After my coffee visit, it was off to the Cranberry Area Municipal Building for the Division Brilliant Tall Tales and International Speech Contest. I got there with plenty of time to spare. I almost slept in but luckily woke up and clock read 7:30am. I quickly got dressed and was out the door just after 8. For the first time in a while, I drove the PA Turnpike from Irwin to Cranberry. I didn’t really have to as I usually run US 30 to the Parkway (I-376) or take the turnpike one exit to Monroeville. I wanted my Convive visit to be worthwhile though so I took the quickest way there. It turned out I could taken my usual route.

We had a nice turnout and there was plenty of help to go around at the contest. When you have a great team available to assist, your contest is going to go well. The clubs represented at yesterday’s contest included Erie Insurance, Earlybirds, Cranberry High Noon, Cranberry Area, and North Hills. The Tall Tales speakers had us laughing and the International contest speakers gave uplifting speeches. I now know of two District 13 speakers who have podcasts.

I wasn’t my best on Saturday, still fighting off a cold. Plus, to make matters worse, my left ear popped somewhere between Allegheny Valley and Butler Valley. It does this when I travel US 30 going towards Jennerstown atop the Laurel Ridge. Despite the minor nuisances of coughing and not hearing well, I still heard the speakers pretty clear from my seat in the back of the room.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to believe what you see on social media highlight reels is all it’s cracked up to be. Influencers and others struggle just as much as we do and are just as human.

In Wednesday’s speech at my Greensburg club meeting, I will be talking about contest season. I will be emphasizing the more recent years. Before COVID in 2019, during in 2020 and 2021, and after from 2022 on.

While serving as a contest official, I learned a couple new tricks yesterday. Folding the paper gives you a clean slate as does writing the contestants’ names in the reverse order. The chief judge was prepared and she had a great team to boot. Even if I’ve helped out in 30 previous contests, I always pay attention so I can learn something new. I ran into one of my friends at the contest who was at previous TLI’s and conferences. She was the one with the cute Michael Kors tote. Since the last conference, I bought one too and she complemented the nice shade of pink. I’m learning not to expect compliments all the time and to be pleasantly surprised when I do get them. Also, if I like something that’s all that matters. Yesterday was like St. Patrick’s Day with parades going on. I wore my green in honor of the holiday, and because I root for the Philadelphia Eagles (Fly Eagles Fly), plus it’s one of the colors of my Alma mater (Go Rock).

We made runtime at the contest, ending at 1:53pm. Soon after, all the attendees were on their way home. Some of them had a long commute back to Erie. Others were local. I stopped for a quick lunch. While I could have gone somewhere in the Cranberry area, I took my time and settled on Chick-Fil-A this time around. Another missed Panera opportunity. If you’re asking why, I made this the running gag for the last two weeks. We’re trying to find a good spot in Blairsville for lunch on Saturday. I’ll get my Panera opportunity before the meeting on Wednesday when I eat at the mall.

This Saturday I’ll be attending the division contest. That opens up the possibility of a division sweep next week if I make it to Division D’s contest on March 29 in Downtown Pittsburgh. I’ve done well this year with contest attendance and didn’t expect to be off for the first two weeks. But it’s been a nice treat nevertheless. While my schedule may work on my favor, I won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out.

Finally, I registered for Spring Conference and look forward to seeing everyone on April 26.

It wasn’t easy, but I survived the time change yesterday morning. Now, I’m able to enjoy more time outside. With highs reaching 70, I’ll be sure to get outdoors and take a few walks this week.

On Saturday, when I closed off the blog, I looked back five years to when I watched Gilmore Girls. I actually did so before the pandemic, so I was well into the series when the layoff at WIS occurred in March. This Spring, I plan to rewatch the series. That show and The Office kept most people sane during the lockdown days in the Spring of 2020. Good morning, I need coffee In a IV with a side of Bears Beets Battlestar Galactica, please?

Now, I had pre-ordered Dylan Mulvaney’s book and was going to get delivered this week as it released. At some point I’d love to read it, but not now. I like Dylan and am inspired by her (yes, her) journey but, her journey is her own and not mine. I canceled the order today and instead ordered Kelly Bishop’s memoir, The Third Gilmore. I could have ordered that when it came out and it would have been a hit with my cousins at the Fall picnic. But it wasn’t in my interests at the time. Kelly’s book was also $6 less on Amazon (the hardcover version). I’ll start this in the Spring as well as reread Lauren Graham’s Talking as Fast as I Can.

