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Thrax · 07-16-2008, 05:41 PM

This is off-topic for what socolais started the thread for, but it has something to do with the "Won't you be my neighbor" subject line. (I'm lookin' for that "fame-by-association" vibe, I guess.)

For about seven years I actually lived in Mister Rogers' neighborhood, the Oakland and Shadyside neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. At that time I was going to grad school and also had my first real (corporate) job.

During that time I walked a lot (actually a pleasure of urban living; inexpensive and healthy if you're a grad student -- or newly-employed drone -- on a budget) in the city. I often passed, or was just a few blocks away, from Mister Rogers' home, or his workplace, WQED, during my "commute".

In fact, one day I was returning from an afternoon visit to a University of Pittsburgh library, and as I was walking along Fifth Avenue, there was the man himself. I knew much of Mr. R, but I didn't have the connection my younger counterparts would have. Me? I was raised in the Captain Kangaroo (post-Howdy Doody) era. No matter. As soon as I saw him, it was probably evident that I was beaming. The man was charismatic. He saw my goofy smile and he said, "Hello." I said, "Hello."

I was really happy that I saw a Pittsburgh celebrity (no comments from yinz more cosmopolitan posters, please), but later I was gratified to realize that there was a really good guy walking among us all. With a message that is universal: love and understanding.

I'm rather doubtful that MisterRogers would approve of the things we on this Board partake of, but I'm solid in the belief that he would have really tried to understand why all of those things were in some way important to us.

So, I guess I'm suggesting that we all be more understanding of our neighbors...even the ones we don't understand...yet.

Thrax

07-16-2008, 05:41 PM	#20 (permalink)
Thrax Celebrate perversity Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,396 Location: Pittsburgh Status: Single Male SLS Name:Thrax	Re: Won't you be my neighbor This is off-topic for what socolais started the thread for, but it has something to do with the "Won't you be my neighbor" subject line. (I'm lookin' for that "fame-by-association" vibe, I guess.) For about seven years I actually lived in Mister Rogers' neighborhood, the Oakland and Shadyside neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. At that time I was going to grad school and also had my first real (corporate) job. During that time I walked a lot (actually a pleasure of urban living; inexpensive and healthy if you're a grad student -- or newly-employed drone -- on a budget) in the city. I often passed, or was just a few blocks away, from Mister Rogers' home, or his workplace, WQED, during my "commute". In fact, one day I was returning from an afternoon visit to a University of Pittsburgh library, and as I was walking along Fifth Avenue, there was the man himself. I knew much of Mr. R, but I didn't have the connection my younger counterparts would have. Me? I was raised in the Captain Kangaroo (post-Howdy Doody) era. No matter. As soon as I saw him, it was probably evident that I was beaming. The man was charismatic. He saw my goofy smile and he said, "Hello." I said, "Hello." I was really happy that I saw a Pittsburgh celebrity (no comments from yinz more cosmopolitan posters, please), but later I was gratified to realize that there was a really good guy walking among us all. With a message that is universal: love and understanding. I'm rather doubtful that MisterRogers would approve of the things we on this Board partake of, but I'm solid in the belief that he would have really tried to understand why all of those things were in some way important to us. So, I guess I'm suggesting that we all be more understanding of our neighbors...even the ones we don't understand...yet. Thrax __________________ You get what you play for.