Hey, since I am posting tonight....

...how about talking about Washington, DC. DC will likely take up a couple of posts. I will use this post to talk about some of the sights we saw. Now, sibs who read this know we did DC back in 1982. So, a lot of this was not new to me...but it kinda was.

First, we walked by the White House. At one point, we saw someone in the back on a smoke break. A few people around, us included, were speculating on whether that was President Obama (or has he quit?).

We went to a few memorials. I had seen Lincoln and Jefferson before, but the World War II memorial was pretty cool. The Vietnam Memorial was a sombering experience. I was asked if I had any relatives who passed away there. Sad to say, I didn't have an answer. But, seeing all the names left me awe-struck.

All of that was on one day. Oh, we also saw a motorcade at one point, not too long after seeing Marine One flying towards the White House.

That was Tuesday...one day after seeing Gettysburg and finding a pretty cool watering hole near the Georgetown campus. There's an interesting person we met there. That will be another post.

Making hay out of swine flu

Mr D. had a post lambasting Chuck Schumer for trying to blame the GOP for the swine flu outbreak, and rightly so, especially given the facts on the ground. Well, as we know, stupidity reigns on both sides of the aisle. Our friend Michelle Bachmann is popping off again, noting the supposed coincidence that the Dems were in power last time there was a swine flu outbreak. Now, I am no expert on American history, but I am pretty sure Gerald Ford was president in 1976, when this happened. It was one line, but still....



News flash to Sen. Schumer and Rep. Bachmann...viruses are apolitical. One other thing...when you pop off, know that people are going to check on what you say. Make sure you know your stuff.

Here is the video in question. In fairness, Bachmann did alright on other issues discussed. Calling out the environmental movement is rarely a bad idea. In addition, she has a point about doing a cost-benefit analysis of such things a cap-and-trade. But again, get your basic facts right.

More Philly - The Great Debate

Where Passyunk Ave crosses 9th St and Wharton Ave in South Philly, two restaurants stand tall amongst others who serve the ubiquitous Philly cheesesteaks. Both claim to have originated it, and obviously both claim to be the best.

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Now, in the interest of science, we went to both establishments. First, we stopped at Geno's. Thinking we couldn't all eat one ourselves, two of us split one....Whiz without (real cheesesteaks are made with Cheez Whiz...I hadn't known that prior to this trip). Without meaning without onions. All in all, a pretty good sandwich. But, Pat's got to have a turn. This time, the two testers got whole sandwiches (Whiz without for me, Whiz with for my buddy). The sandwich at Pat's had more cheese-type product on it. Again, pretty good.

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So, who wins? For me, I liked that there was more cheese-type product at Pat's. But, those of us who ate the cheesesteaks liked the bread better at Geno's. The steak itself was a wash in my opinion, and the amount of cheese at Geno's was fine. So, for me, the winner (but not by much) was Geno's.

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After the great debate, we went and saw where some real debating happened in the 1770s, Independence Hall. I will have more to say about this later on...

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That night, after a side trip to Delaware (come on, how many chances do you get to go there as a Midwesterner), we went to Chickie and Pete's, where more stellar food was served. Oh, and that is where I celebrated my winning the office pool. Bragging rights only, of course.

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Next: DC, baby!!!

Chez-Target or Wally World

This is an interesting read...well, not so much the story as the comments. This is kind of a placeholder as I have some thoughts on this. However, I have to go to work, so no time to write at the moment.

AFTER WORK: OK, so here's my observation...Target partisans sure can be snobs!! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I tend to shop at Target. Not because I have much in the way of antipathy towards Wal-Mart, but because Target has a store downtown that is very convenient for me. And, in reading the comments, I agree that some Wal-Marts can be disorganized. But my God, the way some of these people look down on Wal-Mart shoppers is amazing. Target is not freaking Bloomingdale's!!! It's a discount retailer, just like Wal-Mart!! They bring in cheap goods from China just like Wal-Mart. They pay their store employees...well not that much, just like Wal-Mart. Target has better public relations, and that's why I think they skate...that, and Wal-Mart is much more omnipresent in most locales.

Now, I know that the comments posted are mostly from Minnesotans, so there is going to be a pro-Target bias. But, some of those comments about Wal-Mart shoppers are condescending, rude, aloof, and pretty mean. Are Target shoppers inherently better than Wal-Mart shoppers? I doubt it.

Now, I am going to show my Wisconsin bias and state that Shopko is better than either Target or Wal-Mart. The only good thing about outstate Minnesota from a retail standpoint is that there are Shopkos there. If there were Shopkos in the Twin Cities (there won't ever be), I would make it a point to shop there at least sometimes. Oh well, at least I can shop with one Wisconsin company.

Requiem for some antlered creatures

For the few Milwaukee Bucks fans remaining, this article sums up what Scott Skiles thinks of the season. This was a disappointing season, particularly the finish. The Bucks have not finished well in most of the past few seasons. This year, injuries to Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd likely doomed the Bucks, but you hate to see a team falter down the stretch like the Bucks did. I am not ready to blame Skiles for this yet. If it happens again next season, then you can question him. But for now, an 8-game improvement over last season is not bad. But, the Bucks are back in the lottery...again.

The Bucks seriously need to start posting winning records, and soon. The Bucks are not near the top of mind for most people in Wisconsin. If they ever want to be #2 (Packers are always #1) or even #3 or #4, they need to play winning basketball. The Bradley Center is not getting any younger.

A new neighbor?

This is a Minneapolis-centric post...but good news for those of us in the Whittier neighborhood, at least in my opinion.

