I am pretty sure that I will be the only person interested in what I have to say... I guess I am truly jealous of anyone that has their 15 minutes of fame (read: reality television shows), but I cannot be edited by big corporations to fit their story lines. I would say or sell their products, but maybe I can get a sponsor.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Hallo-Bum-Me-Out-O-Ween vs. Rockin' Pumpkins!
Here's what bums me out about Halloween--the end of DST. It is now 4:36pm and it is going to be as dark as night shortly. Also, I wasn't able to wear my Halloween costume last night. It was the first time in quite some time I was actually excited to wear a costume, for a few good reasons, I was unable to wear it. Also, we must be on the "no way" list for Trick or Treaters, for I don't know how many years in a row, I have candy and no Trick or Treaters. The first year we were here, we forgot and candy and admitted it to the kids by posting a note on the door. That's a short list I guess.
Here's what rocked about this Halloween weekend. First, ran into our pal Chad. Got his phone number told him we'd call about the Noise Pollution show... it got to be a little too late for that. Second, we were able to be with new and old friends at the Noise Pollution show. Third, ran into our neighbor Kelly in an interesting circumstance. Fourth, if I would have worn my costume, my friend Jon and I would have both been Joey Ramone. Fifth, my friend Paul was extemely gracious. See incident number three (more on that on another post). Sixth, since we had no Trick or Treaters, we have a nice selection of candy. Seventh, a Packer win!
It was great to be with old friends and dance, sing and laugh last night... I needed that.
thank you my friend blog friends: I am missing a once frequent friend to the blog. If you are them, please visit as often as you once did. If you are not them, and you know who you are, please visit as much as they once did. And further, please be sure to reduce the likelihood of the subtraction of said visitor. Over and out, Colonel Flagg.
I know that it ain't over 'til it's over... but Criminey, Yogi... it was over yesterday. I am a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, from the early 1980s. I am from Wisconsin, but even when they played the Milwaukee Spewers, I rooted for the Cardinals, but I wore the Brewers White replica batting helmet. At any rate, I've never seen Mark McGwire hit a home run, so I thought that maybe a World Series win would be a nice way to make up for it, but apparently the Red Sox have other plans. What's next for Boston? The Celtics? Cripes, they don't need to worry about the Patriots, and hockey is sadly something that nobody cares about (except for loyal puckheads, yes puckheads) like us. So now that it appears that the "Curse of the Bambino" is lifted, is this "Teddy's Revenge?"... Here's a tune for you, my friend... "Better than his Brother Joe, Dominic DiMaggio." Hey, I didn't make it up, I heard it on the radio!
Today was stressful, but Dan took care of the Halloween costume shopping (as a rule, I don't dress up for Halloween, haven't since I was nine. I don't like Halloween.) To top it off, he made STEAK! Way to go, Banjo!
According to my friend Paul's band website, that it is my new identity. That's better than my identity that I hold as a Packers Season Ticket Waiter. At any rate, there's just a little over a week until the Van Halen show at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. I guess my protest has changed from silent to civil disobedience. I'll have a sit-in, that's what I'll do. Because I am old, I will sit at the concert and holler at the young people who want to stand. Who am I kidding, I will probably be one of the youngest people there... just like the first time I saw Van Halen, 18 years ago this past Memorial Day weekend. How's that for a smack in the pants?
Have you ever thought entirely too much about the things you say and do? I have a tendency to do that... it starts out small, then becomes larger than life... until the drama that unfolds in my head becomes a big scary thing... then I become a jumble of nerves and lack the ability to stop it... then I lose faith in my own judgement and continually second guess myself. Pretty screwy, huh? Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you. A few months ago, I bought two books, one was rather spiritual and religious in nature, the other conversely antiseptic and posturingly "academic", it would probably be good for the Oprah show... (no offense to Oprah or her viewers). Well, I read the first book within two weeks... the other, I just couldn't get past the first three chapters. This is only to point out that where I thought I would find solace and explanation, I am left unsettled. Where I thought I would only find fluff, I found peace. Sometimes I look too hard for explanation, sometimes it just "is" and then I move. I have to stop rationalizing "rationalization." Sometimes feelings are just feelings.
I know I said that I would make a political commentary only once on this site, but this is an opportunity that I had to seize.
This is for everyone who thinks that they have to choose between the lesser of two evils. You can now either make an informed decision or vote for the greatest of evils.
You think it's Kerry? You think it's Bush? No, my friend. We need to get back to our roots here in America. I'm telling you, he will rock hard for you America!
Just to let you know my friend, this isn't going to be much of a post. I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'll promise not to make this a boring blog entry about things that you don't care about if you promise not hold it against me that this post plain stinks.
Well, I have to tell you my friend. I had a complete melt down on Thursday evening. I do that once in awhile. Life just gets to be too much for me -- then I lose it. But I will tell you what. Since then I am a bit more relaxed, a bit more settled, I am able to see things as they really are, not how I have created them in my own head. I have to ask myself how I let things build up like that. It just goes to show you, you have to take a few steps back every once in awhile. Some folks would say that life is never as good or as bad as it seems. I'll tell you what -- I don't buy that hooey about it never being as good as it seems. If you keep pinching yourself, you're never going to allow yourself to get caught up in the moment or the pure and simple joy of life. It doesn't need to be fancy or elaborate. Fall colors, the sound of children laughing, the smile of an old friend, the sound of a slap shot, the smell of cookies... that's all great stuff. But indeed, life never is as bad as it seems and if you think it is, you'll suck the energy right out of yourself. Life is too short. Take a minute to reflect and enjoy it.
