Post-Schna-ulations

Pittsburgh is Famous!!

Okay, only in so far as there is an article about it in the NY Times, but still...
Said article, Pittsburgh: A Big Happy Company Town predominantly talks about the Steelers success this year.

However, there are some fun quotes in it. A sampling:

"There must be 20 of them [songs dedicated to the Steelers], one worse than the other," said Gene Collier, co-author of a play about Art Rooney, the Steelers' founder. "What is it about the Steelers' success that makes people say, 'Where's my kazoo?' "

Hmm, this reminds me of being in the Strip this past weekend and hearing the "Here We Go" song about 50 times!!

Aside from all the stuff about the Steelers, though, the article has some interesting things to say about the city itself. It's worth the read, I think.
But, for those who are lazy, I'll throw in a few more excerpts:

Even though Pittsburgh has diversified, and the Steelers reflect this resourcefulness, in many ways the city represents America in a rear-view mirror. The region lost 158,000 manufacturing jobs and 289,000 residents between 1970 and 1990, according to Carnegie Mellon University.

Currently, the city faces a deep financial crisis, the N.H.L. players are locked out and the Pirates struggle to maintain relevance against teams in bigger markets, with deeper pockets.

A few words on rapid Steelers fans:

Mrvos, the medical supplies distributor, has the Steelers' logo on his cellular phone and a likeness of goal posts inlaid in the wall of his entertainment room. On game days, he decorates the goal posts with yellow ribbon. He knows of a guy with a black-and-gold car, and of another guy with the names of Steelers greats tattooed on his back.

Several weeks ago, a patient arrived for an appointment wearing a Steelers jacket, a Steelers necklace, a Steelers pinkie ring and a Steelers watch.

"I had to tell him he had lung cancer, but all he worried about was whether the Steelers would win the next week," Landreneau said.

And one more quote from a Pittsburgh native about the Steelers and the city:

"They are the team for all the ones who like the old things," he said. "For all of us who don't want fast food, who don't want to live in a new bedroom community and pay association fees, who don't want progress forced upon us. Pittsburgh is an old place. It feels just right."

posted by Schna @ 11:06 AM