Crushing my Bucket List...

I did some serious work on my Summer Bucket List this weekend.

Friday, Jenn and I went to the Reds game against the Rockies. Despite coming into the game on a six-game win streak, the Reds lost, 6-3. I blame myself. As always, the game was a blast. There is nothing better than sitting in the nosebleeds, watching the game and the boats on the Ohio River.

It was also Fireworks Friday, so I got to cross another thing off my bucket list. Every Friday at home, the Rozzis put on an awesome firework display set to music following the game. The theme was 'American' music for Memorial Day and, like I said, there's nothing quite like watching fireworks illuminate the ballpark and the river. I love my city.


Sunday, I knocked another thing off my bucket list when I went to Taste of Cincinnati with Jenn, Morgan, Sib, and Shaska. Taste of Cincinnati is the longest-running (and one of the biggest) culinary arts festivals in the country. This year, forty local restaurants set up booths selling their best dishes - all for under $5. I had a pulled pork sandwich from City Barbeque and BBQ chicken macaroni & cheese from Keystone Bar & Grill. I also tried a deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich from Strasse Haus. If loving it was wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Despite the scorching 90º+ heat, we had a great time until we had to say goodbye to Morgan. She left on Monday for her training for Teach for America. She'll be in Phoenix for over a month and then she'll be teaching in Indianapolis. If all goes as planned, I'll be in Indianapolis in the fall, too. In the meantime, I'll miss her a ton, but I know she'll do great and I'm so excited for her!

Then, tonight was my favorite night of the year: Dave Matthews Band at Riverbend.

We missed most of the opening band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and couldn't find anyone in the lawn, so we hunkered down in some lawn chairs and enjoyed the majesty that is DAVE. The weather was perfect, the music was perfect. Here was the setlist:

Sweet
You Never Know
You Might Die Trying
Rhyme and Reason
Granny
Why I Am
#41
Seven
Mercy
Tripping Billies
A Whiter Shade of Pale (Procol Harum cover)
Gaucho
Jimi Thing - AMAZING
What Would You Say?
Time Bomb
Two Step
----
Squirm
All Along the Watchtower

So, as you can see, it was quite a weekend. At this rate, I'll finish my list next month.

GENO KEEP SCORE.

I know I told you I'd be done with the hockey posts by now, but I really need to brag about my Russian dreamboat.

As soon as the Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs, Geno flew to Europe to play for Team Russia in the IIHF World Championships. This, of course, meant I was watching hockey games at 7:00 AM due to the time difference. I regret nothing, though, because Geno obviously wasn't content with simply humiliating the NHL. He insisted on complete and utter world domination...and dominate he did.

Malkin finished the tournament with the most points of any player (19 - 11 goals and 8 assists, including two hat tricks) and was named tournament MVP. He helped his team finish with a perfect 10-0 record and the gold medal after a 6-2 victory over Slovakia on Sunday. In doing so, he became only the second player EVER to lead the NHL and the IIHF World Championships in scoring in the same season. The other player? Some guy named Wayne Gretzky.

The 2014 Winter Olympics are being held in Sochi, Russia. Mark my words: It's my goal to be there as a sports writer.

I feel like a proud momma bear...and if all of this wasn't enough to make my heart explode already, Geno's post-victory locker room celebration was in full-out Penguins' gear. See you never, guys.

No, really. Just leave me behind. Go on without me.

I'll make you guys a deal. If you promise to keep reading my blog, I promise not to elaborate on the serious heat Geno's packing.

Oh, come on. You noticed it, too.

Man Meat Monday #39

My newest celebrity crush?

Robert De Niro between 1973-1985.

Claim to Fame: Actor (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas)

Birthday: August 17, 1943

There isn't much to say about Mr. De Niro that hasn't been said already. He is the oldest honoree in Man Meat history and is widely recognized as one of the greatest actors in American cinematic history. In the last week, I've watched Raging Bull twice and Taxi Driver four times. Something must be wrong with me because I would take De Niro over Ryan Reynolds, Bradley Cooper, or Ryan Gosling anyday.

However, I'm not too surprised by this development. De Niro looks pretty similar to a former Man Meat Monday honoree.

Random Tidbit: De Niro once held the record for most weight gained for a role when he gained 60 pounds to play an older Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.

Only downfall?: This is the year 2012.

So, readers: It's your turn. Are you talkin' to him?


Man. I have good taste.

Summer Bucket List.

