down your cheeks as a whirlwind of thoughts raced through your mind, leading you to regret this entire situation. Your breaths became uneven, your chest felt burdened, and pain pierced through your body, gripping your heart with a deep ache.

This couldn't be happening, you thought.

Closing your eyes, you allowed the tears to flow freely, and gently grasping all the bags again, you quietly attempted to make your way to the bedroom, seeking solace and tranquillity. Peeking into the room, you spotted William, his head bowed, facing the large window of the condo, and seeing it as an opportunity, you tried to sneak past him and into the bedroom.

And as soon as you entered, your body collapsed at the foot of the bed, throwing the bags with you. Nestling your knees against your chest, your back leaned against the bed frame, and you released your sobs.

You felt hurt. Hurt that William didn't share the same enthusiasm about spending the holiday together and hurt that he felt unable to tell you how he truly felt.

_

"I just feel guilty about keeping her away from her own family, Alex," William confessed to his brother, expressing his concerns about the upcoming days.

"Come on, Willy, if y/n didn't want to spend Christmas with all of us, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to plan it," Alex chuckled lightly over the phone, prompting a gentle sigh from William.

"I guess you're right. She's seemed so excited about it, which makes me happy. I just hope she won't be disappointed. It's her first Christmas with us, and... God, I just hope she'll like it."

Thinking about having you there during this time of year brought a sense of joy to William. You meant everything to him, and experiencing these emotions with you excited him more than anything else.

He knew how much you cherished this holiday. And he had to admit that all the joy and romance of Christmas had a profound effect on him too, despite being a 27-year-old boy who sometimes felt immature and challenged with admitting to his own deep feelings. Yet, deep emotions coursed through him, seeing your eyes sparkle with excitement when you spoke about spending Christmas together and how much you adored his family.

Your unwavering commitment to him and to making the holiday special touched him deeply. And it only had him believe that you were indeed meant for him.

"Willy, chill out, she's going to love it! Besides, she's already spent enough time with all of us, so she won't get scared away," Alex's chuckles echoed in William's ear, prompting laughter from William as well.

"True that," he replied before their conversation gradually faded, and they eventually hung up.

William released a gentle sigh, feeling relieved after his chat with his brother, as it had helped ease his earlier concerns about your decision to stay back in Toronto with him and his family.

But then looking at the time, he found it odd that you hadn't returned yet. You'd been out for hours, and while he understood that shopping could take time, he also knew you had had a plan, so it shouldn't have taken so long.

Attempting to call you only led to voicemail, which started to raise some concern, as he then began pacing around the condo. He should have heard you come in, but as he noticed your shoes and coat by the front door, he slowly realised that perhaps he hadn't heard you due to his phone call.

Contemplating where you might have gone, William made his way to your bedroom, gently knocking on the door.

"Babe, are you in there?"

Startled by William's voice, your heart sank deeper, and you find yourself struggling to speak.

"Yes... um, but please, don't come in here," you managed to say, trying to hide the tremble in your voice.

"Why? What are you doing?"

Your mind felt foggy from crying, and you hurriedly made up an excuse, not wanting William to see you in this state.

"I, um... I'm wrapping your present," you forced out, attempting to conceal the cracks in your voice.

But sensing that something wasn't right, William felt a twitch of concern. It wasn't like you to come home without saying anything to him, even if he was on the phone. Normally, you'd give him a silent kiss before heading off if he was in a call.

But as you’d simply slipped away into the bedroom, he knew something was off.

"Come on, baby, what's wrong?" he asked, his tone tinged with worry.

You attempted to deflect again, trying to get him to leave, but William wasn't easily convinced.

"Nothing's wrong, Willy... I'm just—"

"You're not wrapping my present; you did that just last week," he stated firmly before pushing the door open.

William's heart shattered into pieces as his eyes fell upon you. You were sitting on the floor, surrounded by the day's haul of presents, your eyes red and puffy, clearly showing signs of crying.

"Shit, babe, what's wrong?" William hurriedly sat down next to you, gently wrapping his arm around your shoulder. "Has something happened? Are you okay?"

The sight of you crying almost shook William. He hated seeing you like this, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had caused it.

"It's nothing..." you almost whispered, avoiding his gaze as you felt too vulnerable to face him.

"No, it's not nothing... you're crying, and I want to know why."

Your entire body trembled as you struggled to articulate how you felt. You had overheard his conversation and knew he didn't want you to stay for Christmas. But finding the words felt incredibly challenging.

"Hey," William spoke softly, his finger gently lifting your chin to meet his gaze. "Talk to me..."

It was as if your mouth wanted to slowly form the words your mind had been processing, yet your voice hesitated.

