tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335821762024-03-14T09:51:03.599-07:00NEO[phile]cultured in the rust cities.Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-34475486029268783842012-06-06T13:37:00.003-07:002012-06-06T13:37:57.300-07:00Looking at a "Sharing Economy"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7160052913_bbde31492e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7160052913_bbde31492e_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing is Caring!</td></tr>
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It comes by no surprise that I happened upon <a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679964/whats-the-future-of-the-sharing-economy">this article</a> on the sharing economy via Twitter. Our world today is so very much influenced by the sharing of statuses, the forming of social connections, and a financial situation that forces us to do more with less.<br />
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The article focuses on the influx of infrastructure (primarily online) that enables sharing as a business model-- one that is both more environmentally and economically healthy for individuals. It certainly makes sense to reduce expenses by sharing infrastructure. We see this being investigated at all different levels, from individuals sharing cars to municipalities attempting to reduce costs by sharing services like fire or police services.<br />
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In a less official realm, sharing can translate into more investment into community ownership. My thoughts trail to the usual suspects, such as community gardens or parks. I think there are some less conventional and riskier investments, however, that can be made cooperatively that could really increase the quality of living throughout the region. Cooperative housing, for instance, or cooperative business models-- not dissimilar to those being undertaken by organizations like <a href="http://evergreencooperatives.com/">Evergreen Cooperatives</a>.<br />
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I certainly do hope the future of the economy sees increased sharing. Oddly, this article mentioned <a href="http://airbnb.com/">Airbnb.com</a>-- a website that I'm currently using to plan a vacation to Montreal next month. Needless to say, I'm happy with the fantastic rates I'm finding... but I'm even more excited to see how this experience plays out in terms of making more social connections.<br />
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What are your thoughts?Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-5401337098871757632012-01-20T06:12:00.000-08:002012-01-20T06:53:24.704-08:00Friday Five: Interactive Public Art and Engagement Edition<p class="MsoNormal">Now that break has passed and I’m getting back into the swing of projects, public engagement and interaction has really been on my mind. Thankfully, I’ve happened upon some great examples this week to share with you! Enjoy, and don’t forget to have fun! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. <b>Salon De Beauty</b></p><center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31941440" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p></p><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/31941440">Salon of Beauty</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/markangelawalley">Mark & Angela Walley</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></center>Though I am in general a fan of installation art (check out <a href="http://www.mattress.org/"><st1:city st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city>’s Mattress Factory</a> if you have the chance), this piece really struck home with me because it highlighted the everyday within an urban neighborhood in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">L.A.</st1:place></st1:city> Though I certainly do not shout love of that Californian city from the rooftops, I found it to be a particularly poignant art piece. The amount of detail is just breathtaking, it is bright and really pulls the beauty out of these businesses in a place that most likely is not appreciated for its beauty. I highly recommend watching the video. Informative, and very visually appealing. If you’d like to learn more about the piece, <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665433/an-almost-life-sized-version-of-la-done-totally-in-cardboard#11">visit this article</a>.<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b>Heidelberg</b></st1:place></st1:city><b> Project</b></p><center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15680508?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/15680508">HDNet - "Art From The Ashes: Detroit's Heidelberg Project"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/tilapiafilm">Tilapia Film</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></center>I took my very first trip to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Detroit</st1:place></st1:city> last weekend, and was absolutely blown away by the city. It had an energy and a sense of place that was really unique and genuine. I was happy to be guided by friends around to see not only the blight that has brought the city so much infamy, but also some of the areas that were a living symbol of hope for the region. One of my strongest experiences, however, was randomly stumbling on the <a href="http://www.heidelberg.org/">Heidelberg Project</a> while aimlessly exploring the city. I would call it an art installation, but really it is a testament of history and creative tension. I wish I could describe it better, but honestly it’s something you couldn’t put your finger on unless you were actually there. We had the fortune of running into Tim Burke of <a href="http://www.detroitindustrialgallery.com/Detroit_Industrial_Gallery_on_Heidelberg_Street_in_Detroit/welcome.html">Detroit Industrial Gallery</a>, one of the artists involved in the project. Wonderful man very connected with the history of the city. I highly recommend making a visit there sometime.<div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/taradsturm/sets/72157628890686795/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6706133641_2919508ed6.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">One photo I took... click it to visit my gallery all about Detroit! </div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">3. <b>City Fireflies: Group Video Game in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Madrid</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Plaza</st1:placetype></st1:place></b></p><center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25071870?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/25071870">City Fireflies v0.2</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/victordiaz">Victor Diaz</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></center>Who doesn’t love to play video games? Particularly when they involve your cell phone and a group of friends—or better yet, strangers? Making the city fun is a movement that I can really get behind, and this is one of the better interactive tools I’ve seen (though also quite a bit more expensive). <a href="http://cityfireflies.com/index_en.html">City Fireflies</a> is a group video game set up in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Madrid</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Plaza</st1:placetype></st1:place> that really promotes healthy competition and interaction. Besides, this is one of the few ones I’d be able to play despite the fact I don’t own a smartphone. Unless my archaic flip phone doesn’t put out enough light… read more about it <a href="http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/fun-urbanism-group-video-game-in-a-madrid-plaza/1688">here</a>.<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. <b>Looking for Love Again</b></p><center><a href="http://lookingforloveagain.org/"><img src="http://www.pps.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Looking-for-Love-Again-chalkboards-crop-530x281.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://lookingforloveagain.org/">CivicCenter</a></div><br />This tool is far less expensive or difficult to implement, but is of course much more effective for gaining public feedback (unless you’ve got some guy administering surveys at the site of the videogame site). At the same time, however, it is very interactive and brings that element of fun and placemaking to the installation. <a href="http://lookingforloveagain.org/">Looking for Love Again</a> is a public art project that targets abandoned buildings, highlighting the memories that residents had of these particular structures as well as what they hope is in store for them. The idea of love in any campaign for a city is one to which I will definitely lend my support. Read more about the project <a href="http://lookingforloveagain.org/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.pps.org/articles/collaborative-creative-placemaking-good-public-art-depends-on-good-public-spaces/">here</a> you can find a great article mentioning it that talks about collaborative, creative placemaking.<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. <b>Mobility Lab</b></p>A story was published at <a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2012/01/rd-lab-tomorrows-transit-tech-tools/947/#.TxY0EVd0z1o.email">Atlantic Cities</a> about an R&D lab for transit tech tools that goes by the name of <a href="http://mobilitylab.org/">Mobility Lab</a>. The organization works to make riding transit easier for residents by making information accessible—both practically and psychologically. Why do a lot of people not ride public transit? It’s confusing and a bit overwhelming for someone who’s never done it. I understand the anxiety felt the first few times you ride the bus. Did I just miss it? Am I going to miss my stop? Even as someone that’s taken public transit for years now, the first time I hopped on the Red Line to get downtown was a bit nerve-wracking. Working with the mighty interwebs and mobile phone apps, kiosks in public (or private) places, and a lot of creativity, the organization is defining and tweaking a way to ease that apprehension and make transit more convenient for residents. Read more about the project <a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2012/01/rd-lab-tomorrows-transit-tech-tools/947/#.TxY0EVd0z1o.email">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you seen any particularly interesting tools or pieces? What would you like to see in the Northeast Ohio region? The Rust Belt? </div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-42171672020294929412012-01-11T08:37:00.000-08:002012-01-12T12:46:08.845-08:00Cleveland: Economics, Love, and Boosterism<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcx7quYjH8-aiUXXp3SoMxpfU4ihD_CP0H78NzA1rVlyJmfQMIqRCQnrVsKtQG6Y5OGnVtcDgu9XayuhbYy8oKJp9l50K3-TyMkpnEasX63N4hl6avilUZRPSjp07NcDa_YuNog/s1600/297932_927416757612_39100677_39880074_457969242_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcx7quYjH8-aiUXXp3SoMxpfU4ihD_CP0H78NzA1rVlyJmfQMIqRCQnrVsKtQG6Y5OGnVtcDgu9XayuhbYy8oKJp9l50K3-TyMkpnEasX63N4hl6avilUZRPSjp07NcDa_YuNog/s400/297932_927416757612_39100677_39880074_457969242_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696415239021382962" /></a><div><br /><span style="text-align: left; ">When people ask me why I choose to live in Ohio above everywhere else in the US, the first few words that generally come out of my mouth are: “Because it’s diverse.” I don’t think there is a better quality for a place to have than to be brimming with a myriad of different beliefs, ideas, and mindsets. In my home state—or at least in the less rural areas that I’ve spent the bulk of my life—every walk of life seemingly exists, and it makes me happy to know that I will not sit in a bubble unexposed to other life-views and experiences than those I hold coming from a white, female, middle-class background.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal">Last night I attended an event at the oh-so-delicious <a href="http://www.happydogcleveland.com/">Happy Dog</a> in Detroit Shoreway, hosted by <a href="http://www.ohiocitywriters.org/">Ohio City Writers</a>. The event featured a panel of writers, all from the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city> area, and was intended to talk about the trials, triumphs, and focus on writing about the city. What it turned into ultimately was a heated debate about how boosterism can help or harm <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city>. I find this discussion to be a very important one to have if done in a calm, collected, and mature fashion. I was pained, however, to see an actual <i>argument</i> breaking out that turned out to be more personal attack than healthy discussion (this was throughout the audience, by the way. The panel was nothing but professional in my opinion).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There were some in the audience who took on the “Love it or Leave it” attitude, and <a href="http://www.christineborne.net/">one very brave writer</a> that chose to speak out against shouting the greatness of Cleveland without acknowledging its problems—speaking of love as a complex relationship that involves accepting its problems while still investing in making change. Though there were definitely some comments that made me go “Oooo burn…” from the same speaker, the points she brought up were certainly valid (I believe at one point she said, “The Rock Hall isn’t going to keep me here”), and the idea that anyone with an opinion concerning the city should be attacked for not preaching that Cleveland is the greatest thing since sliced-bread-manufacturing-plants really pains me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There were comments about how the older, more conservative crowd writes off the ideas of us “young hipsters,” breeding frustration in the youth’s inability to have a true voice. I would argue that ignoring the opinions of the older generation—and others who may show disdain at the city or boosterism—is a huge mistake. Let me repeat here again that we are a <i>diverse region</i>. We are a city of young, old, liberals, conservatives, natives, non-natives, advantaged, disadvantaged, working, unemployed, and everything in between. Every voice should be heard, and a spirit of community should be fostered. Every place has problems, and every place has its assets. In order to improve the city, we should be figuring out how to take that criticism to make change and leverage those assets.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city> has plenty of outsiders looking down on us for being the dirty, blighted “Mistake on the <st1:place st="on">Lake</st1:place>.” There’s nothing wrong with championing the city. If we are a welcoming, inclusive place then we have a place for that person. We also have a place for a person that wants to give constructive criticism, or point out that Cleveland is not just a dichotomy of progressive and conservative—as <a href="http://beachwood.patch.com/users/afi-odelia-scruggs">Afi-Odelia Scruggs</a> repeatedly reminded us, the poverty rate of the city is 30 percent. The fact of the matter is that <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city> cannot survive on love alone. I would argue that love is a key factor in bolstering the revitalization of the city, however—both the shout it from the rooftops anthems of the boosters and the tough love of the critics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Richard Florida talks about how important the creative class is to the energy, progress, and survival of the American city. I agree that this class of people, which he argues are willing to forgo monetary benefits in lieu of challenge and responsibility, are an important factor in the revitalization of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city>. These are the kinds of people that populate these events. These are the people that will lead the charge for change. They are not the only factor in the equation, however, and a city of these young progressive idealists does not a healthy economy make.