Update Part Deux

I actually just returned from a five-day conference in Cincinnati.  I have been to Cleveland – and not to knock it -but Cincy rocks.  We stayed downtown in the Hilton Netherland where everything is within walking distance.  If you are bored and have nothing to do, just walk to the square and have lunch or watch sports on a giant screen. Almost everyone was wearing a Bengals or Reds outfit because the two teams were playing the same weekend we arrived.  We enjoyed ice cream from Graeters, only because my boss insisted and because Oprah apparently loooooves the place.  (I see Oprah now has a big white male following).

Dining in downtown cincy is such an adventure.  We steered clear of the Brazilian Steakhouse where each person could have easily spent $80 and eventually dined at a really great seafood place called McCormick and Schmicks.  We also ate at a steak and ribs place called The Waterfront, that was located at – well – the waterfront.  (Any wonder I gained 5 pounds?)

We visited the museum of modern art…also known as the tidiest garage sale I have ever seen.  I could not understand what most of the pieces meant.  Take this Ernsto Neto thing for instance…balloons that looked like giant condoms or penises.  I almost wanted to yell out to our group, “okay, whip em out boys, let’s see if your shape and size is represented.”

It was not until someone pointed out to me that some of the art was supposed to signify HOMELESSNESS that a bunch of stacked cardboard boxes started to make sense to me.  Someone actually took a piece of cardbox and framed it.  Framed IT!  Whatever happened to real art? Shooooot…in that case, I think I can also call myself an artist.  After all, I drew mickey mouse’s face with my toothpaste this morning.  In my opinion, Modern Art = Crap.  Yeah, I said it. Seems like our generation lacks creativity and imagination.

Anyhue – we visited the Newport Aquarium which was just over the river in Kentucky – where I finally found NEMO!

And a new friend found me…

It was nice but I think the Georgia Aquarium wins hands down.   We have Beluga whales and bigger sharks….he he he…

I got bored and wandered off into the shopping center where I browsed through an art gallery and discovered Sadie Collins’ work. That woman is such an wonderful photographer.   I found myself in a Sports Memorabilia shop and got Turtle a Giants freezable pint glass.  Now he can have his warm beer chilled to perfection while watching a Giants game. After that I headed to Hofbrauhaus, a German pub where the rest of the conference folks were hanging out.  I heard there is one in Munich as well.  Germans know how to party, I tell you. Oh, good times!