I like pans, I like cake, I like Gnutella...

My family had our annual Easter Brunch in Cincinnati this past Sunday.  As always, it was delicious and fun times were had at the kids' side of the table.  Yes, us 20 something year old cousins are still kids at heart.  Actually, I think we all agreed during brunch that we all peaked around the 4th grade and our intelligence has slowly declined since then.

Anyway, for whatever reason (I think my cousin Mark asked me how Columbus has been since he left..) Katalina's Cafe Corner and their Gnutella filled Swedish pancake balls were brought up and the following conversation actually took place:

Mark:  I like pans, I like cakes, I like Gnutella.  Perfect.  (Pause as we all take a bite from our plates)

Me:  Ummm...Do...You...Like...Balls?

Mwahahahahah.  I think we all blew up in laughter.  You're probably thinking, "Really?  What's so funny about that?"  It probably sounds pretty dumb as you are only reading this, but it was really hilarious.  Us cousins have this unique connection when it comes to humor and every time we are together we have some hysterical moment.

Well, the talk of pancake balls reminded me of a recent trip Nadya and I took to Katalina's Cafe Corner for breakfast.  So far everything we have had from this small cafe has been excellent.  It's one of our favorite cafes in Columbus.  Feast your eyes below.  Balls included.

Swedish pancake balls filled with Gnutella

Breakfast burrito

The Crushin' Russian - Part 2

Last weekend we made our first trip back to the Motherlode after staying away for the majority of the Fall due to the permadraw drama.  I wanted to get back on The Madness (more on this later) and Nadya wanted to get back on Ale-8-One to figure out the moves again.

After Nadya sent Tissue Tiger we drove over to the 'Lode so that I could get on my project (more on that later).  After I got down, I hung the draws on Ale-8-One so that Nadya could work on it again.  Our friend Stacy got on it first, who, by the way, went from standing in her apartment in Columbus to standing at the 'Lode in four hours flat.  You're either crazy or I drive like an old fart or both!  Nah, you're crazy!

After learning a few things from Stacy, Nadya got on the route.  No expectations.  She totally screwed up a few moves here and there but held on to get to the next resting jug.  Before we knew it she was at the last jug before the anchors.  Stacy and I looked at each other and smiled.  She isn't going to fall.  It's in the bag. 

She sent two rigs in one day.  First go on both of them.  Nice work.

The Crushin' Russian - Part 1

At the end of the 2011 Fall climbing season, Nadya sent her first 12b, Gung-Ho and was very excited.  This motivated her to train with me over the winter with hopes to send a few more 12b's and maybe even a 12c this spring.  So the training happened.  Our training schedule was not as strict as it could have been, but it was definitely way more training than we have done in the past.  We did the standard periodization style training starting with strength, moving on to power, then finishing up with power endurance.  The power endurance portion of our training was cut short and almost cut out completely due to the unusually warm winter and early arrival of spring.  So, beginning with the second weekend of March, we started climbing outside again.

Watching Nadya climb I could tell that she definitely had more strength and power than before.  On our first weekend back we went to Military so that she could get on Tissue Tiger.  After sending Gung-Ho, Nadya decided that this would be her next 12b.  She worked the moves and found herself pumped after the first half of the climb.  I was kind of expecting that since we barely got into the power endurance block of our training.  The crux of the route also turned out to be a little tough for her.  However, on her second go, she was able to figure out the crux and make it to the chains with no problem.  Unfortunately, her next couple of attempts left her stuck at the crux once again.  Why?  What is going on?  This disappointed her since she thought she would be stronger from all the training this past winter.

I kept telling her that the training was working and that maybe she wasn't doing something right at the crux.  She made it to the anchors already so I know she had the strength.  She probably just forgot how she did it.  It turned out I was right.  Of course ;).  I guess Nadya was pinching some left-hand crimp at the start of the crux instead of crimping it, which was preventing her from locking off deep enough to reach up to a right-hand pocket.  After discovering this, the move became easy.  She also found herself stuck on the left-hand crimp right below the India hold.  I soon discovered that she was hitting it at the worst spot possible.  Upon this knowledge and the discovery of a key foot, this move also became piece of cake.  So the next three weekends ended up becoming a power endurance training block for Nadya.  Contrary to what she thought, the strength and power training did pay off.  She didn't fail on the crux moves of Tissue Tiger because she was weak, but because she was making it much more difficult for herself.

This past Friday, Nadya sent the rig on her first go, making it look easy.  Piece of cake.  It's nice to see the little Russian smile :).

But wait, there's more...  Stay tuned for the Crushin' Russian Part 2.

Gallery Hoppin' and Sweet Potato Munchin'

My sister and Mike were in town during the first weekend of March to celebrate their near completion of med school with some of their friends.  They had some free time after dinner and wanted to "try" and meet up with Nadya, our friend Lisa, and me for some gallery hoppin'.  I use the word "try" because if they couldn't find any parking around the Short North they were going to bail.  Fortunately they did find parking, but the funny thing is that after walking one block, the two of them became too cold and decided to turn around and leave.  However, as they were walking back to their car I spotted the two of them before they could make their escape and they ended up tagging along for a little bit.  Hehehe.

We started at the north end of the Short North and decided to warm ourselves up with some hot beverages from Travonna Coffee House on the corner of 5th and High.  Then we made our way south.

 

White mocha from Travonna Coffee House.  Isn't it pretty?

We went into a few "vintage" furniture stores/galleries during our hop.  I can't say I'm a big fan of "vintage" furniture.  They are all so ridiculously overpriced too.  It seems like they just buy people's old furniture for dirt cheap, jack up the price, and label it "vintage".  Whatever.  Some people like it.  I'm just not a big fan.  What really creeped us out was that one of these stores had a child/baby casket for sale.  How can anyone sell something like that?  Seriously?  Now that I look back on it, I should have checked the price tag on that.  I wonder how much they were selling it for? 

I always wonder how these stores and galleries stay open.  None of them have closed during my time in Columbus and it seems like more keep popping up.  I guess a bunch of people in Columbus must like this stuff.

F-U-N-K-Y mugs

Maybe the best ice cream in the world?  No ice cream for us tonight :(

My sister and Mike ended their gallery hop early due to the cold and their hungry bellies.  I guess they had dinner beforehand but were not impressed nor were they satisfied with what they had.  I think they went to Tip Top Kitchen.  I've heard good things about the place so maybe their not so great experience was a rare one.  I can't say.  Nadya and I will just have to check it out one of these days. 

Towards the end of our hop, my sister texted me about some food truck with really delicious sweet potato fries.  It sounded good, but the three of us didn't really want to eat something unhealthy this late at night.  As we were walking back we spotted the truck.  It was called Tatoheads.  We decided to check it out and.....we ordered some sweet potato fries with some seasoning and some roasted pepper ketchup.  Oh food.  Why can't we resist you.  But, I'm glad we bought some because they were amazing.  Definitely keep your eye out for the Tatoheads truck.  I think they post their whereabouts on their Facebook page.  Check them out!  We ended our night with some very satisfied taste buds.

Tatoheads

Delicious sweet potato fries

The next morning, my sister, Mike, Nadya, and me went to our go-to breakfast place in Grandview, DK Diner.  Breakfast was delicious as always.  Below are some parting shots from breakfast.

Mmmmm creamer with a touch of coffee

Oh my