The Grand Prix Fix of Milwaukee

I had a very pleasant spring weekend. Friday night J and I went to the Brewers game. It was so nice after work and I was really looking forward to sitting in the lot and soaking up some rays. Of course Mother Nature knows that the weekend has started so she decided to bring in a huge bank of clouds as we were driving to the game. It still wasn’t too bad but the sun would’ve made it that much better. It was first day of the spring madness games. We bought Beer Pen tickets so I received my first free t-shirt of the year. We watched the crew lose a fairly boring game. We were out of it so we left in the top of the eight so we took off early. Canal Street just opened up so now its super easy to get home and the traffic is literally zero. I called Adam on the way downtown to see if he wanted to hit My Office for a bit. He did. So I picked him up on the way and dropped him and J off and went to park the car. Luedke showed up a little later with Anna and the five of us shot darts and had a good time. A late night stop at Myk completed the evening.

We had already planned to go to the game on Saturday and the weather cooperated a bit more than the night before. It was a nice sunny day and we headed for the lot at eleven. The same crew from the night before hung out in the parking lot. I got some good sun and we enjoyed a couple beers. We went into the game and got to witness a little history. The Brewers hit five home runs in one inning. That history doesn’t compete with my back-to-back foul ball catches, yea I’m still sore. A guy in front of us had gotten one of the balls. We learned later that the Brewers were attempting to collect all five balls so they traded the guy a game used bat and a ball signed by everyone, lucky dog. We enjoyed the rest of the game and headed out after the Brewers stomped the Reds. I didn’t get to eat as many hot dogs as last year. There was no real competition so I only ended up with a paltry seven. After the game we headed back downtown to Luedke’s and spent the afternoon playing dominos and watching the basketball playoffs. I was getting super tired but they motley crew wouldn’t allow me the privilege of going home to sleep. After dominos we headed to the Nomad which is a short walk from Luedke’s. We had some more beers there and got a couple of their Prix Fixes. It’s a special that really doesn’t appeal to me but I’m a sucker for a deal so I got a couple. You get a Pabst, a shot of Jamison and a cigarette for $5. It’s a steal and also a pretty hilarious combination. After a couple of those I was so tired I had to go home. Another stop at Myk to conclude a long day. The next entry will be coming from Hawaii! Mai tais for all!

What’s That Bright Thing? The Sun?

The weather is finally starting to get a little better and instead of feeling like collapsing on the couch after work I called up the wife and Luedke to see if they wanted to meet at the Ale House for some pints. I met them both after work on Friday and we sat at the bar and had some drinks. We got there early and the patio bar wasn’t opened yet so we stayed inside, at least we could see the sun. What was supposed to be a couple of pints turning into an all night affair because a bunch of our friends showed up. It was one of those “one more and then I’m out” moments where people keep on showing up so you can’t leave because you have to have a beer with them. So we ended up leaving the Ale House at about nine and going to the outdoor beer garden at McGillicuddy’s. J and I had one beer there and headed home about eleven or so. We stopped at the Myk on the way home to wrap up the night.

It was another nice day on Saturday and I just bought a new road bike and wanted to take it for a spin. J and I went for a short bike ride. It started to get a little cool so we didn’t get to go as far as we had hoped. It was nice to see the sun for a change though. After the bike ride we went to Kondo’s place for a cookout. There were a bunch of people at Kondo’s. We grilled out and had some beers and were home a little after ten. A fun day and not overly crazy which was nice.

Sunday was Easter. No families for either of us this year. We celebrated our one week anniversary by going to brunch at a new crab house called Rip Tide. I had a build your own Bloody Mary and the brunch. I also made the traditional Easter ham at home. We spent the day together, just the two of us. No holiday traveling was a nice change. Counting down the hours to Hawaii. Can’t wait.

