Long overdue.

Even though it's been a while since I've updated, things have been anything but boring here in the Queen City.

The day after my last post, I was forced to start looking for a new apartment due to a Peeping Tom situation at my first Cincinnati abode. To say the least, it was the most overwhelming and terrifying situation I've ever been in, but due to a lot of good luck, and a great support system, I was able to move out quickly and get settled in my new place.

Now, I'm a little further north of the city, in a sleepy little community called Norwood. Lots of great dive bars and a few nice parks make it a nice place to be. I'm also only a few blocks away from the express way, making downtown and most of the best Cincinnati neighborhoods well within reach.

A few really great things have come out of my move from East Walnut Hills (Bulluck Terrace, to be exact. Single ladies, steer clear) to Norwood. First, I've actually been sleeping again, meaning I'm enjoying everything about life more, and I have a lot more energy to do fun things. Second, I'm not eating out every day and making sure I get home while it's still light, leaving me money and -- again -- time to explore this incredible city.

Here's what I've found:

Newport, Kentucky, right across the river from Cincinnati, used to be the gambling, prostitution, nightlife hot spot before Las Vegas. Since Newport is only about a six-hour train ride from all the major urban hubs of the early 20th century (New York, Chicago, Detroit, Atlantic City), it was the place to getaway and have a little fun.

The gentlemen of the Newport Gangster Tour have put together an homage to that era of Newport's history with a walking tour of all the sauciest spots in the city. Starting at the Gangster's Dueling Piano Bar, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time as you get one of the most entertaining history lessons you'll every receive. It's difficult to imagine the picturesque little town being used for anything but sock hops and lemonade stands now, but it wasn't long ago that bootlegged liquor ran as fast as the Ohio, and billions (yes, billions) of dollars were being spent annually to commit all of the seven deadly sins.

Cross the river, add some class and fast forward 100 years, and you have the Plum Court Wine Room, an unsuspecting piece of corner real estate in downtown. I say unsuspecting because the facade looks like that of an insurance agency, but cross the threshold, and you're in a cozy little nook full of Cupcake wine and delicious gourmet appetizers.

The Plum Court Wine Room is only open for tastings one day each week. The rest of the week, though, the venue can be rented out for private parties. Here are the up sides: there's a really cute sommelier pouring taste after taste of yummy vino, and talking about full, creamy finishes -- if you're into that kind of thing -- as well as a really nice selections of wines and a knowledgeable staff ready to educate guests about what they're drinking. It's also really reasonably priced. For $7, I tasted five wines, and could have bought any of those bottles for $9.99. Not bad.

I also checked out the Shadowbox Theater over in Newport for a night of comedy and rocking music. Initially, I thought the show was going to be similar to Second City in Chicago, however, the skits are scripted, dinner is served and there is no drink limit.

The food and service were great. Considering the servers were the actors, band members and crew, I wasn't expecting much. But they compensate for an over-worked staff with a simple, short menu of great food, taking a bit of the edge off.

However, what impressed me most about the Shadowbox, an artist-owned theater, was the music. Seriously, it rocked! All the members of the band had roles in the skits, sometimes back-to-back. But every singer blew me, and the rest of the audience, away with powerhouse vocals, backed up by a truly-talented band. They sang everything from the Eagles to Ozzy, never breaking character and really putting on a stellar performance.

As a matter of fact, the comedy paled in comparison to the musical facets of the show, but I would pay the $30 ticket price again to hear more of the band. The only downside is it was a very expensive night. I bought $10 in raffle tickets, but before that, my food and beer were about $50. Beers were cheap, though, so most of that cost was food.

Another expensive -- but worth it -- dinner is at Beluga in Hyde Park. When Ally came to Cinci for a visit last weekend, we decided to give it a try, and were both pleasantly surprised with the menu options and quality of sushi served.

Beluga's atmosphere is kind of nightclub-ish. Actually, for any fellow Boystown lovers reading this, it feels like Mini Bar, only minus the loud music and dancing. Ally and I got there early, which was a good choice. By the time we left, it was getting really full and really loud, which would probably not make for a relaxing or romantic dinner.

I gave yellow tail a try for the first time at Beluga, and loved it. The roll tasted totally tropical, featuring mangos, jalepenos and an amazing citrusy, honey sauce. All of the sushi was incredibly fresh, and made within a few minutes of our order being placed. It was well worth the price, and will probably be a place I take to impress all future visitors.

