Can't believe it's been 20 years!

One of the primary reasons for my trip to CT this week was to attend my 20-year high school reunion. I was unable to attend the 10-year due to military commitments. I remember writing a letter back then to the committee wishing everyone the very best. I found out this weekend that they actually read my letter at the reunion. Here's a ten-year-old Thank You for that!

A few of my friends and coworkers in WI had told me that their 20th was the most fun of all the previous reunions. You figure after twenty years that most everyone has settled down in their lives and have put away the cattiness, the jealousy, and the prejudice. They were right. Even though I had not attended any previous reunions, I wasn't going to miss this one...and I'm glad that I didn't! I had such an awesome time reconnecting and talking with everyone who was there. I'm pretty sure I got to every one too. If I missed anyone, call me and we'll talk.

I had an absolutely great time!! I was in awe! The location was breathtaking. It was held at Tyrone Farm, a 160 acre country estate that was established in 1749. Gorgeous views of the area! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about everyone's life travels, what they are up to, and how they got there. I had no idea we had so many teachers in our class. There were so many, they could have staffed an entire school themselves. Thank you to them! Teachers often have thankless jobs, so Thank you. You are an integral part of our country's future.

Business owners, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and musicians...we've got it covered. But it really doesn't matter what you do. It only matters that you enjoy what you do and that you enjoy the people in your life. Each and every one of us at the reunion, and all the others who were not there, all traveled different paths to get to where we are today. Some realized their childhood dreams. Others realized dreams they created later in life. And some are still working on it. Put me in that category. I'm not there yet. I'm not even sure what my dream is. I have learned a lot of life lessons over the years. I've learned to appreciate friends and friendships while you have them, because you never know how long it will last. I've learned, and still trying, to appreciate life. I don't care much what I do in life, only that I am happy living it.

To all of my classmates ~ Time may have passed...Our paths may not have crossed in twenty years...but we will ALWAYS remain connected by the years we spent together growing up in a small town. You are all AMAZING people! I love you all!

Here are some pictures from my time in CT 

Great times with family and friends!

This trip to CT has been nothing short of a great time so far for me. Arrived last Thursday and spent a couple hours with a friend and his wife. Friday was a little more relaxed. I visited my 94 year old grandfather and had a couple of beers with him. Took him a few minutes to remember who I was, but he did. He still loves to tell his stories about Pearl Harbor and his Hawaiian girlfriends. I took a nostalgic drive around the neighboring towns and areas that I grew up in. So much has changed. So many great memories though. Visited another friend Friday night that lived just down the street from my parents house. This is a funny story about how much I have really forgotten around here as far as roads and how to get around. I asked my friend where she lived. She said "Cleveland street." I told her that I didn't know where that was. So she asked me where I was. I told her "my parents' house on Breault Street." She replies, "You jackass, I'm just around the corner, you can walk." I laughed really hard at that.

Saturday there was a big family party at my cousin's house. Just about everyone was there. One glaring exception was my brother, who is in Iraq at the moment. "Brother, I had a couple beers for you!" The party was a celebration of my twin aunt's 60th birthday, my cousin's 40th birthday, and her daughter's 18th birthday and high school graduation. It was really great seeing everyone again. Was hotter than two squirrels doing it in a wool sock though. Beer was cold.  Grandpa was there, but the heat got to him and we had to take him home. I definitely got a firsthand experience in geriatric care. Thank you to everyone for a great time!!!!

Saturday night I met up with some classmates at a restaurant that I used to work at in high school, Someplace Special. They recently remodeled it and it looks amazing. One of the guys who worked there with me in high school now runs it. Had a few beers. Reminisced. Caught up with each other. Then we headed to the Lake Tavern to see Copperhead perform. I'm friends with the drummer and his wife, whom I graduated with. That was a lot of fun.

The fun doesn't stop there though. Today is my 20-year high school reunion and the main reason for this particular trip to CT. It is going to be so cool seeing everyone again. Stay tuned for pictures, they are coming.

You can go back, but things may not be the same

It's been twenty years since I've lived in CT. Sure I've visited here and there over the years. Seems like every time I come back, something has changed. I remember the heart of Putnam, CT being the K-Mart shopping plaza, a strip mall of sorts. A few restaurants here and there...Center Pizza, Athens, Someplace Special, PJ's Donuts, Ma Frosty's and a few other mom & pop places. Then the antique stores started popping up all over downtown Putnam, which was good because it brought a lot of visitors to Putnam. Putnam is now an antique shopping hot zone.  I can remember in the early 90's when they built the first McDonalds in Putnam on Route 44. At about the same time they built the Walmart that is across the street from it. Putnam now has a lot of thriving stores and the development has done wonders for the city. When I was growing up, there wasn't anything for kids to do. Most of the places to shop were in other towns or in MA or RI. I barely recognize anything. I have forgotten more since I left twenty years ago than I remember. I used to know these roads through Putnam, Thompson, Danielson, etc., like the back of my hand. Last night I had to ask my parents how to get to the Raceway Lounge at the Thompson Speedway. Of course, as I drove there, it all started slowly coming back. 