"I..." you softly began, more tears streaming down your cheeks. "I know, Willy... I know you don't want me here for Christmas." Your voice was low and quivering.

"What?" William was taken aback. "What makes you think that?"

"I heard what you said to Alex... that you weren't sure about having me here for the holiday... and that you felt bad because I've gone overboard, and now you didn't know how to tell me that you didn't want to spend Christmas together..." You repeated softly, recalling the conversation between the brothers.

"y/n, that's not... that's not what I meant," William sighed deeply.

"It's okay, Willy, I get it," you continued gently, trying to muster a soft smile. "Maybe it is too big a step in our relationship, and that's alright... I just wish you'd told me sooner, so I wouldn't have gone through all of this and made you feel bad about it."

By now you had surrendered to the tears, letting them flow freely.

"Baby! I want to spend Christmas with you," William spoke more assertively, now understanding the root of the misunderstanding. It pained him to think that you believed he didn't want this, especially when he was overly excited about having you there. In fact, he had been considering it since last Christmas, but he was unsure if you'd be okay with it until you had both discussed it.

Letting out a deep sigh, he felt the need to explain.

"You only heard part of our conversation, y/n/n. I said those things because I feel like I'm keeping you from your family. Believe me, I want nothing more than to have you around and spend these days with you and my family."

Your eyes darted from side to side, searching his for any hint of insincerity but found none.

"Really?" you simply asked.

A wave of relief washed over you as he clarified the true essence of the conversation. Moreover, you felt a pang of guilt for drawing to conclusion based on just a part of the entire discussion.

William couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"Of course, babe, my only wish this year is to be with you, and I just want you to be happy about it as well," William said, taking your hand and gently intertwining his fingers with yours. "I just feel guilty that you won't be spending the days at home."

"I am happy about it, Willy. I don't want to be anywhere else but here, with you and your family. Please believe that," you reassured your boyfriend. "You've got nothing to feel guilty about."

"Good," he flashed a gentle smile and planted a kiss on your forehead. "I just love you so much."

"I love you too," you softly spoke, leaning into his touch, before the two of you shared a tender kiss.

[foxes-that-run]

Wonderland

Wonderland is a song about a love that feels so enticing it draws her in against her judgment. Taylor uses Lewis Carroll's Wonderland as a metaphor for love with a famous person and they try to hold on the chaos that ensues from going public. Get a cup of tea, this is long. I feel the lyrics, meaning and context of this song are overlooked because Taylor had a friend who likes the classic novel.

22 March 2011 - Taylor visited an Alice and Wonderland themed store on Portobello Road, London. (2011 timeline)

25 October 2012 - Taylors Rolling Stone Article is titled "Taylor in Wonderland" and talks about her apartment.

Over 18 months of remodeling, Swift gave the condo a heavy dose of well-funded OCD whimsy. The ceiling is arranged in multiple motifs – billowing curtains here, a painted indigo night sky there. In one corner, under hanging crystalline stars, sits a giant bunny made of moss. He’s wearing a hat. “It’s a whole Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland structure here,” she says, welcoming me the next morning. “It’s what the inside of my brain looks like, essentially.”

5 November 2012 - One Direction is on the cover of Wonderland Magazine holding puppies. The article talks about a book deal from a fanfic about Harry, death threats to girlfriends, abuse of their mothers, relationships breaking down due to abuse by fans and absolute ferver about them at that time. It includes the quotes:

"Anyone is welcome to stare into the eyes of Madness" and "The boys show a similar stubbornness when I suggest, perhaps, if they were a little less public about their girlfriends (boybands like Take That, for example, were always encouraged by management to be perennially single in public), then maybe their partners would not have to endure so much attention. “That’s shit,” says Louis. “That means you don’t lead a life that’s real. You wouldn’t be able to go out anywhere publicly with your girlfriend.”

2 December 2012 - a month after the article Harry and Taylor walked in Central Park. They had been on/off in private for months at that point and seemingly together for the last 4 months.

17 November 2014 - Taylor is on the cover of Wonderland Magazine, she talks about 1989 and Twitter Trolls.

In 2015 Taylor indicated that all the songs of romance songs on 1989 were about on person. While Taylor has never said who that person is songs like Style hint. Thank you @cntfightmydemonsthyknowhowtoswim for the shopping photo and timeline help! In her March 15 2013 vanity fair article (the one that said harry chased her for a year before they dated and also pointed mentions she was born in 1989) Taylor said:

Lyric Video

References the book, Harry's eye's and the 1D Wonderland article:

"Anyone is welcome to stare into the eyes of the madness."

Live Performances

Taylor has only performed it 6 times, each has a reason. When 1989 was release Harry’s IG went black and white and stayed that way for nearly 2 years. He posted a colour photo within a week of each Time this song was played.

