This is my life or how Caitlin ended up missing a shift at work (with barium in her stomach!) & all in one day?

I missed my shift today at work. And I was hosting a party. And I'd been complaining days earlier to everyone in existence about how I don't get enough hours at work. I also had a barium swallow for stomach pain. All in all, it's been a productive day.

I'm just gonna go over here and stare at a pretty picture of flowers. It should calm me down.

Nice petals.

P.S And the USA women's soccer team lost against Sweden. What the frickety frik?!

Over the Rhine in This Place Matters competition

I haven't been on here in a while. But I thought I'd post this informative blog. Mostly because I love Over the Rhine, but also because I'm competitive and I hate losing. Especially when I know it's entirely possible to win.

I'm posting a form letter to email to local businesses in Cincinnati. If the people of Cincinnati could just band together for ONE voting contest, we could win this. I'm also going to post contact information for places and media I've already contacted through email and Twitter. Feel free to use my letter, change it up, or write your own. You can call, email, Tweet, whatever is most comfortable for you! Letter below.

One of Cincinnati’s urban neighborhoods is currently in an online voting competition on preservationnation.org called "This Place Matters".

Over the Rhine is up against 99 other historical sites, buildings, foundations, and cities. OTR has the largest collection of Italianate architecture in the United States, and is a vital force in revitalizing, and promoting, the city of Cincinnati. The first place prize is $25000 dollars. Voting will end on June 30th at 11:59pm EST. Only an email address is needed to vote.

I am not in any way associated with the Over the Rhine Foundation. I am simply a resident of one of Cincinnati’s suburbs who loves the neighborhood, and believes that the revitalization taking place there deserves recognition. It is one of the largest still intact urban historic districts in the United States, and has a fascinating history and German heritage.

How you can help OTR: Tweet the link below, report it on your local media outlet, post it on your website or Facebook page, send out an email list with information, tell customers, and anything else you can think of! OTR is currently in third. A first place win will not only benefit OTR, but Cincinnati as a whole. It will let the nation know that we DO care about our city, and our neighborhoods.

If you've already mentioned this in any way, thank you!

Voting page for OTR: http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/community-challenge/places/over-the-rhine.html

Thank you,
(name here)


Contact information

• Q102
• Kiss 107
• Rewind 94.9
• WNKU
• WLWT
• Fox 19
• WCPO
• Local 12
• WKRP TV
• 700 WLW
• 55KRC
• City Beat
• Cincinnati Business Journal
• Cincinnati City Council
• P&G
• Coffee Emporium
• Park and Vine
• Neons Unplugged
• Corner Bloc Coffee
• Taza Cafe
• Northside Tavern
• LAUNCH Cincinnati
• Taft Theatre
• Contemporary Arts Center
• Know Theatre
• Ensemble Theatre
• Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
• Cincinnati Art Museum
• Cincinnati Arts Association
• Contemporary Dance Theater
• Cincinnati Playhouse
• Cincinnati Ballet
• Cincinnati Symphony
• Esquire Theatre

If you want any other organizations or businesses added please leave a comment. I do not live in Cincinnati (rural suburb girl right here) so I'm probably not aware of some of the smaller businesses that might be willing to help.

Businesses and media supporting OTR

• Fox 19 (video)
• Daisy Mae's Market
• Q102 (blog post)
• Ensemble Theatre
• Urban Cincy (blog post)
• Wine Me Dine Me Cincinnati (blog post)
• Coffee Emporium
• CityBeat (article)
• Cincinnati Enquirer (article)
• Christian Moerlein Beers
• Local 12 (mentioned on 11pm news on 6/21)

Holding On

Yeah. When I took my first improv class I was a very shy, timid person. As a friend described a few months ago, "You were mousy". I hate that word but I'm not going to deny the description. Well, maybe a little.

I didn't want to talk to anyone. I did talk to one person. I can't remember if he sat next to me before the first class, or if it was the second. Either way he struck up a conversation and helped ease my nerves. I'm proud to say he's one of my favorite improvisers now, and that I had a little crush on him. But what 17 year old girl wouldn't?

It's been almost two years (January 26!) since then. I can't believe I came out loving improv because it's such the opposite of who I thought I was (I've said this before many times). Or maybe it was just the opposite of whatever people thought of me and I was too afraid to break that notion until then.

Take chances. Do what you love or what you think you might love. Follow the Gilda Radner in your life. Whoever that may be. I've taken three other classes since then, workshops and an week immersion at Second City. I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

Holy crap I haven't posted in more than a month but this is what I've been waiting for (spread some Christmas cheer!)

One of my favorite bloggers Jenny "The Bloggess" is spreading Christmas cheer this year along with a score of others. I don't think I can put into words the "cheer" she's spreading so head on over to her blog, read the two entries and consider donating something. Or, if you're in need, don't hesitate to ask for help!

First post
Second post

Love, Happy Holidays, and all that
Caitlin

Funny thing about time...

I've been thinking about change a lot lately. This is no surprise to anyone but we change throughout our lives, even in the span of a few years (paint a big DUH on my forehead)

I skipped a speech on Cryptology last Monday (extra credit for math) to help out with an improv class instead. First of all, the Alias obsessed, 12 year old Caitlin would have never skipped anything pertaining to codes and the NSA. It wouldn't have happened.

Second of all, she never would have taken an improv class. That's for sure. Or even entertained the thought.

A little more than a year ago I was heading to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, (which seems like worlds away), getting ready to start a new chapter in my life. Except I didn't know that I'd end up leaving shortly after and taking a year off. And then attending a college in a state I SWORE I would never go to.

I think I was afraid I couldn't get anything out of the city I grew up in. I had to travel far away and experience new things and that was only way I'd learn more about myself and the world.

But I've changed without it. And I don't want to live on the East Coast anymore. I want to stay in the Midwest. Live in Chicago, study improv and come home to my hometown as much as possible because I love it more than anything.

Funny how time changes people. And how one decision can change everything.

In other news...

-I spilled hot chocolate on myself today in Starbucks. It seeped through a sweater, two shirts and my bra. At least I smelled nice.

-I bought pink gloves at Kroger and they ran up as "Lady Gloves". Sorry, guys. I guess you can't wear pink after all.

-I'll be in DC on Saturday for the Fear/Sanity rally. Side I'm rooting for? Fear, naturally.

AND on the interwebs...

Maura the Marie Clarie blogger thinks overweight people are gross. You know what I think? I think she needs to own up to the fact that she's an idiot

Canadian tuxedos. They're stylish.

Once again Yahoo! has foiled my blog in the "meaningful writings" department

Play is vital

I haven't taken an improv class since I got back from my summer class in Chicago. Granted it was a Second City class and you'd think that would be enough to keep me going for a while.

But it isn't.

I tried getting a group together at my college but it didn't work out. And I am currently very jealous of some of my summer improv classmates who have a group going at their college. Happy for them, but envious.

I need to do improv. I have the urge to agree and accept, move the spotlight, heighten and explore, find the heat & the weight.

Sometimes I can't believe I even dared to take an improv class a little more than a year and a half ago. It's outside this preconceived personality I had set up for myself all throughout my childhood.

But I proved myself wrong. And now it won't go away. Sometimes I wish there were a few more places to take classes. Because if I don't have the time or can't afford to take a class this winter, and I have to wait until the spring (or dare I say summer!) I might just go crazy.

Might.

EDIT: Can I just add that Second City is coming to my lovely city soon, and performing an original show about it. AND Mick Napier is directing the show. For real. Sayjal Joshi, a woman I saw in the Second City touring company last fall, is also in the show. Loved her! Can't wait.