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Since I moved into Over the Rhine in the winter, Mama and Papa Le had not the chance to experience the love of OTR!  Since today’s weather was magnificent I decided to invite D Le & Crush the Day’s biggest critics out for a day in the city.  Quick background! My parents love me, there is no doubt about that, however, they try their hardest to act like they support my life choices I can usually the see the grimace on their face.  I was determined to make OTR believers out of them.

I think they the last time my parents went down to Findlay Market was in the early 80’s to pick up rice from Saigon Market and some greens from the veggie vendors.  Papa Le actually drove and braved the crazy “city driving & parking”.  You ll be glad to know they made it, and also commented on how easy convenient and nice the parking lots were.  I showed them the future home of the 1st Vietnamese bistro in Findlay, Pho Lang Thang.  The nice maintenance man even let us in so we could take a little grand tour of the 1000 sq.ft floor space.  I have given up on getting my parent approval a little bit back, but today I was extremely nervous!  I have done a lot things without their blessing and most things that I do usually grant a verbal “You are crazy!”, but I wanted more then anything, just this one time,  for some positive words.  And…. They loved it! Papa Le already pictured his spot where he could drink his coffee and dream of his past days in the Saigon cafes.  Needless to say, it was a relief to hear both my parents express their positive words.  Hence! If Mama and Papa Le can visualize it, EVERYONE will LOVE IT!

So the rest of the day was just icing on the cake.  Papa Le and I ate a gyro and Mama Le a crepe.

We leave Findlay Market and make our way to the center of the city.  I drove them by the Taft Art Museum, then through entertainment district, moved on to the Gateway and finally to our final destination, my new place, North Main.  I was extremely happy there were no panhandlers there to greet us or should I say I am glad no one startled Mama Le as to extract a dragon throat punch from her.  I showed where I was going to be living, they didnt like the steps but they liked the loft.  First word from my mom was me to clean, I m glad it wasn’t What the F are you thinking!

Next stop! Iris Book Cafe.  We had a brief wrap up in the Iris courtyard which they loved also.  They finally could see my little study spot, 2nd table on the right in the back.  As we were sipping on some tea, Mama Le finally noticed another tatoo I got, and she didnt yell at me.  I was untouchable today.  My parents are starting to be included in the Crush the Day lifestyle!  As Ice Cube said, “I didnt even have to pull out my AK, today was a good day!

Well, with Mama and Pape Le’s support, I should have no problem Crush the Day!

D. Le