Disclaimer: Mushy gushy love stuff ahead.

You guys!  Valentine’s Day is upon us!

love

I get it, Hallmark holiday, blah blah blah.  But I am deliriously IN LOVE this year, so I am going to enjoy myself AND the love of my life this year on Valentine’s Day.

Ben and I are going to White Castle for new experience.  We’ve had some fancy dinners (Ruth’s Chris for his birthday, Skyline Club for my birthday) in the last month, so there’s no reason why we have to break the bank for this holiday.

I have something fun planned for Ben, small and affordable, but special nonetheless.  I would share here, but I don’t want to give away any secrets, so you’ll have to check in later.

Oh!  And don’t forget to check out my blog on DoItIndy.com on some ideas for Vday in this great city.

Brrrr!

It is seriously cold outside. Just think…this time last year, we were all gleefully wandering around downtown in sixty degree weather, enjoying the pre-Super Bowl buzz. Alas, we cannot get that lucky this year. I’m actually WEARING a coat this winter.

This time of year I get tired easily, cranky more often and find myself eating my feelings since the extra flub adds warmth. This year I am determined NOT to let this happen. So I want to share with you some things to warm you up and keep you in a good mood before the seasonal affective disorder sinks in.

1. It was announced yesterday that New Kids on the Block is touring this summer with 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men. Go ahead and turn on Motownphilly and Summertime to distract you until then. So far “The Package” (tee hee) tour isn’t coming to Indy, but Cinci isn’t far at all!

2. This kid. I mean, just look at that determination.

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3. Eat a steak. Clean the bathroom. Apparently this will make you happy. Or so says this Cracked.com article.

4. I got red pants for my 30th birthday. That may not make YOU happy, but it sure does put a little skip in my step.

5. Bailey is the newest member to my boyfriend’s parents’ family. How cute is she?!?

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Ok, that’s all I have for the happy train today. Hopefully you can find some joy in the frozen tundra that
is Indianapolis. And if not, make sure you follow me on Twitter (@slicklaroo, duh!) for some hilarity.

QUASH!

QUASH 2012

What is QUASH, you may ask?! Well, hopefully you follow me on Twitter (@slicklaroo) or Facebook (facebook.com/slicklaroo) and you’ve seen me asking for donations. And hopefully you’ve donated…

But I digress…in case you do not know…

QUASH is the Quest to Unravel Alzheimer’s Scavenger Hunt. The Alzheimer’s Association puts this on as a yearly fundraiser to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and treatment. The DoItIndy Crew (www.doitindy.com) decided to participate because it’s a great cause AND the scavenger hunt sends us around the great city of Indianapolis looking for clues and QUASH challenges.

Getting ready to emcee!

At the last minute, Big Ben (@BenRisinger) and I were asked to emcee the opening and closing ceremonies. After hyping up the crowd for scavenging fun, we set off about the city. Let me just tell you this…any competition that utilizes both body and mind…I was NOT prepared for it! We trekked from the Rathskellar, to Ohio and West Streets to 11th and West, to 11th and Illinois to Illinois and Washington, to City Market to the American Legion Mall to the IPS headquarters, BACK to the Rathskellar. WHEW! Along the way we had to answer trivia questions and participate in challenges. All in the name of QUASH!

Our QUASH challenge photos!

The Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana (@alzindiana) did a great job with this event. I had a wonderful time rallying together with other Hoosiers looking to make a difference…and getting to enjoy our awesome city at the same time!

You can learn more information about QUASH and donate to the efforts of the DoItIndy QUASH Crew here: www.doitindy.com/quash. Give back, Indianapolis!

 

It was a big scavenger hunt day for me…you can check out the Historic Indianapolis scavenger hunt DoItIndy participated in later that night…here!

It’s time for summer music!

Today, while driving along Michigan Street on the east side of Indianapolis, one of my all time favorite summer songs came on the radio.  I surely hope you love Don Henley’s The Boys of Summer as much as I do, because here you go…

Even though summer officially starts in a few weeks, thanks to the gorgeous weather in Indy, I think we are all getting ready for it.  I know as I prepare for the summer concert season and other fun outdoor activities, I can’t help but think of my own summer soundtrack.

What do you like to listen to when enjoying such beautiful weather?!

For more of my summer music picks, check out my DoItIndy blog here.

I got my Wayfarers on…

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @slicklaroo!

Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!

My whole 30×30 endeavor would definitely have included a zip line if I hadn’t already done this.  All during Super Bowl week I watched my fellow Village dwellers take the plunge over Capitol Street in Indy.  Alas, I never made it.

