Evidence that in today’s day and age, the media will not stop until everyone who could possibly have an opinion about anything has been interviewed and quoted.
Haven’t been here in a few days, thanks to a very, very busy week of work and after-work activities. A brief re-cap:
This was a zippy week. Work is a complete F-show at this point. We’ve gotten to the point in the year where processing is SOOO backed up, and people are SOOO far behind, and students are SOOOOOOO pissed about the whole thing, we have little meetings to talk about how far behind we all are and how no one should bug anybody else with anything or we’re going to have to start putting in OT. Which would be bullshit.
Other than that, I’m just putting some finishing tweaks on my new apartment. By popular demand, I will shoot up some photos of that sorta stuff in the ensuing week. I ordered a wall-mount for my LCD monitor to help save space. I’m trying to get creative with storage and using all the space as best I can. I think I could have guests over night, but probably not more than 2. Anyway, you’ll see what I’m talking about…
Here’s another interesting thing– Joe Knitt started himself a blog. So if you’re interested on the latest from Brookings, SD (and I mean seriously, who isn’t???), check it out.
End of day. That is all. See you at the ballpark.
Hey– been busy at work since getting back from my break, so that’s why there’s been a lack of news. Photos to come in the next couple days from various events since the end of June…
In the meantime, get out there and VOTE YOUR ASS OFF FOR COREY HART until 4 PM CDT (remember the balloting is unlimited). Let’s show up those chumps from NYC, who have David Wright in a dogfight with our rightfielder…
Back to work then, carry on.
I mean the 4th is creepy in terms of its creep-up-on-you-ness, not in a bum-on-the-bus-staring-at-you-licking-his-lips sort of way.
Mid-point of the summer season, and where has the first half already gone? Seems like just over a month ago it was Memorial Day, and… er– wait, ummm– well, the rest of the summer is gonna cruise by, and I’ve got most weekends booked up already, so… maybe it just seems like it’s flying as usual. I think the scheduling has a lot to do with that. Once you have plans for every weekend in a summer, even though the time hasn’t passed, it feels like it has. I should take some more vacation this summer. Don’t know when I would, though.
Here’s a big switch from last year– I moved, and effectively got “settled in” all in a matter of a few days. I could totally entertain at my new apartment already, and I haven’t even lived there for a week. Pretty sweet. I have another piece of furniture to add, which I believe Michelle is going to be gracious enough to provide. This last piece will keep the booze out of plain sight, which is a plus when you’re trying to not look like a drunk. I think I’ll take some photos and put ’em up here. I said that about Justin Roth, too, I know, but I mean it on both fronts…
Oh, and speaking of mid-points, and thinking of it because the Brewers are on right now: I mentioned in a post back on May 20 when the team was 20-24 and in last place that they needed to get hot in a big hurry and start winning at an alarming rate in order to stay in contention and live up to expectations. Since that time, they’re 26-14, which I believe is still the best in the NL over that particular period. They’ve picked up just 3 games on the Cubs over this stretch, but more important than that is that the top teams in the NL Central have distanced themselves somewhat from the rest of the pack in the league.
I feel confident that if we can’t catch Chicago, we could still get into the playoffs as the Wild Card. On 5/20, I was thinking that 90 wins would meet expectations. Earlier this week, after exactly 81 games (half the season), they were 44-37; on pace for 88. They still need to continue streaking throughout the second half, but I feel a lot better about the team now than I did six weeks ago.
Tonight, I’ll be at Michelle’s apartment to view the “4th” of July fireworks at the lakefront. Tomorrow, we’re going up to Waupaca to meet Michelle’s cousins for the weekend. Enjoy your 4th!
Things at this new apartment are coming together just swimmingly. Jen helped me out with the kitchen and hauling some stuff down to storage yesterday, and Grandma was here today to help with some other stuff (she got the paint off the front of all the bookshelves with steel wool). Grandma also took one for the team when the coffee table got tipped over and tagged her in the melon. I gave her some ice in a washcloth to keep the swelling down, and that seems to have worked OK.
By the end of my “vacation,” which comes to a close tomorrow, I think I’ll have all of the furniture arranged, and some spots plotted out for things on the walls, anyway. I’m definitely more excited to live here than I was in the last place. So that’s something. Also– even though I only moved across town, it feels like I’m in a totally difference place. Can’t really account for that, but it is what it is.
I’m going to turn on the pre-game for the Brewers now and try to finish up in the living room. More on this and other goings on later…
Here’s a clue: probably the one that never changed the default SSID.
I am now relocatified to Ardmore Ave in Shorewood. I’ll have my own Internets rokkin out tomorrow, but for the time being, I thought I would give it a shot, to see if I can entertain myself this evening. Not that I don’t have enough to keep me busy, but I figure I’ll get sick of putting stuff away at some point.