May 15, 2015, Las Vegas Rock in Rio, first played. After performing Tenerife Sea with Ed Sheeran. This first performance was 2 days before the 2015 BBMAs when Taylor knew she would be seeing Harry. (Harry colour IG post)

May 20, 2015, Bossier City Louisiana (1989 Tour), on Harry and Taylors anniversary. It was followed by the Clean Speech she referred to the 2015 BBMAs 3 days earlier and 'where you should be' which Harry later referenced in Woman. (Harry colour IG post)

June 6, 2015, Pittsburgh (1989 Tour) - the day after the One Direction Hiatus story first broke. (Harry colour IG post).

June 20, 2015, Cologne, Germany (1989 Tour). Day of Taylors letter to Apple and 1989 not to be on Apple music. (Harry colour IG post)

September 29, 2018, Houston (Reputation Tour) - day after Haylor anniversary of Begin Again Paris weekend

April 21, 2023, Houston on (Eras Tour) Taylor introduced it and said it has a"twisted kind of Alice and Wonderland vibe" day before Peace Ring Anniversary

Original Lyrics

Along with 1989 TV Taylor released the original Wonderland Lyrics 27 October 2023. They are undated. I think it may have been started in 2011 when Taylor was in London and finished for 1989. The original Lyrics further indicate this song is about Harry:

"We danced down hallways, too in love to think straight" rather than" became "So, we went on our way / Too in love to think straight" Hallway's being common theme in Harry and Taylors songs about each other.

"Screaming you're the king and I'm the queen," rather than "All alone, or so it seemed." King/Queen is a common reference Taylor has used to indicate the muse is British. This is also on 1989 in Blank Space: "Stolen kisses, pretty lies, you’re the king, baby, I’m your queen"

"Colors I'd never seen twisting around me" became "I felt your arms twistin' around me." Colours are also a Haylor theme, on 1989 with OOTW: "The rest of the world was black and white / But we were in screaming color.”

"Didn't I tell you don't listen to them?" to "Didn't they tell us don't rush into things?" this reminds me of Slut! "I said it might blow up in your pretty face / I'm not saying do it anyway / But you're going to" because they went public and it did blow up.

"I turned around to find you and you were nowhere to be found / There was screaming and lightning / And I haven't been back since I had to leave you there..." became "I reached for you, but you were gone / I knew I had to go back home / You searched the world for somethin' else." this is similar to I Knew You Were Trouble: "And he’s long gone when he’s next to me", This Love: "And you were just gone and gone, gone and gone" and Blank Space: "Screaming, crying, perfect storms, I can make all the tables turn".

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Flashing lights And we took a wrong turn And we fell down a rabbit hole You held on tight to me 'Cause nothing's as it seems And spinning out of control

The first verse sets the scene of a relationship that is in the public eye and two people trying to hold onto their love in chaos. Specifically not a hidden relationship.

Flashing lights - It's easy to overlook how very out of control the fans and paparazzi were about Haylor and One Direction in 2011 - 2013. Having dated in secret for sometime when they did go public the focus was intense. When they dated again it was hidden, which is evident in both of their discographies.

I Know Places: Lights flash and we’ll run for the fences

Is It Over Now?: Flashing lights, oh Lord, let’s fast forward to three hundred takeout coffees later

Paris: Let the only flashing lights be the tower at midnight in my mind

One Directions Perfect "And if you like cameras flashing every time we go out oh yeah"

Fell down a Rabbit Hole is similar to IWYW "We're a crooked love in a straight line down"

Trying to hold onto each other in chaos is also in:

Run: "Say you’ll never let them tear us apart and I’ll hold onto you while we run"

New Years Day "You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi"

Dancing with our hands tied "Oh, and you held me close Oh, how was I to know?"

The Archer: Help me hold on to you

Harry for One Direction Story of my Life "The way that I been holdin' on too tight"

Harry for One Direction Olivia "Don't let me go"

[Pre-Chorus] Didn't they tell us "Don't rush into things"? Didn't you flash your green eyes at me? Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds? Ooh, didn't it all seem new and exciting? I felt your arms twistin' around me I should have slept with one eye open at night

The Pre-Chorus tells of a decision to go public with a previously private relationship. At the time Harry and One Direction were incessantly asked invasive questions about dating, which Harry was increasingly uncomfortable answering. Shortly before 1D provided a list of banned questions which was not well received.

Slut! implies that Harry had wanted to go public and Taylor cautioned against it " Taking your chance / It's a big mistake / I said it might blow up in your pretty face / I'm not saying do it anyway / But you're going to / And if they call me a slut / You know it might be worth it for once"

Harry's green eyes are mentioned in many songs.

