Jackie Danicki

It’s a holiday weekend, so a bit of schadenfreude won’t hurt…

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This quote got me thinking:
The reason welfare is bad is not because it costs too much, nor because it “undermines the work ethic,” but because it is intrinsically at odds with the way human beings come to live satisfying lives.
The comments it generated got me thinking even more. Guy Herbert on why some people don’t […]

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Cincinnati Salon #5

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

Huge thanks to Dan Korman, owner of Park + Vine, for stimulating such great conversation at last night’s Cincinnati Salon. We were also fortunate to have a bunch of smart, inquisitive people on hand to ask good questions and share useful information. Dan said he learned from us! It was […]

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Piatt Park

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

How much do I love Piatt Park? Having this right on my doorstep was one of the things that sold me on my current apartment. In fact, I remember searching Flickr for Cincinnati photos when I first moved to town, and seeing several gorgeous shots of those trees and arches. “I […]

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Park + Vine

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

That’s Park + Vine owner Dan Korman (with satisfied Sigg customer 5chw4r7z), who will be speaking at tonight’s Cincinnati Salon on the topic of Being green is easy. This month’s salon will be held at Park + Vine, too, and we will have refreshments and a $25 gift certificate up […]

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Some friends told me about this very direct, funny monologue that Craig Ferguson gave about his alcoholism earlier this year. Around the three minute mark is when he gets going specifically on that. It’s moving.

I gave a similar - but much less amusing - talk last night, at a gay/lesbian/transgender meeting, and can vouch for […]

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Park + Vine

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

Walked back to Metronation this afternoon to check some prices on a couple of pieces of furniture. I ended up getting into an hour-long conversation with co-owner George about, oh, everything. I mean, everything: The shift away from the transaction-first economy, diets, Oprah, relationships, parenting, socks on the floor…Not to […]

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Adriana told me a story when I was in London the other week, about going into a restaurant with our friend Brian. Some guy rushed up to him and said, “You’re Brian Micklethwait! I’m a vicar because of you.” (If you know Brian and what a strident atheist he is, there is considerable humor in […]

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I’ve heard raves from lots of my friends in Cincinnati about the amazing Mercantile Library - so many that I am definitely joining as a member. If you’re one of those friends, you may be interested in the Mercantile Library blog. Thanks to commenter Nemo Wolfe for making me aware of it!

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Now this is funny: Fines for violating Ohio’s smoking ban start at $100. Up in Ross County, they’re fining bars that are pretty renowned shitholes - the kind of place you joke with your friends about going, but wouldn’t dare get near. We’re talking hangouts for the hardcore, super-rough places that are always in the […]

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This is one of those words I have to force myself to stop using, as it’s a real Anglicism and just confuses people in the States. When asked to define it, I do so cheerfully. Maybe I should just print out copies of this Guardian piece and start passing them out as a perfect example. […]

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Dumpster on fire outside The Waldo

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

This is the scene on W. 8th Street in Cincinnati as I type. The firefighters banished concerned residents back inside after about ten minutes. I don’t know why, as everything seems to be in control now, even though there is still plentiful smoke.
Tom Reed, who oversees renovations […]

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[W]hy would you get up in the morning if you weren’t a bit fearful? Everything is a balance between tedium and fear.
-Nigella Lawson

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Work in progress…still

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

5chw4r7z played hooky today and suggested we do a wander around Over-the-Rhine. As it turned out, we both wanted to buy new water bottles from Park + Vine and check out Enzo’s café.
Bonus: Everywhere we went, we ran into people we knew.
Enzo’s has a great atmosphere and comfy […]

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