This is How We Roll(:)

When you move to a new city, you have to find replacements for things and places that were yours in your old home. Sometimes you're disappointed (see: Columbus grocery stores in general), and sometimes, the things and places you find far exceed what you're used to.

A few weeks ago, my friend Andrea was considering purchasing a bike from one of her friends. Being the pushy monkey that I am - and very much wanting her to buy a bike that would be just right for her, so she'd love it and never want to get out of the saddle - I was insistent that she get professionally fit to make sure that all that the frame had going on would be right for her body.

On suggestion from a co-worker, we made our way up to roll:. And the store? So damn excellent that I forgot to be annoyed by the colon. Store design aside, though it does, indeed, have an excellently cool look and layout, the place just felt good on stepping through the door. The people who work there are incredibly approachable and equally knowledgeable about bikes and the act of cycling. And, on top of that? It's the first bike shop that I've set foot in that has women on staff. That's right, more then one. And they ride, too.

So, last week when I saw spring starting to peak around the corner, I took my sweet baby in for a spring tune-up, and took advantage of their crazy laser body scanner to set up my bike to a bit more of an aggressive stance. And I can't wait for it to be warmer then 0C in the mornings so I can get out on the road.

Dear Spring, where are you?

Anyway, I'm looking at the body scan printout right now, and I feel like I could confidently take this information to a seamstress and get some excellent bespoke clothing made. Is it wrong that before Friday, I had no idea how wide my shoulders were, how long my arms were or the length of my inseam? Oh dear, this is somewhat dangerous information to have, indeed.

I Gots Me a License, And I'm Not Afraid to Use It!

That's right, this weekend I finally got my ass down the the BMV, and sat through a written (if written means computer touch-screen) test, wherein I had to answer questions about farm machinery on highways.

Then, this morning, I went and passed a maneuverability and road test. Don't I look cute?


Also, ALSO, my parents came down to visit this weekend! It pretty much ruled, as I think they finally believe that I won't be killed to death on the cold streets of Columbus. There was much shopping and walking and, dare I admit, hugging going on. Add on to that a community fun run where I tried to spot Michael Scott while attempting to find a way thought closed downtown streets to my parents hotel, and it was an excellent weekend.

Alright, Pictures, Finally

I'm still waiting on the armchair and bookshelves to arrive, but the couch is here, and I couldn't resist putting up the art!

Here's one side of my living room:




And the other:




See those two little pieces beside the door? I got those today at Tiny Canary, an indie design market going on in-town this weekend. They're by Mark Traughber, who's work I've been wanting to snap up for a while. I was stoked when I read that he'd be in town! I feel like I'll need to buy one of his bigger pieces in the near future, because check out how awesome these are! Art Crush to the Extreme.

Ethiopian Cuisine is So a Go

Last night, my friend Amy and I went to an Ethiopian place called The Blue Nile. It was a first-time-trying food night for both of us, and it freaking ruled.

Similar to Indian, but a hell of a lot more fun - the dishes are served communal-style from a single platter called a mosseb. The mosseb is covered by a large, round sheet of tangy, crepe-like bread called injera, and each item that you ordered is placed on top of that, with a scoop of buttermilk curd placed in the middle as kind of a palate cleanser, to cut through the spiciness. You use the injera, either the one on the mosseb (which is lovely and awesome, and flavoured by the dishes on top) or the one that comes on a separate place, to eat each dish, tearing off a piece to scoop up what you want to eat.

So delicious, I can't wait to go back.

I had the vegetarian combo, which let me sample five different dishes. Excellent. I like trying a mess of things when I try a new type of cuisine. So this is what I tried:

• Gomen - collard green sauteed with onions and peppers - my favourite thing of all
• Mesir wat - split lentil cooked with berbere (spicy red pepper sauce) and garlic
• Tikil gomen - cabbage cooked with onions and peppers - my close second favourite
• Shiro - spiced and milled chick peas cooked with onions
• Debinja - eggplant cooked with tomato, onion, perfectly spiced

I wish I had made an effort to try this all before, at the one, lone Ethiopian place in Toronto. And by that, I mean to shame Collin into finally giving in to his friends and going. Because, dude, you will freaking love it.

Things in Columbus That I Love

Wandering around the Short North. Wee independent boutiques and galleries and restaurants.

Dragonfly Neo V Cuisine. Vegan cuisine that is the complete opposite of crunchy granola. Excellent. Last night's meal consisted of a miso glazed eggplant amuse, and shared dishes of sundried tomato risotto and matsutake on asparagus and mashed potatoes.

Rosendale's as a place to meet and sip wine. The room has a great feel to it. I wish to one day try their kitchen out.

V Power Yoga is a super fast paced workout, and I love, love, love it. Petro-Canada kids? Excellent, excellent, excellent choice.

On schedule next week: Blue Nile.

Random and odd thing that I very much miss: Pressed cottage cheese. But I found myself a recipe for making farmer's cheese, a close cousin that itself is difficult to find in-store, so once I get into a kitchen of my own, I'll be trying it out and reporting the results. Kitchen experiment!