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The previous iteration of this blog sat dormant for months because I couldn't think of anything technology related to blog about. Yes, I want to be an inspiring PHP blogger like most of my co-workers and friends in the community. But there is a lot more to me than just PHP.

Did you know that in July, I moved to Pittsburgh? I bet at least one person will read this that didn't know that. My boss and co-workers keep trying to convince me to abandon Pittsburgh for New York City. I won't make any attempt at denying that NYC is a truly awesome place; but right now, Pittsburgh is the place for me. I thought I would spend a few minutes to reflect on some of the things that I love about this city, in hopes of showing others exactly what makes this city so awesome.

First and foremost, I love the academic community surrounding Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh was ranked 13th among US public schools by US News & World Report. The prestigious Carnegie Mellon University was ranked even higher on the same list. Pittsburgh is also home to Duquesne University and Carlow University and many smaller colleges and trade schools. That means there are a lot of students and educators all crammed together in one little city, sharing thoughts and ideas, and working on some really cool things. Being surrounded by so many smart people every day instills a sense of pride and inspiration, which is not unlike the feeling of working at OmniTI.

I think this often goes hand in hand with a strong academic community, but it's worth pointing out Pittsburgh's excellent and growing art community. I've yet to enjoy most of the art that can be found within Pittsburgh's borders, which ranges from museums to film to music and theater (I'll blog about examples of these as I experience them). And that is only the tip of the iceberg! There is a lot more to be seen, heard, and experienced in Pittsburgh. Maybe not as much as in NYC, but certainly plenty to keep a busy graduate student/PHP professional busy.

One of the great things about New York City is that there are hundreds, if not thousands of neighborhoods within the five boroughs, each with it's own character and charm. While Pittsburgh doesn't have quite as many neighborhoods as NYC, they're all a lot closer together. Every time I get in my car, I end up finding a new restaurant or shopping district that looks enticing. I bookmark these locations and can come back easily for a visit. The diverse character of certain areas means that there is never nothing to do in Pittsburgh.

Now, I wouldn't be honest if I let you believe that Pittsburgh is a modern day Eden. There are a few areas in which Pittsburgh could do a little bit better. The most glaring trouble with my beloved city is its hours of operation. Many shops and restaurants keep short hours, which may not include evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and in some cases, even Mondays. It's terribly depressing to head out for a sushi lunch in the middle of a Sunday afternoon only to find that Oishii is closed. Another gripe of mine, which is probably irreparable at this point, is Pittsburgh's public transportation. The bus system is much better than Detroit's mockery of a bus system, but after spending three weeks in New York City, I've grown to love the subway system. I find it hard to believe that there is better public transportation anywhere in the world.

So that is my first post about Pittsburgh. I'd like to get into detail about interesting things as I find them, so expect many more entries regarding Pittsburgh to follow.

Chris Shiflettt pointed out that I invalidate my own argument about Pittsburgh having a lot of neighborhoods that are close together when I mention driving around between them. That is mostly my detest of winter weather talking. It's worth noting that I can easily walk to a few different neighborhoods from my apartment. The bicyclists among us have even more options, and a short bus ride opens up every Pittsburgh neighborhood.