It's Art Fair. Again.

It's Art Fair time here in Ann Arbor, and that means crowds, heat, and a bunch of crap masquerading as art. There are a few diamonds out there in the rough, though.

A friend and former coworker carves wood into amazing pieces of functional art, like bowls. I've always wanted one of his pieces, and this year I followed through:

HERE IS WHERE I WOULD POST A PICTURE OF SAID BOWL IF I HAD REMEMBERED TO TAKE ONE AND WAS NOT A DICKSHIT.

Another good thing about Art Fair is that the local shops go into full-blown sale mode. And lo, it is amazing. When I was a college student, living in Ann Arbor in the summer, we would salivate over the offerings at Urban Outfitters and local clothing boutiques. Now, however, you couldn't have paid me enough to go near their tents.

And then there are the things that drive me absolutely insane. Besides the traffic, and the people, and the heat, and the strollers, and the walking, walking, STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALK FOR NO REASON, walking, STOPPING, STOPPING, ARGH, there are things like this, and there is just no excuse for this idiocy:

MORONS.

My guess is that they were so worried about spelling souvenirs correctly that they neglected to spell-check the rest of the goddamn sign. I mean, seriously.

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #11

Cleverness.

Reasons to Love Ann Arbor #10

Awesome Street Art

Reasons to Love Ann Arbor #9 - Le Dog

Le Dog is a hot dog stand located just west of central campus. Their hot dogs were voted as the best in town years running, but it's their soup that has cemented them as an Ann Arbor institution.

I never went there as a student. I have no idea why other than maybe I was convinced that it was a soup-nazi kind of establishment and I was terrified to annoy someone by ordering incorrectly.

Either way, I am annoyed with myself for waiting so long.

Six Bean Soup

Chicken Tortilla soup

Veal Tarragon soup

And to blow your mind even more? Their most popular, long-standing, only-served-on-Thursday-and-Friday soup? Lobster Bisque. At a hot dog stand.

Of course, there are a few drawbacks: Le Dog is only open from 11:30-2, Monday-Friday. They accept cash only. The line can be really, really long.

But once you order and your lunch is handed to you in a brown paper bag, all of those things just disappear. The food is THAT good.

Le Dog is just another Ann Arbor mainstay that helps define the city as different and eclectic. Plus, the food is fantastic. That can't hurt.

Acme Mercantile

Back in the day, Ann Arbor's Main Street Area boasted a hardware store, a drugstore, a stationary store, and the like. You know, daily amenities. Like most cities, unfortunately, over the years, Mom & Pop stores were shoved out to be replaced by chains and higher-priced boutiques.

It didn't happen completely here, as we still have the lovely Kerrytown and Farmer's Market, but that's not really helping to prove my point here, is it?

I'll be honest - Main Street is my kind of place when it comes to bars and restaurants, but when it comes to shopping, there are very few stores that get my business. The offerings are too expensive, too specific, and well, too... grown-up. I'm not in the market for a Persian rug, thank you very much. And really - who is?

But if you venture east or west from Main Street, you'll find delicious shops, used bookstores, and awesome coffee shops that don't include the word "bucks."

One of my favorites is Acme Mercantile, a shop that fills the void left by the exodus of those amenity-providing shops. You want band-aids? A hammer? Deodorant? A teapot? Smart-ass cards and magnets?

YES. You can get it all there! YES!

I love love LOVE this shop. Since discovering them at Pulp in DC, I've been on the lookout for a certain brand of greeting card. Guess who carries it?

ACME. THAT IS CORRECT.

These cards are snarky and extremely dirty, and I love them with a passion. The last time I stopped in, they were restocking the cards, and I was able to get a hold of some awesome ones, including one that I sent to Mike's sister for her birthday today - Happy Birthday Mike's Sister! (She wishes to stay anonymous on the interwebs, so rest assured that I do actually know her name.)

Anyway, I would love to post a picture of the card, but as I am not sure that she has received it, I do not want to ruin the surprise. But honestly, it is so out there, that I actually put a post-it on the front with a disclaimer that if it was too insulting to her that she should let me know and I would send a perfectly normal one in its place. Because, you know, even though we're the same age and have a good number of similar interests, my sense of humor is kind of fucked up, and sometimes I just can't read people.

But I think that it'll be okay.

Of course, I forgot to take into account that she is currently pregnant with twins and on strict bed rest, so I'm either going to make her laugh her ass off or really piss her off.

Um... hee?

Anyway, want some seriously awesome, witty, messed up greeting cards? Get thee to Acme Mercantile!

Reasons to Love Ann Arbor #7

The Calm of Semester Break
(at Dawn)

West Hall

Liberty Plaza

Burton Tower

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #6

Football Saturdays

(picture courtesy of my Mike)

Unless you've experienced it, it's difficult to explain the feeling you get watching football as you are surrounded by over one hundred thousand people.

I remember my first game. I walked from my dorm on The Hill all the way to the Stadium. The streets were flooded with people, all oozing in the same direction.

There were t-shirts for sale, members of the band were leading the spectators toward the stadium, and maize and blue were the only colors you could see. And then I turned onto Greene Street and I saw the stadium looming ahead.

It's a big building, y'all. The first time? It takes your breath away.

I climbed the stairs to section 32, row 96. Row 96 of 98 rows. Nosebleed, sure, but I didn't care. I just couldn't believe that I was there.

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #5

Sam's Clothing Store

Sam's is a super cool shop packed to the brim with Levi's, Converse, outdoor clothing, messenger bags, and more. I fell in love with Sam's when I discovered that they carried my beloved Levi's in "short" length. (Are you listening Macy's? THERE ARE SHORT PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH.)

Sam's prices are great, but don't expect high fashion. There are some great finds, but also some duds. Take the time to search through the jeans, and you can find gems. Like short length jeans.

Sam's Clothing Store
207 E. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734.663.8611

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #4

The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fairs

For a few days each July, Ann Arbor teems with artists, tourists, and families all looking to enjoy four different Art Fairs. It's absolutely ridiculous, and hilarious because each of the art fairs is constantly trying to outdo the others. We're the original Ann Arbor Art Fair! Oh, yeah, well... we're the largest! We're the prettiest! We hate you! No, we hate you!

Basically, the city makes a killing and everyone is - seemingly - happy. Well, except those looking for parking. They get a little irate.

And really, most of the townies get the hell out of, well, town. The streets are closed, parking is impossible, the restaurants are packed, and it doesn't matter how mild the weather's been, because it always ends up being 95 degrees with 99% humidity. It's delicious.

Attempt to walk! I dare you!
(from Wikipedia)

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #3

The Arb

In 1907, Nichols Arboretum was established by the University of Michigan as a "living museum" and has since grown to 123 acres of trails, open meadows, and river access. It is a beautiful place to hike and enjoy - just what Mike and I did last weekend.

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #2

The nerds.

Reason to Love Ann Arbor #1

I... have nothing to write about. It's raining, it's cold (38 degrees at my last check), and it's supposed to snow tonight. GRAND. So here is a picture of an Ann Arbor landmark, shot on a much lovelier day.

Mmmm... beer.

(This is the first of my planned "Reasons to Love Ann Arbor" series.
I know you're totally on the edge of your seat for the next.)