I'm Hungry!

I got some surprise time with my nephew this week when my brother needed a last minute babysitter. And because ANYTHING is more fun than running, but ESPECIALLY hanging out w/ Joey, I said yes!

We met my parents for dinner (because as a general rule, we try our best to share time we get with that little man.) Not only did he ask to sit by me, he also repeatedly called me homey, which I was trying to teach him like a year ago. (Which proves my theory that he plays dumb when he wants to but he remembers EVERYTHING.)

As we got our food, he turned to us and said, "I'm HUNGRY." Emphasis on the hungry...as if he hadn't eaten in years.

I asked my parents, "Do you think he knows he's hungry or he's just saying that because before anyone gives him food we always ask, 'Joey are you hungry?'"

Both my parents responded with resounding certainty that he definitely knows when he's hungry. Definitely.

So after he downed almost an entire full size plate of butter noodles, half of my french fries, and 2 large pickles I was surprised he still wanted to take me up on my offer for some frozen yogurt. But as promised (and as is our ritual when it's just Joey & Angie) we went and got some frozen yogurt. I was even more surprised when he ate almost the entire cup (I had about 3 bites, but was for the most part, too busy trying to keep ice cream off his clothes, the floor, the chair, me, etc.)

As we walked out of the frozen yogurt store, he looked across the street and locked eyes with the Domino's and loudly proclaimed,

"Ooooh! Pizza! I'm HUNGRY."

No, no he definitely DOES NOT know when he is hungry.

Broken record

I have nothing new and exciting to say. Seriously, I wrote 4 paragraphs of a new post and realized it was NOTHING new. There was some talk about how I've been so busy this summer and how I like it. BORING. Then I talked a little bit about how I'm getting back into eating healthy and working out (couch to 5k for like, the fifteen time, and yes, I still don't like running). BEEN THERE. I even mentioned Friday Night Lights*. SHOCKED YET?!

I have nothing new to share. I'm a broken record and for the past couple weeks, life has been pretty routine. Nothing new or shocking or crazy to share.

Oh, except this ridiculously complicated recipe my mom found for a homemade body scrub. It was part of her incredible idea for a gift for my BFF this past weekend. We're all about the theme gifts...like "kits" if you will. So we made a relaxation kit. There was tea, a candle, a loofa and this homemade body scrub. Ready for how hard it is??

Get a jar.
Put a bunch of raw sugar in the jar. About 3/4 full.
Squirt a bunch of baby oil into the jar, till it's almost full.
Add some vitamin E capsules (poke a hole in them and squirt into the sugar & oil mix).
Stir it.
Slather it all over your body, rub it in and then rinse it off.

Your skin will be as smooth as a baby's bottom (and kind of smell like one too...a clean one of course.)

I made some for myself and it's pretty awesome, given that it cost about $3 and took all of 2.5 seconds to make!

So there, that's what I have for you. Guess I'm not that boring after all!

Oh, one more thing. I was informed by Rebecca she needed to google Tim Riggins** (prompted by my incessant rants about him, I'm sure). It saddened me that there were people out there who had not yet been exposed to the beauty that is Tim Riggins, so I figured I'd share with the rest of you. (all the pictures are borrowed from the google...)



*At some point I promise to stop mentioning FNL, Tim Riggins, Coach Eric Taylor and the like. Not entirely, but definitely I'll stop mentioning them every day...probably even every week at some point. This is a full fledged life impression taking place here people. We're talking Free Willy, Dangerous Minds, Center Stage kind of impression. I'm pretty sure I was destined to be a coach's wife. It's basically like the whale adoption all over again.

**It's important (actually the opposite of important in the grand scheme of things) that I clarify it's not Taylor Kitsch I'm clearly in love with. It's Tim Riggins. Which is the saddest of love stories. You know, given he's a fictional character. Woe. is. me.

Random thoughts.

Another day I'm unable to form a coherent post of paragraphs that are related to each other.

People are assholes sometimes, this I've accepted. Except when you're an asshole to my family. Then I'm closer to rage from the very bottom of my toes than acceptance. Consider yourself warned, a-hole.

