How cool is Milwaukee?
Two weeks ago I got to meet Shirin Ebadi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, of which I still owe you a blog recap. Today I get to meet Nelson Melo, a Columbian coffee farmer featured along with Milwaukee's own Alterra on The Discovery Channel's How Stuff Works - Coffee. (it aired Jan. 22nd, and I can't find the full episode online)
This Little City that Could never ceases to amaze me. Organizations around the area work hard to bring in the best and the brightest from around the world, so that we, the folks who live here, can learn and grow. As an academic at heart, I appreciate that.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Milwaukee's Bucyrus on Modern Marvels
Tonight at 7:00pm (and right now, in fact) The History Channel features Milwaukee's own Bucyrus on Modern Marvels. You can learn more about Modern Marvels: The World's Biggest Machines here.
I used to lived in Cudahy and drove past Bucyrus on my way to work every morning, yet never knew what the company did. Turns out they make really, really big machines.
In addition, Tim Sullivan, President and CEO of Bucyrus is the board chair for United Way of Greater Milwaukee. In 2007, Sullivan co-chaired the United Way's Community Campaign. The company nearly doubled its United Way contribution in the past two years. So, in addition to making really big machines, Bucyrus makes really big charitable contributions.
As someone who used to work for a United Way agency in Milwaukee, I'd like to thank Mr. Sullivan for that delicious meal at the Midwest Airlines Center in September 2007, during the campaign kickoff luncheon.
Tune in to The History Channel tonight (7pm) to learn more about impressive, man-made machines.
I used to lived in Cudahy and drove past Bucyrus on my way to work every morning, yet never knew what the company did. Turns out they make really, really big machines.
In addition, Tim Sullivan, President and CEO of Bucyrus is the board chair for United Way of Greater Milwaukee. In 2007, Sullivan co-chaired the United Way's Community Campaign. The company nearly doubled its United Way contribution in the past two years. So, in addition to making really big machines, Bucyrus makes really big charitable contributions.
As someone who used to work for a United Way agency in Milwaukee, I'd like to thank Mr. Sullivan for that delicious meal at the Midwest Airlines Center in September 2007, during the campaign kickoff luncheon.
Tune in to The History Channel tonight (7pm) to learn more about impressive, man-made machines.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Episode 1: Postcards from the Past
Last night I rediscovered what a pack rat I am as I came across years of postcards my friends have sent me. I'm generally an excellent pen pal, and my friends reciprocate. We keep our eyes peeled for funny cards and send them back and forth occasionally. All of this post office patronage has resulted in a rather large collection of cards, which I've decided to share with you, lovely readers. In a new, weekly series, I will post a selected Postcard from My Past for you to enjoy.
First up:
I admit, it was hard to pick the first one as I didn't want to go too awesome and set the bar unbearably high for future postcards, but I also didn't want to choose the most boring card and lose reader interest in this new endeavor. Thus, I chose Threatening Granny.
This little gem was sent to me by a friend when I was living overseas. For Christmas she came to visit, and we met in Ireland. Instead of a delightful vacation in an English-speaking country that I so desperately needed, we spent the week incredibly ill and bouncing from hostel to hostel. After I returned to Eastern Europe, and she returned to the United States, she sent me this postcard to cheer me up and make sure I was still alive.
My absolute favorite part is that, somewhere in the midst of sending this card, some water damage happened right by Grandma's mouth, so that it now looks like she is smoking a joint. Classy. I wonder what kind of pie that is.
First up:
I admit, it was hard to pick the first one as I didn't want to go too awesome and set the bar unbearably high for future postcards, but I also didn't want to choose the most boring card and lose reader interest in this new endeavor. Thus, I chose Threatening Granny.
This little gem was sent to me by a friend when I was living overseas. For Christmas she came to visit, and we met in Ireland. Instead of a delightful vacation in an English-speaking country that I so desperately needed, we spent the week incredibly ill and bouncing from hostel to hostel. After I returned to Eastern Europe, and she returned to the United States, she sent me this postcard to cheer me up and make sure I was still alive.
My absolute favorite part is that, somewhere in the midst of sending this card, some water damage happened right by Grandma's mouth, so that it now looks like she is smoking a joint. Classy. I wonder what kind of pie that is.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
VD Recap & Playlist
Inspired by this post from OnMilwaukee.com, I've decided to list my top love songs in honor of VD past. Some are classics, while others are just plain classy. In no particular order, here are my Top 5 tunes I recommend for anyone making a new boyfriend or girlfriend a mix tape...if people still made mix tapes. Sorry, Rob Gordon of High Fidelity.
1. Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk - I am determined that someday this will be the song I and Mr. Quarter will dance to on our wedding day.
2. Someday We'll Know by Hall & Oates - Imitators need not apply.
3. Love is Everywhere I Go by Sam Phillips - I especially like that this song celebrates that feeling you get when you're first in love and everything is sunnier because of it.
4. This Time by John Legend - Honestly, what woman could say no to a man with this song in his arsenal?
5. Touch by Jonny Lang - A seriously, seriously sexy song.
1. Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk - I am determined that someday this will be the song I and Mr. Quarter will dance to on our wedding day.
2. Someday We'll Know by Hall & Oates - Imitators need not apply.
3. Love is Everywhere I Go by Sam Phillips - I especially like that this song celebrates that feeling you get when you're first in love and everything is sunnier because of it.
4. This Time by John Legend - Honestly, what woman could say no to a man with this song in his arsenal?
5. Touch by Jonny Lang - A seriously, seriously sexy song.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thoughts about VD
Hah! I bet you thought I was going to be talking about venereal disease in today's blog episode. Well, dear reader, you are wrong.
The "VD" to which I refer is Valentine's Day, which, I suppose has enough VD (the former) to go around.
Generally, I am not a fan of Valentine's Day, even the one time I happened to be dating someone at Valentine's Day. Proponents of VD will say, "it's a holiday based on the life of a saint by the name of Valentine." Bah. There were several saints named Valentine, and none of them had anything to do with sentimental love. Only martyrdom.
