Happy Blogiversary! (Year 2)

No matter how we celebrate it, today marks two years for The Steel Trap! That's right. It has been two whole years since the fateful snow day when I decided to avoid all pressing responsibilities of real life and dive head first into the blogosphere. I haven't been able to determine any long term ramifications of writing this blog, although the short term rewards have remained quite fun and exciting. Having a creative release for all of my thoughts and ideas has become a critical part of my well-being. I am still humbled and surprised with someone compliments my writing or suggests an idea for a post (perhaps that's when I'll know that I should hang it up, when I am no longer humbled and surprised?).

When looking over my past 128 posts, it's clear that The Steel Trap still covers a wide array of topics along with a few running series and gimmicks. The top ten posts of the past year are indicative of that variety. Not surprisingly, two of them were about my Big Fat Warhol Wedding. However, I was surprised that four of them were restaurant reviews. I've shied away from those posts recently, but I am going to take this as a hint that I should probably write more reviews in the upcoming months.

Anyway, here are the top ten posts with my commentary in brackets:

1. God Is In Our Schools [Possibly one of my favorite posts of the past year, this one is as indicative of my personality as it gets. PSB said that she could hear my voice in every word. That's because I meant every word. Not only was this post the most read, but it was also the most shared via my facebook page. If you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to do so.]
2. Awesome Or Flawsome: Pure Barre Pittsburgh [The "Awesome Or Flawsome" gimmick is a fun one to write because I never know that I am going to write about it until I am actually in the middle of trying something new. This was the first time I wrote about an actual experience rather than something edible. I wonder what else is ahhhht there just waiting for me to judge it?]
3. Pure Bliss [This special post contains both wedding pictures and our perspective on the many decisions that we made along the way. If weddings were free, I would get married every few years (to JTP) just so I could plan the festivities and celebrate the love. You can also check ahhhht our wedding in the WHIRL Wedding Guide!]
4. On Romantic Dining In The Burgh [Despite the fact that I am not a romantic person, I do consider myself to be an expert on the subject. This post highlights my favorite romantic dining spots in Pittsburgh.]
5. The Fifty Shades [Drinking Optional] Games [This post still makes me chuckle when I read over it. The notorious Fifty Shades books are terribly written, and yet terribly page-turning... a paradox, I know. For some reason, I thought that these games might make the experience of reading this trilogy more enjoyable. And, has anyone wondered if these books are now a "must read," if only to understand the allusions to them that saturate pop culture? I vote yes.]
6. Can I Get Some Mexican Coke? [Fresh from getting married and being in Mexico, we were thrilled to find SMOKE in Homestead. It's pretty close to perfect. And they have Mexican Coke.]
7. To Have And To Hold... Wedding Memories [Of all of the "special-ish" touches that we had on our wedding day, the slideshow described in this post was a favorite with the guests. I've always loved old wedding photos. They are like photographic time capsules that reveal so much about the era, the event, and the couple.]
8. A Room With A View [Since writing this post, I've been to The Porch at Schenley several more times, and I have enjoyed this eatery increasingly with each visit. Most recently, I had the rare opportunity to go on their rooftop garden. First reaction, "I want one."]
9. Another Good Cause [There is still time to donate to this good cause. Do it.]
10. Winghart's. Go There. [This was a simple food review for Winghart's on the South Side. Whiskey and burgers? Twist my arm.]

As I said last February, "it looks like I am going to keep on keepin' on." I continue to maintain my current practices of not using profanity in my posts, of keeping people as anonymously initialed as possible, and of writing with sincerity. It's not easy to write with my heart on my sleeve, but if I've learned anything through this experience, it's that there is no other way to write. 

Hopefully more and more people will become connected with The Steel Trap by liking The Steel Trap on facebook, by following @The_Steel_Trap on Twitter, or by following through Blogger. Anytime someone shares my posts, comments on my posts, or mentions a post in person, I am filled with a unique happiness that borders on surreal. Knowing that people are enjoying something that I enjoyed writing is a blessing."

Happy Blogday! Happy Blogiversary! Blogseltov to The Steel Trap!
I am sincerely grateful. 
-HGB