I’m still in the book about John Hughes and have entered into the post-Brat Pack days. Pretty in Pink has been out for over a year, and Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles are distant memories. Success is fleeting and I’m reading about the actors who were all on magazine covers a few years ago that are now making the transition to adulthood. It reminds me of 2006 as I was exiting academia and making the transition to adult life. I wasn’t ready then and I worked for years to find myself. But, I’ve managed to right the ship and feel contentment at where I am now in my life.

Knowing what I know now, will I enjoy rewatching the series now that I know how bad that season 6 was? I think this time away will help me enjoy Stars Hollow once again. Looking forward to reading the book this Spring.

Today marked the first of at least three divisional contests, all in consecutive weeks, that I’ll be attending during the month of March. Not sure if Division D will be in my plans on March 29, though I’d love to see those in the contest compete. This morning’s contest was amazing with three areas and five clubs being represented.

I got to my destination early. I thought the contest was scheduled to begin at 9am (it actually started at 10am with the briefings at 9:30am). Thus, I was one of the first people there. The contest was held at the West Allegheny Community Library in Oakdale. Fun fact: On one of the first episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in 1979 after returning from hiatus, he visited an elementary school in Oakdale (McKee Elementary School) as part of that week’s segment. This was the fourth Division A contest I’ve attended since we went hybrid in 2022. Actually, it was completely in person. For the third time in seven years, it was held at the library. 2023 and 2024 were held at the Faith Lutheran Church in White Oak, former home of McKeesport Toastmasters. We had attendance from our other dignitaries and other different members, and that’s what I love about these contests.

The area contest run wrapped up last week as Area 13 held their rescheduled contest in Butler. Representing that area was Earlybirds, Beaver, and Mercer County Toastmasters. The winners will be competing at the contest this Saturday. Earlybirds changed locations since I last visited in 2020, moving from the downtown Y to LifeSteps. I saw some of Division B’s leaders today and some of the Cranberry High Noon members in attendance as well. Last Saturday, Area 33 held their contest and representing that area was Bakery Square and Woman 2 Woman Toastmasters. The winners of the latter contest will go on to Division D’s contest on March 29.

At Saturday’s event, speech contestants represented Bettis, Gwen’s Girls, Thermo Fisher, Priority Speakers, and South Hills. Gwen’s Girls and Thermo Fisher chartered less than a year ago. All the speakers did great and South Hills took both contests. The Tall Tales speakers all had me laughing.

Next Saturday, I will be in Cranberry Township for the Division B contest which runs from 11am to 2pm. I will leave early though as I’m going to visit a popular coffee shop in nearby Seven Fields that I’ve followed on Instagram, Convive Coffee Roasters. They have four locations including McCandless and Lawrenceville.

This week did me in as I was fighting a cough and cold, but that didn’t keep me from a Cutie’s date on Friday or the speech contest today. I was also fighting call offs at work as well, so I was definitely ready to leave Friday morning. After I left the contest on Saturday, I went to Settlers Ridge and had lunch. To improve the post-Toast visit, I would benefitted from being more equidistant. Eat lunch at Panera, Blaze Pizza, or late breakfast at First Watch. Afterwards, shop at Market District and Barnes and Noble or Michaels.

Maybe this past week and the lack of adequate sleep due to my usual anxiety contributed to questionable shopping and culinary decisions. However, my burger and fries at Red Robin were delicious.

Five years ago this weekend marks our last normal week ever before the global pandemic struck and turned everything on its ear. Before the pandemic, I was watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I started after Christmas and finished in July with a Day in the Life. Maybe Kelly Bishop’s memoir is in my reading choices soon. The third Gilmore Girl also played the mother in Dirty Dancing. Most people watched Gilmore Girls or the Office during those uncertain times in 2020. I know I did.

I think a Stars Hollow rewatch will be coming soon. I may even watch an episode some afternoon in Ligonier, my little Stars Hollow, or at Cutie’s.

This week has been nothing short of crazy. However, the universe is working in my favor this month as I’ll be off the next few Saturdays (barring a schedule change next week). I’ll be able to attend not only tomorrow’s contest but also the Division B contest next Saturday in Cranberry Township. These contests to me are like the World Quidditch Tournament was to Harry Potter and his friends. I can always watch the contests online but it’s more fun to attend in person.

Rumor is I might visit a new coffee shop along the way next Saturday. I’ll have more as I get closer to the day.