It was great meeting up with Scott and his wife last night. Rehashed some old memories, told some new stories, and just caught up with each other. Things have changed and the people have changed along with them. I suppose that's what we are supposed to do, right?  But my last memories of Scott and all of my longtime friends that I will run into during my stay here are all twenty years old. We've all grown up (at least I hope we have). We've gone to the winds after high school graduation. We've taken different paths to build the lives that we now enjoy. Some have come back to settle down in northeastern Connecticut, in the area we grew up in. Some have moved to other states. No matter what route we took. No matter what our status is. No matter where we live or what we do for a living. We will always be connected by the great years spent together growing up. 

This weekend, many of my fellow classmates will meet for our 20-year high school reunion. Many have seen each other often over the years. I will be seeing most for the first time since graduation. I am very excited about seeing everyone again...at least those that can make it. This is going to be a blast!

Heading Back East

Summerfest may be over, but that doesn't mean the fun stops. Summer is full of all kinds of activities, events, and festivals here in Milwaukee. Last Friday, I checked out Bastille Days for the first time. Bastille Days is North America's largest outdoor French themed festival held in downtown Milwaukee. Other than watching a contortionist fold himself up and fit himself into a small acrylic box, I wasn't impressed at all. In my opinion, it's a festival geared toward women. Most of the vendors were selling handbags and/or dresses. What about the French food?  Well...what about it?  Anyways, that was just one evening in between significant events in my Summer of fun.

But this weekend I travel to my home town of Putnam, CT for an extended weekend stay.  The big event this weekend is my 20-year high school reunion. This should be really interesting as I haven't seen most of my classmates since graduation. The most interaction I have had with my fellow classmates has been on Facebook. After graduation, I attended the University of Connecticut for two years. I joined the Marine Corps in 1993 and haven't been back to CT for any longer than a few days at any one time. Facebook has enabled me to reconnect with a lot of the people I went to high school with. People change over the course of time. We all grow up, in one way, shape, or form. After high school graduation, it seemed as though everyone went to the winds. I guess after college, a lot of my classmates moved back to, or near, our home town of Putnam. Others never went back, including me. Now, twenty years later, I will get to see many of them in person. 

Summerfest 2010 - The Rankings

As I've previously mentioned, my friends and I normally do some sort of post-Summerfest ranking of the bands that we saw. Mark decided to 'be like Mike' and blogged his rankings (there's a link to his blog from this blog). Chad emailed his minuscule rankings for the last weekend. Joe decided to update his rankings as each day passed, but I think he forgot his final rankings. So where are mine?, you ask. I actually have a hard time ranking all of the bands that I see, mainly because they are from different genres and I listen to and enjoy them differently (or not at all). For example, it's difficult for me to compare the Scorpions to the Silversun Pickups.

Well, in what is becoming traditional Mike-fashion, I am doing something just a little bit different this year. I am NOT going to rank all 34 bands that I saw. You've read my daily recap for each of the bands that I saw. I thought I would try something a little more fun this year and award my first-ever Summerfest Superlatives. You remember those, don't you?  From high school? Well, here they are:

BIGGEST DISASTER
12 Stones - In 2009 they spent a majority of their 6:30 performance yelling at the crowd, telling us how to cheer. In 2010, they didn't bother to show up. Probably a blessing in disguise.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
The Last Vegas - I had touted this band as my 'must see' of Summerfest 2010 based on their album, which I like. Turns out they are a band that is better on cd than in reality. Go back to the 80's.

BAND THAT PISSED ME OFF THE MOST
Beatallica - Seriously, this band angered me. I love the Beatles and I love Metallica. Mixing them together was a musical travesty.

UTTERLY FORGETTABLE
Terrible Things - Band name says it all
Shorelines End
The Blakes
Niki Barr Band - Except for the 7-foot tall bass player

BUCKETLIST BANDS (SAW AND NEVER NEED TO SEE AGAIN)
311 - Just not into, nor greatly familiar with their music. Glad I got to see them
Flyleaf - Another good show, but didn't do much for me

BANDS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD SEE
Lovehammers - I finally saw their complete show and was not disappointed. I would definitely see them again
Pepper - Opened for 311. Lot of energy and lots of fun
Here Come The Mummies - Even if only for the costumes, props, and hilarious lyrics

BANDS WITH MOST POTENTIAL

Paper Tongues - Great album. Great live performance

Cinder Road - Good sound. Good luck

American Motherload - Good heavy rock band

BIGGEST SURPRISE and BEST PERFORMANCE

Skillet - They are the biggest surprise because, well, Mark and I were not prepared. We did not have nor listened to any of their newer material (older stuff isn't that good). They also get the top award, beating out every band I saw at Summerfest to date. Never have I seen such a tremendous stage show on one of the free stages - smoke, flames, fireworks, lights, banner, elevators, energy, and a HOT FEMALE DRUMMER!! I'm a Skillet fan now!

Okay, maybe a quick Top 5...