People are dropping like flies. And by this I, of course, mean they're all getting married. Yup, more and more people getting engaged while I'm here falling deeper and deeper in love with Tim Riggins. Seems about right.

Sending me an e-mail in which both the subject and the message are ONLY "Hi there cutie" will get you nowhere...fast.

I can't stop hitting my snooze button. Seriously I don't even pick up the phone anymore...I just tap my finger around the screen until it hits the area I need to make it stop. Then I think, "Jackpot!" and sleep for 10 more minutes. This is becoming a problem.

There *may* be a relation to my deep seeded love affair with Tim Riggins and my use of the snooze button. I also *may* have yelled "Bullshit! One more episode" when the "last episode" played last night...I was supposed to go to bed by 10. Whoops.

I'm slowly becoming obsessed with roasting chickens. As in, I want to find a hundred ways to roast them and then do so daily.

Also on my list of obsessions, Pinterest. I know most people are using it as a way of filing style options, wardrobe pieces, fun DIY projects, etc. I am primarily using it to file away pictures of cute and snuggly animals. Then when I'm angry or in general need of a pick me up, I look at a raccoon carrying a kitten and all is right in the world.

I have come to realize over the last year that more so than not being a fan of change, I am a big fan of consistency. I don't care if you don't like me, just don't pretend to sometimes like me. Be consistent. I don't mind if you're always a dick, but don't sometimes be nice. Be consistent. I'm fine with you ignoring me, but don't SOMETIMES pay attention and then ignore me. Consistency people, use it.

That's about all I can muster for today!

10 Lies I'll tell you about this weekend

1. I am not dreading the fact that I have to fit in 2 workouts at some point because I was lazy this week.

2. I will absolutely be shocked if my boss tries to contact me via a personal contact number at some point.

3. I will not do anything in my power to make my brother smile.

4. Sunday will not be spent moving as little as possible. I will stay out of the sun 100% of the time.

5. My mom and I are definitely NOT planning on making not one, but TWO recipes that have butter in the title. (Seen here and here, in case you're also interested in NOT making them. Thanks to the lovely Jessica from How Sweet Eats for those.)

6. I do not intend on getting silly drunk with my best friends to celebrate one of their birthdays.

7. There will most definitely, absolutely NOT be multiple episodes of Friday Night Lights watched.

8. There are zero trips to Goodwill planned to scope out key pieces for a potential costume I'll need in August.

9. No country music will be played, subsequently I will NOT be thinking about marrying a cowboy and living happily ever after.

10. I will not be counting down the seconds until I can leave and get these lies started!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

You're about to find out what it means to me.

When my brother and I were little, my parents treated us with the same respect they gave adults. They explained to us that if you want someone to respect you, you have to respect them first. That adults should treat kids with respect too. I believe this is one of the best things they ever could have taught us. Our family might not be "traditional" by definition, but respect is something we have always had, hold in the utmost importance, and give to each other constantly.

You can, given this story, imagine how frustrating it is when I feel as though I'm not being respected. If from a young age, you're told that in order to get respect you must give it, it's infuriating when someone doesn't play by the same rules. And whether or not your parents have reinforced this same lesson of respect, we have all been told repeatedly of the golden rule.

Sometimes people get into a place of power and authority and somehow completely forget about that lesson. They lose all touch with the reality of how they would like to be treated, and their focus becomes strictly about themselves. This is one of the most unfortunate outcomes from success I have seen to date in the corporate world. It becomes very difficult to respect someone who is "higher up" than you on the wonderful corporate ladder, when they do not treat you with respect or appreciation.

Because this is a public platform and people could find this...I refuse to go into extensive detail. However, I will say this...If you're ever interested in REALLY making me angry and / or losing just a wee bit of respect from me? Call my personal cell phone (I have a work cell phone for this VERY reason), on a Saturday afternoon. And then? Then, when I tell you I am at a wedding and can't talk...continue to text me until 9:30 p.m.

