I use the internet as an escape from all the horrible things in the real world–and, as such, try to avoid talking about horrible events that seem to occur one after the other without end.  It’s nice to escape into comforting worlds and to temporarily take a break from thinking about the not-so-comforting reality.

But… it’s different this time, and I can’t not keep thinking about what happened in Pittsburgh.  And I know why–my hometown is only an hour away from Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh is, as a result, the city that I’ve been to most often and seen the most of.  All our local channels are from Pittsburgh–the Pittsburgh cityscape is the backdrop to local news and PBS bumpers.  And Steelers merch is absolutely everywhere you turn–no escaping it.  When you’ve lived somewhere for that long, even when you move away (as I have), you’re still connected to it, for better or for worse. 

Even though I didn‘t know any of the victims personally (though there was a brief period of time when I was legitimately terrified that I might have), it hurts to know that this happened so close to the place I called home for three decades.

And it’s just one of many horrible things that’s been happening in the world–and I’m so tired and want them to stop. 

I’ll be going back to my regular blogging tomorrow and escape to the happy endings that I wish we could get in the real world.  Just had to get this off of my chest.