When I moved to Pittsburgh's North Hills, one thing seemed obvious: People here were terrible at hiding their pain and sorrow.  Everywhere I looked, I saw pain - broken hearts, broken dreams, broken lives.  Inside me, I burned with hopes of "making a difference" in the lives of people in my new community.  That was why I moved here in the first place, right?  But somehow I lost touch.  These days I'm oblivious to the sea of sorrows around me.  And then...something jolted me this week.  A friend told me that one of Zach's classmates lost her mom around Christmas.  Another classmate has a sibling that is terminal.  One of Asia's classmates recently lost her dad.  All from cancer.  I feel like I've woken up from a long sleep.  People all around me ARE fucked up.  Some in obvious ways, others more subtle.  Yes, I'm a Christian, but I'm neither religious, nor am I a do-gooder.  I'm not sure what I have to offer people, but I know this: I care.  If no one else gives a shit, I do.  I don't know how this helps anyone, or anything, but I was called here, so there must be some connection. 

Moving on...I'm a food snob, probably the biggest foodie on my block.  That said, I've rediscovered my favorite meal: Sloppy Joe's and Ore-Ida tater-tots.  Ok, I was 10 when it was my favorite meal, but holy crap, I can't get enough.  Of local interest:  I dragged my kids to the "Silk Elephant" Thai tapas/wine bar/restaurant in Squirrel Hill.  Our late afternoon snack generated a $60 tab.  The food was okay.  I'd say it was worth $24, about $36 short of a return visit.

Now playing: Kristin Hersh - Vertigo