I digress. Today I have some thoughts about VD:
1. Horror movies are the best way to celebrate VD.
2. I'm slightly confused as to why marketers would latch onto this holiday so vehemently. Why pin your hopes for a high profit on a holiday that, by its very nature, assures you the loss of the business of a large percentage of the population?
3. Grocery shopping the day before VD is a depressing affair. All men in the store take the same path - floral section, candy aisle, card aisle. I couldn't look them in the eye tonight; it was just too sad.
4. Giving away handguns with the purchase of jewelry is a very bad idea.
5. Couples should be encouraged to be nice to their significant others every day of the year, not just February 14th.
Those are my thoughts. Tomorrow a friend of mine is having a belly dancing party, and afterward the single ladies are heading to the Hook Up or Throw Up at MadPlanet. Although attendees are not required to hook up or throw up, it's sure to be a fun shindig.
Before I go, in somewhat related news, Jim Stingl, Columnist at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, wrote a very interesting column today on an ill-fated love story. It is both creepy yet touching, and I don't know how he accomplished this.
The "VD" to which I refer is Valentine's Day, which, I suppose has enough VD (the former) to go around.
Generally, I am not a fan of Valentine's Day, even the one time I happened to be dating someone at Valentine's Day. Proponents of VD will say, "it's a holiday based on the life of a saint by the name of Valentine." Bah. There were several saints named Valentine, and none of them had anything to do with sentimental love. Only martyrdom.
I digress. Today I have some thoughts about VD:
1. Horror movies are the best way to celebrate VD.
2. I'm slightly confused as to why marketers would latch onto this holiday so vehemently. Why pin your hopes for a high profit on a holiday that, by its very nature, assures you the loss of the business of a large percentage of the population?
3. Grocery shopping the day before VD is a depressing affair. All men in the store take the same path - floral section, candy aisle, card aisle. I couldn't look them in the eye tonight; it was just too sad.
4. Giving away handguns with the purchase of jewelry is a very bad idea.
5. Couples should be encouraged to be nice to their significant others every day of the year, not just February 14th.
Those are my thoughts. Tomorrow a friend of mine is having a belly dancing party, and afterward the single ladies are heading to the Hook Up or Throw Up at MadPlanet. Although attendees are not required to hook up or throw up, it's sure to be a fun shindig.
Before I go, in somewhat related news, Jim Stingl, Columnist at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, wrote a very interesting column today on an ill-fated love story. It is both creepy yet touching, and I don't know how he accomplished this.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Mommy and Me at Alterra
I just had the most ridiculous experience at Alterra on North.
Alterra is usually my go-to for when I need to get work done and can't focus at home because of the Wii and Netflix distractions.
Today being no exception, I head over to Alterra where I will have, what I presume anyway, distraction-less time to finish all the crap I need to do. Watch for a future post on how I should learn to say no to over-committing myself.
I buy myself a cup of coffee after seeing the flavor of the day is called "Love Supreme." Who can resist?
After committing myself to stay by the purchase of aforementioned coffee, I am horrified to see that the only available table is next to a gaggle of women with babies. They took 4 tables and pushed them together for a Mommy and Me session. Anyone who's been in a coffee shop knows that putting together 4 tables is the same as renting out the entire space for a private party, minus the $250 deposit and $500 rental fee.
I grudgingly sit down and commence with an intense (rhyme unintentional) Twitterfest. As my tweets are better able to explain the harrowing experience, I've cut and pasted them here for you to enjoy. In order of tweetage:
Oh. My. God. Alterra on north. 6 women. 6 babies. Save me!!! about 2 hours ago from txt
Oh good god in heaven, they're talking about breastfeeding class. Losing the will to live. about 2 hours ago from txt
She's telling her baby it's rude to scream. Newsflash, baby can't understand higher reasoning! about 1 hour ago from txt
Hey moms. Ur baby being fussy and crabby means ur baby needs a nap. Your welcome. about 1 hour ago from txt
Now they r talking about how they leave places if baby screams. Baby is currently screaming. about 1 hour ago from txt
I understand the need to breastfeed, but you don't have to do it in the dining area where people r drinking coffee with ...warm milk. about 1 hour ago from txt
Leaving mommy n me at Alterra. Should've done it long ago, but made for entertaining tweets. 36 minutes ago from txt
Alterra is usually my go-to for when I need to get work done and can't focus at home because of the Wii and Netflix distractions.
Today being no exception, I head over to Alterra where I will have, what I presume anyway, distraction-less time to finish all the crap I need to do. Watch for a future post on how I should learn to say no to over-committing myself.
I buy myself a cup of coffee after seeing the flavor of the day is called "Love Supreme." Who can resist?
After committing myself to stay by the purchase of aforementioned coffee, I am horrified to see that the only available table is next to a gaggle of women with babies. They took 4 tables and pushed them together for a Mommy and Me session. Anyone who's been in a coffee shop knows that putting together 4 tables is the same as renting out the entire space for a private party, minus the $250 deposit and $500 rental fee.
I grudgingly sit down and commence with an intense (rhyme unintentional) Twitterfest. As my tweets are better able to explain the harrowing experience, I've cut and pasted them here for you to enjoy. In order of tweetage:
Oh. My. God. Alterra on north. 6 women. 6 babies. Save me!!! about 2 hours ago from txt
Oh good god in heaven, they're talking about breastfeeding class. Losing the will to live. about 2 hours ago from txt
She's telling her baby it's rude to scream. Newsflash, baby can't understand higher reasoning! about 1 hour ago from txt
Hey moms. Ur baby being fussy and crabby means ur baby needs a nap. Your welcome. about 1 hour ago from txt
Now they r talking about how they leave places if baby screams. Baby is currently screaming. about 1 hour ago from txt
I understand the need to breastfeed, but you don't have to do it in the dining area where people r drinking coffee with ...warm milk. about 1 hour ago from txt
Leaving mommy n me at Alterra. Should've done it long ago, but made for entertaining tweets. 36 minutes ago from txt
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Girl's Night Out
Saturday was a long-awaited girl's night out which included a viewing of the much anticipated He's Just Not that Into You. After seeing the film in a theater with 300 women and 11 men, it is the estimation of this author that "he's" not worth having if he's just not that into me. Even more, this author wonders why he's just not that into me, because he can be darn sure I would never drag him to see a movie like this (unlike at least 11 women in the theater who brought their boyfriends/husbands/brothers). The estrogen was almost too much for me to take, much less someone born on the testosterone side of the scale.