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">When it comes to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city>, there are some that choose to live here, and some that are essentially “stuck.” Those that choose to live here do so for varying reasons. I choose to live here because I’m passionate about helping others. I’m okay with investing a good chunk of my time to pro bono work and making less money to advocate and work toward a cause. I understand, however, that not everybody has that priority (or even option). Some people are merely trying to make a living, some are trying to create a comfortable life for themselves, and some are trying to maximize profits to gain a load of wealth. There is a place for every one of those individuals in our city. Us bleeding-heart do-gooders do our best to make positive change, but the fact is that everyone’s gotta eat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whether we are attempting to attract (or retain) talent, or serve the people that are already here, it is important to understand <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city>’s shortcomings. Serving as a booster has a purpose. Changing the perception of our city is important for attracting new talent and jobs. No creative, successful professional is going to move in if they think our city is crap. No corporation is going to move its factory or headquarters to a place where it believes the quality of life isn’t ideal. Richard Florida has covered time and again that people are no longer going to where the jobs are, they choose the place they want to live first, then find a job within that city. If the rest of the country believes <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1:place> is a craphole, then our population will continue shrinking and the businesses here will leave with it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Boosterism has its pitfalls, of course. If we say the city is great, we need to make sure that it is… and not just for the young, artistic creatives that want to visit our <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Ohio</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> for its exotic foods or hit up a musical at <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Playhouse Square</st1:address></st1:street>. There is a place for the low-income worker who can barely feed their family, for the store manager that just wants to watch the Browns on Sunday without worrying he wont be able to make his mortgage payment, for the mother that fears her child will fall behind in the public school system. I think that it is these people that get left behind in our boosterism.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sure, we could make the argument that bringing in the talent, the corporations opens up more job opportunities for those that are on the lower rungs of the economic ladder. Drawing more people to the city means drawing a bigger tax base, which could then be redistributed. I agree that there are some indirect consequences, but in my opinion the effect of boosterism on these issues is about as effective as the idea of “trickle down” economics… not very. I feel this is mostly because those who are disadvantaged are heavily uninvolved—and if they were, I’m sure the message would sound completely different. I’m sure there are things about <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city> that the disadvantaged love. I’m sure many of them feel a sense of place and belonging here. But would they shout it from the rooftops without acknowledging the challenges they face in their daily lives? Probably not. And in this case, the “love it unconditionally or leave it” mentality just doesn’t work.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I would say our work is to make the city lovable. The city is its people. We are a community. Loving is a mutual process. What person is going to love a city that shows them little love (or worse) in return? We must truly understand love to be able to implement it, however. According to social theorist bell hooks in her book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-About-Love-New-Visions/dp/0060959479">All About Love: New Visions</a></i>, “Affection is only one ingredient of love. To truly love we must learn to mix various ingredients—care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, and trust, as well as honest and open communication.” I’ve always preferred this definition because she describes loving as an <i>intention</i>, as a verb and not a feeling. Boosterism seems pointless without all of this. If we are each doing our best to provide these qualities to one another, regardless of belief, opinion, or background, <i>that</i> is when our city starts becoming loving—and lovable… to both the people that we wish to draw and those that already live within its confines. Embracing and leveraging the diversity of our population is key to creating a loving community and a healthy economy. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In this case, to love is to <i>do</i>—and if there’s nothing this girl loves more, it’s pursuing actionable change. How are you acting on your love for our city? </p>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-41895822869066862182012-01-09T11:17:00.000-08:002012-01-09T11:18:48.970-08:00Upcoming Cleveland Planning Events in January<p class="MsoNormal">Now that the holidays have passed and our schedules are falling back into routine, it’s time for me (and I hope you) to start finding out what great events are coming up in the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city> planning scene. To help you out a bit, I’ve listed a few here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>A City of <st1:city st="on">Two</st1:city> Tales: Writing About <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:30pm</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Location: <i>Happy Dog<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">West 58th St.</st1:address></st1:street> & <st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on">Detroit Ave.</st1:street>, <st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode st="on">44102</st1:postalcode></st1:address></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What is better than mixing the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city> writing scene with delicious hot dogs and a great beer list? Not much, I’m convinced. If you want to meet some of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1:place>’s best bloggers to talk about the city and its struggles (and victories!), head on down. I’ll definitely be there. From the event page, here are the writers that will be present: Angie Schmitt, editor of <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Ryan/Desktop/Work%20stuff/NEOphile/Rustwire.com">Rustwire.com</a>; Justin Glanville, author of <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Ryan/Desktop/Work%20stuff/NEOphile/newtoclevelandbook.com">New To Cleveland</a>; Derf, cartoonist and author (<a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Ryan/Desktop/Work%20stuff/NEOphile/derfcity.com">derfcity.com</a>); Christine Borne and Kathryn Norris, editors of <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Ryan/Desktop/Work%20stuff/NEOphile/clevelandreview.org">The Cleveland Review</a>; Afi-Odelia Scruggs, contributor to <a href="http://beachwood.patch.com/">Patch Beachwood</a>; the editor of <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Ryan/Desktop/Work%20stuff/NEOphile/UnmiserableCleveland.com">UnmiserableCleveland.com</a>; Lee Chilcote of <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Ryan/Desktop/Work%20stuff/NEOphile/FreshWaterCleveland.com">FreshWaterCleveland.com</a>. This is the first installment of Write to Assemble, a monthly series of writer-centric events at Happy Dog, curated by <a href="http://www.ohiocitywriters.org/">Ohio City Writers</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more information, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/228634163878091/">click here</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Saving Cities Brainstorming Brunch #8</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 11:00am</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Location: <i>Big Al’s Diner</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on">12600 Larchmere Blvd</st1:street>, <st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode st="on">44120-1110</st1:postalcode></st1:address></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you missed the last brainstorming brunch, then do not fear… one is coming up this January! This is a highly informal event intended to convene a group of people that are passionate about the rust belt, and enthusiastic about bouncing ideas off of one another, making connections, and generally having a good time. The event is hosted by <a href="http://savingcities.com/">Saving Cities</a>, an organization that works hard to improve and revitalize <st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city>, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Akron</st1:place></st1:city>, and all other cities across our post-industrial states. Great people, great time.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more information, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/342354112441407/">click here</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>January Joint Association Happy Hour</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Friday, January 20, 2012 at 5:30pm</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Location: <i>Bar Louie</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on">1352 West 6<sup>th</sup> St</st1:street>, <st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode st="on">44113</st1:postalcode></st1:address></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Though I’ve never made it to one of these networking events, I’m hoping to make it to this one! The <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:city> <a href="http://www.ohioplanning.org/">Ohio APA</a> is one member of the joint association, and encourages “members, non-members, students, guests, and design professionals over the age of 21” to attend and bring business cards. Other organizations involved are AIA <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1:place>, Ohio Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects, American Society of Interior Designers (Ohio North), International Interior Design Association, Northeast Ohio Revit User Group, Cleveland Chapter of CSI, and Ohio Chapter of NKBA.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hope to see you all there! </p>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-39477746853786921792012-01-05T18:52:00.000-08:002012-01-05T19:14:46.540-08:00Friday Five – New Years Edition<div style="text-align: left;"><span>I know, seeing </span><i>three</i><span> posts in a week is sheer madness! I'm trying to start this New Year out right by updating a bit more often-- and I think that is the perfect way to introduce this week's </span><span>Friday Five.</span> </div><div><p class="MsoNormal">1.<b> Buzzfeed’s 45 Most Powerful Photos of 2011</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Through my social media gatherings, I came across <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-most-powerful-photos-of-2011">Buzzfeed’s 45 Most Powerful Photos of 2011</a>, and I have to say… it about knocked my socks off. And by that I mean it almost had me in tears. It’s amazing to think of how many astoundingly dramatic events happened in the year past, and how these events have come to shape our world, and the years to come. Even though we’ve read the news headlines, it’s amazing to see a visual representation, and artistically emotional ones at that—from the devastation that took place in <st1:country-region st="on">Japan</st1:country-region> and areas of the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>, to the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. It runs the gamut of happy and absolutely heartbreaking, and I would highly recommend giving them a look.</p><a href="http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web04/2011/12/2/16/enhanced-buzz-wide-20575-1322860075-2.jpg"><img src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/re-nest/slide-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 540px; height: 360px; " /></a></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">photo via <a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/starbucks-new-store-made-of-shipping-containers-the-seattle-timesm-163089">re-nest</a></div> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <b>Starbucks’ new store… made of shipping containers!</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have a very love-hate relationship with Starbucks. On one hand, I feel they are a true threat to local coffee houses all over the globe… on the other hand, they are the most reliable place to find a good latte downtown after 2:00pm when everything seems to close. Also, it’s kind of hard to not love the new store they opened in <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Washingt</st1:state></st1:place><st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">on</st1:state></st1:place> state this week—<a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/starbucks-new-store-made-of-shipping-containers-the-seattle-timesm-163089">which is made of shipping containers</a>. Anyone that knows my urban design and creative architectural tastes knows that I have a big place in my heart for any project that combines these affordable, sustainable boxes into a building… and I wholeheartedly support (and applaud) Starbucks’ new store.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. <b>IKEA</b></p><div></div><div>Continuing on with my theme of mega-corporations, IKEA wins the third spot in this week’s Friday Five. Why? Two reasons: I happened to visit the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> location and had a grand old time putting together my coat rack as if I was building a LEGO house. A few other fantastic accessories kept me in retail (and apartment) bliss. Also, I read over the last couple of weeks that a subsidiary of the IKEA group is <a href="http://popupcity.net/2011/11/ikea-urbanism-a-new-era-in-urban-design/">actually building an entire neighborhood</a>, complete with its own IKEA houses, in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place>. There is definitely much critique to be given to the style and even concept of this corporation establishing a neighborhood… but I’m also curious to see what the outcomes will be. Clearly not any one style of housing or neighborhood can be standardized to fit all areas, but this could do great things for affordable housing if approached in the right manner. Only time will tell…</div> <p class="MsoNormal">4. <b>The Amazon Kindle</b></p></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal">Though I posted earlier this week a tutorial on <a href="http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/12/this-christmas-i-happened-to-snag.html">making your own Kindle cover</a>, I didn’t really talk much about the device itself… and I feel it is deserving of some serious praise. I had contemplated purchasing one for many, many months, and happened to get one for Christmas. Had I spent the whopping $80 for it, I would have been absolutely pleased still. It’s light, easy to use (even for a tech idiot like myself), and has a few different functions I wasn’t even aware of prior to getting it—such as being able to highlight particular passages, which are then compiled into one place! Apparently you can add notes as well, but I haven’t gotten quite that far in my technological capacities yet. Baby steps! Still, I plan on getting my textbooks this semester via Kindle because it will be far easier to not have to cart around those books with me downtown, and you can read them online as well!</p><div><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SUsVycQxL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-31,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></div><div></div> <p class="MsoNormal">5. <b><i>Betterness: Economics for Humans</i> by Umair Hague</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The perfect segue, my last item on this week’s list is actually the first book that I purchased for my Kindle. I purchased it after reading a <a href="http://www.theurbn.com/2011/12/book-review-betterness-economics-for-humans/">review covering the book at Urban Times</a>. After the very first page I knew it was a great decision. For a whole $2.69, I got <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Betterness-Economics-Humans-Kindle-ebook/dp/B006K5K5GI">Betterness: Economics for Humans</a></i> delivered to my device instantly, and jumped straight into a critique of the modern, industrial-age business paradigm. I finished a few days later with great energy in pursuing specifically laid out steps toward a healthier, well-rounded, and I dare say <i>better</i> idea of how our economy should be conceptualized and run. It’s a compelling read, and it’s written by an economist who is also a columnist for the Harvard Business Review… so I’m fairly certain he knows what the hell he’s talking about. He takes every idea I’ve ever had about what’s wrong with the economy (we’ll still give him credit for it), and articulates it poignantly, taking it about three levels beyond to something that is cohesive and in many ways actionable. I’m struck and smitten. Great read. You should really check it out. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><br /></div></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-38801901202687210712012-01-04T19:07:00.001-08:002012-01-04T19:09:26.828-08:00What better way to show my love for Ohio...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>...than to tattoo it on my body? Happy New Year, everyone! Stay committed, stay (or get) in love with your place :)<div><br /> <div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0rMh6EPzdOG5Uc3R93GGyXvZOCErjthcCEZWIHK3WQOzNaVDRHskLB4UCfwkM7FidPi8tohy4-9lWXHEsmseqKZ6jS8gImiRCkhvIf7nN5MvxO8mgxR3biq6D0D3jODZCMhHFQ/s320/January+2012+018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693979562446310194" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-22994690330944398652012-01-03T18:12:00.000-08:002012-01-05T17:35:32.912-08:00Speaking to the New Year’s Resolution<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEchofB9V6CIgu2X7DVUP4jPE_yWWNxhMm2aQhmxvI8KYWDVALENLb9__Kb6wL3F22r3t0bJfaEK2tcFYn3eF49LKGhH0zredrhTR33y2v0D1ZhxUBRPBdnNe3ReznxLOAB59ekg/s1600/January+2012+002.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEchofB9V6CIgu2X7DVUP4jPE_yWWNxhMm2aQhmxvI8KYWDVALENLb9__Kb6wL3F22r3t0bJfaEK2tcFYn3eF49LKGhH0zredrhTR33y2v0D1ZhxUBRPBdnNe3ReznxLOAB59ekg/s320/January+2012+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693594489636271778" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">I have to admit, I’m one of those people that absolutely <i>loves</i> the beginning of the year. Once my hangover clears, I’m smooth sailing to get away from the hectic craziness of the holidays and back into not only my routine, but <b>overdrive</b>. I’ve always been a (and am apparently the only) fan of Mondays and the first of the month. New Year’s Day is for me the ultimate feeling of a “fresh start.” I try my best to remain self-reflective and goal oriented all of the time, but something about this time of year really invigorates me and gets the psychological juices pumping. Some may say it’s all artificial, instilled in us by the workout retail industry or whatever, but I say I’ll take it. If something in the world is going to motivate my ass, I’m not complaining.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">That said, I’m very happy to meet 2012 with a great attitude and optimism. This year past was a particularly trying one, and though I left it with many an accomplishment to speak of, I have to say it was not kicked out with any hint of regret or hesitation. My goals certainly fell short a bit for 2011 (I never did write a book or brew a batch of beer), but the important ones stuck (graduating college, starting grad school, etc). I’ve read in countless places that one of the best ways to stick by your goals is to tell someone about them, so rather than just keeping my list tucked away in my journal, I figured I would share it with you faithful readers (whoever you are).</p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal">Record a CD</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><s>Get a tattoo</s></li> <li class="MsoNormal">Pay off my credit cards</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Donate to a different cause every month</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Find a sweet internship for the summertime</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Finish my <a href="http://pinterest.com/taradsturm/2012-read-ing/">2012 Reading List</a></li> <li class="MsoNormal">Establish my home yoga practice</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Attempt to attend 1 yoga class per week</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Organize a benefit show</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Do at least one art project every month</li> <li class="MsoNormal">See a play or musical</li> <li class="MsoNormal">See the orchestra play</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Visit the art museum</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Visit the history museum</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Cut pop out of my diet</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Cut fast food out of my diet</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Put $1,000 into my savings account</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Reconnect/maintain close relationships with my girlfriends</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Visit my Kimmy in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> </li> <li class="MsoNormal">Cut down on the amount of meat/dairy products in my diet</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Create a music video</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Continue to give back to the NEO region</li><li class="MsoNormal">Learn to speak a foreign language conversationally</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal">It looks a bit overwhelming, but I’m determined to accomplish everything on this list in 2012. I started this week by investing a little into the area I do yoga in my kitchen, working out, finding a ton of great resources for healthy meal planning, and practicing some German. Tomorrow I’ll be getting my first tattoo! So very excited. Can’t wait to show you all.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">What are your goals for the New Year? </p>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-32124016426182199592011-12-31T11:58:00.000-08:002011-12-31T13:27:40.515-08:00How To: Make your Own Kindle Cover<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQzzlV9gUjBG_JnNkOB5hA8SC5Fcj8kumDdlc1L6VVRC_enO9YuZ5o-ANR4hfB9X-X11NyeZG4JW5zLQADdsOXevI1wlBDOjpVXtQbvzHlltKS7T5gNz3sdk_ycOj-9ljif443w/s1600/december+109.jpg" style="text-align: left; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQzzlV9gUjBG_JnNkOB5hA8SC5Fcj8kumDdlc1L6VVRC_enO9YuZ5o-ANR4hfB9X-X11NyeZG4JW5zLQADdsOXevI1wlBDOjpVXtQbvzHlltKS7T5gNz3sdk_ycOj-9ljif443w/s320/december+109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692384544229565154" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This Christmas I happened to snag an Amazon Kindle... a purchase that I've been pondering for quite some time now, but hadn't quite committed to. I was thrilled with it once it was in hand, however, and decided that protecting my new toy was a must (I've seen the fate of electronics that go in and out of my purse without protective covering, after all). After looking online, however, I realized that I don't want to shell out $30 for a cover... and what a great crafting project to take on! I looked throughout the mighty interwebz, and pulled together a <a href="http://pinterest.com/taradsturm/kin-dle/">Pinterest board of DIY Kindle cases and sleeves</a>, and crafted one inspired by a few of the ones I saw. The directions I'm going to give you are far from precise, but will get you where you need to go if you have even the slightest bit of sewing knowledge. I don't really, you know, <i>measure</i> things... so it can be a little haphazard, but as you can see the results were good! :) Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg685s8eLpcYk-uuT4d6dV-gHXslt5l-hySG37mp_Xe106ssLmaKL0lHiomYO3LUvKBDAp6X2LFTruPl-5DK6iwq1F8hbefuEyfhVtQOrQKUVxVyRiz0P3du5wDJRRBlivmsRgKg/s320/december+062.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692393968612209170" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used 3 different types of fabric for my cover, and they were all scraps that I had laying around. The solid brown is a pair of khaki pants that I cut off to make shorts (sustainable options hello!), and the polka dotted fabric was leftover from a prior project. The third fabric was a quarter I bought to use on my dish towels... that I never used on my dish towels. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You basically start by cutting two pieces, that will serve as the inside and outside of the cover. It should be an appropriate length to wrap around your Kindle, roughly about 3 times the width of it. Your fabric should be slightly taller than the Kindle itself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once you have the main pieces cut, you can create the ruffles and the holding pieces out of the third type of fabric. I created the ruffles myself, and cut them two different sizes to stack on one another. To Create a ruffle, cut a strip of fabric, fold it in half and iron it, then fold the ends under and iron them like shown below: </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuf4yFUJPHx5nc-J_zQg8xokDhQNXROQmB35w464VAZN4QPbkbLlvq1xB4zO2OPgr4ZZhupojbNzGXvtEmiSR6KQDKdcUDZnaErR9re7Q1Rxrpuq-CAEsQVfrGIPIdHcrRifiwQ/s320/december+071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692395960538652082" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC9BlL0ZqCqrVqyaxFZ40YCYelvLNZ7cnE-fny6wqMcP9nyzQgkcQGHdEEgNjGTpq9IF6Y4_Rkf4WD_o-eHdpON-hkBUV_6vmuvKjoKELceBIfUKhyaAN_ZBxVJmGnEwmsdEhmw/s320/december+068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692394527131181266" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Once you have it all ironed out, then sew down the side with the tucked in flaps to seal it. I also sewed down the other side to make it uniform (mostly because I used darker thread that was really visible). Once both sides are sewn, use a long stitch length and do one strip directly down the middle, then pull on one piece of the thread on one end and bunch it up to make the ruffle. Do that for both strips. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fc-_L0oUKGbcL5OWEYkqJ-Yxp0863eR-KJzAHVhtKOtMOL3wlhbk802I2Ulw5aSvgRFXkiu1fy51wRDM5WkimTXp3o82SMwNlM4gvMW2r5f2l22kGVYktBH986epSNpsyJ09Og/s320/december+076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692398933712811090" style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Once you have your ruffles made, stack them and pin them on the outward facing fabric, on the <i>right</i> side. As you can see in the photo, I had my Kindle inside to get a good idea of where I wanted it to sit inside the case, and where the ruffles should be situated. This is pretty much how I operate with these sorts of things (who actually measures stuff??)... After it's pinned, sew one strip overlapping the middle line and cut off the edges of the ruffle so they only extend about a half an inch past the main fabric. </div><div><br /></div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTLyYo7i2IfO4123P2hngbsqaCkEDxkkR_JSDs7jLC-p0YjvbpQwt4f4RDT3yIaPjt2OOW1pyx1x2_SeIj2I6N9xJ2kBmThffgrkZvlnlNCrCWpL10egbo0oWZthX_QObAwQspw/s320/december+081.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692395713838082626" style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be sure to practice proper pet safety in all this... Maeby really likes to try and "help" while I'm sewing. By that I mean she lays right where I'm trying to work. But any time my needle is actually going, I make sure she's not jumping up on the table. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmYeWaF1IYyQ1gkt-F7c1Sw8BsmIEtdc81vBv7HQiUKDQmtMZg1oAM-7sTP35-GQD9SPUKOOyLJhRGmpTtqK0p1x16LzWF-uVwEQrf_KqnYfeDoX9CfoyE_BwDG3lwfoiwTtHmA/s320/december+074.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692395856553394546" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The holding pieces are also not precise at all. I folded a piece of fabric in half and cut it a bit wider than the Kindle. I folded the edges under to make it almost exactly the width of the Kindle. Then I pinned it into place at about the right places so it didn't cover the screen. After that I sewed the sides so that it could slide in and out, but the bottom isn't sewn. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGhF-OPSgTCVWYtYcQ3diRzM6W-zba-c5wy1ihVVCWYDJJpQg4vS0GmvcqCXE7Com5aB_1UjpczGthiXWwPvkAF0CvQAu4bEHYGbqxW_yRk40U_273I-r2o8nap7z7ENCW8p9pA/s320/december+084.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692395337476921442" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the ruffles and holding pieces are sewn on, put the two main fabric pieces together <i>wrong sides together </i>and pin, leaving the end near the ruffles open. Sew the 3 sides together and turn inside out, then iron the edges to make them look a bit crisper. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-quIzKimzQBhGGMw4whk0bftWFUFAdwPmagpWWGOa2pemX_3jqGwUVnmArUQQKUdgYS3Ivku7wtw5WdoHjEsPH2tVm2w5mVGi9ObrJkKO6dDg2uz2DNLZdUbmmbRy0ZS6q0gtw/s320/december+087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692395193889644178" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At this point your case will look as follows: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiMILCoXNy2YkLo1T_PXNek6ZhKH2e3RtCNK7p8W-S7J5jclOOmgY4DEPJeOAeg7Zgrf7KZk0QocUNX3wk1qiOLiSV1frh7iDw_thyphenhyphenJDyeXFFytdhTnvvVfkccARWPz9DKifhyw/s320/december+090.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692395011341120146" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got kind of lazy about taking photos at this point, but the rest of the work is pretty simple. I didn't have any batting, but wanted to put a little padding inside the case, so I took an old towel and cut it just smaller than the case itself- leaving it just an inch or so short. I put it inside the case and got it situated and smooth, then sewed in a few different places to secure the towel and make sure it doesn't shift around inside the sleeve. If you look in the photo below, you can see where I put some of that stitching. The only thing you need to do after securing that piece is close off the end. I folded the end back to expose the inside fabric, and folded a ribbon into it that stuck out on either end (which will wrap to the back to tie closed). Make sure the ribbon is secure and you are good to go! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Cn-Ly7-A6YetIA-MKe30W1bMH-uZ6GcOjoMqqe-UcdxXAhVmIZFSAlZuECJVsv-vwlS-sjpIVgUneN5me0Z_cIwNP4PeTbFX9hNvVhBs-Fn4EDyGbMi70qAfRpgvjA9pX8ZdAg/s320/december+106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692394714400164610" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is what the back looks like when everything is said and done: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4utVXMMG3IAQFlE-ZCBfY1FySYKZcq6Mp5ZxONrRlIDeBDCkOkel2PnEtr3ECC9XQ-By9preywncKV6Z5OQlQelkbapDXzWD-VA8Eq7X0OdwWIUAbfvIY61Z2_QtlvHccB1GbA/s320/december+096.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692394853271952754" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There you have it! An incredibly easy, terribly inexpensive (or free) cover for your beloved Kindle. I liked this particular way of designing it because I can just fold the sides behind the Kindle and therefore don't have to take it out of the cover to use it. It definitely has that "DIY" look on the inside, but I'm sure with a bit more planning I could have made it look a bit less messy (that random stitching on the side, for instance, was a failed attempt at adding a piece of elastic to utilize buttons... the ribbon was easier and I think a better choice in the long run). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Either way, I hope you all enjoyed the pseudo-tutorial, and I hope to have more crafting projects to show for myself in 2012. Everyone have a safe and enjoyable New Year!<br /><br /></div></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-41969480406161973772011-12-18T12:54:00.000-08:002011-12-18T13:04:26.400-08:00A Little Inspiration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD_oJ-C_HcWDxNE6j4OhLg-GVzTs4_Jz8HuzaEL4l84qMykqjZBEzPTEyspO3ChOgOwJf1m56JjDsfppUx032FzGDBP7WZ4mns_2pV3mrN37u9gPD-Ya3Qy5ds8-DN1HNX8ihqA/s1600/breathing+hard.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD_oJ-C_HcWDxNE6j4OhLg-GVzTs4_Jz8HuzaEL4l84qMykqjZBEzPTEyspO3ChOgOwJf1m56JjDsfppUx032FzGDBP7WZ4mns_2pV3mrN37u9gPD-Ya3Qy5ds8-DN1HNX8ihqA/s400/breathing+hard.