Local Blog

Last night I was riding my bicycle when it occurred to me I should start a new blog. I was filled with snacks, beer and wine after a free happy hour in a grocery store in the strip, and I was riding towards a card shop on Butler Street that was also serving free alcohol. As I was riding, I was presented with a common visual motif of Pittsburgh: stunning views of Eastern European churches blossoming over brick houses on the slopes, a lively river lined with old factories and warehouses, a persistent contradiction of lingering industry contrasting the unique visual of an artistic, cozy blue collar town. To me, Pittsburgh has been a yin(z) and a yang, its geography dictated by industry and nature equally, its people humble, laborious and often divided on most issues exclusive of its sports teams. It is a beautiful place to live and my experiences here have been unique. I am not sure how much longer I will live here. When I returned from Ecuador, I came back to this city to be with my friends for awhile and to put away the residual nostalgia that had plagued me, and now that I have accomplished both of those, I am considering leaving again. But until then, I think it would be good practice to write about the city and my experiences within it before I exit again.