1.4.14

List #240: Ya Jagoff

In case you you didn't know, my hometown of Pittsburgh is a lovely hometown. People are always willing to lend a hand or meet a new friend. And so doing something like a blog swap among local bloggers is simply an example of its charm.

Today's post comes from John at YaJagoff and is part of a special day of shenanigans from a bunch of Pittsburgh bloggers. You can see my post over at the lovely Emily Levenson's blog where I wear my heart on my sleeve and discuss life as an unexpected mother. I've met both John and Emily a few times in real life, and let me assure you, they truly are two of Pittsburgh's finest. But all of the bloggers in today's April Fool's excitement are a fun group of people, so be sure to check the bottom of this post for the links. 


John's Actual Bookshelf


I originally set out to write a list of books that I’ve read and the associated Jagoffs in each of them.  However, I looked at my bookshelf and realized that the list of real books I’ve read is shorter than the list of people with flip-phones in 2014.

My "step back and punt": make a list like Shannon usually does, that gives some personal insight. My list, “What in the World is on My Bookshelf?”   I’m not a complete ig’nernt Jagoff (Pittsburghese for dumb idiot) when it comes to reading.  One of my favorite books is Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged  and recently, I read an unbelievably enlightening book, Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back if You Lose It by Marshall Goldsmith. 

And now for my, “What in the World is on My Bookshelf?” list.

Top Shelf:
  • EMT and Paramedic training books
    • Some I read while training as a paramedic years ago – Not so many years ago, though, that any of them recommend bloodletting with leeches.
    • One contains a few chapters authored by me.
    • One has me cartooned into it.
    • Most of them used as references when I was teaching new paramedics and EMTs.
    • Large beer glass – I’m certain that I drank lots of beer during my paramedic classes.
Middle Shelf:
  • Books I have enjoyed enough to keep:
    • The World Is Flat
    • Willies Way
    • Why Things Break
    • The Great Game of Business
    • The Tribune Review’s pictorial book of “Summer With Stanley” featuring the Penguin players 2009 summer with the Stanley Cup.
    • The Idiot’s Guide to Wine
    • A cement handprint from one of my kids – I dropped it once and its cracked, please keep that our little secret.
    • My grandfather’s borough council President gavel from the 1940s.
    • Package of Dura Max flame-shaped light bulbs – I have absolutely no explanation for this.
    • City Paper from July, 2012 – It contains a feature article by editor, Chris Potter, explaining why the Pittsburghese word Jagoff is NOT a swear word!  It’s there because I’ve finally stopped cuddling it at night when I go to sleep.
Bottom Shelf
  • Made To Stick a very, very practical marketing book.
  • Collection of books on gardening and home remodeling – These are merely “Scan and Dream” books given my complete lack of handyman skills
  • Menopause Without Medicine – Even more difficult to explain than the light bulb package on the middle shelf
  • Cement handprint from my other kid (that fact that one is on the middle shelf and one is on the bottom shelf does not give insight as to one being a favorite as far as THEY know)
  • Bottle of High Traffic Carpet Cleaner – Given the amount of dust on the bookshelf, this CLEARLY is not a high-traffic carpet area, so its presence is yet another mystery.  I’ve contacted Cyril Wecht to investigate!
Thanks for reading this.  Have a great April Fools’ Day! For me, it’s a Holy Day of Obligation so watch out!

If you have questions about other stuff on the shelves, comment below. Or if you want to share what's on your own bookcase, let us know!

And if you'd like to check out any of the other fantastic set of eclectic blogs involved in today's Pittsburgh Guest Blogger Event, links are below:
Yum Yum PGH


No comments:

Post a Comment