In a special blogging episode brought to you by the entire annual U.S. production of tampons, Accidental Wisconsinite and I will be team blogging our take on the film's charms, of which there were few. It is the humble opinion of MsQuarter and mcarnold, that we were the only two people in the theater who were snickering when the words "you're my exception" came out of Mac Guy's mouth.
This is just one example of this film's Achilles heel - just when you (the viewer) get into a storyline, the screen writer pulls out the cheesiest, schluppiest line, which leaves you with nothing else to do but groan in frustration and disappointment of unmet expectations.
In fulfillment of a promise to take half of the film's story lines and add my usual witty, delightful spin, I will now give you a rundown of the Aniston/Affleck, Goodwin/Long, and Barrymore/Connelly love pairings. Pairings, as in, boxed wine with Velveeta.
Aniston/Affleck: For the first 90% of the film's run time, Ben Affleck adamantly proclaims his distaste for all things marraige. He hates it, doesn't understand it, does not want it, and will not touch it with a 30 foot pole, even with the gorgeous Jennifer Aniston being hit with the end of it.
Then Jen's father takes a turn for the worse at her little sister's wedding (yes! Horror of all horrors, the younger sister is married before the older, spinster sister. Where are we? 1786?). Ben comes to the rescue, Jen realizes he's the one no matter if he won't sign a flimsy piece of paper that ensures inheritance rights, spousal coverage on health insurance, and access to additional 5th Amendment rights. No, she's willing to give it all up just so long as Ben leaves his ratty khaki pants on his boat before moving back home with her.
In the biggest surprise of the entire movie, a surprise that no one saw coming or foreshadowed with the pants bit, Ben moves home and does some laundry. As Jen is helping him fold said laundry she sees the contemptible ratty pants.
She attempts to throw them out, but just when she hits the trash can, Ben tells her to check the pockets first. Oh my god, what do you think's gonna happen????
She finds an engagement ring, and Ben says, "I can't be happy unless you're happy. So I'm going to throw away 33 years of concrete, dogmatic beliefs just so that you feel better about yourself. Forget that I will be secretly waiting for our marriage to end in an ugly armageddon of a divorce 15 years after we say our vows, just as it happened to my parents. Hopefully any children we will have by then will be spared the humiliation and lifelong hatred for marriage that I was left with."
Don't you think that was romantic? And completely unpredictable? I'm sure glad they adapted a perfectly good book into a movie like this.
Goodwin/Long: Ginnifer Goodwin and the Mac Guy represent the major story line of the entire movie. In fact, Justin Long (aka: Mac Guy) is the conduit for Greg Behrendt's famous adage. You'll remember that Greg Behrendt is the brain trust behind the He's Just Not That Into You craze.
Mac Guy spent 75% of the film being charming, witty, and entertaining, while Goodwin spent it stereotyping women as crazy, overly dependent, and given to stalking.
They begin as friends, and when Goodwin realizes that the signals coming from Mac Guy scream "jump my bones," she, well, jumps his bones. Mac Guy is not amused. In fact, this seems the end of it as he calls her a crazy, overly dependent woman with stalkerish tendencies. She fights back with a stinger, saying at least she puts herself out there to be hurt. Burn!
Sidenote: It is this author's opinion that this new, "modern," tendency by society to expect women to always "put themselves out there" does not help the stereotype of us as crazy, dependent, stalkerish women. Nor the stereotype of men as lazy, noncommittal losers. In fact, it is this author's strong opinion that men need to go back to being "the hunters," while women remain "the hunted." With all the talk of Women's Lib and equality, men need one place to maintain the facade of the "dominant," masculine sex. Let that materialize in the realm of dating, and for god's sake, let's bring chivalry back.
This particular story line came to a close with Goodwin narrating that women shouldn't need a man to feel successful, and that a relationship neither defines nor brings value to her. However, to complete the Capra Effect the screenwriters were so valiantly trying to imitate (yet, were woefully inadequate), Mac Guy shows up at Goodwin's door to profess his love. They live happily ever after by reading each other's minds and winning at group board games.
Barrymore/Connolly: I hate to ruin it for all of you folks who were excited at the prospect of seeing some Lesbian action between Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly. The "Connolly" to which I refer is Kevin Connolly, formerly known as "E" on Entourage.
These two only hooked up at the end of the movie, and so my only comment is to thank New Line Cinema and the writers of this script for sparing us the glaring lack of romantic chemistry between Barrymore and Connolly. Thank you for not dragging it out for the full 120 minutes. However, I'm sure McArnold has something to say about the glaring lack of chemistry between ScarWhore and Connolly or, for that matter, ScarWhore and That Guy From Alias.
My biggest criticism with this movie and all others like it, is that the writers spend most of the film's run time convincing women that they do not need men in their fabulous lives. Yet, by the end of the movie, all female characters are shacked up and loving themselves. This film was no different, with all but two female leads (see Accidental Wisconsinite for the recaps) winding up with a man. And these two females in question were not convincing in their contrived, manless happiness.
Bottom Line?
I relegate He's Just Not That Into You to the cinematic category of, "when bad movies happen to good books."
