Comments on Bon Appétempt: Meditations on Pittsburgh

Thanks, Beth! And by the way, I've only heard ...

2012-02-13T16:48:36.155-08:00

Thanks, Beth! And by the way, I've only heard the dreamiest things about Austin. Would love to visit and see for myself someday!

what a great post -- especially because mentioning...

2012-02-12T11:49:43.395-08:00

what a great post -- especially because mentioning my so-called life triggers all kinds of nostalgia for me.

what the weather folks call wintry mix is falling from the skies in austin today, and i've been complaining about it all morning. but reading about pittsburgh gave me some perspective; this is one of the probably four days of the year that things will be icy here. seems to me there's nothing wrong with finding a sunny place where life seems to flow a little more easily and sticking with it.

Wow, this is a great post. Thanks!

2012-02-04T11:31:02.150-08:00

Wow, this is a great post. Thanks!

This is a seriously great post. It hits all my nos...

2012-02-02T17:30:10.913-08:00

This is a seriously great post. It hits all my nostalgia parts. I've not lived in my home state (Oregon) for over 11 years, and every time I go back I'm always looking for something that's just not there for me anymore. It bums me out a bit, but I also feel really grateful for the place I am now.

thanks, Whitney. Love your take, as always.

2012-02-01T13:53:43.637-08:00

thanks, Whitney. Love your take, as always.

what a beautiful comment. thank you for writing! (...

2012-02-01T13:52:32.182-08:00

what a beautiful comment. thank you for writing! (p.s. go Steelers?)

I grew up in Pittsburgh and return each Christmas ...

2012-01-30T19:18:49.830-08:00

I grew up in Pittsburgh and return each Christmas to visit my family. I too fantasize about moving back and getting together with relatives each week for Sunday dinner. Alas, LA has been my (our)home for almost 20 years and while it's always great to come back to sunny LA from gray Pittsburgh in winter, I truly do miss it. It's a great city, beautiful, charming, modest and filled with warm people, even when it is frosty outside.

ahhh. still miss the jimjilbang in Seoul. We used ...

2012-01-28T04:08:23.232-08:00

ahhh. still miss the jimjilbang in Seoul. We used to walk over in the brutal cold and spend the entire day soaking/scrubbing. They even had a big room with ondol (in the floor heat) where you could relax in your jimjilbang pajamas. The co-ed areas aren't naked ;)

"Pittsburgh is cold and complicated." I ...

2012-01-26T17:19:43.366-08:00

"Pittsburgh is cold and complicated." I love everything about this line. How it captures the underlying sentiment of your entire piece, but particularly it's placement - the way it's orphaned there. We walk with you down a path of re-connections, believing we're on a bridge that turns out to be a pier, there's a murky ocean of unknowns where there were supposed to be answers, and you so appropriately offer us a verbal shrug with nowhere else to go.

Also -- on a wholly different note -- the black bottom bunt cake? That looks ridiculously good.

Wow, Amelia , great portrait of what it's like...

2012-01-26T14:51:28.455-08:00

Wow, Amelia , great portrait of what it's like to never have a "home" again once we move away from our families and hometowns. Bittersweet all the time. And that pic of you at the end is beautiful.

Hi, Mari! Unfortunately, the Korean Spa and full n...

2012-01-26T14:21:55.050-08:00

Hi, Mari! Unfortunately, the Korean Spa and full nudity go hand in hand. Fortunately, it does get easier with each visit! :) :) I really like Natura on Wilshire but I hear the Olympic Spa is great too. all the best!

THANK YOU all for these thoughtful, generous comme...

2012-01-26T14:18:40.593-08:00

THANK YOU all for these thoughtful, generous comments. You guys make the Internet a better place!!

I'm with you. I never understand why east coas...

2012-01-26T12:16:20.310-08:00

I'm with you. I never understand why east coasters feel you need to suffer in order to fully appreciate something. Let me tell ya, I suffered through six years of Boston winters, and you know what I appreciate? Being back home in California where I don't have to do that anymore. Just yesterday I was walking to the market and found myself filled with elation for the beautiful, beautiful day, and the community of people buzzing around my neighborhood, and how fantastic California is, in general. No need for snow and sub-zero temperatures to make me realize that. :-)

I just want to say that this was a joy to read bec...

2012-01-26T08:00:03.677-08:00

I just want to say that this was a joy to read because I love a good come-full-circle story, how could Angela make her way back to your story? Bam, there she is all of a sudden going down a Los Angeles street instead. The mirage of everything, especially nostalgia and how making tough decisions is what moves life forward. Inspiring. AND, what is the best Korean spa? Are there any that you don't have to get totally naked?

You and your brother are so cute! What a beautiful...

2012-01-25T09:05:27.938-08:00

You and your brother are so cute! What a beautiful, melancholy post. I can so, so relate.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, moved around the country ...

2012-01-24T22:16:41.432-08:00

I grew up in Pittsburgh, moved around the country with work for a decade or more, and ultimately settled into northern California. My parents are both gone now, and I haven't been back there for years. It was a great, great place to grow up - family oriented, culture, great ethnic food, safe (other than all that air pollution from the steel mills), and I miss the 4 seasons. But it's complicated, to be sure, in so many ways, and I'm firmly and happily rooted here now. Loved your photos that really captured the feel of Pittsburgh, and the memories you unearthed for me. Thanks!

This is beautiful, Amelia. So honored to know you....

2012-01-24T16:08:32.521-08:00

This is beautiful, Amelia. So honored to know you.

I like this post and your elephant scarf. http://...

2012-01-24T14:46:20.770-08:00

I like this post and your elephant scarf.

http://ladulcivida.blogspot.com

The words and the pictures are clear, crisp and in...

2012-01-24T13:53:29.163-08:00

The words and the pictures are clear, crisp and inviting. I wanted you to love being back in the Burgh, as I want all young, creative, inspiring folks to want to be here to raise their families and enhance our fair city. Beautiful piece with beautiful pictures--they made me smile and appreciate.

hahaha WOW. Now that I look at it, it does feel mo...

2012-01-24T13:16:20.554-08:00

hahaha WOW. Now that I look at it, it does feel more South Pasadena than Pittsburgh...but maybe the photo just needs some snow? :)

yes, exactly! The episode is called "Pressure...

2012-01-24T13:15:00.700-08:00

yes, exactly! The episode is called "Pressure" I think, and it's just absolutely brilliant. I could watch it a million times.

I remember that episode because I must have watche...

2012-01-24T12:46:45.526-08:00

I remember that episode because I must have watched the end several times. She goes over the crest of the hill, doesn't she, and there's a shot from behind as she disappears, maybe? Maybe not. DAMN that show was good. I had the CD from it, too, at the time. It had Johanna Hatfield and Toad the Wet Sproket on it. Ah those were the days.

mmm.... I'm rather jealous of you at the momen...

2012-01-24T02:36:33.051-08:00

mmm.... I'm rather jealous of you at the moment.

I live in Tasmania, we are in the midst of our summer and I am very much a winter person. But if the chill is getting to you, I have recently made a discovery which may prove enjoyable/useful for you also.

http://lympuslife.blogspot.com/2012/01/london-fog.html

Bon Appetit!

- tom

These are lovely musings on home and change and co...

2012-01-23T20:08:39.349-08:00

These are lovely musings on home and change and complication and the heat and the cold...and life. Beautiful thoughts--thank you!

What a beautiful and complicated reflection on a b...

2012-01-23T10:47:03.976-08:00

What a beautiful and complicated reflection on a beautiful (in its way) and complicated place. "Home" just digs into a deep place inside us sometimes, we can shake it and we can't shake it all at the same time.