Posts Tagged ‘Downtown Pittsburgh’
Wide angling, at scuttle’s end
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
At the end of a walk that started up in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield, one encountered a series of park benches along Penn Avenue. I took the opportunity of a usable surface to swap out the lens I was using all day – a 24-240mm zoom – for a prime lens of 16mm. A prime lens has a fixed focal length, if you’re not a camera geek.
24mm is plenty wide, mind you, but you don’t get that ‘beyond the scope of human vision’ sort of thing. Theoretically, a single human eye sees things in the way that a 35mm lens does, so 16mm is essentially double that POV – and it’s a bit wider than human binocular vision is. I dig it.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It’s important to carefully pick what you focus on with a lens this wide angle, as perspective distortion and ‘bowing’ are part and parcel of this sort of equipment.
The wide angle was chosen as part of the day’s ‘carry’ for specifically this section of the walk. Downtown Pittsburgh is quite urban, with tall buildings and fairly narrow streets, for an American city.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There wasn’t any sort of plan at work here, except finishing the walking of this length of Penn Avenue, if for no other reason than just to be able to say that I did so. This section of Downtown has been designated as ‘The Cultural District’ by the powers that be. The Yinzers call it ‘Dahntahn.’ I was planning on riding the T light Rail back to HQ.
My plan for getting home ended up getting ‘fablungered.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Downtown gets a lot of shade from these same ‘powers that be’ regarding a noisome population of street people who congregate in the area.
These ‘powers’ include a large number of commercial landlords who blame their business problems on a) the homeless, b) drugs, c) work from home, d) Covid, e) Millennials, f) socialism.
The problem isn’t that they’re charging usurious amounts of money to their lessees, nor that there are surrounding counties which have been luring corporations out of the center of Pittsburgh with promises of tax breaks and land deals for decades.
Reap. Sow.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
My plan for getting back home went up in smoke after I spent about 30 minutes waiting for a T light rail to show up at the Gateway Station. Bah.
I rode the escalator back up to street level and decided to get home the expensive way – in a rideshare.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As is my habit, I scuttled over to a convenient location, one where a car can pull over easily. PPG Plaza was my choice, and I amused myself while waiting by shooting almost directly straight up at the mirror box building.
Back next week 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.
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.
Down, and then out
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After negotiating a Boulevard called Bigelow, and descending the steep streets of Polish Hill, and then crossing a set of rail tracks and a busway, one arrived at a flat section of the City of Pittsburgh, built upon the flood plain of the Allegheny River.
As is my recent habit, further scuttling occurred along the ‘way’ or alley streets in this zone. In Pittsburgh, if a street is called a ‘way,’ it’s an alley. The avenue blocks could be popping with crowds, but the ways are fairly unoccupied.
I avoid human infestations whenever possible.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The way led me, unfortunately, back to an avenue.
The humans gamboled and played, honking car horns and drinking sugar solutions from plastic vessels. Some ate fried things. Others gesticulated towards various points of interest. Everybody seemed to have somewhere to go. There was a baseball game scheduled for the night of the day which this scuttle occurred on, so lots of humans were in the area, dubbed ‘The Strip District.’ They were buying souvenirs and sports jerseys, drinking their carbonated syrups, and eating the high fat foods.
Many of them seemed disused to walking. Their feet pointed outwards, and the steps were shuffling. They hung together in family groupings. Formations of mutual defense, perhaps. These units would often flatten out into skirmish lines, with five or more people slowly shuffling along shoulder to shoulder while pouring things into their mouths and watching their phones carefully for some sort of update. When a skirmish line met an opposing group or line, chaos ensued. Socially awkward and passive aggressive maneuvering of their formations occurred, designed to allow access through for the interloper’s passage but not comfortably so.
They walk just like they drive, I thought.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Many were clothed in what I’d describe as ‘redneck drag.’ Suburbanites all dressed up to look rural. One guy I saw was wearing a shirt that said ‘patriot.’ He was wearing an American flag themed hat, which is – of course – a no-no as far as the official rules surrounding usage of the United States Flag, for patriots. Ask a Scout, they’ll tell you what’s kosher as far as using or handling the Stars and Stripes.
