Posts Tagged ‘Allegheny River’
Avoiding day vampires, and Mr. Rogers
Thursday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
An unexpected interval of personal freedom was suddenly loosed upon me, and a surge of intent rose from within. I broke my camera bag down to its barest essentials and shlepped up the hill to the T light rail station here in Pittsburgh’s Dormont. Soon, one found himself riding on the electrical conveyance, towards the beating heart of the Steel City.
It was a hot day in Pittsburgh, with temperatures in the upper 80’s, and a fairly high dew point made things humid and sticky. This was a short walk, incidentally, and I wasn’t planning on doing anything complicated, rather the effort was solely about ‘taking a walk.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The T was ridden to its terminal stop nearby Acrisure/Heinz stadium, where the Steelers dwell and play. This spot is nearby the North Shore of the Allegheny River, as a note.
My headphones were in, and this time around I was listening to an ‘old time radio’ podcast which offered episodes of the old Dragnet radio dramas, produced during the late 1950’s and early 60’s. Joe Friday hadn’t risen to the rank of Sergeant yet in these, and his partner/superior officer was a Detective named Ben.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I stopped off to visit the Mr. Rogers memorial, since I was in its neighborhood.
There was a college sportsball game setting up at the football stadium, and thereby the humans were infesting and then forming into clots. These clots were beginning to congeal, forming arterial blockages on the streets and sidewalks, so a plan was hatched to ‘get out of dodge.’
Hate crowds, me.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
You can dock private boats in downtown Pittsburgh. I don’t know if you have to make prior arrangements to do so, but there you are.
It’s been a while since I walked over the Fort Duquesne Bridge, thought a humble narrator, so my toes were pointed in the appropriate direction.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Brr, stairs…
Happily, I can report that the PTSD symptomatology regarding stairs that I’ve been enjoying for the last year seems to be retreating into the rear view mirror. Luckily, that means I can now obsess over other irrational terrors and ideations. Like Vampires.
It’s been a while since I worried about the Nosferatu, or Strigas. Or Rakshashaa. Those were Astoria problems.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Vampires are the best thing to worry about.
Don’t have to worry about the country slouching roughly towards a Civil War, the seeming collapse of Western Civilization, or the fact that the Russians and NATO are essentially testing each other’s borders militarily.
Day Vampires… now that sounds scary, doesn’t it?
Think about day vampires, and nothing else… trust me.
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North Siding
Monday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As regular readers will recall, from last week, your humble narrator was out and about for a fairly short walk on an extremely hot afternoon in Pittsburgh. The T light rail had carried me from Dormont to Downtown, and the Roberto Clemente Bridge – having been closed to vehicle traffic due to a baseball game at the PNC Park stadium – was how I was crossing the Allegheny River. I took every opportunity to stand directly on the lane markers in the center of the bridge and shoot photos. Normally, doing this would get you shmushed by a car or truck.
This one looks back towards the Downtown area. Funnily enough, I used to do some of the advertising work for that Renaissance Hotel, on the left hand side of the shot. This was around 25 years ago, at a small ad agency I worked for on 22nd street between fifth and sixth, back in Manhattan.
Retouching and ad construction/publishing, if you’re curious.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The closed bridge lane continued for a couple of blocks onto the street ‘grid’ of Pittsburgh’s North Shore, in direct proximity to the stadium. My toes were pointed in the direction of those concrete ramps, which carry a couple of high speed roads and there’s also a rail trestle back there.
This section which I was heading into used to be called ‘Allegheny City,’ until it was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As mentioned last week, there was an event meant to be happening which seemed like it would offer lots of silly things to take pictures of, and that’s what guided my steps.
Unfortunately, when I arrived at the prescribed location – Nada. Crossed signals, maybe? I double checked the address, and time/date, but there you are.
