goin' to the chapel...

and i'm planning another wedding...well it's wedding number 3 in my official wedding planner capacity. my wedding weekend starts an hour from now and i will be on blogging hiatus until at least monday.  have a great weekend cleveland!

bats and devil monkeys swarm cleveland!

It's not the greatest picture. Can you see all of the "bats?"

So, I've always had a colorful imagination; I love the spinning of a good yarn, the telling of a tall tale.  I still take great pleasure in escaping in a good old fashioned game of make-believe.  Sometimes though I think my imagination takes over and blurs my perception of reality.

For the past week I have been downtown every night after dark to for boyf retrieval.  One night I noticed a huge swarm of bats circling the National City building (i'm talking like more than 100).  It was an incredibly awesome sight and I was freaking out (the boy thought I was crazy, although he was interested as well).  A few nights later, after wings, frites and drinks at The Greenhouse Tavern we were walking back to the car, which was parked in front of the National City building and I looked up and saw the swarm of bats again. EEK! As had been wondering for a week why those bats were so attracted to this particular building, I asked aloud, "What are those bats doing up there?" * *THIS CONVERSATION IS HOW I REMEMBERED IT THE FOLLOWING MORNING** There was a group of three security guards standing nearby smoking and heard me.  One guy said, "Oh, those aren't bats they're birds and they are eating bugs off of the building." 

"What kid of bugs are up there?" I asked. My inner 4 year old comes out sometimes.

"Oh, those are devil monkeys that come in off the lake.  They are attracted to the building because it's lit up at night."

The next morning I was still thinking about the bat er, birds and said to the boy, "Those birds eating those devil monkey bugs was really incredible!"

"I think you mean 'Canadian Soldiers." The boyf corrected me.

"Oooohh, is that what they are called? Devil monkeys sounds so much cooler.

Well, regardless of their names (or species), if you are downtown at night in the next few days check out the top of the National City Building; it really is an amazing sight.  Stay tuned, maybe next week I'll see a unicorn in the flats?

the caper is a faker

Ever since I was a little caper, I loved to play dress-up.  The gaudier the outfit the better ( I guess I do have a little drag queen inside me after all:); with all of my great grandmother's costume jewelry at my disposal, I was able to put together some really sassy ensembles.  In addition to old clothes, I was lucky enough to have a very talented Mama who would sew my costumes for countless Halloweens and even more plays.  Having developed a passion for performing onstage at the tender age of 2, I am no stranger to the excitement of becoming someone else for a while.  Slipping into a costume allows one to escape and transform.  For me, it's an opportunity to make life more interesting.  

Lately, my life has seemed lackluster and I wanted a change.  My first instinct was to try going blonde, then I wimped out (I just don't think I can pull it off) and moved on to Plan B: costume glasses.  The boyf likes to wear what he refers to as, "Nerd Boy Glasses"  to channel his inner Rivers Cuomo.  He looks really good in them, but I decided that I would look even better.  I swiped the glasses and started wearing them to work and around town, just for a change of pace.  What started out as a li'l game of dress-up, turned into a little experiment!

The first shift I wore the specs at work, I noticed a difference.  Not only did I receive compliments from my co-workers, my tips were bigger and guests were treating me differently (better).  I don't know if the glasses make me look smarter or cooler, but whatever it is people seem to like me more in them!  Wearing the glasses also makes me feel different, as though I am wearing a mask when I have them on.  I feel more exciting and kind of mysterious, almost as though I should change my name or something.

After my initial experience, I started thinking about the way I perceive and am perceived.  If a cheap pair of plastic glasses can change the way I see he world and the way the world sees me, how do I let other physical attributes affect my perception?  Admittedly, I am very judgmental, but how often do I misjudge someone because of what she is wearing (or not wearing)? I think the answer is: too often.  As a result, I am going to dismount my high-horse, and be more aware of the way I view others.  Who knew a little pair of fake glasses could improve my vision so much?  

I think everyone should play dress-up every once in a while.  Maybe it won't always be a profound experience, but it is a great way to change things up and make life a bit more colorful!

consumption in cleveland: (CONTEST ALERT!)

As my Master Cleanse has come to an end, I have been jamming food into my gullet like it's going out of style.  First I went to Trader Joe's and stocked up on a bunch of yummy food, including my new obsession: cherry granola cookies (they are amazing!).  This morning I hit The Market for some oranges, avocados, limes, cilantro and jalapenos juice and guacamole.  I went inside for a hot tea (my allergies are going crazy and herbal tea w/lemon seems to do the trick) and I passed Michelle's Bakery just as the woman behind the counter was putting a sign in the case that read: Sweet Potato Buttermilk Scones.  Um, what? I came to a screeching halt and ordered one.  Probably not the smartest choice of breakfast food for an empty, shrunken stomach, but I didn't care it was so delicious! I realized that even though I'd just spent 10 days worth of time and energy cleansing my body I was getting a little over zealous with initial consumption.  During the cleanse I spent a great deal of time thinking about what it is useful and what is wasteful.  