In a special blogging episode brought to you by the entire annual U.S. production of tampons, Accidental Wisconsinite and I will be team blogging our take on the film's charms, of which there were few. It is the humble opinion of MsQuarter and mcarnold, that we were the only two people in the theater who were snickering when the words "you're my exception" came out of Mac Guy's mouth.
This is just one example of this film's Achilles heel - just when you (the viewer) get into a storyline, the screen writer pulls out the cheesiest, schluppiest line, which leaves you with nothing else to do but groan in frustration and disappointment of unmet expectations.
In fulfillment of a promise to take half of the film's story lines and add my usual witty, delightful spin, I will now give you a rundown of the Aniston/Affleck, Goodwin/Long, and Barrymore/Connelly love pairings. Pairings, as in, boxed wine with Velveeta.
Aniston/Affleck: For the first 90% of the film's run time, Ben Affleck adamantly proclaims his distaste for all things marraige. He hates it, doesn't understand it, does not want it, and will not touch it with a 30 foot pole, even with the gorgeous Jennifer Aniston being hit with the end of it.
Then Jen's father takes a turn for the worse at her little sister's wedding (yes! Horror of all horrors, the younger sister is married before the older, spinster sister. Where are we? 1786?). Ben comes to the rescue, Jen realizes he's the one no matter if he won't sign a flimsy piece of paper that ensures inheritance rights, spousal coverage on health insurance, and access to additional 5th Amendment rights. No, she's willing to give it all up just so long as Ben leaves his ratty khaki pants on his boat before moving back home with her.
In the biggest surprise of the entire movie, a surprise that no one saw coming or foreshadowed with the pants bit, Ben moves home and does some laundry. As Jen is helping him fold said laundry she sees the contemptible ratty pants.
She attempts to throw them out, but just when she hits the trash can, Ben tells her to check the pockets first. Oh my god, what do you think's gonna happen????
She finds an engagement ring, and Ben says, "I can't be happy unless you're happy. So I'm going to throw away 33 years of concrete, dogmatic beliefs just so that you feel better about yourself. Forget that I will be secretly waiting for our marriage to end in an ugly armageddon of a divorce 15 years after we say our vows, just as it happened to my parents. Hopefully any children we will have by then will be spared the humiliation and lifelong hatred for marriage that I was left with."
Don't you think that was romantic? And completely unpredictable? I'm sure glad they adapted a perfectly good book into a movie like this.
Goodwin/Long: Ginnifer Goodwin and the Mac Guy represent the major story line of the entire movie. In fact, Justin Long (aka: Mac Guy) is the conduit for Greg Behrendt's famous adage. You'll remember that Greg Behrendt is the brain trust behind the He's Just Not That Into You craze.
Mac Guy spent 75% of the film being charming, witty, and entertaining, while Goodwin spent it stereotyping women as crazy, overly dependent, and given to stalking.
They begin as friends, and when Goodwin realizes that the signals coming from Mac Guy scream "jump my bones," she, well, jumps his bones. Mac Guy is not amused. In fact, this seems the end of it as he calls her a crazy, overly dependent woman with stalkerish tendencies. She fights back with a stinger, saying at least she puts herself out there to be hurt. Burn!
Sidenote: It is this author's opinion that this new, "modern," tendency by society to expect women to always "put themselves out there" does not help the stereotype of us as crazy, dependent, stalkerish women. Nor the stereotype of men as lazy, noncommittal losers. In fact, it is this author's strong opinion that men need to go back to being "the hunters," while women remain "the hunted." With all the talk of Women's Lib and equality, men need one place to maintain the facade of the "dominant," masculine sex. Let that materialize in the realm of dating, and for god's sake, let's bring chivalry back.
This particular story line came to a close with Goodwin narrating that women shouldn't need a man to feel successful, and that a relationship neither defines nor brings value to her. However, to complete the Capra Effect the screenwriters were so valiantly trying to imitate (yet, were woefully inadequate), Mac Guy shows up at Goodwin's door to profess his love. They live happily ever after by reading each other's minds and winning at group board games.
Barrymore/Connolly: I hate to ruin it for all of you folks who were excited at the prospect of seeing some Lesbian action between Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly. The "Connolly" to which I refer is Kevin Connolly, formerly known as "E" on Entourage.
These two only hooked up at the end of the movie, and so my only comment is to thank New Line Cinema and the writers of this script for sparing us the glaring lack of romantic chemistry between Barrymore and Connolly. Thank you for not dragging it out for the full 120 minutes. However, I'm sure McArnold has something to say about the glaring lack of chemistry between ScarWhore and Connolly or, for that matter, ScarWhore and That Guy From Alias.
My biggest criticism with this movie and all others like it, is that the writers spend most of the film's run time convincing women that they do not need men in their fabulous lives. Yet, by the end of the movie, all female characters are shacked up and loving themselves. This film was no different, with all but two female leads (see Accidental Wisconsinite for the recaps) winding up with a man. And these two females in question were not convincing in their contrived, manless happiness.
Bottom Line?
I relegate He's Just Not That Into You to the cinematic category of, "when bad movies happen to good books."
Monday, February 9, 2009
I Heart My City: Milwaukee Edition
My City Questionnaire, brought to you by National Geographic Traveler. National Geographic's Traveler Magazine focuses on cities this month, and they're asking for input from readers to represent their city. Let's hear it for Milwaukee!
The Cream City is My City.
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Lucille's Rockin' Piano Bar. Where else can you sit on a piano and be called dirty names?
When I crave a night of belly laughs I always go to the original, Comedy Sportz Milwaukee.
To escape the winter doldrums I head to Milwaukee Public Museum's butterfly garden.
If I want to be placed on hold and enjoy a good waste of time I go and dial Topper's pizza to order a pie for delivery (414) 466-7777.
For complete quiet, I can hide away perusing the J.R.R. Tolkien Collection at Marquette University Library. Including hand-written manuscripts for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Bronze Fonz or the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages.
