Susan is a pinhead
I grew up outside of Schenectady, NY. Not to knock the city but its not a very pretty place, as far as cities go. In its prime, it was quite the theater hotspot I understand though. These days, not so much.
On Erie Blvd coming into the city from Freeman’s Bridge, just past the old GE Locomotive Plant, there’s a set of train tracks that run along in and through the city. On the wall below them, there is alot of graffiti. One big clear spot is close to the Union Street intersection (near the Amtrak station that is there now), and it was a favorite place to spray paint stuff because it was nice smooth concrete.
Among all of it someone had painted in giant blue letters (I think they were blue) “Susan is a pinhead”. It was there when I was very young, maybe 35 years ago. We saw it everytime we went into the city. It was just something you read as my parents drove along. Susan is a pinhead.
It remained there among all the other stuff for years. I came back from college to see it still there. Susan is a pinhead. When they finally cleaned up the wall by sandblasting, they left it there! Susan is a pinhead. I guess they figured it wasn’t terribly vulgar and was ok to stay.
I don’t know if its still there or not. What I did find out is that there is a bar down the street that opened about 5 years ago called (you guess it) Pinhead Susan’s! Its a traditional Irish pub and named for the famous local graffiti.
And why is this running related? Well, they had their 5K Charity Run this year for ovarian cancer. Next year, if I’m in the area, I have to run in this race. For the charity, because its a good cause, but also for the landmark.
Susan is a pinhead. Wherever ever she is.
June 28th, 2005 12:22
great how things like that from your childhood stick around and bring back so many memories.
June 28th, 2005 12:34
what a great story. It would be wonderful to run the 5k just for the t-shirt.
June 28th, 2005 12:42
Phew. For a second there, I thought you meant ‘our’ Susan and I was wondering where you were headed with this post.
Great story!
June 28th, 2005 13:18
HA! I also thought you were talking about online Susan, and thought, Oh, she’s going to kill you…very funny post!
June 28th, 2005 13:53
Wow - I wonder if somehow thru’ this blog you could find THAT ACTUAL Susan.
June 28th, 2005 13:59
Jon, you should recommend “Susan is a pinhead” as a motive for the race T-Shirt!
I was watching to German National Championship in Chocolate and praline making on a talk show tonight, could help but thing of you.
June 28th, 2005 16:05
LOL - it’s kind of funny how some stuff just kind of sticks in your head.
June 28th, 2005 16:26
I wonder what Susan did to make someone write that … maybe she’s the one who opened the bar and is profiting from once being a pinhead!
June 28th, 2005 16:35
Yeah, I thought what everyone else thought and I imagined you had finally lost your mind O.Ding on chocolate! WHEW! The world is as it should be.
June 28th, 2005 17:40
How neat is that! That would be a great, nostalgic trip to make next year.
June 28th, 2005 20:23
Like everyone else, I assumed you meant “susan”! And by the way, what is a “pinhead,” really? Someone who isn’t too smart? I keep picturing the Coneheads…I don’t know why.
June 28th, 2005 20:37
I’ll join those who read the title and thought: “Oh my … what did Susan do??”
:)
June 28th, 2005 22:11
Thats pretty cool.
A couple of weeks ago I was tearing out the wallpaper upstairs in our house and written on about the circa 1940’s layer I found written in pencil “Pedro loves Rosa” Rosa may not have a public landmark or a bar or a fun run named in her honor but all these quiet years, she has had Pedro’s love!
SD
June 28th, 2005 22:50
Funny story. You had me with the title, just like everyone else.
As I was growing up I remember seeing a rock with graffiti on it that I used to read week after week, every time my parents would drive by it. It was there for decades. It may still be there. Your story reminded me of my experience but mine didn’t have the cool ending.
June 28th, 2005 23:55
Hmm seems all us RBFers think alike - at least when it comes to this title. Love the story - thanks for the laugh.
June 29th, 2005 07:12
Hmm, I work with people who live in Sch’tdy. Will have to ask if it’s still there. I am running the Marine Corps 1/2 marathon from Schenectady to Albany in October — you should come East to do it!
June 29th, 2005 08:37
Awwwe, poor Susan! Once a pinhead, always a pinhead, I guess.
June 30th, 2005 11:39
lol, thats a cool story,, thx for sharing
Heather
July 8th, 2005 10:54
After many years, the original graffiti was removed from the wall. A new message was quickly applied: Susan Remains to be a Pinhead!!! This new inscription remained there for quite a while. However, the really delicious story ,regarding the motivation for the original graffiti, can be found framed on the walls the Pinhead Susan’s Irish Tavern. You will be delightedly surprised by the amusing details. It’s worth a visit. I will not spoil the surprise for you!
In addition, Schenectady has always been my home. I have taught here and have owned an engineering firm. I live in a small place called the Stockade, the state’s Oldest Historical District. We who live here love the diversity of peoples, cultures, and architectural styles. We are a thriving community within a community. We are proud of our home
By the way, here is an additional amusing story about local dining picked up by the national CBS news:
Goldfish Geezer
SCOTIA, N.Y. - A 17-year-old goldfish can swim again, thanks to a bunch of do-gooding humans.
Customers at the Sky Port diner near Schenectady came up with the idea of a creating a fish sling after Dick the goldfish fell ill in November and had difficulty swimming.
Patty Sherman, who owns the diner with her two sisters, Joanna Dewey and Mary Ann Parker, said Dick could barely move across the bottom of his fish tank located behind the counter.
A customer whose daughter is studying to be a veterinarian had his daughter research fish ailments. She reported back that Dick was likely suffering from swim bladder disease and prescribed a diet of cooked peas to be hand fed to Dick three times a day, Sherman said.
To remedy Dick’s swimming problem, several customers devised a sling made up of fishing bobbers, drinking straws, gauze and string. When the 8-inch-long fish is placed in the sling, he’s able to swim like normal.
Sherman said customers find it relaxing to sit at the counter and watch Dick in his tank.
?Everybody’s rooting for him,? she said Tuesday. ?He’s the topic of conversation at the Sky Port.?
Great Picture at this link!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/national/main551388.shtml