John Cranley

Thinking of Mr. Mayor…

I was conducting some research and found something appalling. Your buddy Jeff Berding, (St. X grad) was removed of his democratic endorsement because of his political posturing. He didn’t play very nice and he has been a ticket salesman for the Bengals for years. I don’t see sports as civic engagement or community activism. He’s now in a position that sucks tax dollars and provides no results.

Back to Mr. Berding. Well he and John Cranley are buddies. No one knows why Cranley still has a democratic endorsement. The only reason he was against the streetcar so much was because his law firm gave him the largest sum of money for his campaign. He fought hard to stop it and of course lost. Now he put himself in a position to be against his own political base. In the past Cranely’s wife attended the un-endorsement meeting of Jeff Berding.

Keeping these historical points in mind I am going to be hesitant towards John Cranely. I think he is a part of an underground movement to keep Cincinnati conservative. He may have liberal beliefs but all of his friends are conservatives. The conservatives know they can’t make an impact in Cincinnati so they have corrupted a few politicians to win. It’s pretty sad looking at it. Why anyone would ever be against a streetcar will forever baffle me… Nonetheless, Cincinnati is becoming diverse and wealthier. We are treating our poorest much better and people are waking up to global issues. We are still 20 years behind but at lest we are getting close the 21st century. No wonder so many people leave Cincinnati.

I really like Yvette Simpson. She gets it. So knows what democratic beliefs are all about. We need to push our city forward into 2014. We need to be apart of the human movement.

Honey from the bees in Spain!

Not many people realize that honey in it’s most natural form is healthy for you. Notice the keywords, “most natural form.” Yes, the honey that you most likely have in your pantry is not that healthy for you. For one, it is loaded with sugars. The good news is that all-natural organic honey tastes great! I personally love the stuff. Luckily, in my small pueblo I’ve the chance to buy all natural honey from the markets every Tuesday. Many believe honey has anti-cancer properties because of it’s high content of anti-oxidants. There is no doubt that honey can help cure your seasonal allergy problems because of the nutrients from flowers that are contained in the honey. Your body will be accustomed to the flowers continents and produce less histamines which give you the bad allergies that you suffer from. Needless to say, raw honey is an amazing product.

Here in Spain, people take a lot of pride in their all-natural products. It is safe to say that there are all less contaminants in the air and ground here in Spain so the all-natural products here in Spain are even better for you than they are in America. I hope that if you are ever in Spain that you are to visit the markets and try this delicious raw honey. You certainty will be changed for life.

Life in Spain as an American

After being in Europe since September 2012 I have had the chance to compare so much to our lives back home in the US. I haven’t really traveled that much, especially compared to Europeans, but for a 23 year old American I consider myself very lucky. I want to discuss the things I have noticed a lot about American life now that I have left.

My first months here I had a lot of frustration for Spanish life and culture, but I blame that mostly on my ignorance of their history. For an American, the first things you will notice is that Spain is not a service country or not nearly on a level of the United States. Especially, in Madrid you will notice that eating at a restaurant is not for the people with a day busy full of activities. Spaniards eat in a way that screams “seize the day.” They love to just sit down and talk with their family members. They aren’t worried about seeing every single church or museum there is in Madrid. A vacation is about taking it all in.

Waiters in Spain, especially Madrid, don’t serve to your every need. You order your food, they bring it, and then you hunt them down to pay the check. It doesn’t help when you have one waiter for 30 plus people, which is commonplace in all Spanish restaurants. One might think Spaniards are lazy and don’t care about other people, but this can’t be further from the truth. The truth is that the culture of Spanish life is centered on enjoying the small things in life. Walks, family gatherings, and good food. Spaniards simply want to enjoy their life modestly. They don’t have to own all the newest and greatest cars or gadgets to feel fulfilled. In other words they don’t want to die working too much and not living enough.

In a few weeks I want to focus my attention on life in Andalucia. This is where the heart of Spain lies. I have lived in a small pueblo by the name of Albox with my girlfriend since mid-September. This pueblo has brought many frustrating and pleasing experiences about life in Spain. We are glad to be living here because it provides and full experience of life in Spain, unlike living in a bigger city that can sometimes washout life of a country.

