in·spi·ra·tion

in·spi·ra·tion

ˌinspəˈrāSHən/

noun

1. 1.

   the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.

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I woke up today and I just felt, inspired.
A word that we throw around so often.
A feeling that we desire more often than possess.

But it's not our faults. It's not anybody's fault.
Inspiration has a funny way of finding us when we're busy doing something else. 
When we're busy living our lives. Taking part in our every day tasks.

And life itself is complicated. It's tricky.
Our lives our complicated. They feature one slightly manic - let me speak for myself here, please - star(lette) and the many creatures, relationships, and experiences that they encounter on a daily basis.
And that daily basis turns itself into a collection of days, months, years. Good days, bad days, holidays, birthdays. And all of those days are set in an uncensored, unfiltered world.

so, when does inspiration happen?

Inspiration happens when we discover what keeps that mad world turning for us. It's the answer to why we wake up some mornings and hear the birds chirping a little louder than they were the day before. And not that annoying chirp, but the kind of chirp that makes us think of warmth, and Spring turning to Summer, and enjoying a melting popsicle as we sit poolside with our best friend. It's why today, of all days, we gather this internal gratitude for the sun as it makes it's way pass that grassy mountain over the hill, only to dance amongst the tree branches and cast our shadow against the sidewalk that we travel everyday to work. Or at night, to the bars. Or, anytime, to yoga class. But at all times, the sidewalk that we fail to note how unique it's existence is to our very own urban neighborhood. Just think for a moment, how many feet have walked over it? How many drinks, from our cup or bottle alone, have been spilt on it?

Inspiration happens when we start to believe again, if not for the first time, in this crazy thing called love. I'm not just talking about the type that happens when we meet our much-anticipated soulmates. Because even those floating around with inspiration coming out of their ears, may not believe that such a thing exists. I mean, they are more inclined to believe that love itself exists, but the whole term soulmate, well that's a discussion for another day. What I'm getting at instead, is love in its most basic and natural form, is inspiration. Think of the very first relationship we were ever a part of, and hopefully still are. The one created for us. The one that we were born into, and that if we are lucky, means more to us than any other. And then think of the one(s) that we have built with others, through others, with their help. Their cooperation, their trust. These are the kind that we've grown into. Friends, lovers, coworkers, role models and idols, strangers. Those who inspire us, without even knowing it. Without even meaning to. Those with an existence that has a way of making ours a little sweeter.



Inspiration happens when you find a purpose for the ups-downs, the words-sentences-phrases-sayings-quotes, the sweet'n'sour'n'salty'n'bitter tastes, the wind-rain-sleet-snow-SUNSHINE, and, most importantly, the very air that we breathe.
The very air that we so tragically take for granted. Yet, that we share.

Isn't funny how often we forget that?

That believe it or not, we share the most essential element to each and every one of our lives.

CRAZY, I know I know.
Mind blowing, actually.

Maybe, even, a tad bit inspiring?

Above all though, there's only one place that inspiration happens... 
And I think I'll leave it up to you to guess just where that place may be.

xox, A.

Hugs n' Smooches for you & yours.

valentine's day.
I've always had this strange admiration for it.
And yes, this goes for the years that I have (and have not) had a valentine. 

As far as I know, this admiration goes deep.
For as long as I can possibly remember, I wake up on this February 14th day, and from the moment I open my eyes, I love every single second of what is to come. 
Weird? Yeah, I know. 

For me, it's not the mascot colors of red n' pink that make me weak at the knees. 
It's not the assortment of chocolates, shoved into a heart shaped box, that make me melt. 
And no, regardless of what you may believe, I can't even credit this mad love to the asparagus tempura sushi roll + side of hibachi veggies that my friends and I treat ourselves to (almost every year) on this very special day.

So, what is it, if not for all the fluffy elements of this day, that make me love it oh so very, very much?

Well, it only took me 22 years to figure out.
As I lay in bed, one hand glued to my chocolate-covered strawberry inspired breakfast smoothie (I've been on a smoothie kick lately; these typically last anywhere from 1-4 weeks,) and the other madly typing this post for you lovely people - and myself. 
I cherish valentine's day because I've learned that no matter the situation, I've always actually had more valentines than I could ever know what to do with. 

And you wanna know something funny?
so have you. 

Alright, it might sound cheesy, but just roll with me.
For one day, it's all about sharing the emotions that you have for others. Today is not about you ...even if you are one of those v-day haters, it's still not about you. Because today, of all days, you're practically forced to think of all those in your life that have honestly, genuinely, down-right inescapably loved you. 
But maybe they aren't with you anymore. 
But maybe they are. 
I mean, what this day is actually all about, at least for me, is to take some time to remember all of the people that have left behind footprints in your memory and your heart, as they've walked both into and out of your life.
It's about the memories that you've made with them. The lessons that they've taught you about yourself... and, most importantly, the individuals that they have helped you to become.

There are enough Taylor Swift songs out there to prove that love is not all about rainbows and butterflies. 
Love, in it's most basic and natural form, is both unimaginably good and so horribly bad. 
You know it. It's sucky. it's harsh. 
But, just when you are about to give it up, it turns itself around if only (once again) to prove just how beautiful it can actually be. 

As I lay here writing this, listening to my absolute favorite song (link @ the bottom of my post!), I think of all of the people that I love. That have loved me. That I have yet to love.
I think of my family, mostly my dad - who for every v-day day for my entire existence has delivered beautiful roses, in one way or another, along with a stuffed bear. And yes, this year I expect noo differently, (so dad you better find your way to my work tonight, cause i'll be looking for you!)
And I think of my friends, my roommates - the people that have seen me at my absolute craziest. Who have lived with me, and have had to deal with it. (I mean com'mon, it's not like family ...those poor souls don't have a choice... but these girls, they're pretty awesome.)
I think of my past relationships and how much I've learned from them. So many things that I would never, ever take back - regardless of how poorly things may have ended. Because honestly, I couldn't picture (nor would I want to) my life without them. 

