Brewers v Rockies, August 8th

My employer gave me two tickets for section 119 - the best seats I've ever had to be honest- for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, and I went with my friend Tre. 

It was Wade Miley's 300th career start, and the Brewers wasted a six inning, 2 hit, 1 run performance courtesy of a some awful relief work.

 We tied it, but then in the tenth Chafin and Uribe walked in three runs and surrendered another. A pathetic end to an otherwise fun evening on a warm and muggy night. 

Smells Like Nirvana

On Friday, July 28th, Tre and I went to see a Nirvana tribute band, Smells Like Nirvana, play at The Back Room theater the Collectivo Coffee on Prospect Ave. 

The "opening act" for the group was the group themselves, performing original songs under the band name Dead Original. 

I really enjoyed that set. I thought their songs had a great grunge vibe with just enough of a  modern influence to be relevant. It was good enough for me to buy their CD during the intermission. 

I was less impressed by the Nirvana set. The music was fine, but it was hopelessly interrupted by tech issues. The guitar kept falling out tune. The bassist's wireless transmitter failed, then something happened to the amp, and the bass. . . kudos to the band for improvising and filling the awkward delays, but man, what a mess. 

I think it would have been better too had they stuck to a firm set list instead of fulfilling audience requests. And "Rape Me," really? 

It's got a good hook, but even back in '93 I felt it was offensive song and a woefully ignorant lyric of Kurt's. To hear a crowd that included more than one group of young teens sing out "Rape Me" in 2023 . . . nah man.  Pass. 

But overall, it worked well. It's probably as close as I'll ever get to hearing Nirvana live, and I enjoyed it very much. 

A Disturbance in the Force

A few days ago I saw a Facebook post advertising a unique event: a showing of the documentary "A Disturbance in the Force" as both the closing film of the Milwaukee Film Festival AND a celebration of May the 4th. 

I don't go out very often lately, but this was worth the effort. My friend Tre and I arrived at the Oriental, tickets in hand, to find a line that stretched down the block and around the corner. 

 

Once inside, a first: I got to sit in the balcony at the historic theater. And it is quite the beauty. 

 By the way, this was allegedly the first sell-out of the theater since Covid.

The documentary traces the creation of the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, and the impact it had on fandom. I found the film funny, informative, and well worth the watch. 

Afterwards there was a Q &A with the director, and then Tre and I headed over to Axe Mke to catch up over a drink. 

A nice way to spend an evening!

On Pickles

- LuLu

Me? I have, in recent years, changed my position on pickles. I now agree with my friend Tre that they have no place, no place at all, on a burger. 

The Father's Day Hike at Hawthorn Glen

Last night Lisa suggested I take Smiley on the annual Father-Son Father's Day hike at Hawthorn Glen.

"It's important to keep the tradition alive," she said. 

 I thought for a moment. It had been cancelled because of Covid in 2020 and '21, and now Smiley is a 6'3" man on the verge of adulthood. 

 "The tradition is dead," I said.

 Naturally, the first thing in the morning I was gung-ho and we headed right out LOL!

[I called my friend Tre and invited him and my Godson at the last minute, and they jumped to return to the annual event!]

Sadly, I apparently can't read a schedule, because the hike was SATURDAY, not today. Oopie. 

It didn't matter of course. The .75 mile nature trail has a self-guiding tour, and even if it didn't it's all old hat to us. So off we all went. 

There were a few new things. Some planned, like this observation deck (which was still waiting for stairs) and others unplanned, like a tree that had fallen across the trail.

This pile of sticks reminded me of "Eeyore's House" from our old hikes in Downer Woods :)

As always, Hawthorn Glen was beautiful, and the weather was perfect.

Smiley even pulled some wild onion for our dinner (don't worry - on every previous hike, the host encouraged us to pick some)

It was a great way to kick off Father's Day, and I'm glad we kept the tradition going another year!

Horseradish for the Win!

Just want to give a shout out to Dan.  He got me some authentic Polish horseradish.   I can now smell.  Take that COVID!!!  - Tre

The Snapple Attack

Long long ago, after carpooling together to UWM for the year, my friend Tre and I got into an argument in his car and he threatended to hit me with a glass Snapple bottle. 

 Cut to today. 

 What now b%%^h? Whatchu gonna do now Tre? LOL

Third Times the Charm

- with Tre