Road Dog January 4, 2009
Posted by Pupster in Commenting Tips, Family, Food, Personal Experiences, Philosophy, Travel.trackback
Yinz? What the heck are yinz?
I’ve accepted a new assignment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, starting Monday. I’ll be staying at an extended stay motel and returning to home and hearth on weekends for the next few months.
It is highly unusual for me to be away from familiar surroundings for long periods of time, and though I am excited about the new project, I’m a little anxious about living in a new city 5 days a week.
I know the site administrator and many IB commenters are are seasoned road warriors, so I’m looking for helpful traveling tips for a 40(+) year old rookie. Pittsburgh bar restaurant suggestions are welcome as well.
Congrats and good luck.
A few weeks ago, I received an offer, pending background check and all that, to work in DC. I may be doing that as well.
Hey Pupst! Hope the time is enjoyable. Both Michael and I have had time and assignments away from family — he more than I — but here are some ideas that made it all more endurable for me:
1) Invest in a good city map for getting around on your own. Local contacts might have some suggestions worthy of your consideration and the map can help you find them.
2) Don’t underestimate the healthier ready-prepared food available in the nearby grocery stores that you can take back to your room. Selection and options are getting better and they will have less preservatives than the fast-food chains and restaurant franchises. Those preservatives sorta kill your food and make it “dead” which is not good eats and can cause totally unnecessary weight gain.
3) Bring along a few things for your away-from-home accommodations that will help the place feel more like home — whatever that is for you.
4) Read a good book or series of books during your downtime.
5) Pack some walking shoes and exercise clothing and use the gym at your accommodations.
6) Clearly communicate with your spouse back home about chores, errands, and expectations, etc. so that when you are home the time is not spent in unpleasant disputes.
Good luck Pups. I’ve traveled some back in the day, but was always home within 2-3 days. There’s always Waffle House!
Pupster – I appreciate what you’re going through. Tomorrow afternoon I drive back to the Bay Area, and I won’t be home until Super Bowl weekend.
What keeps me sane is downloading stuff from Veoh TV (veoh.com). I convert the .avi and .wmv files to .mp4 and load them on my iPod, and then I take the iPod and a couple of beers out to the jacuzzi. It’s cheap and relaxing.
I also take the iPod to restaurants once in awhile. It makes you forget that you’re eating alone.
Don’t get your hookers from Craigslist. Use another escort page.
If you find yourself in a strange place, with people around you that make you feel uncomfortable, give them the “crazy eye” and slap yourself in the face a few times. Nothing unnerves a potential opponent like beating your own ass up.
That’s gonna be hard on the wife.
I hatey, hate, hate it when hubby is away. I can’t imagine him not being around for months like that. And I know he doesn’t take good care of himself.
Maybe when you go home on the weekends she can send you back with a pile of her good home-cookin’ that you like. That will make both her and you feel better.
And don’t bring home dirty laundry on the weekends.
Sonic makes great cheese chili dogs.
What helps me with the wear and tear of going back and forth is minimizing the packing. I only carry a laptop back and forth, because I’ve got a complete living arrangement set up in the Bay Area.
That way I don’t have to stress out about forgetting something on either leg – I just grab the laptop and go.
Also, if you can get them to let you go to 4 10s, it’ll make a huge difference to you and your family. I do T-F one week, and M-Th the next, which gives me a 4-day weekend every other week. That’s the weekend I go home.
Always assume bedspreads are grody. I’ve never seen a pile of them of the cart, getting ready to be cleaned.
Also, if they show certain kinds of “entertainment” on cable, you might consider keeping your socks on in the room.
I’m just sayin.
Dave,
You’re not helping.
I’ve gotten all checked in and unpacked, but the wireless keeps cutting in and out.
The helpful desk clerk has suggested that I change rooms to fix the wireless problem.
Going downtown to the job site to make sure I can find it in the morning before it gets too dark. And scary.
Pupster:
If you’re interested in the Veoh.com option, you can just tell me what you want, and I’ll download it and convert it to your favorite format.
Top Ten Extended Business Travel Tips From BrewFan For Pupster:
10. Practice your Tourettes Guy routine in case you have to walk alone at night downtown.
9. Memorize the telephone number for the closest Domino’s Pizza.
8. Cheerfully greet your housekeeper each morning *after* you put your pants on.
7. If you ask the buxom reservation agent for “Two Pickets to Tittsburgh please” you’ve been away from home too long.
6. Chances are you’ve missed your wife *more* then she has missed you (iykwimaityd) so best not to pre-dose the Ci@lis.
5. You will be expected to know the names of the three rivers that converge in Pitt.; the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
4. If your wife comes to visit, DO NOT take her to the places where they yell PUPSTER! when you walk in.
3. In Pitt. you will be expected to reply in the affirmative in the following manner: “YEPPERS!”.
2. Do not refer to Pierogis as ‘Polish Hot Pockets’.
And the Number One Tip is
Don’t buy them champaign. $50 a glass is too much to pay and it’s usually just water anyway.
