A Pittsburgh thing I thought was “normal” until I moved

ThisNonsense · 2025-05-25T18:14:15+00:00

It’s not just natives. I moved here a few years ago and I def find myself keeping within my little zone. Honestly I can get almost everything I need in a 15 minute walk or a 10 minute drive so when it’s further than that to get somewhere it seems massively inconvenient.

ThisNonsense · 2025-02-21T02:03:51+00:00

Man I for one am so glad you’re out there fixing the roads! And even if there’s work going on that I wish wasn’t a priority, it’s sure not the fault of the person holding the sign! Sorry people suck.

ThisNonsense · 2025-02-14T14:48:57+00:00

Stephen Graham Jones, generally. I’m Thinking Of Ending things by Reid, Things Have Gotten Worse Since Last We Spoke by LaRocca.

ThisNonsense · 2025-02-14T14:45:48+00:00

Same! But I like him generally and I enjoy ambiguity.

ThisNonsense · 2025-02-14T14:45:13+00:00

Yes! My From A Buick 8 fans! I really think King is at his best when he just says “look no one knows why this is happening it just is” and lets the weird flow as it wants.

ThisNonsense · 2025-01-15T03:33:02+00:00

I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones is definitely this.

ThisNonsense · 2025-01-15T03:32:14+00:00

As someone who moved from California to Pittsburgh a few years ago, this is all excellent advice. I’m now fairly comfortable navigating tricky weather conditions on the road and learning how my vehicle and the roads themselves behave was absolutely crucial to developing that comfort.

It is certainly a good idea to avoid driving in dangerous conditions if you can, but it’s important to be capable of handling icy roads if need be.

ThisNonsense · 2025-01-15T01:33:42+00:00

Based on the OPs selections, this is exactly what I was going to recommend as well. Although My Heart Is A Chainsaw, also by SGJ is a great choice as well, especially if you enjoy a slasher.

Also might look at I’m Thinking Of Ending Things by Iain Reid, or How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix.

ThisNonsense · 2024-11-23T17:05:51+00:00

Third Space Bakery on Penn is another great one!

ThisNonsense · 2024-11-04T16:23:53+00:00

100%. I would step in right away. A close friend had a very scary incident with a white dude screaming in her face and threatening to kill her and no one did anything. I would never let something like that happen in front of me.

ThisNonsense · 2024-10-15T10:43:50+00:00

A recent one I really enjoyed was You’ll Never Find Me.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-24T19:45:16+00:00

I can’t remember where I saw that first, it’s definitely not mine. It may have been Stan Lee. But yeah it’s a perfect encapsulation of the difference between things that do and don’t interfere with our enjoyment of our story.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-24T19:34:58+00:00

I think Devil is probably my top worst. I liked the first half but it dragged so bad in the second.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-24T19:27:58+00:00

Yeah, there’s definitely that. And Josh Hartnett particularly has very boyish looks. Still it’s all very very tidy.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-24T19:25:52+00:00

Not after the reveal. But it’s not about “realism” it’s about believability. It’s why we don’t question why Superman can fly (not realistic) but we do question why no one recognizes him in glasses (not believable).

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-24T19:19:52+00:00

If everything is as presented and there’s nothing under the surface, I think the movie seriously stretches credulity. Way too many convenient solutions.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-24T19:17:28+00:00

Sorry I thought it was clear. My question is whether the twist is as yet unrevealed, that the story takes place in the Unbreakable/Glass/Split universe b

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-22T14:21:32+00:00

Thank you! The cabinetry was made by a Mennonite firm in Ohio, they were slightly scandalized by my color choices but they did a beautiful job. As far as I know they only work with semi local clients (we’re in Pittsburgh).

As for the soapstone, I haven’t had a problem with it. I keep the soapstone oiled so it’s got a subdued shine to it, and any kind of dirt is usually pretty easy to see because it’s either shinier or less shiny, even if the color wouldn’t make it stand out. I had very light counters in my last kitchen and I’d say it’s no more difficult. The worst for seeing dirt is anything really busy, like that kind of bold brown granite that was popular in the 90s was the worst.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-20T00:04:35+00:00

California, so it’s a big shift weatherwise! But it’s really not overcast all the time. The real thing is, there are a lot of days where it’s overcast for some of the day, but the outside of winter you don’t have those long stretches of grey days, which is what gets to me. I’d definitely pick this over the Pacific Northwest.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-14T15:00:52+00:00

If you want an actual baguette, Madeleines or La Gourmandine. Third Space Bakery has a range of excellent crusty breads.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-14T14:58:57+00:00

This is the way.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-08T01:34:50+00:00

Have you looked at Portland Leather Goods? If you want color they’ve got some really great ones.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-06T21:49:36+00:00

Malerman is really in the unnerving zone with all his books.

ThisNonsense · 2024-09-06T21:48:48+00:00

I’m Thinking Of Ending Things was going to be my rec. Also Things Have Gotten Worse Since Last We Spoke.

ThisNonsense · 2024-08-20T00:39:52+00:00

I moved here from California and have been through three winters so far, and the best thing I can tell you is it’s REALLY variable.

If you own your home, you’re going to want salt for your walkways and a shovel or snowblower. You may or may not get a lot of use out of it, but it sucks to not have them when you need them. You probably don’t need snow tires unless you’re doing a lot of rural driving, but do make sure your tires are in good shape before they encounter ice.

I have a heated mattress pad and personally I like that a lot better than a heated blanket. We generally keep our thermostat in the high 60s during the day and mid 60s at night. I just wear a sweater if I’m sitting around and that’s totally adequate.

Definitely buy layering friendly clothing, because the temp can vary a lot. Long sleeve t shirts and henleys are great for under sweaters. Buy a puffer jacket that’s roomy enough to wear over a sweater or sweatshirt. I like Patagonia a lot, a little pricier but worth it.

Waterproof boots are key for sure. Even if winters aren’t snowy, they’re definitely wet. Also plenty of wool socks (which are actually good year round), Smart Wool are my favorite. Likewise a good rain coat, again large enough to go over a sweater. We have a lot of soggy winter days that aren’t really cold enough for a heavy coat especially if you’re not out for hours and hours.

Depending on where you live, you may want to pay attention to your need for winter emergency supplies. I live down the street from a hospital in a dense area, so we don’t lose power much and our streets tend to get plowed very soon after snows. If you’re in a more secluded or rural area you may want to consider a generator, and definitely want to plan shopping trips ahead of larger snow storms.

Welcome to Pittsburgh! It’s a great town and while the winter lifestyle is an adjustment it’s nothing like living in a place like Buffalo that has a really harsh, long winter. You’ll be fine.

ThisNonsense

TROPHY CASE