That my friends makes for one ANGRY Angie. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I will give 110% when I am at work, but don't you dare F with my weekends. I am not one of "those" people. I have zero interest in working all hours of the night / weekend. If this is what it takes to be at the top of the ladder, I don't want to be there. I may not have kids now, but it doesn't mean I don't have a life outside of work. And someday? I will have kids, and when I do, I refuse to be the mom who can't leave her phone / computer.

I work to live, not live to work. This does not make me lazy or any less of a hard worker.

*Steps off soapbox*

Weekending...

For being one of my "low-key" weekends, I actually did quite a bit.

I watched the Friday Night Lights series finale with my dad. He cried. I sobbed. It was the most perfect series ending...EVER.

I had my first sleepover with my nephew. I was SUPER nervous, he was not nervous at all. He was angel. We watched three pixar movies and slept in the "big bed." I had more fun than he did. In the morning we went to McDonald's, Target and the Park before I had to give him back to his parents. Can't wait for the next one.

I met my cousin's baby (still not sure what that makes us).

I saw one of my oldest friends get "married" or, actually, celebrate the fact that she was already married. (This was a post-destination wedding "at-home" reception.)

I got accidentally drunk. Snuck up on me.

My boss sent me texts about work to my personal phone at 9:30 on a Saturday evening, AFTER I told her I couldn't answer her calls because I was at a wedding. (There will be more about this later...when I'm less angry).

I got PISSED. But proudly did NOT respond with drunken texts back telling her the things I was saying out loud. I'm so grown-up sometimes.

My brother downloaded a bunch of new music for me (that he would NEVER admit to having) and I just added 6 new albums to my ipod, including Jason Aldean & David Gray. My ipod is now oozing sexy.

I went to bed at 7:30 on Sunday, watched 2 episodes of Season 1 of FNL and was sleeping by 9:30. Much needed.

All out of juice.

I was a posting machine earlier this week, I am officially running out of creative juices. My work projects are suffering today too...I can't get my thinking cap on straight today!

So instead of a cohesive story telling, list including post you're use to this week, you're just getting random thoughts that have gone through my head the last few days.

Sometimes I like to think my Pandora station has a headquarters somewhere with little elves (or people, I guess it could be just regular people) who are picking out what song to play next on my station. They applaud when I give it a thumbs up. This product of my imagination makes me feel a little guilty when I give a song a thumbs down.

I have been fully immersed in "Texas Forever" this week. I'm re-watching Friday Night Lights Season One, in preparation for the Series Finale tonight. Though, realistically nothing can prepare me for that. I'm devastated. I've been listening to country music all week after the rodeo celebrations last weekend. I'm basically a Texan this week. Basically.

I believe I am still catching up on sleep and energy from last weekend. I have had a hell of a time getting out of bed this week and, subsequently, have been rocking the curly hair all week long. Which, as I informed my co-workers long ago, means I'm being lazy.

I did get back on the workout horse though. 3 days already knocked out this week and I plan on going for a walk after work tonight and some classes tomorrow! I knew I could get back to it if I really tried...the last two weeks I wasn't trying...or caring.

I signed up to adopt a soldier today. I blame the show Surprise Homecoming.

I'm a full fledged coffee addict. Somehow it happened. I can't pinpoint when, but I realized yesterday that every day around 3:00 I day dream about how amazing that cup of coffee is going to be tomorrow morning. (I tried to prevent this addiction. I only allow 2 cups, one while I'm getting ready and one on the way to / when I first get to work. Once those are gone it's back to water.)

This coffee addiction is the EXACT reason I refuse to every try cocaine. I've got a ridiculous addictive personality and I'd be a full blown coke head in no time. Well, that and it's expensive and can kill you. You know, those reasons as well.

Someone said to me today, "Yeah, well if *I* picked out someone for you to date, I bet they wouldn't urinate on your car" as a way of proving their ability to choose men better than I can. This is both factual and historical evidence against my abilities. Sad, but also very, very true.

