Us at the Market (Part one)

[image source: Fruity Cuties]

Its finally some type of nice outside (I'd say "Goodbye Rain, Hello Sun" but the minute I even think it, it'll probably snow or something) and its time to support our local economies.  And maybe to do ourselves a favor and help out our bodies by not cramming them with week old pizza and "slut sauce" (I promise.  There will be a whole post on what this is).  So this Saturday, I'm going to a Farmer's Market! I'm unduly excited about this (I've been counting down) because as a full fledged grown-up, I've never been to one on my own behalf.  I've tagged along with my mom to the world famous West Side Market in Cleveland and watched her expertly haggle and bargain - a concept that scares the beejeesus out of me.  I don't haggle.  I don't bargain.  I pay the marked price.   No questions asked.  Suffice it to say, this is going to be a whole new experience for me.  We'll put up pictures (hopefully) of the experience and I'll be sure to take good notes while I'm shopping.  Don't expect them to be anything but how I paid $10 for a pound of apples.  If you're thinking about venturing out there yourself, here's some helpful tips I've put together:

1.  Brush up on the price of produce available at your favorite grocery store.  No use in buying expensive goods at either location.

2.  Fruit should smell like, you know, fruit.  More importantly it should smell like the fruit it is.  Example: A pineapple should smell like a pineapple.  This is how you know its fresh.

3.  Apparently, the vendor will always cite you a higher price then what they actually expect you to pay. And you should counter with half that and so the haggling begins.  I've learned that pretending to walk away and/or citing another vendor that has a better deal (usually made up) is a beneficial strategy.

4.  As a personal preference, I like to stick with things that are in season (Mangos, Asparagus, Watermelon to name a few) because its less likely that they've been chemically treated.

5.  Have fun.  I know I'll be stressed and awkward but you don't have to be.  This is a learning experience after all.

6.  Don't forget to pat yourself on the back at the end of the day.  You're helping sustain local Ohio farms.  Yay you.  

Oh and I googled Farmer's Markets in Columbus for you (yeah. You're welcome).  Click here.  The Columbus North Market is a sure fire bet to get some good stuff and it's located conveniently downtown.  

US on Cinco de Mayo or a Better Excuse to Drink on a Thursday

We begin most Thursdays predictably. We wake up, brush our teeth, and set ourselves up against another rainy day in Central Ohio. But alas, this day is different, We wake up in the morning feeling like PDiddy, brush our teeth with a bottle of Jack and look out the window to see sunshine, but why is this day so gloriously different? Ahh, because its Cinco De Mayo or in American vernacular a day to drink for half off at a Mexican restaurant.

Hey, I'm not knocking our sacred traditions. Whether or not we know or care why we are slamming back tequila shots is really none of my concern, what I do care about is where you're hittin it hard. Here in El Columbuso (I am sticking by my assertion that you can make anything sound Spanish by adding an -o) there are many fine options for some great, if not wholly authentic, Mexican cuisine. There are also some definite great local bars for tippin back a veritable choose-your own-adventure of drinks.

You can usually take Cinco de Mayo 2 different ways, both are enjoyable, but it really depends on your level of commitment to the holiday. The version I prefer is taking it really authentic and sticking by our Mexican brethren, Jose and his lovely wife Senora Margarita (I hear she is looking pretty spectacular this year) along with their cousins Corona and Sangria. They really are a delightful family. My go-to Mexican restaurants are Mad Mex on Campus in the Gateway and El Vaquero, which has various locations all over the city. I also heard word of a Cinco de Mayo party at La Fogata in the Short North, so if you are in the area check it out. The plan for this year is to show my appreciation of Senora Margarita, take her out for a night on the town at Mad Mex and treat her right.

The other version is one that my younger, less mature and responsible self would have gone with. I call it the 'Live it up, tomorrow is a Friday and who really cares on a Friday' plan. This involves going to whatever bars/fine dining establishments have specials, dont just stop at the La's and the El's go to whatever place can give you the most for the least. Part of me doesn't hate this plan, that is the part that never wants to get up for work or go to the gym.

