City Mouse @city-mouse-blog - Tumblr Blog

Little Boys Learn

The other day I saw two boys Playing outside the laundromat The warmest day in months They still shivered in thin t-shirts No older than 7 years of age So young and fresh and playful But it was not a game I recognized These were new rules For young black men The one lay with his face to the ground Prone prisoner prose His hands is christ-like Handcuffing position The other plays police Frisking and leading away To the slaughter What twisted, realistic play is this The games of clairvoyance The learned behavior of young victims Of their history

#poetry #prose #race #cops #police #racial profiling #games #children #play

Self portrait.

#beach #vacation #self portrait #obx #sand #ocean

City mouse hits the beach

There comes a time in every workaholics year when their family guilts them into a family vacation.

Alright, maybe that isn’t how it goes for other people, but it is how I ended up taking a week off of work and leaving the comforts of steel city for a quiet beach in North Carolina. The punchline is: it is a dry vacation.

Now I don’t need alcohol to have fun. But as a bartender, used to city life and friends in their 20s and 30s, this is a bit of an adjustment.

So what does a girl used to going to bed at 4 in the morning do when she is forced to slow down? Turns out, she rather enjoys in. With a new paperback translation of Don Quixote, and some spf 4 tanning lotion, this down time hasn’t been as mind numbing as I feared.

My friends at home asked me, only half joking, what I would do without work for a week. Maybe I should take that as a wake up call. I like to work a lot, but recently I’ve been questioning whether it is dedication or cowardice that drives me to work so much. It’s time to admit that I’m afraid of what I could be/accomplish if I let myself explore some outside interests or hobbies.

In that way, the beach has been a detox, rehab, and oasis. So far, it is working. Am I ready to move back to the country and really slow things down? Hells no. But am I eager to build some Zen time into my busy life? I think so….

The sun and sand have been pretty good for this city mouse.

Happy travels.

#travel #beach life #vacation #obx #blog #journal #workaholics

Jazzy flair

#buttons #jazz #jazz club #pittsburgh #old school #microphone #flair

Jazzy pittsburgh

So Pittsburgh, I told you that I was on the job hunt about 6 months ago. What I failed to mention is that it was a successful venture. In fact, I’m back to my customary 50 hour work week, and I love it. I’m a functioning workaholic, no meeting necessary. And guess what, I work at a jazz club! (Insert fan girl gushing)

My place of employment is a great little place on the North Side called James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy. Prepare for some shameless plugging here: I love this place. I visited a few times, months before I was hired. It’s got live jazz at least 3 times a week. On Fridays it even has live blues or swing dance. The Roger Humphries band frequently plays, as does a personal favorite Roby “Supersax” Edwards.

In all fairness, there are several great places for live jazz in Pittsburgh. That’s the punchline here. Pittsburgh is a diamond on the rough, but what incredible niches can be found with a little effort.

Another event I’ve been to repeatedly is called Second Saturdays, organized by a group called The Pillow Project. This improvisational jazz dance event is quirky and uses a variety of mediums to make an artistic impression. Held in an old factory office, this once a month event is well worth the $10 suggested donation. Especially since that includes boxed wine, served in mason jars. For those who wish, it is also byob. The troupe mixes live jazz music into their night of expression, with an open environment that often includes a number or two where spectators join the professionals on the dance floor. You never know what to expect, other than a good time.

For the more outdoorsy types, summer is a great time for jazz in the park. On Saturday nights in Riverview Park, there are free shows starting at 7pm. Weather permitting, the opportunity exists to see jazz legends and great local names for free.

Now I love jazz. That is what my parents and I always did together when they come into town, and that was before I worked at one of the hottest jazz spots in town. But the bottom line is this: you can’t ever complain about Pittsburgh not having anything to do. If I can find good, live jazz literally any night of the week, then the entertainment options in steel city can’t be that bad. Just look a little. Try something new. Here are a few websites to help you start:

http://jamesstreetgastropub.com/

http://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/riverview-jazz-series

http://www.pillowproject.org/

Good luck, and stay jazzy Pittsburgh Love, City mouse

#pittsburgh #jazz #live music #events #music #venues #blog #journal #review #pgh

Dear Mr. I Had To Try

So what, I’m bisexual. It is not a big deal to me or the people closest to me. Something strange does keep reoccuring though. It happened last night as it often has before. The guy I like is hanging out with my friends. Things are going well…until.

He leans over and starts whispering to one of my female friends. She is laughing nervously and blushing. I rush over and catch the tail end of a bad pick up attempt. He looks at me innocently, shrugs, and says “I had to try."

Men, I know the porn culture has ingrained in you that threesomes are the superbowl of sexual activity. However, that does not mean that you have to attempt every hail mary play that you see.

I have been on both ends of this scenario. I have had good friend’s husbands try to convince me that nothing could be more magical than joining him and my childhood friend (whom I consider a sister) in an awkward night of ruined boundaries and drunken mistakes. More than a few times, I’ve overheard or was later informed that men I’ve been seeing have approached my best friends, coworkers, or even ex girlfriends on my behalf and without my knowledge.

Shucks, thanks for thinking of me.

Guys, let me make this clear: you don’t have to try. The scenario where you ask and both ladies are suddenly overwhelmed by your power of persuasion and can’t wait to jump in bed with you never happens. In fact, you taking that initiative is one of the sure fire ways to make that never happen.

After the embarrassing apology to my female friends for your advances, the last thing I want to do is reward that childish, selfish behavior.

Let me play devils advocate for a moment. Threesomes do occur, and I’ve been lucky enough to be part of some great, mindblowing experiences. Here is how that pans out: the girls talk, flirt, discuss, create a fantasy, AND THEN LET YOU KNOW.

This is for you, Mr. I Had To Try…

Ew. No. And now I’m going to have to go talk to my girlfriends about what an insensitive jerk you are. If we end up making out, it will be your fault, and you’re not invited.

#dating #relationship #sex #sexuality #bisexuality #blog #journal