An obligatory stop on the quest to find the beating heart of Columbus culture.

Self preservation tips from America's sweetheart comic.

A shrine to Sherlock.

I'll be honest. I thought I was going to cry throughout Isabel Allende's entire lecture in Columbus last night. But I immediately learned that Allende is a "very strong Chilean woman" (as she was introduced) and pulled myself together. Because strong women don't cry at book lectures. That, and I forgot my pack of tissues.

I don’t know much about comics, but I enjoy reading them and am inspired by the local creators who work hard to build a strong scene. When I heard there was a panel called “A Voltron That Has Yet to Assemble: The Columbus Comics Scene Past, Present, and Future” at CCAD’s Mix comics symposium, I had to attend.

I didn’t believe it was possible to hold a letter that George Washington wrote in 1788. Or flip through a 15th-century medieval manuscript. I definitely didn’t think I could do so less than a mile from home. The State Library of Ohio rules. 

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is one of the biggest secrets in Columbus, but big plans are in the works to make it a place you won’t forget.

I like The Far Side. A lot.

“We’re all friends here,” author Laurie Notaro said last night to a giddy crowd of multi-aged women. And I believed her. 

Forty-six. That’s the number of times I laughed out loud reading David Cross’ book “I Drink For A Reason.”

I could squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans and throw on sunglasses covering all but my chin, but I still won’t be able to tell you why 3x + 1 = 10.

I just finished Chuck Klosterman’s latest book (and first novel), “Downtown Owl.” It takes place during the early 80’s in a fictional North Dakota town “where disco is over but punk never happened.” 

Yes, I’m in my thirties. Most of the time I act like an adult but sometimes it’s like so super cool to like get caught in a teen trap, you know?