roller derby

Weekly Therapy: I’m eating very well.

- Mel

the week:
Trying to manage a week where we had something going on every night (dinner with friends, date night dinner, dinner with friends, repeat). It’s Pittsburgh Restaurant Week, so food tends to happen. A lot.

We had an incredible meal at Toast! Monday night — the restaurant is showcasing two unique menus this week (each, five courses): vegan truffles or his n’ hers foie gras. We went with the latter. FOIE GRAS DONUTS was a course. GET THERE THIS WEEK IF YOU CAN. But seriously, get there any time because the food at Toast has always been delicious.

The other (new) restaurant we visited was just OK. I didn’t order from the Restaurant Week menu because it was mostly uninteresting (bonus, not: they have a limited menu because of PRW) and went a’la carte. There was kind of a “sticker shock” involved here and slow, mediocre service which led to an overall feeling of… meh. Too many amazing restaurants in Pittsburgh to complain about the bad ones.

weekend:
Taking a social trip to Cleveland. Follow along on twitter (@30sTherapy). While you’re at it, like 30sTherapy on Facebook too.

Also, we’re playing our last away game in regular season Saturday in the Akron area. Then it’s PLAYOFFS!

seven things, seven days:
1. Cakestyle is no more (sad for the company), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t score a few awesome pieces during their closeout sale!
2. My new piano book is missing almost 20 pages — total misprint on behalf of the publisher. What the hell.
3. The (gigantic) bruise I got at last weekend’s game has plank marks in it from the floor of the skating rink. FOR REAL.
4. Hey, I had a make-your-own Asian noodles meal this week! I never understood the trend, but naturally, I’m just another 30-something (fashionably) late to the party — LOVE!
5. We finally rented a carpet cleaner to deal with the cat “mistakes” on the area rugs around the house. We figured it would be a bonus to clean the upstairs carpets too… until the cats peed on them, too, immediately afterward. I can’t deal anymore.
6. Anyone have experience with Blue Apron or Hello Fresh (or similar food delivery services)? I’m interested.
7. Life’s Priorities: are you too busy… or are there just more important things right now? {via Art of Non-Conformity}

Weekend Therapy: musically inclined to agree

- Mel

the week:
The week of the piano. my grandparent’s piano — the one on which I learned to play as a kid — is in my home. I knew after my grandmother’s funeral that I could possibly have it, once my family had it appraised and gave me a price. After talking to my dad on Monday, he mentioned that there would be some upcoming home repairs at my grandparent’s old house, which meant that the piano would need to be moved in a couple weeks. No problem… until he called me back later and said that the piano needed moved by Thursday. Thankfully, my family knew of a piano mover in Ohio that was willing to do the move last minute and at an affordable rate. And he wanted to come on Wednesday (um, a day later). WHAT A WEEK.

I couldn’t be more happy. Although I’ll admit, it’s so bittersweet. It smells like my grandparent’s home (after being there since 1978), and I definitely cried more than a little bit. It’s an “apartment” or studio baby grand, so the size is perfect for our small-ish rowhouse. Now researching: how the hell to decorate a living room around a piano. #stumped

grand piano in a rowhouse
Interior design experts state this is NOT the way to furnish a living room with a piano (keys never face out, I guess, which is good for me because I HATE my back to others when playing) — so, we’ll be rearranging it this weekend.

Also? I get to cross another item off my bucket list: having a piano in my home (I’ll be taking lessons again in my off-season).

weekend:
LAST HOME BOUT of this travel season. One more away game, then it’s on to post season.

seven things, seven days:
1. Totally forgot about our CSA pickup this week (because of aforementioned piano delivery that nearly gave me a heart attack). OOPS!
2. Was reading posts from my old blog (where I blogged for 10 years!!!), and I’m amazed and impressed how long and rambly all my posts were (and how people stuck around long enough to read them). Nostalgic.
3. Sushi after practice is my new craving. Weird, but I can get used to this.
4. Anyone else having problems loading and/or adding feeds to Feedly? It’s so frustrating all the great blogs that I’m missing on a daily basis.
5. Brunch with old friends = the best.
6. Some new home decoration purchases: a tall hammered silver vase from Target and a white tray from Pier One (which, unfortunately, was delivered damaged).
7. Youth: Straight, LGBT or “other”? An interesting article about sexual identity from CNN.

Weekly Therapy: she sits alone at the lamp post… trying to find a thought that’s escaped her mind.

