Farewell Cleveland! A tribute to my favorite local bloggers.

I'm not joking. Not even a little.

Well, it's true. I am leaving Cleveland. After a five year "tour" of the United States, I have been called home to Jersey.  Although I am extremely excited about my decision and the opportunities awaiting me, it is bittersweet to leave the 216.  It's true, I am a Jersey girl, but I was born here in Cleveland, so the city is in my blood.  I wish I had more success while I was here as I explain this week on Mel's awesome blog, but professional woes aside there is much I will miss about Cleveland. 

 First, I will miss my family.  It's been so great to foster relationships with my mom's side of the family.  My cousins and I have always been close, but it's been great to spend time with aunts and uncles and my grandmother and attend family events I normally would have missed.  Luckily for me, my family being here means I will be back often to visit!

Secondly, I am going to miss the amazing restaurants here! Food is absolutely my favorite thing to blog about and Cleveland makes it very easy.  Oh the cravings I had during my master cleanse! I am disappointed I didn't have a chance to eat my way through this dirty, old town a bit more, but I definitely have my faves: Bar Cento, The Greenhouse Tavern, Reddstone, Gypsy Bean, El Jalapeno, Thai Spice and Tommy's. I am going to miss the shit out of these restaurants and hope there are tables available when I blow through town next.

Lastly, but most definitely not least I am going to miss getting together with my favorite Cleveland bloggers! Since we are all internet nerds, I'll get to stalk everyone online no matter how far away I may be, but missing out on meet-ups is making me sad.

After starting my photo blog about two years ago, I got the itch to start writing thus a blog was born! I get inspired everyday by the blogs I read. So I'd like to say thanks to a few of you:

Cleveland Bachelor -  I think you like to be anonymous so I won't mention your name, but yours is the first Cleveland blog I discovered through my job as a web-editor.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you reached out to me and invited me to hang with other bloggers that first time.  It was like a group blind-date and although I was nervous, you made me feel like one of the group.  Although we don't always see eye-to-eye on everything ( I believe I still owe you a stab wound to the rib-cage...) I respect greatly your desire to find and love of new music, art and food.  You have a gift for unearthing the unknown treasures of this city and showcasing the fact that it is indeed a sparkling gem!

Kelly & Jose - Not only do you two write a great blog filled with awesome tunes and even awesomer recipes, you're probably the coolest couple I've ever met.  Seriously, you make marriage look like a fun adventure filled with bike rides and microbrews.  Our night out to Beer Wars was a blast and it makes me sad to know I'll miss out on all of your other exciting jaunts in the future. Cheers!

Chef's Widow -  Lady you are a force! I marvel at how you juggle your marriage, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a restaurant and your ever changing hair color! I don't know where you find the time to do everything and more importantly do it well!  You are an awesome mother, sassy hostess-with-the-mostest and my cosmetics muse (Givenchy mascara is my must-have thanks to you!).  Watching you and Chef open and run such an incredible restaurant inspired me to get back into running one in NJ.  Your commitment to Cleveland and the earth is an example to all and exactly what Cleveland needs.  Best of luck to you as you continue to kick ass and take names.

P.S. Chef -  Damn you and your delicious wings!  Your food is my fave in Cleveland and when I come back to visit there had better be a seat for me at the bar!

Cleveland's A Plum - Alexa, I think we have beat statistical odds in the number of events we have both attended and yet never met! I feel as though the world played a cruel joke on us.  Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting you in person, I L O V E your blog.  I would like to request a small speaking role when it becomes a movie?  Awesome. Thanks!

Addicted to Vinyl & Brokenheadphones - I hate you smarmy bastards.  No, that's not true.  Ahh, the memories...What a fun night at the Happy Dog seeing Chris Allen and watching as "Stompy" tried to make The San Andreas Fault 2.0.  You two also win the award for "Only Bloggers to Visit Me at Work." Um...I'll, uh, mail you your prizes? Seriously though you two a-holes write great music blogs.  I love reading to know what my opinion about various artists should be;).  I know I'll be moving, but I hope that doesn't mean you won't make fun of me on twitter...like contstantly.  Thanks for being my "friends," and by friends I mean people who make jokes at my expense.  This isn't goodbye; it's I'll see you at the Bowery Ballroom for a show...

Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Your Boyfriend -  Oh Mel, I feel as though our courtship just began.  You are definitely my favorite person with whom to see shitty community theater.  Hands down! I can't believe I'm going to miss out on sooo many fun adventures with you.  I'm not convinced we wouldn't have eventually lit the city on fire though, so maybe it's better for everyone that I'm leaving.  Seriously though, thank you so much for your blog.  Your unabashed honesty is so refreshing and inspires me daily to be more open on my own blog.  I can't wait to see where the road (read: internet super-highway) takes you.  I would also like a role in your blog turned movie, but waaaay more than a few lines.  Make plans to come to NYC ASAP! It's so not ok that you've never been.

Well, I could go on forever, but I'll end saying that I love you all and thank you for inspiring me to blog!  I am excited for the future and hope we all remain connected through the interwebs.  If any of you ever make it to NYC let me know! I will be there in a heartbeat!  

Sadly, this is my last post as Cleveland Caper.  I am kind of at a loss with what to name my new blog.  Jersey Caper doesn't have a ring to it and "Garden State of Mind" is taken. shit.  If anyone has any ideas, please let me know! 

Thanks for reading my ramblings! I'll miss you, but not pumping my own gas....

*Smoochies*

Emily

Cleveland Caper