the bridge project

Last night, I had the pleasure of going on a girl date with my lovely friend Jeannie.  We decided to check out The Bridge Project.  On our way Jeannie told me about her thesis in design school which was a redesign of the lower level of the bridge to be a series of shops and a glass-enclosed nightclub.  How cool does that sound?

Because Jeannie is the coolest, she knows the visionary behind the project, Terry Schwarz.  Shortly after we entered the subway tunnel, we bumped in to Terry and she started explaining the project and its intent.  I have to say, talking to her was my favorite part of the experience.  For me, the project itself wasn't as impressive as the vision and purpose behind it.  I thought the installments of "art" were too sparse and hastily thrown together, but after hearing Terry explain that the subway tunnel was one big classroom for her students, I started to think about it in a new light.  She told us she wanted her students to observe how people interacted with the space, the "exhibits" and what it revealed about how the space may be used in the future.  After hearing that, I started to look at the tunnel with a fresh set of eyes.

Although I guess I expected a little more in terms of "cool stuff to look at" (i had visions of black lights and skateboarders on a half-pipe), it was just neat to be walking over the river.   Walking in the dark, Jeannie and I noted the crazy insurance liability of the project as there are gaps in the metal bridge that are several inches long; perfect for a good ol' ankle twist! As I trip over my own feet on the daily, I was extra careful of the spaces on the floor of the bridge.

This installment totally made me think of Maureen's "Over The Moon" performance piece from RENT.

Mooooo!!!!

Performance artists at the east end of the bridge on a pond.  It reminded me of Mary Zimmerman's play, Metamorphoses.  I thought the idea was cool, and the backdrop of the columns and stairs was very striking, but the artistic element of it was kind of ruined for me as the performers were wearing Vans, Converse and Tevas with their very thoughtful, dramatic costumes.  It seemed like a vision blurred to me.  

The structure of the bridge with the city serving as a backdrop

Me, striking a pose in front of a backlit tarp.  Jeannie and I had a little too much fun with this! Check out Jeannie's pose here.

Whatever you think about art or however critical you may be (like me:), I highly recommend going to The Bridge Project.  All you need to bring is your imagination (oh and a few bucks if you want PBR...isn't PBR so hip?;).  Have fun...and mind the gap!

tilly and the wall

Today, while watching the trailer to Whip It (which I can't wait to see! Who doesn't secretly wish she were a derby girl?), I was reminded of how much I l-o-v-e Tilly & the Wall.  I've been rockin' out to these songs today and wanted to share.  Anyone know of the nearest Capezio, where I can get my hands on a pair of character tap shoes?

Enjoy! Happy Friday!

"Pot Kettle Black"
 

 

"Rainbows in the Dark"

restaurant rules: an educational post

"According to The Waiter, eighty percent of customers are nice people just looking for something to eat. The remaining twenty percent, however, are socially maladjusted psychopaths" -Waiter Rant

My life in restaurants began the day Coach Devlin cut me from the field hockey team the summer before junior year of HS.  My first serving position was in a retirement community serving some very nice seniors, some not very nice seniors and some seniors who shit their pants at the table.  Basically, nothing surprises me.

I guess I always assumed everyone has worked in a restaurant/some aspect of the service industry at some point and therefore knows how to conduct themselves as patrons in a restaurant.  My experience lately seems to indicate otherwise.  As a result of my recent experience with a-hole customers, I've decided to formulate a little list of rules and advice for restaurant guests.  Are you a total a-hole when you go to a restaurant? Well, then this post if for you!

1.  DO NOT SEAT YOURSELF!  oh, unless you are in a fast food restaurant or see a sign that reads, "Please Seat Yourself" 

2.  "Diet Coke" is not a state of being, so when I introduce myself and ask how you are, naming a drink is both rude and stupid.

3.  Servers have sections, so when you are being seated at one table and ask to sit at another you are jamming the seating system.  As it is the objective of the restaurant to make its guests happy, you will most likely get your way, but getting the table of your choice may mean that you have just set yourself up for less than stellar service as the server in your chosen table's section may be busy.  Choosing a different table = don't complain if you have to wait for service.  

4. The dictionary defines a "drink" as  1. A liquid that is fit for drinking; a beverage.  Therefore, when I ask you what you would like to drink and you say, "nothing, just water,"...think about it.

5.  An "Arnold Palmer" is 1/2 lemonade, 1/2 iced tea

6.  The following common menu items and how you really pronounce them (actual education here, no snarking):

Paillard - "pie-ard"

Haricot Vert - "harry-co-vare" (my favorite to hear when people say it the way it's spelled:)  

Nicoise - "knee-swah"

      Gnocchi - "n-yo-key"

jicama - "hick-a-mah"

Phyllo - "fee-low"

7.  If you are in a rush, let me know before you order, I am happy to accommodate...and you may want to skip the well-done steak.