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Crawdaddy's it has to be the jumbalaya. Be sure to have a local brew on hand to put out the fire - this dish is spicy delicious!
Milwaukee Public Market is my one-stop shop for great fresh, independent food.
Locals know to skip Starbuck's and check out Alterra instead. This coffee shop specializes in free trade, environmentally friendly products.
When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to shows at The Rave.
For a huge splurge I go to big ticket shows at The Pabst.
Photo ops in my city include Milwaukee Art Museum's Quadracci Pavilion and the best vantage points are inside the Windhover Hall, and along the lakefront.
If my city were a celebrity it'd be Drew Barrymore - glamorous when necessary, fun-loving and easy-going the other 98% of the time.
The most random thing about my city is we were voted Most Sexiest City in 2008 by Marie Claire magazine.
My city has the most friendly, fun-loving men.
My city has the most down-to-earth women.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves sailboat lessons, kite flying, and playing frisbee with friends along the lakeshore.
My city's best museum is the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Don't judge - we're all kids at heart.
My favorite jogging/walking route is along the Menomonee River Parkway. Removed from the crowds at the lakefront, this winding, tree-lined path is the perfect escape for your workout.
For a night of dancing, go to Salsa Saturdays at the Hot Water Wherehouse. Or, for live music, check out Cafe Luna Lounge for some jazz, R&B, and funk.
Pizza Shuttle on the East Side is the spot for late-night eats.
To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read OnMilwaukee.com.
You can tell a lot about my city from seeing the diversity of folks who attend Jazz in the Park every Thursday night in the summer. From socialites to college frat boys, this event has something for everyone
You can tell if someone is from my city if they know their lagers from their ales.
In the spring you should put away the snow shovel, and celebrate the first spring thaw by wearing shorts and flip flops when it's 50 degrees outside.
In the summer you should attend at least one cultural festival per week. Irish Fest, Italian Fest, German Fest, Bastille Days, Indian Summer, Mexican Fiesta, and more - summer in Milwaukee is a celebration of the diversity of its population.
In the fall you should celebrate Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Inn.
In the winter you should take a ride on the Jingle Bus to tour the city and Milwaukee's Holiday Lights Festival.
A hidden gem in my city is the view from Milwaukee's Old North Point Water Tower.
For a great breakfast joint try Cranky Al's on North and 68th.
Don't miss the world's largest music festival in Summer Fest.
Just outside my city, you can visit the Jelly Belly factory in Pleasant Prairie, WI.
The best way to see my city is to sample the city's breweries on The Brew City Queen II Riverwalk Boat Tours.
If my city were a pet it would be a golden retriever - trusting, gentle and friendly. Would also make a poor guard dog.
If I didn't live in a city, I'd live (where?) on a cottage on the Adriatic Sea. Preferably in Croatia.
The best book about my city is Cream City Chronicles: Stories of Milwaukee's Past by John Gurda. It's a collection of short stories based on Milwaukee's history, and John Gurda's Sunday columns in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is You Know You Should by The Faders.
If you have kids, you won't want to miss the weiner dog races at Germanfest.
The premise of TV's great Laverne & Shirley could only happen in my city. Saturday tours of Lakefront Brewery allow visitors to enjoy an homage to the show with the age-old glove-on-the-bottling-line schtick.
My city should be featured on your cover or website because everyone loves seeing the underdog win.
The Cream City is My City.
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Lucille's Rockin' Piano Bar. Where else can you sit on a piano and be called dirty names?
When I crave a night of belly laughs I always go to the original, Comedy Sportz Milwaukee.
To escape the winter doldrums I head to Milwaukee Public Museum's butterfly garden.
If I want to be placed on hold and enjoy a good waste of time I go and dial Topper's pizza to order a pie for delivery (414) 466-7777.
For complete quiet, I can hide away perusing the J.R.R. Tolkien Collection at Marquette University Library. Including hand-written manuscripts for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Bronze Fonz or the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages.
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Crawdaddy's it has to be the jumbalaya. Be sure to have a local brew on hand to put out the fire - this dish is spicy delicious!
Milwaukee Public Market is my one-stop shop for great fresh, independent food.
Locals know to skip Starbuck's and check out Alterra instead. This coffee shop specializes in free trade, environmentally friendly products.
When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to shows at The Rave.
For a huge splurge I go to big ticket shows at The Pabst.
Photo ops in my city include Milwaukee Art Museum's Quadracci Pavilion and the best vantage points are inside the Windhover Hall, and along the lakefront.
If my city were a celebrity it'd be Drew Barrymore - glamorous when necessary, fun-loving and easy-going the other 98% of the time.
The most random thing about my city is we were voted Most Sexiest City in 2008 by Marie Claire magazine.
My city has the most friendly, fun-loving men.
My city has the most down-to-earth women.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves sailboat lessons, kite flying, and playing frisbee with friends along the lakeshore.
My city's best museum is the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Don't judge - we're all kids at heart.
My favorite jogging/walking route is along the Menomonee River Parkway. Removed from the crowds at the lakefront, this winding, tree-lined path is the perfect escape for your workout.
For a night of dancing, go to Salsa Saturdays at the Hot Water Wherehouse. Or, for live music, check out Cafe Luna Lounge for some jazz, R&B, and funk.
Pizza Shuttle on the East Side is the spot for late-night eats.
To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read OnMilwaukee.com.
You can tell a lot about my city from seeing the diversity of folks who attend Jazz in the Park every Thursday night in the summer. From socialites to college frat boys, this event has something for everyone
You can tell if someone is from my city if they know their lagers from their ales.
In the spring you should put away the snow shovel, and celebrate the first spring thaw by wearing shorts and flip flops when it's 50 degrees outside.
In the summer you should attend at least one cultural festival per week. Irish Fest, Italian Fest, German Fest, Bastille Days, Indian Summer, Mexican Fiesta, and more - summer in Milwaukee is a celebration of the diversity of its population.