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687575295647368194" /></a><br /><br />In a bit of a funk this weekend, I received some uplifting quotes from a friend of mine. I like to keep some more inspirational ones on hand to give me a little pick-me-up from time to time, so I figured I would share some with you all if you're in need of a little oomph in the stress and lull of the holiday season. The one above is one I've been saying since my days of basic training (oh the things you say to get yourself through), and will be just as applicable through my training to get in shape for an indoor soccer season... Below is a link to a board I've been accumulating on Pinterest. Enjoy! <br /><br /><center><a href="http://pinterest.com/taradsturm/tell-ing/">Tara's Tell.ing. Pinterest Board</a></center>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-9033258931524051392011-12-09T06:52:00.001-08:002011-12-09T08:13:12.859-08:00In Defense of Northeast Ohio<a href="http://victoria-weather.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Cleveland-300x240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 240px;" src="http://victoria-weather.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Cleveland-300x240.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">This week I happened to encounter through my news channels (read: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/akronwriter" style="text-align: left; ">Twitter</a>) a couple of articles beaming praise for Akron, and I wanted to share them... because I really feel there is great value in my home city, and I love hearing good news regarding the state of its economy.</div><div><br /></div><div>On December 2, <a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2011/12/building-community-around-downtown-jobs/627/">Atlantic Cities</a> published a piece about <a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2011/12/building-community-around-downtown-jobs/627/">building community around job creation in the downtown area</a>. I don't think this is revolutionary thinking necessarily, but that area around University of Akron's campus certainly needs some love and <a href="http://www.upakron.com/">University Park Alliance</a> is doing some really great stuff to make that area a true neighborhood and improve the quality of living within the area-- it's great work and certainly worthy of praise. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just a couple of days ago on December 7, the <a href="http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/12/07/The-Ten-Best-Cities-to-Find-a-Job.aspx#page1">Fiscal Times</a> included Akron in their list of the <a href="http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/12/07/The-Ten-Best-Cities-to-Find-a-Job.aspx#page1">Ten Best Cities to Find a Job</a>. I have to say that I was surprised to see our city at #2 on the list... but happy nonetheless. I try to be fairly skeptical about these silly lists, but there is obviously much truth in many of them and it's nice to see Akron part of one that is on the more optimistic and positive side of the spectrum-- unlike Cleveland, which topped <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business-beltway-miserable-cities.html">Forbes</a>' 2010 list of <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business-beltway-miserable-cities.html">the nation's most miserable cities</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I recall, neither Cleveland or Akron fared well on that list. I do find it kind of interesting, though, to think about these exercises. I grew up and spent the majority of my life in Akron. I live in the Greater Cleveland area now. If Cleveland is the most miserable city in America, I would hardly be able to tell. I've found success in this city without any strings or connections, great investment in social capital. The cost of living is fairly low and there is a plethora of things to do- amazing restaurants, free cultural activities, and it's relatively easy to get around (even by public transit if you live in the right areas). </div><div><br /></div><div>I've visited other cities that would probably not grace that list, and I've never thought to myself, "You know, self, these cities seem far less miserable than Akron or Cleveland." San Diego has gorgeous weather, Chicago has a bustling (and almost overwhelming) nightlife, and Toronto is likely the cleanest major city I've visited in all of the North American continent. None of those cities have the atmosphere, raw authenticity, or genuine nature of the Rust Belt, however. Perhaps they don't share in its devastation, either... but even with the blight, poverty, and rough economic status, I wouldn't on first glance put any of those cities far above Akron or Cleveland as "less miserable" (actually, I was told I could not even <i>think</i> of gracing the streets of Southern Chicago in broad daylight, despite my desire to see the more stressed areas of the city). </div><div><br /></div><div>The fact of the matter is that every city has its problems- the sunbelt promotes sprawl and lack of social connectivity, hotspots like Cali and NYC experience a completely different cost of living, and many of the communities throughout the U.S. are devoid of any amount of diversity (while some may consider this an advantage, I would argue vehemently that it is a serious and tragic shortcoming). No matter where you are, residents will find something to complain about. No place is perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>Where I think this sort of list would matter is in terms of a city's at-risk and low-income residents. How does your city take care of its disadvantaged population? It is certainly easier to be homeless in some areas than others. It is easier to live on disability and social security in some cities than others. It is certainly easier to be a single, working mother in some places than others. Though I hear people of my generation bitching about how awful Akron is because the jobs are scarce (apparently not as scarce as we think), opportunities do not abound, and it may not be growing or thriving like other larger ones-- I can't say any of those people (myself included) are really in a position to call any quality of life they've experienced as a result of the city "miserable." I would argue that a family struggling to get their kids a solid (fair) education while trying to subsist on two measly minimum wage incomes, worried that a bullet may accidentally graze their kids while they are sleeping because gunfights are going on outside have a much better understanding of what "miserable" really means.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course every person's situation is different and people all have their issues... and these lists do include some of these more systemic parameters (unemployment, violent crime, etc) - but I think more times than not, people look at their own city's position on the list, become either proud, enraged, or defeated - and only base their assessment of that call on their own, limited experiences. But I also feel that the misery factor of a city would be far better measured by access to public amenities or green space than it would the performance of pro sports teams. Perhaps in this more socially-oriented perspective Akron and Cleveland are still towards the top of the list, but I also feel like it would be a list that would better serve to improve the cities that are under analysis. </div><div><br /></div><div>As far as these silly lists are concerned now, I'd like to invite anyone with any amount of privilege to take a look around at the assets all throughout NEO. They are everywhere, and they need to be leveraged. Part of our problem is that we get so bogged down in our despair. We've become fatigued and exhausted. There is so much energy brimming in pockets all around us, however, and if we approach it properly it could potentially gain even more speed. I don't need Forbes to put Cleveland at the top of a list to know that change needs to happen. I need a collection of innovative and excited individuals to take pride in the identity of our region and tell me how this can happen and where to begin. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think it all starts with an appreciation. Then investment. Not necessarily a financial investment (though these cities certainly need that as well), but an <i>emotional</i> investment. If Browns fans are still psychologically convincing themselves that the team is going to win "this time," why not champion the city itself and believe in something they can really be a part of? According to Forbes, our whole city, region is a "Factory of Sadness." The difference is that we have everything we need to turn it around- if we can bring ourselves to stop bitching and recognize that we have amazing things to offer and experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Miserable, say you? Fine. Every city has its problems. But when are you going to start taking responsibility for your part in ours? And what are you going to do about it? </div><div><br /></div><div>Tara on the soapbox, signing out. </div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div>photo via <a href="http://victoria-weather.com/tag/cleveland/" style="text-align: center; ">Victoria-Weather</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-defense-of-northeast-ohio.html" text="In Defense of Northeast Ohio" via="akronwriter" lang="en">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><a name="fb_share"></a> <br /><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" <br /> type="text/javascript"><br /></script></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-76878509454397107992011-11-14T10:01:00.000-08:002011-11-14T10:10:38.663-08:00Cleveland Planning EventsI just wanted to share with you all a couple of Cleveland Planning-related events coming up in the next week. I'll be attending and you should too!<div><br /></div><div><b>Cleveland APA Zoning Workshop</b></div><div>Friday, November 18. 7:30am-5:00pm</div><div><br /></div><div>LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility</div><div>25777 Detroit Rd. </div><div>Westlake, Ohio 44145</div><div><br /></div><div>The workshop is $125, but if you volunteer you get in FREE. You can register for the workshop (to volunteer just register as a volunteer) here: <a href="http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1001663">http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1001663</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Brainstorming Brunch Hosted by <a href="http://www.savingcities.com">Saving Cities</a></b></div><div>Saturday, November 19. 11:00am-1:00pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Wexler's Tavern and Eatery</div><div>4555 State Rd. </div><div>Cleveland, Ohio 44109</div><div><br /></div><div>"An open brunch event for all passionate Clevelanders to come and share ideas, meet new folks, and enjoy the delicious local food. No agendas, no specific topics; just a good time and really cool people hanging out on a Saturday morning." To learn more about the meeting, visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=235991999796887">event page on Facebook</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>See you all there! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-85227711182542027722011-11-12T07:21:00.000-08:002011-11-12T07:35:58.798-08:00How Do We See Cleveland?<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6326868941_b4734c19ec.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6326868941_b4734c19ec.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I just began writing for a lovely publication by the name of the <a href="http://www.theurbn.com/2011/11/the-secret-garden-imagery-and-message-in-the-rust-belt/">Urban Times</a>, and my first piece explored how imagery is utilized and received within the Rust Belt. It features some photography of mine captured in the City of East Cleveland-- and continues a dialogue started at an event I attended hosted by <a href="http://www.savingcities.com/">Saving Cities</a> and facilitated by Peter Kageyama (author of <i><a href="http://fortheloveofcities.com/?page_id=254">for the Love of Cities</a></i>) focused on energizing cities like Cleveland, and what we can do to move citizens to action and get invested in place. Our discussion quickly went to the semantics used in the Rust Belt, and how the names of our organizations and the images we present help to expose the realities and nature of our region, or to reinforce a stigma that may be counterproductive to future revitalization.<p></p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249); ">So what's your take? Give the piece a read <a href="http://www.theurbn.com/2011/11/the-secret-garden-imagery-and-message-in-the-rust-belt/">HERE</a> and let me know how you feel. What do you want the message of NEO to speak? </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249); "><br /></p>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-48699177690002469902011-09-23T11:08:00.001-07:002011-09-23T11:23:31.245-07:00Happy Friday (Cleaning Day)!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I've been relatively MIA recently, due to a crazy jump in schoolwork and other excitement. I hope you are all having a lovely day and have fantastic weekend plans in line! I am anticipating a love-ly weekend myself. I will leave you with a cartoon I drew accurately illustrating what my cat does every time I clean the litter box. No really, every time: <div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_P_WNjnHWWNTNxWEYjnsn7w_WnpOLcYFclwY6fFGsDpBcdgVnn7NU-5JqAdaakNuC-CX331kULUHIIE3C0afJPuh4BPMAydWFBU8iaQdRfVGVQRHK9ruNgJbJexu5szCi8Bo1g/s400/maeby+litterbox+w+color.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655622252223031282" /></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-69751011615043514402011-09-14T18:42:00.001-07:002011-09-14T18:47:01.481-07:00Hey kids, it's September...<div>... so find a beautiful place, and read in it.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQvXL2eTey4ukbbWV-q8VhEHD4Ap-9-Tz-SyDitbcGjryl02-ecAMHzazkjTXgYT4rK5llUQZXBUctjJqA5RhtQA4xmXDxi0mJBmNaBpkA7TPTQSHeftXcS7HEttzqJkY6PFK7w/s1600/september+012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQvXL2eTey4ukbbWV-q8VhEHD4Ap-9-Tz-SyDitbcGjryl02-ecAMHzazkjTXgYT4rK5llUQZXBUctjJqA5RhtQA4xmXDxi0mJBmNaBpkA7TPTQSHeftXcS7HEttzqJkY6PFK7w/s400/september+012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652396315695191570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4wcTLXCkbpJ2vpfT-s5UXbwl76Rjw1TQkE2aNOkJRQkpTpVtNrUyUjjT7AIKsT_h5yOfcuGQbeNLMml_h7gXRy3J0qAwBZVjt_Kl4psRUX4hvXCTUKLJVMxAiSE5y6nceVp0uA/s1600/september+014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4wcTLXCkbpJ2vpfT-s5UXbwl76Rjw1TQkE2aNOkJRQkpTpVtNrUyUjjT7AIKsT_h5yOfcuGQbeNLMml_h7gXRy3J0qAwBZVjt_Kl4psRUX4hvXCTUKLJVMxAiSE5y6nceVp0uA/s400/september+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652396241205194642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">[Lakewood Park. My new fave homework spot/urban sanctuary]</div><br /><br /><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --><br /><a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fneophileohio.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F09%2Fhey-kids-its-september.html&linkname="><img src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" border="0" alt="Share"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var a2a_config = a2a_config || {};<br />a2a_config.linkurl = "http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/09/hey-kids-its-september.html";<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"></script><br /><!-- AddToAny END -->Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-89928112886031220282011-09-13T18:11:00.000-07:002011-09-15T12:11:23.261-07:00Rediscovering Public Transit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2067309188_dccac97606_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2067309188_dccac97606_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I have been a car owner for roughly a year now, and it still surprises me how much I drive—considering I hadn’t been a car owner for roughly 5-6 years prior to that. Living in Lakewood, it is considerably easy for me to get to the necessities: I have an ALDI minutes from my apartment, a slew of bars and restaurants are but a few blocks away, the library and a thriving main business corridor is a 10-20 minute bicycle ride away. Downtown, though still considerably close to Lakewood (particularly because I live on the East side of the city, bordering Cleveland proper), is a bit of a vehicular inconvenience.