In which I meet Gerry, Bear and Edie (and miss 2 trains)

Here is how the day started: Yep. That's what I saw at the T station. Missed the 8:36. Figured I'd wait for the 8:55 instead. What the hell.

I had part of the paper, a magazine and a book. Dropped the paper and the book onto the wet pavement, picked up latter trying to figure out how to dry it without wiping it on my: hands, coat, skirt, stockings. No worries. A young woman in jeans and a jacket saw me holding the book between (figuratively) thumb and forefinger, marched over, grabbed it and said, "I'm wearing work clothes. Here." Then she swabbed it across her jean-clad thighs. What a sweetie! (Though I was kind of embarrassed.)

Pittsburghers are nice that way. (Oh, and a gentleman also picked up my newspaper. Seriously, I was not only late this morning, but a total klutz. And I wasn't even carrying coffee.)

So.

Finally Downtown, and even though I am looking forward to having a closer stop once construction of the North Shore connector is done, I will miss getting off at Wood Street. Because walking from there, I get to see this cool, white terra cotta-tile clad building on Liberty Avenue (left and detail at right). Interviewed (very badly) for a job there once, long ago. Still like the building.

The day hums along. I work. Drink coffee, go to the gym, work some more and ask my boss if I can leave a bit early to start my weekend. (Off Friday, woo hoo!).

Passing the Fairmont, I spot Edie, the hotel's canine ambassador, inside. I've been a wanting to meet her, so in I go. Edie proves elusive, trotting off to meet guests having drinks, including Gerry (pronounced Gary, she tells me) and Bear (true names, seriously). Gerry works for the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Bear has very long hair and looks like an actress. Gerry says I look familiar and then we all agree I look like Tina Fey.

I had followed Edie to their little lobby nook, we exchange pleasantries and find that my friend Sharon is a mutual acquaintance.

Edie wanders off and I say my goodbyes to G & B and a staffer offers to take my picture with Edie.

Aren't we adorable!?

However.

My little diversion means, again, at the end of the day, I arrive at a train station only to see the caboose (figuratively again) disappearing into the distance.

That's OK. I got to meet Edie and Gerry and Bear.