Happy Holidays, Pittsburgh Trivia Edition

So I recently got the opportunity to spend some time exploring downtown Pittsburgh on foot. During these long walks I came across some really interesting sights. The first is very appropriate for the holidays, it looks like a simple nativity scene in front of a big building. It's actually Pittsburgh's "Vatican Creche", the only authorized replica of the nativity scene in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

This year is the city's 250th anniversary (yep, I don't know why I was surprised to discover this city has been around that long), but this is not the only anniversary being celebrated. Some nice locals told me that it was also the Steeler's 75th anniversary, and the 35th anniversary of the "immaculate reception." One Pittsburgh-area local I had the immense pleasure to see on the streets of Pittsburgh, was none other than Zachary Quinto (Sylar from NBC's "Heroes"), sporting a Steelers hat no less. This turned out to be the Thanksgiving day parade. It was still very weird to see Sylar waving from a limo while wearing Steeler-wear (photo credit: I'm afraid I didn't have a camera with me, but a local friend who had gone to see the parade was better-prepared and kindly provided the picture in this post, anonymously by request).

Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city except Venice, and has a lovely skyline that is particularly impressive when viewed from Mount Washington. That particular location is both historically and geologically interesting. It's the site of the single most valuable mineral deposit ever discovered. And no, it was not a gemstone mine, it was coal. A lot of coal. Gems or hydrocarbons, it hardly matters while taking in the view.

Well, that's about it for my trivia-from-Pittsburgh post. I doubt I've done the city any justice, but felt this blog deserved a post. I've been too swamped to post anywhere near as regularly as I should, and hope to remember to post a Weird Al link tomorrow.

Goodnight and Happy Holidays to all.

Weird Al Wednesday - Amish Edition

Well, yet another missed wednesday last week (again, my apologies), and hardly any posts to speak of over the last couple of weeks. Alas it hasn't been the most pleasant of weeks, but then again I must take the example of the main character in Weird Al's "Amish Paradise" and keep cool. I plan to post a few items about time I spent in PA, so this vid seemed particularly appropriate.



[via Revver]

SNL Shorts: Natalie Raps and Steve Martin Bonds with Sting

Okay, the actress who so impressed me in Leon/The Professional has totally redeemed herself from any negative cred gained by way of the new Star Wars movies (or the sub-par adaptation of V for Vendetta for that matter).

On the same site, there's also this classic clip of Steve Martin as budget-minded Bond facing off against GoldSting.

[via NBC]

Japanese Road Tunes

While driving down this particular road in Japan, the road noise from your tyres might eerily suggest a tune. That's because it is indeed intended to do so. Really weird, seems highly impractical and possibly annoying, and yet the "Melody Road" is IMHO very cool nonetheless.



[via YouTube]

Weird Al Wednesday

There was no Weird Al video last week, I apologize. I'm afraid I was a little under the weather. This week, I just feel like I need to visit the gym more often. Not necessarily to exercise. It's just that the machines look so shiny. This particular video never fails to make me file like going to the gym and actually exercising.

Unlike Michael Jackson's version, this was not directed by Scorcese, and Wesley Snipes does not make an appearance. It is however very true to that original video in every way that counts, and is exceedingly more hilarious.




[via Revver]

Vader Von Karian

This is just sooooo cute.



[via YouTube]

"Yes Minister" definitely blends.

I was warned many, many years ago by the great Jonathan Lynn, co-creator of Yes Minister and director of the comic masterpiece My Cousin Vinnie, that Americans are not raised in a tradition of debate and that the adversarial ferocity common around a dinner table in Britain is more or less unheard of in America.

[via Stephen Fry].

Very true, though of course it differs from group to group within America. For example, some vocations can be very debate-oriented (particularly the sciences and some of the more "scientific" arts ... oops, I just let a bias slip). But hang on a second, the director of "My Cousin Vinnie" was the same guy as the co-creator of "Yes, Minister." COOL!

Seriously though, the article makes a good logical argument on a very serious topic. Click on to read the full article, fair warning, it's a "blessay" not a short "dork talk."