
Today has marked the end of an era. Hopefully that is the last typical writer cliché of this blog.
I am speaking of the loss of PittGirl. I proudly wore her shirt to work today to remember her fondly as I contemplated starting this blog myself. I was alerted by my Fairy God Mother of this blog removal when I checked my Blackberry for messages after getting out of the shower.
The subject line of the email read: “AUGGH! A CRY OF ANGUISH!” Moments later I was sitting in front of the computer (a momentous event like this cannot be observed on a 3 x 2 inch screen) with a Pepsi and a bowl of BBQ potato chips reading that the days of PittGirl were over.
Immediately I knew that this was not right. It could not be and as the emails between my FGM and I continued I (only half jokingly) told her I should create a blog to become the second coming of the wonderful PittGirl, but with a twist.
PittGirl had her sights set on the actual city that we live in. While I live within close proximity of the city limits, I am a girl of the suburbs and with the mere thought of me attempting a blog similar to PittGirl, the FGM developed one of her infamous streams of ideas. She is a tiny little person but she has more ideas in her head than 20 UPMC CEO’s.
Immediately she was filled with possible names but we both agreed on exactly what the blog would be about. This blog is going to be about the amazing city of Pittsburgh as well as the surrounding area. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the revitalization of Pittsburgh and the areas just outside.
For so many generations Pittsburgh was known for the Steel Industry and we first had a reputation of being dirty due to the industry. Then people left the area as the jobs decreased. Now however we have been blessed with a new generation of people who are dedicating themselves to rebuilding this city and helping Pittsburgh reestablish itself as a city people are drawn to.
Some of the most notable young professionals in Pittsburgh range from Mayor Ravenstahl being under 30 years old and Coach Tomlin being about the same age as his players. Also there are the students at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne and, CMU who are right here developing new and exciting technologies as well as getting the even younger youth excited about the city and its future.
However, the most impressive thing I have noticed is the small towns rebuilding themselves thanks to young policitical actives and the youth of their communities. Old industrial towns are teaching kids what is it like to have responsibilities and be involved in their community instead of just living in it.
When these situations combine, Pittsburgh and the surrounding area lean even closer to the verge of being a new frontier for eco-friendly living. That can be the mark that I leave my children and something we and they can be proud of.
(Yeah, I know that was full of cliches but trust me, I will do my best to make PittGirl proud! Stay tuned!!)