Off the Beaten Path

I'm sure most people are expecting pictures of a certain adventure, a place I said I'd visit this week. I would have gone to Union Terminal, but I got completely distracted by something I didn't even know existed in Ohio. I found a real castle about 20 minutes north of Cincinnati.

I don't really remember how I found it, but when I knew I had to see it. Chateau Laroche, otherwise known as Loveland Castle is a historical castle that sits in Loveland, Ohio. This medieval
castle was built by hand by a man of the name of Harry D. Andrews. Legend says that Harry used to bring his friends, Boy Scout Troops  and Sunday school students to the banks of the Little Miami River. He must have decided this was the perfect spot to built his European castle.

Work was started in 1929, and he spent his whole life until 1981 working on the project. He willed the castle to his Boy Scout troop, The Knights of the Golden Trail. Today, admission is a cheap three bucks. Admittedly, it doesn't take long to walk through. Some of the rooms are closed off, as is the top terrace of the castle. It's worth a trip though, just to say you got to see a real castle. If you stand quietly enough, you can imagine why it's rumored to be haunted.

The office was quiet Tuesday, well quiet for the interns. With Cincinnati Wedding shipping next week, there was a lot of last minute editing for the editors, but not a lot of fact checking or research to be done. The best part of Tuesday, Sue asked if I wanted to see what my personnel essay will look like when it runs.

I didn't know whether to jump up and down or cry as I read my story, there on that glossy page. Admittedly, it's a short piece, but it's mine. Someone will read that, and maybe make the decision to go to college. It's proof that I'm starting to arrive, and headed in the right direction.

Wednesday started off quietly enough. I browsed magazines looking for things that are currently trending, and that could be used in Cincinnati. I also got to work in InDesign, for a few quick moments, thanks to Kara. I admitted to her that I'm terrified of the design programs, but have plans to conquer it.

At lunch, Shelly and I walked quickly, making attempts to avoid Fountain Square, where I'm pretty sure I heard an evangelist on the microphone, and an anti-abortion rally seemed to be going on.  There were pictures of fetuses set up. I try to keep politics off here, but I'm firm believer that a woman has the right to choose what happens to her body.

On the way back from lunch however; I couldn't avoid Fountain Square. See, several years ago on a night where I was the designated driver, one of my friends (whose name I have promised to never publicly out until he has grandkids) drunkenly stripped, and ran across the street to climb and hump Big Boy. There getting ready to leave Fountain Square, stood Big Boy! I knew I had to get my picture with him, to send to my mischievous friend. "I'm cracking up laughing." came the reply.

Thanks to all the storms, I received a text from my boys letting me know the power was out. Being three hours away, I wasn't quite sure what they wanted me to do. I called to make sure they were okay, and reassured them I'd put in a call to the power company to find out how long the outage would last.

Little did I know, those storms were about to affect me too. Interstate 75 north was closed, due to high water, as I looked around I realized I-71 was at a complete standstill.

"Hi, my favorite human navigator system!" I said a little too brightly, as I called Grandpa to explain my precarious position.
"I think you're in trouble." He replied, and when Grandpa can't figure it out, well, there isn't much that can be done.

A few minutes later when Grandpa called me, with his map in hand to help me find a route, I had already established a route out of the city that led directly to route 4. I guess I've got some of Grandpa in me after all.

So there were no fountains this week, but I think the castle more than makes up for that. There are only a couple more weeks of Cincinnati adventures. I'm looking forward to each one.

Traffic, storms, and homesickness

"How many speeding tickets have you gotten so far?" My grandpa asked me when I called him Monday.

"None, Grandpa," This is how conversations with him normally go. I've always taken it for granted that my Grandpa would always be here, and that I'd always be his baby, but recent circumstances have forced me to stop taking him for granted.

There wasn't a large adventure Monday, partially because I stopped to have lunch with an old time friend and used-to-be boss. I was happy to see the "Old Buzzard," as I fondly call him.  We discussed his new grandbaby, and the upheaval and drama of the Paying Job, we also discussed all the cool things I'm learning.

I admit, that lunch with that Old Buzzard made me anxious to talk to my Grandpa. There's a similarity in the two men raised in the same generation, in the same region. The phone call to my Grandpa left me homesick to talk to my other family, and of course I had to call my Aunt.

"I just feel bad that I'm not around as much this summer." I told her, even as she said she understands, they all understand that what I'm doing is important to me. There's a little homesickness and a little loneliness too. That left me wondering, how do I make friends in the city?

Before I could answer that, I was back at the office and once again learning new things. As I learned how to "cut copy" this week, I got a few minutes to actually sit in my editors chair, and I can admit I thought "This is what power is."

When my editor gave me my first real writing assignment, I felt that surge I always get when it's time to get in front of the paper. It's a little hard to describe a place I've never been just from photos. I admit that I was tempted to call and see if I could get a quick tour, because I want my copy to show my real talent, I wanted it to be perfect. For now, pictures will have to suffice.

