the best book store in the world

Those who know me (which is really all those who are following this blog) understand what a excitement book are to me.  And when I say excitement, I mean real excitement.  Just to put things in perspective here are some (slightly embarrassing yet highly true) facts about my obsession with books:


(1) I have wanted built-in bookshelves ever since I was in high school (I kid you not), 
(2) I cannot go into a book store without walking out with at least one book*, 
(3) if I do not get a book, I feel a sense of loss, and
(4) time evaporates for me when I am in a book store.  

view from the outside - what a great store!

Good thing the Ohio Book Store is just a quick hop, skip, and a jump away in scenic downtown Cincinnati!


I went down to Cincy last Wednesday to help my friend Molly move some stuff into her new apartment and aside from the great Vietnamese food we had near the campus of the University of Cincinnati and moving, we spent a good chunk of time in the store.  As I walked in, the owner (or who I perceived to be the owner) was sitting by the door and heard me say the following: "next time I come here I am going to bring a sleeping bag and just camp out."  He chuckled.  


I don't think he knew I was serious.  


This store is four floors of books stacked high to the ceilings (along with a basement where they do their book binding) - there are so many stories in these walls (literally and figuratively) that it is almost overwhelming.  In addition, the store apparently does a bang-up job with book binding.  I didn't check out their book binding set up, which was on the bottom floor, but I saw most everything else.  Here are some images from my trip, because yeah - I am that kid who brings his camera to a book store and snaps a few interesting photos.  For the record, this also is one of my first forays into retooling some of my pictures (beyond just doing black & white).  I don't have a crazy computer program or anything, so it isn't amazingly special.  I have been told I need to get a Flickr site so I can manipulate more, so perhaps I will look into that.  But for now, enjoy the Ohio Book Store through my eyes (and lens).  

the store upon entering - i have arrived at my mecca

these low bookcases are everywhere with gobs of books placed ever so delicately on them - it is very charming indeed

this glass case had some really impressive things in there, although they were very expensive.  the best thing i saw was a collection of gi cartoons that was called "male call."  i wanted it so badly, but given the fact that it was behind a locked glass case, i decided to spare myself the anguish of knowing it was out of my price range.  

i had no idea they even printed stuff like this - i thought my friends dani and rico would get a kick out of the photo though... 

this is the third floor of the store - it is four floors altogether.  the windows at the front of the store allow a beautiful light to pour in and the old metal shelves give the whole floor this old archival feel.  i kept walking through aisles just running my hands along books and magazines - the tactile sense just made the store seem more vibrant and amazing.

i didn't get up on one of these ladders...yet.  but i thought the joint and old school sliding system was awesome.  it reminded me of charlie and the chocolate factory when the chocolate shop owner is singing and sliding on his ladder throwing candy to the kids.  only instead of candy to rot your teeth, this store has candy to enhance your mind...or something.  and then i found $5...

*for those interested, I got two books while at the store - one was a book on Piaget and knowledge, which will be helpful when doing my doctoral work (not to mention my favorite philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, had a huge thing for Piaget's work) and a book called The Subversion of Politices: European Autonomous Social Movements and the Decolonization of Everyday Life.  This will certainly come in handy when I am doing my scholar activist work!

eating local

In an attempt to honor the last words spoken to me by my dear friend Kevin before I left Tucson, I have been attempting to eat a bit more locally since coming to Oxford.  Well, that and the health benefits really.  And the fact that it tastes better...and it allows me to walk my talk about local economies and supporting local business and agriculture.  But you know, it all blends together.  

it was so good i didn't get a picture before taking a bite!

Tonight I had an amazing dinner which was a chicken breast (no hormones, antibiotic free, free range chicken from a farm in Oxford) with rosemary (grown in a pot on a stoop in Cincinnati) on a bed of baby spinach (organic) topped with an eggplant ragu (organic eggplant from local farmer's market and organic sauce).  Needless to say, I am making good on those words, Kevin (and enjoying every last bite of it!).  

side view - just delicious!