So Readers, for all of you that this plan appeals to here is a nice list of bar suggestions: Bodega-Always a killer happy hour, have a Colorado Bulldog for me and eat great food to tide you over til 10pm for your second dinner, (see Happy Endings for this reference). Next class up your journey with a stop at Camelot Cellars-grab a glass of one of Camelot's Ice Wines, I think they are delicious, if you are a wine person then you already know what you like and dont need a suggestion from me. After feeling very grown up with your wine choice head to Union Bar+Food and grab which ever special is catching your eye. Then run to Novaks and Char Bar for some good, down home, dive bar feelings, have a couple of beers and end your night at Press Grill where you will have a better 4th meal than anything TacoBell could serve up (Kitchens open til 1 am!) There, I have planned out your whole night for you! This post should be dedicated to those of US among us, (I'm talking to you co-blogger) who cant make a decision.

Which ever path you choose I hope that you declare victory tonight over whatever Mexico was gaining independence from. Maybe next year I will look that up?

Who is "Us"

Who we were:

Young.  Idealistic.  You can kind of see the unfettered hope we have in our eyes.  Still in college with the whole world ahead of us, we were pretty gosh darn adorable.

Who we are now:

Smarter. More Mature.  With awesome t.v. show taste. But kinda defeated.  Semi-employed.  With child and husband (well one of us is).  Now that we're out of school and in the real world, sometimes we just hate life.  But hey! That means this blog is going to be totally awesome.

The Why

Any time I start reading a blog I always ask myself 2 questions.

1.Why are they writing this? and 2. Should I waste my time reading this?

The answer to 1. usually varies from complete self-absorption to actually wanting to make the world a better place. There are some amazing blogs that are fun and interesting and actually teach you stuff, and then there are those that simply suck you further into the abyss of someones black hole of a life view. I hope that we can avoid that here. My fingers are crossed.

The answer to 2 is occasionally yes, but more often, overwhelmingly no. I hoard my time on the computer. I procrastinate with precision precisely for the opportunity to waste those precious minutes. (I obviously read a lot of Dr. Seuss.) I don't want to waste my time reading a blog that sucks the fun out of life. That is the one promise we can make you, we will not suck the fun out of your life. While I am on the subject there are a few campaign promises I would like to make to the Readers here, (yes Readers I am giving you the caps R, I have that much respect for you, don't let me down)

• I will not bitch about my day, unless it is in a scathing review of something.




• I will not try to convert you to any of my views, its cool, we can disagree, perhaps even have some intellectual discourse on some tough hitting issues, like whether you should or should not hold your pinkie while you are drinking. (You shouldn't, its completely douchy)




• Occasionally we will talk about things other than Columbus. Sorry to all of you one-track-minders but sometimes it may need to be done.




• I will post pictures. There is nothing worse that a blog that is sans the photographic art. Its like when people post ads on Craigslist and don't put up pictures of what they are selling. How do I know if I want to meet you the middle of the night at an abandoned mine so we can do a forbidden sex act if you don't include a pic (or if I want to buy your couch?)

So now that I've told you all the things I wont do, (which is a bit Negative Nancy of me) Let me tell you why we are doing this, it just needs to be done. There used to be quite a few blogs about Columbus, but alas, sadly they have widdled down to a select few. We are going to cover the Columbus that is accessible to US, the post-college, not-quite stably employed masses that teem over this awesome city. We still love Ohio State, but need a bit of a change in the scene. We have a little money, but not enough to by $150 tickets to events and not near enough to have a serious dinner at Hyde Park or the Ocean Club, but could eat comfortably at Press Grill. There are so many places to go, with so much to see and experience that we felt an obligation to our fellow Columbus-ites to go forth and conquer Columbus; if not for you, then simply for ourselves.