The Shrunken Head

So there's this bar a few blocks from my place called The Shrunken Head, and while my roommate and I don't manage to make it there as often as we'd like, I love it.

I'll admit I'm a little biased. It's owned by my former boss's husband, and both my former boss and her husband are great people and have helped me out on several occasions.

But you can't argue with an amazing burger, a variety of other delicious German food (try the schnitzel!), a Happy Hour that boasts a liter of genuine German beer for only $4.00 (several beers on tap) and a warm atmosphere hosted by one of the most attractive bar staffs in Columbus.

Not that a bar staff should be judged by how attractive they are... but seriously, damn. The girls and boys that work that place know how to work it.

I'm starting to feel guilty about objectifying the staff. Yes, they're sexy, but they're also incredibly friendly and helpful, and are more than happy to assist you in finding the meal or drink that is right for you. The girl that served my roommate and I the other evening offered us several samples of draft beers before we finally decided what we wanted.

On Tuesdays The Shrunken Head (or "ze Head") hosts a swing dance night, the perfect event for active couples looking to add some spice to their work week.

And the concerts, I can't even begin to keep track of all the musicians and shows The Shrunken Head hosts. Over the summer I went to an event featuring Wisconsin-based group Null Device. The Shrunken Head may be a small venue for shows, but that's what makes it such a unique experience. Even when excusing yourself to get a drink at the bar (and I must remind you, the bartenders, both male and female, are hot), the band is still right there, the music is still pulsing in your ears.

The Shrunken Head doesn't quite fit the stereotypes most traditional bars and restaurants fall into. As of now, it doesn't seem target a certain group. It doesn't appeal only to hipsters or rockers or young professionals. The bar appears to take on the philosophy of its owners: it is what it is, and almost anybody could find something to like about it. It's that comfortable neighborhood bar that is fading fast in American culture.

The Shrunken Head is on the corner of 5th and Neil in Columbus, and you really ought to check it out. They have a website (here), but I tend to get information about their menu and upcoming shows from their Facebook page.

I hope you'll join me for Happy Hour!

Sorry Mom, Sorry Dad

Apologies to my parents, who are probably better off not knowing that I swear, or drink, or... do the other things that will occasionally be referenced on this blog.

And I'm already on a tangent, but could we have come up with a better word than "blog?" It's such a disgusting word.

So I'm not going to call this my blog. I'm going to call it my journal. Because that's what it is, and it's so much less gross than the word "blog."

I don't really have high expectations for this bl... journal. I'm just going to use it to post about what's going on in my life, how I'm slowly becoming less crazy (writing is the first step, and holy shit you guys, it's so much cheaper than therapy) and share the music or books or art that I find interesting.

So why take it to the Internet?

Because not only is it much more manageable than the half-dozen folders full of Word documents I have, but because even if just one person reads my writing, it's worth it.

My friend Molly says my writing makes her laugh. My friend Paul enjoys my music suggestions. My friend Robin says my writing helps her understand her sexuality. My friend Chris says my writing saved his life.

That's what makes exposing myself to whoever stumbles upon my writing feel right. The embarrassment of my insecurities and actions doesn't matter if somebody laughs or cries, or in Chris's case, decides that maybe, just maybe, there's an alternative to taking a bottle of pain killers and praying for death (which is something Chris should have been able to figure out anyway, but hey, I never accused him of being smart).

So every few days, I'll pull something new and revealing about myself from under my bed to share with the world.

And hopefully have a little fun with music and humor and politics and literature along the way.

Of course, before sharing my journal with the usual venues of Facebook, Twitter, and the like, I'll be sending a link to my parents, who are responsible for raising such a mess of a human being.

Hi Mom! Hi Dad!