Dude, this shit is road warrior GOLD.
I’m giving it away here!
What’s wrong with the hookers on Craigslist?
Oh, don’t forget to swipe coffee packets off the maid cart whenever you walk by one. They never give you enough.
Also, when the maid smiles and nods her head in agreement, it doesn’t mean anything because she does not speak English. She’s not going to give you more coffee the next day. She’s not going to stop giving you decaf. You have to steal it.
Also, remember that when you order a movie like “Insatiable Cheerleader Sluts,” it’s going to be on the bill that you send to your boss and accounting for approval. That does not present you in a favorable light. Trust me.
‘Jin Iggle is a grocery store.
If you go to the front desk and tell them you ordered “Insatiable Cheerleader Sluts” by accident and you want it removed from the bill because you were trying to watch “Sound of Music,” they will not believe you.
And, btw, the twenty-second preview of “Insatiable Cheerleader Sluts” is not really long enough, and if you try to watch it five times in a row you will be billed.
Make sure to ask your sever for a few blank receipts. Just in case.
Also, remember that when you order a movie like “Insatiable Cheerleader Sluts,” …
*checks closet for something that resembles cheerleader outfit*
I think my longest deployment was 7 months. Here’s a tip; Always check the toilet seat upon arrival. If the seat is up, all of your shoes are spit-shined and your dog is suddenly Rin-Tin-Tin, some Marine has taken good care of your home during your absence. You should send him a nice, hand-written “Thank You” note.
Thanks guys, this really helps. In addition to all your helpful hints, I have a few of my own.
Pupster’s travel tips to Pupster:
1. Check Wifi reception before unpacking.
2. Pittsburgh’s ‘Strip District’ is not what you think it is.
3. I don’t care what Mrs. Peel says, Garmin GPS is smarter than you are.
4. When inspecting your new hotel room, leave the black-light at home.
Pupster…let’s grab a bear when I come into Pitt
grab a bear
… and let the rest of us know how that goes for ya…
let’s grab a bear
…hope that’s not like “bury a duck.”
let’s grab a bear when I come into Pitt
Bring it on, beyotch…
I’d like to honor him.
uh hum….that would be “beer”….continue on please, nothing more to see
I’d keep my hands off Pupster’s big bear if I were you.
only the bear essentials
kiss my bear arse…
Tbom,
Hells yeah! I’m staying in Carnegie, working downtown. Yinz email me pupstersez at yahoo dot com.
We can get all tourettes on the place.
I go to New Kensington and am in town usually for a night. Looks like very end of January or early Feb
….continue on please, nothing more to see
You’re gonna have to bear with us on this one, Buddy-o-mine.
There is so much we can bring to bear on this subject.
It’s the IB-way, just sayin’…
Bear in mind, Cathy, that I bear-ly care
Awww.
Unbearably cute.
Bear hugs all ’round.
I thought Pupster waxed his back????
Pupster,
I have a LOT of friends in P’burg.
If you are a church going man let me know, I can tell you where the good ones are.
If not, Sorry I do not know any good bars.
I woke up this Friday at 4 am, my Golden Retriever, Max was pacing the floor. He looked like he has swallowed a watermelon. After 3 different Vets I found out he has a tumor in his heart. The last vet put a needle in his heart 6x and drained out excess fluid. He is doing well now, but the Vet said that it is congestive heart failure, and it boils down to $. It can be 1 day or 1 week or a month. It will happen again. At $300 a pop, she can stick a needle in his heart and drain out the fluid. I am lucky I have had a few more days with by best buddy.
I have placed a tribute to Max on my Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30207238&l=968a4&id=1334709596
Ow. Sorry to hear that vmaximus.
It’s so hard to lose a buddy.
Me too vmax.
Thank you Laura.
Watch what you eat and force yourself to move. Sitting in a hotel room watching TV sucks the life out of you. That’s all I’ve got. I’m no road warrior. Geoff’s long weekend idea is great. When you’re home, you’ll want some man cave time, but your family will want and need your attention. That kind of work arrangement would be hard for me. Good luck.
Sorry, I was typing when vmax posted. That’s a tough thing. Condolences.
So sorry vmax.
Thanks DiT and Skinbad.
He is well now, but…. according to the Doc. It will not be long. Fortunately I am able to know and spend my time accordingly.
My Nephew said he posted a new youtube it is pretty good. he is 15 and the blond guy doing most of the flips!
http://www.youtube.com/user/flipinbreaker07
Pupster, I was gonna make a joke about getting a dog from the local pund to keep you company while you’re away, then leave him in the room when you check out, but after Vmax’s news, I won’t be so crass.