[Chorus] We found Wonderland, you and I got lost in it And we pretended it could last forever (Eh, eh) We found Wonderland, you and I got lost in it And life was never worse, but never better (Eh, eh)

The Chorus encapsulates this relationship, one they are drawn to, see the peril in and proceed anyway because they love it. Taylor has other lyrics that refer to forever not coming true:

Wildest Dreams: Nothing lasts forever, but this is getting good now

Cowboy Like Me: Forever is the sweetest con

False God: We were crazy to think / Crazy to think that this could work / Remember how I said I'd die for you?

Pretending is also a theme, I think this about suspending judgement to stay in a Lavender Haze, or set aside concerns about the potential reputational damage or bullying caused by fans:

I Knew You Were Trouble: "Pretend he doesn’t know that he’s the reason why your drowning"

Wildest Dreams: "Say you’ll see me again even if it’s just pretend"

Delicate: "Sometimes when I look into your eyes, I pretend you’re mine all the damn time"

Death By A Thousand Cuts: "Chandelier’s still flickering here ‘cause I can’t pretend it’s okay when it’s not"

Paris: "Stumble down pretend alleyways, cheap wine, make believe it’s champagne"

[Post-Chorus] (Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh) In Wonderland x3

The post chorus Eh's sound so similar to Rihanna's "Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh" which is actually similar in theme, Umbrella is about a famous couple being there for each other, Wonderland is feeling like that didn't happen.

In the period One Direction was incessantly asked for a celebrity crush (while he was actually dating an exceptional famous dream girl) Harry often said Rihanna, if he answered. Rihanna was a safe choice, she wasn't single, she has spoken highly of Harry. Also she sat in front of him at the infamous 2013 VMAs.

[Verse 2] So, we went on our way Too in love to think straight All alone, or so it seemed But there were strangers watchin' And whispers turned to talkin' And talking turned to screams, oh

Fame and focus of people outside the relationship is a theme. I can't repeat enough how much this song is about a public relationship:

Dancing with our hands tied "People started talkin', puttin' us through our paces" and

I know places - "Somethin' happens when everybody finds out / See the vultures circling, dark clouds / Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out / It could burn out" and "I can hear them whisper as we pass by, It's a bad sign, bad sign"

…Ready For It?: Touch me and you’ll never be alone

So It Goes…: But when you get me alone, it’s so simple

Harry for One Direction Where do Broken Hearts Go: "Mind is runnin' in circles of you and me / Anyone in-between is the enemy"

[Pre-Chorus] Didn't they tell us "Don't rush into things"? Didn't you flash your green eyes at me? Didn't you calm my fears with a Cheshire cat smile? Ooh, didn't it all seem new and exciting? I felt your arms twistin' around me It's all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind But darling

The reference of a Cheshire Cat smile is a double meaning, both referring to Harry's smile and where he grew up, Cheshire, England. Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, was also born in Cheshire. Calm my fears similar to the line in NYD “squeeze my hand”

[Bridge] I reached for you, but you were gone I knew I had to go back home You searched the world for somethin' else To make you feel like what we had And in the end, in Wonderland, we both went mad Oh

The song ends on a sad note, Taylor realises the relationship is too much for her so she gives it up. Her muse can't replace her and they never get over it. From Slut! and Say Don't Go in the 1989 Vault Taylor wanted more assurance in the chaotic storm of them going public. From Harry's TBSL and Little Freak we can infer that he wasn't ready for it, 19 and too famous too quickly.

Reached for you but you were gone

Message In A Bottle: I’m reaching for you, terrified

I Knew You Were Trouble: And he’s long gone when he’s next to me

I Know Places: Just grab my hand and don’t ever drop it

New Romantics: Please take my hand and please take me dancing

Willow: I’m begging for you to take my hand, wreck my plans, that’s my man

Harry's As it was: I want you to hold out the palm of your hand / Why don't we leave it at that?

You searched the world for something else

Is it over now? "You search in every model's bed for somethin' greater, baby"

Harry's As it was: When everything gets in the way / Seems you cannot be replaced / And I'm the one who will stay, oh

We both went mad: the song ends on 'we both went mad' which is a double meaning of having lost themselves in this relationship and the Cheshire Cat saying "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." in Alice in Wonderland. Madness is a theme in Harry and Taylors songs about each other:

Blank Space "Magic, madness, heaven, sin" and "They'll tell you I'm insane"

Say Don’t Go: "The waiting is a sadness fading into madness"

IDWLF "Baby, baby, I feel crazy Up all night, all night and every day"

Hit's Different "Or have they come to take me away? To take me away"

Harry for One Direction If I could Fly "I've been going out of my mind (I feel it I feel it) Know that I'm just wasting time"

Harry's Kiwi "She's driving me crazy, but I'm into it (Oh)

Wonderland also has a taymoji pack which refers to king of my heart, the rose/thorn Haylor theme.

