Breakfast at the Copper Kitchen

On the surface, chicken and waffles qualifies as an unhealthy late breakfast at the Copper Kitchen. Lisa and I did split the meal tho, as you can see here, ordered it sans cheese, and . . . and it's none of your business anyway bub.

White Castle

Most of you probably live near a White Castle, but alas there are none within Milwaukee county. The nearest is down in Kenosha, two counties and 35 Freeway miles away.

So when Lisa and I found ourselves in Kenosha on this bright and sunny day, we stopped in for some yum-yum get you some. 

I texted these pictures to a friend who's never been to a WC, and he responded that it didn't look appetizing at all. 

Perhaps. 

But as I replied to him, it tasted "divine."

Bon Appetit

Let it be known throughout the land:

This meal, imagined and financed by Lisa, and cooked by Smiley, is the bomb diggity.

Smashed red potato drizzled with oil and baked with fresh parmesan, a side of grilled mushrooms and onions, and hand to heart, cube steaks so tender you could have poured them into a cup and drank them like wine. 

Bravo!

Dylan Mulvaney, Micheal Oher, Biden, and SAG-AFTRA

There's been quite a few items in the news lately that I wanted to post my opinion on - nothing overly significant in the scheme of things, and nothing political, fear not. 

Well, I guess anything is political from *someone's* POV, but whatever. It's not the primary focus here, that I can assure you. 

All the way back on April 14th, after a hard day at her new job, I took Lisa to an early dinner at a favorite Mexican restaurant. With the weather finally hinting at the summer to come, we sat on the patio. At a table near us were two rough-and-tumble looking guys and the son of one of them, a middle school kid with a mullet. 

When the waitress asked what they wanted to drink, one of the guys said "Bud Light," and a lot of people on the patio laughed, thinking he was kidding. 

Bud Light, in case you don't recall, had only recently decided to sign a sponsorship deal with transgender Tiktok activist Dylan Mulvaney. This was unquestionably an odd choice for a beer brand, especially a a national brand most associated with college parties and testosterone fueled debauchery. There was an immense backlash and a public boycott, officially championed by conservative talking heads, but (judging by the results) quietly backed by a lot of people that weren't as keen to publicly announce their displeasure. 

Bud Light sales and stock took a hit,  with revenue dropping 10.5% from the same period in 2022, and for the first time in decades Bud Light fell to second place in sales, overtaken by Modelo. 

So, back to the restaurant. I don't drink so I don't care what a beer brand choses to do with their sponsorship money. Even had I cared, what was I going to do, spend less than the zero I already do on booze? But I was not keen on this guy deciding to make a big point while I'm having dinner. 

I misjudged his intentions. The man actually addressed the laughter in the room. 

"I ain't no fan of whatever the hell her name is, and I think it was a stupid idea. I don't even like Bud Light. But I'm not gonna let some guys on the internet tell me how to think or what to be pi**sed about or how to spend my money, so yeah, I'm gonna eat my dinner and I'm gonna have a Bud Light."

And he did. 

It was probably as close to those make believe internet tales - the ones that inevitably end with "and then everyone clapped" - as I've ever come across in real life. 

 On the same score: those people that jumped all over bar owners (Garth Brooks being one of them) who continued to serve Bud Light? Screw you. A business has every right to sell whatever legal product they like, just as you have every right not to spend your money there. 

* * * 

Michael Oher, the retired NFL lineman whose story was featured in the book/movie "The Blind Side," launched a press blitz (no pun intended) this summer claiming he was scammed by the Tuohy's, the family that took him in many years ago. 

The public's reaction was quick, siding with Michael and deriding the family. The public's reaction was also (probably) wrong. 

While I agree there's zero reason for the family to retain a conservancy over Oher, many of the allegations fail to pass the sniff test. He didn't realize he wasn't legally adopted until just this year? Odd. In his own 2011 book he discussed that very thing and the conservancy. Then too we have the series of texts the family has disclosed, in which Oher threatens them with a press barrage unless they pay what sounds an awful lot like an extortion demand. Nor do his claims of the Tuohy's using him to get rich make ANY sense; they were worth an alleged $220 million after the father sold his business years ago and even if they had been dirt poor who bets on a homeless teen eventually reaching the NFL? C'mon now. Get real. It's looking more and more like he's broke (by his prior standards, not yours or mine)and looking to make bank by throwing the family that took him off the streets under the bus. 

I bring this up only to make this point (well, two points):  One, sometimes even the best, most Christian action can bring you pain and distress; do it anyway. And two, the initial press barrage from a lawsuit is ALWAYS designed by the plaintiffs attorneys to do the most damage to the defendant in the public eye and force a settlement. Never, EVER, buy "truth" from one side, and one side alone, of an adversarial process. 

 * * * 

While I think he's far too old for the job, probably senile (medically, not metaphorically), and not the most inherently honest man, I will say this: all in all,  I think Joe Biden's done a pretty good job in office, esp with Ukraine. That's impressive, considering how awful he did with Afghanistan at the start of his term.  And yeah, his defense of our southern border is non-existent, I know. But all in all . he's doing well. Now most of that must almost certainly lie at the feet of the people around him, propping him up, true: but so what? Results are what counts. 

* * * 

On July 14th, the actors union, SAG-AFTRA, joined the two month old writers strike in Hollywood. The fundamental issues seem to be an almost Luddite-like phobia about AI, and a more realistic objection to the current residual structure for streaming platforms. 

Of course my heart lies with the writers, and they have an actual realistic worry about AI taking work away from them. Yet some of their demands seem outlandish,  like the requirement that shows maintain a minimum number of writers on staff, regardless of the true needs of the show - the mind immediately jumps to The Sopranos universe, where mafia members had cushy "no show" or "no work" construction jobs guaranteed by union contract. 

Now, if you poke around enough, I think you'll hear the talking points of the actor's union regurgitated around the web over and over by all sorts of people, even those who ignored recent strikes in more pedestrian occupations. Not because the arguments themselves are valid (although they may be), but because humans somehow subconsciously  associate "backing SAG" with being that much closer to the limelight. At least, that's my theory. 

A lot of the AI fears that SAG trotted out seemed over the top, and a rehash of the "green screen" debates of a few decades ago. Are there legitimate concerns and need for artistic controls? Sure. But say that. Don't claim this is about defending the future of extras (they're in a different union), or say you're afraid people will insert faces onto the bodies of other actors if the technology advances that far; that's already being done, in parody, on many TikTok accounts. It's not 'studio AI' they apparently fear, it's a common Google app.  

Their fight is really about residuals, which is a less compelling point. It's hard to tell a plumber that you should be paid, again and again, for work you did twenty years ago. It's certainly not a "fairness" issue, as SAG wants you to think; it's a contractual issue, and if they can force the hand of the studios to guarantee and increase those residual payments then good for them. Period.  If a plumber could finagle the same, they would too. 

Now SAG seems to be aiming their public ire at the streaming platforms, but I'm not sure if that's just good press or a legitimate - but mistaken - target. Studios and distribution companies sell the rights of a show to a streaming platform; shouldn't the cut come at that point in the process? After all, you have some inkling about the value of what you're selling, no?  The Office should be had for a far greater amount than a failed cop show; The Godfather for more than Deuce Bigaloo, Male Gigalo.  Sell the rights to Netlfix for a year, for a zillion dollars, and let them stream it as much as people want,⁰0 while you divvy up the upfront sale revenue. 

Frankly, if we want to be blunt, SAG needs to look in the mirror too. What other union do you know of that has some workers making enough to have private jets and mansions, while the vast majority of members don't make the $26,000/year minimum to get health insurance? That's an impossible disparity to rationalize away, no matter how many A and B list celebrities you get to pose in a picket line. 

Anyway, like I said, it's a contractual issue. Whatever gains they make, they are welcome to them. 