Have fun, but not too much fun, Pupster.
And I’m real sorry to hear about your friend, Vmax.
Best wishes for your remaining time with Max, vmax.
Sorry, pal.
V, I’m so sorry to hear that. Enjoy your friend, as I’m sure he enjoys you. Best wishes.
Pupster,
My advice is to invest in a San Diego Chargers uniform. Full regalia: jersey, pants, helmet, maybe even some Chargers receiver gloves and eye black. During this weekend’s game, hit one of the bars around Heinz field. I’m sure you’ll share a hearty laugh with the assorted burly Steelers fans, who’ve just gotten off double shifts at the steel mills and downed a half dozen boiler makers in preparation for their biggest game of the year. You’ll make instant friends.
If anyone gives you a hard time, be sure to mention that you’re a frequent blog commenter. On the internet. Explain in detail what the internet is, in case that technology hasn’t reached Pittsburgh yet. Once they understand the importance of blog commenting, you’re sure to gain their respect.
… Or maybe I’m still upset that the Cowboys lost to the Steelers by giving up two TDs in the last 2 minutes, and that loss kept them out of the playoffs.
Seriously, good luck with the new gig. I’ve only visited Pittsburgh once, in college, and it was a stunning city. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Holy cow, VMax. I should have read the rest of the comments before joking around. Sorry to hear your news.
It will not be long.
Long enough for your pal to still feel accepted by an alpha male pack leader, even if he’s not in great shape.
Explain in detail what the internet is, in case that technology hasn’t reached Pittsburgh yet.
That was pretty frickin’ hilarious.
I was borne in Pittsburgh.
(can’t believe a Hostage didn’t go this route.)
My best advice, is to not die in a fiery car wreck.
http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2009/01/haters-guide-to-the-postseason-afc-2nd-seed-pittsburgh-steelers.html
Here’s a primer on what to expect in Pittsburgh
Just came back to this thread and found out about Max.
Sorry Vmax.
Random thing.
I have not been an audiophile for quite some time, and I literaly woke up only after listening to cop shot cop.
and another song, titled mrph glub mrph, never gonna tell.
Damn, here I am grumbling to myself about having to spend all of next week, traveling around BF North Carolina, and the week after that spending 3 days in Sacramento CA and Pupster has to spend months in the Pitt and Geoff has ruined himself by being in SF too long.
Come to think of, maybe I don’t have it so bad.
Pupster – Road Warrior advice:
- Take plenty of books, or find a Half Price Book store where you can buy some.
- If you are going to have to be in a place for over a couple of days, try to take in some of the historical sites or museums.
- The last time I was in Milwaukee, MN, my traveling partner and I took in the Harley-Davidson Museum – Great Place!! And I got a beautiful book on the History of Harleys with the price of admission.
Milwaukee, MN?
Did you visit the Schotz Brewery while you were there to see where Laverne & Shirley used to work?
I spent about 15 hours in downtown Pittsburgh on a Sunday in September of 2005. My motorcycle broke down on I-80 near State College on my way East to West Point the Thursday night before, and I was trying to find my way home. Flights to Des Moines from State College, PA ran about $1000 for a seat, so I decided “eff that”, and arranged for a one-way rental to Pittsburgh. I started out at the airport at 7am, and when I finally realized that there were going to be NO tickets available to DSM that day, I had a cabbie take me downtown to the Amtrak Station. I got there about 11am, and the train was supposed to leave going West at midnight, so it was one hell of an experience. The train was leaving Pittsburgh at midnight, getting to Chicago at noon on Monday, and then the California Zephyr was going to get me to Osceola, Iowa (about 35 miles from Winterset) by 8:30 Monday night. My only other realistic option was to catch the Westbound Grayhound bus leaving at 3pm, but the thought of 36+ hours on a bus made me shiver in fear. No way in hell I could have taken a day and a half on a bus without strangling some yahoo. At least on the train you can load up on Tylenol PM and zone out in your seat. I can tell you two things about downtown Pittsburgh from my experience.
1. NOTHING is open on Sunday. Fortunately for me, the Steelers were playing the Patriots late that afternoon, so the City allows certain bars to stay open while the game’s on, but other than that, it was like I was starring in a remake of “Omega Man”.
2. Whoever stocks the vending machines at the Amtrak station needs to get his/her ass kicked. I bit into one 100,000 grand bar that must have been left over from the first Reagan administration, then decided to go on “walkabout” until I found a convenience store open about 15 blocks from the station.
So Pupster, take heed and skip the Amtrak Station if you’re looking for cultural landmarks to visit while you’re in Pittsburgh.
The last time I was in Milwaukee, MN
I hate you with a burning white hot passion, Mr. M.
