Cleveland Rocks

That's right, I'm a convert.

While it wasn't the greatest place I've ever been, Cleveland was a good time. I made it there in less than three hours, with only three bugs plastered on the windshield, and a quarter tank of gas left. Thank God for fuel efficiency, or the trip alone would have cost me forty bucks.

Saturday night we went down to the Flats, the entertainment district of Cleveland. We were told to do our research before heading out. I learned that the Flats has an East side, featuring these highlights:
- After a night of drunken debauchery in 2000, 3 people fell off the pier and drowned
- Raids in 2001 led to the closure of nine bars
- The current demolition project has left only ten hot spots open
- The East Side has a rep for crime and sometimes violence

So you can see why we chose to go check out the West side! And we are glad we did, because we had a blast.The West side is home to many more bars, clubs and restaurants, including the Powerhouse. A huge brick complex right on the water, it used to supply power to street cars, but now houses a crapload of cool bars. We didn't leave that building all night. We had dinner and beers at the Rock Bottom Brewery, where they make the best nachos ever. Then we had to go to Howl at the Moon. Let's just say I'm a sucker for dueling pianos. The place has bras hanging from the ceiling, and the guys did a killer rendition of "Sexy Back." Add that to the fact that there were seven bachelorette parties, a bachelor party, and two guys wearing kilts, and you have a hell of a good time.

The next day we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I could have spent 6 hours in that place! There is so much to see it makes you a little dizzy. Although Eric did have to stop me from going "AWWWW!" every time we saw something owned by a dead rocker that I adore. Cause face it, most of them are dead.

It's definitely worth the 20 bucks, and you have to go. Wait til after the 25th of May when The Doors exhibit opens, though. That's one thing I'm sad I missed. Anyway, my favorite things were:
- John Lennon's first passport. He was such a cute Rockabilly boy! And his grammar school newspaper, where he drew comics and made up stories about "Mr S. Kull, whose wife left him for unknown reasons, which are unknown."
- Tom Petty's handwritten drafts of songs. It was so cool to see the thought process as he crossed out and reworked lyrics.
- The puppets from Alice in Chains' "I Stay Away" video.
- Janis Joplin's handpainted Porche
- The hotdog, soda, and fries from Phish's tours
- The Pink Floyd's "The Wall" exhibit, 'nuff said

All in all, what I saw of Cleveland was not bad, not bad at all. There is certainly a lot to do there, if you are into museums, sports, and drinking your little ass off. I'm sure you all fall into one of those categories.

It's May Day

When I was little and still in Girl Scouts, we used to weave paper baskets and fill them with flowers to hang on people's front doors for May Day. Then we'd ring the bell and run away. Does anyone still do that? Or is that where the flaming bag of crap idea came from?

Anywho... I've been stationary for a while now, but it's not so much better than when I was running constantly. That's because now Eric is running constantly. I could back track and go on about his last few trips, but instead I'll just tell you that he was home for only 10 of the 30 days of April. That makes for lots of working for me so I don't go nuts. I worked 12 shifts in 8 days. For some reason my feet are black on the bottoms. Weird. Right now Eric is in Mexico, then he'll be flying all over the States, and he won't be back for two weeks. Luckily I get to see him this weekend, as he has to stop for a few days in Cleveland. That's right, I said Cleveland. Ohio. Hoo-fucking-ray!

Now not to offend any of you who may be natives of Ohio, but it's just not on the top of my list of "1000 Awesome Places to See Before I Die." Ok, it's not on the list at all. The only thing I can think of when I think of Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mimi from the Drew Carey show, and... Well actually, that's it. That's my East Coast ignorance talking. Luckily, an old friend lives in the area, and may be able to entertain us by feeding us many beers and tequila for Cinco de Mayo. Not that he's Mexican or anything. He's actually Puerto Rican, but in this country I think that makes him Mexican on May 5th. It's like how everyone becomes Irish for St. Patty's Day.

I will leave you with some educational tidbits, as I now feel guilty for trashing Cleveland. While writing this and simultaneously searching the web, I have discovered that Cleveland is home to some pretty interesting attractions. Like:

The Indians, number one in the Central States, who knew? You can see them at Jacobs Field, where they serve hotdogs, beer, and SUSHI.
The West Side Market, one of the largest international farmer's markets around, started in 1912.
The Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland's largest local brewery, with ten beers on tap. I have a feeling I'll be a big fan of the Holy Moses White Ale. Nothing like a stab at the bible thumpers to brighten my day:)
And although I doubt you'll find him at home, Paul Newman is from Cleveland. So was Thomas Edison, LeBron James, Eliot Ness, Dorothy Dandridge, and Dr. Henry Schwan - Father of the Decorated Christmas Tree.