July » 2010 » happyinCLE

i think i need something else to love

after another enjoyable and relaxing weekend, i basically decided that i need a little something extra. i think i would like a dog. nothing against cloey (kitty) and her adorable ways. a dog just seems to exude a partnership and bond that somewhat resembles a small child (and i know an actual human child is out of the question right now).

this started on saturday at our friend connie and steve’s christmas in july party, which included a couple furry guests. these dogs were so well behaved and very friendly. the akita/lab mix was named trouble (which i love) and the spaniel was named angel, which pairs well with trouble but maybe devil would have been more appropriate. needless to say, i kind of fell in love with them.

here comes trouble.

she should have a halo.

is my work/social schedule a conflict with owning a puppy? yes.

is a puppy adorable? hell yes.

is it worth it to just get a dog and make those sacrifices? insert comments here.

word of the day – sit

under the bridge

the bridge project from 2009.

this year’s ingenuityfest will take place this septemeber 24-26th on the lower level of the veterans memorial bridge. you should probably go.

if you haven’t been to an ingenuityfest before, it can basically be described as an edgy, arts and music celebration with a little bit of crazy magic sprinkled about. some may consider some of the performances and events odd or maybe a little avant-garde, but that’s what it’s all about.

this year, they are incorporating a little preview party called speakeasy 2.0. this friday night you can choose between “the premier event” and the “skyline party” which will include performances, food, cocktails and dancing. for more information on this wonderful event, visit www.ingenuitycleveland.com/speakeasy.

and if you have not been to the lower level of the veterans memorial bridge, the venue itself is a reason to go. once you step down into the subway catacombs, you automatically feel like you shouldn’t be there — in a good way. it’s an amazeballs setting for just about anything. and when you combine the location with good music and dramatic lighting, you feel like you should be in a movie or some high-end vodka commercial. it def feels very cosmopolitan, while being gritty and raw at the same time. it’s hard to describe, which is why you just have to go to get the full experience!

word of the day – gumption

hot brown

w.o.w.

another weekend recap? not this time. although, i will tell you that my 4-day weekend was quite enjoyable. most of the time was spent in the sun, rotating between the pool, beach and boat. oh, and we can’t forget the mandatory visit to mon ami. it never disappoints.

and now to the gist of this post. does the sun scare you? do you protect yourself from its harmful rays or could you care less?

i enjoy basking in it and it is obvious by the color of my skin. but when is it time to stop soaking it in? how dark is too dark?

currently, i could probably pass as sicilian or lebanese, but i really have to stop at some point. i would like to avoid looking like a piece of old, worn, brown leather luggage.

word of the day – relish

a dose of reality

so episode 1 of “the flats” is complete. it did turn out quite well i think. we’re not sure how many of these we are going to create, but hopefully episode 2 will be finished in the next couple weeks.

i think i need to make a statement here as well. we are simply having fun with this little project. we aren’t professional actors. we are young urban professionals that thought this would be a hilarious parody series. we just want to prove that the city of cle can be just as cool, fun and cosmopolitan as any other big, flashy city.

the story lines may or may not have anything to do with our real life situations, but that doesn’t matter. again, it’s about having fun! so please enjoy and don’t be a hater. yes, i am talking to you “u2norton” on youtube.

this sun is sick (in a good way)

i have always found it strange that i don’t see hardly enough people spending time outside in the summer in cle. the typical clevelander complains about everything, specifically the winter weather months. and then when it gets really nice out (like the last 2 months) it seems that those same people do not take advantage of the outdoors. what’s wrong with you people!?

anyways, my weekend was fantastic for the most part and i am getting nervous that target already has the school supplies out in full mode. friday night started with a quick bite to eat at the diner on clifton with the nug. we then headed to the cleveland yacht club for the regatta party, which was a boat load of fun (pun intended). kyle, larger, puma, tiger, nug and i had a good old time and in typical late night fashion, broke it down on the dance floor. the reggae band was jamaican me crazy and so were those straw hats.

nug, me and puma (how odd does nug's arm look?)

puma is the captain. kyle is the pirate.

saturday started nice and slow but in the evening i joined my parents, aunt dana and uncle john in westlake. yes, i know. i do not travel outside cle proper very often. however, we did go to moosehead for dinner and i must say that their patio is pretty freakin’ nice. the sandwich list on their menu is also absurdly large and delightful.

we then headed to the savannah (for 5 minutes) for some jazz but it really wasn’t happening for us at the moment. ended up at around the corner in lakewood for some more family bonding.

the weekend ended with a much needed brainstorm/script development/video shoot for the little project nug, alexa, lisa and i have been working on. look out for the premiere on tuesday night after the finale of the hills!

lzone playing director.

and p.s. – i got a smart phone! if you read my blog post about 2 months ago, you can now say iHave one! well, not an iPhone, but a droid incredible. now i can waste spend more time on the social media waves, including the ever addictive foursquare.

word of the day – bubbles

yaa yaa yaa

i need to share this. i have posted it on facebook before, but i need to bring it back.

we all love a good music video. even though mtv and vh1 do not necessarily play them as much as they should, we can still view them via social media outlets and of course, youtube. this little tune was brought to my attention by e-mex. i think it’s the best song ever created that does not contain any actual lyrics.

i promise you will watch this and probably watch it again a few more times. it will seep into your brain and you will sing and/or hum this throughout your day.

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tonight is the “decision” which obvi includes the egomaniac lebron james. while as much as i would love to see him stay in cle, at this point i really don’t care. we will survive without him.

i will not be watching the announcement. i need to keep writing this script for “the flats” project i am working on with my friends. the plum already posted the teaser on her blog. the first episode should be ready next week, so look out for it!

word of the day – reality

burnin’ it up!

it’s getting hot in the erie shores. and my level of complaining has increased by 75% due to the high humidity levels and my ever lasting sweat glands. however, this makes for great beach weather.

i hope you had a safe and wonderful 4th of july weekend. let’s recap.

friday night started at lava lounge, which i still think has one of the best happy hour’s in the city. the night really got started once we hit hoopples for the plum’s big 3-0 bash. fireworks at the jake (i refuse to call it the pro) made a wonderful backdrop as photos of alexa throughout the years shined on the bridge above. i was a little disappointed that i was the ONLY one to wear a “cleveland’s a plum” shirt, but i think she got a little kick out of it. saw way too many friends to mention but it was definitely a good time.

nug, plum and me!

we finished the night off at the velvet tango room just up the street from hoopples. i cannot get enough of that place. but only in doses, due to the high-end cocktail fees. however, next time we pay a visit to the vtr, i can now whisper the secret password for access into the private area. ahhhhhhhh yeaaaaaaaaaaa!

saturday can only be described by viewing this video of my parent’s fireworks display in buzzard town (aka hinckley). more good times with family and friends.

it was a hot one on sunday and it got even hotter at bzone’s annual 4th of july party. the police shut the street down and the neighborhood literally blows up. i think every nationality is represented on this street and the fireworks are never ending. the night naturally ended in a dance party in the back yard. let’s be honest. what weekend night doesn’t end in a dance party?

me and puma

the scorching monday temps called for a beach day. it was truly a perfect summer day at the clifton beach club. i need to swim more often this summer. thank you kyle for the cbc vip treatment!

i need to blog more often. i feel like all of my posts are just weekend recaps. i promise i will get more interesting.

word of the day – aqua

spend it up in the city

we all know that arts and cultural events and professional sports brings a wealth of people and money into the cle economy. but we also have to remember to spend our time and money on a daily basis at our locally owned and operated businesses. these restaurants, boutique stores and grocery stores are truly the heart and soul of our city. they make us who we are. and we should support them like they are family.

for those of you that know me, i basically despise chain restaurants (except for flemmings) and never step foot in walmart. i know many of you cannot resist, due to your geographic location (aka the burbs), but i challenge you to spend some of your hard earned dolla dolla bills in cle the week of july 3rd – 10th.

this will be the second annual buy local week, which involves you! please make the promise and pledge to spend $100 of your spending money to cle businesses during this week.

put that olive garden menu down and get your booty down to one of the wonderful eateries in tremont, ohio city or the detroit shoreway neighborhoods. need a gift? why not try room service in the gordon square district. peaches!? go the the west side market or one of the many local farmers markets.

please visit ibuyneo.com/localweek.asp for more information and to sign up for this terrific cause. and remember, you should not only buy local for this one-week event. you should be doing this on a daily or weekly basis. put some cash into it!

side bar – cannot wait for the weekend. it’s the plum’s 30th bday tomorrow and parties, parties, parties all weekend long for the 4th!

word of the day – support