Keeping track of weather

There are dozens of ways to track weather these days; channels are dedicated to it, my phone gives me a constant update depending on my location, we are inundated with ways to immediately update ourselves, yet, some old colloquialisms work just as well.

Take this morning for instance, I was in awe staring at the sky; the clouds looked beautiful, tinted with amazing hues of red and orange. It immediately made me thing of the old saying: 'Red at night, sailor's delight; red in the morning, sailor's warning." This idiom pretty much holds true. If you pay attention to the sky, it tells you all you need to know. It holds beauty, it holds wonder and it speaks loud and clear.

I recently read an article about a man who studied the ancient art of the Polynesians and learned how to navigate the seas through the stars, without GPS, without modern day tools, just using what is already available - the sky. How amazing and talk about living by an ancient practice. Yes, technology is great. Of course it is a useful tool but let us not forget the ancient roots. When a computer fails, when cell service doesn't work, we need to remember there are alternatives. It may not be a quick fix but it is certainly an opportunity to learn something new. Let's not forget how to navigate through our existence; when technology falters, or even when it doesn't, take a moment to look around and appreciate what your analog life has to offer.

What's more analog than books...

I have these topics and ideas for this blog, but being I still don't have the interwebs at home (I am breaking down and getting it) it is slow moving. I do a lot of reading and was thinking this morning, what is more analog than books? They're really the oldest medium there is outside of verbal storytelling. I read, a lot.

Awhile back I started a Google docs spreadsheet for 'Media' and every time I hear of a book, movie, etc that I want to check out I document it there. It then occurred to me that blogging is nothing if not self-indulgent so I might as well start reviewing these books I have taken the time to write down and borrow from the Library (I visit the downtown CLE branch and the Lakewood branch).

I don't stick to genres, much of what I consume has content in stark contrast from book to the next but what bonds each binding is that books are amazing! I learn something new from fiction or fact and love the feel and smell of all that ink forged on paper. Without further adieu, here are my thoughts on the last three books I read.

The Thieves of Manhattan - Adam Langer
This book is a whirlwind ride containing many things that make a story fun: guy gets girl, guy loses girl to crappy dude, guy loses self, guy gets caught up in various dangerous and foolish scenarios, book closes with the reader wanting more and more. The Thieves of Manhattan revolves around the main character, Ian Minot, and his struggles as an aspiring writer. As his fictitious tale, spun with the help of The Confident Man, becomes his own harsh reality, he finds himself going back to multiple iterations of the fiction turned memoir in hopes of figuring his way out of the situations at hand. This book keeps you spellbound from the beginning to the end, spinning a web so intricate you're unsure just where you got sucked in but not wanting to break free. Adam Langer has a way with literary references that make you realize it was his plan the entire time to suck you in and spit you out, leaving a wondrous story in its path.

Dave Barry's Guide to Guys - Dave Barry
For those familiar with Dave Barry, I was not, his straight forward delivery, take it or leave it humor is just that. This book doesn't promise anything, doesn't hope for literary awards, it is just a book about guys, plain and simple. On that expectation, it delivers. Dave Barry has a way of telling you to just stop already, enough with the expectations and demands, while still making you laugh. This book is an easy read as it meanders through the various dumb stuff dudes do, it is not a book about men, he explicitly tells us, but the regular guy. I enjoyed the book for what it offered, a general guide to guys. A good read for both men and women, it won't impart any scientific breakthroughs on the differences between men and women, but it does put a bit of life, in respect to guys, into perspective and who can't use a little of that every once and a while.

Mop Men: inside the world of Crime Scene Cleaners - Alan Emmins
This book I just happened upon while at the library. I just grabbed and borrowed and having no idea what to expect jumped right in. This book is magical. The content premise is not for the week of heart: it is all about Neal Smither and his business Crime Scene Cleaners, a multimillion dollar operation that capitalizes on "Specializing in homicide, suicide, accidental death, meth lab and distressed property cleaning and disposal." The author Alan Emmins takes a year or so to follow Neal on his various assignments. The content lays it all out there, a shotgun victim's bedside water glass looking like a strawberry daiquiri after the damage is done, or finding bone fragments far, far from the scene of the 'crime'. What makes these tales tolerable is that the book is funny. Neal is hilarious. He is a entrepreneur plain and simple. He wants to make money, loads of it, and does it off of death, he is successful, however, because he cares about the job he does and ensures every spot, stain and evidence of the horrors that unfolded are eradicated. His views of death and his colorful language make for an enjoyable read. Alan, who certainly couldn't handle all the gore he soaked up as the photo journalist shows us there are people perfectly suited for every job and if you want to know the best in this business Neal Smither is your man.

Those are my first synopses, check back for more, if you're so inclined, because I'll keep reading.

Farm to Table - about as analog as it gets

Local events are essential to showcase a city, its offerings and more specifically the talented people that call it home. I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Cleveland Botanical Garden which hosted Farm to Table a fundraiser that showcases the best of local, Cleveland restaurants and supports Green Corps, a work/study program founded and supported by the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

This showcasing highlights the best and brightest of Cleveland restaurants that focus on local and sustainable food offerings. From the East to West, South to North, fine samplings of food and wine were in abundance.