In the fall you should celebrate Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Inn.
In the winter you should take a ride on the Jingle Bus to tour the city and Milwaukee's Holiday Lights Festival.
A hidden gem in my city is the view from Milwaukee's Old North Point Water Tower.
For a great breakfast joint try Cranky Al's on North and 68th.
Don't miss the world's largest music festival in Summer Fest.
Just outside my city, you can visit the Jelly Belly factory in Pleasant Prairie, WI.
The best way to see my city is to sample the city's breweries on The Brew City Queen II Riverwalk Boat Tours.
If my city were a pet it would be a golden retriever - trusting, gentle and friendly. Would also make a poor guard dog.
If I didn't live in a city, I'd live (where?) on a cottage on the Adriatic Sea. Preferably in Croatia.
The best book about my city is Cream City Chronicles: Stories of Milwaukee's Past by John Gurda. It's a collection of short stories based on Milwaukee's history, and John Gurda's Sunday columns in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is You Know You Should by The Faders.
If you have kids, you won't want to miss the weiner dog races at Germanfest.
The premise of TV's great Laverne & Shirley could only happen in my city. Saturday tours of Lakefront Brewery allow visitors to enjoy an homage to the show with the age-old glove-on-the-bottling-line schtick.
My city should be featured on your cover or website because everyone loves seeing the underdog win.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Oh yeah, that happened!
WISN just told me that this time last year was the Great 28-Hour Blizzard of '08. Today, however, is the beginning of a delightful heat wave (by Wisconsin standards) and the start of my half-marathon training.
Let's commence with the reminiscing of this day last year...
I fondly remember calling my boss and refusing to go into work. I didn't take a personal day on the grounds that the organization should value my life more than it did. At the time, I worked at a nonprofit that ran a school and a senior center. The school and senior center were closed, yet the rest of us had to come in. I refused on the basis that I didn't want to die only to arrive at work and be told to go home early. Though now, as I write, I realize that if I would've died on the way to work I wouldn't, in fact, arrive at work. Bygones.
I do not fondly remember the need to shovel 4 times over the course of that 28 hours. I must note that this snowmageddon came exactly 2 weeks after I moved to a new apartment that required me to shovel. Mother Nature is a b*&@# sometimes.
The local NBC affiliate preempted all of their programming for the day to bring round the clock breaking coverage of this storm. This coverage consisted of bundled up reporters in white-out conditions standing along the street, trying to get the few brave drivers to stop and talk to them. Amusing. And better than Days of Our Lives.
Thus ends the remembrance of snowstorms past. In all honesty, I do not remember much from that day, having blocked it from my memory.
In somewhat related news: For once, I'm glad this isn't Wisconsin.
Let's commence with the reminiscing of this day last year...
I fondly remember calling my boss and refusing to go into work. I didn't take a personal day on the grounds that the organization should value my life more than it did. At the time, I worked at a nonprofit that ran a school and a senior center. The school and senior center were closed, yet the rest of us had to come in. I refused on the basis that I didn't want to die only to arrive at work and be told to go home early. Though now, as I write, I realize that if I would've died on the way to work I wouldn't, in fact, arrive at work. Bygones.
I do not fondly remember the need to shovel 4 times over the course of that 28 hours. I must note that this snowmageddon came exactly 2 weeks after I moved to a new apartment that required me to shovel. Mother Nature is a b*&@# sometimes.
The local NBC affiliate preempted all of their programming for the day to bring round the clock breaking coverage of this storm. This coverage consisted of bundled up reporters in white-out conditions standing along the street, trying to get the few brave drivers to stop and talk to them. Amusing. And better than Days of Our Lives.
Thus ends the remembrance of snowstorms past. In all honesty, I do not remember much from that day, having blocked it from my memory.
In somewhat related news: For once, I'm glad this isn't Wisconsin.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
JS article on college students losing job offers
I just read this article in the Journal Sentinel on how some employers are rescinding job offers to college students due to these difficult economic times.
I find it interesting that the reporter chose a native of India as her featured college student. The student is in the U.S. on a student visa, and instead of graduating in December as scheduled, when his offer of employment at Caterpillar was rescinded, he signed up for more classes in order to avoid visa expiration and having to leave the country.
I'm not saying it's bad. I'm not saying it's good. I'm just saying that it's interesting the reporter chose his story over, what I'm sure, are numerous cases of U.S. students facing similar troubles. With so many local manufacturing and engineering jobs being lost overseas - to India, for one - the reporter took a risk in receiving backlash in nativist sentiments against this student's dilemma.
Again, not saying it's bad or that this student doesn't have a right to gainful employment in the U.S. I'm just saying it's interesting.
I find it interesting that the reporter chose a native of India as her featured college student. The student is in the U.S. on a student visa, and instead of graduating in December as scheduled, when his offer of employment at Caterpillar was rescinded, he signed up for more classes in order to avoid visa expiration and having to leave the country.
I'm not saying it's bad. I'm not saying it's good. I'm just saying that it's interesting the reporter chose his story over, what I'm sure, are numerous cases of U.S. students facing similar troubles. With so many local manufacturing and engineering jobs being lost overseas - to India, for one - the reporter took a risk in receiving backlash in nativist sentiments against this student's dilemma.
Again, not saying it's bad or that this student doesn't have a right to gainful employment in the U.S. I'm just saying it's interesting.
Next Topic: Nobel Peace Prizes
Thank you, Scott Monty of Ford, for replying to my post on how I think Ford is behind in the hybrid race, nay, marathon. I had a great Part 2 where I was going to draw comparisons to Ford and the Biblical parable of The Prodigal Son in order to explain why everyone is so excited that Ford is devoting substantial resources to hybrid technology. Thank you for setting me straight, and I guess this means that I should only blog about things I have some knowledge about. Crap.
Well, in that respect, let us, Dear Reader, move on to the next topic. I just finished the most amazing book:
Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope by Shirin Ebadi.
