Thursday, July 23, 2009
Four Days Down
Kris made it through four days of Girl Scout Camp with her sanity. She spent the first two days with Alison and the last two with Sarah. Tomorrow is dad's day for Alison's troop so I took off and I'll be going with her. Here are a few pictures of the girls from the week so far.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Girl Scout Camp
Today starts the best week of the year, Girl Scout Day Camp! (Note, insert sarcasm). The girls have a blast, but for the parents (check that, moms) who go along and volunteer, I would say that this is the week they dread. You should see what they look like coming off the bus at the end of the day. To be nice I will call it haggard. Since the girls have to be back here for other things at night (such as cheerleading or dance) Kris is driving out to camp by herself every day. She is doing two days with Alison’s troop/group and two days with Sarah’s troop/group. This year, I am also going to go to “dad’s day” which is Friday this year, so I’ll get a first hand look at this year’s chaos. Actually I shouldn’t call it chaos, because the Girl Scout people do a pretty good job at organizing everything. I think it is more the heat, or rain and all the screaming on the bus that does everyone in by the end of the day. Summaries to come at week’s end.
Def Leppard Show Highlights
Now that I gave the official Hahnted House review to the show, here are some of the highlights (and lowlights). Kris made a new friend who was quizzing her on Def Leppard between the poison and Def Leppard sets. It was really pretty sad, this woman was, to put it nicely, a troll. She had to be about 4 foot 10, and butt ugly. Her boyfriend sat next to Kris and was yapping at her all night. The guy was a real clown. He had his hair cut really short, and was bald on top, but kept shaking his head as if to toss some phantom mullet or something off his shoulders. Very, very weird.
Second, I always like going to shows of old 80's bands to see the mid to late 40's aged women trying to regain their fastball but stuffing their size 14 bodies into the size 6 spandex that they wore in high school. Or the 250 lb woman who has to wear the denim flair skirt that just barely covers her backside... No one should be subject to that. Oh, and don’t forget the 6" stiletto heels to go along with it. Then there are the guys who are still stuck in the late 80's and early 90s. No lie, I saw a dude with a mullet that had frosted tips, wearing a black leather jacket and acid washed jeans. My god! That look was out in 1989! Don’t laugh, because Kris can verify that I am not making this up.
The security at the show was the worst I have ever seen as far as making people put away their cameras. The last time we were at a Summerfest show with Def Leppard I had guys telling me to put the camera away. This time, I hid it to start with, waiting until Def Leppard came on to actually take pictures. It used to be that if you were in a few seats from the aisle, security pretty much would let you go. During Cheap Trick security was actually going in up and down the rows telling people taking pictures to stow the cameras. I have NEVER seen them do that before. I snuck out the camera a few times just to try and get a couple of shots of Cheap Trick and Poison just to make sure the settings were OK for Def Leppard.
But all thru the sets security was hitting up people to put the cameras away, so I was constantly checking to make sure no one was going to grab my camera from me. It sort of made it hard to get good pictures. I had to shoot over 6 rows of people in front of me, and I turned the flash off so I had to zoom in close enough and allow the camera to focus before quickly bringing the camera back down. The screen on the back of the camera is a big give away, especially in the dark.
Then some dude two rows behind us and across the aisle blew his lunch all over the place during Def Leppard - not a pretty sight. Also pretty sad if you ask me. Getting falling down, cookie-tossing, drunk at a rock concert got old back in 1989, nice to see that guys like this haven’t grown up in 20 years. Security escorted him away while the biohazard people cleaned it up. Security was kept busy as women kept running up the aisle toward the stage to try and touch the bands or to take pictures. Remember that whole no pictures thing they were trying to enforce??? We saw two other people get escorted out, though it was unclear why. We were thinking that they were possibly trying to upgrade their seats.
I didn’t get a chance to take Kris’s picture with her friend from work that we met there. I was hoping to go up by the stage after the show, but as soon as the concert was over they booked! I did manage to take Kris's picture in her rockin' Def Leppard shirt though:
Did I mention that Bret Michaels invited the entire Marcus Ampitheater crowd to Liquor Sweets, a south side club, to party with him after the show? I had no idea where this place was until we got home and I had a chance to look it up. I suppose that would be one way to make sure that 20,000 people didn’t show up, then again, maybe I’m just out of touch with the hot clubs in Milwaukee.