I am hoping to get some new things this coming week from Findlay Market in Cincy as well as the Oxford Farmer's Market.  I am hoping to make my own pasta sauce (it has been too long and is far too easy to make) and will also need to head to the store to get fixin's to make homemade bread.  It looks like the cooking inspiration is returning to me!


Oh, and I also made some caramelized onions with the chippolini onions I got from the Oxford Farmers Market too (with a touch of 2007 Mondavi Chardonnay).  I am thinking I will get a chicken sandwich in there at some point with the onions, but I may be tempted to throw them into an omelette tomorrow morning as well.  


It feels nice to be creative in the kitchen again.  It is a very easy sign that I am feeling happy and comfortable in my new surroundings, which is a nice cue.  I have to cook something for the picnic I have on Sunday (I am making a side dish for the program picnic), so I am hoping something will hit me at Findlay or the Farmer's Market and I will get a flash of brilliance in the kitchen.  


Until then, keep salivating (and know one can always visit Oxford - I hear it is just gorgeous in the fall).  

the past week in pictures

After many comments from certain individuals (here's looking at you, brotha), I have posted some images from the last week in the life of me.  I decided to forego the "before" pictures (mainly because I took them hastily before heading out to IKEA), but you will get a bit of a feel of my house.  I am not near done with it, but I have an amazing start, thanks to Mom and Molly (thanks!).  The pictures are out of order, but the captions will help understand what they are of...enjoy!

this is from a restaurant called Melt in Northside (Cincinnati) where the cards for your order are different characters.  we got dwayne wayne*, and the table next to us had jordi from star trek.  i believe i also heard someone calling dibs on certain characters when waiting in line.  (*note: thanks to Kathy on the correction here - I mistook him for urkle, as did my friend...shame on us for not knowing our 80's television shows better)  

this was the ratatouille sandwich - it was amazing!  just a mess of veggies, cheese and capers (which I am convinced made the sandwich as good as it was!)

here be Shake It Records where I purchased some records for my still-to-be-delivered record player.  gotta love those local economies - support local business!

the first noshy treat I made in the new digs - tomato, basil (organic from a farm 18 miles away), mozzarella, balsamic, olive oil, and olives.  y-u-m!

I have a mess of books - good thing I have a personal librarian to help sort through the madness.  and yes, I have too many.  there is no doubt that I need another bookcase...the first of many to be purchased, I am sure.  

alternative angle with BetCi in the background (and Grrtrude in the foreground).

first meal with my new table (vintage gray formica and chrome table for $57.50 in town) and chairs (beautiful 1950's red chairs with chrome legs).

close up of the meal, which was black bean burgers with sauteed green beans on the side.  and of course there was avocado and siracha involved.  

y'all know my love obsession with graffiti, and here is some great art in brighton, which is a neighborhood in Cincy that my friend Molly is moving to.  this is right around the corner from her new flat as a matter of fact.  

it just keeps going, too...so nice to see some beautiful art on the street.

u-turn was an art gallery that Molly helped run, but has since ended.  this picture came out pretty decent, I think.  sad I didn't get to see the gallery when it was up and running, but glad to be able to meet some of the collaborators a couple days ago before they left town for greener pastures (figuratively speaking, that is).  

there is still a bit of work left to do on this bookcase, but it is starting to look amazing!  thanks Molls!  and yes, my dog finds her way into almost every picture!

details on the chairs I bought, which I am absolutely in love with.  

my table in action - je t'aime

here is a look into my writers studio.  The door is from my bedroom, but I thought it would make a nice bulletin board.  I may even see if I can paint some of the panels with chalkboard paint.

alternate view of the studio space (with dog)

my favorite thing about the desk I got is the glass top and the fact that there is a space between the glass and the bottom of the desk.  It makes for a really neat spot to put things and has a really cool looking effect.  Oh, and go Liverpool!

bookcase in the office - I love me some built in shelves...if only there were more built in though.  

Grandma and Grandpa are kickin' it by the front door until they get hung.  I just love seeing them everyday.  