This book provides a surprisingly intimate look at Iran from a woman's perspective. Dr. Ebadi takes readers through the political history of Iran and allows us to see her experiences in the ever-changing political and legal climate. She is a very courageous woman, and I was most struck by how she continues to carry such hope and love for her country, even after all that it put her through. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is literate and likes to read.
The most exciting part is that I get to have lunch with her today. Also, she is the keynote speaker for Marquette's Mission Week, and her address will begin at 4:00pm at the Alumni Memorial Union in the Monaghan Ballroom. The event is open to the public, unfortunately tickets are sold out, but they are having a first-come, first-serve simulcast seating at AMU 157.
Well, in that respect, let us, Dear Reader, move on to the next topic. I just finished the most amazing book:
Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope by Shirin Ebadi.
This book provides a surprisingly intimate look at Iran from a woman's perspective. Dr. Ebadi takes readers through the political history of Iran and allows us to see her experiences in the ever-changing political and legal climate. She is a very courageous woman, and I was most struck by how she continues to carry such hope and love for her country, even after all that it put her through. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is literate and likes to read.
The most exciting part is that I get to have lunch with her today. Also, she is the keynote speaker for Marquette's Mission Week, and her address will begin at 4:00pm at the Alumni Memorial Union in the Monaghan Ballroom. The event is open to the public, unfortunately tickets are sold out, but they are having a first-come, first-serve simulcast seating at AMU 157.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Ford as the Biblical Prodigal Son P.1
Hello Bandwagon, it's us, Ford Motor Company.
Today I was listening to NPR on my drive to campus. I stopped faithfully listening to NPR in December when they went two weeks straight talking only about the Big 3 auto bailout. A girl can only take so much outrage before tuning out. It's called avoidance, and it's a proven effect of mass media.
Today on NPR they were discussing, surprise, more auto industry news. The announcers were cheerily discussing the new deal between Ford and Johnson Controls in which JCI will produce batteries for Ford's new hybrid Escape. The announcers were talking about this as if it were the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I couldn't help but wonder (to borrow the rhetoric of our friend, Carrie Bradshaw) why everyone is celebrating Ford's poor foresight. Because celebrating Ford finally jumping on the hybrid bandwagon is just that - poor foresight on the part of Ford management. Only now, in the midst of a recession and in staring bankruptcy in the face, is Ford finally producing cars for the future.
Nevermind that hybrid technology has been in existence for the past couple of decades. Nevermind that Toyota is killing in market share for hybrid cars because they've been perfecting their technology for the past 10 years. This never mattered to Ford before; they simply continued producing their Escapes and F150's. Now Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, stated in the NPR interview, "We are at the point where we need to work with the battery supply base, the utility industry and the government in order to find ways to make electrified vehicles an affordable proposition for consumers."
No, Ford, had you enough foresight and competitive intelligence you would've realized that you were at that point a decade ago. Why don't you just make it easier on yourselves this late in the game and borrow from Toyota's history. Work with the government to provide a tax incentive for those who purchase your hybrid vehicles. It's been done before (yes, I am the recipient of the Toyota tax incentive), and it'll be easy to copy the legslation for you. All you need to do is open it in Microsoft Word and use the "replace all" function to change all mentions of "Toyota" to "Ford." Your welcome.
Today I was listening to NPR on my drive to campus. I stopped faithfully listening to NPR in December when they went two weeks straight talking only about the Big 3 auto bailout. A girl can only take so much outrage before tuning out. It's called avoidance, and it's a proven effect of mass media.
Today on NPR they were discussing, surprise, more auto industry news. The announcers were cheerily discussing the new deal between Ford and Johnson Controls in which JCI will produce batteries for Ford's new hybrid Escape. The announcers were talking about this as if it were the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I couldn't help but wonder (to borrow the rhetoric of our friend, Carrie Bradshaw) why everyone is celebrating Ford's poor foresight. Because celebrating Ford finally jumping on the hybrid bandwagon is just that - poor foresight on the part of Ford management. Only now, in the midst of a recession and in staring bankruptcy in the face, is Ford finally producing cars for the future.
Nevermind that hybrid technology has been in existence for the past couple of decades. Nevermind that Toyota is killing in market share for hybrid cars because they've been perfecting their technology for the past 10 years. This never mattered to Ford before; they simply continued producing their Escapes and F150's. Now Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, stated in the NPR interview, "We are at the point where we need to work with the battery supply base, the utility industry and the government in order to find ways to make electrified vehicles an affordable proposition for consumers."
No, Ford, had you enough foresight and competitive intelligence you would've realized that you were at that point a decade ago. Why don't you just make it easier on yourselves this late in the game and borrow from Toyota's history. Work with the government to provide a tax incentive for those who purchase your hybrid vehicles. It's been done before (yes, I am the recipient of the Toyota tax incentive), and it'll be easy to copy the legslation for you. All you need to do is open it in Microsoft Word and use the "replace all" function to change all mentions of "Toyota" to "Ford." Your welcome.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
2009 Super Bowl Ads
It seems necessary to do a rundown of the best and worst Super Bowl ads. The Super Bowl is, after all, the, well, "super bowl" of advertising to use the parlance of our times. In general, I found Super Bowl XLIII a bit lackluster until the final 10 minutes. My friends and I only really watched for the commercials, and even those we found somewhat wanting. I can't remember a time when I felt more apathetic in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. Regardless, here's the rundown as we saw it:
Our three favorites:
1. Doritos snow globe
Two coworkers chatting in front of the company vending machine. Coworker 1 comments on what a nice snowglobe Coworker 2 has. C2 says, no, no, it isn't a snowglobe, but rather a crystal ball. C1 is dubious and so C2 says the crystal ball told him they would get free doritos at work today. He then proceeds to throw said snowglobe at vending machine, glass shatters across the scene, and it's free doritos for everyone. The commercial ends with C1, not to be outdone, asking the "crystal ball" if he will get a promotion. He then throws the snowglobe at his boss, promptly hitting him in the junk. We can assume a promotion is not forthcoming.