I also went back to the “eye shadow” journal for today’s blog and going forward until the summer solstice. That, or if I run out of pages. Whatever comes first. I gave my journal this name because it resembles an eye shadow palette. Maybe I should also call it the Easy, Breezy, Beautiful journal, or Born With It, or Because I’m Worth It. Ok I’m done with the makeup references.

Last week, I had a great Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting to wrap up February. We had four speakers including myself. A couple of the evaluators were fairly new to Toastmasters but they all did very well. Our Vice President Education spoke on Pathways (our Education program in Toastmasters) and I talked about Cutie’s, as I tried to interest some of my Fayette County and Western Maryland friends into making a drive to Greensburg for some to check out an awesome coffee shop. We also ate before the meeting, as one of our new members brought a crockpot with some meatballs, and some buns for little meatball sliders. Looking ahead, I will be at the next few meetings and will schedule a speech for the first meeting in April. I will not be attending the second meeting on the 22nd as I will be making an online visit to Johnstown Toastmasters. This will be on the heels of the upcoming 2025 Spring Conference.

The weather will be chilly, at least for the start of this weekend and then next week will really warm up. I don’t expect too many travel headaches tomorrow morning as I head out towards the other side of Pittsburgh. I might do a little shopping after the contest, maybe even grab some lunch somewhere in Robinson.

Dues are due. It’s time for me to reinvest in my growth. This weekend I’ll do just that as I renew my membership for both Greensburg and Laurel Highlands. Also, registration is now open for the 2025 Spring Conference. I will be signing up early to get the early bird rate and reserve my room. Even though I went to these conferences in the past making less money at my old job than I do now, it feels good for me to pay my own way and fund my own adventures.

Finally, 2025 for me is going to feel like a play on words. When you split it down the middle, you get 20 | 25. Where am I going with this? Let me explain.

For me, 20 marks the number of years I’ll be out of college (I graduated from Slippery Rock 🪨 🦁 in December of 2005). From there, I would be navigating uncertain waters and experiencing a huge wake up call down the road. This year’s homecoming in October occurs during my week off and I’ll be going. It’ll feel different for me now than it has in years past, when I longed to recreate the past.

25 marks how long since I’ve graduated high school and started college at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, eventually moving onto community college and then Slippery Rock University. I would become independent at HGA, learning life skills and getting my drivers’ license 🪪 while I was there.

Both colleges had and still have a special place in my life so many years later.

20 will also mark how long since I’ve been on social media. It’s funny that Facebook was once a site reserved only for college students. Knowing what I know, part of me wishes it would go back to that. If used carefully, social media isn’t a problem. I still use my page to post this blog and keep up with Toastmasters news as well check up on the family.

Last but not least, five marks how long it’s been since we had our last normal week. Next week at this time in 2020, all hell broke loose and that’s a future speech that I’ll be giving at an upcoming meeting.

In Wednesday’s blog, I remembered a couple of Pittsburgh personalities who recently passed away. Elvis left the building for the last time on February 19 when former Pittsburgh Penguins announcer Mike Lange died. “Scratch my back with a hacksaw” was one of his many catchphrases every time the Penguins scored a goal. Last Thursday, former KDKA personality Jon Burnett passed away. He had been diagnosed with CTE in early 2024. He was a man of many hats at Channel 2, as a host of newsmagazine shows and as a weatherman. If you’re from Pittsburgh, you know who I’m talking about.

Today, we’re looking ahead to March and springing ahead. We turn the clocks ahead next weekend so while it’ll still be dark when you’re waiting for the bus, you’ll get that extra hour of daylight in the evening.

Next weekend begins the division leg of the speech contests in our Toastmasters district. The area contests are like the wild card playoffs in the NFL. You sometimes have your surprises and that change the whole narrative. Barring any schedule changes, I’ll be in Oakdale next Saturday to attend the Division Awesome contest. On the 22nd, our division will have its speech contest. Next week, I might have to do a Market District run afterwards at the Robinson location unless I find a good place to eat, or I’ll do both. I may channel my inner Ana_Eats_PGH. #James_Eats_PGH

Needless to say, my Spirit of Toastmasters fire will be burning in March with visits to Western Maryland and Allegheny Mountains coming. Next month, Indiana and Johnstown visits are in the cards. All of these visits will be done online. In my Toastmasters Monday blog, I’ll highlight the final area contests as divisional contest season draws near.