Related: I saw a quote today about how if you make a mistake once, it's a mistake. Make it again, and it's a choice. I have learned my lesson and only ever chosen ONE person who would pee on my car. So there's that. I'm learning.

I'm over Emily Giffin. Seriously I was HOOKED (see?! Addictive.) for a while. I read all but one of her books in the matter of 2 months. I have not read this many books in the last 2 years (maybe an exaggeration...but also, maybe not.) But I cannot for the life of me care enough to finish the last 5 chapters of the one I'm reading now. I'm over it. I mean, REALLY?! How many books can I read about cheating spouses?! I'm also convinced she's cheated on her husband or been cheated on by him. Her books are BASICALLY just details of her life put into the plot. Why does she know so much about cheating? Or at least like writing about it so much?! I imagine her husband cheated on her and this is his punishment. She writes about it in all her books and makes millions off of it. Could just be me...

So there ya go. I've said it before and I'll say it again...that brain of mine is an odd place to be sometimes!

Happy weekend all.

Tested.

"We must carry this in our hearts, that what we have is special, that it can be taken from us, and that when it is taken from us, we will be tested. We will be tested to our very souls. We will all be tested."
-Eric Taylor, Friday Night Lights

Yes, I started this post with a quote from Friday Night Lights. Yes, Eric Taylor is VERY insightful. Yes, I'd like to marry Eric Taylor. And yes, the series is ending next Friday. No, I do NOT want to talk about it.

But I did hear this quote last night (as I'm re-watching the entire first season in hopes of lessening the blow of it all being over), and I loved it. I like the idea that when things change, when something no longer goes according to plan, it is a test. And I try my hardest, to rise to the occasion and pass those tests.

Every year on my parent's anniversary, as the reflect on all those years together, my dad always responds with "Who'da thunk it?" My mom then responds with, "me. I did. When I made the vow to love you forever, I 'thunk' that we'd be celebrating X number of years together." This makes me laugh...every. single. year.

As I embark on month number 5 post break-up, I'm having a little who'da thunk moment of my own. As I walked through the Milwaukee airport (for the sixth time since April), it struck me just how much I've done since that life changing day in February. Sometimes I believe life makes events like that happen to remind you to live your life. To take advantage of what you've been given. To not get too comfortable with where you are, or at least not to the point where you forget where or who you could be. I was comfortable. I was set. I knew what my life would be for every day moving forward...and then with one brief phone conversation, I didn't.

I still don't. I have no idea where I'll be this time next year. I have no idea who I'll be with, if anyone. I don't know where I'll be living, what I'll be doing or even what I'll want to be doing. And because of this I have started taking advantage of opportunities. I have DONE STUFF. I am doing my best to pass this test. To come out of this a stronger, smarter, BETTER version of me. I know that in times like this the best thing you can do for yourself is be a little selfish. Figure out what you want, who you are and where you want to go....strictly based on YOU.

I have been to Minnesota more in the last four months than I was the entire last year. I've been to Chicago twice. I've done more new things in Milwaukee than I have in the last few years put together. I've tried new things, gone new places and opened my horizons.

I threw a frat party with some of my most responsible friends in one of the nicest houses I know. I saw plays in Chicago with my mom and drag shows in Chicago with friends. I've seen concerts of new artists in different places. I went to a wedding and didn't cry because I was alone. I taught my nephew the word douchebag on accident. I had a crush on a new man. I kissed a boy. I got over another boy. I've gotten butterflies and I've gotten angry. I've coerced a man off a roof & threw beers to another in a tree. I've had a sleepover with 10 people over the age of 25 on a basement floor. I've watched the sun come up...twice. I started drinking coffee. I kill my own bugs at home. I created new routines (Spin & Target Sundays being my favorite). I have phone chats with friends who are far away. I've read 4 books in 2 months. I've been on dates. I've started being more honest, with myself and others.

I've fought with friends. I've cried. I've laughed a LOT more. I know there's more to this test, that after this there will be more tests, but right now, I'd say I'm on track to pass.

Block Party / Rodeo 2011

Seriously, I have been having some serial fun lately. Back to back weekends of ridiculous amounts of fun at events that are just too good to be true.