So, there I am, a narrator without a destination… what to do…
Keep walking, that’s what.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I was walking the perimeter of Allegheny Commons Park, which I’ve often visited in search of interesting rail shots, and the National Aviary’ is found within its confines, as well. I stuck to the streets, specifically ‘North Avenue.’ Lots and lots of interesting historic building stock can be found along this route.
You’re looking at Pittsburgh’s ‘Mexican War Streets historic district’ by the way.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Pictured above is a lovely apartment building, built in the pre-air conditioning era, a building which always catches my eye when I’m moving through this zone. I looked around for any information about 316-318 North Avenue, but a fog of real estate offerings seems to be intentionally obscuring its tale.
This is a real and growing problem, by the way. ‘SEO’ or ‘Search Engine Optimization’ manipulation of Google results has greatly reduced the utility of the search giant’s services in recent years. It’s too easy for the ‘shit flies’ to crowd out anything other than their dreams of avarice.
Google used to be a useful tool. Now, it’s just another vehicle for ads.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Oddly enough, I spotted two women walking horses around in the park. A few blocks later, a photo shoot was encountered. There were three very attractive young women wearing western style garb which had been ‘bedazzled’ with sequins and such. There was a very nervous looking photographer, and a couple of stylists, and these horses were heading their way.
Never work with children or animals, ask any actor.
Back tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Peanuts & Crackerjacks, yo
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After having ridden the T light rail into Downtown Pittsburgh from HQ in Dormont, your humble narrator hit the streets. Pictured above is (what I’m told) the former home and 1893 vintage ‘flagship’ department store of the Joseph Horne Company at Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue.
There was an event going during this particular afternoon, a couple of miles away, meant to be taking place on the North Side of the Allegheny River which seemed like it was going to be quite silly, and was the sort of thing I normally would like to point a camera at. When I got there, no event. It was, in fact, silly.
My footsteps were nevertheless being loosely organized in that general direction.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Pirates were three innings into a baseball game with the Reds, directly across the Allegheny River.
It was positively sultry out, with temperatures in the low 90’s and a fair amount of humidity. A steady breeze was blowing, however, and whenever shade could be found – things were existentially tolerable.
Saying that, it was hot, and this ended up being one of my ‘short walks.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As an aside, I have managed to survive all of the tests and ministrations which my team of doctors have insisted upon in the last four weeks.
After having to delay several prescribed things due to the ankle situation, I can report that your humble narrator has now been analyzed fully. Just visited the dentist too, so I can honestly say ‘head to toe.’ Not ‘exactly’ a clean bill of health came back to me from all the tests, but then again, I’m in my late 50’s so… you ain’t gonna get no good news from the blue pajamas and white coats crowd after 50.
As is usually the case with me, just keep walking, that’s the curative for everything. When you stop moving, that’s when you’ve started to decay. Get out of the house and go see something, ya lazy…
My entire philosophy is based, suffice to say, on this: Put one foot in front of the other… (There’s also ‘What would Superman do’ of course.)
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On game days, such as this particular Sunday, the city closes the Roberto Clemente Bridge to traffic so that the baseball fans can use it as a pedestrian ramp to the stadium from downtown. No way am I not going to take advantage of that – as it’s a very interesting situation.
No shade, though, and did I mention it was HOT. Saying that, I seem to possess an ability which most do not these days.
I can sublimate temporary discomfort for a while, without freaking out about becoming dehydrated within three minutes or worrying about my electrolyte balance. Yeah, it was uncomfortable, but it’s the world. You want comfort, stay home.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There were a steady stream of Baseball fans leaving the stadium, and I overheard one of them telling his wife on the phone that it was just ‘too damn hot to sit in the stands.’ That’s probably why so many people were sitting in those shady ‘nose bleed’ seats at PNC Park.
I attended a Pirates game here in 2024, check out the views from inside the stadium here if you like.
The earphones came out shortly after starting the walk on the Clemente Bridge, which is one of Pittsburgh’s iconic ‘Three Sisters Bridges.’ Full sensory and situational awareness was required.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A heel spin, and looking back at the pathway I’d walked.