Second, I always like going to shows of old 80's bands to see the mid to late 40's aged women trying to regain their fastball but stuffing their size 14 bodies into the size 6 spandex that they wore in high school. Or the 250 lb woman who has to wear the denim flair skirt that just barely covers her backside... No one should be subject to that. Oh, and don’t forget the 6" stiletto heels to go along with it. Then there are the guys who are still stuck in the late 80's and early 90s. No lie, I saw a dude with a mullet that had frosted tips, wearing a black leather jacket and acid washed jeans. My god! That look was out in 1989! Don’t laugh, because Kris can verify that I am not making this up.
The security at the show was the worst I have ever seen as far as making people put away their cameras. The last time we were at a Summerfest show with Def Leppard I had guys telling me to put the camera away. This time, I hid it to start with, waiting until Def Leppard came on to actually take pictures. It used to be that if you were in a few seats from the aisle, security pretty much would let you go. During Cheap Trick security was actually going in up and down the rows telling people taking pictures to stow the cameras. I have NEVER seen them do that before. I snuck out the camera a few times just to try and get a couple of shots of Cheap Trick and Poison just to make sure the settings were OK for Def Leppard.
But all thru the sets security was hitting up people to put the cameras away, so I was constantly checking to make sure no one was going to grab my camera from me. It sort of made it hard to get good pictures. I had to shoot over 6 rows of people in front of me, and I turned the flash off so I had to zoom in close enough and allow the camera to focus before quickly bringing the camera back down. The screen on the back of the camera is a big give away, especially in the dark.
Then some dude two rows behind us and across the aisle blew his lunch all over the place during Def Leppard - not a pretty sight. Also pretty sad if you ask me. Getting falling down, cookie-tossing, drunk at a rock concert got old back in 1989, nice to see that guys like this haven’t grown up in 20 years. Security escorted him away while the biohazard people cleaned it up. Security was kept busy as women kept running up the aisle toward the stage to try and touch the bands or to take pictures. Remember that whole no pictures thing they were trying to enforce??? We saw two other people get escorted out, though it was unclear why. We were thinking that they were possibly trying to upgrade their seats.
I didn’t get a chance to take Kris’s picture with her friend from work that we met there. I was hoping to go up by the stage after the show, but as soon as the concert was over they booked! I did manage to take Kris's picture in her rockin' Def Leppard shirt though:
Did I mention that Bret Michaels invited the entire Marcus Ampitheater crowd to Liquor Sweets, a south side club, to party with him after the show? I had no idea where this place was until we got home and I had a chance to look it up. I suppose that would be one way to make sure that 20,000 people didn’t show up, then again, maybe I’m just out of touch with the hot clubs in Milwaukee.
Def Leppard Review
Kris and I went to Def Leppard last Saturday night. She has been looking forward to the show since the day they announced it since Def Leppard is her favorite band. I originally thought it would be easy night since we wouldn’t have to deal with the crowds from Summerfest (which we had to do the lat time we saw Def Leppard at the Marcus Ampitheater). Well I forgot that last weekend was Festa Italiana, which I would say is the biggest lakefront ethnic festival. So everyone going to the concert was herded through one entrance, which took a little while to get in, but we dealt with it.
The Cheap Trick and Poison were the opening acts, and I have to say that Cheap Trick was pretty good. I haven’t heard from them since about 1988, so I was assuming they would play their 3 or 4 big hits, which includes ‘I Want You to Want Me’ (Yawn). But I was surprised when they played a few “forgotten songs” that I never hear played on the radio (She’s Tight, Dream Police, Tonight It’s You). They did seven or eight songs, and on a scale of 1 to 5 I’d give them a Solid 4. Rick Neilsen is always entertaining (man does that guy sweat!) and Robin Zander’s pipes are as good as ever.
