Amy "Paints" T.'s Profile

I feel like the phrase "It is what it is" developed in conversations about the post office. I've always had my expectations met at this post office, the only one in Lakewood. It makes sense that there is only one post office location in a city as geographically small as Lakewood. However, when you consider there are about 60,000 people living in Lakewood, you start to see how the parking lot and lines could get long. Nevertheless, anytime I've seen lines inside, and that is most times I stop by,  all counters, or all but one counter, are open. The line moves faster than you'd expect, and the workers are nice. Mostly I'm writing this review to warn anyone who needs to mail a package that they might want to stop by a neighboring suburb's locations if it is on your way. The lines may be shorter.-0

Every time I step into Jimmy O'Neill's I think "Now THIS is a tavern." I feel like I've walked onto a set built for some period piece about sailors about to travel across the pond. The dining area is moody and twinkle light filled and most anyone would describe ti as cute. I love the atmosphere of the tavern, and if you're an Amy follower you'll know that's what I put before almost anything else (exception being cleanliness). I'd love to give the tavern 5 stars just for creating a romantic experience. However, I need to be realistic. You come to a tavern to eat and drink. In the food and bev department, my experience has been about average. Nothing really looks that great on the menu and from what I've tasted, it isn't. I think you can have a really great time at Jimmy O'Neill's Tavern, just set your expectations accordingly. The draw is the mood, not the food.

Campbell's Popcorn Shop is the latest food destination I'm recommending to people. Usually it goes "OMG. I wish I had some Dichotomy Mix right now!" It doesn't matter the time of day, or if I'm hungry. I just love the cheddar/caramel corn mix. People usually say "Wutch you talkin' bout, Willis?" and then I tell them all about Campbell's. I like that I can try any flavors from a neat little vending sample machine from the counter. There are also chocolate creations like turtles and peanut butter cups. You may purchase your popcorn by regular or large bags, or tins! I made a special trip on Saturday to Ohio City just to stop and get a couple of bags of the Dichotomy for double booked Saturday parties. I love it when you introduce people to a superior food product and you can literally see the moment while they're taking their first bites and they realize it is superior. I had several of those moments on Saturday night. So far, no matter how good the other flavors are, and they are all good, I have only bought dichotomy. When you've found the best, can you really deviate? Don't Deviate from Dichotomy is my slogan for 2012. Dig it?

This megastore is pleasant. I thought the Kids R Us down the street was the Babies R Us. When I walked into Kids, I thought "hello, third world country." Seriously, I felt like I should be padded down for weapons and be ready to present my food ration card at the customer service desk that faced the entrance; this place looks like a war zone. I was excited when I realized I was in the wrong store. The real Babies R Us was very pleasant to shop. I found the registry easy to follow and I could navigate the pastel aisles without fear for my personal safety, or fear someone would club me for my supply of toilet paper I had to wait 12 hours in line for.

Best toy store in the Cleve, hands down. They have a large selection of quality, award winning toys that engage children beyond that of Barbies and Ninja Turtles. They have Klutz books, Melissa & Doug, Creativity for Kids and more! Can you tell I used to work at a toy store? I really love the life sized Melissa & Doug stuffed dogs and this store has 'em. If I wasn't unemployed, I'd do some real damage here now that I have a nephew to shop for. Luckily, the best toy buying years are ahead of him, so I can still do my part in keeping this independent toy store afloat. It is fun just to browse here.

And, they gift wrap!

"Hurricane glass and Hurricane Irene" is how I've cataloged Pearl's in my brain.  Handmade looking shelves stacked with vintage Americana items, mason jars for glasses, short wooden tables, and the only light glowing from votives really evoked a speakeasy feeling, adding to the eery, low key vibe of the city the Friday before Irene hit.

The bar looks like setting for a period piece about a hurricane ripping through the gulf in late summer. The story stars two protagonists, a down-and-out heiress struggling to keep her family's mansion by making moonshine, and her love-interest-she-can't-stand lawman, both stranded at the heiress' backwoods illicit saloon, waiting for the storm to pass. They strip down to their undergarments to escape the layers of rain and sweat soaked clothing until there isn't much left to do but confront one another over a glass of 'shine while sweating and simmering under the stress of sexual tension. Veronica, I've decided, wears nothing but her white cotton slip and heirloom Mississippi River  pearl earrings, giving the story it's name. The shimmering white glint draws out the twinkle of her eyes, making it impossible for the man to resist her.

