So this week in Pittsburgh, there is an event happening called the “G-20 Summit.” I’m not going to explain it in detail, but basically all the Presidents (or equivalent) from other countries are coming here on Thursday and Friday to discuss the world’s issues. Apparently, every protester for every kind of issue that would be protested comes with them, and SHIT GOES DOWN! Here’s the email I received on Friday, just to give you an idea of what’s happening:
The protesters are already here - a bunch of them were thrown out of their illegal "campsite" today in the Allegheny Cemetery.
There are 81 targets in and around Pittsburgh. They include:
Mostly corporate owned companies -
-Starbucks (all over Pittsburgh)
-Giant Eagle (all over Pittsburgh)
-Trader Joe's (in East Liberty)
-Gap (Shadyside, Ross Park Mall, etc.)
-Victoria's Secret (same as above)
-Basically all of Walnut Street which is already starting to board up storefronts
NOT Whole Foods because the owner supports some of the protesters' issues
They will throw bricks through windows, explode stink bombs or tear gas in grocery stores and block streets - mostly at intersections all over Pittsburgh, not just downtown.
Also,
-BYN Mellon - even the temporary space in Monroeville where some employees will be working
-Bayer Corp
-PNC
-CMU
And,
-Bridges
-Tunnels (they will stop a car in the middle of a tunnel, flatten the tires and set it on fire)
The police told us to STAY AWAY FROM THE PARKWAY WEST on Thursday and Friday. It could be closed up to 12 hours with all the officials coming to town. They will be landing their jets at Pittsburgh International and the County Airport.
Pittsburgh is already crawling with Police, Federal Agents, Undercover Agents....you name it. But please be careful for the next week.
So without revealing too much about myself on the Internet, I work at one of the above mentioned companies. I also take public transportation to work, which isn’t mentioned in the email, but has been listed as a target. So, since I’m not really in the mood to have piss thrown on me, yes, they fill up cups and Super Soakers with URINE, I get alternative work arrangements for the whole week!
So this is now my workspace for the next five beautiful days:
And this is my cube-mate, Bailey: (Sleeping on the job...go figure)
Needless to say, I, unlike others, am not against my city hosting the G-20. Even if they say it will take over a year to clean up afterwards, I’m a happy girl.
In other news, every Monday for the next 52 weeks, I will be giving an update on my progression through my “year of epic-ness”. It will be a simple run-down of all the positive things that happen while I attempt to make this year a life-changer.
Since last week, the following has occurred:
- I got a raise!! And not a small one, a whopping $2.04 raise!
- I had a really nice walk and talk with a friend who I felt like I was losing connection with
- I went to my first ever college football game, (LET’S GO PITT), and got tickets to go to my first PENN STATE game in 2 weeks!
- I started on my track to becoming a wineo
I’m focusing all my energy on the good things that happen, and so far it’s going good!
<3
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