Poison was a little disappointing. Their sound was screachy, and they had a lot of feedback during the show. While C.C . Is still a great guitarist and he looked great (though a tad bit orange... Lay off the tanning beds man) Bret Michaels is becoming a bit of a joke with his stupid reality show. Bobby Dall I have always thought was a total jag, and he didn’t disappoint. A mediocre bass player at best. All in all, they played the songs everyone wanted to hear (me included) but I think it could have been better. I’d give them a 3 out of 5.
Then the Leps came on promptly at 9:30. I should say that we have seen Def Leppard 4 times in the last 5 years, but they have always tried to do some different things to keep the show fresh, like mixing in some older songs that they haven’t played in a while, or like when they played all of side one of High and Dry. I can’t say there was much new in the show, but the performance was A1. I have ever seen these guys mail it in during a show. On a scale of 1 to 5, they get a 4.5.
However, that being said, as always, I have two complaints with their show, the length, and the variety. They have been around for almost 30 years and have a significant library of work, so why only do 14 songs? They could easily headline a tour without an opening act (or acts) and play for a good 2 or 2 and a half hours. I would have no problem shelling out more $$$ to see them play longer. The second complaint relates a lot to the first. They play the same songs every time we see them. It used to be that if you put out a new album you played maybe 5 or 6 songs from that album and mixed in about another 10 or 12 from your career. But the last few times They have played one song from the new record and they rest has been a greatest hits show (mainly Pyromania and Hysteria). Now I understand their thinking, they are playing the songs that the fans want to hear and that’s fine, but how is anyone going to get any exposure to your new stuff unless you play it live? You play the one single that gets released and that’s it.
For the entire show I would give it a 3.5 out of 5, but that is mainly because Poison blew so much. Take away Poison and the show gets 4 or 4.5 for content and entertainment value.
The Cheap Trick and Poison were the opening acts, and I have to say that Cheap Trick was pretty good. I haven’t heard from them since about 1988, so I was assuming they would play their 3 or 4 big hits, which includes ‘I Want You to Want Me’ (Yawn). But I was surprised when they played a few “forgotten songs” that I never hear played on the radio (She’s Tight, Dream Police, Tonight It’s You). They did seven or eight songs, and on a scale of 1 to 5 I’d give them a Solid 4. Rick Neilsen is always entertaining (man does that guy sweat!) and Robin Zander’s pipes are as good as ever.
Poison was a little disappointing. Their sound was screachy, and they had a lot of feedback during the show. While C.C . Is still a great guitarist and he looked great (though a tad bit orange... Lay off the tanning beds man) Bret Michaels is becoming a bit of a joke with his stupid reality show. Bobby Dall I have always thought was a total jag, and he didn’t disappoint. A mediocre bass player at best. All in all, they played the songs everyone wanted to hear (me included) but I think it could have been better. I’d give them a 3 out of 5.
Then the Leps came on promptly at 9:30. I should say that we have seen Def Leppard 4 times in the last 5 years, but they have always tried to do some different things to keep the show fresh, like mixing in some older songs that they haven’t played in a while, or like when they played all of side one of High and Dry. I can’t say there was much new in the show, but the performance was A1. I have ever seen these guys mail it in during a show. On a scale of 1 to 5, they get a 4.5.
However, that being said, as always, I have two complaints with their show, the length, and the variety. They have been around for almost 30 years and have a significant library of work, so why only do 14 songs? They could easily headline a tour without an opening act (or acts) and play for a good 2 or 2 and a half hours. I would have no problem shelling out more $$$ to see them play longer. The second complaint relates a lot to the first. They play the same songs every time we see them. It used to be that if you put out a new album you played maybe 5 or 6 songs from that album and mixed in about another 10 or 12 from your career. But the last few times They have played one song from the new record and they rest has been a greatest hits show (mainly Pyromania and Hysteria). Now I understand their thinking, they are playing the songs that the fans want to hear and that’s fine, but how is anyone going to get any exposure to your new stuff unless you play it live? You play the one single that gets released and that’s it.
For the entire show I would give it a 3.5 out of 5, but that is mainly because Poison blew so much. Take away Poison and the show gets 4 or 4.5 for content and entertainment value.