Right now, I have to stand at the laptop in the living room, cuz this is the only place where I can get a stong enough signal, and there are no chairs in here yet. A few initial comments and observations, though:
OK, I need to at least finish putting the bathroom together before the end of the day…
Got the next five work days off. The major project is going to be moving, of course. The last time I did a cross-town move like this, the feeling and preparedness were pretty similar– I get the keys to the new apartment tomorrow morning, I have to be out of Wright Street on Monday, and I don’t have that much stuff packed right now.
These are usually lower-impact moves, though. You don’t have to secure everything for a lot of miles traveled over highway, and as opposed to last year, I can take everything out of one place and immediately put it in its new place. I’m not too worried. I’ll work on stuff today, and Grandma and Jen said they’d come over and help out tomorrow. Better get to it; I’ve got some calls and things to make.
And speaking of calls..! There are a few of you I’ve been meaning to get in touch with and just haven’t had the chance yet. I’ve got off for several days here, so feel free to ring my bell. Or maybe I’ll turn that around on you, who knows?
In case you were curious, “Supertramp radio” on Pandora is synonymous with “REO Speedwagon radio,” “Journey radio,” “Boston radio,” “Steely Dan radio,” “Police radio,” “Styx radio,” and “ELO radio.
ROCK the HELL ON with your arena-shaking self…
Had a real fine summer solstice weekend here in Milwaukee. The weather was mostly beautiful, with a couple occasional rain showers. It set up a nice backdrop for outdoor activities…
On Friday, the Justin Roth show at Jen & Joe’s was great. The hosts provided ample food and beverages (including Spotted Cow on tap), and the music was awesome. We got to hear a few new songs, and some classic faves like “Dead Horse Trampoline,” “Ones to Hold On To,” and “Fatima’s Waltz.” Got a chance to chat with Justin a bit, and he said he is starting to work with a new producer on an album– but it sounds like it’s nothing that’s immediately on the horizon (maybe within the next 12 months or so? Hopefully?). Also got him to sign the picture that Christy took of him behind the wheel of the Festiva; he chuckled recalling the days when he shaved his head.
It was really cool that a lot of Jen and Joe’s friends who had never seen Justin or Storyhill, et al. were around to take in the show and enjoy it. That’s been my experience more often than not– if you get a chance to see the talent that these guys have in person, and how much they truly enjoy what they’re doing, it’s hard to not feel that energy and to have a really good time yourself. Justin sold a ton of CDs afterwards, if you want to use that as a measuring device. And of course, I took pictures during the show, so I’ll post a few of them here within the next couple days.
On Saturday, Mom, Grandma, the Mundschaus and I all went over to PolishFest for a few hours. I rode downtown with Mom and Grandma. We parked at WI & Plankinton, then caught the shuttle down to the grounds, but considering how early we got there, probably could’ve parked right there just as easily. We ate, drank, shopped for some Polish paraphernalia, and got to catch part of a set by Neal Zunker’s Music Connection, and Eddie Blazonczyk & the Versatones, respectively. We also ran into our cousin Chris and his buddy Scott, who got some free tickets from Uncle Mark.
Sunday was Michelle’s mom’s 60th birthday shindig at Joey Buona’s on Water Street. It was EXTREMELY filling, as usual. Sheryl seemed to have a really nice time; a number of her old high school chums made it out, as well as Michelle aunt & uncle from Sheboygan, among others. It was a fun party.
Earlier that day, I got to visit with Eric and Christine Kiefer for a while (!!). Yes, you read that correctly. I was thinking of them as we got primed for the Justin Roth show, and decided that I had put off actually getting in touch for long enough. They seem to be doing well, both on a professional and personal level. They’re staying very busy with 2 young kids around the house, but they seem pretty happy, top-to-bottom. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stay in touch a little better, particularly since I’m moving to their side of town. I got to share what limited news I could about myself, and I also spilled the beans about everything going on with everyone I know from back in the Osh Vegas days; didn’t think I was probably spoiling any surprises.
Sunday night, Michelle came over and helped me actually start packing a little bit. We took everything that was hanging down off the walls, and I began to strike the living room. I think I’m going to work on finishing that up tonight; I barely watch TV in the summer anyway, and if I really want to veg out, I have a laptop and the Internet. Packing up always seems daunting when you get started, but once you’re on a roll, it moves along. I think I’ll pick out my wardrobe for the rest of the week and get clothes packed out of the closet tonight, too…
Got a short week at work this week (took Thursday and Friday off to doing moving business), so I better get to it.
Like I was saying the other day, not a lot of personal news of note, but there is this wee tidbit: Justin Roth‘s show at the Mundschau house this evening at 8pm!
I know there’s room for you if you’re still interested in making your way over… Jen and Joe live at 6425 W Wisconsin Ave. Food will be served starting at 7, and the music gets going at 8. I’m sure it’s going to be a good time.
Two things I’m looking forward to– I have to get Justin to sign a photo of himself that Christy took a number of years ago. He’s sitting behind the wheel of my Festiva. It’s a funny picture. I’m also going to FINALLY buy Shine, which I have borrowed from people, but never actually purchased myself. Oops.
Back to work for the time being…