Tag / Tina

by admin

Travelling The 50 States – Wisconsin

Over my 48 years, I’ve done my fair share of travelling across these United States.  I thought it would be an interesting experiment go look back at those trips to each of the 31 states I have visited (62% isn’t bad, is it?) and see if, and when, I may be returning.  Working in alphabetical order, we wrap things up today with the 30th state to be added to the Union: Wisconsin.

State: Wisconsin
Joined the Union: 1848
Visits: 15

Over the years, I’ve made fifteen trips to the Badger State, first in 1993 and most recently in 2019, the majority revolving around sports.

I made my first trip to Wisconsin, and my only visit to County Stadium, with Scott and Joe for a White Sox/Brewers tilt on July 18, 1993.  Back in the days before cell phones and GPS, we were left to our own devices as far as directions.  I remember one of the signs for the highway saying it would take us to Madison, and, not wanting to go to Madison, Scott decided to get off the highway.  Which put is somewhere in Milwaukee with no idea of how to get to the ballpark.  Eventually we made it in time to see the White Sox pull off the victory thanks to a 2-run single by Bo Jackson in the 9th inning.

At some unknown point, I made a trip up to the woods of Wisconsin with my friend Mike, his father and brother, and Scott to clean up an old family cabin.  I have no idea where we were or how long we were there, but it was certainly an experience.

My next trip came in April of 1995.  When Michael Jordan returns to the NBA and every game in Chicago is a sellout, the next best thing is to take the long drive 90 miles to the north to see the Bulls battle the Bucks at the Bradley Center.  Despite 33 points from Michael Jordan, Glenn Robinson led the Bucks to a 104-100 victory, scoring 36.

With the opening of their new ballpark in 2001, the Brewers drew me back to Milwaukee in May.  In a pitching battle, the Cubs outlasted the Brewers 7-6 as closer Tom Gordon picked up his first save with the team.

I returned to Milwaukee in April of 2022, when Tina and I drove north to see The Kids In The Hall reunion show at the Riverside Theater.

My next three trips to Miller Park came in May of 2003 and July of 2004.  On May 12, I saw the Cubs, behind home runs from Damian Miller, Moises Alou, and Troy O’Leary, beat the Brewers 11-5.  The next July 5, Ben Sheets outdueled Matt Clement as the Brewers topped the Cubs 1-0.  Three weeks later, the Brewers topped the Cubs once again, winning 6-3.

After nearly a decade away, I returned to Wisconsin in October of 2013 for Keith Longwell’s bachelor party.  I travelled to the faraway land of Kewaunee, where the festivities included nights of video games and cards, nine holes of golf, where I mostly sat in the cart, and a trip out to some local bars, until we were asked to leave due to some drunken tomfoolery.

In July of 2014, Danny, Michael, and I stopped in Madison on our way to Minneapolis to do some miniature golfing at Vitense Golfland.  The highlights of the stop include Michael falling into one of the water hazards and plenty of picture opportunities, like with the Bucky Badger figure above. Continue reading →

by admin

Fitbit III: Week 47

Yet another disappointing week, as I failed to make my goal for the 5th straight week.  Things got off to a decent start on Sunday, where trips to two different movie theaters helped me come in near 7000 steps.  Monday fell back a bit, just managing to surpass 6500 steps.  Tuesday was back up over 7300 steps, my second best day of the week.  Wednesday was a big dropoff, falling under 4700 steps, despite a trip out at night with Val.  Thursday was my best day of the week, thanks to a trip down to Wrigley Field to check out their Christmas market with Tina.  Friday was another down day, just barely surpassing 3700 steps.  Saturday used trips to multiple grocery stores to enable me to finish the week on a high note.

Total steps: 43,940

Daily average: 6277.1

by admin

You Must Acquit

oj20 years ago today, I was at the Hilltop Apartment of my friend Tina, along with our other friend Kelley, waiting for the verdict to be read in the OJ Simpson trial before heading off with Kelley to a Business Law exam.  I imagine all of us were surprised that Simpson was found not guilty, more than 8 months after the trial began.

On June 13, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found murdered in Brentwood, California.  Immediate suspicion fell upon OJ Simpson, the ex-husband of Nicole Brown Simpson and NFL Hall of Famer.  He was arrested four days later, after leading police on a slow speed chase around Los Angeles from the back of a white Ford Bronco driven by his long-time friend Al Cowlings.

The trial, which made stars out of nearly everyone involved, from the witnesses to the police to the lawyers and the judge, was the news story of 1995.  While most people assumed Simpson did it, his defense hinged on racist cops who were out to frame the celebrity for having married a white woman.

I don’t remember much about that particular Business Law exam, or class, to be honest.  But the events of this day have stayed with me for the past 20 years.  The day a man (likely) got away with murder due to the color of his skin.

by admin

Concert Flashback: Garbage IV

12garbageWith the Cubs on the road, I was able find parking across from Wrigley Field well before the start of the show, Garbage’s first in Chicago in 7 years.  Prior to heading downtown to meet Tina for dinner prior to the show, I walked past the Metro just in time to see Shirley Manson and Butch Vig mingling with the fans, signing autographs and taking pictures.

In the less than 2 years since this show, I have lost any and all thoughts about White Mystery, the opening act.  We showed up in the middle of their performance following a delightful dinner at the Weber Grill.  Once they finished, Garbage came out and, led by Manson, put on a riveting 90 minute show that combined the bands hits from the past 17 years along with songs from their newest effort.

