They say Pennsylvania has two seasons, Winter & Construction. The secret is, it’s always construction season! Celebrate with a maze while you’re sitting in traffic. Just, not while you’re driving.
I was recently in the hospital & had the time to draw a ridiculous amount of mazes. They helped me work through the pain and just kind of zone out a bit. Check them all out on my Instagram accounts at @AiXeLsyD13 & @MyMazes. (A few have multiple mazes in each post.)
Since Twitter became 𝕏, WordPress doesn’t push links there. I think Facebook eats links. And, I get no interaction from Threads or Blue Sky so far.
If you print & complete one of these, or finish it right on your screen, please post to your favorite social media & tag me! I’m @AiXeLsyD13 on pretty much everything, and it’s easy to find the blog page or me on Facebook.
Hopefully, I have some more cool maze-related news coming soon.
Neighborhood Facebook groups and Nextdoor. They have a lot in common. Typically, the posts fall in one of these categories:
Fireworks or gun shots? It’s loud. No one cleared either with me.
What are all the sirens for? Where are they?
There is a suspicions person or group of teenagers walking around the neighborhood.
I found a hair in my pizza and thought I would try to destroy the livelihood of all involved.
Solicitation of professional goods and services, only by “a college student” or “retiree” willing to severely undercut prices for those professional services.
On a side note, I highly recommend @bestofnextdoor on Twitter.
But then there’s the worst kind. It starts innocently enough. Someone wants to know what is going in to an old building that’s vacant or being torn down/renovated. Then someone jokes, a bank, a mattress store, or Spirit Halloween.
Then. Then, its the worst. People answer the question with what they want to go there, but with authority (or lack of basic writing skills) and make it seem like that is what is going there.
They wish. They guess.
They equate real concrete answers to be as equally fanciful to their own.
People are wishing hard for Target, and Chick-fil-A . Then people say they don’t want Target or Chick-fil-A. Also, no one can spell Chick-fil-A, even as they are replying to something that mentions it and spells it correctly. It’s always Chic Filet or Chik Fila or something equally absurd. It’s a small, but maddening detail.
Actual photo of 50% of the local population.
I bring you, the saga of Burlington and most likely Ross moving into the old Bridgeville Kmart location, as presented by local Facebook groups and Nextdoor, and as ignored by members of local Facebook groups and Nextdoor. It’s all over local social media if you look, but no one an handle the search button. It generally looks like this, people: 🔍
I mean, if only all these could somehow link back to each other, and the actual factual information could be sorted out.
I hope they got the smell out of the building. That Kmart used to totally smell like poop over by the K Café.
All sings point to Burlington replacing Kmart and Chick-fil-A razing & rebuilding where the current empty Taco Bell lies. Ross and a Pet Smart may be squeezed into the Kmart space also. A little birdie told me because they saw my repeated request for factual information in these threads. A true journalist can’t reveal their source, right?
It’s Burlington. And maybe Ross, and PetSmart… and maybe even something else. It’s definitely not a Target.
🎯
My personal prediction: 6 months after Burlington opens in Bridgeville/Collier Township, people will still be asking (via Facebook community groups and Nextdoor) what is going in at the old Kmart location… and other people will still be answering that they drove by and saw red so it must be a Target. 🤦♂️
Actual factual information:
Collier Township Zoning Hearing Board on Burlington: ZHB-2021-0005
Collier Township Zoning Hearing Board on Chick-fil-A: ZHB-2021-0003
Thank you for coming to my TURD(Totally Unfounded Rumor Department) Talk.
OK. I really need to go do something more productive with my time now.
Please, feel free to share your actual factual information in the comments, or wildly speculative conjecture. Apparently feelings are facts everywhere these days, not just in politics.
So this morning when trying to get to church, we had an adventure. We cross the city to go there, because it feels like home when we do make it, and it is where I grew up going. Generally, it’s not a bad drive on a Sunday morning.
This morning, we left a little later than we like to because… we have two small children.
No work in the tubes, or even on the Liberty Bridge… except when we got to the ramp for the Blvd. of the Allies and we couldn’t go towards Monroeville.
Up Bigelow Blvd. to Craig St. through Oakland to try to get to Forbes Ave. and get on the Parkway in Squirrel Hill, and we ran into this along the way:
Lady Pittsburgh
I have no idea what this was. She was oblivious to the world around her, happily rolling down the middle of the street on her scooter with absolutely no regard for safety or traffic laws. She eventually got on to the sidewalk, but she was rolling along at about a ½ mile per hour when I pulled up behind her. All I could do was start a “What the…” phrase that I couldn’t finish with children in the car and laugh. We laughed for the rest of the ride to church, and we weren’t done with the obstacles.