I couldn't resist getting this piece at IKEA.  I hung it by the door for the dog leash - so fun!

yes, I know - it looks and feels like I am camping in my bedroom due to the wood paneling.  But seriously, it is really warm and comfortable.  Oh, and there is my bed and bedding, which adds some brightness to the room.  

alternate view of the bedroom with the bookcase I have in there (also full) and neat IKEA lamp.  

I found this amazing poster of wine regions in France for $2 in a St. Vincent de Pauls in Cincy - amazing purchase!

look at all those cute ties curled up and waiting to be worn!  The one on the right is a new purchase - it is a skinny knit tie.  Maybe I will be a Mad Men character for halloween.  

kitsch on a bookcase only enhances...

...and this is just further proof of that fact.  

Well, there you go Adam et al.  These are the places I have been, food I have eaten, and ways in which I have set up my house (thus far).  Classes will begin next week (eek!), so stay tuned for more updates on that front.  Unfortunately posts may get a bit less frequent, but I will do my best to keep folks updated on all things Midwest Livin'!  

it's been a long day's night

Full disclosure: I almost named this post "sleepless in Oxford", but the thought of referencing a movie with Tom Hanks made me queasy.  Good thing we always have The Beatles.  


So it's been a few days since my last post and a lot has happened, most notably I relocated to my home for the next four years: Oxford, Ohio.  After getting to town and finding my house early in the morning on Sunday, my mom and I set off on what would be a bit of a comedy of errors.  Gift cards were forgotten and found, GPS devices lost power, and critical parts to IKEA furniture were left unpurchased.  However, all of this aside, the moving process has been incredible.  True, it has (and continues) to cost a significant amount of money.  And true, I have not had the chance to sleep in my bed yet, an honor that is going to my mom, who graciously offered to drive out to Ohio and help me get settled.  But it to just know that I am finally here is the realization of some hard work that has really been going on for a long time.  


Oh, and the past two days have been amazing!


My mom went back to IKEA for the forgotten part (for those wondering, it was the middle brace for my bed, which is needed in order to hold the bed slates in place), I have interwebs (evidenced by this post) and hot water, and I have finished putting together the IKEA furniture I purchased (just in time to go get more).  We have also done a bit of cooking, explored downtown Oxford (don't blink or it may pass you by), and Wednesday I just may go for my first ride with some members of the Miami Cycling Team.  It seems like the only thing I have yet to do is post some pictures, which will take a bit of time.  Sorry about that.  


But rest assured, I did take some "before" photos (they may have been taken a touch hastily, as I was itchy to get to IKEA) and will have some fun "after" photos that I will take after this weekend, during which I will be going thrifting (cross your fingers I find a great dining room table and chairs...oh, and some dishware.  This plastic plate thing is tired). 


And as if moving and building furniture for three days wasn't enough, I have already gone to my first work function (a welcome back meeting for the division of student affairs), driven through some intense rainstorms, officially traveled more the 5,000 miles this summer (milestone passed in W. Virginia of all places), and realized why I missed the Midwest all these years (note: it's the fact that everyone acts as though they have known you their whole lives).


Tomorrow begins my self-dubbed Days in Dayton with a consulting trip to the University of Dayton, where I will facilitate a session on sexual assault prevention with Resident Assistants.  Then on Thursday I will drop my mom off at the Dayton airport in the morning, after which I will go about the business of getting my Ohio drivers license and registration. Do you know they make you take a written driving exam to get your license changed?!  Wish me luck - we all know I am not the best with tests, but the last time I did this (in AZ) I was fine.  I also have dinner in Dayton with some new friends, Michael and Justin (check out Michael's blog here - it's really good!), and will hook up with another friend Molly (blog found here - also really good!) to watch Project Runway, the first two episodes of which I have missed this season (silly Hulu not having a better relationship with Lifetime).  


Once again, my apologies about the lack of photos, but perhaps I have spoiled y'all in recent posts.  


And they are forthcoming.  I promise.  

on this, the eve of my departure

As I get ready to head home to oHIo (oHELLOo, oHIo!  That shit never gets old to me...), I figured it would be fitting to show folks a bit of where I came from.  