So, my dearest friends, make this day about someone else. 
A bunch of someone else(s). 
Let your love out. 
Open your heart, even if it's for only a couple minutes in the privacy of your own room - where you can hide under your own covers, listen to your own music, and let your own thoughts and memories flow around you. 

May a smile escape from the corners of your mouth.

May you find, if only one reason, and for only one second, to love this day 1/10 as much as I do. 
(That will still be a lot, I promise.)

Happy Valentine's Day, to all of my valentines out there.
May love find its way into your heart ... and may you let it.

xox


José Gonzalez - Heartbeats

The City that Recycles

Pittsburghers, you might want to think twice before ditching those grocery bags from your next Giant Eagle visit. In this city, blue is just as good as gold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkoCLPeIbrU

Hannah Sandoval, South Side home renter and senior at Duquesne University, mentioned something called single-stream recycling in the video, above. Even if you do recycle, if you're anything like me, chances are you hadn't a clue that such a thing actually exists.

See, in Pittsburgh (as Hannah mentioned), all occupants are expected to set out recyclables every other week. All recyclables (glass, plastics, aluminum, cardboard, office paper, leaf waste, etc.) must be placed on the curb, outside of their residence -- in bright blue bags, nonetheless.

As you can imagine, this may become a bit tedious and well, flat-out annoying. I mean, who has time for that, right?!

According to Pittsburgh Recycling Supervisor - Mr. Shawn Wigle, more people than one may believe. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Wigle to discuss current recycling conditions in Pittsburgh. Through the interview, I gathered a little background on how the single-stream recycling system came to be, and just how successful efforts have proven to be.

Here's a little snippet from our chat: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSsl4sfRldA&feature=youtu.be

Should You be Concerned if You're Not Recycling?

Well, maybe a little. 

To a degree, the entire process runs on an honor system. Wigle does warn, though, that the Bureau of Environmental Sciences - Recycling Division Department is "actively out there, every week, servicing 300,000+ stops." Now that's a lot of garbage, and a lot of regulators to go around.

Mostly based on demographic, some areas of the city do have less of a participation rate.

Wigle attributed the lower numbers in the Oakland and South Side neighborhoods, to the high-turnover of college/young professional renters. 

"It can be a challenge not only for the recycling, but just to get the folks to do the proper thing with the trash," he remarked. 

But hey, word to the wise, don't go testing your luck now.

Wigle warns there certainly exists a scale of fines for penalty measures - some more severe than others.

RESIDENTS - $50 per occurrence + Court Cost

COMMERICAL - $1,000

"We do try to resolve the situation before we cite folks, in every instance, whether it be residential or commercial. We try to warn folks and give them every opportunity they can to do the right thing. At the end of the day, we'd rather see them do the right thing than just hand out citations."

Randy - Delanie's Coffee

Our earlier interviewee Randy, from Delanie's Coffee, was a little agitated with city's current recycling performance. He believed that much more could be done to better accommodate local businesses, such as his, to the recycling practices and the measures that they should be taking, as mandated by the city. 

What Randy didn't know, and neither did I go into this, is that although they are still ordered to recycle under Code 619, the department itself does not physically collect from commercial businesses. This means that there is an additional cost involved for the businesses to dispose of their recyclable goodies. Wigle addressed this concern by stating:

"Recycling is cheaper than trash, you're paying to throw something in a hole in the ground, versus paying to get something recycled that has a value to it. There definitely is a cost savings to recycling the trash."

If cost does present itself as an issue, Wigle suggests that small commercial businesses take their trash to the several drop-off centers - open 24/7 - available to them, free of charge! 

One can be found directly next to the Bureau of Environmental Sciences in the Strip District. 

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Mr. Wigle shared the shocking statistic that presently, recycling participation stands at about 72% for the Pittsburgh region alone. 

Bravo, yinzers!

Golden Glory (old post from 2012)

Tonight, as the clock slowly approaches 1 a.m., I feel the urgent need to share my DEEP (& some would say, ridiculous) LOVE AFFAIR with Fall and all the goodness that comes with it. Now, I realize this may be a little late. Apparently in the world that we live in today, November 1st actually marks the first day of Winter! And Christmas season!

[ though, IT SHOULD NOT ]

And yes, there is a little resentment in my tone. And for that, well I apologize. 

Though I wasn't always a fan of Christmas (yes, you can re-read that if you didn't get it the first time,) I have made some progress in finding the joy that this red n' green bundle of cheer can bring. Inevitably, I too will soon become giddy at the return of Starbucks Christmas-themed cups post-Halloween day. Argh.

Shamefully, I will now share with you the real reason for why I have formed this stubbornness, but first, get ready to hate me forever for my selfishness ...

All the Christmas cheer surpasses my birthday month!

Yeah, shallow.   

At least I admit it, right?

Really though, join my thought process. What ever REALLY happened to Thanksgiving? 

Skipped. Neglected. Can we go so far as to say, shunned

And for what reason? It's really the best holiday. 
Family, friends, food... PUMPKIN?!

C'mon now. Jump on my bandwagon. You know you all agree.

But, just in cas I haven't convinced you yet, take a little gander at a few of the most glorious gems that this abandoned holiday actually fosters ...

Pumpkin. Oh, the possibilities.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
 Pumpkin Ravioli
Pumpkin Spice Latte

A naturally-beautiful landscape,
with tree leaves competing for
the best hue possible

Fresh Empire Apple, from
 the Local Orchard