<br /><br />I am one of those folks that are considered to be “directionally challenged"—which is just a nice way of saying I get lost pretty much anywhere I orient my car. Even with the pleasant Australian woman directing me from the tiny navigational box I keep with me everywhere I go, I still seem to lose my way (which she promptly points out as she begins “recalculating.” You have no idea how much profanity has been flung at her nonexistent presence). Further, I tend to get a bit flustered when it comes to one way streets, bus lanes, and parking that requires me to have cash (which I never have).<br /><br />My first trip downtown thankfully went rather smoothly—but the cost of the parking pass for the semester made me rethink my decision to drive everyday. I later found out that all CSU students have included in their fees a $25 public transit pass that we get to use for the whole semester, which is quite honestly pretty rad. I picked one up and started using it the first week of class. I used the public transit system quite a bit when I lived in Pittsburgh, but I forgot just how much I absolutely love it. I live right by an RTA station, so it is highly convenient for me. The trains show up just about every 15 minutes, so very little planning is involved.<br /><br />Even better? I love the experience. I love the additional time I make for myself to do my school reading. I love that I give myself a whole hour to get downtown because I don’t feel rushed in the slightest. I love the feel of the train bouncing and bumbling on the tracks—I find it incredibly soothing. I love seeing all of the people around me, incredibly diverse and interesting. I love my walk from Tower City to campus, all of the new restaurants I discover along the way and make a note to try. I love walking past police officers and saying hello, looking up at the buildings around me and taking in just how amazing Cleveland can feel. I love looking at the boarded up, vacant storefronts and speculating on what would fit in perfectly there if the space were to be utilized again. I’ve missed the feeling of being in a busy downtown. Akron’s downtown is alright to be sure, but it doesn’t have the scale or the feel quite like Pittsburgh or Cleveland’s.<br /><br />I still felt the damn near terror of getting off the train for the first time, not entirely sure of how the system works, where I should be headed, which way the exit was, with seemingly a million people pushing their way around me—but then I realized just how exciting it all was to see people moving in and out, all with a place to go and a sense of purpose. Everyone had their own function in the working city.<br /><br />I’m certainly not trying to glamorize public transit. For the most part the stations can be dirty and full of some questionable looking characters. I still feel a bit on edge walking through downtown and Lakewood after dark. But all in all, it gives me a sense of belonging and independence in the city that I just don’t get behind the wheel of my car. You would think those two qualities are contradictory, but that’s exactly how I experience it. I feel both connected and strong, not insulated from everything around me but a part of it. Growing up an Akronite I never thought I would ever actually come to sort of like Cleveland (let alone really embrace it). I’m finding the more I see of it, the more invested I am in making it a better place and wanting to stick around for a while. It really does have some amazing qualities.<br /><br />On Saturday I drove my car downtown, only because I had to drive straight to Akron for a wedding. My exit was closed, when I finally found my way to the street I needed to be on there was an accident that blocked my way, I had to follow a one way several blocks down to get to a street that would go through where I needed to go, the parking garage only took cash, and I was 25 minutes late to class—the entire time cursing up a storm and thinking about how lovely that walk would have been from Terminal Tower. It makes me wonder why more people wouldn’t want to utilize those options. Green development is great for the environment and all, but I think it’s even better for my sanity. After going that route, I’ve been avoiding my car altogether. Not just to get downtown—but I’ve started walking to the grocery store. I rode my bike to the bank and the park. I don’t think we realize just how much we miss when we’re toodling around in our little insular boxes all day.<br /><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div>Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/javsthemute/2067309188/sizes/z/in/photostream/">Andrew Coyle</a></div><br /><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --><br /><a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fneophileohio.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F09%2Frediscovering-public-transit.html&linkname="><img src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" border="0" alt="Share"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var a2a_config = a2a_config || {};<br />a2a_config.linkurl = "http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/09/rediscovering-public-transit.html";<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"></script><br /><!-- AddToAny END -->Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-39965578565502007322011-08-26T12:11:00.000-07:002011-08-26T12:21:59.965-07:00Friday Five: Blast from the Past Edition<div style="text-align: left;">There was a very obvious theme running through my week, and it all kind of centered around one of my new favorite time periods in history: the 50s and 60s. Aside from learning a good deal about the Civil Rights Movement and the war in Vietnam, I hadn’t really been all that exposed to the culture of these decades. I thought it was all poodle skirts and chocolate malts at the diner. Whereas these are the stereotypical icons of the 50s, there is a whole lot more to learn and discover about this incredible time period. I can’t say I’d ever want to live in that time period, and certainly I wouldn’t want us to go back to the ways of old, but I can say that it is incredibly fascinating. And I’m a little less than obsessed right now. So here are this week’s Friday Five:</div> <p class="MsoNormal">1. <b>Edith Piaf</b></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="http://charlespaolino.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/edith-piaf-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 361px; " /></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://charlespaolino.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/books-no-regrets-the-life-of-edith-piaf/">via</a></span></b></div> <p class="MsoNormal">Along with things 50s, I’ve also become rather enamored with things French. Edith Piaf happens to be both. I could really include a whole number of artists here, all of those that I hear frequently on my French Café Pandora Station—Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong… Though I’ve heard all of these artists in movies and films, I had never really sat down and listened enough to gain a real appreciation. I’m happy to say that has changed. Edith kind of stood out for me, and I grabbed a copy of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450188/">La Vie en Rose</a> from the library and enjoyed it, as well as a biography of the woman, which I have yet to start. You may know her as the woman that sang the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFRuLFR91e4">kick song from Inception</a>... but she had a fascinating life, and is certainly not the classy, pretty face you would expect her to be.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <b>Vintage Clothing</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I wrote an entire post about vintage clothing this week, so I’m certainly not going to bore you all to tears beating the dead horse. I’m just loving 50s and 60s fashion in general, and I see a lot of it popping up in more updated ways all over the web right now. It’s got me hankering for more high waisted skirts and cardigans… bring on the fall wardrobe!!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. <b>Mad Men on Netflix</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="http://scm-l3.technorati.com/10/04/21/12011/cuar01-madmen0806.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 493px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://technorati.com/entertainment/tv/article/mad-men-creator-eyes-the-finish/">via</a></span></b></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I watch very little TV. Truth be told, I haven’t had cable since I lived at my parents’ house… which hasn't been for the last 6 years or so. When a friend recommended Mad Men last year, though, it opened up a can of worms. I absolutely love the show. I love the social undertones. I love the scandal. I love the costuming, and I love the characters—even the ones I hate I love to hate. I also love that Netflix put up the entire four seasons on instant queue. I had a whole season to catch up on, and needless to say… the whole of season four was watched in a matter of two days. If you have not experienced the greatness, I would highly recommend it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. <b>The Linda</b></p><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I told my best friend I was headed to the Linda last Sunday, I was baffled that she responded, “What’s that?” Apparently I’m in on one of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Akron</st1:place></st1:city>’s great little secrets. The <st1:placename st="on">Linda</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Theatre</st1:placename>, which is located in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Goodyear</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Heights</st1:placetype></st1:place>, is an <i>old</i> movie theatre indeed. It only hosts one screen, with a huge auditorium to seat it. It opened in 1945, and it definitely shows. They only show one movie at any given time, but the tickets are only $5. I’m saddened that this is actually the cheap price these days. I was pretty enraged when I found out the Regal charges $9… Thankfully I’m patient enough to let most movies hit the ‘Flix.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. <b>Eegah!<o:p></o:p></b></p><img src="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm107051253/mystery-science-theater-3000-eegah-joel-hodgson-dvd-cover-art.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 282px; " /><div></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tower.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-eegah-joel-hodgson-dvd/wapi/107051253">via</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">I got my first taste of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 a couple of weeks ago… and my friend insisted that “Eegah!” be my introductory film. I really enjoyed it for a couple of reasons. Not only is the entire concept and commentary from the silly bots enough to make this film hysterical, the film itself was a true testament of how terrible and awesome B-Movies from this era could really be. The ridiculous Elvis-esque musical interludes (from a guy that couldn’t even touch The King’s shadow), the incessant fainting of the damsel, and the glory (creature? mop?) that was <a href="http://mightyjackmst.com/vidcaps/eegah3.jpg">Arch Hall Jr.’s hairdo</a>. The original movie was produced in 1962, and it certainly shows. “Sorry about the face!” will forever and always have a place in my heart. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hope you all are enjoying your last bits of summer! </p></div>
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<br /><!-- AddToAny END -->Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-49389377327133928412011-08-08T07:52:00.001-07:002011-08-08T08:19:14.225-07:00Vintage Clothing and Exploration in Lakewood<div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Since my move to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city> in May, I have tended to gravitate toward the same few establishments for my entertainment needs. Though I boast a great love for Mullens, the Beer Engine, and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">India</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Garden</st1:placetype></st1:place>, I felt this weekend was a great time to broaden my horizons and check out some of the smaller shopping establishments in the area. I’ve so often passed lines of storefronts without the time or motivation to stop in. I’ve been feeling rather inspired to do some thrifting and refashioning as of late, however, so it was decided: Saturday was the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After a quick Google search, I quickly found out that there is not one Goodwill in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city>. I did find information for a vintage clothing store, and a consignment shop, however. I grabbed my purse, went out, and began my hunt. Along the way I visited a few others that I had heard of, and stopped to grab a quick snack. Here are my thoughts on the visited establishments.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Future No Future</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I have a special place in my heart for vintage clothing. I love clothing and furniture that holds a whole history, and products tended to be much better quality back in the day. I’m admittedly something of a wuss when it comes to actually wearing it, though. That’s all going to change, however. For someone who reveres Mad Men as much as I do, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Future-No-Future-vintage-clothing/197233096979533?sk=wall">Future No Future</a> was like a dream. I could have sworn I saw some of the very sweaters hanging on the rack in Betty Draper’s wardrobe. I tried on upwards of a dozen dresses and skirts. I would be broke if I would have left with everything I wanted to. Instead, I decided on the two pieces I thought I would get the most use out of. <img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Blockquote" border="0" class="gl_quote" /></p><div style="text-align: center; "><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBt0npu8Zb11P7KVK29AZ2h93OE5264Er9zgrtIlhrgRgdgowORuTyHQTpdGqBnHkga-r4cuiyecXqAAu4BlX-64jpaluLTzmvnx9YRbKuObBa2Th44b8TyVbzo5PdobUVUrHAw/s400/dress.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638499043204553346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 400px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span">[Note the cat under my bench... lol]</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5A9qF8LYzE21Yj0JR7GNyKGHnQSDotvx5UljJ_f-GqwZ4T0qkHocp6KN88Z_o6uXEM7psICoLPH2ZMv1szkVi-stNqMy8pdmRSv843WcrWkJkkEbqNKz5s4FYhV9M0iRNYESPw/s400/IMG_4098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638499192576181330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></div><div></div></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center; "></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">[I wonder how many dresses in prints like these my grandma wore...]</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The first was a dress that I absolutely adore. It didn’t look like much on the hanger, but once on I realized what great shape and movement it had. I’m going to take it in a bit in the bust, and add a belt to update it a little, but I really can’t get over it. The print is so very dated, but I love it just the same. I can’t wait to buy a few more dresses in this style… just fantastic. I tried on so many things, ranging from $10 to $30. This one happened to be $24, but it was worth every penny.</p><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOLput4GXx856GMegjM-S7c3mCzAQN-k_abQy6j7uQGt_galxQPvqNzyerSjHf5ABLbZvWz3HAj545l6-Pu0uvkuHSAKrHuI6WCeePPJwN8n_PqlO0OnN4amZv8m2byvwIdqSMA/s400/skirt.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638499101000686898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span">[Definitely a fun and flirty one]</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqcMjE_6s0cvijOooQy2reYP1zINYJtymmiRCi6ScgE_aG7dr5OvThbHuzhLvs1N_1VeuH6XEx2Y1eQ7EktuaHDuWq0ICLOKYtfNr4TqiCpvcyZG0HJ865gMIGDa6iG-qWnanpw/s400/IMG_4100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638499271708928114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></div><span class="Apple-style-span">[Something about these prints has me in love]</span></div><div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><o:p></o:p></p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center; "></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The second piece I purchased came from a $5 and under bin. It’s a skirt that sits up on the waist rather than the hips—a style that seems to be really popular right now. When I purchased it, the skirt ran below my knees, and I lopped off quite a few inches and hemmed it. The print is not usually something I would go for, and the polyester isn’t usually my thing, as it can be really hot. But it was also really lightweight, and the length was perfect for the heat I wore it out in on Saturday night. I added some pearls and a pair of heels to finish it off. I was really happy with it. Can’t beat a cute skirt for $5.