a beer, a bite, and a book.

when i venture on over to the boardwalk, it's usually for 3 things. a beer, a bite, and a book. all 3 if i'm feeling lucky and my wallet is feeling heavy. the latter hasn't been the case lately either.
while we're at it, let's be honest and say that those 3 things fall under the category of: "if i don't have these things included in my week, my week is incomplete" list. and the "if i don't have these things in my city, i'm not moving there" list.
and really, there are only 3 places worth visiting on the boardwalk in kansas city. chipotle, borders, and houlihans. those beautiful establishments being so near and close to me have further chalked another line on reasons for why i love the midwest and why i'm spoiled (to be living in a great city).

however, not every city has these features. columbia does. & where i live now does too. however, some do not.

thus, i've come up with a small list of reasons why i'm not living *there*.

1. if there isn't a chipotle in my city, i'm not living there.


2. if there isn't a place where i can get cheap books or a place where i can get a 30% off coupon every week to buy a book, i don't want to live there either. (excluding the library).


3. if there isn't a place where i can get a cheap drink that doesn't just feature crappy domestics and actually has a locally brewed craft beer on tap even though it's a craft beer, then i don't want to move there.

i was spoiled in my time in columbia with their businesses in the district. i had literally all three of those locations in the same 5 block radius and the majority of them on the same street. given, it was a college town. ragtag (hipster dive bar + cafe + bistro + indie flicks) & addisons (great food, great drinks, and great people). a chipotle just off of campus was great too. & this cute little used book shop on 9th street called get lost! books. maybe i'm just being nostalgic or just getting really excited to visit there on monday. probably both.

in my former days (aka 2 months ago) i was dwelling in middlebush hall for hours hearing lectures about theories and themes then waltzing over to the district to grab a beer, a bite, or a book. now, after laying out at the pool & brainstorming ideas for my resume, i, the middle-class suburban white college grad living back at home have to drive 5 minutes west to the boardwalk to satisfy my beer, bite, and book itch.