During the daylight hours, I'm working on becoming a Hamilton County Parks connoisseur. With my new friend, Jess, I've discovered California Woods and Sharon Woods, both just outside of Cincinnati. They are both absolutely gorgeous examples of Midwestern natural beauty, featuring dense deciduous forests, hills and creeks. I even bought a year-long pass to the parks over the weekend, a mere $10 for access to parking at 21 parks. Incredible! Jess and I have hiked most of the trails at both places, getting a really great workout every time.

Sharon Woods, in particular, is breathtakingly beautiful. The area the park is set in was carved by glaciers during the last ice age, leaving spectacular rock formations and a now mostly-dry riverbed surrounded by forest. There are dirt trails, as well as paved ones, and ponds perfect for canoeing or kayaking in the summertime. It's also dog friendly...

Why is that important? Well, friends, I'm a dog owner! Last Saturday, I adopted Kenny from the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio. We're happily settling in to a new routine and learning about one another. It's exciting and a whole new experience for an experienced dog owner like me. This is the first time I don't have my family in on this adventure, but I think I'm doing alright so far.

Kenny is a great dog with an amazing disposition. It breaks my heart to think he spent the whole first year of his life in a shelter, but I'm making up for that now. If you're in the area and looking to adopt, I highly recommend LFAW. Kenny was so well cared for, as are the other animals who call the shelter home. The facility is immaculate, and doesn't smell like animal waste the way most shelters do. The animals are clean, their nails are trimmed and they all have outdoor access. It's an amazing place and the adoption fee is nominal compared to other shelters I looked at. For $95, I got to bring Kenny home and make him a part of my little family. I couldn't be happier.

So, that's the update from here! It's been a crazy couple of months, full of the good, the bad and the ugly. But I made it, and I have a new buddy by my side.

Idina Mezel ... Part Lady Liberty, Part Diva, All Goddess.

Tonight was an absolutely incredible start to what is bound to be an amazing weekend.

I bought tickets this week to see Idina Menzel perform with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Not only has Ms. Menzel brought to life one of my favorite characters from literature and film, Elphaba, I listen to the song "Defying Gravity" on a daily basis.

The evening started with the orchestra playing selections from Broadway, as well as a waltz and a Puccini piece from "La Boheme," in honor of the night's vocalist (Ms. Menzel was the original Maureen in RENT, a modern version of "La Boheme"). To say I was impressed is an understatement. My favorite part of watching an orchestra perform is the violins, because the bows moving up and down over the strings remind me of cricket legs, all leaping to the same beat. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra's violin section did not disappoint. But while I have an affection for the violins, I'd be remiss to not give credit to all the artists, who really bring something special to Cincinnati. Each section melted beautifully into one another, creating a sound that was soft and intimate, particularly when they played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," which literally brought me to tears.

The first character I was ever cast as was Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz," I was 10. When I got the part, my mom asked me, "Can you sing?" My response was: "I don't know, I guess." Being cast in that role lead me to voice lessons, more roles, choirs, Italy, Ireland, Central Harmony and Hot Commodity. Some of the most amazing experiences of my life are due to my voice. Hearing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" tonight brought me back a ways, I guess, and to have it capped off with "Defying Gravity," which I heard for the first time when I saw Wicked almost three years ago with Allyson, was like a sensory overload for me. In the year after seeing Wicked, I listened to that song over and over again, dying to make my next move. Dying to be in Chicago. Dying to defy gravity. A year later, I was. In my worst days in Big Rapids "Defying Gravity" gave me a boost, and now that I'm in Cincinnati, the song seems to carry a lot more meaning.

But back to show...

Idina, if I may call her that, has the art of being a tease down to a science. She flirted with the crowd for a solid four minutes upon stepping onto the stage. With each second, as the orchestra pulsed behind her, the audience got a little more anxious, eager to hear her hit that first note with her signature belt...then she did.

She sang from RENT and Wicked, of course, as well as an assortment of other Broadway tunes, and Barbara Streisand hits. She even did a mash-up, if you will, of Cole Porter and Sting & The Police. While I'm not a Glee fan, so I have no point of reference, she apparently performed "Pokerface" on the popular FOX show recently. Anyway, she sang it at tonight's performance, with the orchestra backing her the whole way.

Before launching into "Pokerface," though, she gave a little shout out to GaGa for speaking against Don't Ask, Don't Tell this week, as well as commended her for rallying for gay rights. In ultra-conservative Cincinnati, I'm not sure she won over anyone older than 40. The rest of us didn't care. Following the GaGa jam, she performed an original song she wrote for two of her gay friends, who moved from the U.S. to the Netherlands so that they could be married and be together without making any apologies.

