G20 - September 22, 2009 - Pregame Preparations

As I had wheels, thorough knowledge of the roadways and could deploy the Pittsburgh dialect to earn the trust of those around me, I ventured out in the city to see how we were preparing for the anticipated onslaught of anarchists.

1. In front of the McDonald's, a guy got in the way before I could get a good angle. People are a worried about anyone with a camera here¹. "Blah blah blah," he said to nobody on the other end of his Bluetooth headset.
2. (BNY) Mellon security guards told me not to shoot the building and followed me up and down the street. I have to give them some respect as the guy did address me as "Sir."
3. I was actually wondering what the environmental signage would be for this. It looks like the same thing used on the signs around the city, like that Welcome Center one. The design looks like it was done by a city worker under duress, with 30 people to answer to on some committee, the graphic weight of the world on their back and ~8 hours to deliver 10 concepts, all of which would initially be rejected anyway.
4. The poor guys and gals working security tonight, they just looked bored. I have to wonder how they feel - probably hoping that nothing bad happens, but probably hoping that some shit goes down and they can go cowboy. Probably also wondering if it's really worth the $7.75 an hour.

I'm looking forward to seeing these spots tomorrow.

1 In this day and age; in this city; around this event.