Taking The BIG Plunge

The weekend has arrived that Jocelyn and I have been furiously planning for what seems like years, our wedding. Leading up to the wedding I wasn’t nervous at all. I unfortunately was sick and spent the entire week trying to get over my cold. Friday after work ended the running around and craziness started. I was able to relax for an hour at home before I had to run to get the DJ lighting from a couple establishments. There was a mix up on the lighting that I had originally ordered and I spent Thursday frantically calling around trying to find some lights. I think I found the last two sets in Milwaukee, a huge disaster narrowly averted. Rich and I hopped in the Montero and drove around Milwaukee picking the stuff up. A spring snow and rush hour traffic made for crappy driving. After we got the lights I took Rich to pick up his tux. Once we got back downtown I stopped by Luedke and DeBruin who were having a couple beers at Mo’s pub. Rich and I had one and headed back to my apartment. Once back at the apartment I got ready for the rehearsal. Jocelyn and I didn’t feel like driving so we got a ride with her mom. We were a little late but being the bride and groom we had the right. The rehearsal was actually pretty long. The pastor took his time in explaining everything very thoroughly. After the rehearsal we headed to Turner Hall for dinner and drinks. Many had the classic Friday fish fry and the food was great. Once dinner was over we stayed at the Hall and had a couple more beers. Jocelyn went home early to get her beauty rest but my job as the groom was to go out and enjoy my last night as a single man. So I went out with a couple of the Marti boys, DeBruin and Luedke. We went to the German beer hall that is right by Turner Hall. We had a couple more beers there and a five person shot on a snow ski. I was home about one and to bed at about two after I did some wedding day chores.

The day of reckoning. I woke up about eight and got my stuff together, checking and double checking. At nine I headed to Kenosha to pick up the rest of the DJ equipment. On the way I stopped at McDonald’s for a wedding day sausage egg McMuffin and a breakfast burrito. I got back to Milwaukee just after eleven. As soon as I got back to the apartment everyone started showing up. Todd and Greg showed up followed by Marti and my two brothers. Everyone just sat around, drank a few beers, got ready and waited for 1:30 to roll around. We got to the church on time and accounted for. The groom and his men hung out in the basement and watched the Brewer game on my laptop. The only thing that caused a hint of stress was my mom and dad showing up late and my dad wasn’t dressed because he left his tux with my brother in Milwaukee. When he finally got his stuff together we snapped a couple pre-wedding pictures and it was almost time to get it on. Three rolled around and it was go time. I still wasn’t too nervous but when the door opened and I took my spot in front of the church the emotions started to build up. Everyone marched out and I must’ve looked like a deer in the headlights as they came down the aisle. Then Jocelyn’s music started and as soon as I saw the white of her dress I got extreme nervousness and experienced an emotional flood. She looked absolutely beautiful, stunning. As she came down the aisle I have to admit I didn’t soak it up as much as I should’ve because I was concentrating on keeping my composure and not breaking down. The handoff between Jocelyn’s dad and I was the toughest part of the wedding. She was on the verge of breaking down, he was on the verge of breaking down and I had just spent the last two minutes trying not to break down. So I had a couple facial twitches and contortions but I was able to receive my bride without blubbering like a baby. The rest of the wedding went by smoothly considering I could feel my legs chattering and smacking the insides of my pants. My voice did crack a bit for the vows and I had another facial twitch but I was able to recite my lines without messing up. Jocelyn did her line flawlessly as well and before we knew it we were husband and wife and the wedding was over. I was officially married to Mrs. Jocelyn Rau. The wedding went great considering the worries I had over the music on the iPod and my emotions getting the best of me. After the wedding we had the receiving line. I got a little emotional with some people but that was to be expected. So after a hundred hugs and kisses it was picture time. A snap here, a snap there and we were done with that. Jocelyn and I had gotten a carriage to take us to the art museum. It was a nice sunny day but it was cold. A carriage ride is extremely slow and we were getting passed by people walking to the Badger hockey game. The carriage ride was very nice, as was the champagne, but by the time we got to the art museum we had had enough. We let the carriage go. There was an event going on at the art museum and the security guards were being assholes to everyone so we only got a couple pictures there. It was windy and cold so we did the snap snap and off we went. J and I got a ride with our photographer and thawed out on the way to Lakefront. Once at Lakefront it was time to get this party started! I had some beers and apps and did the rounds. Roman from work was manning the playlist that I created so I had to give him a brief on the night and make sure everything was ok. We had our grand march and sat down for dinner. After a speech by me, Rich, and a prayer by father Mike it was time to eat. I dug into the delicious food and we drank some champagne and reveled in the moment. It was a great dinner. After dinner Sr. Marcia had to leave and she said some very nice words to me which actually made me shed some tears. Almost tear a free day but leave it to a tiny nun to bring the water works. We then did the tosses and parent dances as well as our first dance. We had a schedule made up and we were about an hour behind which was great party planning on our part. The rest of the night was spent dancing away. I was a mad man on the dance floor and then playlist was the best, since it was my own. Some chugged beers and shots of Jager kept the night going. Everyone was having a great time and I didn’t want the night to end. But at midnight we had to shut things down. A couple slow songs and Varsity to honor the Badgers’ Men’s Hockey National Championship and the party was over. It was an amazing time. After we cleaned up the DJ gear and got it packed up we hopped in a car and went to hotel Metro. We had some more shots and appletinis and laughed with friends. Once the lights came on the night was officially over. We said goodbye to everyone and check into the Pfister next door. J was starving so she ordered a pizza which she ate while still wearing her wedding dress. Some more champagne with the pizza and it was time to call it a night. Another watershed moment in life is over. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Everything went off without a hitch and it was so much fun. I had a perfect day and now I have a perfect bride, my lovely, beautiful, Jocelyn.