I am a vegetarian, albeit, not strict. When I encounter good food, food I know is from a reliable source, I will eat it. Sunday I had a venison burger; the hunter himself cooked and served it to me. Last night I dined on pork tenderloin with banana peppers over baguette from Spice of Life Catering; chicken corn chowder from Bon Appétit; tilapia ceviche with salsa from Sasa; King crab salad with avocado puree & tomatillo salsa from Pier W; Chicken, Watermelon and quinoa salad from Crop Bistro. A variety of other restaurants, including Light Bistro, Bar Cento, Sergio's, Moxie, ICASI, Coquette patisserie and even Chiopotle, among others, were also highlighted offering their delicious fares. Did I stray from my vegetarian ways? Certainly. Was it worth it? You bet your bottom dollar. My move to vegetarianism was prompted mainly from the disgusting practices of factory farming and capitalism’s general disregard for the health of people and animals; however, I will never pass up an opportunity to dine on the fine offerings of our local farms and chefs.

Take an opportunity to appreciate what a local economy has to offer. As obesity and diabetes and IBS and a variety of other preventable diseases become more and more prevalent in America isn’t it time we took it back to our analog roots and enjoyed real food in its unprocessed form?

Life is what you make of it

There is really nothing better than being able to enjoy the beauty of everything around us. Taking time to lean back, breath deep and just relax through reflection and meditation.

Call me digital

As my friends and I regularly do, we’ll sit around discussing various topics. One regular topic is my penchant for writing and specifically my abundance of ideas but lack of focus or maybe discipline to blog daily.
The other day we were discussing my desire to go back to being the proud owner and user of smart phone; taking a financial step back to take a step forward with an htc hero. Being underemployed, I have to constantly have some semblance of a budget (caveat: I don’t even know how to manage a budget) so it means making a decision between a smart phone or internet at home. I went with the phone; all in all, it seems like the ‘smarter’ and more versatile choice.
Up to this point I have been without cable (since moving to Ohio four years ago), the internet at home or on my phone (since about June). John, my ridiculously hilarious and outspoken friend lamented, “You’re a blogger without the internet. That’s ridiculous.” We discussed what being a blogger in the digital age does without actual digital access—to anything. He proceeded to poke fun at my lifestyle with suggestions, “You should, like, write it on a typewriter and take it to Kinko’s and have them transcribe it for you.” I’ll even post an ad on Craigslist, that’s what I’ll do for you.”
All joking aside, it is a rather outlandish notion that a person who is so engrossed in social media and loves the power of the digital pen would so grossly limit herself to actual 24/7 access. However, there is certainly a tipping point, on both sides of the fence, when I can say, in all honesty, I have had too much.
The break from home internet was great. All of the sudden I found myself caring a whole lot less what people said on facebook. I was not tethered to my email. I spent a lot less time perusing the interwebs. I was oversaturated with media. On the flip side, however, there were a lot of things I was unable to conveniently do. Have you tried looking for jobs without the internet? Times have changed. Pandora? No way. Reading through your favorite blogs and websites? Never!
I am stoked to have a smart phone. People like John can obacerate themselves and stop making so much fun of me. This analog girl is once again taking a foray into the digital world.

And so it begins...

I am Kathleen Ryan, you may also know me as k.ry or Kate. I live in Cleveland proper in the Gordon Square Arts District, just a hop, skip and a jump outside of downtown and butting up to Lake Erie. I have lived in and just outside of this neighborhood since moving to Cleveland in September of 2006. The past three plus years have been a journey to say the least.

I came to Cleveland as a 25 year-old, starry-eyed, wet behind the ears professional life participant; new to experiences outside of what I knew and acclimated to as a life long resident of Minneapolis. I was successful, driven and on the fast track. I came to this town ready to kick ass and take names. Prove myself not only to those around me, but more importantly, to myself.

I am now 29 and quickly approaching 30 and couldn’t be more excited. This rollercoaster of life, this roborant, choleric and downright wild experience called life has helped to shape and mold me through every trial, tribulation and success and I anticipate every day to see where life will lead me next.

My blogging has taken all kinds of twists and turns, similar to my life, I suppose. I love to evaluate, to analyze and to really just experience life in a variety of fashions, we only have now and if I don’t capitalize on as many moments as I can, what is certain is that I can never get them back and they only then have power to become memories or worse, regrets.

I revamp this site as Analog Girl in a Digital World because my choices and experiences have certainly shaped who I am, that is true for any individual. I do believe, however, that my consciousness to focus on simplicity and maybe purer origins has helped shape who I am today and who I will be tomorrow. I am a happier, more focused and whole-heartedly more positive person that I have ever been before, and frankly more so than many of the people who orbit my life.

This blog, while new but maybe not improved, is a medium to allow me to expound upon what makes my world go round. To not only give insight into my life as a transplant, but to celebrate what has changed in my life (for the better) and the wonderful people and area events that have contributed to my growth and overall satisfaction.

I hope you enjoy.