- Mel

the week:
What is it about summer that brings about a full schedule of activities? Last weekend saw a double win from our travel teams, an after-after after party that was so much fun, and an awesome weather Sunday on bikes around the city (with patio sangria at Seviche and Jazz festival). My sister came to hang out with me in the middle of the week, and we went over to the Arts Festival to see Glen Hansard. Electric lemonade! And all of the terrible-but-awesome festival food.

three rivers arts festival

The week was a span of really, really good days with friends and family. Reminds me how I need to hang with those people more often and not get so caught up in the social anxiety aspect of being too busy.

pittsburgh fountain

weekend:
It’s the last weekend of the Arts Festival (Airborne Toxic Event is performing tonight) and Pride in Pittsburgh! Saturday morning, a few of us are scrimmaging at the Miner’s Festival in Johnstown (a place I haven’t been to since I was a kid). We’re taking the scenic route (and I’m taking the Dramamine). Sunday, I’m skating in the Pride march with my leaguemates.

Sadder, bittersweet news: my family is having a house sale at my grandparents (and more sad news, my grandma fell and broke her hip this week). Although I don’t think I can fit “go home to Ohio” in my plans this weekend, I will be seeing all my sisters and nieces before the end of the month.

52 books in 52 weeks:
Started yet another book that was incredibly dumb; thankfully, only got 17% in before I cut it out of my life. And then another one — this, only 10% through. More dumb. But that set back my reading goal for the week. again. Grrrr.

seven things, seven days:
1. Team Magenta! (that’s for my roller derby ladies out there)
2. We have a new privacy fence! And topsoil is laid in our soon-to-be greenspace on our courtyard. Sod gets laid next week.
3. Dumb sore knee – is it because of the weather or because of bike riding? Because it’s dumb.
4. Can you believe I already received my renewed passport? Expedited service seriously took, like, 10 days.
5. Finally found a BB Cream that I LOVE.
6. These (supposedly dissolvable) internal stitches are starting to poke out of my face. It’s so weird… and so annoying.
7. Seemed appropriate: Good-bye Weekend — How Our Connected World is Ruining Them from Psych Central

Weekly Therapy: I do bruise easily.

- Mel

the week:
June spending freeze. Blah.

BUT… back to derby practices! Already have All of the Bruises.

weekend:
Bout weekend! Starting off with a team pasta night and viewing party (oh gawd, helmet cam) and game on Saturday (and much-needed after party). Sunday will be much relaxing. And likely, a hangover.

If you’re not following my schedule, you know that this weekend starts the Three River Arts Festival and Jazz Festival downtown. These are things that make me miss living downtown greatly. Friday also marks the “opening” of the Point State Park fountain. Will probably take some time on Sunday to check everything out. Likely, get a bike ride in since we only live 1 mile away! (given that my bicycle is actually in working condition, after sitting in the basement for an entire year… *sigh*)

52 books in 52 weeks:
#15. Delusions of Grandeur by Jason Najum. WTF did I just read?! It was like one long internet rant about society. Review: don’t read this.

seven things, seven days:
1. Made the Yelp weekly again! (this time, for Sandcastle water park – a fun summer thing to do in Pittsburgh)
2. Fathead’s Headhunter on tap at home
3. Finally got strawberries in the garden!
4. Did you know that I am a closet Western movie fan? This list from Art of Manliness is a good start, but the exclusion of “Once Upon a Time in the West” is flabbergasting.
5. Inventor of ADHD says it’s a “Fictious Disease” on his deathbed. Woah.
6. Weekend therapy will be these peaches and cream cupcakes from Burgh Baby.
7. PR pros are crazy. Like a fox!

Weekly Therapy: another year “wiser”

- Mel

the week:
Yeah, yeah, yeah… birthday week. It’s been one of the hardest of my last few years — and has nothing to do with aging. Well, I’m sure that I’m thinking too much about it because of my age, but it’s nothing to do with NOW I’M 36. I’m equal parts just speechless about a lot of things right now and really stressed. Relationship maintenance is hard, you guys. I don’t even know where to start or finish after saying that.