I questioned this week, with my limited hours whether I'll get to go on a real photo shoot, and if I'll be able to be there to see an edition of a magazine "Sent home". (Sent to the printers, I'm picking up the lingo).  I love that phrase by the way, it's so appropriate, all of the hard work that goes into every edition, knowing it's going to a printer is like sending it to it's rightful place.

My Weds was going very quickly, when one of the other interns popped her head into my office, "Hey, do you want to go to lunch with us?" I jumped at the chance. One, my stomach was rumbling and two, I haven't really talked to anyone besides the editors since I got there.

Talking to the two young ladies was nice. We went across the way for lunch, to Fountain Square. We stopped at a sandwich shop called Potbelly, and I got to see Downtown Cincinnati having lunch. The Square is filled with business people chatting, reading, and just generally taking a few minutes out of their busy lives for a quick bite. Afterwards, the ladies took me to local Cincinnati favorite, Graeter's Ice cream. My mocha chip ice cream was delicious, and the chips are huge.

As we chatted at lunch, bonding over our shared English majors, I felt a little silly confessing my actual age. "Wow, you're really dedicated." They said after I explained how my weeks are going. These girls are the age of Justin, but it gives me someone to talk to, and they've agreed to take me to another local favorite, Skyline Chili. I also got in touch with a Zumba instructor, and was able to pin down the hours for a local class. I was also able to look up a local place to go horseback riding, I'll have to give it a  try soon.  I guess maybe I've started the ball rolling on making friends.

As the big talk today was the huge storm that is supposed to be hitting several states, my editors let me leave a couple of hours early.  The drive home was only a couple hours with no rush hour traffic to deal with. Of course I came home to a list of things to do for the kids tomorrow.

So what should it be next week, horseback riding?, another park? or a contemporary art museum?

Excitements and Worries

After a disastrous weekend at the paying job, (I will call it that so that I don't get into trouble for naming it outright, when I slip and grumble about it) in which I dented something, ruining my accident free streak, I was excited to get back to Cincinnati Monday. I left early Monday armed with a plan. My first stop was to be to Ikea, since I discovered my room in the sublet has no light. Then I would hit the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Plans ended up getting changed, and it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Here's the first piece of advice, the little button on your navigator that says places? There's a good chance you should just Google the address before you go, rather than trusting Navigator. While driving my way around a neighborhood that there is clearly no museum in, I did pass the Krohn Conservatory. Finally I decided that I was already right there, I might as well stop.

Parking was a little bit of a trial and I ended up parking a few blocks away. The seven dollar admission price is cheaper than what I thought it would be. (It was listed as 9 somewhere). The current exhibit is Butterflies of Morocco. Of course I instantly fell in love. As you walk through you can hear the soothing sounds of fountains, and see vibrant colors that give the area a Morrocon  feel. Before you are ushered into the butterfly conservatory, you are given what looks like a cardboard coaster and told only one rule. "Don't touch the butterflies with your hands."

When you enter, the views and sounds are breathtaking. Colorful butterflies take flight, and you can listen as little children tell their mom "Mom, a butterfly landed on your head!" You can read about the different species of butterflies and try to coax one onto your waiting cardboard. When you've had your fill of the color, before you exit you are stopped in a tiny room, and asked to turn around. If you have a purse, flap your purse too, this is just to make sure none of the beauties are trying to escape with you. From there, you can walk through the "rainforest" under glass, which offers a spectacular waterfall, and take the picturesque stone tunnel under the waterfall.

After I exited, I decided to walk to the address for the art museum. There are signs directing you, and it's only a few blocks walk. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that the Cincinnati Museum of Art, is closed on Mondays. Instead I walked through Eden Park.

Eden Park has The Cincinnati Playhouse, an outdoor theater, a beautiful and intensely hued gazebo, walking paths, a wonderful magnolia flower garden, two old architecturally-styled walking bridged, and Bettman Fountain. (again with me and the fountains) All totaled the approximately 6 mile walk around was worth the time.

It dawned on me that like most cities, not only is there a rich cultural offering, but there is also poverty. About two blocks away from Eden Park, I stopped at the gas station and was approached by someone asking for spare change.

Back At the Office

I spent the next morning, doing more research and fact checking. That afternoon Kara asked me to attend a staff meeting with her. This was that moment, I played it completely cool and said of course. I grabbed my notebook and pen, but knew if she hadn't been watching, I would have done my infamous "I'm so cool because" dance.

Watching a soft pagination (a tentative layout)  is pretty exciting, well for a rookie anyway. When you hold glossy magazine  pages in your hand you never stop to think about the team or time that it took to put them together. I can appreciate now that it takes a team of people from sales, to graphics and art, to editing to make it come together smoothly. Magazines get planned sometimes months ahead of time. Needless to say, I walked out with a page full of questions to ask. (I didn't want to interrupt the team while they were working)

Wednesday was more fact checking and researching, a few tweaks here and there. Each new thing that I learn, (like how copy gets edited, or how art gets chosen) makes me more enthusiastic for the steps I'm taking.