After working 3 days post-summerfest weekend, I was off again and headed back to my beloved Minneapolis. I believe this may be as close as I ever come to having an affair. I love Milwaukee with all my heart. It holds my family, some of my dearest friends, and 20+ years of memories. It will always be my home. Milwaukee is my stable partner, been there through thick and thin. And if that's the case, then Minneapolis is my younger, edgier, lover. My risky, crazy, release my wild side lover. And I am clearly in the middle of quite the affair right now. I love them both dearly.

My flight got in at 4:15 and by 5:15 I had a beer in my hand on the patio of Brit's. Damn do I love that place. I'm still holding out that that might be where I meet my accent-having, future husband from across the pond. We enjoyed some beers and conversations (and subsequently some air conditioning as it was H-O-T hot out there), before heading to the Basilica for the 2011 Block Party. After living in MN for four years, and visiting many summers after, I am shocked I had never been to Block Party before, as it's something right up my alley. (I have a VERY large place in my heart for music festivals with city skylines as the backdrop.) We tried one year but then right before the party was to start, Armaggedon-esque storms rolled in and we opted for some safe drinking indoors.

I made a quick pit stop with Tori to see my beloved Ted. An old friend from college, who my other half in a relationship few understand. He will always be one of my very best friends, regardless of distance and time between visits. For the first time ever we talked about the supposed night I professed my love to him and the questionable "grabbing" incident in Chicago. We caught up as quick as possible, as Tori and I had to get over to the show.

And a show it was. Dear LORD, David Gray is one sexy man and his music is straight baby-making music. Somehow Sae and Gina, two of my very smallest friends, managed to finagle their way up to practically standing on the stage. We were ridiculously close. And David serenaded me all night long. (Okay, he sang to a crowd of hundreds for a couple hours, but that's what it FELT like.) It was a fantastic concert and I've been craving his music since. Post-concert, after some how losing Gina, we stopped at the Newsroom for some delicious eats before calling it a night. (A night where somehow I yet again chose the wrong shoes and ended up with feet that wanted to make me cry.)

We slept in and relaxed on Saturday because we knew what was coming. Gina and I fueled up with some Chipotle before heading home to prep for a night I've been looking forward to for the past 3 years. The Post Hamel Rodeo Party at Inn Kahoots. I had my first rodeo experience back in 2008 and have been telling stories from it since. And this year did NOT disappoint. Once again I ended the "night" be watching the sun come up. We drank, we danced, we laughed (a TON). And because it was still 89 degrees at 10:00 we sweat our asses off. There were beautiful men dressed in their best cowboy impression (something that DEFINITELY works for me). Thanks to Sae's fantastic in-laws we had a good old fashioned basement floor sleepover only to wake up to a deliciously prepared breakfast. I heard way more than I'd like to ever hear again of R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet...I saw Jeanie have to put up with what I can only describe as a Dougie molestation...I perfected the creation of ice water...Learned about Jeanie's special sauce...Got translation of what the birds were saying at sunrise (It's "I'm going to take a mother f'n bath"...if you're wondering)...Shuffled for 27 minutes straight...Ate a porkchop on a stick at 5:30 a.m....Learned the difference between "the worst" and "the worst, Voldemort included"...witnessed cuddling with just hands...learned boys should still kill the bugs, even if their sleeping..."went" to the worst strip club ever...and saw one of my best friends (who's also one of my BFF's husband) in hot pink zebra stirrup pants.

I hope Sae's in-laws let us still have sleepovers on their basement floor when we're 30.

And the tradition rolls on - Part III

Saturday & Sunday

Because I have been SO much fun lately, I'm doing the re-cap of Saturday & Sunday together so that I can start posts recapping this weekend's events. (Block Party & Rodeo2011 need their own posts, too much fun for one.)

Also - I would split this post up a bit with pictures, but I'm never the one taking them. So imagine them in your mind, okay? Okay.

