Yule Ramblings #7: The Burgh One

Are you sitting down for this one?

I jest. Calm down.

This is only a chair.

Well, technically it's only stadium seating.

We have three of these bright yellow Stiller tree accessories dangling away in our living room. There is one for each of us. These seats transport me back to the time of Heinz Field's construction, when the controversial Steeler-Gold flippy furniture sprouted up throughout the Steel bowl, claiming the majority of the fan-viewing area. And since 33.3% of our immediate family members are from Pittsburgh, and 100% of us in Pittsburgh, and 100% of us are Steeler fans, well, we are no strangers to the Terrible Towel and the Heinz RedZone.

However, chairs, in general, have a long-established significance in the Burgh.

Have you ever traveled through Canonsburg, a small area in the Pittsburgh metro, a day or two prior to their 4th of July Parade? It's hysterical. Eager, territorial parade attendees, vying for the very best viewing locations, stake their claim with individual freestanding chairs 48-hours before the Big Mac Band even starts lining up in formation. In fact, in one panoramic view of Pike Street you'll count hundreds of these little butt-holders along the curb. And you'll see a slew of varieties: heavy-duty folding industrial-style vinyl chairs, island-faux latticed aluminum lawn chairs... and even, at times, the creme-de-la-creme Rural King deluxe polyester camping chairs with not one, but two, mesh cup holders.

And it's common knowledge that you don't. touch. the. chairs. It's not even proper etiquette to shift a seating set a few millimeters in either direction to wedge your family's in without obtaining advanced permission. I wouldn't want to be on the scene when a burly local resident notices his chair has shifted a few degrees overnight and now his cavalcade vista is now partially obstructed by a USPS mailbox. Nothankyou.

Also, on a daily basis, chairs are used to save parking spots in urban Pittsburgh communities that tend to be heavily trafficked. But, I digress.

Colby's dad gifted us these particular ornaments, which is very fitting since he and Colby spent many hours during Colby's youth challenging one another to Garden Hose football. What's that, you ask? Well, it's this version of light-tackle football played on your grass-stained knees outside in the backyard, where field boundaries are indicated by an unraveled rubber water hose.

Taking it a step further - as I tend to do :) - the symbology of the chair pings us to enjoy a well-deserved break. And in relation to Colby and his father, this is fitting reminder for the two of them, because they are two of the hardest working gentleman I've ever encountered. They give and they give and they give themselves to their work, clients and community without hesitation. In fact, just hearing a quick recap of their typical day leaves feeble me out of breath. The meaning of the chair reminds us all to take a load off - and especially these two, because by golly, they've earned it! Plus, the fanatical appeal of the Steeler logo imprinted on the back of the chair hints to us that sporting events provide a temporary escape from day-to-day normalcy.

After several years on our tree, this miniature seat has certainly seen its share of wear and tear. Notice the breakage. Shame, really. So sad. But do we toss busted up ornaments into the trash bin?

Ha! Not in our house. Our home is a safe haven for our damaged ornamental friends - after all, they're the ones that are in need of the most love. So even if this chair is missing the steaming hot cocoa from its right arm, well, it's still perfect to us.

So pull up a chair, my friends. We still have 18 days to go :)