The night was hot, and not just because of the music or Manson.  By the end of the show, my shirt was completely soaked through.  But it was worth it.  While I missed their return performance the following spring, I’m looking forward to them coming back to Chicago once again and dragging my old self out to see them, reliving my youth for an evening.

by admin

Concert Flashback: Fiona Apple II

12fionaapple

After over 2 1/2 years, I returned to the live music scene, going with Tina to once again see Fiona Apple, this time at the Chicago Theatre.  The tickets were ungodly expensive, but we didn’t have normal seats, instead sitting in booths in the balcony that gave the show a different experience.

252754_10151091718224796_1864746358_nThe opening act was a member of Apple’s backing band.  The only thing I remember of his set was that he closed with a cover of Santo & Johnny’s Sleep Walk, which they reminded me was, in addition to the closing theme to the Wendy & Bill show, used in La Bamba when they find out that Richie died.

Fiona came out after that, and she continued to be an awkward stage performer.  She played all of her hits from back in the day, and mixed in some tracks from her new album.  Aside from her songs, there was very little interaction with the audience.  She didn’t say a non-song word to the audience until the show was over, when she thanked us and said good night.  But. that is what you expect from Fiona Apple.

 

by admin

Concert Flashback: Tegan & Sara

05tegan&sara

The night started early, as I left work a little early to head down to the city to Rock Bottom in order to catch the end of Game 3 of the ALDS, with the White Sox looking to sweep the Red Sox and win their first post season series since the 1917 World Series.  After the game, which, of course, the White Sox did win, Tina, Andy, and I hopped on the Red Line and headed north to Wrigleyville to check out Tegan and Sara at the Metro.

Apparently, there were 2 opening acts, neither one I remember or have even heard of.  To be honest, I don’t remember much about the show at all.  The album they were touring in support of, So Jealous, is one of my favorites and I’m sure I enjoyed the performance.  But, my favorite baseball team was headed for the ALCS, I’d just been to two playoff games, and the Weezer and Foo Fighters show was earlier that week.  It’s all sort of jumbled together at this point.

by admin

Concert Flashback: Foo Fighters/Weezer

05foofightersThe story of this show begins months earlier, when tickets were first due to go on sale.  I had access to a pre-sale, and just as it was about to go live, there was a fire drill at work, which left me away from my computer for some time.  Thankfully, I was able to still find decent seats once the drill was over.  My plan was to try and entice a girl I had a crush on to attend with me, and I had a few months to work that angle.

Sadly, things did not work out in that regard, so I dumped the extra pair of tickets I had and ended up going with Tina.  It seems as though the Kaiser Chiefs were the opening act for the night, but I don’t remember if we were there in time to see them or not.  Weezer was the second act of the evening, and, according to Internet reports, they played a decent mix of old and new songs.  They even mixed in a few covers, including a version of Big Me by their show mates.

Once they were done, the Foo Fighters came out and also mixed in old hits with selections from their new album.  They also managed to break down some of their hits with elongated guitar solos that gave the audience an opportunity to thrash themselves as much as humanly possible.

The combination of the two headlining bands made this seem like a the closing acts of a festival from a decade previous, but they both provided a good night for the crowd and a good kickoff to what ended up being one of the busiest, and most exciting, weeks of my life.

by admin

Concert Flashback: Chicks With Attitude

04cwa

So, how do you top accusations of selling out after putting out a pop album that puts off your vocal indie fanbase?  How about teaming with Maybelline for a tour meant to promote a new brand of edgy makeup.  The artists, Liz Phair, The Cardigans, Katy Rose and Charlotte Martin, “have been handpicked to represent Chicks with Attitude–strong young women on the rise who are an inspiration to other young women looking to find their own voice,” according to a press release.  Because why not, I was in attendance, along with Tina and some of her friends, when the tour rolled in to the House of Blues, just under a year since I saw Liz Phair previously.

I have no particular memory of Charlotte Martin or Katy Rose, either of their performance that night or their careers in general.  The Cardigans were next, and they delivered on the few songs of theirs that I know and enjoy.  Finally, Liz Phair performed, once again in support of her self titled pop album.  Just like the show from the year before, I don’t have any particular memories of her performance.  This album was probably the end of my Liz Phair fandom, so I’m sure I at least somewhat enjoyed myself.

by admin

Concert Flashback: The Bangles

00banglesNearly 2 1/2 years after my last concert, I headed down to the House of Blues to meet up with Tina and some of her friends to see the Bangles.  The band had gotten back together the year before to record a song for the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack and were touring for the first time in a decade.  I don’t remember much about the show, other than being entertained.  A good time was had by all as the band mixed in new songs from their upcoming comeback album with the hits that everyone was there to hear.

by admin

Concert Flashback: Alanis Morissette

96alanisLabor day weekend of 1996 brought what seemed like half of the people in my major up to the New World Music Theatre for a scheduled performance by Alanis Morissette.  If I remember correctly, I attended with Joe, Tina, and their younger siblings.  I don’t recall there being an opening act, or, if there was, we showed up after their performance.

I don’t remember much of the show itself, but I’m pretty sure the setlist consisted of the first album on shuffle.  I do seem to remember a post-show visit to the Dennys in Orland, because what is more classy than that.