Apparently, Forbes was closed off right after the CMU campus for a race today. Out & around to the Edgewood/Swissvale on-ramp to the parkway it was.
Seriously though, I know I’m not a resident of Pittsburgh proper, but I am a resident of Allegheny County. Can we pass some sort of local ordinance that you can’t work on or around two major through-ways to the city at the same damn time?
We got there, and were only a little bit late. The universe was testing my patience today. I hope I passed.
I love wordplay, anagrams, and word origins. Sometimes, I imagine to myself that the subject of this post must be how some people see this sign:
NO DOGS IN PARK
At least, that’s maybe what I hope… that they have some learning disability, a reading comprehension problem, are from a foreign country, or are just flat-out illiterate. I’d rather believe any excuse over the probable truth; They just don’t care.
Before we get the animal lovers all riled up… I’d like to make it clear that I’m not arguing against dogs being allowed in the park. In fact, I think the paths in the park are a perfect place to walk your dog, and that animal lovers everywhere ought to band together to get this rule appealed.
Barring your (and my) personal opinion though, the rule still stands that our canine friends are prohibited from the park. I mean, that sign is pretty clear. There’s not really any way to misunderstand the message put forth, and there are plenty of them all around the park. (If you need to actually see it in writing from an authority, I have done you the favor of finding the Dormont Borough Code online, and you can see in Article I of Chapter 75 [The Animal Code] § 75-2, that animals are prohibited in the park areas.)
I’m not suggesting that the Dormont police patrol the park to hand out pointless citations, as they most certainly have better things to do with their time.
I mean, I get that we were brought up with Fred Rogers telling us all that we’re special and different. Somehow that may have translated to the belief that rules that you don’t like simply don’t apply to you. I also get that to a certain extent. I mean, it’s got to be some kind of inherent human nature to question authority. When you’re told do do something, you recoil a little bit with an internal “excuse me?” At least, I do. The reaction is stronger and longer if it’s something that you don’t want to do or something that you don’t agree with. Perhaps I have just listened to too much anarchy-themed punk rock over the years.
How this translates to the “laws don’t apply to me” mentality, I just don’t get it. This is just another take on my shopping cart rant, I guess. The main difference being that that only applied to general guidelines of polite and decent behavior, and this applies to an actual law… however trivial that law may be.
I’m not saying I’m better than you, or that I never break any laws. I had a problem a long time ago with collecting speeding tickets, and barring my recent Illinois interstate relapse, it’s common knowledge among my friends and family that I pretty much drive like someone’s grandma these days. We generally all go faster than 25 MPH in 25 MPH zones (unless we’re on a school campus, busy city intersection, or in front of a police station). Living in Pennsylvania, I remember the collective sigh of state-wide relief when the speed limit was raised from 55 MPH to 65 MPH. People didn’t like the law, so they wrote, campaigned, and things were changed.
Perhaps it’s a risk thing? If I’m speeding, I’m generally thinking the probability of being caught is low… so it’s rationalized as OK with me somehow. If you bring your dog to the park, are you thinking that there’s never really a police presence in the park, and no one’s going to turn you in so you’re safe?
Is it the classic “well, other people are doing it”? I can see this one working in someone’s head too. My wife & I walk in the park probably 5 days out of the week most weeks. On any given day, we see at least one dog in the park, sometimes as many as 5 or so at a time. If I were a dog owner in an urban area with access to a beautiful nearby park where other people are walking their dogs, I’m sure I’d bring my dog out too. Rationale being that all the other dogs are out, so it must be OK.
In fact, not to long ago, we helped a lady corral her unleashed little beagle mix. He was clearly not ready to go home, and she was in no condition to run after her dog. Standing and yelling “come here, Casey!” apparently doesn’t work all that well with small excitable furry friends. He was quite eager to romp over to us ready for more play. Unfortunately his unconditional offer of puppy playtime was betrayed by us turning him over to his owner.
When I started out, this was going to be another “what’s wrong with you people”* blog with a “what is wrong with a society that stops paying attention to the little rules” tone. I think the latter has taken precedent, with myself included.
I have just realized that I too would probably be an ass that ignores the sign, and brings my dog to the park until I got that 1st citation.