It was really, really hot out. My path was altered a bit to accommodate finding some shade. Luckily, lots of off and on ramps hereabouts.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This was a short walk, maybe four miles in length if you consider the changes in elevation. I was engaged for about two hours worth of walking, all I had time for on this day. I wasn’t feeling terribly well, I should mention, due to a specialized diet which yet another forthcoming medical test demanded I eat. The plan involved me eating exactly the set of foods which I normally avoid, regarding my cardiovascular situation. Lotsa fats and carbs, basically zero vegetables or fruit. Yuck.
Luckily, at this writing, that test has been accomplished. Now, I’ve only got a Dentist Appointment to make and I’m done with my annual set of ordeals. I may have to admit that the Doctors are smarter than me, and thereby it’s logical to subvert my will to theirs, but I don’t have to like it.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A rideshare was summoned, which would carry me back to HQ in Dormont in air conditioned comfort. Worth every damned penny.
Now, on to my latest obsession.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The entire time I was sitting in that god damned wheelchair in Dormont, I was hearing train horns sounding off from a direction which didn’t make any sense to me. It took me a bit of searching, but… there ye be.
This is Wheeling & Lake Erie’s Rook Yard, which I’ve visited at street level, via Carnegie, in the past. I’ve finally figured out a spot where I can both park the car and also get elevated POV photos of the yard. This is where the RR enters into a trench, which then leads it into a tunnel under the neighborhood of Greentree, and I now have a pretty good idea where that tunnel comes out in West End… so, yeah…
For one such as myself, this is nepenthe.
Back next week with something different.
“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.
Downtown, where your life’s a joke
Wednesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The plan for this walk, from Lawrenceville to Pittsburgh’s Downtown, had a sweet ending planned. Our Lady of the Pentacle and I were going to meet up downtown, and then have a drink at a rooftop bar in one of the big hotels. I’ve developed a list of rooftop bars hereabouts, and plan on checking out as many as I can this summer.
The one we visited on this occasion ended up being a little underwhelming. It sold itself as a ‘beer’ bar, but had a fairly limited menu of options in that category, and the only food they offered was either outlandishly expensive or utterly unhealthy, sometimes both. Also, no umbrellas or other protection from direct sunlight.
They kept on pushing us to order a $28 pretzel.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That’s the U.S. Steel building in the background, with ‘Cherry Way’ in the fore – the last of several alleys I’d checked out on this walk. In yesterday’s post, I included links to a series of roof top tours which Our Lady and I attended last year before all the ankle business happened, scroll down if interested in seeing what this are looks like from up high.
One was about a half hour early at the meetup spot, so I negotiated over to a city park and found a bench to sit upon. I’d been in constant motion for about three hours, and it was warm and quite humid day here in Appalachia. After checking my phone to see if I’ve been cancelled by strangers yet for some newly defined sin, a few things caught my eye.
This is a very busy, and zealously protected by the ‘powers that be,’ section of downtown. City Hall is nearby.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That aluminum gray box with the square windows is the ‘Alcoa Building.’ The corporation had since decamped to a larger, campus style, building on Pittsburgh’s north shore. My understanding is that this Alcoa building is a landmark, but is being converted to some sort of housing.
Me? I was just shvitzing.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Pictured above is the facade of the 1916 vintage William Penn Hotel, which has a storied history including Presidential stays and resident movie stars. The many windows are an artifact of an era before air conditioning, and were designed to allow air to flow through during Pittsburgh’s warm and humid months. There’s also cold and humid months here. It’s always humid.
By the way, the title of today’s post is yet another song reference.
Yeah, I’m kind of thinking I’m back.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
While sitting in the park, I waved the camera about a bit, capturing random shots which it might be handy to have at some future time. A text chimed on my phone, telling me that Our Lady of the Pentacle was nearing. One made his way over to where our predetermined meetup spot was. Happy day! We were reunited and then made our way to the elevators and the bar with the $28 pretzel.
Everything was clean and nice. Most of the seating were bar stools, which were profoundly uncomfortable. As stated, there were no sun barriers, which is puzzling for a roof top bar operating within a pretty swank hotel. Also as mentioned, the list of beers wasn’t anything special or particularly exclusive.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
We decided to cut it short after one drink, and paid our bill. A few blocks away there’s another hotel bar (not a rooftop) whose ‘shtick’ are great burgers. We got there, and they had Guinness on tap! That’s rare in Pittsburgh.