Road Rash
Ali had her first big spill on her bike last Sunday. She was cruising down a hill in the park down the street when she apparently decided to lock up her brakes. She ended up totally wiping out and the result was a huge case of road rash on her arm and leg.
Sarah and Ali have since had their bikes taken away for the rest of the summer (at least the next few weeks).
Sarah and Ali have since had their bikes taken away for the rest of the summer (at least the next few weeks).
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Jonas Brothers
I know I am behind in entering things, but wee've been busy with summer activities, so bear with me as I try to catch up.
What a fun time we had last Thursday night at the Jonas Brothers concert. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. I was figuring on about 15,000 screaming little girls, and not being able to hear a thing because of all the screaming. Before the concert opened, and in between the opening acts, the video screen above the stage was showing text messages (the tour was sponsored by Verizon and had things all around the Bradley Center to text messages to be shown on the screen). I don’t know how many messages said “scream if you love Nick”. When those were shown, every little girl in the arena had to scream at the top of her lungs.
But the opening act was pretty good. Apparently the Jonas Brothers have started their own record label and these guys, Honor Society, were the first band they signed. I didn’t mind them. Next came Jordin Sparks. I’m not a big fan of the whole “American Idol” scene. I think good singers are a dime a dozen, and the only thing that makes her better than any of the other humps performing on the show is the whole “likability factor” and who the record company thinks they can best market. But I will say for her style of music, she wasn’t bad. But someone needs to call Corbin Bleu and let him know that Jordin Sparks stole his hair. Then there was a five girl group from the far east called “Wondergirls” who came out to sing a song (100% lip singing BTW). The record company is trying to break them into the US since apparently they are HUGE over in Asia. Again, not a big fan of that style of music, so I’m going to say they were not good and admit my bias.
The Jo Bros finally came on and I have to say they really know how to put on a show. Oh, and I also need to add we were sitting right above the entrance to the stage. Right before the show started, two or three guys pushed out a big box to the entrance under the stage. I told the girls that the Jonas Brothers were in there and that was how they get them to the stage without anyone seeing them. The pushed it up to the opening and 30 seconds later they pushed it back to the backstage area under the bowl. While I don’t know for sure, I am going to say that I am 100% sure that was how they got under the stage.
The girls loved the show. Alison was freaking out because she was worried about how loud it was going to be and even though I had ear plugs for her, she was practically in tears. However, once the first band came on and she saw what the sound was like and that with her ear plugs it was just fine she calmed down and had fun. I have to say that whether Disney has coached the Jonas Brothers or they just have a good time when they perform, they sure know how to entertain the audience. There was no talking in between songs, no long solos, they just played song after song. I think the total that they played was somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-25 songs. Kris and I are going to see Def Leppard this weekend and I’ll be willing to be they play maybe 14 -16 songs at the most. Then again maybe it’s an age thing, the Leps aren’t as young anymore.
What a fun time we had last Thursday night at the Jonas Brothers concert. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. I was figuring on about 15,000 screaming little girls, and not being able to hear a thing because of all the screaming. Before the concert opened, and in between the opening acts, the video screen above the stage was showing text messages (the tour was sponsored by Verizon and had things all around the Bradley Center to text messages to be shown on the screen). I don’t know how many messages said “scream if you love Nick”. When those were shown, every little girl in the arena had to scream at the top of her lungs.
But the opening act was pretty good. Apparently the Jonas Brothers have started their own record label and these guys, Honor Society, were the first band they signed. I didn’t mind them. Next came Jordin Sparks. I’m not a big fan of the whole “American Idol” scene. I think good singers are a dime a dozen, and the only thing that makes her better than any of the other humps performing on the show is the whole “likability factor” and who the record company thinks they can best market. But I will say for her style of music, she wasn’t bad. But someone needs to call Corbin Bleu and let him know that Jordin Sparks stole his hair. Then there was a five girl group from the far east called “Wondergirls” who came out to sing a song (100% lip singing BTW). The record company is trying to break them into the US since apparently they are HUGE over in Asia. Again, not a big fan of that style of music, so I’m going to say they were not good and admit my bias.