This leaves me still with the questions of what makes one think that the rules don’t apply to them? Is it a belief of being “above” the rules? No fear of penalty? The thought that if the next person is doing it, it’s OK for you? The general disagreement with the rule in the first place? Lack of a presented penalty? (ie., if the sign also said “$300 fine for violations,” would it deter you?) Is it an aggregate of all the smaller rationalizations?
We’re (arguably) a country founded on breaking the rules… but have we gotten to a point where fighting for a rule change is beneath us, or are we just too lazy to change it?
I’m guessing the NO DOGS IN PARK rule is in place mainly because people don’t pick up the pooch poop once it’s dropped, closely followed by a certain amount of fear of the angry biting dog. This rule was probably enacted because people weren’t controlling their animals in the first place out of laziness or an “I’m better than you” attitude. Wow. It’s just a vicious circle, isn’t it?
As someone who suffers from a severe food allergy, and only somewhat irrational fear of all things shellfish… I can imagine that someone coming to the park with a dog allergy and/or a fear of dogs might have a heightened sense of anger and betrayal at the appearance of a giant hairy dog walking right by the “NO DOGS IN PARK” sign.
Perhaps people ought to get together to create pet-friendly and pet-free sections of the park? Perhaps the rule could be changed to “pets only on leashes & pickup poop or it’s a $___ fine” rule?
I guess I’d just like to hear everyone’s thoughts on rules like this.
Do you think the law is a good one?
What is your opinion of those who violate the law?
Why do you think they have no problem ignoring the posted signs?
What do you think of the lack of the local authorities’ enforcement of the law?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts…
(*Note: Comma omitted per the advice of my grammatical advisory panel, Dave and Kristin!)
I’ve written before(although indirectly) about the foul assemblage of half-rotting food that is Kuhn’s Market on Banksville Road. You may recall my description of Kunh’s as relayed to Giant Eagle while requesting that they carry some La Choy Teriyaki Sauce. If not, here it is again..
I actually make special trips to the Shop ‘N Save by WAL★MART in Heidelberg or I actually set foot in Kunh’s Market on Banksville Road to get the La Choy Teriyaki Sauce. Have you BEEN to the Kunh’s on Banksville Road? I’ve gotten moldy peppers from that place, as well as ‘turned’ sour cream, …and melted ice cream. I don’t want to go in there. But, I do. Why? To get the La Choy Teriyaki sauce, my friends. It’s THAT GOOD.
I know I’ve told countless others. I know my mother-in-law looks at me in disbelief because apparently the Kuhn’s on McKnight Road is just awesome.
See? You can read the full story on KDKA’s website. Yes, I get that the point of the article is the union trying to organize there… but they wouldn’t be trying to organize if conditions were good. If I had to guess, I’d say that store owners keep the coolers and freezers on lower settings to save a buck or two… but at what cost? I really haven’t ever heard anyone say anything nice about the place. We’ll buy canned or boxed stuff there occasionally in a pinch, but we’re always looking closely at the expiration dates. As far as the meat & produce & even the dairy products… I’ll go out of my way to another store, or just go without.
Edited – Discussion was happening in other forums, decided to re-post some of that here…
Eric Carroll
Nice: http://bit.ly/9MqDcy I KNEW they weren’t keeping stuff cold enough at Kuhn’s. That place is filthy too. January 28 at 7:20pm via Selective Tweets
Dave Warren
I almost never buy anything remotely perishable there. January 28 at 7:40pm ·
Nunzio Martin
Dude that place smells I never go there January 28 at 8:00pm ·
Dave Warren
I will go out of my way to find a Giant Eagle just to avoid Kuhn’s. January 28 at 8:06pm ·
Andrew Welsh
walmart* is cheaper January 28 at 8:20pm ·
Dave Warren
Wal*Mart is cheaper, when they have the items that I require. They usually do not. January 28 at 8:22pm ·
Andrew Welsh
dave i have to correct you, it is no longer “wal*mart” it is now “walmart*” the corporate logo moved the star to the end.
yeah luckily for me walmart* carries all that i need, and is always cheaper. but that’s just me.
Kuhns is great for running to the store quick since it’s 3 minutes from my house. January 29 at 1:11pm ·
Eric Carroll
Didn’t it used to be a ★?
