& no, I’m not referring to doing myself! I do that all the time already! 😉

As a part of my I-want-to-do-the-whole-Midwest-while-I’m-in-Chicago mission, my next stop was Cleveland, Ohio. I have already been to Cincinnati, some call it “Cincy.” Cleveland was cool, & cold. I learned a lot from my time in Cleveland. OH does OH.

Like a lot of places I’ve travelled to, I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was: Cleveland is by the river, Canada is across the way, it’s not too far from Pennsylvania, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is there, the Cubs won the World Series there, Ohio is on east coast time, “The Drew Carey Show” was set there, & I had a strong idea there’s a cool ass bar called, Clevelander. I didn’t know that’s where the “Christmas Story” house is. No matter how many times I’ve drank it, no comment, I didn’t know that’s where Great Lakes Brewery is. & I didn’t know how good the food would be!

I met a couple at the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick. They’re the owners. Crossing the museum happened at random for me. Go figure. It turned into a must. The couple & I talked about various things. We touched on the topic, why are we in the places we’re in? Geography wise. They’ve moved around a bit. It was great sharing stories. She & I had more of a stone conversation –actual rocks, people! –aside from geography, & He & I talked mainly about the craft, how a lot came to be; the history. The museum taught me a few things about my ancestors 😉 & things about those folk tales & what is close to & far from the truth. With all the artifacts, there were a few weird vibes moments. There were so many kinds of talking boards. On display, they had a box. In that box was a was a captured demon [spirit]. It had salt around it. Per the saying, the demon can only be released if you guess its name. They shared how sometimes they’ll get random people going into the store & telling them the demon said to release it, & that people have tried to tamper with the artifacts. People they hadn’t seen before, that hadn’t visited the store. Creepy. There was silverware bent by telekinesis. The day I went it was the last day they had the “William Mortensen’s Witches” collection on display. William Mortensen, for those who don’t know, was an old Hollywood glamour – era photographer extremely ahead of his time. In addition to setting trends that are of the norm today, frowned upon then, he was also quite the controversial character. After Hollywood he moved to Laguna. Hello! ‘The Hills’ in reverse! 😉 & then he REALLY thrived & made himself something. All so totally rad! Funny, because aside from blogging more! Thank you & you’re welcome! I’ve also been focusing on photography, too! Witchcraft is nothing bad. It’s a form of religion. It’s an “American” thing. Yes, other countries practice it, too, but it’s common & been around forever. It’s big in English, too.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I’ve been longing to go there! I’ve been longing to hit up Cleveland! …Cleveland Rocks! That was my MUST. I was there for what felt like hours –in a good way. Suddenly, I was an Elvis & Beatles groupie. Not that I hadn’t like them already. Their showcases, watching the footage & lifestyles of those times. So amusing. So different. I was fascinated by how John Lennon created a fictional/ mock magazine titled, The Daily Howl in his younger days. He even created the ads. What a genius. Looking at the Beatles first signed contract was a little weird. In the beginning, the Beatles performed under many different names. Elvis was a god to many. Girls were OBSESSED with them. Back then, it was nearly forbidden to be that obsessed with someone. I can’t believe Linda Thompson dated Elvis. She wasn’t in the museum. At least I didn’t see her, & besides, what the hell would she be doing in there!?!

I crossed a letter Madonna wrote her friend, Ondina. It was during her university/ Ann Arbor, Michigan years, or time rather. I was quickly intrigued by it. Madonna shared that college life wasn’t for her. She shared she was too scared to express her feelings about wanting to quit because she didn’t want to let her dad down for all the money he had spent. What was more interesting was how she described the people & lifestyle of Ann Arbor. Madonna said, it was too easy; everyone is pretty much comfortable. It had me thinking… There is a hustle in the Midwest, but it’s not your LA or NY hustle in my opinion, for the record. It’s different. It’s a total “normal” hustle, in my opinion, but then again, where is there not “normal hustle.” Basic bitches hustle, too. Anyhow! Madonna shared how she was passionate about moving to a faster-paced environment, NY, but she also knew the chances of making it [big] were slim to none. Madonna made it clear she had to do it for herself. She had to take a chance, otherwise, she would’ve regretted not taking any chances at all. Hmmm…. Sounds REAL familiar! 😉 I was like, I am destined to be here. It’s true! An artist knows when they must put work out there. 30 years later, the Queen of Pop was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She’s fucking Madonna for crying out loud! All because she did it for herself. Madonna is an icon. She not only pushed the envelope to the max, she created a whole new kind of envelope, & found a new way to push it! As for all the plastic surgery now, that’s all you & another story, girl. No hard feelings. It all sounds cliché but like all clichés, they’re true. What if Madonna stayed in Michigan to please her dad & fulfill her college education? What most “should” do. Madonna clearly wasn’t basic & boring. Madonna did share that she stood out from most people. Was Madonna selfish? Maybe, probably, but she did what she had to do, & yes, she put herself first, & look where it got her. If one wants to make something happen in their life, they must take a risk. We can’t always live comfortably. It’s not going to fulfill you. You can’t be naïve & expect things to just fall in your lap. OK, maybe sometimes! 😉 Those should’ve, could’ve, would’ve feelings will eat you alive, especially if YOU know you’re destined for more. Being normal won’t get you anywhere. Don’t be a basic bitch! The whole letter was touching & real, but the part that REALLY stood out was when she states, “Writing is very exhausting but satisfying.” & then I collapsed.