But thinking about this Cooking for Two: Reconnecting with Your Loved One from A Taste of Therapy.

photo 1

weekend:
Bout Day! actually, I have TWO bouts this weekend (one of which, a hangover bout… woof) and hopefully a little bit of birthday celebration.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#12: “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell – wasn’t quite as engaging as “Blink,” but I did enjoy the personal stories of success.
True story: I was NOT posting this weekly update until I finished this damn book.

seven things, seven days:
1. Started off the week with a Cinco de Mayo stoop
2. …and a big argument. *sigh*
3. Continuing tradition with a free birthday dinner at Eleven (third year). They always have the best birthday desserts too.
4. Started my 10-day NO IBUPROFEN challenge. It’s not really a challenge so much as it is REQUIRED… but, because we took this month off from 30-day challenges, why not?!
5. Rules for Life from the lovely Bloggess. Don’t stop reading at the end of the article… the comments are just as important.
6. Want this book! It’s so pretty to look at.
7. 13 reasons why growing up is mind boggling {#12 is so hard to admit sometimes}

Weekly Therapy: cookies for my troubles

- Mel

the week:
Woah, boy. We learned way too much about zoning, permits and the pains of living in a historical neighborhood. Found out the hard way upon applying for a permit because we wanted to have the deck resurfaced next week — a deck that is a) not to city code and b) never approved in the first place and c) also butts up to a property line of an abandoned house (the one we’ve been trying to find an heir to purchase). What. A. Mess. But also, basically, since we have this lovely courtyard that is technically the side of our house and not the “back” we need historical review for everything.

The deck project will happen, even if it means just tearing the damn thing down. It’s just going to be delayed a few weeks.

weekend:
Headed on a short road trip to Bloomington, Indiana for a derby tournament. Our last travel game until post season. Definitely not the last of travel though for summer.

This Sunday is the Pittsburgh Marathon. Fun day to go into town and give some support to these runners. Take the T or ride your bike because driving a car in/near downtown, east end or north side will be basically a lesson in detours.

seven things, seven days:
1. My review for Benjamin’s (a burger joint in Pittsburgh) made Yelp review of the day this week!
2. Wake up to an iPhone? You should change your alarm to a theme song from your playlist. Mornings are so much more fun now!
3. I celebrated one year at my part-time job. Time flies. Like the birds. *chuckle*
4. Signed up to do the Tough Mudder in August. I’m equal parts terrified and excited. And so ready to challenge myself.
5. Speaking of which, I finally went back to our team trainer this week. And the soreness feels GOOD.
6. Check out this Kickstarter campaign for Cherry Bombe Magazine: a beautiful publication celebrating women and food. I like!
7. Counting down the days until my birthday next week. How I feel about that. TLDR: Not great.

Weekly Therapy: Oh hey, Ohio!

- Mel

the week:
We started the week in Columbus (with HOCKEY! and BRUNCH!). It’s always nice to take a mini-vacation to Ohio and see old pals. Too bad I couldn’t get up to Cleveland for the Indians home opener.

This chocolate place in Columbus is SO GOOD!
This chocolate place in Columbus is SO GOOD!

weekend:
Bout day! These back-to-back bout weekends are certainly a challenge in getting my body to move in the mornings. Heh.

Spring (finally) in Ohio
Spring (finally) in Ohio

seven things, seven days:
1. We (the boyfriend and I) just found out our mutual friend — the one responsible for finally getting us together — is moving to Pittsburgh. SO EXCITED!
2. We also picked up our first CSA (Penn’s Corner CSA for those in the Pittsburgh area).
3. Enjoyed a nice, solitary morning in the park… and then a goose came over and nipped my shoe. Dick.
4. Was so great to catch up with one of my old college friends.
5. Starting a day off with hot yoga: one of my favorite ways to wake up.
6. Did I mention Baseball Season? BASEBALL!
7. Once again, I missed skipping my justfab selections, so I have to pay for yet another month of crap. For whatever reason, I still don’t get their emails announcing the new month picks (even though my settings say otherwise), and there’s NO WAY to cancel online. You have to do it by telephone. And well, NOBODY’S GOT TIME FOR THAT. {/rant}

Weekly Therapy: April!!!!!!

- Mel

the week:
This week, I started my April 30 Challenge to “do something new every day.” The opportunity is there to do some amazing things… but a few things will be kind of ridiculous. And by ridiculous, I mean, I NEED IDEAS! Won’t you leave some in the comments?

Also this week was my annual skin cancer screening. I had to have a biopsy ON MY FACE. Thankfully, it was tiny, so I didn’t need stitches. BUT STILL: ON MY FACE. For the record, it wasn’t a mole either, which makes it all the more scary. Ladies, if you haven’t stopped with the tanning beds and vacations full of sun exposure, I feel it’s my purpose to tell you STOP. NOW.

skin cancer screening
Don’t look at my blackheads! Also, don’t look at my balding eyebrows.

