It tastes really good, made with Jameson’s and lots of honey. Keith’s out judging experimental films, so it’s my only comfort at the moment. I feel like crap. Some throat thing which I am hoping against hope isn’t strep.

Pittsburgh was an interesting place. We toured quirky dives: Smithfield Cafe (best.lasagne.ever - homemade!) and Pipers Pub (it took Keith a good 10 minutes to realize that it was unusual that the football on the tv was football, Man U v. W. Bromwich) and Essie’s Original Hot Dog Shop (quite good, but not a Chicago dog) and the Primanti Bros. shop near the PPG center (french fries and coleslaw right on the sandwich - there’s not much else to say) and to top it all off, Vincent’s Pizza Park (Vinnie Pies. Black formica tables. Red naugahyde. A classic.) Our guide was a friend of Keith’s who has lived in Pittsburgh all her life. It’s often good to get a tour from a native, and this was no exception.

I count any vacation where I get laughed at by a 7-11 clerk a success. This one was responding to our innocent question: is there anywhere to buy beer around here? Apparently not, as Pennsylvania has state-sponsored stores and there were none nearby. ‘Welcome to Pittsburgh,” he said. I didn’t know 7-11 employees were capable of that extreme level of irony.

We stayed at a grand hotel, clearly once glorious, but showing her age. It was the Omni William Penn and while it carried a 4 star rating, I suspect it was a sympathy rating based on an illustrious past. It wasn’t horrible and the drinks waitress was quite nice in the lounge/lobby, but it wasn’t all it should have been for the price. It was swamped with Washington Redskins by Saturday night.

The trip home was uneventful. Keith drove, as I wasn’t feeling well. We listened to Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of the Four on the radio - nearly the whole thing. What a funny story. Manic-depressive coke fiend detective and his sidekick who had the hots for a woman half his age and out of his league. It was over the top, but good on a grey rainy drive through the ridiculous state of Ohio.

It’s a shame Keith isn’t here tonight. I don’t often need or more accurately, allow, any babying of my person. But I wouldn’t mind some right about now. Another toddy may have to do.