The Jo Bros finally came on and I have to say they really know how to put on a show. Oh, and I also need to add we were sitting right above the entrance to the stage. Right before the show started, two or three guys pushed out a big box to the entrance under the stage. I told the girls that the Jonas Brothers were in there and that was how they get them to the stage without anyone seeing them. The pushed it up to the opening and 30 seconds later they pushed it back to the backstage area under the bowl. While I don’t know for sure, I am going to say that I am 100% sure that was how they got under the stage.
The girls loved the show. Alison was freaking out because she was worried about how loud it was going to be and even though I had ear plugs for her, she was practically in tears. However, once the first band came on and she saw what the sound was like and that with her ear plugs it was just fine she calmed down and had fun. I have to say that whether Disney has coached the Jonas Brothers or they just have a good time when they perform, they sure know how to entertain the audience. There was no talking in between songs, no long solos, they just played song after song. I think the total that they played was somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-25 songs. Kris and I are going to see Def Leppard this weekend and I’ll be willing to be they play maybe 14 -16 songs at the most. Then again maybe it’s an age thing, the Leps aren’t as young anymore.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Less Than 24 Hours
Yes, in less than 24 hours we'll be watching the Jonas Brothers at the Bradley Center. The girls are getting excited. We happened to look and see if we could find a set list and we found a list from their first show on the tour from June 20th. It looks like a pretty good bet that they'll be doing most of those songs. So check back in a day or two because I'll be trying to smuggle the camera in and snap a bunch of photos. We're sitting about 12 rows off the floor so that puts us right about at stage level. I think we'll have pretty good views, especially since their stage is in the round.
Deer Overlords
More proof that the deer are going to be driving us into the corn and soon and will become our overlords: Last night as I am coming down the stairs at about 9:30 PM, I happen to glance out the window of the front door and I see a deer standing in the front yard. Then Kris happened to be looking out the window at 8:00 this morning and there goes a deer (maybe the same one?) right up the road and bolting across Menomonee Avenue dodging traffic and finally stopping in the clinic parking lot.
This is the second time in the course of about the last six months that I have seen deer just strolling thru my front yard. Now I have to ask, why would a deer possibly want to wander down my street? About a quarter of a mile away is the Tamarack Swamp, a playground of trees, and whatnot that I would think deer would just find to be the most enjoyable place in the world. What would they possibly want on my block? Well after about 10 seconds, a car came rolling up the street and the deer took off running so I didn’t get a picture of it. But I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from now on. Don’t get any funny ideas deer, I’m watching you.
This is the second time in the course of about the last six months that I have seen deer just strolling thru my front yard. Now I have to ask, why would a deer possibly want to wander down my street? About a quarter of a mile away is the Tamarack Swamp, a playground of trees, and whatnot that I would think deer would just find to be the most enjoyable place in the world. What would they possibly want on my block? Well after about 10 seconds, a car came rolling up the street and the deer took off running so I didn’t get a picture of it. But I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from now on. Don’t get any funny ideas deer, I’m watching you.
Parade Reset
This is my 100th post! so in honor of that, I will give my review of the parade and fireworks from the 3rd of July.
The 2009 Menomonee Falls Independence Day parade and firework have come and gone, and once again it was way overblown. Honestly, I don’t see the crazy fascination with the parade and fireworks. Now, I remember as a kid going to watch the fireworks and thinking they were really cool, and I remember sitting in the park with thousands of other people, maybe I just forget the craziness of it all afterward since I wasn’t the one trying to drive out of the mess.
Anyway, the girls had fun. This year we actually sat with some fellow Riverside families and Sarah and Ali’s friends so they had a good time actually having someone to sit and talk to and play with. They were disappointed however since the people marching in the parade weren’t tossing as much candy to the throngs of children along the route. And those that were, had practically nothing left by the time they got to where we were sitting. I have to say that this year’s parade wasn’t as good as it has been in past years. There were lots of ‘regulars’ from the past parades that were missing this year, such as the Shriners in the little go-kart cars, some of the classic car clubs, and there were only a couple of marching bands, just to name a few.
Then we almost got into fisticuffs with some people over the spot that Ben had roped off for the fireworks. Prior to the parade, he had gone to park in an empty lot across the street from where the fireworks were being shot off. He had parked his car right next to the sidewalk and roped off an empty spot right in front of his car. After the parade was done, we made our way over the to the spot and some people had ignored the tape & stakes he had put up and were sitting in our spot. We just sort of put down our chairs and blankets and ignored them and they moved down just a bit, but I tink it was quite rude to just ignore the tape.
Then the fireworks this year were a bit weak. Granted the Falls doesn’t put on a world class show that you would consider a must see, but the spacing in between shells was a little long and the variety was a little lacking. I think the Village switched fireworks companies this year so that may have something to do with it.
All in all, the girls had fun, and Kris and I enjoyed sitting with people we could actually talk to, both during the parade and the fireworks, but once again I have to say what a freakin’ hassle! Maybe next year we’ll just go and hit a movie instead.
The 2009 Menomonee Falls Independence Day parade and firework have come and gone, and once again it was way overblown. Honestly, I don’t see the crazy fascination with the parade and fireworks. Now, I remember as a kid going to watch the fireworks and thinking they were really cool, and I remember sitting in the park with thousands of other people, maybe I just forget the craziness of it all afterward since I wasn’t the one trying to drive out of the mess.
Anyway, the girls had fun. This year we actually sat with some fellow Riverside families and Sarah and Ali’s friends so they had a good time actually having someone to sit and talk to and play with. They were disappointed however since the people marching in the parade weren’t tossing as much candy to the throngs of children along the route. And those that were, had practically nothing left by the time they got to where we were sitting. I have to say that this year’s parade wasn’t as good as it has been in past years. There were lots of ‘regulars’ from the past parades that were missing this year, such as the Shriners in the little go-kart cars, some of the classic car clubs, and there were only a couple of marching bands, just to name a few.
Then we almost got into fisticuffs with some people over the spot that Ben had roped off for the fireworks. Prior to the parade, he had gone to park in an empty lot across the street from where the fireworks were being shot off. He had parked his car right next to the sidewalk and roped off an empty spot right in front of his car. After the parade was done, we made our way over the to the spot and some people had ignored the tape & stakes he had put up and were sitting in our spot. We just sort of put down our chairs and blankets and ignored them and they moved down just a bit, but I tink it was quite rude to just ignore the tape.
Then the fireworks this year were a bit weak. Granted the Falls doesn’t put on a world class show that you would consider a must see, but the spacing in between shells was a little long and the variety was a little lacking. I think the Village switched fireworks companies this year so that may have something to do with it.
All in all, the girls had fun, and Kris and I enjoyed sitting with people we could actually talk to, both during the parade and the fireworks, but once again I have to say what a freakin’ hassle! Maybe next year we’ll just go and hit a movie instead.
Friday, July 3, 2009
It’s Just A Parade People
It’s July in Menomonee Falls and we all know what that means. Independence Day? Yes, but even before that we have the annual exercise known as the Menomonee Falls Independence Day Parade Spot Grab. Now those of you who live here or have been to the parade know what a big deal it is. More than any other village event, the parade is THE Menomonee Falls social event of the year. EVERYONE has to go see the parade and follow it up with the fireworks on July 3rd.
Some years ago, the village made a restriction that no parade items could be placed out prior to 24 hours before the parade began. I remember about 10 years ago going and staking off a spot along the parade route about a week ahead of time. People would have blankets and tarps out in the median days ahead of time. Now signs go up about a week ahead of time that say “NO PARADE ITEMS, BLANKETS, TARPS OR COUCHES BEFORE 7:00 JULY 2ND.” I am paraphrasing slightly, but you don’t need a double take, that does say COUCHES! Years ago, people used to haul couches out to the median strip (presumable from the apartment buildings across the street) in order to watch the parade in comfort. It truly is something that must been seen to be believed.
Well now with the ban on staking out spots, people have taken to lining up at approximately 3:00 PM on July second waiting for the 7:00 horn to dash across the street and stake off spots in the median strip. This year we weren’t planning on going to the parade because Kris has to work on he 4th and she didn’t want to be up until 11:00 and then have to get up at 4:30 to go to work. That and I really didn’t feel like fighting for a spot this year. Well, we broke down and decided to go. We are going to sit with some friends and they go stake off a spot every year, so I didn’t have to be out there at 4:00 in order to sit on the sidewalk. I got there at about 5:45 and Ben had already claimed his spot. Pretty nice location actually. He had his stakes in the ground and ropes up to say “this is mine”. Apparently the cops are semi-lenient when it comes to staking spots a little bit early as long as you aren’t in the median strip which makes sense since it sort of a traffic hazard, as well as dangerous for people to be darting across the street. But as I was waiting for the 7:00 bell so we could say OK, time to go home, I was talking to Ben, when all of a sudden he says “oh my god look at this”. I had my back to the road and turned around to see just a rush across the street to the median strip. I had forgotten that I wanted to bring my camera so I could take pictures (or video) to post of the utter ridiculousness of the annual ritual. Talk about lemmings! It was only 6:30, a half an hour early. But apparently someone had decided it was time and went across to get a spot, to which everyone else followed. The cops were pretty much helpless. The lights were flashing, but I think they just figured it was pointless to send everyone back because they couldn’t make everyone along the mile and a half parade route pull their stakes so they just sort of figured eh, let ‘em go.
Every year I say that I am not going to do this again, but yet every year I do it. I think that it is more for the girls. If we didn’t have kids who loved the whole parade and fireworks thing we’d just as soon say screw it. Stop back for pictures of the parade in a day or so.
Some years ago, the village made a restriction that no parade items could be placed out prior to 24 hours before the parade began. I remember about 10 years ago going and staking off a spot along the parade route about a week ahead of time. People would have blankets and tarps out in the median days ahead of time. Now signs go up about a week ahead of time that say “NO PARADE ITEMS, BLANKETS, TARPS OR COUCHES BEFORE 7:00 JULY 2ND.” I am paraphrasing slightly, but you don’t need a double take, that does say COUCHES! Years ago, people used to haul couches out to the median strip (presumable from the apartment buildings across the street) in order to watch the parade in comfort. It truly is something that must been seen to be believed.
Well now with the ban on staking out spots, people have taken to lining up at approximately 3:00 PM on July second waiting for the 7:00 horn to dash across the street and stake off spots in the median strip. This year we weren’t planning on going to the parade because Kris has to work on he 4th and she didn’t want to be up until 11:00 and then have to get up at 4:30 to go to work. That and I really didn’t feel like fighting for a spot this year. Well, we broke down and decided to go. We are going to sit with some friends and they go stake off a spot every year, so I didn’t have to be out there at 4:00 in order to sit on the sidewalk. I got there at about 5:45 and Ben had already claimed his spot. Pretty nice location actually. He had his stakes in the ground and ropes up to say “this is mine”. Apparently the cops are semi-lenient when it comes to staking spots a little bit early as long as you aren’t in the median strip which makes sense since it sort of a traffic hazard, as well as dangerous for people to be darting across the street. But as I was waiting for the 7:00 bell so we could say OK, time to go home, I was talking to Ben, when all of a sudden he says “oh my god look at this”. I had my back to the road and turned around to see just a rush across the street to the median strip. I had forgotten that I wanted to bring my camera so I could take pictures (or video) to post of the utter ridiculousness of the annual ritual. Talk about lemmings! It was only 6:30, a half an hour early. But apparently someone had decided it was time and went across to get a spot, to which everyone else followed. The cops were pretty much helpless. The lights were flashing, but I think they just figured it was pointless to send everyone back because they couldn’t make everyone along the mile and a half parade route pull their stakes so they just sort of figured eh, let ‘em go.
Every year I say that I am not going to do this again, but yet every year I do it. I think that it is more for the girls. If we didn’t have kids who loved the whole parade and fireworks thing we’d just as soon say screw it. Stop back for pictures of the parade in a day or so.
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