5chw4r7z:: the ethos of downtown Cincinnati

Parker Flats Friday

August progress Parker Flats

July 31 2007

August 31 2007

Tags:Parker Flats Cincinnati Ohio

Martha, died 93 years ago today at the Cincinnati zoo. The last of over a billion birds that once roamed America.
Treehugger says she's stuffed but not on display at the Smithsonian.
From RoadsideAmerica;

Martha spent her last years in the Cincinnati Zoo, in a pagoda aviary that has been restored. It's an official National Historic Landmark, currently wedged between Gorilla World, Cat House, and World of the Insect. Perched on a rock in front of the hut is a life-size bronze likeness of Martha. Inside are three stuffed Passenger Pigeons and a number of informative signs guaranteed to make you feel bad. Also here is the stuffed carcass of the last Carolina Parakeet, "Incus," who died in this same aviary in 1918, four years after Martha. That makes this place a uniquely bad spot in the history of bird extermination.

Fountain Square close to finished

The Square looks really good now with the crane gone. Have you seen it at night yet? I'm not sold on the colored light show going on, I get it, that it mimics the colors of the artwork on the other side of the building, but I think just a white backlight would be more elegant and sophisticated. I like how they used the bust of a figure from the water fountain for the glass above the passage way to 6^th St. I heard from another source at 3CDC that the restaurant will not be done for Ocktoberfest. They should throw open the doors and tap a keg, just so people can check it out.

Enzo's, Park&Vine and OTR

I took another(not so rare) vacation day yesterday and invited Jackie for coffee at Enzo's since Ms. 5chw4r7z raved about it the one day she had gone. I also needed to swing by Park&Vine and Jackie said she did too as she needed a new water bottle. Hey! me too, but not just any water bottle, I wanted a Sigg, the queen mother of all water bottles that Park&Vine had got in the day before. The super exclusive one with graphics I guess sold out in one afternoon it sounds like, but they still had the one I wanted.
After scoring my Sigg we walked around "The Q" so Jackie could tour some of the other stores she hasn't seen yet.
The new mural on the Barlow Bldg is incredible, the kids from ArtWorks did an awesome job on it.

Coffee

she said: have you ever thought of giving up up coffee?
i thought: yes and that pesky oxygen too!

I am 75% Addicted to Coffee

A little glamour downtown goes a long way

The girl with the curls and the sweet big ribbon in her hair
She's crawling out the window 'cause her daddy just don't care
Come on!
uh huh
God damn right, it's a beautiful day
uh huh
God damn right, it's a beautiful day
uh huh
The Eels "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues"

Friends II

UsaToday had a story last Friday about the crisis in the market presenting many opportunities for profit. But the part of the story that had me laughing out loud was a Japanese haiku about crisis.

Their hair is on fire
Yet they run around the lake.
Quick! Take their wallets!

Oh Man, sounds more like America.

And in relation to my friends post last week. A friend back in Youngstown who’s a stockbroker set us up before we left town and the stuff he's picked out for us has been largely unaffected by the recent volatility.
Never. Ever. burn a bridge!
friends,friends,friends.

Been getting some blog love from new and old blog friends also, Jackie, BuyCincy and PHSChemGuy

Visionnati

Visionnati is a project from Visionaries and Voices supporting Cincinnati artists with disabilities. As you can imagine some of the art wasn't the greatest in the world but it ranged clear up to some super impressive stuff. Some of the paintings and sculptures by Elizabeth Godfrey were especially impressive, I'll be looking her up after we move into our new condo.
Head to Court street Sunday from noon to 6pm.

Fountain Square construction

They're tearing down the construction crane this morning. Things are starting to wrap up now, I heard everything will be done by Oktoberfest including the new restaurant. Thursday night after the ball game I saw the back lighting on the new facade was lit up. The frosted image of a face from one of the fountain statues is a cool touch.

Friends

Friends, whatta got if you don’t got friends? Not much.
We received a last minute invite to the Reds game last night from the king and queen of the swimming pool illuminati. I have two words for anyone going to a game on a 100° night.
Luxury box!
Oh yeah, we had a good time high above the sweaty masses watching in air conditioned comfort. The only downer was we left after the 11th inning and when we made it to Fountain Square all the fireworks went off and we knew they had won, we missed an Adam Dunn homer in the 12th. How bad could it have been? The 7th inning reliever had an ERA of 22.5!
Thanks again guys for the invite.

ArtWorks

zulieka

I like to read zulieka's blog every so often. I read it despite the fact she rubs my nose in my lack of of writing ability. But still, she inspires me sometimes and a post from last month reminded me of two things; one just how beautifully she can express thoughts and two,how much I've always admired people who could pursue their goals with single minded vision. She says of one persons actions in particular,

"…it) reminds us of the spirit of childhood, and of the sort of naivety that comes not of being stupid, but of ignoring the small impossibilites and mundane obstacles of earthdom. Was there a time, despite being told that it was ridiculous, and despite the logic even small brains can infer, that you flapped your arms as hard as you could while jumping off a bookcase?"

Spoiler warning! Her blog is fiction, but have you ever read anything and afterwards no matter how hard you squeezed your eyes shut the tears still leaked out?