Saturday

Saturday morning we got another early start. My parents and nephew joined us for breakfast at my house before we headed out for our day of tours! We arrived a little late for the Miller Park tour so we ended up having to wait an hour for the next tour. Which was clearly the universe intervening and giving us the best case scenario. Instead of a quiet (and cranky) old man as our tour guide. We got the wonderful Louise. She was full of random knowledge and had fun made up phrases for everything, including gooju (for a goosegg on your head) which my dad and I thoroughly enjoyed. She made the supposed 75 minute tour last about 2 hours. It was hot but we got to see the whole stadium, including on the field, in the dugout, locker room and press box. I also learned many opportunities for wedding events...which have been filed in my brain folder "When I Get There..." This is also where Tori guessed an answer to a sports related question and got it right...prompting her desire later (after many more beers) to look into a career with ESPN. One of my favorite memories from the day.

After the Miller Park Tour, we made a stop at Stubby's for some lunch (which we were desperate for at this point...a 2 hour tour in a non-air conditioned stadium on a 90 degree day sure takes it out of you!). Over beers and BBQ we were able to regain the energy we needed for tour part deux. (Consider part deux foreshadowing for the Rodeo2011 post...) We were off to Lakefront Brewery! I have a special place in my heart for Lakefront and was very excited to share it with my friends. We all loved the tour (had a HILARIOUS tour guide, who taught us what a reach around is...a common courtesy if you're wondering), and after our 4 free beers were well on our way. This was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend for me. Sitting with some of my favorites and my parents just reminiscing on years past and things to come in the future. Following the tour, the 4 OG's (original gangsters for you not in the know...) were ready to take on Summerfest. After a HILARIOUS mishap with deodorant in the car (thanks Dad for patiently driving our drunk asses around!!) we made a quick stop at Branded at the Iron Horse before heading to Summerfest! After a visit to the Ethnic Village for some eats, we made our way South. We split up for a bit, Gina & myself at Phil Vassar at the newly renovated Briggs & Stratton stage (love it!) and Ben & Tori off to Maroon 5. We wrapped up the night in a taxi van back to Waukesha.

Sunday
Sunday is another tradition laden part of this weekend. We headed out west to the Elegant Farmer (one of the other rituals that has been included nearly every year of the 8 total). As usual, baked goods and cheese curds were acquired. Then it was off to the Nikolas house for our celebration of America. Gina provided the decor (lots of flags & red, white and blue). Mom made breakfast, lunch and dinner. All absolutely delicious, as expected. We ate, we drank, we swam. Then it came time to get down to business. The 3rd annual Bocce Tourney of the Sexes. This event has grown exponentially throughout the years. It's no longer JUST a bocce game. There's an arena. There's a rule book. And there is LOTS of shit talking. We play boys vs. girls and we play to win. Since the girls outnumbered the boys (5 to 2), we had to sit one out each hole and the boys went twice. Unfortunately, the girls took a hit this year and lost 2-1. (We always play best of 3.) However, I pulled out with a PR for least amount of whining about the game. In years 1 and 2 I did a LOT of bitching about heat, mosquitoes, ets. This year I was even on the Injured Reserves list as I had some pretty sever blisters from the night before. I showed up and played hard with minimal bitching. (Not nearly as much as the men did.)

As our gift to the hostess this year we presented her a fire pit (one I was supposed to buy her for mother's day 3 years ago...sorry mom!) So once we wrapped up the tourney, we built a fire, put on some country tunes and did our best to recall events of Summerfests of yore. It was the perfect way to end our 8th Summerfest weekend. I couldn't ask for a better tradition and sincerely look forward to this same weekend happening every year for so many years moving forward.

Summerfest 2012 has already been added to the calendar...I'm certain the agenda will be put together shortly!

We interupt these weekend recaps...

To tell you about the dream I had last night.

The ex proposed to me (in a not so great proposal...though I still cried - in my dream...it's still ME obviously). The ring was ugly...and fake. And it kept changing color and shape. And then it kept falling apart.

I do not need to seek out any interpretation or hidden meaning to this dream. It's pretty f'n clear.