And don’t forget the sunscreen.

weekend:
I’m taking yet another road trip to Ohio this weekend. We have a game on Saturday, so I’m making a mini-vacay out of it: dinner (and carb load) with an old friend on Friday; hockey game on Sunday. Plus, we’re seemingly out of the season of 800 layers (woo).

If you’re looking for something to do in Pittsburgh, check out this Awesome Events post from I Heart PGH.

seven things, seven days:
1. One of my reviews made it into the Weekly Yelp!
2. Speaking of Yelp, we went to a performance at the new Arcade Comedy Theater on Monday courtesy of the social network. So much funny.
3. BASEBALL!!! (you’re going to get a lot of that from me this time of year)
4. Second year in a row that I won some cash from the scratch-off lottery ticket in my Easter Basket. BINGO!
5. I don’t know how I got subscribed to The Red Bulletin magazine (from Red Bull), but it’s my absolute favorite right now for its stories of travel and wonderful articles on adventure-seekers.
6. I applied for a job at google… kinda blew my mind hitting “send” on my resume. Why not, right?
7. Can you believe that more than HALF of Americans shop in order to feel better? {StyleCaster article} Ahem. I am one of you.

Weekly Therapy: seeking power and aggression

- Mel

the week:
Seeking: power & aggression. An area of play that I REALLY need to tap into. I feel like I’ve almost got my finger, err hip on it…

weekend:
BOUT WEEKEND! Super stoked that I have a group of friends coming to see me play too. I’ll be skating in TWO BOUTS (travel season home opener and home team season championships!).

Pre-bout, my dad is visiting for lunch. He lives in Ohio, but just so happens to be in town for a performance Saturday night (he’s a musician).

Then, I get to help a good friend celebrate her birthday with mimosa brunch at Doublewide Grill (so good).

seven things, seven days:
1. Received a super-fun care package from Brown Paper Tickets. Thank you!
2. Happy Hour at Ikea — in the kitchen department (seriously!)
3. My passport expired last month. THE SADS!
4. This month’s Julep Maven box is total score – and I’m absolutely LOVING Lucky!
5. My cleaning ladies never showed for their appointment this week… So. Frustrating. Especially when you wait around the house all day for them to show.
6. Can’t. Stop. Furniture. Shopping. Does this happen to everyone right after interior paint colors change?
7. Super nervous thinking about Monday’s dentist appointment already.

Every 30-something needs… a vacation.

- Mel

I’m back!

This past week’s adventures took us through Southern California and Arizona. CHILLY California. COLD Arizona. By plane, and then by rental car. At least there wasn’t snow? But seriously, who would’ve thought we would need an ice scraper in Phoenix?!

Sure, it was chilly and beautiful and a little hard on my body… But this vacation was a success!

The main reason for the trip was for roller derby (it’s the beginning of our travel season; and this, being our “big” trip of the year). I SKATED BANKED TRACK! SUCH a thrill. The secondary reason: well, I’ve never been to San Diego or LA, so we flew out a couple days early to explore and stayed a day later (to take a road trip to do #3). Thirdly: to visit with my siblings and meet my new niece! One of my favorite parts of the trip was all of us sitting on the bed face timing with my Dad in Ohio.

Why you need a vacation too:
Whether it’s a trip around the world or a staycation in your hometown, each and every one of us 30-somethings needs some time off: to decompress, de-stress… enjoy life’s simple pleasures again without the constant checking of email and internet (wish somebody would have told the boyfriend *tsk tsk*), and hey, maybe reconnect with a loved one (for me, it was to connect with my teammates AND family). Some other reasons we use to vacation: you might need time away from the kids (or other family). Or could benefit professionally from a writing retreat. Or desperately need a girls only weekend.

A vacation — hey, even a long holiday weekend break — is something that changes up our daily patterns and responsibilities — all while helping our minds and bodies recharge.

Now that I’m back (and relaxed and recharged… and IcyHot-ed all over from three games in three days), I’ll be sure to share some highlights of my trip in upcoming posts.

More reading:
{The Science Behind Vacations} – from IBT
{7 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs} – from yours truly, via All Women Stalk
{Why Your Brain Needs a Vacation} – from CNN Health