One time at Band Camp...

Yesterday I went to JJO Band Camp for the first time. No, this isn't the silly band camp for high school marching bands. This is a one-day rock concert held annually in Madison, WI. But it's more than a rock concert...it's a metal concert and it was awesome! A friend offered me free tickets to attend and I went. So glad I did. For the last several years, I've checked out the lineup but never went. Now I know what I was missing.

The bands alternated between two stages and there was never more than 5 minutes without live, loud music. Not a bad band among them, though my least favorite is Buckcherry...just not a fan.  I arrived about 1pm. Shaman's Harvest was playing. The next band was 2 Cents. Funny little story...the lead singer stopped right in the middle of a song and yelled to some kid in the front, "Are you f*&king texting?! Are you kidding me?! Why don't you stick that up your vagina!"  Hilarious!

Seasons After, Dope, Janus all rocked...Dope was way cool! Sevendust came on about 4pm. They always put on a great show. Then Soil played. I can't believe they have another new singer. I think I've seen them 4 or 5 times in the last several years and this is the third new singer for them. How can they expect to make it big if they keep changing singers? Buckcherry was next. Like I said, I'm not a fan of them.

Anew Revolution rocked it. I saw them at Summerfest in 2008. They were even better this time around. Great show! Final act of the evening was Godsmack. I've never seen them live before. What a show! Played all of the favorites and some new ones from their new album, The Oracle. Sully and the drummer, Tommy Stewart did a double drum kit jam that was out of this world. For those who didn't know, Sully played drums for 20+ years before starting Godsmack. They both wailed!

Band Camp was definitely a great experience. Two rows of vendors that you would expect to see at a rock show like this...tattoo artists, t-shirts, custom motorcycles. They were doing air brush tattoos. Let me just say there were lots of ladies who were just sporting the artwork. They also had a booth for Miss Pole, a gym dedicated to exotic aerobic exercise classes.

I didn't take a lot of pictures, but you can check out some of the one's I did take here.

I'm looking forward to next year.

Proud to be a United States Marine

The other night I was invited to dinner with a friend. She had a friend in from Arizona who also would be joining us. As it would turn out, we were also joined by her friend, who was in town for business. So we headed to dinner at Harry's Bar & Grill in Milwaukee, WI. We commenced with small talk for a few minutes when this guy had revealed that he served in the Marine Corps. That's all it took and for a majority of the rest of the evening, he and I shared stories and talked about things that only Marines know how.

I have always been amazed at the strong bond that Marines share, regardless of when and where they served. A true brotherhood and I have not experienced anything else like it. The bond that Marines share is as strong, if not stronger, than family. When Marines meet each other for the first time, it's like they've known each other all their lives. I hear the Marine Corps Hymn and my chest fills up. I see the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and I beam with pride.

This year marks 10 years since the end of my active service. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my experiences in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has shaped me into the man that I am today and has prepared me for life's challenges. I often think about my decision to leave the Marine Corps and whether or not it was the right one. Hindsight is always 20-20 they say. My Marine friends, active and retired, tell me that it is not necessarily the Marine Corps that I miss, but the camaraderie of my fellow Leathernecks that I miss most. Perhaps they are right. I thought and toiled for a long time before making my decision to leave and I accept that I made the best decision at the time. My years in the Marine Corps are some of the best of my life and one thing is for sure...Once a Marine, Always a Marine!

Semper Fi!

It's August

It's been a couple weeks since my last post, which was right after my 20-Year high school reunion. Cool thing about that is my classmates and I are still talking about the great time we had. Maybe there will be a 25th. Have to wait and see. Life and time march on though.

Today is August 1, the first day of the month in which I was born. Not just me though, my dad and my grandfather also celebrate birthdays in August...actually both my grandfathers celebrate birthdays in August, but my mom's dad is no longer with us. My brother is hopefully scheduled to return from Iraq in August. My cousin is also coming back from Afghanistan for a short break. Unfortunately, he has to go back.  My thoughts and prayers are with both of them. I hope they each know that I would put on a uniform and join them if I could. Family are trying to put together another big party to celebrate birthdays and welcome home my brother and cousin. I will do my best to make it out there. Would be great to see them.

August also means that we are on the back half of Summer. I have often felt that Summerfest was the middle of the Summer. Since Summerfest and my reunion, I've been trying to enjoy as much of the weather as I can. For me, that means as much golf as I can get in. I'm in a golf league on Tuesdays.  This past Tuesday, my partner wasn't there and I nearly single-handedly beat the golf pro and his partner. Yes my handicap evened it out, but I played well enough that they needed to win the last hole to secure the victory. To say the least, I was pleasantly satisfied with my round. There will be golf today too, as there is every weekend.

August also means that I need to register for Fall classes. Since 2008, I've been attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in information systems and technology. I only have three more classes left to take - two this Fall and my senior capstone next Spring. I'm very excited to be this close to finishing. Working full time and taking classes can be a lot to take on, but I make it work. I have also been extremely fortunate to have been able to use the Montgomery GI Bill education benefits afforded to me from my military service. These benefits will have paid for all but one class for both of my degrees (I have an Associates also).

Lots going on in August. Lots to do and lots to prepare for...work, school, and the future. But since the sun is shining today, it's time for me to hit the links.  Hope you are enjoying your Summer too!

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.