We went to what turned out to be one of the most fun Christmas party’s ever this week at our usual hangout, McBob’s. I had a heads up from my friend, Clay, that his band would be playing so we made sure to get a good table (it really pays to be with a ginormous man in these types of circumstances), ate, drank, and were very Merry.
Thus, the Tripoli Scottish Highlanders…from the coziness of McBob’s.
Enjoy your weekend.
Twelve highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion.
Scottish Proverb
I’m not a church go-er but I have a church. It can be found in most large bodies of water but the shores of Lake Superior are pretty special for me. I get my Zen on there. We spent some time near Grand Marais many winters ago and listening to the shoreline ice form at night while the waves were hitting against it was very, very cool. The next day, the balmy 2 degreed or so sunshine would melt off the ice and the night time would bring it about again. This has been happening for, oh I dunno, about 10,000 years worth of winters.
I tend to stay away from churches in order to stay away from the hypocrisy many of it’s members live. Not all of them, I know a handful of people on the planet that when they tell me they’ll pray for me, I get a warm fuzzy. Many high profile church go-ers are having a Hay Day (and getting lots of press for it, not a shock) for their OPINIONS as to why they believe good, innocent people were gunned down last week. SRSLY? Fuck you.
Now, that’s not going to make some people I care about proud. I’m sorry. I really am. But I have no other response for how I feel about these people. James Dobson? I hope there’s a special room reserved for you in Hell. It’s likely I’ll be going there too but at least I’m real. What a weighty piece of shit. (Again, I apologize to the good people who don’t cuss.) I grew up with my parents praising this man for his good work on building Christian families. This is Christian? No thanks. I”ll take my chances with the church of Nature, thankuverymuch.
Everyone had reactions to the shootings, here’s the one that spoke to me…
Be sensitive, be kind, and dangit just Love one another! Do something nice for someone else today, just because…
Dan Ristrom
Dan is a Minneapolis musician who belongs to longtime professional entertainers Diane and Reuben Ristrom. I grew up with Diane at the helm of the Chancel Choir and she was the organist in church. Her music shines and when I am homesick for my youth, I find a church with a bangin’ organ and it reminds me of her. Anyways. I babysat Dan when he was a tyke, he was a handful. Though I haven’t seen him in years and years, I appreciated his advice and I followed it.
And just so you know “Dr” Dobson, you CAN pray in school. Anytime you want. You can also read the Bible. Anytime you want. Will they provide it? Nope. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring it. We did not kick God out of our schools, I believe He’s probably there now. But that’s not convenient thought for the rhetoric of your hate. Carry on.
It’s that time of year. The time when some of us reflect on the last 12 months; enjoy the highlights; try to learn from the lowlights; fix the parts of our lives that aren’t working; and hopefully give thanks for all of our blessings.
Food is a big part of that. Spending time with a ProStrongman brought that up a few levels. Heh. Living in Texas, with amazing food, helped too.
Honorable Mention…Braums. Their burgers were very good, much like Culvers up here. But the ice cream?
Holla!!!!!
I miss Texas food…kinda. We’re pretty spoiled up here in Cheeseville though.
I thought Alterra was the end all of good coffee beans here in Milwaukee. Then I found Svens…then I found ANoDYNE. Svens is still my go to. We also have Dunn Bros., Caribou, and if you’re really desperate (or in the car) there’s sure to be a Starbucks around the corner. In any case, if you can’t find a good cup of coffee in Milwaukee, you’re not trying.
And the food?
If it weren’t for McBob’s and Ono Kine Grindz, we’d starve. Or at least we’d cook more at home, but why when they cook so Ono for us?
Then there’s road food…
I know there’s more out there, but you get the picture. Heh.
You better cut the pizza into four pieces because I’m not hungry enough to eat six.
Yogi Berra
A little news article caught my eye this weekend. Maybe because it’s not related to horrific images and thoughts of terrified children; or idiotic rhetoric about tighter gun control; or especially having to hear or read anything from Il Duce Bloomberg using the CT deaths to get more press for himself. Ass.
Anyways.
The story is about a 51 year old transsexual by the name of Gabrielle Ludwig who has just been cleared to play on the Mission College (Santa Clara, CA) Women’s basketball team. Now, I don’t care what your opinion is on this entire situation, that’s not what the post is about. I’m sure both Gabrielle and her teammates have taken more creative shit than anyone else can dish out including an “it” comment from two ESPN radio commentators. By the way, ESPN clearly needs to conduct an entire personnel enema. More on that another day.
The part of this story that caught my eye, was that Ludwig humbled herself and told the team (when the heat was rising about her being there) that if it would help, she’ll quit the team. Their response? If she doesn’t play, they don’t play.
Well done. That’s team.
I’ve been a part of various teams since I was a little tyke. Some of them were better than others. Some had drama, some didn’t. Some were fun, some weren’t. We had a kick ass intramural co-ed softball team in college, that was fun. I had a hippie, clog wearing, pot smoking coach for my swim team when I was in junior high, that was crazy. His pre-race coaching advice? “Just Pablo Cruise jules.” Brilliant.
My besties, Char and Sheila, and I had some pretty awesome softball teams growing up made even better by Dairy Queen visits after each game. Solid. But I’ve never been on a team with such solidarity. We should all be so lucky.
Thanks to them and their story of unity. Best of luck for a successful season!
On this team, we’re all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
Lou Holtz