Sometimes dreams don't make any sense. Sometimes they make perfect sense. This time was obviously the latter.

Stay tuned for Saturday's recap.

And the tradition rolls on - Part II

Friday!

As the agenda was jam packed with goodness, despite the fact that we didn't finish up the frozen pizza until about 2:00 a.m., we had a day of fun ahead of us for Friday. We slept in a bit, Friday was the latest we got our day started, at a whopping 11:30 a.m. Watched a little House Hunters, ate some breakfast, drank some coffee and we were on our way!

We started off the day with lunch at Thai-Namite. I've blogged about it before, a delicious Thai / Sushi restaurant on Brady. Which prompted the question, "Why do you keep calling this "Brady?"I realized I've shortened Brady St. to just Brady...apparently I'm in too big of a hurry for the St. Ben & Gina tortured themselves with three stars of spicy on their entrees. And later informed me this was a terrible idea and that should I dine here with other spicy eaters in the future, let them know 3 is just too many stars. We wrapped up lunch with a lovely conversation regarding the process of getting into the Summerfest Club. It's a rigorous process that we were (mostly) joking about. Hey after the better part of a decade (and four former Greeks), there needs to be some sort of initiation process! (Future significant others are automatically grandfathered in, FYI.)

We then moved onto a lovely driving tour of Lake Dr where we all picked out our favorite homes. Homes that would make the Elliotts consider moving to MN, homes I'd live in when I marry a Doctor (or also acceptable Dentist, thanks for pointing that out Ben). Tori even found an acceptable arrival experience, columns and all. We drove up and down and all around, until Ben got sick and Tori couldn't had a too full bladder. Thanks to Summerfest traffic, roads closed and my minor freakout, we ended up making a nice little pit stop at the Alterra on the Lake to use their fine facilities.

From there we moved on to the Art Museum, aka the Calatrava.

I'm shamed to admit I've failed as a Milwaukeean and have never actually been inside this lovely new museum (that makes the old building look literally like the saddest excuse for a museum ever.) They were setting up for an event (with fine china & a ping pong table...naturally) so I didn't even have to imagine what the set up would be for a wedding!

The China exhibit was just installed and with only 3 stops in North America we figured it was a good time to peek in and see some exhibits! Gina & I did a pretty special audio tour with highly enlightened observations of all things art. Though I'd advise it's not for the weak (and also not for anyone who wants to actually learn anything about art.) We were hoping to see the wings close, but it was too windy for them to be open. We also didn't get to see the infinity chamber...which we didn't even know we wanted to until they told us it was closed. Seriously, want me to want something? Tell me I can't have it!

So after we covered all the ground of the museum, and Gina and I had had enough laughs and commentary, and Tori and Ben had soaked up enough actual art knowledge, we headed out to FINALLY get on the paddle boats Gina has wanted to rent since about year 2. The wind prohibiting the wings being flown should have given us a clue it might be a bit too windy to ride out in the lake on a paddle boat, but we still gave it a good try. No dice. So we dragged a disappointed Gina on to Happy Hour.

Photo from Onmilwaukee.com

Given the booze from the night before (and the cheese curds, ice cream, wine and mass amounts of chicken in quesadilla, wrap and finger form), we weren't sure we were ready for booze, but we put on our party pants anyways and headed South to Bryant's Cocktail Lounge. It's a really cool experience and something worth trying! Happy Hour includes really cheap prohibition era drinks, mine came aflame. Also - it's the only stop that Ben sent a post card from, so you know it had to be pretty sweet. If you've never been to Bryant's and you live in or are visiting Milwaukee, you must make a stop. It's hard to describe without being there. According to their website: Open since 1938, Bryant’s is Milwaukee’s Oldest Cocktail Lounge. Indulge yourself with exotic lighting, plush velvet walls, and tunes from the vintage audio system. Cozy up in a booth while sipping on a classic signature cocktail and enjoying the finest service in Milwaukee.