NHL? We don't need no stinkin' NHL. We have YOUR Milwaukee Admirals and the state's team -- the Wisconsin Badgers. Both were winners last night. The best game you can name is the good old hockey game. I was so unsettled since June... now I know why. I have to admit though, that it still unsettles me that the last, possibly last ever, Stanley Cup winner were the Tampa Bay Lightning. The NING, people. Neener, Neener. Now that I've had the taste of Prime Rib, I am still hungry! DROP THE PUCK!
Now, let me ask you my friend. Did you say a kind word to your boss? Did you give a card to your sweetest? It's not too late.
I'd have to agree with Warren Zevon on this one. There's too many people to visit, too many hugs to give, too many places to see, too much to say. I guess I can look at my sleep issues as either a blessing or a curse. Although I think I have been tired enough the last few nights that I am sleeping until the alarm goes off. I'll tell you what, you would think this is only an issue on "school nights" but it also happens on the weekends. Why go to bed early? There's other things I can be doing... like cleaning, growing Sea Monkeys and playing the guitar. I still haven't done any of those things. I'll get to them, I am slowly crossing things off my list.
Remember, Saturday is Sweetest Day... and for some goofy reason, it is Boss's Day too. Thank them both, your Sweetest and your boss -- they put up with you, don't they?
Makes me $120.00 lighter in the wallet... and it makes a loser out of me. When I first started this blogging experiment, I said that Van Halen was my favorite, but it was under protest. I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to be seeing them on this tour because the prices are OUTRAGEOUS, especially considering the venues and the distance and that day of the week and on and on and on. Well, not long ago, the brothers Van Halen announced a show in Milwaukee. Friend Paul said he wanted to go... in a period of 20 minutes I went from "only the cheap seats" to "no way in heck" to "ony if you can't get anyone else to go with you" to the next morning "get a ticket for Dan and one for me too." You know, Dan has never seen Van Halen, I'd hate for him to not have the chance. Meanwhile, Riley's biggest concern was why Nichole wasn't going too.
Friday night, hockey is back! Who needs the NHL? We have your Milwaukee Admirals and the rest of AHL. We'll be there on Friday night with our friends Rachael and Dennis. Can't wait for the "Sieve" chant! Rock on, Milwaukee!
Today, Dan and I made sure that amid all of the craziness that we enjoyed this wonderful fall day. That can only mean Oktoberfest in Lake Geneva. We took a stroll and indulged ourselves in some high end coffee. We also walked around and went into some of the shops and enjoyed Horst's Polka Band (they are from Racine). I had a great time watching a couple dancing, man were they good. It's a special something to dance the polka like that. Dan asked me if I wanted to dance with the gentleman, but I only would have slowed him down. Tonight we'll be dining on country ham, biscuits, mashed potatoes and corn. We made sure we brought some ham home from our trip last weekend to Louisville. This week will provide some challenges, so it is important that we enjoy ourselves tonight. Fortunately, we'll end the week on a good note... hockey in Milwaukee! Let's Go Admirals! Raise the Banner!
Well, before you know it, fall will be over and done with. The leaves will have completely turned and fallen. I don't want to miss it. It's really a great time of year. I have really been trying to notice it all on my way to and from work, that is when it is light out... Tonight, Dan is in Merrill. He helped his parents move all day from their home in Stevens Point to northern Wisconsin. He was going to drive home, but then he realized how tired he was. Good move... no need for danger. Saturday we will be in Wauwatosa for family business. Meanwhile, I am considering my Friday evening. Big Mike came over, we watched baseball, ate pizza and played Madden 2005. He schooled me... that's right... ME. I usually take care of that. He picked me three times... I think all three in the end zone. He was the Patriots and I was the Packers. How realistic these things are, hey? Next guitar, please.
Well, it would appear that my sleep issues are persisting. I can't figure if it is pure stress or if it is my internal temperature. You know, your body temperature needs to be at a certain level so that you may fall asleep and stay asleep. So what happens is... I wake up and then my mind starts going... you know, I think about what I will need to accomplish that day, all of the last minute things, or the little things that get overlooked until... I can't sleep. So, I don't know if one begets the other or what.
On a completely different note, we have built our first guitar and I really liked it. I am looking forward to building another. I'll grant you that it was ony from a kit, but it was still fun. I really can't wait for the next one. Bet you can't either.
Well Friends, finally a minute to breathe and tell you all about our great weekend in the city of Louisville, Kentucky. Let me tell you that on Friday, Dan and I drove in to town with our nephew, Riley. Riley was such a good boy. He sure did eat a lot with us though. Two Sausage McMuffins, Eight Chicken Tenders with Fries, Chips, Two Peanut Butter Cups, a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Chips and a scoop of Ice Cream. He was very well-behaved and patient too, even when we ran into a rough bit of traffic near the Skyway in Chicago.
Friday evening was the usual for our family... "Who's here? Where is everyone meeting up? What room are you in? Let's meet for breakfast..." It sure is a lot of fun to see everyone... what's sad is that it feels like we have to say "goodbye" just after we have said "hello."
Then of course on Saturday, there was the wedding. Matt and Cheryl were wed aboard the Belle of Louisville... Way cool. The steam calliope played the wedding march and the recessional. Nice touch! Then the reception was at the Louisville Slugger museum... a little bit of karaoke, a little bit of music and a lot of fun! During the time in between the ceremony and the reception, Dan and I played host to our fellow Out-of-Towners, at one point we had 19 people in our hotel room... I loved it!
Sunday it all came to a close with another gathering at Uncle Bob's house... thanks Uncle Bob and Leigh Ann! Then the long and bittersweet drive home. I hate to say goodbye, to the city and to the people.