</p><div style="text-align: center; "><div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Designer Consigner</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: center; "><div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I am a serious lover of Consignment shops. I was, however, gravely disappointed by Designer Consignor. With the word “designer” in the title, I expected to find at least some decent name brand clothing in the store… but it left much to be desired. Used to Plato’s Closet and local consignment shops in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Akron</st1:place></st1:city> like <a href="http://www.gerricloset.com/Home_Page.html">Gerri’s Closet</a>, I left empty-handed and unmotivated to ever return. The selection wasn’t terrible, but not horribly current either, or particularly quality.</p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>The <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city> Library</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I know this isn’t a shopping destination or snacking establishment. But after deciding that $7/month was <i>way</i> too much to ask my cheap ass for the DVD service on Netflix, I cancelled it. As there was a movie I really wanted to see, I considered grabbing on Amazon… until I almost smacked myself in the head and looked to see if the library carried it. In fact, there were multiple copies of <i>La Vie en Rose</i> at the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city> library, and I meandered down there for the first time to grab my shiny new library card. Holy gorgeous building! I really loved the space, and foresee myself heading there for studying and reading and general relaxation. It really is quite spectacular.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Lion and Blue</b></p></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As a fan of things hippy-esque, <a href="http://lionandblue.com/">Lion and Blue</a> was a pretty easy sell. A customer at the farmer’s market was wearing a pretty fabulous dress from this place, and recommended it. I was very impressed. Adorable clothes. Great jewelry. There was a beaded belt I was pretty much dying for, and plan to return for very shortly when I have the extra cash laying around. Their prices are reasonable, and their products are unique. I’ll certainly be back there often. I left with a couple of headbands for $10. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of use out of them.</p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>The Root Café</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Because I sell vegan baked goods at the farmer’s market, I get a great may recommendations to the <a href="http://theroot-cafe.com/">Root Café</a>—as they specialize in vegan goods also. I stopped in to grab a drink and a snack, and read for a few minutes. It was a hot day, so I opted for the freshly squeezed lemonade flavored with a little guava. It was absolutely perfect. The art festival was going on that day, and consequently they had a very limited menu—but they had a few different kinds of pizza by the slice. The kale, roasted red pepper, and garlic pizza was more than worth the $3 I spent on it. I absolutely enjoyed the atmosphere of the place, busy as it was, and I anticipate many return trips to the Root Café.</p></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There are still <i>tons</i> of establishments still needing visited in the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city> area, but I feel I made some great progress this weekend. Nothing like a little relaxation, a couple of great projects, and gorgeous, unique new clothes to make your weekend.</p></div>
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<br />Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-3785227336014002422011-07-22T17:45:00.000-07:002011-07-22T18:03:51.639-07:00Friday Five—Heatwave Edition<p class="MsoNormal">So we’ve wrapped up one of thee hottest weeks I feel that <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:state> has ever seen. I mean really, yesterday when I was in the car I looked down and it said, “102 degrees outside.” It was 7:00pm, people. This just shouldn’t happen. I felt like I was back in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Micronesia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, sweltering under the sun as I climbed the steep crag of Sokeh’s Rock. But really I was just sitting at my desk, covered in sweat, trying to make up some crap about concrete flooring in a half-dead heat daze. Welcome to <st1:place st="on">Northeast Ohio</st1:place> v.2011. So <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">enough</i> with the complaining about the weather, right? We’re going to talk about some positives that I encountered over the week. Because who doesn’t love being one of those glass-half-full types, right?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">1. Chris Hemsworth</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I feel kind of like a pre-pubescent girl starting this list with something as ridiculous as a cute <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">boy</i>. Truth be told, my on the brink of obsessive mancrush on this, well, man, brings me back to the days of JTT and Leo. That’s right girls of the 90s, let it go and swoon: </p><a href="http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/eye-candy-chris-hemsworth-20.jpg?w=500&h=697" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 697px;" src="http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/eye-candy-chris-hemsworth-20.jpg?w=500&h=697" border="0" alt="" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">I ran across this “hunk” (still using the era’s verbiage) when I caught a $1.50 showing of Thor on Wednesday. The movie was nothing to rave about. The CGI was about as atrocious as that of Green Lantern (see “other sub-par comic movies with gorgeous lead actors”), but the fact that my other major celebrity crush was in it more than made up for it—Natalie Portman, of course. I don’t usually get down on the Arian dudes, but blonde-hair-blue-eyes aside, he’s got a fantastic smile and pretty much made me melt into a big pile of goo all over the popcorn covered floors of Theater 6.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Air Conditioning</b></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9peFDEEJUGiT99oNhNqAk0OnghgfTWM3kRd-dyyBvDOcUkWcL28YCLbm8ZSeo7SFSIUMXKQ61BL62dllKvITBLauEIKecMNuZZ_7aqNtzvY74GxNihTV_4zCj4XA47HpEKweIQ/s1600/IMG_3535.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9peFDEEJUGiT99oNhNqAk0OnghgfTWM3kRd-dyyBvDOcUkWcL28YCLbm8ZSeo7SFSIUMXKQ61BL62dllKvITBLauEIKecMNuZZ_7aqNtzvY74GxNihTV_4zCj4XA47HpEKweIQ/s400/IMG_3535.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632343056876613346" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal">Unlike the freezer that is the movie theater, my apartment has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">zero air conditioning</i>. Needless to say, it was a formidable oven. I’ve got two box fans, and a few windows that still have storm windows in them (that the landlord still hasn’t taken care of). I (now) have a working fridge and freezer. I live alone, so that usually warrants me wearing minimal clothes in these working conditions. All that considered, however, I was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">very</b> happy to be able to escape into the near-winter wonderland of air conditioned locations. Like hotel rooms (when oh hey, power went out in most of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city> killing both of those box fans too), restaurants, and the wide world of retail… which brings me to my next one:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">This Dress</b></p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrb5LW4BUmIvit2eyEX-Ju05tUcHFzyqAYvKDj4HIpAiHCMlUK-fUP668B99UWJdGJF0v_ooU6SO43jbAWa5v_UChQyZMa22Dpv6sF46y7IYaiaX6hFL7sexAx_-QULb-sBdElw/s1600/dress.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrb5LW4BUmIvit2eyEX-Ju05tUcHFzyqAYvKDj4HIpAiHCMlUK-fUP668B99UWJdGJF0v_ooU6SO43jbAWa5v_UChQyZMa22Dpv6sF46y7IYaiaX6hFL7sexAx_-QULb-sBdElw/s400/dress.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632342760808319234" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I have something of a love affair with dresses during the summertime. I’m sure the heat didn’t hurt my preference for this particular piece either. Grabbed it at <a href="http://www.hm.com/us/product/92557?article=92557-A">H&M</a> (who knew there was an outdoor mall so close to me?) and can’t wait for the chance to wear it. There were so many I wanted to walk out with… sigh. The retail therapy with a girlfriend was also pretty fantastic—in the A/C, no less.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">4.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jeni’s Ice Cream</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ice Cream is particularly delicious in this weather, but <i>holy crazy delicious ice cream</i>, <a href="http://www.jenisicecreams.com/">Jeni’s</a> is really where it’s at. For a girl that pretty much panics every time she has to decide between more than one flavor of anything, it was a bit of a nerve wracking experience walking into the little shop (did I mention it was air conditioned?). Thankfully, however, Jeni’s allows you to order in little tiny scoops so you can try a few different things. I decided to limit myself to two after a rather large meal at BD’s Mongolian BBQ—and landed on the Bangkok Peanut and Goat Cheese with Red Cherries. Yes. Those are both ice cream flavors. And yes. They were both amazing. I giggled to myself the entire time, entertained by the fact that I was eating <i>spicy ice cream</i>. It seemed a little oxymoronic, but damn was it good. Highly recommend. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">5. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Play</b></p><p></p><p></p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2FBjGS_gjNXwslz7pb0MK_7-3ajrlO0sZg2FatqOagZbqjJEOaefZFS3iZjdYKu3U0JC-m4fS6LBNBY9Ha0neQYaEiO5BxUo7bu3hrvBoZCJSCMZDlJSswgpOuqrejJaiojJ0w/s1600/Cartwheel.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2FBjGS_gjNXwslz7pb0MK_7-3ajrlO0sZg2FatqOagZbqjJEOaefZFS3iZjdYKu3U0JC-m4fS6LBNBY9Ha0neQYaEiO5BxUo7bu3hrvBoZCJSCMZDlJSswgpOuqrejJaiojJ0w/s400/Cartwheel.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632342655139246482" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">No, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">a </i>play. Just play. I got the opportunity to run around a park for an hour or so. Running over bridges, climbing up ladders, sliding down slides, doing cartwheels. I’ve learned over the years that being a grown up is a stressful and serious bit of business— and getting the chance to just let go and play is incredibly invigorating and refreshing… even in 90 degree weather. I would suggest you all take a bit of time over the weekend to kick back, relax, and just play. You’ll be amazed at how amazing it feels.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Stay cool!</p></div><br /><br /><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --><br /><a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fneophileohio.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ffriday-fiveheatwave-edition.html&linkname="><img src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" border="0" alt="Share"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var a2a_config = a2a_config || {};<br />a2a_config.linkurl = "http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/07/friday-fiveheatwave-edition.html";<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"></script><br /><!-- AddToAny END -->Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-80231567151074478872011-07-20T07:59:00.001-07:002011-07-20T08:06:54.174-07:00Feeling the Spirit of Community in Lakewood<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0L1IJiQQq3y_-NHtYIOOOOKCR3UOhAOXiUmRY3TdTwPjl2nk9tc7pfiPvNd095C5PmVitpBPLjJBqqKg81ZsqS9GlomqGJwEMD0X8RqT-56bgISx1gNlJcarAiM-_6pjyP4Wcw/s400/Sunflower.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631449458799364882" /><p class="MsoNormal">So the majority of my Saturday mornings this summer will be spent at the Lakewood Farmers Market, selling delicious hemp baked (and no-bake) goods from <a href="http://www.plantkingdombakery.com/">Plant Kingdom Bakery</a>. Spending so much time at the market has been a really great experience for me thus far. I’ve gotten the chance to meet a lot of wonderful people from the area, and it’s absolutely fantastic to talk with residents passing through. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Because most of my days are spent pent up in my living room, staring at a computer screen, the sunshine and conversation are certainly welcome changes. The best part, though, is seeing just how community-oriented <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:city> really is. There are so many wonderful programs and organizations in this city. From the <a href="http://www.leafcommunity.org/">LEAF Community</a> to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228665973840040">Art Walks</a>; community gardens and <a href="http://baybranchfarm.com/">urban farms</a> to municipal pools, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Lakewood</st1:city></st1:place> really knows how to pull the neighborhood together and offer its residents wonderful opportunities to embrace collaborative spirit.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m hoping to have more great stories to tell about the community this summer, but for now I’ll just leave you with some photos from the market. Sorry for my relative absence as of late. This girl has been awfully busy! </p><p class="MsoNormal">Oh, and don't forget to visit us at the Lakewood Farmers Market! Every Saturday morning from 10:00am-1:00pm :) </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5GQBa4raOPXeyD_9S-8mBNbEmtxN6odCjyTMNj8y2GOOyYjxnzIFusQIG1oNd3N5QQFygnyaWEWTeYgleicoLQDJpBZ-K63CsAnPqv8PLfWAOh5Qmq1fqaWWNr0QytCEGqSEFg/s400/Farmers+Market.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631449527599387410" /><div style="text-align: center;">[A few of the booths at the Market]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMbIpQVCNr0BcM74b8XIYBfbad81nwlhGjbfZ_hCpcWhHokjKfuZV62R6ZUslb4wW0tr22okaiEdlW2B0kbGdxSvg3leSgIg36w6gUY_vreRzLF0_UYUxACM1U9d8L-P1Xyv3vA/s1600/Coffee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMbIpQVCNr0BcM74b8XIYBfbad81nwlhGjbfZ_hCpcWhHokjKfuZV62R6ZUslb4wW0tr22okaiEdlW2B0kbGdxSvg3leSgIg36w6gUY_vreRzLF0_UYUxACM1U9d8L-P1Xyv3vA/s400/Coffee.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631449706753216018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">[easily the best coffee in Lakewood]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO77e7UBZA_bqfE3sJvtMQ8qtjoz1iQRyK4Z0e1T_7OlpuF3VIrmozb8Uj_ZYXphzukJeV5lb3m77U-2nj1GPwf8Rd1O6Xlr98fcehIBNHDA2c7ZIaP0vOKcY-kVHXk9ogS8xqXw/s1600/Chocolate+Crunchy+Hemp+Bars.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO77e7UBZA_bqfE3sJvtMQ8qtjoz1iQRyK4Z0e1T_7OlpuF3VIrmozb8Uj_ZYXphzukJeV5lb3m77U-2nj1GPwf8Rd1O6Xlr98fcehIBNHDA2c7ZIaP0vOKcY-kVHXk9ogS8xqXw/s400/Chocolate+Crunchy+Hemp+Bars.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631449620553942546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">[Mmm. Delicious hemp goodies]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --><br /><div class="a2a_kit a2a_default_style"><br /><a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fneophileohio.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ffeeling-spirit-of-community-in-lakewood.html&linkname=">Share</a><br /><span class="a2a_divider"></span><br /><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><br /><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><br /><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var a2a_config = a2a_config || {};<br />a2a_config.linkurl = "http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/07/feeling-spirit-of-community-in-lakewood.html";<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"></script><br /><!