[stuckinnet]

After tucking in their son, Nikita, Malkin and his wife, Anna, sat on their leather couch and looked at a summary sheet of Hextall’s latest offer: four seasons, $24.4 million total, a full no-movement clause.

Malkin was fine with what he read. The sticking point was his bruised feelings.

“They not think I good player,” Malkin wrote in a text message to Crosby.

“They not want me,” Malkin texted to Letang, who had stepped up efforts to console Malkin after signing his deal.

Malkin wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, but he no longer trusted either Hextall or Burke. Crosby and Sullivan intervened. Each spent hours on the phone with Malkin as July 11 became July 12. Careful not to tell him what to do, Crosby and Sullivan implored Malkin to “not worry about those guys” — Hextall and Burke — when making a final decision. Letang, too, jumped into the mix. Together, two-thirds of the Big Three and their coach brought up every special moment, funny story and great time they could remember to remind Malkin what they had built in Pittsburgh. Malkin paced from room to room at his condo in Fisher Island, finally beginning to feel wanted again.

As early morning shifted to late afternoon, Malkin had heard enough to make a decision. He called his agent, Barry, with instructions to re-engage with Hextall and take the offer. Upon calling, Barry was surprised to find a receptive Hextall.

After hanging up with Barry, Hextall bragged to his assistant GM, Chris Pryor, and a handful of staffers, that he “got him on my terms — that’s how you negotiate.” Malkin informed Crosby, Letang and Sullivan that he was staying. When talking to Crosby and Letang, Malkin sounded happy for the first time in a long time

hextall it’s on sight

[hallmark-movie-fanatics]

Hallmark Movie News Roundup

Hallmark Orders Jason Bourque’s ‘A Reason For the Season’

A new Hallmark movie about the magic of generosity, gratitude, and community is in the works! The network has ordered the drama TV movie ‘A Reason For the Season’ with Jason Bourque at the helm. The project’s filming is slated to begin on June 17, 2024, in Lower Mainland, British Columbia.

The television film follows the journey of a woman who must return to her quaint hometown to claim her inheritance. The stipulation? She must repay a group of locals for their kindness to her mother on the night of her birth. As she reconnects with her roots, she learns about her family’s past and discovers the heartwarming community whose generosity helped her mother through a tough time.

Click this LINK for more

Hallmark’s A Dad For Christmas Has Begun Filming in Vancouver

Cameras are ready to roll in Vancouver for the upcoming Hallmark production, ‘A Dad For Christmas.’ Jason Bourque is set to direct this forthcoming venture. The plot revolves around a 12-year-old Sunshine Scout who takes it upon herself to find a new romantic partner for her mother. Her target? The attractive owner of a nearby bakery. Vancouver, the Canadian entertainment hub, has hosted previous Hallmark projects like ‘Hope at Christmas’ and ‘Love, Lights, Hanukkah!’

Click this LINK for more.

Hallmark Orders 12 Clues of Christmas; Starts Filming in Vancouver in June

’12 Clues of Christmas,’ an upcoming Hallmark production, is all set to begin filming in Vancouver in June. Lucie Guest is on directorial duties for this forthcoming venture. Stephanie Sourapas and Tom McCurrie are behind the script.

The plot revolves around Avery and Lewis Plum, proprietors of a struggling candy store and grappling with marital discord on the brink of their fifth anniversary, as they embark on a transformative journey when Avery orchestrates a Christmas treasure hunt contest in bustling Chicago to reignite their fading connection. Despite initial apprehensions, Lewis joins in, hoping to mend their fraying relationship bonds. However, the unexpected appearance of Avery’s charismatic ex-boyfriend, Wes, introduces a new layer of tension, challenging the couple’s resolve. As they navigate the contest’s challenges and confront unresolved emotions, Avery and Lewis rediscover the essence of their love. Yet, miscommunications with Wes and a denied loan application amplify their struggles, compelling them to stake their hopes on winning the competition to save their beloved Sugar Plums store from closure. Through adversity, conflicts, and surprising revelations, Avery and Lewis emerge victorious, not only securing their business’s future but also reigniting the flame of their enduring love, reaffirming their commitment to each other amidst the trials of life.

Click this LINK for more.

Hallmark’s Engaged To Be Murdered Starts Filming in Vancouver This Month

The filming of Hallmark’s upcoming TV movie ‘Engaged To Be Murdered’ will start in Vancouver, British Columbia, this month. David I. Strasser is directing this murder mystery based on a script by Katherine Wagner. The plot centers on a murder in a small town, where a local advice columnist, privy to the town’s secrets, attempts to aid the investigation but clashes with the police detective handling the case.