But, but, but!!!  Now, Indy has a great zip line attraction…Go Ape Treetop Adventure!  Now folks, this is more of an ADVENTURE than just a lil ol’ zip line excursion.  Two to three hours of treetop fun at one of Indy’s best parks…Eagle Creek.

I did it!

You need to go.  And you need to go read more about it here, complete with more photos and video from my experience.

See you on Twitter!  Make sure to say hi @slicklaroo!

DoItIndy!

You’ve probably heard me mention DoItIndy at some point if you follow me on social media at all.  If you’re unfamiliar, the guys at DoItIndy present theTop 5 things to do around urban Indianapolis.  What’s great, these aren’t the typical events you see on just any Indianapolis events site.  To use their words, these are the “eclectic” events of the city. What’s also different is Big Ben and Tolin present these picks to you in a video…that’s far more exciting than just any old list! (Have you checked them out at YouTube or Fox on Saturday mornings at 9:15?)

When I first came across DoItIndy, thanks to their roaming reporter IndyVal, I was immediately drawn to what they do.  As a former urban educator, my heart really lies in urban re-development.  I may not be teaching children in an urban setting anymore, but I really want to see my hometown flourishing…including all the urban neighborhoods that get a bad rap.  And let’s be honest, another reason I love DoItIndy is because I love doing the unexpected around my city!  So mingling social and charitable events with the urban neighborhoods of Indianapolis is right up my alley!

Well, exciting things are ahead for SlickLaRoo and DoItIndy!  I’ve joined the crew as another roaming reporter!  I am so excited to be apart of something that fits into my overall brand (remember that blog? :) ) and will surely be a LOT of fun!  Be on the look out for DoItIndy blogs here and of course, check out http://www.DoItIndy.com for the Top 5 videos and blogs from Big Ben, Tolin, IndyVal, KC the photog and Ms. LaRoo.

Sean Casey, Tornado Alley and the TIV

My friend Chris and I trekked down to the Indiana State Museum to see Sean Casey, his TIV and his movie Tornado Alley in IMAX 3D.  It was totally his thing, and I tagged along out of pure curiosity.  I have a few friends that are storm chasers, and a few friends that are on the other end of the spectrum that are terrified of storms.  I fall somewhere in the middle…never really afraid of storms, but radar and weather radios don’t exactly excite me.

However, after today, my curiosity has been piqued.  Tornado Alley was awesome, especially in 3D.  But I have to say I was most impressed with Sean’s TIV.  He made this tank himself!  What the what?!

The TIV...whoa!

Anywho, if you missed it and want to still check it out, get down to White River State Park tomorrow from 4-7pm.  I know Tornado Alley will be playing for awhile, so if you can’t get down tomorrow to see Sean and the TIV, definitely check out the movie!

 

And don’t forget to support the relief efforts for the storm victims in southern Indiana.  I am not sure what’s happening through the Red Cross yet, but a local church, St. Luke’s, has rallied together to help.  You can get more info here:  www.stlukesumc.com.

 

 

Slick OUT!

Have you missed me?

(You may as well get out your calendar and scroll down to the bottom…you’re gonna be busy this Saturday!)

While I’ve taken unintentional hiatuses from blogging in the past, I have tried my very best to not disappear this time around! 

“But Slick,” you may say aloud, exasperated, “You’ve only been gone a week!”

I know, I know.  But a week could turn into a month and then into another month and then next you know it, it’s 2013 and slicklaroo.com has not be updated.  I cringe at the very thought!  (Don’t you!?)

 So after some constructive criticism at work (apparently my e-mails are pretty verbose), I’ve decided to do the same in all areas of my life.  While I enjoy my colorful vernacular and using words to paint delicious images in your mind, I get it.  Sometimes less is more.  So…with that said, as concise as I possible could be, I present you with….

 BULLET POINT BLOG POSTS!   A brief recap of the life that is Slick…proud?

 ˚You may be wondering how I am doing with Lent.  Well, folks, I’ll be honest.  Not great.  But if I miss a day (brief catch up-instead of sacrificing something during the Lenten season I am adding reading something edifying/spiritual, thereby sacrificing time), I do make it up!  Right now it’s Thursday and I need to read 3 chapters to be on pace…if that tells you anything.

 ˚You also may be wondering where Monday MUNCH was this week.  I’m gonna go out on a limb and assume you’re not, but just in case:  never fear!  Something delicious will be back this next Monday!  :)

 

Mmmm cookie dough!

