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Though luv has kept us close,
Lust is breaking me away from u.
The over-the-counter sentimental sentiment,
Coated with gleaming teeth,
Filled with overwhelming friendlyness
Is making me sicker as days go by.
Maybe I should not take your pill anymore.

How Sweet It Is

With the devastating events that occurred in April of 2001, many thought that realestate investments, community involvement and societal outlets would wither away from downtown Cincinnati.

In 2001, I must admit, I did flee the inner city and move back across the river to the state that I was born and raised. Though I enjoyed my temporary stay in the Bluegrass State, the Siren's call of Downtown life brought me back to it's bosom, and I have yet to regret the move back.

If you have not guessed, that is what this blog is all about!

It would be a shame if I did not use this forum to exploit my neighborhood's national press. In last week's New York Times, there was an article chronicles Over-the-Rhine's progress since the Riots of 2001.

Channel 9 News has been doing an I-Team expose on different streets that were most hit by the Riots. They even interviewed a couple that I know to show that regular, some what affluent (I know, this is a relative term) individuals still choose to reside in the depths of Over-the-Rhine.

I thinks its great, and hope that we all can benefit from this exposure.

Truly a Cincinnati Weekend Holiday

I can not think of the last time that I have had a more enjoyable weekend. The warm weather coupled with the kick off to the holiday season with a four day holiday weekend caused there to be a bit more going on in the Queen city the on normal weekends.

Pause…

Well I am guessing that you want to know about it. I thought that you would never ask.

Of course the weekend started off with a feast at my mom's new apartment over looking the fair city of Covington, Ky. Me not a cook in the least, I whipped up some mashed potatoes to serve at the Thanksgiving gala. It was the first time in several years that I have been in the same room with all three of my brothers at the same time. Here as some pics from my family’s Turkey Day.

On Friday, the continued re-opening ceromonies of Fountain Square continued with the lighting of the seasonal Christmas Tree and the opening of the ice skating rink. This is where it was nice to have the warm weather. Unlike the first opening ceremony, Friday was unseasonably warm. Though I did not partake in the ice skating frenzy, I read in the Cincinnati Enquirer that thousands were in attendance.

Saturday, Eden park was on fire with the Balloomanaria event. This is where several colorful hot air ballons light up the dark sky. The reflection of this site off of mirror lake is amazing.

Why can't every weekend be like this?

Law School or Library School....The Decision of the Ages

Yesterday, I met with the head of the Political Science Dept. at the university that I attend. For some strange reason, it is mandatory to choose a minor in addition to declaring a major at this university. With an associates in Korean Studies already under my belt, I opted to choose a minor in International Studies, which is a part of the Political Science program.

I was floating on air after my meeting with the Dean because I found out most of my credits from my associates degree could be used in obtaining my minor, placing me closer to graduation than I had imagined.

Now that I have one (at the most three) courses left to finish my degree, I have to solidify my plans for graduate study. I have narrowed my choices of graduate work to either obtaining a Law degree or obtaining a Masters in Library Science (MLS).

Decisions....decisions...

The good thing with either of the two programs that I choose to take will be free, so that is one less thing to worry about.

There may be more opportunity for me if I obtain my MLS first, but on the other hand, I would have to drive to Lexington a few times.....

Law School would be interesting and there is a program close to me where I can attend in the evenings, but on the other hand it will take longer to complete than Library School.

Both are equally exciting to me....

I would be interested to hear what any of you out there have to say...

I Can Remember These Days

Ever since the first season of MTV's The Real Worl hit the air in 1990, I have been an avid fan. I can remember the nights that I spent in highschool wishing that I was fortunate enough to be thrown in together with such an ecclectic group in a strange city and have all of our anticks recorded on video tape. I have to say that my favorite season is still Real World London. I even applied for Real World Boston.

Due to the fact that I no longer subscribe to cable television, coupled with the fact that I am getting older, have led to me to fall off Real Worlds radar.

Thought London was my favorite season, my favorite character was Danny from Real World New Orleans which aired in 2000. In 2000, I was in the military and stationed at Ft. Hood, TX, living off post with a group of good friends whom I was not allowed to show who I really was. Danny's story hit home and I was glued to the tube every Thursday night.



Can you understand why?

Was There Ever A Better Reporter

1941 - 2006

You must be living in the stone age (no offence to cavemen) if you have not heard about the untimely passing of Edward Bradley. This respected reporter lost his battle with leukemia early last Thursday morning. Mr. Bradley was born in Philadelphia in 1941 and in his 65 years of gracing the American audiences with his stature, presence and poise, he managed to inspire us all.

I did not like Mr. Bradley simply because he was a successful African American. I liked this accomplished reporter because of his style of intervening. He was not afraid to interject his personal idiosyncrasies while interviewing a subject. He did this without seeming biased, prejudgmental or callous.

To me, he was one of the greats that exemplified exuberance, intelligence, style and grace. He will be sadly missed

The Tide FINALLY Changes

Did anyone think that this day would come?

After casting my vote, I helped out at Ohio's Democratic headquarters and things looked a bit bleak while I called registered Dems to get them out to the polls. Most were either not home or were not voting because they no longer trusted the 'system'.

As it turned out, we prevailed! Not only in Ohio but nation wide, taking a majority of the House seats and hopefully, the Senate too.

The race that I was most watching with the gubunitorial race here in Ohio and it was a great sign to see Mr. Blackwell concede even before the first vote was officially counted. Another race that I watched was that of Phil Himlich who fell by the waistside.

After volunteering, I met a few friends at Molly Malone's Irish pub and then went to Cranley's Election party. I say election as opposed to victory for obvious reason.

Friday Night Fever

A few weeks ago, I was driving on Delta Ave in Mt. Lookout and saw this great place called Aqua. I got a few people together to head out to see how it was, but we ended up having dinner at Nectar, just a few doors away from Aqua.

The night started off with a few hor d'orves and a glass or two of wine at my apartment with the two friends that I had dinner with. This is only the second time that I have invited people over in the year that I have lived there.

After drinks at my place, we proceeded to Nectar where we had a fabulous meal and ran into a few friends. From there, not wanting the night to end, we traveled a few dors up Delta Ave. to have a drink at Aqua.

I do not know who's idea it was, but after dinner and few drinks we thought we could sit through a movie, so we trekked to Newport On The Levee and took in the movie Borat. We capped off the night at a small Newport bar called The Crazy Fox.

All in all it was a pretty eventful night.

Covington Is Really HAPPENING

As some of you may know, though Cincinnati is my adopted home, I was born and raised in the good ol' Southern city of Covington, KY. Here is a pic of the shores of Covington taken from the shores of Cincinnati.

I was lucky enough to venture to Covington this morning so I was forced to read the Kentucky Enquiere. I am so glad I did. Living in Cincinnati, I sometimes forget all of the great things that are happening just across the river.

I read about some upcoming events that I want to see at the Carnegie Arts Center and one of Nikki Giovonni's stops was at NKU's campus.

I guess Covington's new slogan 'It's Happening' is really true.