Road Trip--2013

Day 1---

So the Mrs. and I are on vacation.  We couldn't decide if we wanted to head way out west or head south.  With her recovery taking a little longer than anticipated, we decided to head south.

Which led us to Minneapolis.  Yeah, we decided to drive daughter and her friend Martha back to the Cities rather than send them back on the bus.  They came home for the Fest, and her visit was much too short.  We took a quick stop in Eau Clare to see the great nieces----Kate is quite the card!!   After an hour or so, off to Minneapolis, quick dinner at BWW, dropped the girls, and headed south.  To....

Rochester!  Just here for a quick overnight, then we will be heading back to Wisconsin for a quick stop, then continuing to the south.  Just kind of meandering around, still looking for the giant ball of twine....enjoy the traveling with no schedule to keep or places to be....

Summertime---and the livin' is easy....

I like that song-Billy Stewart version--check it out....

Summertime around here has finally arrived, even though the heat hasn't really come with it ---yet.  Things are a little different than in years past, now with the kids staying away at their college towns.  In the past everything was so very hectic.  There was work of course, and there still is.  But we no longer have baseball games and practices and tournaments to go to.  Or soccer.  Or softball.  We don't have to try and figure out how to squeeze in a family vacation, how far we can go so we don't miss some other activity.  We won't worry about trying to fit in a trip to Wisconsin Dells, or if everyone can get away for a trip to the zoo.  There will be no family days at the Brewer game this year.  We won't be worrying about getting a spot for the 4th of July parade either---or wondering who we'd run into....

Now we're doing things a little bit differently around here.  I guess you could say we're a little more laid back.  Things aren't nearly as scheduled as they used to be.  The Mrs. and I are going on a little vacation.  Where to?  Who knows.  We'll figure it out as we go.  Yard work to be done?  We'll get to it when we get to it.  It seems as if we are less organized than we used to be, and I don't mind it.  If friends call, or we see something in the paper or on TV that looks interesting, not a problem, we just drop what we're doing and have a go at it.  Livin' easy.....

I miss the livin' hard.  I guess it's missing the kids being kids.  All the running around here with their friends, and their friends parents.  The parents at all the different sporting events whining about the officiating.  Having everyday of the week (seemingly) scheduled with some activity.  The weekend travels.  The family vacations.  Always something that needed to be done, and never having enough time to do it.  It was very hectic at times, but so very enjoyable---especially in hindsight. 

So now the Mrs. and I are sliding into what I call the pre retirement mode.  Doing things when we want to.  Not being so rigid with the plans.  Not worrying too much about what we have scheduled.  The kids will be home a couple of times to "visit", which will be nice.  We'll do some of the things we used to do, but it'll be different.  We'll be livin' easy.  Which ain't necessarily better.....

Greeting Cards

And the lightening of the lode continues.  If you have ever sent me a greeting card, I pretty much still have it.  That's right, fifty some years of Hallmark memories are in boxes and bags in my basement.  Christmas and birthday cards, invitations, anniversary, and every other holiday under the sun.  And I'm getting rid of them now.

But of course I just can't toss them out.  I have to read them all.  No, not the the printed part from the card companies, but the little notes and comments you have all sent.  Yeah, I'm reading them all one more time.  And the memories sure do come back.  There are greetings from relatives celebrating births and weddings and anniversaries.  And condolences for losses.  There are party invitations for all kinds of events.  And there are notes here for no reasons at all.  Some of these cards are silly, some are dated (I mean content dated, not old dated---of course they are old), and some are just pretty "cards".

And then there are the people who sent the cards, those kind enough to remember the Mrs. and me.  There have been many changes in my life, as well as yours.  I have greetings from you before you we married, before you had kids.  Some of you have divorced.  Some of your kids now have kids.  I have cards from relatives who have passed away---some are sad, but people get old.  They all bring back memories.  There are cards from old classmates, old girlfriends, and people who I have absolutely no idea who they are.  Some folks simply signed their names, other short notes.  There are cards here from people I sure do miss seeing, and folks I hear from all the time.  Oh, and the wonderful Christmas letters are all there is well.

But now is the time to send them to the recycling bin.  I'm keeping the ones (for now) from mom and dad, the in laws,  and everything from the Mrs,--even from before she was the Mrs.  But everything is being read.  I want to thank you all once again for the kind wishes, and all the memories they are bringing back.

Well I'm Back

Well I've been gone from the blogosphere for quite some time now, but now I am back.  I had thought that I was probably done, but I went back to my first post and was reminded of the reasons I originally stared writing this thing----different things on my mind, hopefully the kids will get around to reading it someday.  So I'm going to get back at it. 

As I have written about earlier, I have decided it is time to start weeding out some of the stuff around here.  Those of you who know me well know that I never get rid of anything, because every time I do it turns out I'll end up needed it for something--or so I think.  But I have finally realized stuff has to go.  So it goes with the..........beer can collection.......

I started my can collection probably when I was 13 or 14 years old.  My neighbors Chris and Tom were also into it, and we spent quite a bit of time trading amongst ourselves.  There were the trips to Rummage O Rama and to St. Als.  And a couple of years the big trip to St. Martins Fair would net some old beer cans.

And then there were the family vacations where I would walk around the side of roads looking for beer cans. I remember one year in Washington walking with my cousins and sisters looking for cans, and another in Arizona when some guy asked me if I was riding the rails while I was just looking or old beer cans. 

And there were trips to the various beer depots looking for obscure beer cans.  Anything  new or different I had to have.  Soon, of course, money started getting in the way and the joy of basically collecting garbage began to wane.  No longer could you just stop and pick a six pack at the regular prices.  Now "collector cans" began to cost more.  No longer could you get an old can for a buck or two.  The "dealers" were driving the prices up.  I never made a conscious decision to quit collecting, but I did. 

But I never got rid of the cans I had.  Everyone of them had their own story, and I pretty much remembered them all.  I had enjoyed displaying them, first in my room then in the basement.  I found them interesting and colorful, and I enjoyed the stories about the cans and the breweries.  Eventually, mom moved, and my beer cans were all boxed up.  I don't remember what happened to them when I was living in the apartment, but when the Misses and I moved into the house in Milwaukee, I had them back. 

And my buddies and I moved them here to the Falls 20 years ago.  We stored them under the basement steps, and that is pretty much where most of them stayed right there.  There were about a hundred or so I displayed for about 10 or 12 years, but other than that they haven't been touched. 

So last week I was looking at Craigslist at see somebody looking for beer cans.  I decided to get in touch with the guy.  As I have decided to start weeding out, I have thought about my beer can collection.  I was afraid that when I was gone the Misses would just toss them out.  I knew I didn't want this to happen, heck I figured these things have to be worth a lot of money.  Hence my call to Andrew.

And my dose of reality.  There isn't much of a market for old beer cans, unless they are real old, and in real good shape.  I pulled the boxes out, and he went through them.  There were some nice cans and some dumpers, a couple that interested him and some he claimed were "worthless".  Maybe to him, but not to me.  They all had memories for me.  People who had given them to me, which show I got them at, the guys I traded them with, the family vacations looking for them.  He said I could toss some of them out.  Not gonna happen.  Turns out the most valuable thing I had was a Grampa Grafs root beer can.  Ironic.  So after a couple of hours, he makes me an offer for the entire collection.  My "gold mine" was worth a couple of nice dinners with the Misses.  I was stunned, and saddened, and I took the deal. 

But I got one additional thing thrown into the deal.  I'm going to Andrews house to see his collection, and to meet his collector friends.  And to see the few cans of mine that he didn't have and has added to his collection.   And maybe I get a new friend out of the deal.  And all my beer cans get a new home---even if most get tossed.  I--and better yet, the Misses--didn't have to do the deed.  Forty years, time to move on....

Concert Etiquette

As many of you know, I enjoy going to live music events.  I also am very fortunate that there are all kinds of tickets available for free, so I don't often pay much (or anything!) to go.  That being said, there are things that really are irritating me.....

Now I understand the difference between an outdoor venue, an arena type event, and a small theater.  I also understand different acts elicit different responses from folks.  But some of this stuff is gettig out of hand.

What is so hard about getting to your seat before the show starts?  I'm not talking about the opening act, but the headliner.  No, people wait until they start, then file in, causing folks to have to get up so they can get through, obstructing others views.  Way to think about anyone but yourself.

Then you have the guy singing along.  You know the words?  Yeah, so do most of the other people here. And if you were any good at singing, you'd have your ass up on stage instead of in the seats here with me.  I'm here to hear them, not you.

And what is the deal with all the talking during the songs?  And they play louder, you talk louder.  I was at a show last night and the guy in front of me talked to either his date or his buddy during EVERY song.  Usually I would say something, but I was a little tired.  And had mom with me.  And he was bigger than a wall, and drinking heavily.  I decided to cut him a break.  But shut the hell up.

I didn't show up to watch you walk up and down the aisle during every song.  Or go down to the stage and point at the performer like you are buddies or something.... and of course everyone has a camera in their phone now.  Big ol' sign that says no photography, but that only applies to everyone else.  So you just walk to the stage and snap away, or get you buddy to take your picture with the artist in the background.  Hope your pictures turned out good.  You looked like an ass doing it.....

And why do people keep checking their phones and texting.  What is so damn important?  If you are that busy or important you should just stay home and take care of your business.  Two stinkin' hours, and you can't not text?  Geez....

I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.  If  I'm out of line, somebody please let me know.  Hate to have to think I have to restrict myself to the symphony from now on.....

Couple of Things On My Mind

Just got back from spring break and had a great time.  I said it before and I'll say it again.  Thank you DD Eisenhower for the interstate system.  It sure is easy to get around.  But there are areas where things are in disrepair.  Need to take care of the bridges and tunnels or they'll be shot.  I also got to thinking about when I was a kid and traveled with my family.  We used to eat at places called Eat, or Mom's or Bob's.  Now it seems all you see are chains.  I understand people like to know what they are going to get, and I understand the economics of the thing.  But I still like they local restaurants.  Ate at a couple in Florida, and Stew took us to a place called Uncle Bills in St. Louis.  Food was real good, atmosphere was interesting.  What I'm getting at is if you get the chance, don't be afraid to support the little guy, while you still can.

What is the deal with North Korea?  Just exactly what is it that they want?   This guy is turning out to be worse than his old man.  And he is starting to seem crazy enough to do something that we are all going to end up paying for, one way or another.

Coach Rice of Rutgers seems to be quite the guy.  Pushing the players, throwing balls at them, he is probable lucky one of them didn't go off on him.  The thing is the AD and president of the university have known about these incidents since at least last November.  See ya boys, they'll be gone.

I think all the people trying to get the Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage are wasting their time and energy.  They should be going after members of Congress!!  One senator's son comes out as gay, boom--he changes his stance on the subject.  I think it's up to seven or eight who have changed their position lately.  They are tripping over themselves to get on board.  I just hope they don't have to lose a child to gun violence to address the gun issues...


So spring is here (allegedly), and that means the baseball season has arrived!  And with it we have astronomical salaries, PED investigations and rising ticket and concession prices!  And you know what?  People don't care!  Television ratings are up.  Attendance is around 75 million or so a year.  We don't care what they make or what they take, we just like to watch them play.  Unless it's the Marlins......

Well that's gonna do it for now.  Hang in there, things have a way of working out.....

NCAA BASKTBALL TOURNAMENT 2013

Well it's that time of year again, time to fill out the ol' NCAA bracket.  I've done this before, though not every year.  I have never had much success, so this year I have decided to put in some research and effort.  I have watched a bunch of TV shows and read a pile of internet stories, and the following is some of what I have learned.

It is wide open this year.  There are only 9 or ten teams that can't "win it all".

There are only 5 or six teams that have a chance to "win it all".

A sixteen has never beat a one seed.  This could be the year.

The Big Ten is the best conference in the country.  The Big Ten is the most overrated conference in the country.

You need good guard play in March.

A twelve seed always beats a five seed.  Except when they don't. 

Watch out for a team loaded with seniors.  Except if they were that good they would already be in the pros, wouldn't they?

Some teams can't be sped up, some can't be slowed down.  Some play great D, some can't score enough to win. 

Some teams have played a tough schedule.  Some teams haven't played anyone.

The Midwest is the "Region of Death".  Scary.

"They come to play".  "Cinderella Team".  "They know how to close".  "They take care of the rock".  Every cliche in the book.  And then some.

Enough already.  These guys have seen a lot more ballgames than I have, but I'm not all that certain they are any smarter.  One guy says team A will win, second guy says team B.  First guy says yeah you might be right. Think even I could come up with something like that.  So after all the reading and watching, it's back to the same old way of picking the bracket for me.  Generally higher seed, pick a couple of upsets, root for the kids schools now, then talk about how if a couple of plays or call went my way I could have won it all......