Click this LINK for more.

Hallmark’s ‘Autumn’s Gift’ Begins Filming in British Columbia

The filming of Hallmark’s ‘Autumn’s Gift’ will begin on April 29 in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. Mike Rohl is directing the movie, starring Ashley Williams and Hrothgar Mathews. The plot revolves around a woman struggling to get along with her difficult neighbors after moving to a new condo in Pittsburgh. Her life takes a turn when she meets the handsome building supervisor.

Click this LINK for more.

Hallmark Orders The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie Adaptation

Lolly Blanchard and her Aunt Gert are set to be reimagined soon! Hallmark has ordered a telefilm adaptation of Rachel Linden’s novel ‘The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.’ The project’s shooting will start on June 3 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The heartwarming book has a fantastical twist and perfectly fits the Hallmark style of storytelling. Van Evera is the banner behind the TV movie.

The plot revolves around 34-year-old Lolly Blanchard, who finds herself at a crossroads in life. While running her family’s struggling diner, she grapples with unfulfilled dreams and lingering regrets. Her dreams of opening her own cafe are in tatters, and her dad won’t even let her make changes at the family diner. She regrets breaking up with her boyfriend, Rory Shaw, the only man she ever loved.

However, as the narrative progresses, Lolly’s eccentric Aunt Gert gifts her with three magical lemon drops, and her world is turned upside down. With each drop, she is transported to alternate realities where her dreams have come true—a bustling café of her own, a day spent with her late mother, and a reunion with her first love, Rory Shaw. As Lolly lives through these possibilities, she is presented with one final droplet, allowing her to make any of them her reality.

Click this LINK for more.

Hallmark Orders ‘My Dreams of You’; Starts Filming in Ottawa

A new, fantastical Hallmark romance has already started shooting! Crown Media’s ‘My Dreams of You’ is being filmed in Ottawa, Ontario. The project’s shooting began on the 13th of this month and is set to be wrapped by June 3, 2024.

The film will introduce us to the magical, ethereal dimension of Dream Land, where dream associates are assigned people for whom they build dreamscapes. These dreamscapes are made from the people’s memories before they fall asleep. The dream associate assigned to Grace McIntyre, a struggling writer, accidentally shows her the man of her dreams, a charming musician, Michael. The blunder can have serious ripple effects through the fabric of time if the two meet. Therefore, the responsible dream associate must ensure that the pair remains separated.

Click this LINK for more.

[traipseartist]

July 4th - 7th - Yokum's Right of Seneca Rocks, West Virginia

I claim to be a Rock Climber™ but the majority of my experience is actually clinging to plastic rocks inside of blissfully air-conditioned warehouses in the part of town that's definitely getting gentrified.

I discovered I liked to climb at a time in my life when I was desperate to find something athletic that didn't make me want to walk into the sea. My body image after high school was in shambles and I developed a certain hatred for treadmills and ellipticals--symbols of punishment for over-indulgence or a demand I adhere to some kind of standard that I never really could buy all the way into. Needless to say, exercise was always a means to an end. If I could have put my brain in a jar and made my legs run the necessary number of miles to make me a size 0, I would have. Gleefully. Surely athleticism was mastering the ability to fully disconnect your body from your brain? Who wanted to be present for the heaving and the sweating and the oh-god-oh-god-this-is-how-I-die feeling that hangs in the balance?

Then I had a long-distance boyfriend who fell headlong into the sport and in my soft loneliness, I connected to him via chalk-coated climbing facilities. We would chatter on the phone about climbing problems, the world of outdoor climbing, competitions, characters at our respective gyms. When his life drifted away from mine, I stayed close to the wall. I felt not just the urge to be stronger and solve more difficult problems, but the desire to start speaking my body's language instead of pulling out the duct tape every time I needed to push through something that felt physically hard.

-------------------------------

So, yes yes, a beautiful back story. An illustrative origin that does nothing to explain why I'm clenching a stubborn half-sapling between my thighs and trying to keep all of my pistachio shells in my hat as I dangle my ankles thousands of feet above the valley floor in Seneca Rocks, West Virginia.

My partner Vincent and I are out with the Explorer's Club of Pittsburgh (some 20+ riotous humans with a distaste for a particular kind of self-preservation) on this fine holiday weekend when we agree to do something relatively stupid and exactly what we came for. We want to stand on the top of the biggest piece of exposed Tuscarora Quartz in the north east and shake in our boots while doing it even though we're mostly little indoor-monkey gym-rats.

