Weekend With a Cherry on Top (Days 7, 8, 9, and 10)

Howdy! I know, It's been a while. I realize I'm about to cover four days in one post, and that doesn't exactly match the format of this blog. Oh well.

Thursday - St. Patrick's Day

The luck of the Irish was not on my side on Thursday night. For St. Patrick's day this year, I had planned to go out for a beer or two near my apartment with a few friends. The plan was to pick up my friend Ryan from the Hofbrau House downtown, and then head over to the east side of Milwaukee to go out. 

Let me set the scene for you. The time is somewhere around 11 PM. I'm sitting in my own personal go-kart on 3rd Street waiting for Ryan to come out of the bar. After a few minutes of waiting, Ryan informs me that he isn't there. Woo-hoo.  At this point, I'm noticing a whole bunch of commotion and that State Street was closed off. Either way, I gotta get out of there, so I decide to inch out into traffic.

SCRAPE SCRAPE SCRAPE SCRAPE

My go-kart! It was hit by a bigger and scarier van! I pulled over and got out of the car, as did the guy who hit me. I walk over to him, and he promptly starts yelling at me: "[Expletive] you! You [expletive]ing hit me! Look what you did to me [expletive]ing van!" This guy was not happy. I knew I had to get this guy's insurance info and get out of there. 

"Why don't we just exchange insurance information and we'll figure it out later?" "Nah man, you hit my car, F you..."

And it went on like that. At first I thought he didn't have insurance, so I just asked for his contact info. He continued to refuse, and continued to make a scene. Finally, he gets in his car and drives off. I was like "...Really?" It was a good thing I memorized his plates. Or so I thought. 

I drove to the police station, since there was no way I was getting a cop to come out to that mess. I explained the situation, where a very helpful Milwaukee Police Officer ran his license plate. The plate belonged to a stolen Ford Taurus. I was hit by a van. None of that matched up. Awesome. 

This was unfortunately not the only douchey person I would encounter that weekend.

Friday

After watching Marquette dominate Xavier in the second round of the NCAA tournament, my friends and I decided to hit the bars on North Avenue. We went to Cans, a bar which is good for it's drink prices, but bad for the high volume of meat-heads it brings. 

At the end of the night, my friend went up to the bar to close his tab. While waiting, he kindly asked the person next to him to hold his drink so he could get his wallet out. Instead of saying "Sure! I'd love to help you out," the guy knocked the drink on the floor. That wasn't deserved, but it's a bar. Sometimes, someone has gotta be annoying. 

Of course, that wasn't enough. The guy was trying to start a fight with my friend, which I still don't understand. He was clearly just being a drunk asshole. He followed us out the door and brought other meat-heads with him. There was a lot of yelling, but we had a pretty large group of people, so we were able to break it up. We continued to walk down the street to fulfill our awesome plan of getting pizza.

About a block later, a beat up Ford Focus pulls up to us on the street. It's Mo, Curly, and Larry trying to start a fight again. They begin yelling at us from in their car, when out of nowhere, this guy that none of us know walks up and starts making fun of their car. He said things like "You don't really look like you take care of this thing," and "This is a poor car." It was pretty funny. Here's some guy, probably walking home from the bars, who doesn't even know us, and he just comes up and talks smack to the meat-heads. It was hilarious. They peeled out in frustration and drove off. 

I told the random guy that he should stay and get pizza with us. He said he was down. By time we got to Ian's, he was gone. No one knows what happened to him.

Saturday

I lacked a day of awesome. I had plans to help my friend move, and visit some family, so I didn't get to do anything exciting. I know, I'm a bum. 

Sunday

Marquette vs. Syracuse. I could swear I have seen this match-up before. This time, the steaks were much higher. The winner would advance to the Sweet 16, and the loser's season would be over. I was fully expecting a last second loss, since Marquette has a rich history of them over the last few years. (Yes, each of those links is a separate gut wrenching loss.)

I went over to Fanatics, a new sports bar in the Third Ward, with some friends to watch the game. Just as a side note, this place is over-rated. The service sucks and the food is just OK. Anywho, the game got underway. Marquette got down 10 points quickly, and everyone was starting to have their doubts. The bar was quiet, everyone was hoping that this wouldn't be the end for MU.

The bar woke up with about five minutes to go in the first half when Marquette decided to start playing well and close the gap. MU had withered Syracuse's lead down to just a few points by time the one minute mark rolled around. Everyone was starting to get excited. Then, Jimmy Butler drained a shot as time expired on the half. The place erupted. What a great way to end the half.