An old habit, born in NYC, to see if anyone is following me. Let me tell you, the camera gets instantly noticed by the street people here. Usually, I’ll stand there staring at their eyes so when the gaze retreats off the camera and up to the ‘size the victim up’ phase, they see me intently glaring at them and sometimes smiling. That’s usually enough in Pittsburgh, but… everybody besides me is packing a pistol in Pennsylvania. Concealed carry is kosher here.
I can do the Bene Gesserit voice from Dune, as a note. Just tell people what to do and they start doing it without realizing.
Back next week with more, from the Paris of Appalachia, at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Up high, in Allegheny City
Thursday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As mentioned in past postings, your humble narrator has been playing ‘catch-up’ with the wishes of the Medical/Insurance Complex. They have ordered technicians to irradiate me, beam high intensity sound through my flesh, and also sample the various internal ichors sloshing about within for chemical analysis. All of their ambitions are in my best interest, of course, and several of these annual diagnostic tests are overdue, having been ‘put on hold’ during the broken ankle ordeal.
One of the ‘reasons for Pittsburgh’ is the quality of health care here. Absolutely top notch. They literally cured Polio here in Pittsburgh ‘back in the day,’ and the medical system here is fairly well staffed and equipped. Everything in Pittsburgh is ‘easy’ in comparison to the drawn out struggles of dealing with NYC’s health system.
Cannot tell you how many times that I said, during the physical therapy part of the ankle recovery period, that ‘thank god I’m not in NYC.’ To wit: on this particular morning, I had a test scheduled at the main hospital here in Pittsburgh, Allegheny General. It’s the building you see used for exteriors on that HBO show ‘The Pitt.’
I literally drove here in 15 minutes from HQ during rush hour, arrived at their parking lot and then easily found a convenient spot, got into an elevator and was seen at precisely the time which my appointment called for. In and out in an hour. Back at the parking lot, and then back home in 10 minutes. Easy.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That’s the setting for these shots. As you can see, it was quite misty out at about 8:30 in the morning on Pittsburgh’s north side this particular morning. The lot is multi-story, the sort which you drive through and the ramps are set up like the threads of a screw. I always head up to the open air top level. Less crowded. Culturally speaking, the locals will go to blows over a spot nearby the entrance on the first level, whereas the ones up top are normally waiting for a car to fill them.
My test results came back as ‘normal,’ although there’s some stuff going on in there that the docs want to ‘keep an eye on.’ I’m at that age where everything the docs want to look at, or warn me about, sounds terrifying.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Saying all that, I’m nearly 60. The clock, as it were, is ticking. No time to waste. I’m obliging the science stuff here, because it’s colossally stupid not to. Their first name is ‘Doctor,’ and I’m just a schmuck with a camera, so I try to follow the advice of the blue pajamas and white coat crowd as much as possible. If they want photo taking advice, I’m available.
Nothing new has emerged from the various peeks within, which is actually good news. Homeostasis has always been a goal.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
My parents were the members of the family who didn’t decamp Brooklyn for Long Island or New Jersey, which meant that they spent a lot of time looking in on and caring for the old timers still in the ‘old neighborhood.’
Take Aunt Vera to the doctor, pick up Aunt Edna on Ocean Parkway and after a few stops, then take them both out for a diner lunch, and then drop off a bag of support hose to Grandma on Linden Blvd. – that would describe my Dad’s average Saturday. I spent a lot of time as a kid around very, very old people and am thereby very familiar with what life’s ‘Act 3’ entails and looks like. The degradations, the humiliations, all of it.
I have no illusions about how my remaining years will play out. Dissolution is the nature of all things. Only thing you really can do for your self is find some way to be as comfortable as possible while you’re waiting on that exit line.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Having stated all of that gloomy yet inevitable stuff, I’ve still got a lot of people to piss off and there’s lots of fun that I haven’t had yet. Once I’m done with all of these medical obligations by the end of July, there’s a couple/three destinations which I want to hit in August/September. I’m also pretty hyped to actually be able to shoot ‘leaf season’ in the ‘burning hills of Pennsylvania’ this year.
