Chuckapalooza

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and that means one thing around here.  No, not parades or labor rallies or Jerry Lewis.  It's time for Chuckapalooza!  Chuckapaloza ia a little get together we have here at the house--this year will mark the 20th anniversary.  It will be a good time.

The 'Palooza has quite the varied past.  Like many great events, it didn't even have a name at the start, just a little group of friends sitting around having a couple of beers and some corn on the cob.  Actually was at the old place in Milwaukee the first year.  When we moved to the Falls we decided to keep it going, kind of a celebration to the end of summer.  The Packers also used to open the season on the Sunday before Labor Day, but the NFL screwed that up for us--we've moved on.

Chuckapalooza has evolved through the years.  The Mrs and I had gone to company picnics when we were kids with our and we families, and we decided that was something we wanted our kids to experience.  Lacking companies with picnics, that's what we decided to do with the 'Palooza.  So we invited the neighbors and co-workers and relatives and college friends.  We had piles of kids here, so we had kid games--three legged race, gunny sack, balloon pop, all kinds of stuff.  We had ribbons and other little prizes for the kids, and food--tons of picnic food!  Folks would bring a dish to pass, we'd cook burgers and brats and hot dogs, always a good time.  The Packers would play, we'd have a couple of beers, always a good time.

As the kids got older games changed.   More volleyball, touch football, soccer.  We kept the other stuff as well.  One year we awarded a car as a prize for corn hole.  Sadly the winners didn't claim their prize so we had to donate it to charity.  That's okay.  One year Dave brought a busload of folks from the Rainbow foods--they had a good time!  No more football games, but that just made more time for visiting and eating and dancing and drinking.  More people would show up. Sometimes the local police would even show up for a visit.  We always have good weather and a good time at Chuckapalooza.

People have come and gone over the years.  We've had babies to grandparents.  Folks plans and families changed, and we wouldn't see them for years, only to see them reappear.  That is always a treat.  The kids got older, and their priorities changed.  There were years when we had a couple of hundred people here to years when there were less than 30.  There we a couple of times when we though about ending the 'Palooza, but something has always kept us going.  It's a lot of work, but the memories are great.  From all the little kids who are now grown and in college, to having the local TV station here to talk about the Packers, to friends and relatives we don't see anymore to those who have moved away or passed on. 

So you know where we will be on the Sunday before Labor Day.  If you've been invited once, you are invited for life.  If you know me, you're invited.  If you know someone who knows me, you're invited.  If you're reading this, you're invited.  Only one family has ever been uninvited, and they won't be here---but they will wish they were!  We will have games and food and music and beer.  Throw together a dish to pass, grab the kids or grandkids or grandma, and feel free to stop in for a visit.  We'd love to see you, that's what the Chuckapalooza is really all about.....

The Summer Concert Season That Was.....

Decided to review the past summer concert season, with a little comment or two about what I saw and what I liked.  It was sure a fun time.  There were a few I wanted to get to but didn't (Gary Allen, FUN), some I had tickets to and didn't go to (Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, Neon Trees, Band Perry), and some of the smaller ones I have probably forgotten about.  There were also some acts that I really enjoyed but they didn't crack my top ten of the summer (Thompson Square, Rodney Atkins, Stevie Nicks, Mavis Staples, and, sadly, Here Come The Mummies).  So without further delay.....

10)  Eli Young Band--Dodge County Fair    Went with my daughter Aleah.  Good show, but they have a       limited catalog.   Good, energetic show.

9)  Kool and the Gang---The Mrs. and our friend Cheryl.  Great way to start Summerfest, lots of funky oldies...

8)  Cheap Trick--Williams College at Lake Geneva.  With Shoobie and Roy.  Most beautiful venue of the year.  Little far from the stage (general admission) but a great show.

7)  Montgomery Gentry  Washington County Fair.  Went by myself and had a great time.  Lots of patriotic and drinkin' and drivin' and songs about where they come from.  Fun.....

6)  Brantley Gilbert   Summerfest, by myself again.  What I call country music with attitude.  I think he's good.  Didn't disappoint.  He might get big....

5)  Lady Antebellum.  Summerfest Amphitheater  With the Mrs. and neighbors Jim and Laura.  Very good show.  Seemed like they were having a real good time.  Enjoyed all the big hits, and the ones that probably will be...

4)  Bonnie Raitt  Performing Arts Center.  With the Mrs.  We had talked about not going, be certainly glad that we did.  Excellent show.  And the lady sure can play the guitar....

3)  Darius Rucker  Summerfest,  with the Mrs. and Jim and Laura.  Surprise here--opened for Lady A, put on a killer show.  All his country hits, some Hootie, real good show.  Surprise of the summer.

2)  Neil Diamond.  Summerfest, with the Mrs.  Decided to go see the icon, and was treated  to a fantastic show.  Obviously he's done this before, but he seemed really sincere.  Had a good time, great way to end Summerfest.

1)  Unbelievably, a 67 year old man and his band put on (what I feel) was the show of the summer.  Yup, Rod Stewart---at the Bradley Center with the Mrs. and  Shoobie and Lisa.  High energy, sounded good, great seats, tons of songs to choose from, and fantastic seats equates to a show I won't forget.  And possibly the most talented (definitely best looking!) backing group I've seen.  Fantastic!!

There you have it, my reviews of my summer concert season.   Couldn't have done it without the generosity of the Milwaukee radio stations and the folks who went with me.  Hope they had as much fun as I did, and am looking forward  to see what's coming up next.....

Well That Was Quick......

......Summer with the kids that is.  Yeah, they're both back at college now, Stew in St. Louis, and Leah in Minneapolis.  They both seemed excited and ready to go back, but that doesn't really make it any easier on me.  I realize they were here for a little over three months, but it sure didn't seem that long.  Stewart is back with his track "family" at SLU now.  They're a really neat group of kids, all kinds of personalities.  He really seems to have a great group of friends.  Can't believe he is in his third year already.  And my little girl Aleah is back with her fraternity friends at Minnesota.  She seems so focused on everything.

I think that this was the last summer that we will all be together.  Stew has more or less told us he probably won't be home next year as he has some class to take to stay on schedule.  And Aleah has her place on a year lease, so I wouldn't be real surprised if she stays in Minneapolis next summer.  I think they finally realized this as well towards the end of summer.  Don't know how else to explain Aleah going to the county fair with me, or Stewart going to the batting cages, or both of them going to the zoo with Granny and me. 

And I guess they are both ready for it.  I am very proud of both of them, and think they are both prepared to head out into the big ol' nasty world.  I will still worry about both of them, complain that I don't hear from them often enough, harp at them to make sure they take care of the books, and encourage them to have some fun.  I hope their friends keep an eye on them, and that they keep an eye on their friends. 

I realize that the kids growing up and heading off on their own is all part of the deal.  You do the best you can and hope for the best.  And the Mrs. and I have done that.  But that doesn't make it any easier on me, and I don't have to like it.  Because every time those kids go off to college, although it is quieter and less congested and more organized around here, I loose more than I gain.  Happy and sad at the same time.......

Milwaukee County Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo is renowned as one of the finest zoos in the country.  I can remember going to the zoo a few times when I was a kid with school and what not, remember Samson (even when he moved around!), went to a couple of company picnics, all good times.  Things changed for me though when my kids came along.

I think the kids were three or four years old when my mother got us a family zoo pass for Christmas.  It was great.  We would go to all the special events like "Boo at the Zoo" for Halloween, Zoo ala Cart, pancake breakfast, everything. But my favorite days were when the kids and I (and sometimes Granny) would swing by the zoo after I got finished with work.  We would get there and the ticket booth person would say "We close in an hour" and I would think great.  Most people would be gone by then.  And you know what?  We would have parts of the zoo all to ourselves.  We would pick one area to see and just visit that.  One time the bears, next time the cats.  If the weather turned bad, we'd go to one of the buildings.  And the things that we'd see.  We learned when feeding time was---very interesting.  The animals would seem to be more active.  We'd get a chance to talk to some of the zookeepers, at a relaxed pace.  I really enjoyed all of our visits to the zoo.

Alas, the kids got older and their interests changed.  Youth sports, school, and just growing up led them to other things to do.  The visits to the zoo became less frequent and more of a chore.  We stopped renewing the family membership, and didn't go to the zoo for years.  A lot of years.  I drive by the zoo nearly every day, and when I think of it I always have such great memories.  Which made last night so special for me.  I got the kids and Granny to go to the Zoo ala Carte.  We walked around and saw most of the zoo.  There are quite a few things that have changed since our last visit--new buildings, zip lines, fun facts written all over the place.  But my favorite part was the memories.  My mom said that there was a time when the kids could have given tours of this place, and says right.  But seeing them go off to look at different exhibits and animals just brought all the old thoughts of the great times I had at the zoo with them.  And I realized that this was more than likely the last time this was ever going to happen, which really saddens me.  I realized just how special the times with the kids were, and how lucky I was (am).  Hope the kids have great memories of the zoo (and other things as well!), and can't wait for them to make somemore memories of their own...

The End of the Summer Games 2012

Well the Olympics are winding down and I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the games.  I liked the archery and shooting events.  I liked all the team events that you seldom see, like water polo and team handball (love that sport).  I enjoyed the mainstream sports like basketball and soccer.  Heck, I even kind of enjoyed the gymnastics and diving.  Of course, I paid special attention to the track and field, and as always was amazed with the performances of the athletes.  Looks like the USA has won the all important medal count, so all must be well for the US Olympic committee.  Some of the more interesting performances in my humble opinion....

Woman's 10k marathon swimming.  10k and marathon seem to be an oxymoron to me, but that is what they call it.  Swimming for about 2 hours out in a lake.  And Haley Anderson of the US finishes in second by 4 tenths of a second.  And 3 seconds back is the third place finisher.  Unreal.

I tend to keep a close eye on the men's 800m.  So Rudisha goes out and runs a 1:40:91.  This is difficult to comprehend if you haven't been around these things for awhile.  You can get below 2 minutes in high school and be pretty good, but you're still about 20 seconds back.,  Run in the low 1:50's in college and you'll be good, 1:49 and you win some meets.  Still back by ten seconds.  Runners cover a lot of distance in ten seconds. 

The mens 10000m was won by Mohamed Farah.  He beat Galen Rupp by about a half a second.  The thing I find interesting about this is that they train together and are both coached by Salazar.  Guy was a great runner, must be a great coach.  If I was a skilled young runner who could cover 10k in a half an hour or so, I think I would seek him out....

How about outstanding performance by a non athlete?  Thought that Doc Rivers did a fantastic job, not only talking about basketball, but about team handball and soccer and other sports.  Seemed like he sincerely was happy to be in London and not just taking in basketball, but watching other sports and meeting other athletes.  Also was nice to see athletes watching sports they weren't competing in.  

There were so many more great stories in these Olympics.  The Americans goin one and two in the decathlon.    The marathon runner in representing the IOC because he has no country to run for.  The double amputee 400 m runner. The female runner from the middle eastern country, the first from her country to be allowed to participate.  All the British athletes doing well.  The Irish boxer. The US diver being the last qualifier in the 10m, then winning gold.  Bolt.  Phelps.  Although sometimes the announcers were a little grating, I thought NBC actually did a pretty good job.

I must say that I have had a good time watching the games.  Not that much negative, plenty of human interest stories.  I find it interesting watching these "lessor known" sports, and still enjoyed watching the stuff we see all the time.  Wish they would show more of the track and field events, less of the gymnastics would be okay, but I suppose that is what America loves.  I'm actually looking forward to Rio in 2016, in the meantime only a year and a half to Sochi.....

Olympic Stuff On My Mind

Just some random stuff on my mind heading into the last weekend of the thirtieth Olympiad.....

How come we don't have team handball in the good ol' USA?  Quite the exciting sport if you ask me.  Kind of reminds me of indoor soccer.  Lots of action.  The announcer says they are all professional players.  I'd watch.

What's the deal with Felix Sanchez.  Cat wins the 400m hurdles in 47.63 seconds.  At age 34.  The exact same time he won the gold in at Athens in 2004.  Huh?  And he runs for the Dominican Republic.  So?  He was born in New York City.  He was raised in San Diego.  The places are in the USA, not the Dominican.  I'm putting his gold in the USA column.  Yup!

Now I gotta' get to gymnastics.  Really.  First of all, the judging seems to be pretty subjective.  A tenth for this, a tenth for that.  Whatever.  Very athletic people--I'll grant you that.  But I finish 4th, I get to file a review?  The announcer says you are taking a chance, the judges may find other things to dock you points for.  Tell you what.  I take that chance every time I finish fourth.  Find something else wrong and now I'm in 5th or 6th?  So what---I challenge every fourth place from here on out.  And all these sports like diving and gymnastics and trampoline--trampoline???---I'm not counting these medals with all the judging of scores.  I'm counting the things that are timed or weighed or scored that I can see, like things with a ball.  Enough of the tenths multiplied by 3 throw out the high and low then work back from a tie.  Toss 'em and bring back softball.

I read there are about 10,800 athletes at the Games.  I also read that they are partying pretty hard after their events are completed.  Excellent.

Oscar Pistorius is the South African 400 runner who is a double amputee.  He made it to the semi finals.   I watch the story that showed how the blades didn't give him any advantage.  He says he doesn't want to be considered handicapped. Okay with me.  Why then is he in next weeks para Olympics?  I don't get it.

Liu Xiang won the gold medal in the 110m hurdles in 2004.  He made the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, yet was never able to clear another hurdle.  Odd.  And is LoLo Jones the most famous Olympian to never have won any medals?

Bolt is fast.  Don't know if he can play soccer.  USA will win basketball--men and women.  Nice to see the home team doing so bloody well.  USA mens boxers are lacking.  Track and field are the most enjoyable to watch, except for women's beach volleyball.  Nice to see some of these countries in the middle east allow women to compete.  This is the first Olympics that the USA has sent more women than men to the games.  Looking forward to all the finals in track and all the finals in the team sports.  Go USA!!! 

Olympics again....

What a great weekend for the Olympics.  Have to admit that I have not been watching everything in real time, but picking and choosing after recording the events seems to be working for me.  Just have to stay away from the spoilers!!

So Micheal Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, some are calling him the most impressive Olympian of all time.  I'll give you greatest swimmer,  but I don't think you can call anyone the greatest Olympian.  I never thought there would be a photo finish is a sport such as triathlon, but that certainly was an amazing race by the women.  Too bad about the flat tire for Jorgenson.  And Bolt is still the fastest man in the world.  To be able to win the 100m twice in the Olympics is amazing. 

I have also been learning about a few sports that I am not too familiar with.  Picking up on some of the rules for field hockey (and learning that the men play as well--although I guess not too well in the USA), trampoline judging and of course everything synchronized.  There have been some good games in the team sports, and not all of them involve the USA.  Sometimes it's nice to just watch games where you don't know who everyone is.

So swimming is just about over now (couple of 10k left), and it seems most of the pool play is winding down in the team sports.  The track and field has finally started, with some medals already claimed and other events getting their qualifying  races completed.  We have seen some amazing performances and seen some heartbreak as well.  Hope that the weather holds up in jolly ol' England so we can watch the athletes perform at their best. 

How about a few fun facts I've learned from watching the games?  I'm certain that most people know that the 5 rings on the Olympic flag are the colors they are because every flag in the country has at least one of the six colors in it (gotta count the white!).  Did you know that sailing and equestrian are the only two Olympic sports where men and woman compete against each other?  How about this number--4437?  That's how many of those little sparkly things on the USA women's gymnastic team's uniforms.   

The USA trails China again in the all important medal count, but it is close.  Not much change is expected on day ten, but we shall see.  Looking forward to more track and field, and some medal round games in some of the team sports.  It's been petty enjoyable to this point, hope it continues.

Wisconsin State Fair

Those of you that know me know I love the State Fair.  There is so much to see and do!  Much to my sadness, it was better in the old days.  The history of the State Fair is that it was basically an agricultural event, showing off the newest equipment and techniques of the era.  They actually used to grow crops on the grounds and harvest them as demonstrations.  Of course, it was an agricultural lifestyle.

I remember going to the fair when I was six or seven years old.  I remember the old horse barns, and the old coliseum.  I remember a show in the Mall area with a couple of people on sway bars swinging back and forth--must have been 100 feet up.  I remember some of the old shacks that sold the food and whatnot. And of course I remember the flower building with Senator Bill Proxmier shaking everyone's hand.  I can remember when I was 11 or 12 that I started going to the fair by myself.  Boy the fun I had.  You could get in for a buck, a baked potato was a quarter, and they had good entertainment on more side stages.  I always seemed to have a good time.

After my freshmen year of college I actually got a job with he buildings and grounds department.  I worked all summer (and a couple of winters as well), so not only did I get a different look at the fair, but all the other events as well.  I learned a lot--how to fix and build things, where the good deals were, who would give you a free meal--so the pay wasn't great, but it paid off in other ways.  And I made some real good friends as well. 

I've seen a lot of changes at the Fair over the years.  Everyone used to set their own prices on things, now they are more uniform so nobody gets an "advantage". I seen a lot of buildings come and go.  The old Administration building, the Women's building, the old exhibit buidings, the Lutheran Diner, the Tavern on the Mall, heck even the old grandstand.  I miss the Midway being in the south parking lot, and the Pine Hut. And the Mexican Village. And And I miss the different characters I worked with and met through the years--Ziggy and Dolittle and Jim Nanson and School Teacher and Joe Tevz, and Mark Clark and of course Billy Griener.  And the plumbers and electricians. Boy I had some fun.

And then when the Misses and I had kids we would always take them to the fair.  And we always say it all.  Milk the cows, watch the judging, eat the food, climb on tractors, watch the parade, go see Smokey Bear--everything I ever liked about the fair, we did.   We always found something fun to do at the fair.

Alas, things change.  All the old buildings are mostly gone.  The Flower Building still stands, but it has all the 4H crafts and art stuff and the judging stuff in it.  Not many flowers at all.  Most of the exhibitors are in the big hall now, not spread out.  There seem to be more cops and security around--and of course it's all about them.   Geez, they don't even have the pictures of the year in the Journal Building anymore.  There doesn't seem to be as much variety anymore either.  You really have to search (go to Ag Products building--best local deals and variety).  At least the cream puffs and sweet corn are still there--can't miss them on a trip to the fair!  And the animals are still there, along with all the memories, which means I still always have fun at the fair!

More Olympics!

Well we're about a week in to the Olympics now and I have a few observations.  There sure are a lot of sports that you don't think about except during the Olympics.  Don't usually think much about badminton, or team handball, or sailing, much less them being Olympic events.  I have found out that you can watch any and all of the events in real time on the ol' computer, which is cool, but it being summertime most of my viewing has been of the highlight or taped delayed variety.

I note that there already have been a few controversies.  The "interesting" scoring in the boxing matches, the badminton ladies playing bad on purpose, and of course the subjective scoring system that they have in gymnastics. Oh, and I like the tie breaking system.  Go back and see who did what best in the events, but some count more than others and.....what????  I don't know....I see that some think that the USA was running up the score in the basketball game against Nigeria.  Except they really didn't do much out of the ordinary (for them) except not miss many shots!  Nigeria needs to play a little D instead of watching the other guys shoot!   Don't see anyone beating LeBron and his boys in this one...Oh, and what about the kyacker whose mom is a judge in his events?

Swimmers and gymnasts are amazing at what they do.  I find it interesting that so many of the swimmers are so good with the different strokes.  It would seem to me that if you just concentrated on one stroke you would be able to beat a guy who is doing six or seven events.  Maybe the swimmer with more events has more pool time or is just naturally faster in the tank or just has more drive.  The women gymnasts are amazing with all the flips and vaults and whatnot, and they are obviously very strong.  My question is how do you do some of these thinks for the first time?  Stand on a beam and decide to do a flip and land back on the beam?  Swing around on a couple of "uneven bars" and just fly between them?  Then jump off this stuff, flip around and "stick the landing". Definitely skilled, but they need a better scoring system.

There have been the normal thrill of victory and agony of defeat moments already.  Favorites winning, close loses, upset victories.  There is the usual controversy about PEDs by some--no proof, there never is.  They must have new masking agents!  The back stories have been interesting, and the Youtube stuff is hilarious--I recommend Call Me Maybe Phelps Lochte Music Parody--I laughed.  It was nice to see Will and Kate sitting with the commoners and doing the wave at the tennis match.  Also happy to see the good ol' USA has the lead in the all important medal count.

I will be taking special interest in the next week as we finally get to the track and field events.  The 100m has the four fastest runners ever in it.  It'll be quick.  Also will be looking to see if I see my boy Stew at any of the events.  He is heading over the pond for a week or so to take in the Games.  I told him to paint up his face as that would be sure to get him on the telly--if you know him (as I know him) then you know this isn't happening!  Really just hoping to hear from him a time or two while he is gone!!  Hope everyone is enjoying the Games as much as I am.  Looking forward to some more Olympic moments in the upcoming days.