The rest of the game would prove to be an absolute dog-fight. Everyone was tentative. I was already mentally preparing myself for the inevitable last second loss on a crazy Syracuse shot. It was rowdy but reserved until the final minutes. With about a minute remaining, Scoop Jardine blew it for Syracuse by stepping in the backcourt. SU turned the ball over, and Marquette had a great chance to take the lead.

On the next possession, it looked like no one was going to take a shot. There had to be at least three shot fakes. As the shot clock was winding down, Jimmy Butler had a 360 degree pass to Darius Johnson-Odom. DJO took the shot, and it was pure. The place went crazy. I haven't jumped up and down like that since the 1998 NBA Finals.

Marquette proceeded to win the game, and survive to advance to their first Sweet Sixteen since 2003. My bracket is screwed, I've got no chance at winning one cent of my $40 I spent on bracket pools back. And that is perfectly fine by me :)

Monday and Tuesday's posts to come soon!

Day 6: Rooting my Phone and Return from Hiatus

Monday - Day 6


On Monday night, I was feeling pretty tired, and needed something I could do at home. I decided to have my first geek out of Lent, and root my HTC Evo 4G. To the non-nerds out there: you don't have to stop reading. This is not going to be a technical article!

For those who don't know what is means to "root" a phone, "rooting" means to hack the device to have full control over it. When most phones come from the carriers, such as Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon, they have software installed by said carriers. Many times, a carrier will limit functionality on the device using the software they install. They may do this for many different reasons - to increase stability, to improve better battery life, or to charge you more to enable that feature! After having a conversation with my friend Sean last weekend about how he rooted his phone, I decided to sit down and give it a shot.

After doing a whole lot of reading on XDA Developers, I figured that this would be a simple process. Download some software, restart the phone, and voila - I'd be done. Of course, I ran into a minor snafu with some software on my computer that was interfering with the connection to the phone, which took me a while to figure out. But, once I realized that, it was a fairly painless process. If you want to know what I did, simply watch this YouTube video.

After finishing that process, I was able to install new version of the Android operating system on my device. I chose Fresh Evo - mostly because that was what my friend Sean was running, and he said good things. After the relatively painless install, all the bloat that was on my phone was gone. Goodbye and good riddance to all the Sprint apps and the advertisement apps (like Blockbuster) that I never used or wanted. It seems to me that the phone may be a little more responsive, but that might just be me. I definitely have much better battery life - which was what I really wanted.

All in all, it was a cool experience. I learned more about how my phone worked, and did something I'd never done before. None of this would be necessary if I would have just stuck with my good ol' reliable dumb phone from back in the day, but I'm a sucker for technology. Oh well.

So much for this not being a "techy" article. Sorry. It happens sometimes when a computer engineer is writing a blog :)  I promise to not do this TOO often!

Return from Hiatus 


As for the last two days, you may have noticed that I haven't written anything. I've spent the last two days sick, and I've haven't felt like doing much at all. I slept most of Tuesday, for what it is worth. Today I went into the office, but I could have stayed home. However, the one "cool" thing I did was watch a great documentary on Michigan's Fab 5. You should check it out.

Today's interesting experience: writing this whole article after taking NyQuil. Looks like it was a success, until I read it tomorrow :P

-Phil

Weekend Update - Days 4 and 5: Feeding the Hungry, and Technology is So Cool

I'm going to cheat a little bit - I'm summarizing my weekend in one post. Seeing as it is already 11:13 on Monday night, I'm still playing catch up from a really busy weekend. Herea goes...

Saturday

Saturday's interesting event started off bright and early at 9 AM at the Usinger's packaging plant on Milwaukee's near south side.

I'm a member of Rotaract Milwaukee, a community service organization for 18 to 30 year olds. Every month, we get together and perform an act of service in our local community. On Saturday, we were packaging food that will be sent to hungry children worldwide. Though it was an early event, I'm really glad I went. It was a great way to start my Saturday.