TOP 5
5.  Hawthorne Heights
4.  Red
3.  The Offspring
2.  Papa Roach
1.  Skillet

BEST OF THE REST
Chevelle
Scorpions
Lovehammers

But wait, I did promise you pictures, right?  If you are my friend on Facebook, you have already seen these. For the benefit of those who are not, check them out.

PARTING SHOTS

There is a definite correlation between how much you enjoy a concert and how close you are to the stage. I will absolutely make a better effort to get closer seats for all future shows. Showing up last minute is not acceptable. Also, taking pictures at concerts can be difficult, especially in the evening and when the bands have back lighting or use a lot of red lights. I take a lot of pictures just to get a few good ones. I'll get better. I'm working on it.

Summerfest 2010 - That's a Wrap!

That's a wrap people! Summerfest 2010 is officially over! As I mentioned in my previous post, it definitely is bittersweet. Summerfest is such a great time! Live music. Cold beer. Good food. Great friends...and Memorable times!!!

11 Days and 34 bands later, I have completed what I set out to do. To those who said I couldn't do it, or wouldn't do it..."How You Like Me Now?"

These last 11 days have been so amazingly fun! Always a great time! I have such a passion for music and a love for live music that Summerfest has been like my mecca ~ an annual pilgrimage to a place that feeds my heart and soul and allows me to escape reality and recharge my mind.

I have to give a hearty Thank You to the crew of awesome friends, and friends of friends, I had the opportunity to share in this experience with...THANK YOU to Mark and Pam, Hillary, Dusty, Heather, Chad, Joe and Jaime, Nicki, Rick, Kevin and Amy, Angie, and Mark. Also a Thank You to some new friends I made...Pam, Melissa, Joe, and Carla.

Some notes from the last 11 days that may or may not have made it to any blog entries:

• Good to see the bands and stages using more banners, lights, and effects than in years past
• U.S. Cellular Stage - Based on the sound of Silversun Pickups last night, Chevelle might have just sucked...though I do think they need to upgrade that sound system
• Did not hear Todd Rungren's Bang The Drum All Day ("I don't want to work, I want to bang on the drum all day")...It was always a fun way to end the night.
• It was a year for HOT female rockers, but maybe I just paid more attention this year. Skillet's drummer, Jen Ledger, is smokin' hot!  
• Being up close is so much better
• Guitar picks are cool, but only if they have the band's name/logo on them
• Only one round of golf this year for me
• The "streak" is over, Barry - I kept it going as long as I could. It was a valiant effort though and fun
• High Fives are FREE

I believe I mentioned in the beginning that my friends and I do post-Summerfest ranking of the bands that we saw. I highly doubt that I will do a traditional ranking based on the number of bands I saw, but I may do a Top 5/Bottom 5. I may also do something a little different. My friends know that I've added something new just about every year. It started when I did my first Summerfest Review w/Pictures. It's grown since then and now I have this blog. Stay tuned for the rankings. Pictures are coming. Today is my day to relax.

Once again, Thank You to those who shared in the Summerfest experience with me and Thank You to those who followed along by reading this blog.

354 days until Summerfest 2011!!!

Summerfest 2010 - Day 11, Sunday, July 4

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than to spend it at Summerfest listening to great music? Day 11 was bittersweet. Bitter because it was the last day of Summerfest 2010. Sweet because I had accomplished what I set out to do, "run the gauntlet"...attend all 11 days of Summerfest.

As you might imagine, the last day, for me anyways, was more relaxed than previous. Arrived about 6:00pm. Headed over to Major Goolsby's for a great cheeseburger, stopping at the Summerfest Store along the way. No purchases this year. I already got my Summerfest tshirt and bought a sweatshirt on one of the cooler nights.

Made my way over to the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage and claimed a seat on the bleachers. 6:45/7:00pm The Henry Clay People took the stage. They are part of the Emerging Artists Series. Played a couple of original songs then took requests from the audience. They refused to play Freebird though...HAHAHA! They played Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World instead. I think it's a sign of a pretty good band that can play pretty much any song on demand like that.  They were good.

After toiling whether or not I would go to THECOOLTV Rock Stage to see Sick Puppies, who I saw at the Big Snow Show back in December 2009, I decided to stay where I was and check out Against Me! for the first time. I think I made a good decision. I wasn't very familiar with Against Me!, only knew a few of their songs. Thought they were really good. Kind of a punk band the likes of Rancid or Dropkick Murphys. Well, that's the best comparison I can make at this time. Really good show. Good decision on my part. Another band checked off the list.

The 10:00pm band was Silversun Pickups. Saw them at Summerfest back in 2007 as an 8:00pm opener. I really like both of their albums, with the edge going to their newest one Swoon. Awesome show. I highly recommend seeing them live if you like their music. Solid show. The female bass player looked like she had been plucked off the streets as she was wearing some kind of flowery sun dress. Looked odd. The drummer is fun to watch. Seems to make the same head banging motions the entire time. The singer could definitely jam on the guitar. After playing Lazy Eye, I left to check out the end of Halestorm at THECOOLTV Rock Stage.  My friend dumped it trying to cross the bleachers. Saw them play I Get Off then we headed for the exits.

A great ending!