hello strong social ties nice to meet you

An awesome story in the NY Times about people moving away from conspicuous consumption and gravitating towards experiences. I've been saying this for awhile but its nice to be reassured by the Times that its not just my imagination. There's been actual studies done, and not surprising they've found that pair of shoes you've lusted for, that happiness fades fast.
An experience meanwhile slowly fades, and with rose colored glasses, that experience may take on more meaning and generate more happiness over a long period of time.
And the advantage of living downtown?
The ease in surrounding oneself with other experience centric people.
For example, the Cincinnati Nomerati's cheese party.

Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party

Jennifer Black, president of the retailing research company Jennifer Black & Associates and a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in Oregon says “I think people are realizing they don’t need what they had. They’re more interested in creating memories.”
The most positive aspect of creating these experiences is strengthening social bonds, which already show ample evidence in amplifying happiness.
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party

The real manifestation of all this is of course more and more friends moving to CBD/OTR to be even closer to these experiences. If going to Final Friday or an event on the Square is awesome, going with a bunch of friends is awesome2.
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party

Kitty, cat-tering the fire alarm.
A group of friends turns a fire alarm from a situation to endure into a serendipitous opportunity to have a good time in an unexpected way.
Nomerati cheese party
Nomerati cheese party

Family aside all this social media has given me an embarrassment of riches, more strong friendships, casual acquaintances and weak ties than I ever could have wished for and I'm happier than probably at any other point in my life.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
6 comments

6 comments:

  1. Nice post! I'm think the fire alarm made it all the more memorable, and I'm so happy everyone could make it. Kitty did pretty well!

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  2. I kinda wish i was at that cheese tasting party just to do a "martini racing" themed cheese drawing.

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  3. Those pictures are great, love the ones of you guys in the street. Also, what's not to love about Bombshell beer in a can. It gets so cold and it's so good!

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  4. I'll say it again-this is a great post!

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  5. LOVE this post :) So grateful to call you and EM two dear friends. Love all of the folks at the cheese party. And I agree. Experiences are so much better to savor, aren't they?

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