 

˚I’ve been LOVING the sunshine here in beautiful Indianapolis.  I love my city in any weather, but if I can go outside without a coat in February, I love it about a million times more.

 ˚There’s this really rad thing called six4six happening on Saturday (March 3rd, 7pm @ Birdy’s to be exact!).  If you like live music, local music and spending time with Slicklaroo (and lots of other, way cooler, people), really, you should be there.  Six Bands 4 Six Bucks, presented by rickyleepots.com and sponsored by Do It Indy, is sure to be a good, good time.  Rock on, Indy.

six4six

Monday MUNCH Volume 8: A New Food Experience

**A note from Slick:  I know, I know…I started this whole Monday MUNCH thing to share recipes and baking gems.  But since I’m in charge, I’ve decided to use this space to go in a different direction on this Monday.  And you’ll be rewarded, I promise.  I’m experimenting with a homemade Tagalong (yes, the peanut butter chocolate cookie from the Girl Scouts!) recipe that I will share very soon.  **drool**

But for now, a new food experience…

If you don't already, you need to frequent the Indianapolis City Market!

Today I ventured down to the Indianapolis City Market (um how much do I LOVE going to the Indy City Market?!  LOVE!)  for said new food experience.  The “urban farm boys” (Josh and Mark) at Fermenti Artisan just opened their retail/deli space in the City Market.  Today they let some of us IN THE KITCHEN, taught us about what they do, and shared some yummy food.

I still have a TON to learn about live food cultures and crocks and kefir sodas…but I encourage you all to get your butts downtown and try their food for yourself.  What’s great is they work with local farmers to bring you to top notch HEALTHY food.

You can get more information at their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fermentiartisan) and you should most definitely follow them on Twitter (@FermentiArtisan)!  Also…check them out on Fox59 tomorrow morning at 8:15 to see the guys in action!

And if you’re not sold on these dudes yet, check out the yummy food below.

You can get their awesome Sauerkraut there!

I love cheese. Even more, I love local cheese from Trader's Point Creamery, sold at Fermenti Artisan!

Here's Mark giving us the low down on all the yummy food.

Are you drooling yet?!

 

Now go see the guys at Fermenti Artisan and get your MUNCH on!

 

Last Week in Review from a Proud Indianapolisan

I’ve always been proud of my city.  Perhaps those who have lived more places than I would think I am naïve and not as…worldly.  To that I say:  So what.

I’m a born and raised Indianapolisan (yep, just made up a word).  I took pause briefly for college in the faraway land of Winona Lake, but I kept it real, giving mad love to my hometown any chance I took.  And there was even a time where I tried to stay in the 574 post-college, but I think I always knew subconsciously even, that I would find my way back to my hometown.

Call it small-minded.  Safe.  Naïve.  I say, call it proud.

I’ve not traveled extensively.  I’ve been to a handful of “exotic” places, but I’m always happy to come home.  Paris?  Cool.  A tad dirty.  And I don’t speak the language.  London?  Thriving with art, people, history.  Also dirty.  I DO speak the language but I would never fit in long term.  Mexico?  Well, I have only experienced Mexico in an all-inclusive resort…so I don’t have much to say…but if I lived there, where would I vacation?  J

I say all this, a bit too verbosely, to say:  I love my hometown.  I loved it before the Super Bowl.  I loved it during the Super Bowl.  I will continue to love it after the Super Bowl.  And I would have loved it if the Super Bowl never came to town.  But, I am so very thankful that the lens of the world was turned on us for a brief week, if not only to get everyone else to see how great this city is, but maybe to

I won’t keep talking, as I know I blog too many words and not enough pictures.  J  But I will say this…if you’re ever complaining that this city doesn’t have much to offer, you must be blind.  If you’re ever in need of assistance, learning more is as easy as checking out www.aroundindy.com or www.doitindy.com.   Get out and feel the love of this city and love it back.

Without further ado, here is my Super week in pictures. (I’ll leave out all the boring details, like seeing celebrities walking around–Jimmy Fallon, Tim Tebow, Michael Strahan, Cam Newton, all the musical acts, the vast people watching, and just give you a general re-cap.)

My favorite shot from the week!!

Very cool...yeah Indy!

The whole week was a party in the street, but people were going crazy on Sunday!

Every night there was a fireworks show in the Village!

Lucas Oil all dressed up for the BIG GAME!

Watched the game at the Front Page on Mass Ave...had to be close to the action!!!


I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  Indy will continue to be a Super city, long after the Super Bowl is packed up and out of town.

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