-- AddToAny END -->Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-37385422465322351632011-07-15T17:25:00.000-07:002011-07-15T17:47:33.329-07:00Cute Tee Shirt Refashioning<div style="text-align: left;">So I apologize, sweet world of the internets. I’ve had an incredibly busy last month, and as a result I’ve been playing a hideous game of catch-up as far as my work is concerned. Where have I been, you ask? Well, I’ve been off doing things like fighting terrorism (read: annual two week training for the National Guard), playing music (in public!), and failing to see the sunshine (or the cool breeze of air conditioning… because I don’t have any). Now that I am relatively caught up, I’m updating this blog. Tonight I planned to spend some time watching movies and doing work, and that is still in the cards. I did take a couple of hours, however, to work on a little project I’ve been planning—because I haven’t had time to do so many crafty things as of late, and I love a fab green clothing project… but mostly because I wanted something to wear tomorrow when I go out with the girls.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Here it is:</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jneHr7GnX06YnzmGLtMYyS5alLCPTByE1jGw5R2Hf0M1Kc10PkDi17KiM299G5dg3Cfc21LKGiat49QZT5-3I8jCETjtsBf9zSI5ErLct66VDPwr5OzVP72UC3GakeKTqJAnNg/s400/Tee+Refashion.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629740669006502450" /><p class="MsoNormal">I of course failed to take a “before” photo, but rest assured that it started out as a men’s plain, size small Aeropostale tee shirt. Solid, no frills. I snagged it at a Goodwill months ago and it’s been waiting a good ole refashioning. I absolutely love the fabric. So comfortable! I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but after several hours on the glorious timesuck that is Pinterest, I found some inspiration and got to work. I really enjoyed playing with the fun, feminine rosettes—as it was my first time ever making or working with them. This shirt was incredibly easy to make and took me all of an hour and a half.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw_KLsQEqATQHpYYzKDvhlShipjmJrQtM0ZXJZY9aGnFK_QLJ3h8LubfSGFq3j1YMKt1R6Kcsdg0zFNWf3iHQfld-g8an5tI8Y5fL73UrqPAtJd5GYyO9Qzi8JXsXosJbParwyA/s400/Details.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629740939240944754" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><small>[a closeup of the detailing]</small></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here are the easy steps that you use to make it. I don’t have step-by-step photos, but I assure you it is not that serious. I didn’t bother measuring a thing.</p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Cut sleeves off of tee shirt. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Cut across the top in a straight line, roughly two inches from the bottom of the collar of the tee shirt.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">I put pleats on the front, mostly because I thought it would give the shirt a bit more form and I thought, “What the hell? Why not?” I don’t think it’s 100% necessary, but if you want to, now is the time to do so. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Sew a tube on the top of both sides, so that you can string through. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">I used a few strips from the top portion we cut off, near the collar, to make my straps. I cut three strips, sewed them together, and pulled so that the tee shirt material kind of buckles on itself and forms a tube/strip. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">String through both sides. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Tie in a bow. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">I created the rosettes with the hem of the sleeves, because it provided a nice finish. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">I cut out three little leaves to add a bit more jazz.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Sew that crap on in a way that you think looks nice. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Voila! Cute tank top from a tee shirt.</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal">The great thing about tee shirt fabric is that it doesn’t really unravel… so I kind of skip the hemming process altogether. Mostly because I’m lazy. Sometimes lazy fashion can be good fashion.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Either way, I hope you all have had a wonderful month, and I will leave you with a fantastic photo of me doing my Army thing—because it’s pretty rad. That’s right, this girl can sew <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">and</i> work on helicopters. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjlBUILc7D0mL8C3KZgF66sL3EtIZtEI5t1Fzs6h8ZryqBJMKZqU6fJNQitzjaTWDSov43vo7xNC34XUIwl9h8_AQSubm4-Rk5YnrrPX00448bwSuyD-ocVQzcQ8XyA1rKjoHhw/s400/Top+Gun.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629741612985592290" /></p><br /><br /><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --><br /><a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" border="0" alt="Share" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"></script><br /><!-- AddToAny END -->Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-16956557014292651312011-06-03T09:53:00.000-07:002011-06-08T07:11:46.093-07:00Friday Five: June 3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->Hello diligent followers! Today is Friday (yes, Rebecca Black will be burned in your brain for roughly six hours henceforth). I’ve decided this week to kick-start my “Friday Five”—a list of five things that I’ve happened upon over the course of the week that tickled my fancy. Many will be from the glorious world of the internets. Others will be pulled from the tangible workings of my life. I hope you enjoy. <p class="MsoNormal">1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pinterest</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Although my free time certainly needs no additional social bookmarking or networking programs to monopolize it, I happened upon this one through other blogs that I read. <a href="http://pinterest.com/taradsturm/">Pinterest</a> is a social sharing tool that allows you to divide up your posts (or “Pins”) into different themes through boards—for example, some of mine include food, beautiful people, animals, obsessions, things I want, and funny things I’ve come across. The concept is quite simple, but it is elegant and incredibly photo-intensive. I’m pretty enamoured. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hair long enough to put in a ponytail.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oStf6rDCGciQoic27k1uR4pgf85f2ZhPV5rAcdAoSPRSngyZDwv3nWGDoSH47x-uIUECFWU-pNV_nap6MlEQJuJHP8ceLIMi7hhEVZb_V_19ixdDHhCaaSUFT7Xpn2UzbUUFgw/s1600/Ponytail.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oStf6rDCGciQoic27k1uR4pgf85f2ZhPV5rAcdAoSPRSngyZDwv3nWGDoSH47x-uIUECFWU-pNV_nap6MlEQJuJHP8ceLIMi7hhEVZb_V_19ixdDHhCaaSUFT7Xpn2UzbUUFgw/s400/Ponytail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614039941493867410" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have over the last two years really come to appreciate the beauty of being able to put my hair in a ponytail—particularly on blistering hot days, such as the few we received here in NEO this week. For those of you who only met me recently, my hair has undertaken some serious evolution since 2008. As you can see in the photo below, it used to be <i style="">incredibly</i> long. Then it quickly became <i style="">incredibly</i> short before shipping out to basic training. I have, since those days of incredibly short, been trying to get back to just “kind of long.” I’m thrilled to have hit ponytail length. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu8fxsQ-t1Ve5eImNMlmOuihetjBNbHUsD9xSWnZ8Pi5eEmNiI7Z0liFrCH0OyU6QbgIbEbRotNLf1TCQAWcDprBAfd9BxlbvjmmzLZAf9ZzjarLKm2wIYwoEdnKQ4xdspHZMuA/s1600/Hair.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu8fxsQ-t1Ve5eImNMlmOuihetjBNbHUsD9xSWnZ8Pi5eEmNiI7Z0liFrCH0OyU6QbgIbEbRotNLf1TCQAWcDprBAfd9BxlbvjmmzLZAf9ZzjarLKm2wIYwoEdnKQ4xdspHZMuA/s400/Hair.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614040148523052642" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><small>[Roughly 3 years of Hair-volution.]</small><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eatin’ Critters</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So apparently Mark Zuckerberg’s new personal challenge for the year is to eat only animals he’s killed. Now, Mark and I are “tight” for a number of reasons (really only because I spend more time than any person ever should on Facebook), but I can really appreciate this rather gruesome but salient value. I’m not a vegetarian. I once was, but it was a health choice and not so much a moral one. I like to eat me some pig, cow, chicken, duck… admittedly, lamb is one of my favorite dishes. I do, however, take issue with many of the practices of the meat industry, and while I try to take time to appreciate the animals that so graciously (and unwillingly) gave their lives to supply me with a delicious meal, there really is no way to drive the point home better than to have to kill it yourself. You can actually <i style="">see</i> the life for what it is and not mindlessly pick up a package at the grocery store filled with abstract, nondescript proof of a living being. I say good job, Mr. Zuckerberg. I will not of course be gallivanting around Lakewood slaying chipmunks and groundhogs (which seem to run rampant in this neighborhood) for my daily sustenance, but I will think of his efforts and take a moment or two to appreciate where my food actually comes from. Read the CNN article about Mark’s Challenge <a href="http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/05/26/mark-zuckerbergs-new-challenge-eating-only-what-he-kills/">here</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Florence + The Machine</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I know my entire last post was about music, but this one snuck in after I had posted it and ohmygoodness, is it fantastic stuff. I would file this one on Pinterest under “Ob.session.”</p><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2EIeUlvHAiM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Endings.</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">What if we lived in a world where Tupac and Biggie were still alive? What if they had made amends and were living together… in <b style="">New Zealand</b>?? An article showing on the front page of the PBS website claimed such storybook closure had actually taken place—but it turns out that it was the handiwork of hacking group LulzSec. A friend on (you guessed it) Facebook posted a link to this article and it certainly gave me a laugh or two. You can read it <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20067334-71.html">here</a>. </p>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-81482031743665583422011-05-31T07:02:00.000-07:002011-05-31T07:09:15.760-07:00Tuesday Music Roundup<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">For those of you that don’t know, I’m an incredibly big music lover. I do, however, get into the habit of listening to the same bands consistently. Thankfully, free services such as the gracious Pandora and some friends with really great taste introduce me to all kinds of goodness. Many times those songs become background music, or are things I’ve already heard and love. Every once in a while, however, something really jumps out at me. I wished to share with you all. Because I can. I’m not claiming that any of these bands/songs are new or “up and coming.” They are just some of the artists I’m really loving right now: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">1. The Dandy Warhols</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This was definitely a Pandora find. Much of these guys come up on my station, and I love every bit of it. Their songs are cool and catchy. It’s great work music for sure. </p><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Bm1g5Yg0hUw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe></center><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <b style="">I Monster</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As hipster-liscious as this video is, I really enjoy the song. It’s a bit different from the other songs I’ve caught of theirs, also on my station. I enjoy the edginess. </p><br /><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9j8ziNzOv40" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe></center><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">3. <b style="">The Kooks</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t know what it is about this guy’s voice, but I really enjoy it. I really enjoy the song “Stormy Weather” as well, but unfortunately they don’t have a vid for that one yet… </p><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jkaMiaRLgvY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe></center><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">4. <b style="">The Airborne Toxic Event</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">These guys were a great find. The lead singer’s voice is very similar to that of a close friend, so there was a bit of nostalgia involved. Excellent storytelling, and I had a blast learning how to play the acoustic version. </p><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aKEu3EmBCzQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">5. <b style="">Lady Gaga</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ha! I bet you weren’t expecting <i style="">that</i>. Unless you know me at all, which in case you should know that I’m all about the “Judas” video right now. I love its playful controversy, the costuming is great, and again I’m a sucker for a music video that tells a story. It’s catchy and I shamelessly watch this one at least once a day. </p> </div><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wagn8Wrmzuc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What are you listening to right now?<br /></div></center></center>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-2264216553424511592011-05-28T07:45:00.000-07:002011-05-28T08:14:00.336-07:00Spots: Ohio High Life in Atwood Lake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK622szHZMXwdU5-4P8-5bR_7xUXZqRZpFLdjK7lVl1xkbux9QvCBKsRUNV7fVtDeqrWU5mJwMJtjR91SOSj2_dTkOqC8n3y7Ms9h7QZYskATWdfAwjWv8A7rfo2MZD5jMJY_waQ/s1600/Faucet.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK622szHZMXwdU5-4P8-5bR_7xUXZqRZpFLdjK7lVl1xkbux9QvCBKsRUNV7fVtDeqrWU5mJwMJtjR91SOSj2_dTkOqC8n3y7Ms9h7QZYskATWdfAwjWv8A7rfo2MZD5jMJY_waQ/s400/Faucet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611778603775329266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm477YyVWEniFJR4Qku4QG-yE77U97Ti49Wu1K6pprK7QTg0N-Us9w-s8Idb2xdOxxLYZvNnEkqgXGS7JMnelnmOfbqBKw299D_Vz8Rh7DO00TmTr8dx3QhIYAVlC0wAOD2rD25w/s1600/Terry+the+Turtle.jpg"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></a>When most people hear “luxury,” images of New York City hotels pop into mind... perhaps Aspen lodges next to thundering snowy mountain tops, or expansive vineyards in Napa Valley. While all of these glorious locations sound like a fantastic time, they’re a bit beyond my means as a student and freelance writer. Luxury, however, is far from lost on me. I’m a girl that loves the greater things in life, and thankfully I’ve encountered at least one way of experiencing that sort of sophistication nearly in my own back yard.<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Dellroy, Ohio. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I know. I hadn’t heard of it either. As the Living Social Escape email sprung open from my Inbox, my initial reaction was: “Where?” But upon investigating, I discovered it was a whopping one hour drive from my native Akron and a total steal. Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity to visit <a href="http://www.atwoodlake.com/">Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast </a>on Atwood Lake in the not so well known Dellroy, Ohio. </p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I ceremoniously booked my stay for the week of my birthday (which happens to be this week… the big day tomorrow). I could think of no better way of ringing in my “quarter of a century” status than a couple of days of relaxation, reading, drinking wine, and eating a whole lot of delicious food. I’m happy to say that I was <i style="">not</i> let down. While the Cleveland and Akron areas got hit with severe storms, Atwood Lake remained peaceful despite similar weather predictions. All of my plans for nature and luxury were satisfied. </p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm477YyVWEniFJR4Qku4QG-yE77U97Ti49Wu1K6pprK7QTg0N-Us9w-s8Idb2xdOxxLYZvNnEkqgXGS7JMnelnmOfbqBKw299D_Vz8Rh7DO00TmTr8dx3QhIYAVlC0wAOD2rD25w/s1600/Terry+the+Turtle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm477YyVWEniFJR4Qku4QG-yE77U97Ti49Wu1K6pprK7QTg0N-Us9w-s8Idb2xdOxxLYZvNnEkqgXGS7JMnelnmOfbqBKw299D_Vz8Rh7DO00TmTr8dx3QhIYAVlC0wAOD2rD25w/s400/Terry+the+Turtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611779124454797266" border="0" /></a><br />[there was a nature center at the park... with turtles!]<br /></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">For those that are not so much the “outdoorsy” type, Atwood Lake may not be a prime location. Truth be told, a huge selling factor of the area is the abundance of Marinas and kayak (as well as boat) rentals. A couple hours out on the lake put a little soreness in the arms, and quite a sting on the skin—but felt amazing. Entirely worth the sunburn that ensued. There is horseback riding in the area as well, and a whole slew of hiking trails… which included one with a Jurassic-Park style observation tower for viewing the expanse of the lake. Breathtaking. Stopping by the local ice cream parlor after a few hours in the sun, too, was absolutely perfect. </p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4nlff8oiZvgB6wwBnRHqbenL-WwkeM152Yi48hLS6WTmhFh11sDFarMHo9M_p4hE6J4_BhuVMHygC8A2whleWK9E4Hs8N4w6IQgDRWlRUEJygRTR1sDvCgj50Jzw_-TI1GsIOw/s1600/Birds+Eye+View.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4nlff8oiZvgB6wwBnRHqbenL-WwkeM152Yi48hLS6WTmhFh11sDFarMHo9M_p4hE6J4_BhuVMHygC8A2whleWK9E4Hs8N4w6IQgDRWlRUEJygRTR1sDvCgj50Jzw_-TI1GsIOw/s400/Birds+Eye+View.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611779694967648578" border="0" /></a><br />[the view from the observation tower]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVtAvPm1dSFdbbe6kw-_x1Bx13oX7YZpB0DgvPnsANCw0ej5pFrEaz5cphVcwopV5lNngA6lyhPgDU4bupnL1PZnIFy0QEkP05RUSst43wMLTQq14Z583z_8Bj0-hQvutwb-8Iw/s1600/Icecream+Cone.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVtAvPm1dSFdbbe6kw-_x1Bx13oX7YZpB0DgvPnsANCw0ej5pFrEaz5cphVcwopV5lNngA6lyhPgDU4bupnL1PZnIFy0QEkP05RUSst43wMLTQq14Z583z_8Bj0-hQvutwb-8Iw/s400/Icecream+Cone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611779905364629666" border="0" /></a>[have I mentioned my love for chocolate ice cream with peanut butter??]<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Beyond the bugs and sweat, however, Atwood Lake really is a little gem in terms of luxury. <a href="http://www.atwoodlake.com/">Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast</a> was absolutely gorgeous. The owners were nothing but accommodating and friendly. The Jasmine Room was absolutely gorgeous—cozy, but elegant. The décor had a rustic charm, but certainly felt more “luxury” than grandma’s house… though the assortment of board games in the sitting room was a fantastic resource during our stay. And the food… well, let’s just say that ricotta pancakes will now be making their way into my usual morning fare. Reading at sunset on a private balcony has become my new favorite pastime, as well as leisurely enjoying a glass of wine in the hot tub. </p> </div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YBxMgsbPhzT_ZpdDJTmyZ19yHCSMJD4ujK7vtZx5CyvfJz1aDGkfOL0MYq4EUgH75JvB0y-Fa0sLHGDDt0CO7ZCa6Aw_py0hF8Yy1Ej0gOnf8A14NtSosO4M-6m4SZ63dNCgMg/s1600/Whispering+Pines.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YBxMgsbPhzT_ZpdDJTmyZ19yHCSMJD4ujK7vtZx5CyvfJz1aDGkfOL0MYq4EUgH75JvB0y-Fa0sLHGDDt0CO7ZCa6Aw_py0hF8Yy1Ej0gOnf8A14NtSosO4M-6m4SZ63dNCgMg/s400/Whispering+Pines.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611780369020699762" border="0" /></a><br />[and the owners landscape the entire things themselves... brilliant!]<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iStAH7kxRM1Y_G3dC37BCpuRzLXoIdbsuz2lVAZDU-_JpmYYuTBVLiD3s9N3CILUrEUoA3QVtW-T4dOYZ5876GiiTY783wEorFfFnl-6DgYnVk3F7KOw1CL9L8vN2vea0krKqg/s1600/Sun+Room.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iStAH7kxRM1Y_G3dC37BCpuRzLXoIdbsuz2lVAZDU-_JpmYYuTBVLiD3s9N3CILUrEUoA3QVtW-T4dOYZ5876GiiTY783wEorFfFnl-6DgYnVk3F7KOw1CL9L8vN2vea0krKqg/s400/Sun+Room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611780113431278226" border="0" /></a><br />[the gorgeous sun room where we enjoyed our breakfast]<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Two other spots in the area certainly worth mentioning are the <a href="http://www.lighthousebistro.net/">Lighthouse Bistro</a> and Al-Bi Winery. The Lighthouse Bistro is positioned not far from Atwood Lake Park, and serves up the meanest steak I’ve had in ages. We’re talking smothered in carmelized onions and a blue cheese glaze… it was pure heaven. But I’m ahead of myself—we got the steak the <i style="">second</i> time we went there. The first round of Ahi Tuna, crab cake, and delicious fried pickles was enough to send us there again—and sample the lobster rolls as well. Topped off with a delicious Sam Adams Oktoberfest, it was just what the doctor ordered. </p> </div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7Hn8u2F9PYQGOW-jMR6XRe9ytAdJGfIqhwEGgoFoK5oVhiX6Z-20wVvJJBnV3Izvz29QiFrfHjocILUmQTKNLWBWI0I9E5VRfKIWrp1YpNryuw5ucNJoGmqHcEJb62qVZTWPFQ/s1600/Ahi+Tuna.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7Hn8u2F9PYQGOW-jMR6XRe9ytAdJGfIqhwEGgoFoK5oVhiX6Z-20wVvJJBnV3Izvz29QiFrfHjocILUmQTKNLWBWI0I9E5VRfKIWrp1YpNryuw5ucNJoGmqHcEJb62qVZTWPFQ/s400/Ahi+Tuna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611779468684795698" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">[ahi tuna]<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbnnG8bxBtLQmztJOba-7NKAA5GLOFkrzQ-iDtfN5S3K6WBetvVBYWQgOGlgdyC2dEuKJQtpqoonhyyUCoPyaGe6jcdDV2zvKiPUMw_qmvpQQ4sXMs6UhayLGKq9bu8lAT72sUA/s1600/Crab+Cake+and+Pickles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbnnG8bxBtLQmztJOba-7NKAA5GLOFkrzQ-iDtfN5S3K6WBetvVBYWQgOGlgdyC2dEuKJQtpqoonhyyUCoPyaGe6jcdDV2zvKiPUMw_qmvpQQ4sXMs6UhayLGKq9bu8lAT72sUA/s400/Crab+Cake+and+Pickles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611779344525136034" border="0" /></a><br />[crab cake and fried pickles... Mmm]<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Al-Bi Winery is an a-dor-a-ble little place that is family owned and 100% dangerous. By dangerous, I mean their wine is like the tastiest juice you’ve ever had in your life… but quite alcoholic. For the seasoned wine-o that enjoys dry cabs and the crispest Pinot Gregio, I wouldn’t recommend it. But if you enjoy a glass of something fruity and refreshing on a summer day, this is the place to be. They have a number of blends, dandelion wine, and pretty much the most delicious peach wine I’ve ever had. You really can’t go wrong with a place that names one of their bottles “Foreplay.”<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-I4Pm_6YM0OPwfxuYtV1fXYNNZEr0G7_hig6w5IYv2Vhg93JkN1DmcLk_uXGbdEm36ZCD3Kxuf7MLNkm9roplTlQ6UWni0bLIn70ijZrxMhR9vqwQxF5xXV70ywW_NoX76uh2QQ/s1600/Winery.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-I4Pm_6YM0OPwfxuYtV1fXYNNZEr0G7_hig6w5IYv2Vhg93JkN1DmcLk_uXGbdEm36ZCD3Kxuf7MLNkm9roplTlQ6UWni0bLIn70ijZrxMhR9vqwQxF5xXV70ywW_NoX76uh2QQ/s400/Winery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611783229571541618" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">[mixing the peach and raspberry wines together... delish!]</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Alright, alright—enough with the gloating, I know. The moral of this story is that you don’t have to travel far to experience luxury and relaxation. Ohio may not be known for its sophistication, but there is certainly a quaint elegance hidden in Dellroy if you venture to look…</p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"></p></div></div>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-53386851004286800452011-05-22T19:49:00.000-07:002011-05-22T20:10:36.602-07:00Why a Cycle Makes all the Difference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTmbZbGqrXPp2xIUH25KMpYeqsYwVcAbN_gbH97r0CXqu5o_NRDRLLULUkOaPWSBeWQfcCsjzCYWBlwQVXDdTtdv4bTt17WO4a3cGn0EvADK_R1Y2okli1mt1PSOzw-SOP_4ACw/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTmbZbGqrXPp2xIUH25KMpYeqsYwVcAbN_gbH97r0CXqu5o_NRDRLLULUkOaPWSBeWQfcCsjzCYWBlwQVXDdTtdv4bTt17WO4a3cGn0EvADK_R1Y2okli1mt1PSOzw-SOP_4ACw/s400/IMG_1809.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609738576089392866" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->The weather broke a couple days this week and I had the chance to get out on my new piece of machinery and check out the local parks in the Lakewood area. There is really nothing quite like the feeling of the wind blowing through your hair with a pair of aviators to shield the slowly setting spring sun. I’ve found, however, that being on bicycle as opposed to riding in a car has a further appeal than the simple pleasure of raw motion. I’ve been able to witness the little nuances of my neighborhood, and some of the wonderful advantages of living in an area that has quite a bit of walkability to it.<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">There are, of course, those little things you never notice when you’re in an automobile—the wearing of the paint on passing buildings, the gorgeous flowers growing in your neighbor’s front yard. More importantly, however, the other four senses are vastly underutilized. You may hear the wind whipping into your car as you drive, but you don’t hear the sounds of conversation taking place on front porches, or the smell of a backyard barbeque. You don’t get as many opportunities to get out and get your digits wet (though on second thought the conditions of the rivers in Cleveland should discourage me from putting said feet in water in the future). </p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWe5Bu_tq3xB_E3eGTYf2TFtdjQ7Kedx79JqppEdCMrIoOQDja42yOWJPnq5Va3gsda8vKTDVbPlhgMJaCrVWHi92soFP5HIc5XBsC3lnHC4IGEy0MktaRGCPaqSbVIjH-_PIsg/s1600/Getting+My+Feet+Wet+Rotated.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWe5Bu_tq3xB_E3eGTYf2TFtdjQ7Kedx79JqppEdCMrIoOQDja42yOWJPnq5Va3gsda8vKTDVbPlhgMJaCrVWHi92soFP5HIc5XBsC3lnHC4IGEy0MktaRGCPaqSbVIjH-_PIsg/s400/Getting+My+Feet+Wet+Rotated.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609740719924513426" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->I’ve been frustrated at the changing of the times over the last couple of years. Why aren’t kids acting like kids anymore? Though many I’m sure were hiding away in their bedrooms listening to iPods and playing the newest videogame, I saw so many out today—with their parents at the park, throwing flat stones into the water. Some in the midst of play (yes, <i style="">real life play</i>), spilling imagination onto the sidewalks in groups. No antisocial tendencies… just kids being precisely that, saying hello as I whiz by.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ5eTo0C1jcHL3dzlD49CA06MeEKI9-77LcxXDMBipmxvR_d1I2W2Mc2gAHEkKbanKmXNB8yZVitm4vD3EIVIjpDMSLlB_BkyhNjSJM22QYUh_8FfrSOnJ45nU0s6QcoywpfrIA/s1600/BW+Flowers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ5eTo0C1jcHL3dzlD49CA06MeEKI9-77LcxXDMBipmxvR_d1I2W2Mc2gAHEkKbanKmXNB8yZVitm4vD3EIVIjpDMSLlB_BkyhNjSJM22QYUh_8FfrSOnJ45nU0s6QcoywpfrIA/s400/BW+Flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609739159266098114" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->I stopped to take photos of a gorgeous display of flowers and two young girls asked me if I was a “photo-grapher.” Laughing, I responded that I was trying—so happy that they were curious enough to even ask. While climbing around on large rocks and slabs of concrete on the lake’s edge I overheard a little girl comment to her mother that I as allowed because “I was an adult and knew what I was doing.” I immediately responded that she gave me way too much credit, but it made me smile. As adults, we rarely have these little interactions with strangers—instead opting to jump in our vehicles, drive exactly where we need to go, and try our best to avoid eye contact in the process.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7L-VYVSjFEJtMLyaQumdKr6urUDlzjyvXalQlinMhUwNZzN4DPTm6QOn049DvvZ6yC1Av7eA5D-PGyyPEgLP5Rb06lZtOrIZEhRf02z7S1ERPeGbH5TCt3EjmQQcGOQy3obNuA/s1600/Dandelions.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7L-VYVSjFEJtMLyaQumdKr6urUDlzjyvXalQlinMhUwNZzN4DPTm6QOn049DvvZ6yC1Av7eA5D-PGyyPEgLP5Rb06lZtOrIZEhRf02z7S1ERPeGbH5TCt3EjmQQcGOQy3obNuA/s400/Dandelions.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609738877854649906" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m fortunate to see a lot of people out and about on bicycles here in Lakewood. I’m even more fortunate that the city is practically a grid, so there is no serious danger of me losing my way throughout its streets (as anyone will tell you I have the absolute worst sense of direction). By far the most fortunate I’ve found myself is in moving to a place that fosters community right at the street level. Whether the church a few blocks down is putting on a carnival for the kids, more work is being done at the community garden just a few streets down from my place, or the shouts and cheers from a little league game is trailing through the air as I ride by. </p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FfwRcltzhp6w1VPhJCGduTTMDyus4eEPA7MsHYRP5kdS92ZURevYv-MD7CTVvWyToQ0gGm-KPFcJztEJpfx5YHSsN2X6ovK1SZAm__kU6FljIQeSf9Wjbaq478h41UcAbnKNVA/s1600/Bike+at+Park.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FfwRcltzhp6w1VPhJCGduTTMDyus4eEPA7MsHYRP5kdS92ZURevYv-MD7CTVvWyToQ0gGm-KPFcJztEJpfx5YHSsN2X6ovK1SZAm__kU6FljIQeSf9Wjbaq478h41UcAbnKNVA/s400/Bike+at+Park.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609740994675747074" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I know, this all sounds so very melodramatic—but it’s what really gets my gears turning (there’s a little bicycle pun for ya). Just take it as a little prod to get out and enjoy the nice weather… when we have it. The world is a beautiful, amazing place if we take the time to smell the roses, have an impromptu conversation with a new friend, or just stop to listen to the trains go by. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cheers!</p>Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33582176.post-37632550931668525032011-05-21T10:07:00.000-07:002011-05-21T10:23:58.082-07:00Adorable Adaptive Reuse: Sundress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TaoSFUAGlBs/TdfyST2N0qI/AAAAAAAAAGE/sQsaxAwmdWc/s1600/Dress.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TaoSFUAGlBs/TdfyST2N0qI/AAAAAAAAAGE/sQsaxAwmdWc/s400/Dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609218257292481186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hello friends! I wanted to share with you the excitement of a recent project I finished. I mentioned it in a <a href="http://neophileohio.blogspot.com/2011/03/thinking-about-eco-friendly-wardrobe.html">previous post</a> about eco-friendly fashion decisions, but at that point the dress was not quite finished yet. The shirt had been properly adjusted, but the pieces had not yet been put together. Because I've been hard at work behind my sewing machine this weekend attempting to make my own shower curtain-- and the rain has actually broken, allowing for a little sunshine-- I figured it was the perfect opportunity to finish it up and make it wearable! I'm quite happy with the end result :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Top: An old shirt I never much wore because the sleeves were kind of different. The fabric is super stretchy and comfortable, however. Cost: Free.<br /><br />Skirt: A Goodwill find. I think I paid about $3 for it.<br /><br />Belt: Also from Goodwill. It ran me a whopping $0.99.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost</span>: $4.00. Not bad!<br /><br />Now to get the full effect, the before and after:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZQQkjTzXbc/Tdfz_LPQ69I/AAAAAAAAAGM/sOKgRvhORog/s1600/dressparts.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZQQkjTzXbc/Tdfz_LPQ69I/AAAAAAAAAGM/sOKgRvhORog/s400/dressparts.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609220127587363794" border="0" /></a><br />I also took the time today to repaint the toes and fingers, just to add a little oomph! Now all I need is a nice glass of lemonade... and to finish that shower curtain!Tara Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529851321493701653noreply@blogger.com0