Burgers, fries, and a coke. That's what they serve and they don't mess around. This location was manned by someone who was super receptive for my need to have a burger without a bun and I even heard him directing the staff to make sure they changed their gloves while handling my burger. I tried to banter about touching my buns but he didn't see the humor in my comments. I guess that's for the best.

New favorite date spot! Apparently, I others thought this as the lone diner sitting along the glass walls overlooking a surprisingly busy alley was clearly waiting for his female date to arrive. At first, I thought he was checking me out as I walked toward the back of the restaurant to meet up with Bobo. I was so flattered by the head turning that I didn't even take in the chill atmosphere until I sat at our two-seater table. As I looked around at the welcoming bar and small dining area, the earthy (due to the dirt colored walls) yet urban (exposed bricks and picture windows overlooking streets) and somehow rural (cast iron pans hanging on the wall) new restaurant, I got a distinctly Brooklyn 2012 vibe. I'm guessing the name, Soho, is meant to evoke a different neighborhood in the big city, but the vibe is more fitting for my experiences ducking into new Brooklyn hot spots. The Southern Hospitality of the name comes across in the menu (and frying pan decorations). The menu integrates southern favorites with mod, innovative flairs. For example, cheese steak that's not steak, but brisket! The best part of this cheese brisket was that it was part of the happy hour special and only $7. The chalk board over the bar listed the happy hour drinks, all $4 or under, including a hand crafted raspberry-whiskey cocktail called the Chattanooga. If you know me, then you are familiar with my life rule #3: If I see a berry drink on a cocktail menu I have to order it. Hello yummy $4 Chattanooga that was perfectly frothy from egg whites! At this time, happy hour runs till 6:30. Obviously, that's subject to change.

2 super cute tiny biscuits are complimentary and served with some sort of butter. We ordered deviled eggs. My first criticism is that the deviled eggs were cut into quarters...I wanted more zip with my egg. Either give me half an egg so I can enjoy all the yolk-mayonaise goodness, or give me more zip with my yolk-mayonaise mix. My second criticism is that the chips were almost flavorless; the flavor that was there was sort of...yucky. Perhaps the fat used to fry them was yucky?  I'm not sure what it was, but I didn't like them. Also, after only paying $7 for a huge sandwich that came with chips (neither Bobo nor I liked them) and various pickled veggies, the $5.50 for what was probably 1.5 eggs seemed like too much. I'm not saying they're overpriced, but they seemed overpriced next to a $7 meal. Overall, I loved the experience and look forward to dining here often. Next time I'll ask about the chips and see if they ever serve them spiced, or can add salt, or see if others said they didn't like them. I am a huge lover of fried potatoes so yucky chips will not do on my plate.

Now, to find that date....

Upon arriving, I immediately put in my karaoke request. I'd tell you what song that is, except it is the best karaoke song ever, and as far as I know, I'm the only one to ever sing it. I was swiftly brought to the mic for my performance. I got a few high fives from the audience. Like most karaoke performances, I felt I could have done better. Luckily, I got a second chance. When I was called up for what I thought was my second song selection, I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett, it was instead my earlier selection again. When I pointed this out, I was told "Just sing it again." So I did. When I was called up to the mic for the third time, I again thought it would be my second selection, I Love Rock and Roll. It wasn't. It was a completely different song, Bad to the Bone. When I pointed this out, I was told "Well, just try to sing it." So, I was Bad to the Bone, which might I think I'm going to rotate into my karaoke portfolio, except there is a one minute long instrumental break in the middle that I had to resort to vaudeville type dance sketches to fill. I guess that will give me something to work on.

The best part: I was in full on Zombie costume.

If what I've described doesn't sound perfect, then maybe you shouldn't be trying to sing karaoke in Cleveland.

A friend hired Kal's Painting and I was surprised how fast the work was done. In and out, without a drop of paint anywhere. Everything looked beautiful when he was done!