Powder Witch & Company

Have you ever been so frustrated with a job, whether it's the work, the people, or how your treated, that you would try just about anything to get out?

For a few years now I've been of the opinion that, if I just stuck it out in the retail grind eventually it would get better, or at least easier. And, eventually, I'd be able to balance my time and energy well enough to write and enjoy my other hobbies. But, perhaps unsurprisingly, the grind has just ground me down.

I've had a possible way out floated to me several times, and dismissed it out of hand, because it would just lead to a whole new grinder (where I might not be able to dye my hair). But my most recent job (at time of writing) has been worse in some very significant ways. It might be safer to stick to the devil you know, but the other one might pay out enough for me to have a future.

Thus I found myself in the historic part of the North Shore, exploring an unfamiliar neighborhood and the community college on its edge. The train ride in was somewhat nostalgic for me.

Once, as a senior in high school, my family got to travel to Japan for a couple weeks. While we were in Yokohama, we hopped the train in to Tokyo nearly every day to explore some new part of it. Train stations the world over have a lot of similarities by necessity, but no where else in Pittsburgh that I've seen looked so much like Japan, as coming out of the tunnels toward Allegheny station and its raised platform.

The college is only a short hike over from the station. Just up a (fairly steep) hill, and three blocks over. I wanted to take a look around in my own time, not a tour, to try and get a feel for the place. And to see how long the trip out would take, if I attempted some in person classes.

While I was there I met a man who was happy to talk and walk around with me while I was exploring. He was also pretty new to the area so we were both finding our way. We talked about hair dye and how difficult it can be to meet others who might be friendly while out and about. Then art, and, particularly, the struggles involved in writing and music. I hope thing are going well for him and his girlfriend, and that whatever struggle they may face in the future are ones they can overcome together. We eventually parted ways, and I finished up my tour.

Before I'd left to explore, I had hoped to find a place to eat while I was out. The are a handful a big fast food chains just up the hill from the station, but for something local you have to go up to Western Avenue. There are about a dozen small restaurants, cafes, and bars, including one of Peppi's other locations, but most of them would only open later in the day.

I'd headed out early in the day, in as much a test of my own resolve to be up on time as the bus's. So it was still a little before 10 when I finished exploring the college. Lindo's had caught my eye as a possibility for the days when i had morning classes, so off I went. They serve a mix of Greek and classic diner food, and are only open for breakfast and lunch.

Walking into Lindo's, you get a feeling for how old the building is. It, along with many of the buildings in and around the college, were built between 1870 and 1910. The interior has clearly been updated since then but it still feels like walking into the past. An old corner bar from the 50s or maybe an out of the way diner from the 20s, I couldn't say for sure.

Despite being so close to a campus and near the heart of the historic district, it seemed pretty empty when I walked in at 10am. But over the course of my visit there was a steady stream of people filtering in.

I ordered some coffee and their breakfast sandwich with sausage and bacon. And let me tell you, it was mouth watering. Salty bacon and peppery sausage sandwiched around good scrambled eggs and crispy toast. Their coffee is also really good. Maybe I need to try hot coffee more often again, because it wasn't bitter at all.

Their lunch menu also looks interesting, but a lot of it has cheese somewhere. Still, I'll likely come back sometime. Its in a convenient spot and reasonably priced, which are going to be important details for me in the coming year or two.

On my way home I found out that, apparently, I'm just really approachable? I told an older man, who was clearly struggling to find his way around, how long it would be until his bus came, coincidentally also my bus home. He ended up sitting behind me to ask how long it would be until the bus came to the end of it's route (where his stop was), so I gave him the best estimate that I could. And from there we ended up talking.

About life (mostly his life) and how difficult it can be to find affordable housing and food in town, especially in the wake of personal tragedy and health problems. How being a veteran has excacerbated many of the problems he was dealing with. Eventually we parted when I reached my stop. I hope the appointment he was going to went well, and that he feels better, or at least less tired, soon.