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia is not like other climbing destinations. Some crags, especially those on the west coast that attract climbers from around the world, have their own sprawling ecosystems born of their touristic revenue. Joshua Tree has the strangest assortment of desert-proof fast-food establishments. Yosemite and the Sonora Pass have many of the trappings of a mountain get away: Adorable high streets in small boom towns scattered throughout the region, themed restaurants, condos and vacation homes stacked high and wide for visitors and returning locals alike. Something (wineries and theme parks and tucked away spas) for the person who has no desire to really disconnect from society, thank you very much.

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia has:

Yokum's Vacationland - a truly grandiose title for a double-wide cabin that feels like a themed gas station with a root-beer stand tacked on the back and some motel rooms up top. All the same, totally beloved.

Harper's Old Country Store - honestly, much cuter than Yokum's but probably less trafficked unless Yokum's runs out of ice or chocolate milk

Princess Snowbird's Indian Village & Campgrounds - not touching this one. It's been here for a second. It has RV hook-ups and could not be more American in nature.

The Gendarme - your local spot for outdoor guides, good advice, and the climbing gear you forgot.

There are campgrounds (Seneca Shadows) up the hill from Yokum's, and a little science center filled with dusty art-deco furniture across the way. All of this within the cast shade of the mountain you came for, and that is that.

The end.

Yet, despite the almost video game-esque limited nature of this local map, Seneca Rocks is obviously its own ticking entity. There are people who live here. The pepperoni rolls for sale in color coded zip-block bags (RED - Pepperoni and Mozzarella, BLUE - Mozzarella only, GREEN - EXTRA Pepperoni and Mozzarella) deposited in big wicker baskets by the cash register at Yokum's are made by a woman named Betsy. The local guides that cart litters of injured recreationalists down from the mountain are no NPCs.

So when you're teetering on routes with names like "Muscle Beach" and "Ecstasy Jr." that drape the mountain high above our tiny valley below, it's hard to feel that same uncaring maw of the great wilderness that I've felt so many times before when I've been playing with my own safety for fun and un-profit far from the sympathy of other humans.

Still, when a rope strains on a carefully placed nut in the crevices of Whorl's Thicket or you see some cotton slings tangled in the branches of a marooned tree under Traffic Jam, you are reminded that your survival--that any human's survival on this little quartz dinosaur spike--is purely by permission and tolerance only. There is no conquering here; there is only playing on the shoulders of a giant. It's reckless, even though it is surely allowed and time-tested.

I learned very quickly that the people I was climbing amongst, however, did not always have a passion for the reckless nature that is the hobby. Some of them had the exact opposite problem with their bodies and their minds that I found I had. They did not wish to separate their mind from their body so that they could push through the soul-crushing boredom of exerting physical labor without feeling much reward or time passing. Instead, they wished to sever the connection so that they could overcome the crippling fear of hanging on the edge, of being too frightened to progress--something I enjoy playing with, fiercely.

-----------------------------

At the summit of Seneca, there is a small metal lockbox the size you'd see keep cash in a concession stand on the perimeter of a high school Softball field. This box is full of notes, little plastic figurines, found treasure, a cow bell, a whistle. Well wishes, banal little messages for those behind or in front that may find themselves up here soon and again.

At base camp, there is a loose huddle of chairs around a dimming campfire and the air of survival from something we chose. Another day on the rock, another meal to remember the day we didn't fall off of it. Someone mentions a plaque affixed to a large boulder along the path up to the crag, seen just before the turn off to a torturous route upward to some other famous trad classics named "Stairmaster." It's a commemoration to a woman who was part of the Explorer's Club of Pittsburgh. She stepped backwards off of a steep step-around route on the mountain and fell to her death a week before her wedding in the early 2000s.

Someone says they wish they hadn't named her specifically on the plaque--it made the club look careless. Untrained.

There is a long pause before someone else says that her fiance wanted to bury her in her wedding dress. I put my mind back into my body, and my body back into my tent, and I am thankful to sleep on a solid, flat surface yet again.

[flaremberts]

Happy Celebration (Insert Yours Here)...

We did have great celebration plans this weekend and week for sure! We booked our timeshare at beautiful Cape Canaveral, Florida for everyone to stay for all the festivities.

It all started with Jo! We are so proud of her as she graduated from UCF! Yes, we had some drama along the way as Dan got his third round of Covid and proved that not all third times are charms. The rest of the gang was there to cheer her on from the family and beyond. Dan was able to catch the live stream thanks to modern technology.

After the commencement ceremony and celebratory lunch at Rusty's at the Port, the entire gang, including the family, the grammas, and Aunt Re and cousin B returned to the condo on the beach.

Saturday the kids all went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and never let the driving rain ruin any fun! Luckily, Dan was able to join up from isolation by Sunday just in time for his 55th birthday. We spent some time in the beach, hottub, and pool since the weather finally broke. For dinner, everyone enjoyed the night out at Rising Tide's.

