ZOO ALERT!

The Cincinnati zoo has set the dates for Wild About Wine and Zoo Brews. The first one is February 21 at Manatee Springs. I'm guessing they'll give the manatees a watermelon so they can play football. The next one is April 16 in the new Harold C. Schott Education Center, which, I believe is a LEED-certified building. I've heard that a cheetah will be attending on April 16! I'm so excited. The next day, April 17, I have to go back to the zoo for a Barrows Conservation Lecture with Boyd Matson whose last job, as host of National Geographic Explorer, I wanted so much.
On June 19, Wild About Wine will be held in the Children's Zoo. Last year, they had Pallas kittens in the nursery and attendees were allowed to go into Lorikeet Landing and feed the birds.
The next one is on August 21 and has an Africa theme. Yay! It will be at the new Giraffe Ridge exhibit which looks like it will be pretty cool.
Finally Zoo Brews, the beer tasting, is on October 16.

Go to my Flickr page for pictures from last year's wine and beer at the zoo. There's me with the python, Michelle with lorikeets on her head, and Taylor holding a scorpion. In her hand.

Later on Friday night, I headed over to CCM for Night Bites, the afterparty for A Moveable Feast. Many cool people there and quite an age range, from CCM students, to CCM patrons.
I can't put up a picture of Suzanne because, although she looked great, she was not happy with the color of her hair. Instead, I'll show a picture of fabulous footwear. Clara got her sassy red open-toed shoes at Payless! I didn't ask Taylor where her sexy red heels are from, but I want some!!! Shoetopia, maybe??

Friday night was the annual Robert Burns night at Nicholson's. Naturally, my friend Robb, whose last name is Burns, had to go so I met him and Joseph there. We tried to work the name as much as we could, with minimal success. Joseph and I demanded that Robb keep his license ready to flash at anyone at a moment's notice. I tried haggis for the first time. It tastes much better than it sounds. I also tried Scotch for the first time. Some of it tasted better than I thought it would. I'm probably not going to make a habit of drinking it though. As usual, I had a blast with Robb and Joseph. Gay men really know how to treat a woman! I told them they should give seminars to straight guys.

Wednesday Night in Mt. Lookout.
I ride the bus to work a lot. You see the same people who are on the same schedule alot. Even if you never talk to them, it still feels like you know them. Tuesday afternoon, one of the men who boards the bus at the same stop I do, handed me a photocopied flyer: Josh Ferreira performing at Jasper's in Mt. Lookout on Wednesday. I know this is not the most effective means of publicity (his show was also listed in the events in CinWeekly), and I normally would not actually follow up on photocopied fliers. Or go to performances by someone I've never heard of. But on Wednesday afternoon I decided it sounded fun. At least more appealing than going to the gym. Why not try something new? And I was hungry for sushi. So I emailed some friends. Only Sarah and Taylor replied. Sarah had to work late but Taylor and I planned to meet at Aqua for dinner. We had heard that Aqua has 1/2 price sushi on Wednesdays!! What?? How fantastic! Only, when we got there, we saw that 1/2 price sushi doesn't start until 9:00 pm on Wednesdays. Oh well. We feasted anyway. It was delicious. A little before 9:00 we hauled our stuffed bellies across the street to Jasper's where, it so happens, they have 1/2 price glasses of wine until 9:00 on Wednesdays. So we had done it backwards. Now we know - first, go to Jasper's for a glass of 1/2 price wine and then to Aqua for 1/2 price sushi.

There were only about 8 people scattered around the bar at Jasper's. One of the 8 happened to be Paula Wiggins, a talented artist with a studio at Pendleton which she usually has open on Final Fridays.

I waved to Josh, from the bus, who was in the midst of a song. I was pleasantly surprised. He was quite good. Sort of like Cincinnati's own little John Mayer. We didn't stay very long. It's too bad more people weren't out that night. Maybe the cold kept everyone home. I'm glad I ventured out into the cold to listen to a singer I had never heard of.

Lots of good stuff going on Friday night. I'll probably only make it to the LUSH Grand Opening Party (sad, I know) and Nite Bites at CCM.

Have another sip.

On Thursday night I went to a wine tasting at Allyn's Café in Columbia Tusculum. Apparently they hold these about once a month. I didn't know. But I'm glad I do now. We sampled six wines - two whites and four reds - all from Spain. Allyn's also provided plenty of delicious food to go with the wine. Why do I love Swedish meatballs so much when they are on a buffet? I never eat them otherwise. I rarely even eat meatballs with my spaghetti. I loved their hummus too. And the Caesar salad and the tortellini. I found some good wine, too. I even bought three bottles. When you buy at the tasting you get a 10% discount, even if you don't buy a case. Smart sales tactic. They sold a lot of wine last night.

I overheard one woman remark that it's hard to find a good wine tasting in Cincinnati. Really? The paper lists six or seven every weekend it seems and it doesn't even get all of them. There are a lot during the week as well. I realize they vary greatly on the quality and quantity of wine and food served. But why not check them all out until you find the good ones? My favorites are the Casual Friday tastings at Chateau Pomijie and now the monthly tastings at Allyn's. Both offer a good mix of wine and food and conversation. I also love the wine or beer tasting events at the zoo. The food isn't always plentiful, but there are animals! If you're looking for more, check the blog My Wine Education at www.wine-girl.net. She lists a lot of Cincinnati wine events and resources.

I found a lot of good-looking guys on Saturday night. Unfortunately, they were all at Below Zero - checking out all the other good-looking guys. We were there to celebrate Joseph's 40th birthday. Happy Birthday Joseph! I have such a great time going out with all my gay boyfriends. They tell me I'm gorgeous and fabulous and they are a ton of fun! Tony even said he would gladly cuddle with me. Aww. If only more straight guys were like that. I know, it is a little different. If a straight guy walks up to you and says nothing but "You're gorgeous!!" it sounds a lot like a come-on. Gay men can say it because we know it's not a proposition and they know we know. But straight guys can say nice things without seeming like they're just after something. A certain guy I've gone out with just says "Ready?" when he comes to the door. Doesn't tell me I look nice. Even if I know I do and I know he realizes it. I just need to hang out with the gay guys more. Even if I won't get any action. At least I'll have fun and feel appreciated.

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION.

Last Sunday I got together with some of the girls I went to high school with. We met for lunch at Essencha which was perfect for the chilly afternoon. I realized that this year, 2008, would be the year for our 20th high school reunion! Yikes! Actually I am not much of a reunion person. I plan to skip it this year. Any one I am interested in keeping up with was at Essencha on Sunday, except for Shelly. But I saw Shelly at the Pub on Saturday so I am done with the reunion-ing!

Happy 2008!