Rewatch podcasts and mental health podcasts won it for me in February. Pod Meets World and Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown got my attention the most with a little Keanan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu, and YaJagoff sprinkled in for good measure. But it was the pod swap of classic ’90s rewatch pods that reeled me in. It was like reuniting with old friends after 25 or 30 years.

On Mayim’s podcast, I’m learning that I can identify with some of these ‘90s child stars in terms of mental health. I have a few Breakdowns on my list next month including her interviews with her co stars from the Big Bang Theory.

As we turn the calendar to March, I’m making plans for what to drink at my favorite coffee place. One thing I didn’t do in February was take a lot of coffee or outfit pictures. I saw this on Instagram stories yesterday and thought it was cool. I didn’t have six pictures, but two and they were both from Cutie’s.

The Lucky Charms and Over the Rainbow lattes are on my radar as is the Lucky Girl Latte and the Pistachio Coffee. The Spring menu launches on April 5 along with a market in the lot across from Cutie’s. In the picture are the Samoa Cookie Latte and the Thin Mint Latte. The fish sandwich tour kicks off soon and Eat’n Park is on my radar for their Whale of a Cod sandwich.

Finally, I’ve graduated in my book about John Hughes and his classic ’80s movies. I finished the chapter on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, thus moving on from the high school movies and into films like Some Kind of Wonderful and Say Anything, as well as Uncle Buck. Some of these films I’ve never seen to this day but I’ve enjoyed this look back at a great decade and Brat Pack films which some are still relevant to this day. It’s hard to believe that The Breakfast Club turned 40 a few weeks ago.

Stay warm as March comes roaring in like a lion.

Last week, Pittsburgh lost two icons in 24 hours. Former voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins Mike Lange died on February 19 at the age of 76. A day later, I read of the passing of former KDKA weatherman Jon Burnett.

Mike Lange served as the Penguins’ play-by-play announcer in 1974 and again from 1976 to 2021. He was with the team during their lean years when their future was uncertain before drafting superstar Mario Lemieux in 1984. He was known for his catchphrases everytime that the Penguins scored. “He shoots and scores” was the most popular, as well as “Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too”. Another one was “Scratch my back with a hacksaw!”. When the game ended, it was “Elvis has just left the building”. When news broke of Lange’s death, that marked the final time that it happened.

Last year viewers learned that Jon Burnett, who retired in 2019 from KDKA, had been diagnosed with suspected CTE likely from head trauma from many years of playing football. Before joining the KDKA Weather department in the early 1990’s, Burnett was a co-host on Evening Magazine upon his hiring at KDKA in 1982. In 1985, he also hosted Pittsburgh 2Day with Patrice King Brown.

Both shows ended in 1990 and he made the switch to the weather department soon after. Later, he was a host on Pittsburgh Today Live (not to be confused with the former show).

Credit for this part of the blog goes to pbrtv.com, who posted this news on February 20. I found out through Ray Petelin’s Facebook page that same day.

On Wednesday, I also read about the passing of former child star Michelle Trachtenburg. Her film credits include Harriet the Spy and Eurotrip. Her TV credits include the hit Nickelodeon show the Adventures of Pete and Pete (where she made her acting debut in the mid 1990’s). She also starred in the UPN/WB show Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Buffy’s younger sister, Dawn Summers, and on Gossip Girl as recurring character Georgina Sparks.

Her cause of death remains undetermined.

Speaking of memoriams, The Washington Mall will be demolished this Sprjng after it was abandoned over ten years ago. It opened in the late 1960s only to later fall into disrepair and be practically abandoned as store after store moved out.

The only two remaining tenants are Grand China Buffet and Harbor Freight, although information was not released on what would happen to those two businesses once the mall is razed.

JCPenney closed in May 2014 after it was announced of a plan to close over 30 stores. Toys R Us closed in April 2018 in wake of the company’s bankruptcy. Staples closed in February 2024 due to the owners not willing to bring the building up to code.

Fun fact about the former Washington Mall JCPenney: it closed in February 2007^[6] and relocated to the defunct Foundry shopping center less than a mile away in March 2007; however, due to ground settling problems at the aforementioned retail complex and financial difficulties with the property owner, JCPenney moved back to the Washington Mall in mid-September 2008.

I counted this JCPenney early in my WIS career before the store closed in 2014.

Credit for the news of the Washington Mall demolition goes to Wikipedia and the Weirton Daily Times.