8.  If you're all paying in cash, then asking for separate checks is silly and annoying

9.  When I am standing over you with your food in my hand, it is helpful if you clear a space big enough to fit the plate in front of you.

Have kids? Read these:

10.  You are welcome to bring your kids, but if they cannot entertain themselves letting them shred sugar packets and bang silverware on the table is unacceptable!  Bring entertainment and cheerios or order the kids' food when I first come to your table.  Happy kids = your meal will be more enjoyable.  

11.  When your kid starts screaming like a banshee it means he has had enough or is tired.  This applies to all situations with children in public.  Screaming is like a kiddie egg timer, when it rings, you're done! If your kid is screaming in a restaurant, you should be embarrassed, not by your kids but by your lack of parenting skills.  With a screaming kid, you aren't paranoid; everyone is looking at you.

12.  Do not let your kid run around the restaurant! It's dangerous for your child, the servers and other patrons.  If you don't tell your child to stay in her seat, don't be surprised when I do.  It would be a shame if she ran into a server carrying a tray of fajitas on 400 degree skillets and had one of these skillets hit her in the face, scaring her for life and marring her chances to be Homecoming Queen.

Back to more childless rules...

13.  After you fill in the tip and sign the credit card slip, you're supposed to leave it on the table.  Also, please don't be offended when I ask to see your photo ID when it says, "Please See ID" on the back of your credit card.

14.  If something is wrong with your meal, you have every right to be upset.  You do not have the right to say things like, "This is bullshit!" Oh, unless you are a hillbilly, then none of these rules apply to you.  You can feel free to do whatever you like.  We'll recognize you by your homemade, Nascar man-tank.   

15.  When you say, "I'm a really good tipper," it generally means you aren't.  In the server's dictionary, a "really good tipper" is defined as: a patron who leaves 25% or more

16.  When I ask how everything is, be honest.  I'm happy to fix anything you want, I just need to know about it.

17.  When you see something on the menu such as, "Filet      17."  It's not, "the filet number 17."  That little number is the price of the item, not the super value meal #.  

18.  If I am standing at another table, taking an order, DO NOT SHOUT, "excuse me," "yoo hoo!" or anything at all.  If you use the basic, socially prescribed rules of etiquette and decorum, I will be happy to serve your every whim.

19.  If you have a food "allergy" please let me know before you order.  

20. Remember, I'm a human being, please treat me like one.  It's a smart move to be nice to the people who handle your food.

 Thanks for coming in...it was a pleasure to serve you!

 

 

Bazaar Bizarre 12.12 - 12.13.09

Yay! My lovely friend Jeannie and I got an email last night informing us that we are going to be vendors at Bazaar Bizarre!!! Woot! Woot! We are so excited and you should be too, because this ain't cho mama's craft show! Now my days will be filled with glitter and glue and bottlecaps, bottlecaps, bottlecaps!Mark your calendars and we'll see you there!

***Oh! Also, If you have any jar lids (jelly, pickle, salsa...), I would love to have them for the fair! I'm working out a new idea and need a bunch!****

Rock out with your smock out!

one in vermilion

Um, how awesome is the phone on my camera?!

I guess I didn't realize how much traveling I'd been doing lately, but this weekend, the boyf and I decided to explore Vermilion.  The last time I was in Vermilion was more than 15 years ago and I spent the majority of my visit on a sailboat, so my memory of the town was slightly skewed.  

Even though have a great view of the lake from my home in Clevo, the views in Vermilion were somehow more beautiful.  After exploring the "downtown" area, which is abundant with cute restaurants, gift shops and even an art gallery, we walked down to the water and The Great Lakes Historical Society .  It was a beautiful day and although we didn't do much else but walk around, I would love to go back next summer...with someone who has a boat (hint, hint!)

the stuff of which hangovers are made...

So, I got a visit from some Phoenician friends and as expected we had a great time out in the 216.  I shudder to think back on all of the different types of alcohol I consumed on Friday night. Ugh.  The following pictures explain the hangover:

When you come to Cleveland, Panini's is a right of passage

No shirt, no shoes, no problem!

 

This sleepy guy came to Cleveland for 1 night and earned himself a killer nickname.

What did you do this weekend?

my one night stand: the caper does columbus

You can judge me all you want, but sometimes a girl gets antsy and needs some excitement in her life.  That is precisely why the boyf and I hopped in the car and drove to Columbus for the night.  I'm sorry Cleveland, it's not you it's me.  I just needed a break to clear my head and see somewhere new.  

Our affair began with a craving for Mexican food.  It was so fun to visit the restaurant (chain) where the boyf and I first met 5+ years ago and the restaurant that gave us the love of working in restaurants.  The food was awesome and it tasted just as great as I remember.  If you ever visit an On The Border, be sure to get a Borderita (tall margarita pictured) and if you want a little something extra, get it with Chambord on top. Yum!