We then celebrated Christmas together on Monday. We played games, had a round of White Elephant and exchanged and opened gifts all day long. We very rarely get to spend the holidays together so we took this opportunity to make it a Christmas day for the ages. No one seemed to mind it was a week early.

The last day was a day of travel so we all went our separate ways. Ebaugh journeyed back to SoFlo. Frooze, Millon, and Tal were joined by Jo for a trip back to the Carolinas. The Pittsburgh gang got back on the plane after a quick visit to Cocoa Beach Pier for a little reminiscing of days gone past. And Amy and Dan returned home to quiet and cleansing of germs.

[rederiswrites]

Oh hey so by the way, if you're wanting to travel to like, a conference or a short-term class or whatever, and you're not the sort of person for whom having a hotel room to yourself is worth the cost, be bold! Think about anyone you might know who is also going, or even who lives in the area, and reach out. It may be hard but you can save literally hundreds of bucks and that's worth a case of the nerves, don't you think?

When I went to Pittsburgh, I didn't even know anyone involved but I asked the teacher to help me reach out to the other students, and I ended up paying pennies to share a really nice condo with one of the other students, which was owned by one of the other students also, and doing so not only saved me a bucket, but enriched my experience and made it more convenient.

Now I'm doing the same for a glass conference I want to go to, and with a little luck I'll get a floor to crash on for free, thus saving more than half the potential cost of the trip, and simultaneously deepen my bond with a really great lampworker.

So, if there's a trip you'd love to make but can't afford, swallow down your nerves and reach out to literally anyone you can think of. Maybe you can share a hotel room. Maybe you can sleep on a couch. Maybe you can afford a trip you thought you couldn't. Maybe you can make a friend.

[idontlikeem]

Heyyyy sorry if this sounds dumb but I saw your tags on the Anna OF post and I'm kinda confused 😬, she lives in miami and not in pittsburgh?

I only got into hockey and the pens a couple months ago so I don't know a lot of stuff lol

They have a condo on Fisher Island, and Nikita’s school is there. They spend a good chunk of the season in Florida, but come up to PGH pretty frequently! Once Nikita hit elementary school age they shifted their “home base” to there.

[walkswithdave]

Betsey’s memorial service with photo montage at the end.

I don’t do live events very well, and camera work here is not my best (maybe C+), but OK where it needs to be - could have used a third camera too. The audio is pretty good, mostly.

This is a very long religious service (complete with communion) as can be seen from the Order of Service on the video’s description.

Notable moments are Betsey’s daughter’s reading at 6:35, going into Arnie talking about his wife of 69 years. Then, at 58 minutes, Betsey is placed in the Columbarium, the end of the service into the photo montage.

The photo montage alone is here (but is so much more powerful when it comes after watching the hour long service). It’s interesting to see a person’s life layed out like this, the relentless march toward the inevitable death. It’s also powerful to see Betsey go from a vibrant person to someone who, in the last several year’s of her life, slowly slipped away into Alzheimer’s disease.

This is a long montage, notable moment is the recursive “life flashing before your eyes” segment at 23 minutes (but, again, is much more powerful after watching the previous 23 minutes).

I first met Betsey in 2008, and have been to their Pittsburgh condo (they moved there from the big fancy house several years before I met them). I’ve also been to their house on Lake Erie a couple times. I’ve met all four of their children, and most of the grandchildren. I was at and filmed their 65th wedding anniversary celebration, where they renewed their wedding vows in the church they were married in. Betsey seemed to have a full and wonderful life.

RIP Betsey Rorapaugh Fritsch.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Thanks to Curieously for sending this large church made into condos. Isn't this interesting? They really made it into an apt. building- look at the terraces lined up. This unit in the 1861 church in Pittsburgh, PA has 2bds, 3ba & is listed for $475K + $440mo. HOA.

Stairs lead right up into the unit.

It's very open concept and look, a pole right in the middle, in case you want to use it for dance and exercise. Lovely how they left the arches.

Very well-equipped kitchen in the corner with the stained glass windows.

It's an extremely large open space.

This is the suggested floor plan.

Spacious primary bedroom with a terrace.

The terrace is nice and large enough for a table.

The view.

The en-suite. I love floating furniture. That's really nice, they included cupboards next to the sinks.

Nice big shower.

And, a nice big closet.

I didn't know that it was a dupex.

The 2nd bd. and bath are down here.

The 2nd bd. has a nice closet and a terrace.

Plus a 3pc. bath.

The grounds are lovely, but I would think that your outdoor activities would be confined to the terrace.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1-Pius-St-SUITE-A3-Pittsburgh-PA-15203/116179361_zpid/?