My Awkward Pittsburgh

Just a awkward blog about an awkward girl growing to love her little awkward city.

[awkwardpgh]

                            Dispatches from Concrete

                                   Chapter 2: Polish Hill

We trudged through the forgotten alleyways, up to the hills. The snow silenced the sounds of cars upon the overpass, the only noise left was of the markings whispering on the walls. Some bitching of corruption, frustration, vandalism some shrugging their shoulders in apathetic attitudes. But some drips of paint muttered heartache, confusion, words afraid to be spoken aloud. We crested the hills, back into towns and warm cozy coffee shops, the warmth of hot coffee melting memories of pictures in our minds.

[awkwardpgh]

City of Bridges: It might be cold out, but it doesn't mean it's not beautiful still.

[awkwardpgh]

Wandering Bloomfield. Graffiti Ch.2

[awkwardpgh]

Graffiti of Pittsburgh: Ch.1

[awkwardpgh]

What is it about Pittsburgh and its infatuation with zombies?

What's that you say? You didn't know Pittsburgh has a bloodthirsty lust for the undead? Okay, I won't bite your head off about it, but did you know, Pittsburgh consistently breaks the record of Zombie Walks ?(2006 was the first record.) 2008 Photo

But it's more than records, Pittsburgh is sort of the birthplace for the modern zombies, thanks to George A. Romero. In fact, Romero attended CMU at Pittsburgh, during which time he started his venture in to the Living Dead movies.

Not to mention: Dawn of the Dead takes places in Monroeville Mall outside of Pittsburgh (where the Guinness record for Zombie Walks are now held) and Day of the Dead, as well as the films Diary of Dead and scenes from Left 4 Dead (Allegheny Park) all filmed here!

Talk about a depressing place to be!

But Pittsburghers seem to take it well, and in true Pittsburgh fashion, we become obsessively proud. 

Just this past Halloween, the local neighborhood of Lawrenceville hosted a Zombie Fest which attracted many a ghoul. (Fitting considering the local store down the street House of the Dead features many zombie goodies.)

So naturally, I was there to collect the photographic proof the undead lesions are alive (sort of) here in Pittsburgh.

Top photo credit: http://www.pittsburghzombiefest.com/ 

All other photos original.

[awkwardpgh]

Chapter 1: People of Awkward Pittsburgh 

Pittsburgh's not a very LARGE city. It's only the second largest in PA, and about the 20th largest in the U.S. According to the census a little over 300,000 peeps currently live IN Pittsburgh. To put that into perspective, NYC has about 8 mil. and Chicago 10 mil. (Thats totally my  excuse for not having more friends in this city. Instead of my awkward demeanor. >.<)

But that doesn't mean the people who live here don't have character. Since settling here, I've been starting to bring my camera everywhere, and man, do the most interesting folks pop up. From drum circles to hip hop dancers, to tutu fashionistas to...I think that's a spaceship-boat captain? Anyways, people here are well, as they say welcome to "come as they are."

[awkwardpgh]

My Awkward Pittsburgh - Awkward Beginnings

Hello imaginary internet readers!

This is my first blog here, and fittingly, this awkward Pittsburgh dwelling ginger has decided after living behind a camera, that she should spread the strange bliss it is, to live in her hometown of Pittsburgh.

Ahhh, Pittsburgh! How shall I dote upon thee to my readers? Well, to be honest, most people on the internet probably...don't really KNOW much about Pittsburgh, and I wouldn't blame them. We're tiny, and we don't have a big reputation, not too rough, not too lavish. In fact, it would be fair to assume when a person outside this steel city hears our name, they probably say "That's the one with the overly-zealous Steeler fans right?" (You're not wrong...they get scary here. But that's a social commentary for another day.)

So awkward ginger girl, you imaginary readers are asking me, why BOTHER talking about your city?

My awkward, quirky, deadpan sarcastic, down to earth, "tell yinz how it is n'at" CITY of Pittsburgh.

So if you're from the area, and want to see the ins and outs of your "T-AH-n" without hearing about whatever local sports team is doing, or if you're an outsider who is curious - (PGH IS rated most livable city! - http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/29/cities-livable-pittsburgh-lifestyle-real-estate-top-ten-jobs-crime-income.html ) then, poke around a little. If not, it would boost my ego. Be a pal huh?

Enjoy,

Cate

[awkwardpgh]

Pittsburgh's monument to water, is more water. At least our fountain works again! (July 2013 - Downtown/POINT)