Yesterday I spent the morning in Durham, the town in which I grew up.  Folks may be familiar with the town as the home of the University of New Hampshire.  Here are some pictures I took as I went around on a leisurely ride...

ye olde mailbox at ye olde residence: 5 falls way

the old house - there are some gardens on both sides that i captured in other pictures, but i thought this one got the house the best

bobcat pride for sure!  although this was not built when my brother and i played, we each helped win a state championship for oyster river high on this field.  

the diamond library at unh - i spent far too long here as a child and a high school kid.  i guess it all paid off?

the dairy bar wasn't a working train stop when i was a kid, but it did serve amazing ice cream.  i also spent far too much time here.  i can remember they had this really wonderful large antique clock that didn't work...strangest thing to remember

the falls by our old house - adam and i used to go here all the time to take a dip in the river

it was pretty calm the day i visited

and i leave you with a snapshot of where the footballing genius germinated.  these are the old fields i used to play on when i was a wee tyke.  in retrospect, these might have been my finest footballing years.  :)

That's it for me from the Northeast - the next posts will be from my new home in Oxford, OH.  Perhaps some "before" shots of my new house will be in order...

a bit of a han(g)over...

Today I got a chance to head to the Upper Valley and see my dear friend Brian who I have not seen for four long years.  On top of that, I was able to go back to Hanover, which holds a significant place in my heart as both the place of my first professional job as well as a glimpse into my childhood.  While I am so happy for where my path has led, it was great to go home for the day, not to mention share an amazing meal and have great conversation with Brian.  He is a true inspiration and mentor; someone who I admire greatly and look to as a guide more than he may even know.  To use his words, I would say he is a good egg, that Brian.  


I ended up getting to Hanover a bit early so I could walk around and see the sights (read: drink coffee and buy some used books...and then see the sights).  Below are some photos - I will describe as best I can in the captions.

i saw these elephants at left hand books (my favorite used bookstore in nh) and wanted to take them...too bad that would have been called "stealing"

book overload!

if you need me, i will be in the gender studies section...always...

the view from the window - how precious is this store/town?!

the storm clouds were in full effect, but the humidity did not die down nor did rain come (although someone asked if it was raining or i was just sweating.  nope, just spent the last four years in the southwest where there is no humidity.  thanks for making me feel welcome though

this was one of the buildings i oversaw when i worked at dartmouth - russell sage

fahey hall (pictured above) was newly constructed when i came to dartmouth five years ago.  the windows on the end (in white) were the windows to my kitchen.  all of them.  yup, i know - spoiled rotten in terms of housing.  

don't mind the sunspot, it's just russell sage and fahey (two of the three buildings in the residential cluster i oversaw)

talk about fratty livin' - clean it up, boys!

baker library is the iconic dartmouth building - just gorgeous

russell sage to the right and butterfield hall to the left - and some sunspotting (if anyone knows how to not have this happen with my olympus camera, it would be very helpful information to have passed along)

the backside of fahey hall with the russell sage courtyard.  the two bottom windows on the left used to be my bedroom!

i always loved this weathervane - truth be told, i still do.

seriously, students live in these buildings...

...that were seriously built this long ago!

more pretty student housing to covet

the door to the main office - i used to love me a good visit to rope ferry road

looks like someone was doing some masculinities work with folks - get it, brian!

jefferson with a bow tie (aka so quintessential monticello it hurts)

i love seeing my friends succeed!  ata boy, dr. reed!

i have become that person - you know, the one who annoyingly takes photos of kitschy stuff like this found in restaurants...yup - that's me.  

my jackpot from left bank books: (from left to right): farewell waltz by kundera; slaughterhouse five by vonnegut; critque of political economy by marx; and bluebeard by vonnegut - score!

Up next is a trip back to my hometown of Durham, NH.  I will be bringing the bike for a good ole ride and will also be bringin' along the camera...should make for a great early afternoon before I pick up some bagels and head back to Deerfield to finish what is turning out to be one heck of a rad pillow (yeah, i said rad - big whoop, wanna fight about it?*)






*if anyone caught the reference to The Family Guy, props to you.  It is a really arcane quote from an episode (where Chris works at the driving range) that for some reason always stuck with me...