Come to think of it, Idina looked like she was channeling Lady Liberty tonight in her royal blue, toga-esque gown and brilliantly cut diamond studs. Perhaps the political statement wasn't intended to be subtle.

She spent a lot of time in between songs telling stories about her husband, Taye Diggs, their baby, her digestive issues and her career. She's actually really funny, and was just as entertaining between songs as she was during.

The highlight of the evening, though, was when she sang "For Good" from Wicked. She sang sans-microphone, proving she doesn't need an amp to make her voice heard throughout a hall that seats a few thousand. The moment was incredibly powerful, as her notes literally hung in the air.

All-in-all, the night was spectacular. I'm looking forward to seeing the orchestra again, because they went above and beyond my expectations. And Idina Menzel, she's a goddess, and I'm so glad I got to see her this evening.

One month down.

Well, one month and two days to be exact! I'm love, love, loving Cincinnati, and everything that goes along with it.

The city itself is amazing. It has all the big-city feel I loved about Chicago, including great restaurants, ambiance, museums, walk-ability and bars, but it's smaller, and easier to maneuver. It's also convenient to have a car again, although the year of living in the Windy City has convinced me I'd be perfectly happy never driving one again.

The other great part about Cincy, is the natural beauty, not just outside the city, but even in downtown. There are flower gardens everywhere, the river running right through the center of things, and the hills are just amazing. I've taken a couple of day trips to go hiking at state parks outside the city limits, and have also spent some time exploring my new neighborhood and getting the lay of the land.

I joined a book club, and my first meeting is on Tuesday. The book is "Canticle for Leibowitz," a post-apocalyptic story by Walter Miller. Not really my thing, but I've been here a month and still need some friends! On my quest to find this novel, though, I found a great bookstore a couple minutes from my house, which happens to be next to a WHOLE FOODS! Yay! It's also in the same shopping center as Gap, Banana, Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx. Now that I know where I'll be spending most of my time (and money), I'm starting to really feel settled.

The job is going really well. I couldn't ask for better coworkers, and the work is actually a lot of fun. Really! Who knew health benefits could get me riled up?

Finally, I'm almost done decorating my apartment. I'm still struggling with a color scheme for my bedroom, but I have a feeling something will come to me. The second bedroom is finished, though...so if you're ever looking for a place to crash, you've got one in the Queen City!

Welcome to The Queen City!

I made it!

The drive here felt like it took forever, but luckily for me, I had a couple good friends to help me out with the move, which made the task a little less daunting.

It's been in the 90s here all week, with really high humidity. My hair isn't too pleased with the move so far, but I'm starting to feel pretty comfortable. I've found my way to the library, grocery store and a few local parks, which means today I have more exploring to do in the shopping district. I also hope to find a yoga studio nearby.

When I moved to Chicago, I had my dad cleaning and organizing all my stuff as it was dropped inside my front door. This time, though, I was on my own. I had no idea how much stuff I actually have! Let's just say, it was enough to fill a 24' moving truck, plus my cute little Vibe. My new place is a little bigger than my Boystown walkup, but my bedroom is smaller so I have to pare down the furniture a bit. What I'm most excited for is my office...formally known as the Pretentious Reading Room.

I use the term "office" loosely at this point. There's a futon for guests, a second bookshelf stuffed with books and an incredible desk, which is where I'll get my creative juices flowing, if you know what I mean. At least, that's the plan. There are a couple of universities nearby, so I would like to take on some editing work for dissertations and whatnot. There also might be some potential contract communications work for a few campaigns. My first priority, though, is the job I came here for, which starts on Monday! I'm so excited, and really looking forward to a true 9 to 5 gig. Not to mention, everyone I've met and interacted with so far have been amazing, and I think the work environment is going to be a great one on a lot of levels.

Here's the thing about going corporate, a fact that made it on both the pro and con list for Cincinnati: It's going to be amazing to not have work rule my life, and to be able to use my salary to not only support myself, but actually have a little fun. I'll be able to go to a 6 p.m. yoga class. I won't have to work on Saturdays. As a matter of fact, I can come home and cook myself dinner instead of jetting out of the office for a quick bite at 8 p.m. before going back to finish some press releases.

The schedules I kept in Chicago made living a little difficult. My gym membership went mostly unused because I worked 15 hours a day. My commutes were long. I didn't have much time to meet people. My salary also wasn't anything to brag about. Of course, what I'm making now will go quickly once I factor in rent, a car payment and a 401K, but I think I've worked my budget out to allow me to take the trips I've been wanting to (look out Cali and NYC!!!), as well as have some fun around the City of Seven Hills (or Queen City, whichever you prefer).

