I want one just like THIS one! :-D

The gaps are getting bigger haha.
Then again, to quote a line of a Michael Stipe lyric, "I'm not sure all these people understand".

Well lots of deadlines to catch up with since I went back to work after my parents left. Some soccer, running, movies, parties and more music.

Am going back to the NL on October 15th (landing on the 16th though) to get my visa renewed. Will fly back on the 22nd so it's a short visit.
The schedule of visiting friends and family is starting to look quite busy :-)

Tonight Soulfly's playing at Mr Smalls with Danny Lilker on bass, will most likely go check it out though I don't care about all support acts.
But to hear Max thrash out some classic Sepultura tunes will definitely be worth it!

"Walking These Dirty Streets
With Hate In My Mind
Feeling The Scorn Of The World
I Won't Follow Your Rules
Blame And Lies, Contradictions Arise
Blame And Lies, Contradictions Arise

Nonconformity In My Inner Self
I Only Guide My Inner Self"

Exactly a week later a new post :-)
Dropped my parents off at the airport this morning and they seemed to be ready to travel all the way back to the Netherlands.
What have we been doing in the 2nd week?

Returned all the DVDs we had rented and tried picking up the rental car for the Niagara Falls trip on Monday. Tried cause I don't have a credit card and thus I had to bring utility bills and such crap to prove I'm not a criminal.
Fun!

On Tuesday we drove to the Falls which took about 5 hours, and after checking in we went for a walk which took us a few hours. When we came back to the hotel we booked an overpriced tour for the Wednesday but since my parents are on their holiday I figured what the hell.
At least we got a boat ride on the Maiden of the Mist and a tour in the butterfly conservatory which my mom loved.
Getting up Thursday morning to drive back which was a bit faster since I speeded a bit more haha. Think we made it in like 4 hours.
Went out to get some more DVDs with my dad and we spent the last few days relaxing and watching movies.

Oh, apparently my mom loved La Filipiana cause after having been there on their first Saturday she insisted on going back yesterday. What can I say? She loves Thai food now and La Filipiana is my fave restaurant in Pittsburgh.

For pics of their 2 weeks here click here.


Of course it's good to have my apartment all to myself again. Even though it will take some getting used to the silence again.
And so it goes.

Been a while but we've been busy.

On Tuesday I worked and we didn't go out in the evening just relax. I think my parents went to the local Giant Eagle to get some more groceries.
Also during the day my mom had started to clean my house and do laundry. Not cause I asked but since you know, moms...

On Wednesday they went out in the neighborhood to do some shopping and walking around. When I came home we soon went out to Mount Washington where we saw the sunset, all the lights in downtown being turned on and the big red full moon. We also check the Saint Mary of the Mount Church but it was closed, much to my mom's dismay.

Thursday morning they got some more groceries I think haha. I have way too much food in my house.
Anyway.
In the evening I went out to Dreaming Ant to rent a few Dutch movies so that my dad could watch them too. After dinner I took them to Silky's to watch the Steelers' kick off season game.
Good thing the fans didn't let me down, they were loud and crazy as I was hoping for haha. Together with the good game, they ensured my parents enjoying themselves.

Friday was my last work day so I had to crunch some work to make the deadlines. Didn't make all of them but the most important ones were dealt with.
My parents had a resting day so I guess it was just my mom doing some household things and watching the Dutch movies.
My mom wanted to go to McDonalds so we did and went to the Giant Eagle to buy a few groceries and a Terrible Towel. Also headed into the DVD rental space of the GE to rent 4 movies.

On Saturday we had a webcam session with my sister and some family members. After that it was soccer time so my dad came along to watch me play while my mom stayed at home to watch DVDs.
I had told them we would go to La Filipiana for dinner so they made sure they didn't eat too much during the day. And as always, the food was exquisite, not expensive and my mom almost finished her dish which was quite impressive.
After dinner we hooked up with poor Linda who had been slaving away at work for most of the day so we picked her up at CMU and headed to the 61C for some tea/coffee and chatting. She showed my parents her place and afterwards we headed home. I went to bed, quite tired from all the soccer, while my parents stayed up to watch another DVD.

To be continued...

Summary of day one.

Sunday evening they finally arrived, a few minutes late but the plane had to wait before being able to land cause of the heavy air traffic.
Told me that no problems occured in Atlanta, not even big waiting times at the immigration and customs desks.
And even their baggage arrived.
After coming home and some chatting they unpacked, we ate some pizza and went to bed.

On Monday I tried (emphasis on tried) to re-install XP on my own laptop but failed miserably. After 2.5 hours I just gave up and took my parents to the Waterfront where we did some shopping. After that we headed out to the Strip District but apparently several shops were closed due to Labor Day. But we did get some fruit and veggies.
I decided to drive them around Pittsburgh a bit and show them Squirrel Hill so they can get around a bit. After a short recess at my place I wanted to get them a cell phone but both Radioshack and Verizon Wireless were closed. Since my mom doesn't listen to what I say she didn't have any walking shoes with her.
And she started complaining about all the walking and not having the right footwear for it(...)
So we drove to DSW at the Waterfront and got some good walking shoes for her.
Dinner was the next logical step but finding a restaurant in Squirrel Hill which was open turned out to be quite the challenge. Too bad La Filipiana and Bangkok Balcony were closed so we ended up at Gullifty's. The food was good but sitting right next to the jazz band was a little bit too much.
Although the advantage of my mom not being able to chat away was quite enjoyable haha!

Okay their flight to Pittsburgh took off at 5:12 pm, 10 minutes ago. Estimated arrival time is 7 pm.
Haven't received any phone calls so I'll assume everything went fine.
Will be leaving in 37 minutes!

My parents must be running around at Atlanta airport. Their flight DL 0125 from Brussels arrived at 2:17 pm and their connecting flight DL 0590 to Pittsburgh is schedule to leave at 5:15 pm.
That should give them ample time to get through immigration, customs, collect their bags, re-check in the bags, and get to the gate where their flight to Pittsburgh departs from.

I haven't had a phone call yet and if all goes well they should be through immigration and customs in half an hour from now.
Rough estimate of course :-)

I'm leaving at 6 pm to pick them up at the airport so 3 hours left.

Ugh, I hate these little colds. Just got up after waking up with a stuffed nose, unable to breath. Gives me some extra time to fold my laundry.
Been raining since last night, supposed to rain entire day too but supposedly the sun will come out tomorrow.

It's exactly 35 hours from now that my parents are expected to land in Pittsburgh.
Aka 1 day and 11 hours.

Blast this weather. Rather chilly with some slight wind.
What else? Busy day at work, listening to some music WITHOUT headphones since Niels is back in die Heimat. He got a new job as an assistent professor in Germany, the lucky bastard haha.
I hope their flight back home wasn't too bad and no luggage got lost.
Viel Glück du Tugendwächter! ;-)

Parent alert: just 2 days left.
I hope they're getting some sleep these last few nights.

To end with a movie quote: "The weather will change your life twice."