What Are You Looking Forward To?

The last few months have been weird. Is it a cop-out to say that? I mean, when it comes to feeling a little "off," a few days or a couple weeks - even a month or two - is one thing. But a weird six months? At what point does it stop being a phase & start being, just... life?

Still, I have faith, that things are starting to go back to the version of normal with which I am most comfortable. After a lot of travel & some big shake-ups at work & the health issues I've experienced thus far in 2020, life is finally starting to feel familiar again - & one of the ways I'm trying to help it along is by putting some things on my calendar that I can be really excited about.

Here are a few of the things I'm looking forward to in the coming weeks. What about you? Do you, like me, try to stay positive by having stuff to look forward to?

1. Drinkin' Under a Bridge in Mid-Winter
Last year was the first time I attended BriteWinter, a nonprofit outdoor music & cultural festival in The Flats. That's right, I said outdoor... in February. Hey, it's Cleveland!

My friend Erin has invited a bunch of us to join her there this year in celebration of her birthday, & I'm super excited. Ra Ra Riot is the headliner, Platform's slingin' beer, the Swenson's truck is coming back, & I'm gonna channel my best Elsa - because, really, the cold never bothered me anyway.

2. A Party Bus with Friends for St. Patrick's Day 
I've never been much of a Saint Paddy's Day type - even in college, because I never woke up in time for kegs & eggs! This year, though, my friend Stevie took the initiative to organize a party bus bar crawl for a bunch of our friends.

We're still figuring out the details, but stops may include: McCarthy’s Ale House, PJ McIntyre's, Stone Mad Pub, Flannery’s... & anywhere else that feels festive & fun. Also? We're old now, guys, so our bus has a bathroom. It's important to know yourself, you know?

3. Seeing an Emo Favorite with an Emo Friend
My friend Brittany moved to Columbus last year but makes the occasional trip north to Cleveland. She was going to come stay with me for a night in early March... but when we realized that Dashboard Confessional was playing in Pittsburgh that night, we changed plans!

I haven't seen Dashboard live for a few years - maybe, like, five of them? It's been awhile. I don't know much of his new stuff, but I diiiie for those old throwbacks. Can't wait for this show to have me like "Hands down, this is the best day I can ever remember..."

4. A Trip to Israel with Other CLE Couples
After a rigorous application process, Mike & I feel so honored to have been selected to be participants on an upcoming trip with Honeymoon Israel. We're Israel-bound at the end of March, & I can't wait to go back. I haven't been since 2013!

Honeymoon Israel is a national organization, but the trip is organized with a local partner, which means we'll be traveling with a bus full of fellow Clevelanders. I'm trying not to hype it up too hard, but I'm excited about the prospect of making some friends.

There you have it: Four excellent upcoming events that are keeping me enthusiastic, & positive. What are you looking forward to these days? I'd love to know!