In short, I'm feeling good, in spite of the heat. I made this offer to you all when I lived in Chicago, and I'll make it again--you always have a place to crash in Cincinnati if you feel like making a trip. Heck, I'll even sweeten the offer...a full-size futon instead of a couch. Any takers?

Be careful what you wish for.

I left Grand Rapids in a tizzy this morning, ready to get back to Chippewa Lake to finish packing and spend a little time by myself. Bad call.

It's no secret the last couple of months have been tough, and that without reliable cable and cell service, I've been more isolated than an indigenous tribe in the Amazon. In reality, though, Chippewa Lake is my most favorite destination in the whole world...and I wouldn't want to spend my summer anywhere else.

The last few weeks have been unbearably hot and humid, but as I drove around the bend and saw the sun glistening off the water, the most amazing breeze drifted over the lake and brought the smell of Chippewa rushing to my head. Nothing quite compares to the damp, piney fresh smell of the air here, and now with all the windows open, I'm surrounded by the scent that I wish could follow me all the way to Cincinnati.

The truth is, I was never really excited to move back here for a job. I'd been flirting for a long time with the idea of being a reporter, and felt like that move was my first really responsible decision. Chicago had been pretty much a cake walk. I had friends, a stage to karaoke on a couple nights a week and a blow-off job (not the campaign, of course) that paid me a lot of money to hang out with some of the cutest kids in the Midwest. Not bad. So when I accepted the gig in Big Rapids, I thought the pit in my stomach was because I was leaving a place I loved. As it turns out, that was part of it. More than the sadness of leaving, though, was questioning if the decision was the right one.

I feel different about Cincinnati. I am excited. I also feel nervous. I don't know anyone there. It's close to Kentucky. My job is really technical. I passed up another amazing job for this one. I think I sold out by going corporate. I didn't see my friends before I left. I might have forgotten something. I have a car payment. I really have to budget. I have to move all my stuff...again.

This is going to be tough, and up until now, it's all felt surreal.

Since I started my college search about a million years ago, I've craved an adventure. An adventure that would shove me out of my comfort zone and make me fend for myself. While Chicago and Big Rapids held their merits on the adventure scale, this move is a total leap of faith. I only hope that this leap turns out to be the one that helps put me on track.

The lake is perfect tonight. I wish you were here with me to chat, share a glass of wine and look out over the water. In a couple hours, the sun will melt into the trees directly across from my cottage, and the water will turn bright orange and red. It's the perfect time to swim or paddle down the road of light leading from my dock to the sunset. It's fitting, really, to spend the night here. A perfect evening in my favorite place...another little goodbye to home.

Here we go again!

I'm moving to Cincinnati!

Things in my world change at warp speed, but I think this move will finally bring a little stability to my life.

I start work at Mercer, a human resources consulting firm, in August, and I could not be more excited. I think this move will be an adventure and a challenge ... even more so than Chicago was. You see, when I moved there, I knew a few people, I had a few friends. I don't know anyone in Cincinnati. Actually, the only person I know in Ohio is my sister, who goes to school 40 minutes from Cincy.

I'm excited for what's to come. More excited than I ever was about moving back to the Mitten. This feels right, it passes the gut test. I'm ready to jump in with both feet, and see where life takes me next.
There's more updates to come, but if you have any suggestions about Cincinnati or Ohio, let me know. I'm flying blind!

Settling in.

I wrapped up my second week at the Pioneer yesterday, and I finally feel like I'm getting my sea legs.

I was pretty surprised to find out that the transition back to small-town life was harder than the transition to Chicago. I asked myself at least a dozen times during my first week why the hell I'd moved back to this place. It's too quiet to sleep. There's no police station nearby. Everything closes at 6. I have to drive to get everywhere. Wolf spiders have invaded the cottage. I need to switch banks...again.

Now, though, I'm adjusting.

Work is going well. The office environment is better than any I've worked in before, and I feel pretty privileged to be working with so many great people. The community also has been really welcoming, which is a nice change of pace.

Guinness and Miller have moved in with me for the time being, although, I think I'll bring them back to Mom and Dad tomorrow. Kath won't admit it, but she misses her boys and often asks how they're doing before moving on to me.

I think the real turning point came when I saw my first byline in the Pioneer. It feels different to see your name in print off-campus, I guess. It feels a little more real now, and I think I'm doing an alright job so far.

All-in-all, things are going well. My pity party is over, and I'm ready to make this my home for the next couple years. I can't wait to see where this leads, but for now, I'm content to be right here.