After dinner, a rideshare car carried us back to Dormont, and that was the story of my big day out.
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.
Dark alleys
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
If a street is labeled as a ‘way’ in the Pittsburgh area, it’s an alley.
Unlike NYC, which has few alleys and those that exist have an ‘affordable housing’ component, Pittsburgh uses these alleys for deliveries and trash collection. The garbage trucks work through the alleys, which are usually badly maintained but still serviceably paved roads. Every now and then, you’ll find yourself driving through one of these paths as a motorist, while trying to avoid congestion or a construction project.
Me? I was walking along recently on a stroll from Lawrenceville to the Downtown section, and for some reason found myself wanting to walk through these ‘alleys’ as much as possible along the ‘way.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There’s a lovely sensation of isolation when walking along these paths. Just half a block in either direction, the sidewalks of Pittsburgh’s Strip District were absolutely packed with pedestrians. There was a baseball game occurring later in the day, and the Strip District seems to be where people visiting the City for a day trip like to congregate. It’s an ‘Arthur Avenue’ sort of situation on game days, where people who are descended from the original inhabitants of the neighborhoods return from the suburban hinterlands for a game, and seek out the familiar and unchanging that they remember from childhood.
Notice that the alley is relatively orderly. Illegal dumping, not so much. A reasonable amount of graffiti, no piles of blood, scabs, or hair (which is a call out reference to the punk band Fear’s ‘New York’s Alright.’)
While walking through these paths, I was generally completely alone, which is also kind of interesting.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I’m sure that this is another one of the things that I find myself doing here which will elicit an ‘are you crazy, you’ll get killed’ from the locals. According to about half of my friends, every walk I took around Newtown Creek was going to end with me getting killed by Mafiosos, with my body disappearing into either the flow of garbage through the Creeklands, or that I’d entombed in a concrete block. The latter warning was literally offered to me once as the likely consequence of taking a walk in Maspeth.
‘Fear is the mind killer.’ If something’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. Can’t sit at home fretting. Go outside. Talk to somebody. See a thing. Do a thing. Don’t wait, the day after tomorrow might not come. Every single media outlet and social media site is designed to scare you into thinking the world outside is far worse than it actually is so that you stay home and consume more of their content. ‘If it bleeds, it leads’ is an actual motto in news rooms.
Go.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I’ve always been obsessed with Apocalyptic thema. From the Christian book’s ‘Act 3,’ to the breaking of the iron gates of Dhu al-Qarnayn, and of course: George Romero’s Zombie opuses…
The bit of historical wisdom I often offer the young is that ‘Civilizations come and go, but life goes on.’ The Romans are Italian now, and the Ottomans are now just Turks. Just in my own lifetime, the Soviet civilization collapsed, but the Russians kept on going.
Unfortunately.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This wasn’t an alley, in the shot above, rather it’s an avenue. I had arrived at the gateway point to Pittsburgh’s Downtown section. The structure above the street is a rail trestle which feeds into the Amtrak station (to the left) off of the Fort Wayne Railroad Bridge spanning the Allegheny River.
This walk was about six miles. I find I can easily do that distance now, in comparison to the late spring when my still gamey ankle was giving me all sorts of problems after a couple of miles. Push, push, push.
In the long term, the only thing that can actually cripple me is my own bullshit, and fear. I can and will survive, even if it’s just out of spite, until I don’t. I will survive this year, if it kills me.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I think spite, and an underlying garden bed of simmering hatred, might be an important motivator. Everybody rejects the negative emotions, but in doing so, they end up in psychological hell by sublimating and feeling guilty about using the software that they were born with. It’s ok, let it out occasionally to bleed out the pressure. Anger is an energy.
On a different note, last year Our Lady and I attended one of Mark Houser’s Skyscraper Roof tour events, and I was able to record the view from up top on a couple of those giant piles of brick and steel above.
Check out ‘suit and a tie zoning,’ ‘Koppers Building Roof tour,’ ‘Frick Building Roof tour,’ and ‘Benedum Trees Building roof tour.’
Back tomorrow with the end of this particular scuttle.
“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 