cww.blog!

My family in Houston is fine, with respect to Hurricane Rita. My mom and sister didn't end up visiting Pittsburgh last weekend because Delta cancelled their flight at the last minute, despite the airport still being operational at their departure time. I guess it rained a lot during the hurricane, and the winds were pretty severe, but there was no damage, and their power didn't even go out. My mom even called it a "non-event" while we were on the phone before she went to bed that night.

I visited the Shadyside Market for the second time today. It's down the road a bit, on Walnut Street near Aiken. I felt somewhat odd just going in there for toilet paper (I actually went grocery shopping yesterday, but I hadn't realized I was out!), so I also bought some food items.

Shadyside Market is the sort of place where the older, well-to-do residents of my neighborhood go and buy a handful of high quality items with hundred-dollar bills, while talking with the staff about how poorly the Steelers did last weekend, how's your wife, etc. As such, I felt a bit off the mark as I walked in with a backpack, an umbrella, and clothing that was half-soaked from a downpour on Neville as I was walking to catch the bus to Shadyside. I then got my merchandise and paid with a credit card, which is something small business don't appreciate very much. My primary bank account is held at a bank that doesn't even exist in Pennsylvania, though, and I don't like paying the fees associated with using another bank's ATM, so whatever.

Anyway, I enjoy Shadyside Market, and next time I'm in there, I'd like to purchase some meat from the butcher, but I'm going to have to work on becoming more comfortable in the store.

Also, Dorian is sitting on my lap, which is always a good feeling.