I have worries too, inevitably I worry about my kids. I worry about how they're doing with me three hours away, even though we're in constant contact. I worry that I may have to cut an adventure or two short and pick up some extra hours at the "paying" job,  to pay for upcoming expenses. I even worry about what path I'll take when I'm finished with this next few weeks, and how my boys will adapt to a changing path that will force them to change.

As I left the office, I stopped to listen to the Reggae band that was beginning to warm up for the evenings music at Fountain Square. I would have stayed longer, but looking down the street I noticed Moms, Dads, Husbands and wives wearing Reds t-shirts and gear, walking towards the Great American Ball Park. I realized there must be a game tonight and that meant traffic wouldn't die anytime soon.

Sometime soon I will go down late on a Monday and stay until Thursday so that I can visit the Museum of Art, and the National Underground Freedom Center that I pass every day. (both closed Mondays) Kara did encourage me to visit the Botanical Garden, and the Cincinnati Zoo. I'll let you know if I have to choose a shorter adventure next time to put in extra hours at the paying job. What do you think my next adventure should be?

View from Eden Park Walkway

Zebra striped Butterfly

Waterfall Krohn Conservatory

Gazebo Eden Park

"I'm new to Cincinnati,"I nervously explained to the girl working the parking lot booth as I fumbled with my ticket. Pulling the rest of the way into the lot, I realized I was two hours early for my first day. I had left so early in case I got lost, or ran into rush-hour traffic.

As I sat quietly, I penned a quick text to my Uncle, detailing the life lessons I've recently learned from him.
1. Fake it til you make it. (Always walk like you know exactly where you're going, even if you don't)
2. Never pack more than you can carry. (Dry cleaners exist for a reason)
3. Sometimes you have to push your way through the crowd to get anywhere.
4. Dress the part.
5. If you walk the city, rather than drive it, you will get to know the city better.
6. Make friends everywhere, you never know when a friend could become an important contact or resource. 


Little did I know I was about to put several of these lessons into play, along with a couple of added ones.

Sitting in my car, I checked my GPS quickly, to give me the direction I needed to walk in. Of course, I walked like I knew exactly where I was going. Once I spotted the Starbucks on the corner, I realized I indeed knew where I was. After a quick stop for some java, I saw my building. I didn't want to enter it this early, and of course I had time.

As I looked across the street I discovered a city square. The city square is named Fountain Square, for the obvious reasons, there's a fountain in the middle. The fountain is a large bronze statue called "The Genius of Water." Sitting there listening to the fountain, I felt the knot I had been swallowing start to dispel. I admired the building that my new office would be in, Carew Tower, a 49 story building, with French Art Deco architecture, that brags a mixture of offices, shops, and cafes.

Finally it was time to go in. As I approached the building I forced myself to breathe again. Stopping at the restroom to check my appearance again, I realized, my office is business casual, so I'm slightly overdressed, but dress the part right? Besides I want to stick out from the crowd.  I walked the stairs to the second floor where my new office would be. (I know, big let down in such a tall building that boasts views of the city) After being ushered in, Sue, the editor of Cincinnati Magazine and the person who hired me showed me around, took me to my office and showed me how to log onto the Mac. (Mac!? another new experience) Then came the first assignment.

"Do you have any fact checking experience?" she asked

I was forced to admit that my only fact checking experience was my own research for school papers. After giving me a quick lesson, she introduced me to Kara, for my first assignment (editor of Cincinnati wedding, and Custom Publishing).

My first fact checking assignment wasn't horrible. I realized right then however; that city traffic is not the bane of my existence, commas are. See the thing with commas is in AP style there is a different rule than in good ole regular English.  I really need to study these. I admit to using Google for simple questions such as, "how do you copy and paste on a Mac?" Remember that fake it til you make it lesson?

The first week went pretty much like that. I did fact checking. It might not seem interesting right off-hand, but I also know that learning from the ground up is important.I asked a ton of questions about how certain feature decisions happen. Through that conversation, I found out not only do I have something in common with my editor, but she has a friend that is an editor of a travel magazine. (Stored information for when I finish that Spain story) I found out I'm the first intern that has had grown up children.  I actually managed to complete one assignment before I left the office for the week, and get ahead on a couple of others. 

 That gut-wrenched feeling I had at the beginning of the week is now gone. I know the next few months will bring challenges. Bouncing back and forth between two homes, two jobs, three kids and homework isn't going to be easy. I'm learning though, and based on the award I've seen hanging on the walls I'd say I'm learning from the best.

So here, I'm proposing that for the next few weeks I give you a glimpse into the city from the point of view of someone new. Rather than fight rush hour traffic on Wednesdays in an effort to rush back home to my boys, I plan to visit a new city spot and let traffic die down. So what would you like me to cover first?