photo from totalmilwaukee.com

From there we moved on to dinner, because apparently even with a packed tight schedule of events and places to visit, eating was our number one activity this weekend. We move a bit north of Bryant's up to Swig in the Historic Third Ward. After 8 years, we're working with honorary Milwaukeeans here, they know the Third Ward quite well. I was impressed with their knowledge of where we were and where we've been. (I can hardly remember and I live here.) We once again ate too much delicious food (first world problem, I know). As usual the service was impeccable and the food was fantastic. I have come to expect nothing less from the Sorge's though...

photo from onmilwaukee.com

BUT the night was still young, there was more to accomplish (read: more to check off the agenda!) We stopped for a beer at Cafe Benelux, another new Milwaukee place I had yet to try myself. Luck was on our side as we snagged one of the north facing tables on the rooftop bar AND an adorable (and tall!) waiter. The beer was cold, the conversation motivating (read: how Angie needs to approach dating)...and unfortunately the adorably tall waiter young. (I'm flexible in my age range but there's no way I can keep up with a Senior in college.)

After our beers we had ONE MORE THING to cross off the agenda for our busy Friday. A stop at the casino! (What? Your agenda doesn't cover art, paddle boats and casino in one day?!)


Though once again we had to disappoint Gina with her favorite parts of the agenda, as it was already nearing 11:00 our casino visit was short lived...as we had to be up at 8:00 the next morning! This was probably a good thing, as best case scenario we all walked away pretty much even...except me. I was down $20. I used all my luck the week before when I left ahead over $100.

And finally we headed back home...so we could start all over again in less than 8 hours! Hooray! Stay tuned for Saturday's report. We hit up the Miller Park Tour, Stubby's, Lakefront Brewery Tour, Branded and Summerfest! Not a moment went to waste this weekend!!

And the tradition rolls on!

Well, we have officially wrapped up our 8th annual Summerfest trip. And much like my pre-weekend post suggested, it was just as wonderful as I had anticipated. We spend months, LITERALLY months, planning, prepping and most importantly counting down the months, weeks and days until it was finally here! And then, in what feels like an instant, the weekend comes and goes. This was one of the longest "weekends" we've gotten to celebrate, and yet we talked at the end about how quickly it goes by. I'm going to do my best to recap our weekend. It's probably going to take a few posts as I don't need to write a 5,000 word post.

Thursday
The group arrived Thursday afternoon, thanks to Ben's driving. I'm seriously impressed with his timing and his ability to limit bathroom breaks. We took a quick ride over to the outlet malls at Pleasant Prairie and made out like bandits at J.Crew outlet. And in a fantastic twist of events, Tori spent the least. We were all a little proud (and also a little anxious about the amount the rest of us spent). As discussed, at least if we can't pay the mortgage, we'll look so good doing it.

We went immediately from the outlets to Jazz in the Park. It was the perfect night for it. We got some food, got some wine and laid down our blankets and set up camp. For a moment it looked as though a storm might roll in but it held off for us. I also learned Thursday night at Jazz in the Park, what I would do when I first saw the ex for the first time. It was turn and hide my face and say "Oh fuck, it's Christian." I was beyond thankful to be with the group I was with when I saw him for the first time. Honestly, these are some FRIENDS. There was support. After finding out how I felt and making sure I was okay, there was bashing. (Which I needed at that point.) There was blatant acts of forcing acknowledgment of our group. They had the perfect reactions, including instructions to keep the wine flowing. And now, I can officially mark seeing him for the first time off my list.

Before we knew it 9:00 had come and the show was over. We decided to move the party to more of a "local" place near my house. Where other than New Berlin Ale House (And Bowling Center). There was terrible karoake, bloody mary's, long island ice teas, and dirty girl scout shots. It was the perfect start to our weekend. We even cracked open a beer when we got home (I know, what party animals, right?!) After breaking my kitchen table (twice), we decided it was probably time to wrap up the night and head to bed. (Thanks Tor for fixing the table and Ben for the 3 sheets of paper towel, I'm sure me on the chair and Gina on the floor was a HUGE help!)

Coming up...Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday!