My birthday. Maria's birthday. March madness ends in April. The Masters Golf Tournament rolls onto the scene. National Outdoor Copulation Day is but a month off. (Hooray, hoorah, It's the first of May. Outdoor Loving starts today.) All of these things are on the calendar, but all of them are tempered with that Upper Midwestern reality check, 'If the weather's good.'
The good news is that road construction is starting early this year, so we know traffic jams will be bigger, better and earlier than ever.
Maria and I went to Milwaukee this last weekend so she could get a haircut, we could visit friends then there were tickets to the Rep, and frankly, we needed a break from the dog. And I suspect, she needed a break from us.
As is our habit, we cruised down Highways 41 & 45 until we got to the I-94 intersection to downtown Milwaukee. For those of you that haven't been through that area for a while, let me say it has become somewhat of a California style combination of six land interstate type highways and flyover ramps, as the "improvement" of the Zoo Interchange continues to mystify travelers and onlookers alike.
Unaware that almost every possible east approach ramp is closed we ended up taking a long unwanted tour of West Allis. Now, let me be clear, West Allis isn't as bad of a place as you may have heard. However, you have to want to go there. Going there because the highway is closed just kind of sucks.
Our reunion with old friends was great. We realized that the reason we had such a tough time getting a hotel room was the simultaneous occurrence of the NCAA Regional Basketball playoffs and St. Patrick's day.
We ended up at the charming and delightful Hotel Metro. This boutique gem was just outside the battle zone of the Bradly Arena and epicenter of Irish drunkenness on Water Street.
(Note: I didn't realize how lax the NCAA standards for suitable playing venues is compared to the NBA. Apparently, the Bradly Center is good enough for college kids, but lacks the monetary potential for the Professionals.)
Some our friends showed up to raise a glass to friendship and memories worth repeating. A number did have excused absences. It appears some have not ventured north yet. Unlike the birds they want to be sure the weather has turned.
The Rep did not fail to deliver. This was my first exposure to "The Glass Menagerie." Another reason why it pays to live longer. With the notable exception of a poorly designed set, this production was first rate. The acting was wonderful. The direction sublime. While season tickets are beyond our budget, we will continue to attend select performances by this group.
One aside of note. It was interesting that the first act of the 4:00 pm performance we attended, coincided with the end of the Wisconsin Badger v. Villanova playoff game. The happy news of the Badger's unanticipated victory rippled through the audience with a wave of smiles and atta boys expressions. I felt like the victory was similar to the experience of just missing a fatal accident. I was smiling, but I was waiting for someone to pop up and tell me the news was a nasty joke.
Looking across the Plain of Poop I have to face it. The snow is gone. If we have enough good weather, the ground will dry, and it will be time to harvest. Dogs, the gift that keeps on giving.
Until the winds dry the plain and the lake drys up, I'm the Poppa Jeff reporting from Camp Jeff.
The good news is that road construction is starting early this year, so we know traffic jams will be bigger, better and earlier than ever.
Maria and I went to Milwaukee this last weekend so she could get a haircut, we could visit friends then there were tickets to the Rep, and frankly, we needed a break from the dog. And I suspect, she needed a break from us.
As is our habit, we cruised down Highways 41 & 45 until we got to the I-94 intersection to downtown Milwaukee. For those of you that haven't been through that area for a while, let me say it has become somewhat of a California style combination of six land interstate type highways and flyover ramps, as the "improvement" of the Zoo Interchange continues to mystify travelers and onlookers alike.
Unaware that almost every possible east approach ramp is closed we ended up taking a long unwanted tour of West Allis. Now, let me be clear, West Allis isn't as bad of a place as you may have heard. However, you have to want to go there. Going there because the highway is closed just kind of sucks.
Our reunion with old friends was great. We realized that the reason we had such a tough time getting a hotel room was the simultaneous occurrence of the NCAA Regional Basketball playoffs and St. Patrick's day.
We ended up at the charming and delightful Hotel Metro. This boutique gem was just outside the battle zone of the Bradly Arena and epicenter of Irish drunkenness on Water Street.
(Note: I didn't realize how lax the NCAA standards for suitable playing venues is compared to the NBA. Apparently, the Bradly Center is good enough for college kids, but lacks the monetary potential for the Professionals.)
Some our friends showed up to raise a glass to friendship and memories worth repeating. A number did have excused absences. It appears some have not ventured north yet. Unlike the birds they want to be sure the weather has turned.
The Rep did not fail to deliver. This was my first exposure to "The Glass Menagerie." Another reason why it pays to live longer. With the notable exception of a poorly designed set, this production was first rate. The acting was wonderful. The direction sublime. While season tickets are beyond our budget, we will continue to attend select performances by this group.
One aside of note. It was interesting that the first act of the 4:00 pm performance we attended, coincided with the end of the Wisconsin Badger v. Villanova playoff game. The happy news of the Badger's unanticipated victory rippled through the audience with a wave of smiles and atta boys expressions. I felt like the victory was similar to the experience of just missing a fatal accident. I was smiling, but I was waiting for someone to pop up and tell me the news was a nasty joke.
Looking across the Plain of Poop I have to face it. The snow is gone. If we have enough good weather, the ground will dry, and it will be time to harvest. Dogs, the gift that keeps on giving.
Until the winds dry the plain and the lake drys up, I'm the Poppa Jeff reporting from Camp Jeff.
nice writing. did you learn that in Mandeville?
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