I want one of these bad boys right now!

After filling ourselves with all of our favorite menu items, we decided to drive downtown (our original plan was to hike Hocking Hills State Park, but the margaritas "ruined" that plan).  With directions from our great bartender, we made our way to downtown Columbus and into German Village.  After driving around there for a bit we found our way to Short North.  Short North is a great little arts district with great shopping, drinking and eating.  One reason I was excited to visit Columbus was to get my hands on (read: mouth around) some Jeni's Ice Cream.  I quickly found the storefront on High St. and would have gotten on the long line out the door if it weren't for my Mexican food baby in my stomach.  I was scared that I wouldn't get to try the delicious and crazy flavors Jeni's has to offer, but then the brilliant boyf noted that they are open until 11pm! Crisis averted; tantrum not thrown. Consider yourself lucky Columbus! 

Can you smell the waffle cones and sweet cream through the screen? Yeah neither can I, but wouldn't that be awesome?!

As we made our way up and down High St., we popped in and out of many of the interesting shops and boutiques.  I noticed how dog-friendly the community seemed to be, as there were many a four-legged friend sitting beneath outdoor diners and jogging on leashes.  Upon entering the very cool Collier West, we were greeted by this sassy, li'l guy:

He was definitely the boss of me and everyone else in the store.  I let him sniff my toes and then he let me look around.  Collier West has so many cool housewares and decorations and everywhere I turned I saw something I (couldn't afford) wanted to buy.

 
After visiting a few more shops (including a few more with canine proprietors) we decided we were going to find a hotel and make a plan for the evening.  After some chillaxin' in the Comfort Inn, we decided to grab a drink and a late night snack back in Short North.  Since we didn't know where we could get late night eats I turned to trusty Twitter and asked if anyone knew of any cool spots.  Almost immediately, a few of my tweeps answered with some great ideas!  High St. in Short North is definitely the pace to be for a night out.  Although I was tired from a long day of copious eating and drinking and found the loud, drunk people taking their requisite Facebook photos to be more than I could handle, I could see how High St. would be fun if I weren't such a lame-o.

After a great night's sleep we decided since we hadn't eaten in 12 hours that we'd better get our asses in front of a menu.  I was still hell bent on getting some Jeni's and had been tweeting back in forth with whomever runs their twitter and decided to get some at North Market.  We parked the car and walked in to the market only to find the vendors still setting up.  Since we had 45 minutes to kill we decided to grab a brunchy bite at Betty's. We spotted Betty's from across the street and started to cross ust as they opened their doors and about 20 hungover people stampeded the poor server.  I was impressed by how easily the server managed all 10 tables at once.  Since we were too early for "mimosas" the boyf got a beer and I got the world's biggest Diet Coke.  We ordered the breakfast nachos (with scrambled eggs on them)  and a side order of hash browns.  While we waited for our food, we looked around at all of the cool Vargas-y inspired decor.  Girl power!  

Inside Betty's: hungry hangovers

What did we do after polishing off the nachos? Head to the North Marlet for more food of course!  If you haven't been to the market, it is Columbus' answer to our very own West Side Market, with more prepared food.  From the BBQ to the Indian food, I was overwhelmed by the selection.  After taking a lap I positioned myself in front of the Jeni's stall mulling over my decision.  I knew I wanted to try the cantaloupe sorbet and when the very helpful and knowledgeable dude behind the counter told me the half container in the case was all that was left of it, I immediately ordered some! I also decided to take 6 pints home! Who am I? After careful deliberation, I chose: Goat Cheese & Roasted Red Cherry, Salty Caramel, Black Coffee, Cucumber, Honeydew & Cayenne, Maker's Mark Bourbon & Pecan, and Honey Vanilla Bean.  Sweet Jesus these ice creams are good! 

Yum.

Devouring my cantaloupe sorbet.

After the market, we packet up the car and headed back to the 216.  even though it was a short trip, it was just what the doctor ordered.  I had a one night stand with Columbus and will definitely do it again when I need a break from Cleveland.  I hope you understand, Cleve-o; hey, it's not like I went on Casual Encounters on craigslist.  I think you're great, but need to see other cities to keep things fresh.

I highly recommend a trip to Columbus (don't forget your cooler!).  Where would you recommend an overnight trip?

.

beware the flying hamster of doom

So I feel partially responsible for the impending apocalypse, having tempted fate and The Flying Hamster of Doom.  I've joked that he would reign coconuts on Cleveland and when I went out to the store yesterday, it looked as though he already had...

Forget frogs and locusts, if one of these hits your car, you know it was the Flying Hamster of Doom!