I have to say that Cleveland is a very wasteful city.  From new real estate being built while hundreds of structures sit vacant and unused to the fact that there isn't an established recycling pick up program (at least in my 'hood).  That really makes me mad.  The simplest way to cut down on consumption is to recycle.  For the past 2 years I have acted as "Recycling Ambassador" for the "compound" (what we call the duplex in which I live), which means that every two weeks i fill my trunk with all of our collected recyclables and shlep them over to the recycling bin behind The Harp.  Sadly, every time I go, the bin is never full.  This means people aren't doing their part (I can tell by the amount of bottles and cans that end up on my tree lawn) to do what is right.  If you don't know already, there are bins located around the city exclusively for recycling.  Here is a list of bins in and around the city.  Also, check out Eco City Cleveland for more recycling info.

 Check out my bin. GRRRRRrrrrrrrowwww!

Do you recycle? Do you have any cool way of reusing something in an inventive way? I'm always looking for more ways to be more eco friendly. Share you're reusable habit in the comments and whomever has the most neat-o idea will receive a kick-ass, recycled bicycle tube bracelet made by yours truly. 

I LOVE YOU MOM!

My Mama is a:

boo-boo fixer * lullaby singer * cookie baker * card maker * dog walker * dress sewer * booty shaker * race car driver * fever reducer * risk taker * broken heart mender * advice giver * chocolate lover * back rubber * problem listener * costume maker * story reader * preschool teacher * husband tolerator * kid raiser * theater goer * cat feeder * trip planner * girl scout leader * yoga doer * artichoke dip maker * wine lover * hug giver * timekeeper * party thrower * book reader * early raiser * baby whisperer * problem solver * wind chime hater * homework helper * celebrity sighter * song singer * bed tucker inner * joke teller * bull-shit detector * tour guider * interior designer * gift giver * movie watcher * craft maker * margarita drinker * holiday celebrator * handbag lover * time volunteerer  * deal finder * animal lover * opinion haver * choir singer * memory sharer * scrapbooker * political debater * treat giver * big sister * little sister * bug killer * fundraiser * rule maker * class taker * caffeine avoider * taste tester * nail painter * slang misuser (hahahaha!) * sense of humor haver * encourager * commiter * example setter * forgiver * cheerleader * schedule keeper * sickness healer * excessively early to the airport arriver * reality checker * outfit accessoriser * trouble getter inner (back in the day:) * philosopher * crazy idea supporter (thanks!) * percussionizer * son and daughter lover * 

Mom, I love you so much, thank you for being all that you are and doing all that you do for me and "the boys"! You are the greatest and I wish I could give you a big hug and kiss today! 

day #5 caper's cleveland cravings

So, I usually wait until the end of the day to post about my cleansing experience, but this morning, "hump day," I woke up with some serious food cravings. I can't wait to chew food! I miss it! Here are a few things I'm craving from around the hood:

1. Pomme Frites - Bar Cento

2. Tomato Bisque - Latitude 41

3. Corned Beef Sandwich - Slyman's

4. Salty Caramel Ice Cream - The Greenhouse Tavern

5.  Duck Confit - The Flying Fig

6. Red Velvet Cake - Sweet Melissa's

7.  Pizza Your Way - Player's 

8. Shipwreck - Lucky's Cafe

9. Jackson Salad - Tommy's

 10. Falafil w/ hot sauce - Maha's Falafil

MMMMMM! Next week, the restaurants of this city better watch out! I'm Comin'!!!!

day #4 cleansing and conceited

Well, here I am. This is Day 4 on the cleanse and no food. I am not ashamed to say that I am very proud of myself and moreover, surprised that I've made it this far. This cleanse has definitely had an effect on my general outlook. As the boyf is a "food eater" (for shame!;) we went to Giant Eagle to get him some dinner. I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't tempted by all of the food at my fingertips. I did a lap around the store "window shopping" for future solid meals. Evidently though, this cleanse has made me quite high and mighty as I was quick to judge the boyf's dinner selections. I met him as he was ordering a pound of cajun turkey lunch meat at the deli counter and I peered into his basket and saw prepared buffalo chicken tenders. "You're going to eat that?!" I exclaimed. What? Who am I? I couldn't believe I said that to him. If I hadn't started the cleanse I would be eating the same thing! I guess the cleanse has gotten the better of me and made me a total food snob. Anyway, I quickly shut my yapper and continued following silently as the boyf continued making his selections.
Tonight I work until about midnight and am worried about how a busy shift on my feet will affect my energy level. I'm bringing some of the concoction with me and hope that it will keep me satisfied. Friday nights make me think of dining out as for many people it's "pizza night" or "let's go out for diner night." What are you doing tonight?



HERE'S WHAT I WISH I WAS "DOING."

day #3: cleansing, car batteries and cheststaches

Well, it's dia numero tres y quiero mucho comida! Actually, even though today was a bit rough, I'm still feeling healthy and energized and able to press on for the next 7 days. I will say that I have noticed my sense of smell is more acute than it was before I started the cleanse. I smell everything from the garlic the boyf was chopping last night to the smelly dude in the laundromat today (wow! it was awful!). I've also become more aware of excess in general, from food to material things. For instance, my gas/money guzzler of a car just cost me $200 for a new battery, oil change, tire and sideview mirror. Although I am not in the position to do anything about it, I am so disappointed in my choice to buy an SUV in lieu of a smaller car. Lesson learned; I shouldn't buy more than I need. Don't get me wrong, I'm not running off to the ashram just yet, I'm just more mindful of what I "use" vs. what I need. This cleanse is turning into a real eye-opener for me. I hope some of my new behaviors become permanent, while I can guarantee that some will not (there's no way I am willing to give up alcohol; it's not my fault bourbon and tequila are so delicious!

In a total non-sequitur move, I would love to share this blog my friend Joanna showed me: http://www.latfh.com/page/3 Check out homeslice (8th photo down) with the "cheststache." amazing!

Also, I'd like to give big Happy Birthday WIshes to Mel of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Your Boyfriend

the caper does a cleanse

I love that my last post was about cookies and now I'm cleansing. Yep, that's right I'm doing THE MASTER CLEANSE (loud, deep echoey voice). I need to flush the system and get back to neutral. So, for the past 48 hours I have been subsisting on a concoction of Grade B Maple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, cayenne pepper and water (it's actually not bad. It's like lemonade with a little sass) From the research I've done, I've learned that it helps to journal (blog) your experience. I have to say at the end of day two, I haven't thought about food once. I should say that I went into this Monday night with the super positive thought, "there's no chance in hell I'm going to make it." Most people that have done the cleanse (including my Dad) say the first three days are the toughest, so either I am stronger willed than I thought, or my dark days are yet to come. I've heard some people use the cleanse to loose weight, which is a side effect of the cleanse, but I'm just trying to hit the reset button and give my body a break from all the alcohol i drink and crap food i consume. I thought the experience would be more mind over matter, but I really haven't had to fight temptation at all. I am a total foodie in every sense of the word; I love the smell of food, the taste (obv!), the sight, the various textures and temperatures. What I have come to realize in these two short days is that often I eat for the wrong reasons, especially out of habit. Hopefully, at the end of this 13 days, I will have a new relationship with food. I am excited to think about my first meal back in foodland. Any suggestions?

caper loves cookies

For some reason, I've been craving m&m cookies like crazy and have been on a city-wide search for the perfect one. What can I say? I take baked goods seriously and don't like to settle. Growing up, my friend Amy's mom made the most bad ass m&m cookies. They were buttery and chewy and chock full of the chocolate candies. Amy's mom lives in North Carolina and I considered calling and asking her to send me a batch but that seemed to involved so first I went to Dave's Supermarket. Even though Dave's version didn't look like a winner, I still bought a box...for $4.29 (way to much to pay for a box of shitty cookies). They didn't disappoint in disappointing. Next I tried Nature Bin's version (which is sold by the each for $.65). This was better, but the cookie was smaller than I would have liked and also not as chewy. I had almost given up when today on my way home from work I stopped in to Heinen's to get some of my mom's favorite MJB coffee (not available in Jersey). On my way to the coffee aisle, I passed the bakery and sitting on top of the baked good display table was a box filled with the most beautiful m&m cookies I've ever seen. I quickly snatched up the box ($.4.00 for a dozen) and didn't even wait to get home to try one. THEY ARE GLORIOUS!! I was so excited to bring them to the boyf, as we were both involved in the Great Cookie Hunt of '09. His first reaction: I paid too much for the cookies; this is his response to everything I buy. Then he tasted one and said, "I owe you an apology. These are amazing and I would have paid $8.00 for a box." Any food that inspires Scrooge McDuck to spend money is definitely worth a try. So I stand behind my recommendation. Go to Heinen's for a yummy batch of m&m cookies. Anyone else have a must-try baked good in the city?


Is it just me, or does Dave's cookie on the left look like it wants to kill itself living in the shadow of Heinen's perfection?