Two of the outings are railroad specific, the other is a visit to a nearby urban core which I’m interested in seeing. I’m also pretty hyped about actually experiencing Halloween this year, something which has been denied to me by circumstance since prior to COVID.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It was time to get on with my day, after the medical testing was finished.
Unfortunately for me, as I really didn’t want to be doing this kind of detailed and finicky work on this particularly atmospheric day, I had to finish a series of table top product shots back at HQ. Such matters are finicky, especially so when there isn’t a ‘stylist’ to prep the device in question for its portraits. A job’s a job.
Back tomorrow with something different at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Hurtling scuttle
Monday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Welcome back to the midpoint of a decently long walk in Pittsburgh.
I had to cross the street to get to the 16th street David L. McCullough bridge, and while negotiating the crosswalk (with the light and a walk signal) some redneck decided it would be funny to try and hit me with his car while he was making a left. Not accidental at all, he intentionally swerved towards me, forcing me to jump forward to avoid being hit and yelling ‘what the fuck?’
The country mouse got caught at a light, where he then got to hear this city mouse loose a string of blue invective at him. I was also hurling esoteric occultist curses. Seven times seven generations worth of bad luck will now accompany this particular hillbilly’s line of descendants.
Don’t annoy a humble narrator by trying to hit me with your car, country mouse, that’s the lesson. I ain’t all that humble in real life, and I also have a hot temper and an extremely adaptable moral compass.
Bah.
At any rate, that’s the 16th street bridge pictured today.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The 16th street bridge itself is easy walking, and deposits you into a part of the central peninsula of Pittsburg where the Strip District transitions into Downtown. There’s a stolidity to this three arch span, with its steel and flagstone construction, that I just like. It’s also a fairly visually attractive bridge with those triple arches, and a set of neat sculptural elements atop the piers. The bridge is named for David McCollough.
David L. McCullough was a Pittsburgh native, and nationally famous historian, who wrote many great books – but his Brooklyn Bridge masterpiece has a special place in my heart, and is one of my touchstones for NYC history in the middle and late 19th century periods. If you can find the audiobook which the author personally narrates, buy it.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Looking towards downtown, and that’s the Veteran’s Bridge, a high volume connector between Downtown Pittsburgh to the south and Route 28 and I-279 on the north. It’s a pretty massive structure.
I debarked the 16th street bridge and then headed in a south westerly direction. I’ve taken to adorning one of my camera bag straps with a small compass, in order to keep track of the cardinal directions. Yeah, the phone has a digital compass, but I’d have to fish it out of my pocket… meh.
Everything doesn’t have to have a chip inside it to be useful
– photo by Mitch Waxman
One last look back at the 16th street bridge and away I go.
The plan for the second half of this outing involved getting out of the downtown area, and then heading over to the more familiar south side of the Monongahela, which is found on the opposite side of the triangular landform that the towers of downtown loathsomely squat upon.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Under the Veterans Bridge, and a bit of trivia for you: Pittsburgh’s Coroner’s office is housed directly across the street from where I was scuttling along, as is their version of the NYC DEP (water and sewer).
Gotta say, it’s fairly shabby around these parts, and along Liberty Avenue. It has that sort of dead street/blight vibe that always happens around governmental offices. The Heinz museum is just a couple of blocks away from here, and the convention center just beyond that. Despite that, section is pretty defined by the Coroners, a few bail bondsman storefront operations, and those parking lots. Gotta park somewhere, I guess.
Me? I kept on keeping on. Striding has become part of locomotion again, although I’m still walking a good deal slower than I formerly did.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A steel mill ladle pot occupies a couple of parking spots in a lot at 12th street. Wonder what it costs to park a giant steel pot in downtown Pittsburgh for a day. Aww… who am I kidding, it’ll be about $15.
Back tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 