The party didn’t stop on Saturday night though. The Brewers were in town and a bunch of friends and family came to the game to tailgate. My cousin Craig really hooked me up with sixteen free tickets. I was a little leery about asking for that many because I thought that some of the people that said yes to coming to the game the night before would actually be “partied out” and not show up on Sunday. But everyone and more showed up. We had a group of about 25. We grilled out and enjoyed the spring weather. Craig also did another cool thing and got J and I’s name on the scoreboard congratulating us on our nuptials. Jocelyn actually missed it because she was on her way to talk to her dad and sisters but I saw it. I stood up for my accolades and totally forgot to take a picture of it, the only regret of the weekend. I got see it though and it was very nice. I went up to one of the luxury boxes to meet with my East coast buddy Wertz before he flew back to New York. After that I headed down to watch the rest of the game. The crew lost but oh well, it was my weekend not theirs. After the game we headed back downtown. Adam and Stacey joined J and I for a dinnertime grill out in Juneau Park. We ate some brats and drank a couple more beers before wrapping up the weekend.

WHAT A WEEKEND! It was perfect and I know it will always be one of the best times in my life. I thank Jocelyn’s family, my family and all my friends for helping me make these wonderful memories. Also thanks to my love Jocelyn for making me the luckiest man alive! I love you!

Opening Day the Mexican Way, With Tequila!

I went over to Luedke’s to watch the final four games on Saturday. We hung around and had some beers. After the first game was over we went to Cans for a couple drinks. Luedke and Anna left so I hung out with Hand and went to BBCs for a couple drinks. They have my favorite beer, Hoegaarden, on tap. It’s the first time I’ve seen it on tap anywhere outside of the east coast. I had a couple of those and hiked it home. I stopped at Mykano’s to some late night grub.

Baseball season is here and opening day was Monday. This wasn’t as crazy as the last couple opening days have been. I left work at noon and took the bus to the stadium. This was the first time in a couple years I didn’t meet up with the Random Lake guys from Booze-Inn. Instead I met a couple of the Falls guys there. I hung out with them for a bit and then met Luedke at Lef’s Lucky town tailgate party. I had some food there and a couple beers. After that we headed into the game. The game was sold out and the Brewers won. When the game was over we were going to go to Lef’s but it was packed so we ended up at a Mexican restaurant next door. Anna met us there and we hung out for a while. Anna drove us back downtown. I went to My Office for a night cap and headed home. Stay tuned to a very special post next week as I get to give you all the play by play of my wedding, scary.