Every summer at home, I find myself wondering what to do. I love my hometown, but it's not exactly a hot bed of activity. So, after seeing a couple on other blogs, I've decided to make my own Summer Bucket List. Here goes:

1. Go to at least 5 Reds games. (5/25, 6/13, 7/20, 7/21)
2. Tubing or canoeing on the Little Miami.
3. Go to an outdoor concert. (5/29 - Dave Matthews Band at Riverbend)
4. See an Omnimax movie at the Cincinnati Museum Center.
5. Lay out at Caesar's Creek.
6. Watch a fireworks display. (5/25, 7/7, 7/20)
7. Go fruit-picking.
8. Take a road trip.
9. Tie-dye a t-shirt.
10. Spend the day or night in Newport.
11. Visit a farmer's market.
12. Buy ice cream from an ice cream truck. (6/2 - Strawberry Shortcake ice cream bar, baby)
13. Go to a festival or fair. (5/27 - Taste of Cincinnati)
14. Have a picnic outside.
15. See a movie at the drive-in theater.
16. Play putt-putt golf.
17. Visit the National Museum of the US Air Force.
18. See The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Esquire Theater.
19. Tour the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield.
20. See a show at La Comedia Dinner Theater.
21. Get dinner at Montgomery Inn.
22. Make and eat a s'more. (7/11)
23. Visit Krohn Conservatory.
24. See a Columbus Crew game.
25. Slip and slide.

When I do something, I'll bold it and add the date. What do you want to do this summer?

99 Things

I've seen this list on a few blogs, so I thought I'd do it, too. I wanted to include pictures with more of these, but I'm too lazy to track them down and scan them. You bold the ones you've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band - Played percussion in middle school band and my housemate Cara and I had a "band." ;)
4. Visited Hawaii

 5. Watched a meteor shower
 - Almost every summer.

 6. Given more than you can afford to charity


 7. Been to Disneyland - Only Disney World.


 8. Climbed a mountain


 9. Held a praying mantis


 10. Sang a solo
 - A few in choir.

 11. Bungee jumped


 12. Visited Paris
 - Fall of 2003.

 13. Watched a lightning storm


 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch


 15. Adopted a child


 16. Had food poisoning
 - That deserves its own blog post.

 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
 - No, I've only seen it. Another good reason to go back to NYC.

 18. Grown your own vegetables - No, but I have a blueberry plant.


 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Too crowded. Overrated.


 20. Slept on an overnight train


 21. Had a pillow fight


 22. Hitch hiked

 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill


 24. Built a snow fort - How have I not done this?

 25. Held a lamb


 26. Gone skinny dipping


 27. Run a Marathon


 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
 - Too expensive. Reason to go back.

 29. Seen a total eclipse


 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset




31. Hit a home run


 32. Been on a cruise


 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person


 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Not yet. Spain and Norway, anyone?


 35. Seen an Amish community


 36. Taught yourself a new language

 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied


 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
 - Summer of 2010. Held it up like a champ.



39. Gone rock climbing

 
 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
 - Summer of 2010. Drooled all over him.

 41. Sung karaoke
 - Only twice. "My Heart will Go On" and "Like a Virgin."

 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
 - Can't remember when.

 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant


 44. Visited Africa


 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight


 46. Been transported in an ambulance


 47. Had your portrait painted


 48. Gone deep sea fishing

 
 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - Summer of 2010.
 Took a secret picture.

 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
 - Fall of 2003. Pretty scary up there.

 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
 - Both.

 52. Kissed in the rain


 53. Played in the mud


 54. Gone to a drive-in theater
 - I went with Jenn on Saturday! We saw The Avengers and 5-Year Engagement.

 55. Been in a movie

 
 56. Visited the Great Wall of China


 57. Started a business


 58. Taken a martial arts class


 59. Visited Russia
 - I want to more than anything.

 60. Served at a soup kitchen


 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies


 62. Gone whale watching
 - Twice. Once in Seattle (saw tons), once last year in San Diego (saw none).

 63. Got flowers for no reason


 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - I'm such a wuss.


 65. Gone sky diving


 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - On my bucket list.

 67. Bounced a check


 68. Flown in a helicopter
 - Never again.

 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - The real question is, "Have I ever thrown a childhood toy away?"


 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Multiple times.

 


71. Eaten Caviar


 72. Pieced a quilt


 73. Stood in Times Square
 - Multiple times. Never gets old. Especially with Chipotle in hand.



74. Toured the Everglades


 75. Been fired from a job


 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London


 77. Broken a bone


 78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle


 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person


 80. Published a book - Had a poem published in a book. Does that count?


 81. Visited the Vatican
 - Summer of 2010.

 82. Bought a brand new car
 - Not with my own money.

 83. Walked in Jerusalem


 84. Had your picture in the newspaper

 85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve


 86. Visited the White House


 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating


 88. Had chickenpox


 89. Saved someone’s life


 90. Sat on a jury


 91. Met someone famous - Define 'met.'

 
 92. Joined a book club


 93. Got a tattoo


 94. Had a baby


 95. Seen the Alamo in person


 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
 - I've been there, but didn't swim in it.

 97. Been involved in a law suit


 98. Owned a cell phone - Against my 
will.

 99. Been stung by a bee - I don't remember it. I was a baby.

Do it.

Mom Meat Monday

I know it's Man Meat Monday, but I've decided to change it to Mom Meat Monday this week. It's my blog - I do what I want.

I haven't talked to my parents in two weeks. They've been on a transatlantic cruise, living my dream life. They were in Barcelona yesterday and tomorrow, they will be in Nice. Rough life. Since they've been gone, a tornado has touched down in town, a prisoner escaped from the local jail (and I got a phone call telling me to lock my doors), Prince got fleas, and I suffered my first flat tire.

Unfortunately, this also means I have missed my mom's birthday AND Mother's Day. So, I've decided to dedicate a coveted Man Meat Monday slot to my wonderful mom.

Instead of providing you with all the cliche, yet true Mother's Day phrases - like "My mom is my best friend" and "She is beautiful, inside and out" - I will share some lesser-known details about why my mom is the best human on planet Earth. Let's face it: It's always the little things that mean the most.

- When we were younger, my brother, sister, and I were pretty imaginative. We would pretend to be British adventurers, wandering through the lush jungle, hiding from dangerous animals, and building forts out of branches and sticks. Suddenly, we would stumble upon a random house (my house) and ask the landlord (my mom) if we could stay for a few nights. She would always play along perfectly, telling us that we could stay, that she would make us dinner, and that she had three kids that were roughly our sizes and we could wear their clothes while they were out of town.

- Every morning, when Prince wakes her up to go outside, my mom lets him out before going to the bathroom herself. Selflessness at its best.

- She is the only person on Earth that knows exactly what I mean when I say I like the way that Matt Damon chews gum.

- When I was in Girl Scouts, my mom became a co-leader for my troop. All of the girls loved her and she was great at coming up with cute activities for us to do. However, she was also a stay-at-home mom and had to watch my brother and sister. So, she killed two birds with one stone by bringing them to all of our meetings. They did absolutely everything with us. To this day, we never miss an opportunity to remind my brother that he was a Brownie.

- When my mom realized that hockey wasn't just a phase I was going through, she not only learned the rules of the game and most of the Pittsburgh Penguins' roster, she also memorized every single team in the NHL and made me quiz her on them.

- Whenever I called my mom to complain about exams or papers in college, she always ended our conversation with, "Well, if you have any coloring to do, let me know."

- My mom put a small note in my packed lunch every single day in elementary school. Everyone was jealous.

- Almost every weeknight, my mom watches Jeopardy with me. When I get Final Jeopardy right and she's impressed, I dance around while she sings, "Smarty pants dance, smarty pants dance, look at my Bibbles do the smarty pants dance." In fact, it's exactly like this, but I'm 24 years old.



- When Evgeni Malkin scored his 50th goal this season, she started to cry...and I didn't.

- She probably sees this blog post on Man Meat Monday as the highest form of flattery.

...and coming from me, she's right.

I love you, my wonderful Mommles! You're everything I am and I'm not even half the woman you are.

Not so Wild One

Oh, hey everyone. I have nothing cool to say these days. So, I'll sing instead.

My short cover of "Wild Ones" by Flo Rida ft. Sia.

Man Meat Monday #38

It has been a shameful amount of time since I've shared some Man Meat with you. As promised, this blog will become a largely hockey-free zone until October, so my choices for the summer will be quite different.

Saturday, Jenn and I drove up to Detroit to see one of my current favorite bands, M83. If you are looking for something musically different, check out their newest CD, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. The show was incredible. It took place in a really cool, open yet intimate venue called The Majestic Theater. A Swedish indie rock band called I Break Horses opened and set the perfect mood for the night. Like M83, their music was synth-pop with quiet vocals and electronic instrumentals.

Then came the main attraction. M83, which takes their name from the spiral galaxy Messier 83, had the music and set to match their namesake. Throughout the show, the backdrop pulsated with star-like, blinking lights that changed from song to song. As I had hoped, their shoegazing music put the crowd in a dream-like trance, its '80s style synth and hypnotic vocals luring the audience toward a truly mind-blowing finale. The saxophone solos on "Midnight City" and "Coleurs" had every single person in the place dancing.

Here was the setlist:

Intro
Teen Angst
Graveyard Girl
Reunion
Sitting
Year One, One UFO
We Own the Sky
Steve McQueen
Wait
Fall (Daft Punk cover)
This Bright Flash
Midnight City
A Guitar and a Heart
-----
Skin of the Night
Coleurs

'Why is this relevant to Man Meat Monday?' you ask. Oh, trust me. Have I ever steered you wrong?

On second thought, don't answer that.

Anthony Gonzalez

Claim to Fame: Musician (founder and frontman of M83)

Here is all I know about Anthony. He's French. He's in his early 30s. He lives in Los Angeles. He sounds like an angel.

Oh yeah - it's also fun to watch him dance around and do things to his keyboard that have you drooling by the end of the song.

This has been my favorite song for five months now. You're doing yourself a real disservice if you don't listen to it.



So, readers: It's your turn. Have you ever wanted to be an inanimate object more in your entire life?

Really. Keyboard or microphone. I'd gladly trade spots with either.

Mmmm duurrrropppp!

We all know I'm a bit of a media whore.

But sometimes, a celebrity death resonates deeper with me than others. That happened today.

Adam Yauch (MCA), founding member and raspy voice of the Beastie Boys, died at age 47 after a three-year battle with cancer.

I would never claim to be a huge fan of the Beastie Boys. Since their first album, Licensed to Ill, debuted in 1986, I was born a bit too late to have grown up listening to them. However, as is often true with pioneering, ground-breaking artists, their music stood the test of time. Like most people my age, I can rap along with classics like "Sabotage," "Brass Monkey," "Intergalactic," or "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)."

I won't detail the pioneering work the Beastie Boys did for white artists during the infancy of hip-hop. I won't describe how the Beastie Boys practically introduced white suburbia to a new genre of music. I won't delve into how they turned something that seemed dangerous, edgy, and foreign into something Middle America could swallow, something mainstream. I certainly won't explain how they revolutionized music for an entire generation.

I will, however, admit that the group's other Adam, Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), was one of my first celebrity crushes, following Yeah-Yeah from The Sandlot, Chris O'Donnell, and Brian Littrell. What can I say? I have a serious thing for Jewish guys with dark hair.

I will say that I wasn't exactly the girl that got asked to dance a lot in middle school (or high school, for that matter). So, when "Intergalactic" played at a sixth grade dance, I vividly remember dancing around with my friends and wishing the DJ would play it on repeat all night.

I will also share something that was pointed out by Sasha Frere-Jones of The New Yorker today. Although the early music of the Beastie Boys was similar in message to most of today's rap (disrespect to women, rebellious, over-sexualized, violent, etc.), their message began to change as they grew older. MCA, in particular, began to change. He became a Buddhist and the positive axioms of his belief quickly became the tenets he practiced.

In 1994's "Sure Shot," he rapped, "I want to say a little something that's long overdue/The disrespect to women has got to be through/To all the mothers and sisters and the wives and friends/I want to offer my love and respect to the end."

That's a message that bears repeating...and for that, MCA gets my love and respect to the end.

When American Idol drives you to the brink of insanity...

Again, I know I've been a horrible blogger, but I really need to get something off my chest.

Disclaimer: I really like Phillip Phillips from American Idol. How could I not? He's a carbon copy of my favorite artist of all-time. He's incredibly talented, plays the type of music I love most, and have you seen him? Yum.

That being said - I have a few problems with the reaction to Phillip Phillips.

1. Every single time that Randy Jackson or Jennifer Lopez tell him that he's original, a piece of my soul dies. It just shrivels and dies. I'm not trying to knock Phillip down or detract from his talent, but let's get real. Aside from his two Usher covers and "Thriller," I haven't seen anything original. At all. He is, for lack of a better description, a younger version of Dave Matthews. The mannerisms, the voice, the dancing, everything. I would know.

Tonight, when he did "Time of the Season," I nearly threw up.





I think we all know which version is better.

2. I know quite a few people who love Dave, but I know WAY more people who absolutely hate him. I do mean hate him. I've never been able to understand this and I've received an enormous amount of criticism from my friends for being such a DMB superfan. As I said, TONS of people love Dave Matthews Band. They tour every summer, their concerts sell out, their albums do well, and their fans are fiercely loyal. However, so many people can't stand Dave's voice or the jam band type of music. DMB's music is rarely heard on the radio, they hardly receive any critical praise. So, someone please explain to me the overwhelming support that Phillip Phillips has received on American Idol. Phillip has never been voted into the bottom three on the show. Why is the country embracing him when so often they reject DMB? SOMEONE TELL ME. IT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT.

At any rate, I hope Phillip wins (or Joshua Ledet - who blows my mind every week). Maybe, just maybe, Dave and Phillip could collaborate?

Lord knows I'd be first in line.