This ad had my friend laughing so loud we had to rewind the DVR to catch the bit about the promotion. Every funny commercial thereafter was deemed "funny, but not as good as the doritos snowglobe ad."
2. Toyota with the big tranny
This ad showed a truck towing 10,000 pounds up a steep incline. An incline that also happened to resemble one of those spiral slides you see at old-school playgrounds (you know, the ones that are still made of metal and have yet to be torn down and replaced with hypoallergenic plastic slides by the mafia mom neighborhood police). What broke me was when the announcer referred to the truck's transmission as a "tranny." Something about how "towing 10,000 pounds up a steep grade isn't good for your tranny." It never is, Toyota, it never is.
3. Miller 1 Second Ad
Perhaps it was all the hype leading up to this spot, but my friends and I spent the entire Super Bowl waiting for this 1 second. Just when we thought we must've missed it, we did miss it and had to rewind the DVR. We were rewarded with a Miller warehouse guy gleefully exclaiming "Miller High Life!"
We laughed, and it was awesome. For one second, Miller did better than all of the Budweiser ads. In the words of my friend, "if I see another horse commercial, I swear to god..."
Honorable mentions:
Hulu Alec Baldwin - because Alec Baldwin is hilarious
ETrade talking babies - they're always funny
NBC Try Conan O'Brien - because seeing the likes of Martha Stewart and Tina Fey use "Conan O'Brien" in place of a happy ending was a happy ending in itself
Pedigree - I enjoyed watching the ostrich running out the house and, better yet, grandma chasing after it
Monster.com - the one with the moose head in the boss's office and the moose backside in the assistant's office. Anytime you have a moose backside you have an advertising goldmine.
The ones we didn't get:
godaddy.com - mainly because we're women and not the target market. My friends and I did not find these as entertaining as I think they were meant to be
Cash4Gold.com - I found Ed McMahon and MC Hammer sad and pathetic. Ed McMahon telling his gold toilet how much he'll miss it was the one redeeming factor.
Audi - this spot showed a man driving and crashing several cars through the past decades, and then setting his amazed eyes on the new Audi in present day. We didn't understand the purpose of all the other cars. They weren't Audis, so what was the purpose of cars through the ages?
Teleflora - the gist of this ad is to send flowers using teleflora because you wouldn't want to be the douche who sends flowers in a box. My question: how do you even order flowers in a box anymore?
To see the ads you missed, visit Spike or this super bowl ad website where you can vote for your favorite.
Movies I am going to see:
GI Joe, Star Trek, Land of the Lost, and Transformers 2.
Our three favorites:
1. Doritos snow globe
Two coworkers chatting in front of the company vending machine. Coworker 1 comments on what a nice snowglobe Coworker 2 has. C2 says, no, no, it isn't a snowglobe, but rather a crystal ball. C1 is dubious and so C2 says the crystal ball told him they would get free doritos at work today. He then proceeds to throw said snowglobe at vending machine, glass shatters across the scene, and it's free doritos for everyone. The commercial ends with C1, not to be outdone, asking the "crystal ball" if he will get a promotion. He then throws the snowglobe at his boss, promptly hitting him in the junk. We can assume a promotion is not forthcoming.
This ad had my friend laughing so loud we had to rewind the DVR to catch the bit about the promotion. Every funny commercial thereafter was deemed "funny, but not as good as the doritos snowglobe ad."
2. Toyota with the big tranny
This ad showed a truck towing 10,000 pounds up a steep incline. An incline that also happened to resemble one of those spiral slides you see at old-school playgrounds (you know, the ones that are still made of metal and have yet to be torn down and replaced with hypoallergenic plastic slides by the mafia mom neighborhood police). What broke me was when the announcer referred to the truck's transmission as a "tranny." Something about how "towing 10,000 pounds up a steep grade isn't good for your tranny." It never is, Toyota, it never is.
3. Miller 1 Second Ad
Perhaps it was all the hype leading up to this spot, but my friends and I spent the entire Super Bowl waiting for this 1 second. Just when we thought we must've missed it, we did miss it and had to rewind the DVR. We were rewarded with a Miller warehouse guy gleefully exclaiming "Miller High Life!"
We laughed, and it was awesome. For one second, Miller did better than all of the Budweiser ads. In the words of my friend, "if I see another horse commercial, I swear to god..."
Honorable mentions:
Hulu Alec Baldwin - because Alec Baldwin is hilarious
ETrade talking babies - they're always funny
NBC Try Conan O'Brien - because seeing the likes of Martha Stewart and Tina Fey use "Conan O'Brien" in place of a happy ending was a happy ending in itself
Pedigree - I enjoyed watching the ostrich running out the house and, better yet, grandma chasing after it
Monster.com - the one with the moose head in the boss's office and the moose backside in the assistant's office. Anytime you have a moose backside you have an advertising goldmine.
The ones we didn't get:
godaddy.com - mainly because we're women and not the target market. My friends and I did not find these as entertaining as I think they were meant to be
Cash4Gold.com - I found Ed McMahon and MC Hammer sad and pathetic. Ed McMahon telling his gold toilet how much he'll miss it was the one redeeming factor.
Audi - this spot showed a man driving and crashing several cars through the past decades, and then setting his amazed eyes on the new Audi in present day. We didn't understand the purpose of all the other cars. They weren't Audis, so what was the purpose of cars through the ages?
Teleflora - the gist of this ad is to send flowers using teleflora because you wouldn't want to be the douche who sends flowers in a box. My question: how do you even order flowers in a box anymore?
To see the ads you missed, visit Spike or this super bowl ad website where you can vote for your favorite.
Movies I am going to see:
GI Joe, Star Trek, Land of the Lost, and Transformers 2.
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