40 Years Later

Today is the 40th anniversary of my Little Grandpa's death, and I chose to honor his memory all day. I know that my perception of him is certainly not 100% accurate - after all, what adult presents their whole authentic self to a nine year old? - but the man he showed me is a man that shapes my life right up to the here and now. 

It being a Sunday, I went to Mass (with my mother-in-law today), and said a prayer for him. Then I met YaYa and her boyfriend Alex at the cemetery to pay our respects. YaYa had purchased and brought along a bouquet of flowers at my request. 

I said some prayers over the grave, introduced Alex to his potential future Great-Grandfather in law, and broke up a little bit. 40 years and it still stings. Man. Whodathunkit? 

Tacky it may be, but there's actually a Poke stop/gym at the cemetery, and they spent a minute or two showing me how to use my app. 

From there, I went home for a bit. Then I grabbed Smiley and headed over to a rummage sale run by Alex's parents, more to pay my respects and support them then anything, although I picked up a neat JFK PT boat lapel pin that YaYa had tipped me off too (kudos to me for raising a kid who knows enough history to have picked it out of the group), and a copy of a NY Times from 9/11. 

Later, after Lisa went to work, I dropped Junie off at her friend Lucy's house for a picnic with most of the Core Four.  If I haven't mentioned it, it was a blisteringly hot day (in the 90's) from start to finish, and just moving around was enough to make me thankful for air conditioning. So the idea of a *picnic*  . .  yeah, no thanks. 

Since I was already on the north side I went and refilled the little library at Junie's school 

Then, partly by design, partly by proximity, I moseyed down to the Milwaukee animal shelter where I was introduced to two kitties, a one eyed and very afraid Cleveland, and this fine specimen of canine genetics, all 15 pounds of him lol, ridiculously named Snoopy . . . 

I wanted him. Not gonna lie. But I sent text after text to the family and got no response, even after sitting at the shelter for 45 minutes. So I left. 

And when I got home Lisa texted that I should get him. Naturally. 

Alas, when I called the shelter was closing soon and would not adopt him out, and is closed for Labor Day tomorrow. 

Swell. 

Anyway, about an hour later Junie called for a pickup and I trotted back out. She had a great time, and I greatly enjoyed laughing at her carrying all her picnic stuff back to our car LOL 

So, a pretty varied day, but overall a good one, and (I think) an honorable way to honor Little Grandpa. 

:)

St Francis Days 2023

Through a careful promise not to force me to indulge in what others erroneously call "fun," Lisa convinced me to attend the St Francis Days festival in the suburb of the same name. 

Right off the bat she had me fulfill the one promise I had agreed on: a ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl. 

I thought it was fun . . . for the first half. And then I just tried not to puke. I managed. But the selfie below isn't a pose. Lisa was laughing at me for dripping with nervous sweat.  I was reminded of young Smiley's words after Lisa took him on the ride long ago: "Why you tryin' to kill me?" LOL

.

Once I had recovered from my ordeal we bought some pull tab lottery tickets (a few winners, but not enough to bring us back to even), some corn on the cob, and a slice of pizza. 

And then I heard the opening bars of Kashmir by Led Zeppelin and immediately wandered to watch the live band, a popular local group called Almighty Vinyl.  I have to say they were dang good, very versatile, and highly entertaining. 

We sat and listened to them until well after dark, and dined on some cheap and yummy watermelon bowls. 

And on the way out  - after a much longer, and much more fun visit than anticipated - we ran into Lisa's friend Lori!

Dan and Lisa's Low Key Day of Fun

Yesterday I took a day off to have a Dan and Lisa's Low Key Day of Fun with my lady. First stop, DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) out on 115th and Burleigh, in the Mayfair Collection outdoor mall. We spent an hour there finding sandals for Lisa's upcoming NKOTB cruise, then Lisa treated me to lunch at the Corner Bakery.  

I had turkey, bacon, and avocado on wheat with a side of Caesar's Salad, and Lisa had a lovely chicken sub with a side of fruit. 