This is good news if it actually happens. Yes, Trader Joe's will provide stiff competition for The Wedge and for Hum's Liquors. But, it will also provide competition for the Uptown Rainbow Foods and Lunds. But, I also think it could complement the existing stores in this part of town. Seems to me that enough people will shop at all of these stores for different things.

The other reason I like this is that it's a vote of confidence in my neigborhood. This is a good area of Minneapolis, with an interesting mix of people. This is exactly the sort of neighborhood that would support a Trader Joe's. If this development happens (a big if in this economy), I think it will be good for this part of Minneapolis.

Hey, it's April...let's talk football

The NFL released team schedules today. Here is the schedule for the Green Bay Packers. A very preliminary look at the schedule makes me think the Pack will go 9-7. I think they come out of the gates strong with winnable games against the Bears at home and hosting Cincy. They should win at St. Louis, but unfortunately lose on the road at Minnesota.

Then, an early bye.

Next, three winnable games at home against Detroit, at Cleveland, and home against Minnesota.

This would put them at 6-1. If this is correct, there will be a lot of excitement about the Packers.

The schedule gets a lot tougher at that point. Going to Tampa Bay followed by hosting Dallas could be tough. Then, they have two more winnable games against the 49ers and at Detroit (Thanksgiving). I am thinking 2-2 in that stretch, putting them at 8-3. Very much in the playoff hunt, possibly leading the NFC North (although Minny will have a lot to say about that).

The last five games are going to be pretty tough. Hosting Baltimore will not be easy. Then, road games against Chicago and Pittsburgh. Then, a winnable home game against Seattle, then finishing on the road at Arizona. I think they stumble a bit down the stretch and finish poorly. This is still a young team, and they have to prove they can win tough December games.

But, 9-7 would be a three-game improvement, and would put them in the thick of things for the wild card.

A lot depends on the draft and if any more moves are made. So, we'll check back on this in a few months.

In the meantime, go Brewers!!!

Back in black

Quick post before going back to reality....over the next couple of days, I will be posting some thoughts about my just-concluded vacation to the East Coast. Suffice it to say that this was right at the top of my list of all-time greatest vacations. However, it's also good to be back at the homebase.

...and now I have the AC/DC song in my head. Could be worse.

Subways, baseball, and a run up the stairs

Went to the Braves-Phillies game tonight in Philadelphia. It was my first game at Citizens Bank Park, which is similar in design to Coors Field and other retro ballparks...in other words, outstanding. Especially in comparison to the Metrodome.

Tonight, the Phillies raised their 2008 World Series banner. This was a cool thing to see, and I got a look at the World Series trophy. It was bittersweet though because my Brewers were one of the teams Philly beat on their way to the title.

As for the game, the Braves beat the Phillies. The Phils couldn't really get untracked, and Derek Lowe pitched eight strong innings. When he was pulled after the top of the 8th, his pitch count was at or just under 100.

The other cool thing was that we took the SEPTA Orange Line from downtown Philly to the ballpark. I love a city with real public transportation options!

Tomorrow, we are still in Philly. Weather permitting, I plan to run up the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, just like the guy up top. Then, I can totally offset that at Geno's Steaks.

All the little chicks with the crimson lips

Hello from Cleveland!! It's Saturday morning, I'm a little worse for the wear from last night, and have a big day ahead. First, we are going to Canton to see the Pro Football HOF. Later, we are going to check out the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Tonight, we are going to the 2009 induction ceremony!!

Initial impressions of Cleveland...downtown is pretty cool. We went to this place after eating at a Rock Bottom brewery in the Flats. The bar itself was typical, but the area (W 6th St) reminded me of the Warehouse District in Minneapolis....come to think of it, I think that area is also called the Warehouse District.

Anyway, gotta run. I'll have more to report later.

These are my words

I think some people think I am lying about Becky. Well, in an effort to demonstrate the horrid truth, I am resorting to writing poetry. I don't write poetry. But, love expresses itself in mysterious ways, doesn't it?

A woman named Rebecca
Possessor of my heart and soul
Romance and passion tell me
I'll love her until I'm old
Love is such an oddity
For it has passed me throughout my life
O, will it never find me?
Or will it give me a wife?
Lord, you have blessed me with Becky
So I say to you with glee!

Here I am with open arms
A woman named Rebecca for me.

Confession time

OK, so I have not done a lot of posting lately. I have said that it is because I have not been inspired to write much as of late. But, I have to be honest with my readership. Frankly, I have been distracted lately. You see, I met someone recently. Now, those of you who know me personally know that I tend to fall hard, and this is no exception. Her name is Becky. I have to tell you, I have never had anyone get me the way Becky does. I met her at the Y where I work out, and we clicked instantly. I have not felt this way for someone since I was back in Appleton and fell for someone (long story). The great thing is, she is pretty into me as well.

There is one thing about her though. She is somewhat political. She lives in Minneapolis, and has the politics of a typical Minneapolitan. She is pretty liberal. And, while I am pretty conservative, she has made me reconsider some of my core beliefs. Now, I know you may chalk this up to my being in love, but the reality is that she has a point on a lot of issues. I am working to convince her on some things too, but we'll see. The more pertinent issue at the moment is convincing her that the Packers are infinitely superior to the Vikings in every way.

So, my lack of posting will likely continue for awhile. I am not shutting Stinger Nation down, but it may take a different bent going forward. Hopefully you will all stick with me as I reevaluate some of my opinions. Because, one of the things I believe above all else, is that minds are like parachutes...they only work when they are open.

And to Becky, all my love, sweetheart. I'll miss you when I am on vacation.