Friday, April 27, 2007

Dwight Is So Hot

GOP Big Wig, this one's for you.

This little video clip pairs our favorite musician with our favorite men of The Office.



PS: For some reason, this video montage reminds me of that time Ryan and I had an impromptu Karaoke-off in the back of your mom's Buick.

Good times.

Special Treat

I know I've been kind of lax on posting lately.

My life is experiencing a temporary disruption that's taking a toll on my favorite creative outlet.

I hope you'll forgive me.

In exchange, I've found some more funny stuff from YouTube.

Enjoy.

I Want My Money, Bitch.
Will Ferrell gets upstaged by a darling little girl.



Kick His Ass
In the same vein, this little girl is funny. I don't know that I knew any bad words when I was three, but if I did, I hope I said them as cute as this kid.



The President Shakes His Moneymaker
Who knew Bush could get down and dirty with the people of the world?


Jack Black Sings "Kiss From A Rose"
I love love love Jack Black. I love Tenacious D. I love JB's self deprecating comedy and boyish charm. I just can't get enough...

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Confessions and Other Conversation

You know how hungry you are when you go on a diet?

When you've spent months curbing liquor and hot fudge sundaes and french fries from your eating habits? Exchanging your most decadent seductions for the likes of apple sauce and edamame?

Actually, I eat edamame like it's candy, but that's beside the point.

I spent two and a half months literally starving myself from the art of spending.

No new clothes, eating and drinking on the cheap. Entertainment barely more sophisticated than making puppets out of popsicle sticks.

Now that my car is up and running, I am making up for lost time... and I am grappling with a bit of guilt.

It started last Friday.

I bought a new pair of Ralph sunglasses ($15) at TJ Maxx and two cute shirts at Banana Republic ($30.)

Saturday I drove up to Columbus to see my sweet friend D-Money and her lovely family. I didn't have to spend a dime Saturday night so I thought that justified an excursion to the Jeffersonville outlets Sunday afternoon.

I FINALLY picked up the darling, red and white wedges I mused about last July. Nine West was selling them for $60 - $15 less than what they were asking last summer.

That Nine West was selling the shoes at all meant I had to buy them, right?

I was all set to walk away from the bargain mecca when I was literally lured to a bedding store that had a simple sign scrawled with a fluorescent marker: All Designer Duvets $20.

I could not stop the urge.

I walked in, skimmed through the offerings and found a beautiful, white cotton pleated duvet. Twenty bucks. Total score. I mean, K-Mart doesn't even sell duvets cheaper (if the sell them at all).

Monday and Tuesday were relatively inexpensive days.

Wednesday I was off work so I decided to run some errands downtown. Afterwards, I heard a voice calling my name in the distance. I stopped on the busy streets of Cincinnati to listen. I strained until I realized the Gap Outlet was whispering from far off Hebron.

"Come visit. We've been waiting for you."

I was happy to oblige.

I hit the interstate and popped in some techno music, Destination I-275. I managed to cruise my way to the outlet and was immediately hit by a wave of electricity as I walked in.

Jeans! Dresses! Shoes, oh my!

I picked up a great pair of jeans ($12), a nice, black Banana t-shirt ($5) and a cute GAP cerulean blue polo shirt ($5).

The major score of the trip was this divine, white jacket with brass buttons for 15 bucks.

Ask any chesty broad and she'll tell you how hard it is to find a nice fitting jacket.

I walked out of the Gap outlet with my 40 bucks worth of new duds, ready to return to Cincinnati.

$160 bucks later, I feel way better about my shopping jag and the stuff I bought than if I bought a fancy pair of sunglasses or purse, like I had originally considered.

And I think I finally got my shopping ya-yas out of my system.

Let's hope.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Best $5 I've Spent All Week


This is Double Platinum.

His desk is across from mine in the newsroom.

DP is pretty much the brother I've never had. We laugh and fight like blood siblings.

Today the laughs were on him - I paid him five bucks to wear a Local 12 tattoo square on his forehead.

Being the good capitalist that he is, DP took me up on that offer.

The newsroom has had some fun at DP's expense during this little challenge. Lots of laughs and odd looks all around. And I caught DP ducking his head down into his desk drawers on more than one occasion, especially when guests were brought in to the newsroom.

Seriously, it's been funnier and cheaper than any big name matinee.

Good times.

I hope it washes off before DP goes to his Body Pump class tonight at Gold's Gym.

From the crazy line at work...

So, I spent five minutes on the phone with some random old man.

In five minutes he covered the following:

Terrorism training in Iraq
Bluegrass music
Partial birth abortions
The Media
The shootings at Virginia Tech

Can this day get any more random?

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

On This Side Of The Edge

How many times have I been close to going over The Edge?

You know, the edge of doing something that leaves an indelible mark on your destiny, your legacy, your reputation.

The Edge that is that figurative and yet undeniable line in the sand. The Edge that we're forced to jump over by nasty, demented emotions and conclusions so frightening they'll suck the breath out of rational thought.

I'm at a loss for words when trying to describe the heartbreaking events at Virginia Tech. Massacre, tragedy and crisis are all nebulous definitions that really fail to strike at the heart of what happened.

Shining stars snatched away from settling into their bright destiny.

I was in college when Columbine happened. As the days passed, we learned Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were a pair of kids trapped in the trouble that comes with the teenage years. They were the kids everyone else made fun of, and so on their Day of Reckoning they believed flying bullets and molded metal would be their great equalizer.

I wrote a column for UK's paper back then about how I could identify with Klebold and Harris. I faced my own schoolyard challenges as a teen and often times found myself struggling with depression and isolationism.

Lucky for me I had a good support system and an excellent sense of self.

I've since weathered a few other obstacles that forced me to examine my heart of hearts, the philosophies ingrained in my spirit.

So far, so good.

We're all little, fragile shells walking around this stunning Earth, trying to protect our vulnerability. Trying to cope with life's wicked deck of cards.

Heart beats away from the most trying of consequences. A breath away from the Edge.

I pray God keeps me on the right side of the line.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Campus Massacre


Anything else I want to say today seems too trivial.
Click here for the latest information from CNN.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Kate On Hiatus

As I type, there is a beautiful, just-been-fixed Saab waiting for its driver.

$2057 and change to get back on the road.

Pricy, yes. But can you really put a price on freedom?

I am taking the day off tomorrow to pick up the car/go to Keeneland/and drink my ass off while visiting a smorgasbord of friends.

Good times, indeed.

So think of me, and my lead foot, enjoying the open road.

I will think of you as I enjoy a cocktail or two (not on the open road).

Posting resumes Monday.

Strike Two

So.

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory hosted New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an initiative to take illegal guns off the nation's city streets.

Kind of amazing that Mallory actually got #34 on Forbes' list of the nation's richest people to actually come to our little berg, I mean what with all the serious business of the Big Apple.

So where does Mark Mallory take Mr. Bloomberg to lunch during this visit?

Pigall's, perhaps?

Nope.

Maybe Montgomery Inn?

Nuh-uh.

Surely someplace like Boca?

Wrong again.

Mark Mallory took Michael Bloomberg to Frisch's.

A Big Boy, Serving up hamburgers to one of the wealthiest people in the world.

Now, if that's not rich, I don't know what is.

69 Days

The title would lead you to believe this post is going to be on the racy side.

In fact, it's rather anti-racy.

I mean, how fast can a Metro bus go?

My beautiful Saab went on life support February 3rd.

I was headed to the store on a frigid Saturday morning when I noticed a massive cloud of smoke pouring out from behind my five speed. My car cruised over to the right side of a two lane road and never drove an inch again.

I was heartbroken. I was devastated. I was helpless.

Or so I thought.

Some tough love and tough circumstances forced me to explore the world around me. Life sans-car led me to realize there's a world of people out there who manage to get from Point A to Point B (and sometimes all the way to Point G) without a set of car keys.

This little challenge made me realize how important public transportation is to a city worth it's mettle. Metro does a lot to get people around the Queen City, but I am a firm believer Cincinnati needs to explore committing its resources to expand its transportation offerings. Light rail would be awesome! More bus transfer points are essential.

I've also been forced to save money. There's no other way to say it, that totally sucks. It's kind of like doing the dishes - you might hate hate hate hate doing it, but no one else is going to do it for you, and you'll be up shit creek if you don't do it sooner or later.

My 69 days without a car has also exposed me to the kindness of others. So many people have been extremely generous with giving me rides around down. My friends and family have literally gone out of their way to help me buy groceries, take care of banking needs and have fun from time to time. I aim to pay if forward.

First and formost though, this has been a tremendous opportunity for me to be grateful for what I do have. I have my health. I have a great job. I'm busy and have lots of kind people in my life.

I am not destitute. I am not depressed. My life is not mired by any significant challenge.

I've only had to weather 69 days without a car.

No biggie.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

The Crystal Ball

Hello, Psychic Friend.

I imagine you already know you'll be giving me a reading and stuff considering, well, you can see into the future and all. I have some ground rules I'd like to establish before we get started on that mystical path of life that transcends the present.

First, I am really not so much a big fan of misery. I've had my brush with personal devastation and am really not looking for a heads up on when I may die. This is one of those occasions where Less is More. My life lines may tell you that I'm destined to be run over by a Metro bus next week (which would be highly ironic, don't you think?), but how about you keep that nugget between you and my lifeline, mkay?

I'm perfectly content to live my life, no matter how short, thinking it's going to go on forever.

Also, I really wanna get married. That's not so much a secret in these parts. I've written tomes about how I was thrust into this world to care and love a husband and my own children. Please, please, please don't feed me any bull shit on this aspect of my life. Don't make up things you don't see. Don't tell me I'm going to fall in love with some hot Italian day trader (you can't get better than rich AND handsome) when in reality my destiny is a dog the four legged kind and a permanent supply of Ol' Roy.

Tell it to me straight, sister. I'm a big girl...

And here's a thought: how about you and I work together to shake out the positives of my future? It's nice to have something to look forward to, and I think it would be -super- if you gave me a few nuggets that will keep me going when the going gets tough.

Cheers,
Kate

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Victory of Light Psychic Festival runs this Saturday and Sunday at the Sharonville Convention Center. Admission is 10 bucks, readings are between $20 and $30.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Because You Are Dying To Know

Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1. Do you like cheese?yes- all kinds. I hated Swiss and bleu cheese for quite a while, but now I love them, too. My fav is fresh mozzarella.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No. I can't believe this is even a question.

3. Do you own a bicycle? Actually, I own two. I keep a purple Cannondale mountain bike at my apartment and my parents still have the silver Raleigh 10 speed I pined over when I was in fourth grade. Just this weekend my dad was reminding me that I first called it a Rale-eey.

4. What did you do tonight/today? So far, I rode the bus, and I worked. It was an exciting day - Chris Henry 8 game suspension and the Anna Nicole Baby DNA results. Good stuff for the top of my newscast!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really. Most doctor visits are pretty benign, but I'm not really a fan of the more personal visits.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? They're alright. I'd buy one at the ball park or I have one at Mom and Dad's house, but I don't think I'd buy any for my own fridge.

7. What's your favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night. I guess Ave Maria could count as a Christmas song, too.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee if I need a kick. Otherwise I'm not too picky. A Venti non-fat, sugar-free vanilla latte from Starbucks is the best.

9. Can you do push ups? Hell no. I can't think of one godly reason why I'd have to do something physical in a real-life situation, so I'm not going to practice. I do, however, think I can run fast enough to get away from an axe murderer. That or I'd just sit on him...

10. Is your bathroom clean? I am comfortable with my own germs, but I am not comfortable enough to introduce others to my own germs. Does that give you an idea of how clean things are right now?

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Probably the amethyst necklace that I made over a year ago - I am complimented by at least five people every time I wear it out. D Money swears I need to carry business cards offering my talents.



13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? I obviously need to get an new one...

14. Do you have friends?of course

15. Do you miss someone? Yes, D Money and my sister, Bridge.

16. Middle name? Louise. God help you if you call me Weezie.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? My back molar kind of hurts right now. Should I really get that Coach bag I've been drooling over? I'm about an hour and a half away from a margarita at Allyn's. Yum!

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought. Latte. Some of those new Thai rice noodle dinners. Pistachios.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink: Diet Coke. Crystal Light. Coffee.

20. Current worry? They won't have my car fixed Friday.

21. Current hate? People with attitude. Seriously, life's too short to walk around negative.

22. Favorite place to be in your city/town? I love Mt. Adams. I love Hyde Park. I love sitting on a patio with a cold drink in my hands.

23. How did you bring in the New Year? With a bunch great friends and good alcohol. My memory is hazy on a few spots.

24. Where would you like to go? Italy, Greece, South America, China. You name it, I wanna ago there...

25. Are you hungry? YES. This apple flavored gum is losing its flavor.

26. What made you laugh last? I can't remember. This newsroom is seriously a laugh a minute. I work with a wonderful group of people.

27. Do you own slippers? No.

28. What shirt are you wearing? A non descript black t and a black Banana scoop neck cardigan.

29. Do you burn or tan? Burn first then tan.

30. Favorite color? It's a tie between Kentucky Blue and Cardinal Red. By allegiance, however, does not waver from Big Blue.

31. Would you be a pirate? No. I'm not a big fan of raping and pillaging.

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Killing Me Softly With His Song.

33. What did you have for lunch? Some soup. Yeah, I'm a high roller.

34. Do you have any trophies? Yes - some swimming and soccer trophies from my glory years.

35. What's in your pocket right now? not a thing

36. Something you can't wait for? For my niece or nephew to be born in October.

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Um, my mom didn't go for that kiddie crap when we were kids.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? I've been really lucky. No injuries, so to speak. Though I had a wicked rash when I found out I am allergic to amoxocillin.

39. What is your biggest pet peeve? Rude people. I cannot express enough gratitude to my parents who impressed upon me the importance of being polite and courteous.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

41. Who is your loudest friend? I don't think there's anyone louder than me, well, except for my sisters.

42. Who is your quietest friend? Right now I'm friends with a bunch of loud mouths (and I love you all), but I have had some quiet friends in the past. I found those friendships were a bit of a struggle.

43. Does someone have a crush on you? If someone does, I'd like him to reveal himself...

44. Do you wish on shooting stars? I usually only give them a passing thought.

45. What is your favorite movie? So many choices. Goonies is probably tops.

46. What is your favorite candy? Heath bars or Peanut M & Ms

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding? How about UK's fight song? More likely: Somewhere Over the Rainbow sung by Eva Cassidy. Stunning.



48. Wildflowers by Tom Petty

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? sleeping

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? How long can I stay in my bed?

Enough Is Enough

13,000 National Guard troops likely going back to Iraq.
15,00 troops will likely get an extended stay in Iraq.
This doesn't include the surge of 21,000 President Bush wants to send over there.

And he won't negotiate on a withdrawal plan.

Thanks for the inspiration, Bob Dylan
How many roads must a man walk down
Before they call him a man
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand
How many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they are forever banned
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind
How many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea
How many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free
How many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky
How many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry
How many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

Monday, April 09, 2007

Mental Trinkets

I've been chewing the fat on a couple things.

One: I have got to get the hell out of this place.

This place being a figurative, general term encompasing my life in general. Not the this place that is Cincinnati or my workplace or my apartment. Nothing that specific.

I don't have a vacation to look forward to, and that is eating me up inside.

Bluegrass Brit suggested a September trip to Greece, but I am still entertaining dreams and goals of visiting my Soul Sister in London again. We'll see.

Two: I really need to do something about my weight.

I've been feeling really fat lately. My standby dress pants are hideously tight, and so I'm forced to evaluate a) what's going in my body and b) what I'm doing to move my body.

I go through these phases - times when I feel happy with my body and times when I don't. Right now I'm feeling the don't.

I guess this feeling means it's time for a correction.

Three: I'm really feeling complacent about dating

I'm having a great time and going lots of places, but I just don't feel it. I don't want to meet someone while I'm drunk on the haze of starlight and spirits - I really just want to bump into someone. I guess that means I have to continue to be faithful that everything will work out the way it's supposed to.

Four: I'm really getting good at this Saving Money thing

I guess that's what happens when you have to save two grand.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Happy Easter

Hi all.

I awoke this morning to a kiss on the cheek from my mother. So very reminiscent of childhood, I must say...

We started the morning with an Easter basket hunt (It goes by very quickly when there are only two grown children home) and a Hot Crossed Bun. The New York Times is a Sunday tradition in the household, and so I thought I'd recommend an article perfect for people in their 20s or 30s. Allison Silverman shares a tale about exploring the world with her own two eyes, leaving a nervous-nelly mother behind. (D-Money, you of all people should check it out...)

The Travel section also managed to tug away at my wanderlust, especially with the description of Little Easter in Italy and the 36 hours in Hong Kong.

We made it to church today. I say made it because we were about five minutes late. But hey, at least we showed up, and besides - nobody takes attendance. We had intentions of going to a mass at a church in the next town over, but we made it there and it appeared there wasn't a parking spot in sight (I am a bit skeptical as to whether we actually knew the mass times at that church). We drove back 10 minutes in the other direction to the church where I made my first communion and confirmation. Since my parents returned to this part of the country six months ago, our little fivesome (actually six now) collectively decided we did not like the church of my childhood, but it's nearby and the closest place to give thanks to God. We eventually made it there, got our Body of Christ and made the Kiss of Peace and we are better for it, so I guess all's well that ends well.

After a quaint ride through the suburbs and a stop at the neighborhood Meijer (where the hell to they keep the mint jelly, anyway?) we made it back for margaritas, hummus and shrimp cocktail.

Conventional - one thing my family is not.

The barbecued rack of lamb has not yet actually happened, but for $60 bucks in lamb meat, it better be damn good.

The baklava - yes, it's already a hit.

Is there something wrong with having your dessert before dinner?
*** *** *** ***
Things on the radar for the week ahead:

I get the Saab back Friday. There are no words to express how I feel about that moment.

Also Friday: I head to my home away from home: The Bluegrass. The ponies are running and it's time to spend a couple bucks at the track.

Next Sunday: There's a rumor my mom and I are going to see a psychic. I'll keep you posted...

Friday, April 06, 2007

Tagged!

My music guru Micah tagged me.

Now I'm supposed to write about seven songs I'm digging at this moment.

Here goes.

My Humps by Alanis Morissette. The video is a riot and you realize, once hearing the song sung by a capable musician, just how absurd the lyrics are. Alanis rocks - she can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.

Rehab by Amy Winehouse. This chick can really wail. She's got the pipes of some Motown soul singer, and I can totally relate to some of her music. If you haven't already, please take the time to check her out - I really can't say enough about her.

Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn and John. I heard this song when I emceed a fashion show and now I can't get it out. I love how it's so sunny. This tune makes me want to skip around town and splash in puddles with umbrellas and get into whipped cream fights with someone. I just want to jump around and shake my ass when I hear this song, and I guess that means it's just marvelous.

Save Room by John Legend. This guy's voice is sexual chocolate. A combination of jazz and pop, it makes my ears do a triple take in that I mistake him for Connick. Every man should have a copy of Legend's latest cd. It's like kryptonite.

Irreplaceable by Beyonce. Ladies, how many times have you wanted to spout these verses off to some jerk? You must not know 'bout me, you must not know 'bout me... Call up that chick and see if she's home. Oops, I bet you thought I didn't know. What did you think I was putting you out for? The song's not the best ever, I'll admit. But there's something about an amazing chick like Beyonce being able to dig out some of the same emotions I've felt before...

This Is Why I'm Hot by Mims. The tune actually reminds me of another song I like. My sister, Bridge lives in Atlanta and so she's kind of grown fond of the ghetto culture (okay, she'd kill me if she knew I said that) and the related music... Bridge and I had a discussion of this song a week ago... yeah, that's how we roll, yo.

What Goes Around by Justin Timberlake. My friend GOP Big Wig and I have a special bond - we both love JT. We went to go see him three years ago and we almost went last month, but the OSU Buckeyes played in the tournament in Lexington and so, well, that trumped JT. He's got moves, he's got tunes, and I bet he's got skills. I'm getting hot already...

Now I get to tag some other folks. I'm tagging D-Money, Southern Son and Natty.

Challenge!

Foodie Duty- 20 Steps To "Opa!"

So, I told you all about my family and our unconventional plans for Easter.

I decided to tackle baklava for dessert.

It's one of my favorite pastries ever, but it can also be a handful, what with all that brushing of the phyllo dough. I was determined to find a recipe that would help my first attempt be a success.

The internet has a bunch of baklava recipes. Gretchen's website appears to offer the easiest recipe and lots of tips for beginners. Just what we need when we're tackling such a delicate delicacy.

Here's a rundown of Gretchen's recipe and instructions...

1 lb Walnuts - Finely Chopped
1/2 C. Sugar
2 tsp Cinnamon
1.5 C. Butter (3 sticks), Melted
1 Package Frozen Phyllo Dough (16 oz) Thawed
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Water
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 C. Honey (Net weight 12 oz.)
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Directions
1) Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2 )Combine and set aside walnuts, 1/2 cup sugar, and cinnamon
3) Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the bottom and sides of a 10x14" (about 1-2" deep) pan with melted butter.
4) Open the phyllo dough and layer 6 whole leafs (or 12 half leafs) in the pan, buttering each layer as you go. (The edges will extend over the side.)
5) Spread 1 cup of the walnut mixture.
6) If your phyllo dough comes in full sheets, cut the remaining phyllo dough in half.
7) Layer 8 half sheets -- butter each layer. Each sheet will be an inch or so short, so stagger the sheets from corner to corner to cover the whole pan. I use a pattern so I don't forget how many layers I've put down, but it's even easier if you have a friend help!
8) Spread 1 cup of the walnut mixture.
9) Repeat 8 sheets and walnut mixture twice. You will end up with 4 layers of nuts.
10) Layer the remaining half sheets on top -- butter each layer.
11) Brush the top with the remaining butter.
12) Trim the edges off.
13) Cut into pieces before baking.
14) Bake 1 hour or until golden brown.
15) 15 minutes before the baklava should be done, mix 1 cup sugar, water, and lemon juice in a sauce pan.
16) Cook sauce over a medium heat, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.
17) Remove from heat, add the honey and vanilla, and stir until well blended.
18) Remove the baklava from the oven and finish cutting through the layers.
19) Pour the sauce over the hot baklava.
20) Cool. Let it sit for at least 24 hours (lightly covered -- but not in the refrigerator) -- longer if you can stand it!

I'll let you know how things pan out...

The Bitch Is Back

Sorry for the absence in post yesterday.

I had a splitting headache that was precipitated by the loud neighbors who live above me and also (I'm not kidding about this next part) a cat fight on my back patio.

Unfortunately the patio is right behind my bedroom window. Even more unfortunate is the fact these two cats were pretty damn tenacious so there was lots of belly aching, screeching and moaning.

*** *** *** *** ***
Wednesday night I had the most fun evening with some of my girlfriends.

We met at Cincinnati's most acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant for a drink before heading to the art museum for One World Wednesday. OWW is a monthly gathering of young professionals that features an international theme. Last night was Budapest, Hungary. I almost went to Budapest when I was a child and so I decided the OWW event would come in as a close second in regards to a cultural excursion.

My friends and I decided to take advantage of the cultural experience - an offer to paint ceramic plates as they do in Hungary. Our creation (picture five diverse friends circled around a white plate, a swarm of arms and hands pouring out a vibrant kaleidoscope of color) looked more like a Miro creation than an artistic, geometric pattern of Eastern Europe.

We tried borscht, some paprika potato dish and a couple Hungarian wines, and then were treated to the latest club tracks from Budapest.


Afterwards, we went back to Andy's for a drink and the free appetizer offered to all One Worlders. We tried the hummus and labneh, and between the two - the latter was much better. I'd never had labneh before and was quite surprised by the tangy flavor of the yogurt dip.

Our table also ordered a hookah pipe. I was vaguely familiar with the idea the tobacco came in a wide array of flavors - apple, strawberry, mango, melon and rose. Our table got the melon version - the smoke smelled so good. It was such a novel experience in little Cincinnati Ohio USA - so cosmopolitan and other wordly.

Delicious.

I can't wait until I can go to South Africa next month.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Memory Lane

F- you were my first kiss. I haven't seen you since our moving van pulled out of Appleseed Drive 15 years ago, but my mom talks to your mom so I know you live on the West Side. I hear you're married. I always wonder whether I'll run into you or even whether I'd recognize you. I guess if we ended up together we would have stayed in Cincinnati and spawned Chia pet children, considering we each had white-kid afro hair growing up.

R used to chase me up and down the street at my Grandma's house. He was feisty and we loved running around, catching lightning bugs and playing tag. I guess I'd be living in a trailer park if we ended up together. His family didn't come from much and R didn't strike me as the academic type...

J was my first big girl kiss. He was brilliant, but uber dorky. Smart, like crazy/scary smart. We kissed in a closet while watching The Life of Brian with friends at his home on Richborough Dr. His mother was a research physician on the cutting edge of solving the AIDS epidemic and his father was an attorney who didn't work. J was freaky - like, into Star Wars crap and those D & D games and the such. Cute in a dorky way but weird. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for dorks. I imagine I'd still be on the East Coast if J and I got married. It was a brief relationship and I suppose that's for the best.

D, I loved you so much. We were two peas in a pod in high school, I even helped you break the law several times acting as the getaway driver while you and your friend stole street signs all over town. I imagine we'd be living in North Carolina if we had ended up together. What a mess. You had this Peter Pan complex and really struggled with responsibility and consequence. What a tough road to hoe through adulthood.

M and I briefly dated in college. The relationship was in trouble from the start because M's best friend happened to be my best friend as well. She liked him but he liked me. Talk about a bizarre love triangle. M went to school in Indiana and he was getting his degree in some engineering field. The distance and strained friendships were the death knell for this budding romance.

J was a fleeting moment my Junior (or was it Senior?) year in college. J was a bit older than me but terribly handsome and had a personality streaked with cocky. I just couldn't stand myself around him. If I had married J, I'd still be in Lexington enjoying life being an attorney's wife. On second thought, I don't know that I would be enjoying it - I'd bet dollars to donuts that J cheats on his current wife. I remember running into J maybe three years ago at Keeneland. It was so surreal... he had this baby sitting on his shoulders and he was kind of stalking my group of friends and me as we traveled from concession stand to betting window. What did he think I'd say? "Yes, J. I'd love to meet up with you some time. How about you dump your baby somewhere and we'll go catch up on old times"?? Right.

R. I am so glad you and I didn't end up together. Some college friends introduced us and we dated for a few months. If I had ended up with you, no doubt I would be spending my time at home taking care of our kids while you hit the town and drank every bar dry. No thank you.

C. Talk about heartbreak. You turned my world and heart upside down and inside out. I pretty much would have done anything for you. You left me high and dry and it took a good few years to get over the mess of my emotions. I can't imagine what life would have been like had we gotten married. In hindsight, I don't know that you're capable of saying an honest word. I don't know whether you really feel genuine feelings. I don't know that I could stand being in a relationship and not being the pretty one, and I guess that says volumes about my vanity - and yours.

J. I really tried to make things work for us but I don't know that you were ready in your life for anything serious. I guess our working together made for another strain on the relationship, and then C. Well, that was trouble, too. Life takes interesting twists and turns, and I guess our relationship was like a bad Lifetime movie. I suppose the theme song would be Garth Brooks' Unanswered Prayers.

K was pretty much a waste of time. He was very polite though, and that was a major plus in my book. If we got married, we'd be living in North Carolina and probably even working together. Gosh, sometimes that's just too much togetherness.

J was one of the best boyfriends I've ever had. He was funny, kind and full of compliments. We met thanks to the wonders of the internet and dated for a few months. He wasn't my 100% perfect match, and I suppose I wasn't his. To this day J and I are good friends, trading frequent texts and phone calls. I don't really know - some friends say the calls are because J went back on the dating scene and realized it's slim pickings. I don't really know about that, but I do know I'm glad J and I are friends.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

You Tube Tuesday

I was trolling You Tube while the rest of you folks were closing your briefcases and hitting the interstate to go home.

Here's the best of what I found.

Alanis doing Fergie.

If you don't want to watch the whole thing, at least fast forward to about 3:15 in when she sings that absurd chorus.



Here's a little something from the BBC on "The most hated family in America."

Indeed.



Rosie O'Donnell's latest controversial blip. You were working while it was on tee vee, I was attending to other business as well. Now we can all see what ET and the morning shows are all talking about.

I must admit, she has a few interesting points... and I hate that twit, Elizabeth.



Folks in Cincinnati are talking about Mayor Mark Mallory's baseball blunder - an errant first pitch that sailed far and away from home plate.


Th-th-thats all for now, folks.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Cat Fan For Billy

Dear Lord,


Hey there. It's me, Billy.

I'm praying you'll let my Florida Gators win tonight against the Ohio State Buckeyes. This is it, Big G. The final game of what could be all my years in Gainesville. I've had a great run in the Gator Nation, what with last year's National Championship and tonight's repeat chance.

But, once it's all said and done, all I really want to do is bleed blue in the Bluegrass.

Win or lose, I am so looking forward to head back to a school with a legacy, a tradition of winning. I'm anxious to put my Pitino Protege skills at work in a place that will embrace me and my drive to win. A university that has high expectations and high rewards for teams that achieve greatness in the Big Dance.

A school that will pay me 2.8 million dollars. A year.

For seven years.

Seven years to bring the Wildcats back to the big dance, and relive the glorious, late 90s.

Amen.

Easter Dinner: This Is Why People Say My Family Should Have Its Own Sit-Com

Hi Kate,
Mom would love it if you would be the dessert chef, from the desert. Whatever you want to do. If you are real busy then just pick up a blueberry pie and some vanilla ice cream, but If you have the time and want to be adventurous then do some research and bring something that will fit with barbecued lamb and Couscous. I think I'll get some olives, humus and Pita bread too. Maybe I'll even wear a turban and I'll really get into the look of being from somewhere from Greece to a place in the Mideast! Maybe we'll have a Lebanese Christian party for Easter. What do you think? My mind is just racing now. Maybe I could dress up as a crusader, naw. Maybe a sheik, naw. Hmmmmmmm.
Love,
Dad

In This Evening's Performance, The Roll of D-Money Will Be Played By Bluegrass Brit

I miss my D-Money terribly.

Having your closest friend move thousands of miles away is tough stuff.

You miss out on having that person who will bear the burden of all your gripes, all your insecurities. You long for someone with whom you can celebrate all your triumphs.

Sending D off to London has been a tough road to walk alone, but it's given me an opportunity to meet new friends.

Bluegrass Brit and Kate the Great out on the town
Now I could never trade D Money. She's my soul sister, my henchwoman, as it were. But now she's temporarily traded life in the ol' U-S of A for England, so I've filled in the vacancy with a perfect substitute, a Brit.

Bluegrass Brit is a fabulous chick whom I've gotten to know through the Junior League. She was raised in the UK but has duel citizenship because of her Kentucky born mother. The combination gives Brit an interesting perspective on political comings and goings in America.


I happened to have tickets to the Lion King Saturday night so I asked B Brit if she wanted to go along. She replied with an offer to cook dinner - we had the most fabulous Indian food and red wine before our taxi came to bring us to the Ohio side of the river.


The Lion King: What a great show. I highly recommend getting tickets should the show come your way. The costumes were phenomenal, the music truly moving. I felt quite lucky to get a chance to see such an inspiring and delightful performance.


After the play, B Brit and I headed to an old D-Money and Kate the Great haunt. McFadden's was packed with the usual crowd - handsome men in hip, nicely pressed button downs and women in little tops that left even less to the imagination.


I think we drank more than our fair share of flavored vodka there.


Afterwards, we decided to crash a private party.


We walked to Nicholson's bar (quaint, Scottish themed bar with tall ceilings and lodge-like beams and woodwork) across from the Aronoff theatre and were greeted by a kind gentleman in a kilt. We approached the door when the gent told us the bar was hosting a private party for the cast of Lion King. I had enough liquid courage running in my veins so I replied with a saucy, "But aren't we cute enough to crash a private party?"


The kilted man replied with a smile and an open door.


Score.


Once inside, Bluegrass Brit and I ordered a couple Stellas (thank you, Lion King, for the free beer) and chatted with some of the guests. Another round of Stellas, business cards exchanged and then B Brit and I took a cab back to Kentucky.


I really paid for all the partying the next day, but it was worth every second.