Afterwards we made a brief stop at Aldi for protein drinks, a gas station for fuel, stopped at Maadc to look at the kitties (alas, they had a health outbreak and all but two cats were quarantined). Then we stopped at the bike shop to pick up her bicycle, the library to look at yesterday's paper (alas, it turns out my column was online only, and not included in the razor thin print edition), and then a nap. 

In the evening we headed out again, this to time to get dinner at Hot Dish Pantry , a new  restaurant on Howell near the airport. It's counter-service, which is an annoying but popular trend, and features both indoor and patio dining. We chose the latter. 

The entrees were very good. I had a simple smashed burger, plain, while Lisa had a take on Minnesota's Juicy Lucy's. 

I don't think the sides were as good a value, in taste or price. There was a crab rangoon pierogi, which is further ethnically confused by the inclusion of a corn garnish. It was very good, but there wasn't much to distinguish it from your standard order of rangoon at a Chinese restaurant.

A potato croquette failed to impress either of us, beyond a nice presentation. 

I'm not a desert guy, but Lisa said the chocolate tasted a little off  - vegan perhaps? The desserts rotate very frequently, so any review must be treated as unique to that visit anyway. 

Now up to this point I'd grade the experience at Hot Dish Pantry very positively. A little hit and miss, a little pricey, but a good time and overall very good food. 

Then a drunk appeared, knocked a full recycling bin into the street, and wandered up to the guests on the patio and unleashed a screed, lasting several minutes, about how we were all going to burn in hell  "you n-words." Disgusting, and equally odd as everyone on the patio was Caucasian. 

Most of this was addressed at a woman sitting with her male companion and a friend, none of whom said anything. I told the guy to move on, but he didn't, and Lisa got up to tell the employees. That put her very close to the guy, which was a boiling point - had he touched her I'd have had to retaliate and I wasn't looking to escalate the situation. Instead he took her threat of police seriously and started down the road. 

To our shock, the employees/owner? claimed the man was "harmless," often wandered by drunk but "never did that before" and not only didn't want to call the police but didn't have the police non-emergency number on hand. 

Man, I don't run to the police for every interaction, even of this kind, but if I was running a business again I would take the comfort and safety of my guests a little more seriously. You didn't hear the bottles spilling into the street? The constant shouted "n-word" for a good few minutes wasn't overheard? A diner shouldn't have to tell a drunk to move on; his wife shouldn't be the one to ask the police to get involved. And once the situation WAS identified, you didn't think to come out and offer at least an apology to your guests? That poor woman took the brunt of his venom for a good two minutes.

I didn't pay close to $70 to listen to a  drunk racist you know and let skate.  

(and nevermind what I think of the diner's boyfriend/husband, who sat there and let her be insulted and berated and let another guy speak up for her) 

Not cool. 

Anyway, later, before she went to bed, Lisa and I used up the last of the zucchini making bread together. 

A fun if low key day together :)

    

Junie's 16th Birthday pt 2

After breakfast on Day 2,  everyone on the trip went down to the pool to swim . Unfortunately , the handicapped lift aiding Grandma in getting out of the pool broke,  leaving her stranded in the water . After both staff and the boys failed to get her out , Hotel staff called 911 . 

She was okay and gave all the firefighters hugs and a kiss.

Then the group checked out and went to explore the Mall of America. Lisa and her mom went one way, the kids the other. Junie and the Core Four went to the amusement park inside the mall, to Popeye's for dinner, to Barnes and Noble and countless other stores, and to a mirror maze. 

They were there until 9:00 p.m.

At Build-A-Bear, Lauren and the Core Four chipped in together to buy a sloth, each of them adding a heart to the animal and then naming it with a combination of their own names.

Then it was on to our house, where they arrived around 3:30 in the morning. The last of the guests left in mid-afternoon. By all accounts it was a great birthday. To quote a very happy Junie, "I didn't cry!"  (a first for her birthdays!)