So long, PittGirl

I never understood the whole blog thing until yesterday. Before, I always thought bloggers were people who used the Internet to spread their thoughts or news, and readers of these blogs were people who were looking for a different outlook of the world. I never thought, except for maybe the occasional controversy, that blogs didn't really affect anyone outside their clique readership.
But yesterday, that view changed with the retirement of PittGirl, the famous Pittsburgh blogger whose irreverent humor and intelligent outlook on Pittsburgh was nearly equalled by her animosity. Sadly, PittGirl retired over the outting of her identity.
I don't think that even PittGirl understood the tremendous influence she had over Pittsburgh. When I got a haircut, the hairdressers discussed the latest Steelers post. At the bar, I'd over hear people debating PittGirl's identity. My friends in the media looked to her commentary on the latest politician for the pulse of what people were saying. Those who knew of PittGirl were huge, obsessed fans. Those who didn't know were soon finding themselves following every word. It was like a club, one of which had no obligation except to stay in the know. It was a community who knew they had something special, a precious thing that needed to be protected and shared.
What PittGirl embodied wasn't simply banter about Pittsburgh. It wasn't PittGirl's personal view of the world. What PittGirl represented was what everyone else was thinking. She was Pittsburgh, and no where has there ever been such an outlet in Pittsburgh, or anywhere else. PittGirl has come to embody the soul of our city. It's sad to see her go, but as she says, nothing lasts forever.
I hope that she finds a new outlet for her musings. We are worse off without her, and I sincerely hope we see her again in some form.
Good luck PittGirl- you will be missed. I'll kick a pgeon today in your honor...