You best believe I was posted at Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac’s part of the museum for a minute. Stevie Nicks has been inducted twice, once as a band member & the other as a solo artist. She is, after all, the white witch. She can do that. I’m really curious as to what Stevie would be if she weren’t a musician-Rockstar. I could picture her working as a waitress or bartender at some roadhouse in the middle of nowhere & on occasion be the talent for the night. She’d be a hit. I think music is truly in her; music is in her origins.

For the longest, I’ve been wanting to do a Rockstar photo shoot; pose with a guitar & look super rockerish. Guest what? I got to do one! I would’ve LOVED to do it naked, but I was in public. I guess I could rent a guitar… The setting was right though! I’m OK. The museum also gave me inspiration on accessorizing clothes. My other forgotten hobby.

I did have a minor hiccup. As I was walking in downtown Cleveland, I missed the curb as I was crossing the street & landed on my foot sideways bending the shit out of it nearly spraining it. It hurt so bad I cursed out loud & almost threw up. I was like, OH.HELL.NO! I’m not about to have my trip ruined. I “walked” it off, or “shook” it off rather. It was fine after a few moments, but when I woke up the next morning, I was in soooo much pain. Again, I was like, screw this! My trip is NOT ruined. Nothing sets OH back! I was only ½ way into the adventure.

When I travel, I like to walk & take the bus & explore & flaneur –my favourite French word 😉 & see things. I hate continuously ordering cars. I’m also very cheap & could use the exercise, so I’ll inconvenience myself to save money & burn a few calories. It’s also annoying hearing every other sentence be, let’s just call an Uber. Oh, God! Haven’t you realized we pay for convenience in life & consumers pay the price. Literally! Besides, I’m more of a Lyft person. & no, it’s not so I can get my “steps in.” Some people actually like walking. It’s comedic & a little concerning when one doesn’t want to walk 0.1 miles, shouldn’t even be plural! away but would rather drive there. It’s more time consuming to get in your car, find a decent song to bump on the way –parking lot pimpin’! look for parking, & then go to your destination — as if it were miles away! Lazy fuck. You deserve those love handles. & no, I don’t own a Fitbit, nor do I wish to. Those things are stupid. I’d rather spend my money on… never mind! The government already knows where I’m at all the time, courtesy of Google maps via my beloved android. Fuck your conformity.

The Cleveland Museum of Art, which was GREAT, was on the other side of town from where I was staying, right by the West Side Market, & this limper didn’t have all day to get there. So, I broke down & ordered a car. I never stated I don’t use the services! I hate continuously using it. Luckily, my sore foot didn’t last long. I kept putting pressure on it, otherwise it would’ve been sore for days. My temporarily disability made me appreciate my ability to get up & go as I please. We should never take our walking ability for granted! I’m also a fast walker for being on the shorter side, so I tend to get places faster, & I’m thankful for that, too. In the pedestrian world, aside from people bumping into you because they’re too wrapped up in the mobile, another annoying thing is being behind a slow walker. For God’s sake move to the right, people! Get the fuck out of my way! & don’t follow me because I don’t know where I’m going! I am the eighth Vagabond! What also prompted me to call a car was it started to boil down to the time I had available. Cleveland is a city, but their transit system isn’t like a major city where it runs super continuously & conveniently, but I think some routes are free, so hheeeyyyy! I wanted to get the most out of my trip. I had checkmarks to make on my to-do list. I almost ran out of time at the Cleveland Museum of Art. I was surprised at all that it offered. No shade thrown. There was a Tiffany lamp collection on display. I did see some familiar artwork. Lots of new. Michelangelo was in town. The museum has a nice garden area with a little big lake in it.

There was so much good, cheap food at the West Side Market. I got a bunch of small portions of various foods & feasted away. I crossed Horizonal Bookstore by West Side Market & became so fascinated by it. It was a different kind of bookstore to me. It was set-up differently & had an appeal that easily caught my attention. There was a form of art to itself.

I think it’s interesting how Ohio is part of the Midwest but under east coast time. It was fucking cold in Cleveland. But guess what? Not as cold as it was when I returned to Chicago! It was a nice extended weekend getaway. Plus, there’s only so much to do in Cleveland. LOL. JK! About every 3 months or so, I need to escape to keep whatever sanity I have left. Work hard, play hard, as they say. A perk of being in the Midwest is everything is a hop, skip, jump, car, or bus ride away! I took the bus. It was a long trip, but it was a good long trip. I got to read & watch movies & sleep & gaze out onto the flatlands & do nothing! I needed to get away from that basic, normal hustle crap. I also celebrated my mid-mark of going around the sun 33 times. In other words, my ½ birthday! The downfall about OH is it’s super conservative. There we go, back to being basic, & not in a back-to-basics way. I don’t think I could ever live there. I’d be more objective if I were a woman, being stripped of many rights. No, thank you. I got a lot of writing inspiration & have expanded the OHMG universe. I’m curious as to what prompted the founders to have the hall of fame in Ohio. I mean, not everything can be in L.A., N.Y., or Chicago. & that’s a great thing! It’s simply not fair. It’s crazy how it’s “nearly” in the middle of the country. LMAO. One more thing, not all Rockstars have been inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 😉