Wonder how much time and money they wasted coming to that decision? Sun at 12:40pm ·
Eric Carroll Kuhn’s Market on Banksville Rd. Favorited on http://www.youtube.com
I keep telling people that this place is filthy. No one believed me. Ha ha. I know they don’t keep the coolers cold enough… ever. I have brought home melted ice cream. From KDKA, full news story & video here: http://kdka.com/local/Banksv… January 29 at 12:20am via YouTube ·
T.J. Freeman
BWahahahaha fuckin bird! …. alright well if thats a violation then you need to close the foodcourt starbucks and everything else dealing with open food in robinson mall cos i’ve seen many o bird flyin around that bitch. All that aside … that Kuhn’s is about the only place around there to get food unless you wanna travel to bridgeville or parkway center or south hills…. fuck the union … if yer worried about it then just dont buy produce or deli foods there. January 29 at 12:28am ·
Cody Starr
man i don’t care how dirty kuhn’s is ……i would eat those deli pizzas they make with dust bunnies for toppings….they are the bomb January 29 at 5:01am ·
Jeffrey Guerriero
eric, my aunts family owns those stores, I used to shop there when we lived in Dormont. January 29 at 12:51pm ·
Bethany Pastorius Carroll
Kuhns on Mcknight Road is wonderful however this one on Dormont is a shithole. We will only buy canned goods or boxed stuff and that’s only if its an emergency. We have bought sour cream- molded. A green pepper- mold in the inside. Ice cream- melted by the time we got home. We will go completely out of our way than go there. Disgusting place. Sun at 12:17am ·
Eric Carroll
Yeah, they put the “ew” in Kuhn’s down here on Banksville. http://wp.me/pwqzc-5b – There are two Giant Eagles very close by too… one in Parkway Center and one on Cochran Road. Sun at 12:37pm ·
Eric Carroll
I’ve had a lot of people weigh-in on Kuhn’s on various forums. I urge you all to reiterate or expand here: http://bit.ly/cb9WJX Thanks! Yesterday at 3:56pm via Selective Tweets ·
Andrew Welsh
i still fail to see the big deal, the health department said these “aren’t earth shattering and were corrected quickly” Yesterday at 6:42pm ·
Michael Perdue
I’ve always remembered Ferris’ in M-ville to be particularly bad. Yesterday at 7:15pm ·
Eric Carroll
Andy… The big deal is that I was right about them not keeping stuff at the right temperature. I like to be right. Ha ha ha.
Mike – you’re right… both old Ferris weren’t quite right. 4 hours ago ·
Eric Carroll
“KDKA-TV’s Paul Martino did an independent review of Allegheny County’s inspection of seven Kuhn’s stores last year. There were some violations, including salad stored at unsafe temperatures, contamination from raw meat, and more temperature problems.”
I told you that Kuhn’s was disgusting. « World (and Lunar) Domination
aixelsyd13.wordpress.com
I’ve written before (although indirectly) about the foul assemblage of half-rotting food that is Kuhn’s Market on Banksville Road. You may recall my description of Kunh’s as relayed … Sun at 12:43pm ·
Adam Rahuba
Foodland, Shop & Save, Kroger, IGA, Sparkle, Kuhns are all dirty. Can’t stand em. Sun at 2:12pm ·
AiXeLsyD13
I got a lot of comments on this on facebook… both in my status, and when I “favorited” the YouTube video… None when I posted the link to the blog though. Post Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:22 am
Mike_Hype
I have to disagree with you entirely on this one. I love that Kuhn’s and I stop there almost every Sunday night on my way home from hockey to pick up produce alone. Their apples are awesome, their bananas are always the exact amount of ripe to take home and store for the week. I have not yet found a Giant Eagle that even comes close to the quality of produce that I get from Kuhn’s. I was just there last night as a matter of fact. Rotten apples from Kuhn’s: 0, from Giant Eagle: 5. What’s worse than finding a rotten apple? Finding half a rotten apple. Post Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:44 pm
Dave NT
The Giant Eagle Market District pwns n00bs. Post Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:04 am
Mike_Hype
Sitting here eating one of the best apples that I have ever eaten, it happens to be from Kuhn’s. Post Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 12:55 pm
AiXeLsyD13
While finding half a rotten apple is indeed disgusting, I try too look at stuff before I bite into it… although I’m admittedly overly paranoid about food in general.
I’d have to say, I’m fairly confident that if we set up an independent study of the produce at several grocery stores surrounding the Dormont/Banksville area… Giant Eagle would come out on top. Post Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:28 pm
AiXeLsyD13
I need to figure out how to get paid for random useless shit. Post Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:37 pm
World (and Lunar) Domination 