2012 Bunbury Festival is coming to Cincinnati!

As a native to Cincinnati practically my whole life, I have heard a lot of complaints about this city. Most complaints derive from how “uncool” and “old school” we are. But 2012 is bound to change Cincinnati for good. With the 2012 Bunbury Festival coming on the weekend of July 13th-15th, downtown is going to change from a place people would never dare to go to a place that everyone from your grandma to barber will be going to spend their summer. First off this same weekend Joey Votto and the Reds will be taking on the St. Loser Cardinals (JK!). Ummm Reds V. Cards and an 80,000 person fest at the same locations. Mad house most certainly.

Wait… isn’t the World Choir Games wrapping up that weekend?! Holy Moley! So we are going to have people from every country and city around that weekend. I am about to have couch surfers stop by and take them on some tours of the Nati’ just for fun. Anyways, as you can see I love this city and the changes that have gone on here since my birth in Florida have been quite enormous. We can give Mark Twain a run for his money. All those cities like Seattle, Portland, Boston, and etc are getting too big. Young people are beginning to take Cincy back!

So if you share my love for the city, be an ambassador that weekend! If you find someone from out of town is in your path. Represent us well!

A list of bands coming to the 2012 Bunbury Festival:

Janes Addiction

Airborne Toxic Event – Minus the Bear – O.A.R
Foxy Shazam – Ra Ra Riot

LP – Matt Pryor – Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Ponderosa – All Get Out

The Minor Leagues – Lauren Mann – She Does Is Magic – Bo & the Locomotive Tristen – Pet Clinic

Saturday, July 14

Weezer

Gym Class Heroes – Manchester Orchestra
GROUPLOVE – RJD2 – Dan Deacon

Jukebox the Ghost – The Bright Light Social Hour – Kevin Devine
The Silent Comedy – Graffiti 6 – 1,2,3  – Secret Music

Messerly & Ewing – 500 Miles To Memphis – Lions Rampant – Jeremy Pinnell & the 55’s – Wheels on Fire – Hotfox

Sunday, July 15

Death Cab for Cutie

Guided By Voices – City and Colour – Motion City Soundtrack

Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s – Good Old War – Lights – Will Hoge
Maps & Atlases – YAWN – Now, Now
Wussy – Seedy Seeds – The Tillers

Spring time is in the air at UC

Since I work at UC, I am fortunate enough to enjoy this beautiful campus almost everyday. Nothing more peaceful then looking at the sunset to remind you it was a successful day. I was using this new pudding camera app on my android. The sun was a little strong as I was an hour early on the sunset but nonetheless, it is a cool camera app. Since, I don’t have a trendy iphone I can’t be cool with Instagram. Pssh. What I want to get at is the spring is upon us. I absolutely love being outside in nature. Really sets you back in life and let’s you live in the moment. These new warm days bring me excitement for what the future days a hold. Take some time out of your day to catch the sunset. It will do you wonders.

UPDATE:

Here is a better picture!

Chicago Trip!

On July 21 2011 I embarked on a journey to see RX Bandits! This year of 2011 is to be the last time they are going a tour. They are on an indefinite hiatus… which could very much be the end of RXB. Despite the bad news my friends and I made an opportunity out of it. Little did we know it was going to be the hottest day of the year… actually the hottest day in what seems like this century.Luckily we survived the heat and experienced one of the best tours ever put on by the RXB!

The night ended on top of the Bottom Lounge where the concert took place. It was a very hip place with a bar on two floors for people not attending the show.

The highlight of this trip was not the show I so long waited for but it was just being in Chicago for the first time. More than anything it seems I love to travel. Road trips make the stress of life go away. It seems to run in the family. Unfortunately I only got a tease of what Chicago is all about. My friends and I made a stop at the Magnificent Mile the next day. I had to leave shortly after our visit to get back home but I’m so glad I went. Here are some pics I snapped. I need a REAL camera!

Finally starting a blog!

Hello everyone,

I hope to start setting aside time to a create a wonderful blog for all to enjoy. I want to spread the word about how great Cincinnati is and the people that make it up. For those visiting this site from outside the area, if you have anything you would like to know about the city don’t be afraid to ask. Also, I want to take people on my experiences outside the city as a way to share my thoughts on other places. We can’t know how great our hometown is without visiting other places. I want to use these outside experiences as a way to improve life here because life is all about learning. This shall be a great journey. I enjoy reading the blogs of others because it gives me great motivation to create a great blog myself.

Thanks!