Well, he did say he and his “traveling partner” went to the “motorcycle museum,” IYKWIMAITYD. NTTAWWT.
Vmax, I’m sorry about your dog. I’m avoiding the topic because Pepper is twelve, which is very old for a shepherd, so I’m expecting her to kick the bucket in the next couple years. She’s still in great shape – people think she’s a puppy because she’s so frisky – but she is losing her hearing and sight and getting arthritic and stuff. Hard to watch. So I know how you feel.
(”Awwww, how old is your puppy?” “(rolling eyes at dog) Twelve.”)
Well, he did say he and his “traveling partner” went to the “motorcycle museum,” IYKWIMAITYD. NTTAWWT.
Good point. I’m sure the leather display got them so hot they forgot which state they were in.
Thanks again all of you. He is acting normal again after a rough weekend. I took him to work with me today spend a little extra time with him while I can. Of course I was in a meeting with my big boss in the main conference room with Max at my feet, when the garbage truck pulled up outside. Max went BARKING to the front door. That is something you do not expect to here in your office.
Mrs Peel,
My last dog was a Shepherd. He had hip dysplasia very bad and I had to put him down at 7. I waited too long. He could not walk so I carried him outside for a few months. Could not get another Shepherd after that. I do want another Golden.
I saw the roadshow version of that Harley exhibit in Vegas, but I can’t remember for sure which hotel. Maybe the Bellagio. It was very cool.
We got Peaches recently partly because we’re thinking Casey the Crimefighter is on her last tank of gas. She’s still pretty spry, but she’s clearly getting old. It’s going to be tough when she leaves. She helped raise our kids. She’s also been great with getting Peaches trained on her crimefighting duties.
Who says I’m on my last tank?
Peetchez haz nuthin’ on mee.
Wee play ruff — an I win.
I know I asked before, and was surprised last time.
How old is the aging crimefighter?
Thanks for all the good advice IBer’s.
Vmax, I’m so sorry to hear about your buddy.
Pittsburgh is very different than what I’m used to, but so far I like it a lot. It looks like I’m going to be here for a while, but I’m not sure how much sightseeing I’ll be able to do, as I’m coming in at the end of a project that requires as much time as I’m able to spend on site.
I downloaded ‘Skype’ to my laptop and Mrs. Pupster’s desktop, and it works reasonably well for video/audio communication, for free.
Life is good.
How old is the aging crimefighter?
Casey is 10. Peaches is probably under 1.
She’s a feisty ten, probably has 4 years left in her.
and random, am I hallucinating or did someone just LOL puppy casey?
ever have the poochie leaning out the window, and then step on the window control and have them roll it up till their head was stuck in the window?
Especially on the highway?
Hilarious, and more than a little distracting when they start to wimper.
of course they always blame you, so you are on their shit list for their 3 day memory span.
Well, he did say he and his “traveling partner” went to the “motorcycle museum,” IYKWIMAITYD. NTTAWWT.
Okay, Okay, maybe I should redefine that statement:
I was on a marketing trip with the Marketing manager visiting Miller Brewing. As for the Harley Museum, do you realize that they have a working motorcycle on display from every year they produced them?
Since 1908!
BrewFan, If we get the Miller account I’ll see if I can wangle up some tickets for you.
BrewFan, If we get the Miller account I’ll see if I can wangle up some tickets for you.
If you think my affections can be bought you are absolutely correct.
Thanks buddy!
I have had ‘74, ‘80, ‘84, and ‘90 Harleys. 2 sportys a road hog and a wide glide. I have had a GPZ 750 turbo (my 2nd street bike) Ninja 1200, Then went to Yamahas FZR 1000, FZR 1200, R1, Then Vmax. and Roadstar Warrior. I want to buy a Vmax and put it in a Warrior frame.
This is how I will remember my Max
Running through a field with his ears flopping!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmaximus/2836690099/
excuse me, I have a plank in my eye
Max looking funny. Like Dude where are my sun glasses!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmaximus/2952077021/sizes/l/
Michael,
Feel free to tell me to STFU.
I will go away.
VMax,
Sorry about Max–odd thing. Was playing Trivial pursuit with the kids last night. ‘Max’ is the most common pet name in the U.S. Not dogs–all pets.
Pupster,
I travel ALOT. A couple of tips for extended stays–
-make the hotel your home on google maps and ’search nearby’ for restuarants, bars, etc. Always fun to try something new.
-If you’re a Legion/VFW member, find the nearest post. Cheap beer and good guys.
–get a girlfriend
phat,
My GF at the time (will post a link later) said “dogs will name them selves” We sat around shouting names. When I said “Max” ha got out of the chair and walked over to me, and started drinking my Bourbon!
Max is my MAN!
Great pics of Max, Vmax.
Happy, good sense of humor, lots of positive energy.
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