Due to the fact that there were also local Rotary club members in addition to us Rotaractors, there were quite a few people volunteering at the event - and a wide age range. We were split up into groups of about six people. I found myself coupled with four other people I didn't know, and one I barely knew. Those I didn't know were Rotary members, and the other was a prospective Rotaractor named Will, who happened to be a Triangle from MSOE. While we were working, it was great to hear everyones stories of why they were involved in the project and what they were doing with their lives. Talking with those at my table on Saturday made me really realize I'm a people person. Here's our table in action:

Following the food packaging service event, I promptly returned home for a two hour nap in preparation to play poker with some friends that night :)

Sunday

I was really having a hard time coming up with something to do for Sunday. It was the laziest of Sundays - I found myself sitting in my pajamas well into the afternoon. I was sorting through my list of ideas when I heard a sound come out of my laptop...

Do doot doo do, do doot do doo...

First thing I said: "What the hell is that?" I quickly realized someone was video calling me on Google Chat - something that has never happened before. It wasn't just anyone... it was my Mom! I wondered if I should pick the call up - I still looked like I had just rolled out out bed and it was the middle of the day. However, when Mom calls, you answer. So I did.

It wasn't really that exciting of a conversation - just a normal chat between a mom and her son. What was cool about it to me was the fact that not only was I video chatting - something I never do - but it was with my mom! This means that Google has figured out how to make video chat easy and friendly to use to non-techies. That's a big step for the technology. Video chat isn't new (we've had it for over a decade now), but the fact that it is easy to use means it really has a chance of taking off. It was one of those "holy crap, we're living in the future" moments for me.

I know what you're thinking. "Really? Your Sunday event was a video chat you didn't plan on having?!" Umm... yes? Sometimes I'm going to have moderately lazy days, and I'll take any sort of interesting event I can get. Don't worry, I've got good stuff on the horizon. :)

To the geeks out there - stay tuned for my next entry. I had my first "geek out" day of Lent tonight!

Philbo, over and out.

Day 3: Art Museum? No... Corned beef? Hmm... Wait, I got it! Comida Mexicana!

Day three, Friday, was exhibit A in the case of how writing this blog will be difficult at times.

In planning for this blog, I created a spreadsheet of ideas of things to do along with a schedule. Friday's idea said, and still says, "Milwaukee Art Museum: After Dark." I was excited for this event. For one, I have never been to the Milwaukee Art Museum before, so I wanted to go for that reason alone. Plus, who doesn't want to party at the Art Museum? Well, when partying at the art museum costs $12 just to get in, not many people want to party at the art museum with you. So, that was out - strike one.

I then came up with the bulletproof plan of getting corned beef at Jake's - a legendary sandwich place in a not so nice part of Milwaukee. My friends Ryan, Jake, and I made the trek down North Avenue. We got there only to find that the open sign was not illuminated:

The lights were on, and the workers were there - but when we walked up to the door we were turned away. Why they were closed, I'll never know. Strike two.

At this point, I was getting desperate. I couldn't miss a day so soon in my blog! Ryan came up with an idea. He vaguely remembered a new place we hadn't tried on the south side of the city. He insisted it was called "Chicken Palace." I could swear it was "El Pollo Loco." Either way, we were going. When we got there, we discovered it was was called "El Rey de Pollo."

In looking at the menu, we could see that this place was legit Mexican food. None of this "Enchiladas Suizas" stuff. I'm talking home made tortillas, mouth burning salsa, chorizo filled goodness. My eyes were instantly drawn to the right side of the menu where I saw...

SOPES! Holy Pope John Paul the Second! Sopes were a staple of my adolescence at Taco Burrito King in Chicago. They are pretty much the best thing ever, and you can't find them anywhere in Wisconsin for some strange reason. So, I knew what I was getting - one sope con chorizo, and one sope con carnitas. It was awesome. I was satisfied with the journey of getting to El Rey de Pollo.

Sometimes life isn't about the destination - it's about the journey. On Friday, it was about both.

Singer/songwriter Warren Zevon once said, "Enjoy every sandwich." Well, I say: Enjoy every sope!

PS: I know I'm running behind here. Get ready for two more posts about my Saturday and Sunday, coming tomorrow.

Day 2: Pretending to be a "Morning Person" at the Gym

BEEP BEEP BE

EP BEEP BEEP BEEP

This is the noise I awoke to this morning. I dread this sound every single weekday at 7:30 AM. Today, I dreaded it even more at 6:15 AM. Last night, I finally crawled into bed at 1:04 AM. I didn't mean for it to be that way - but take the perfect storm of the events in Madison, a thrilling Marquette vs. West Virginia game, and writing my day one article, I didn't have much choice. I'm more than a little shortchanged on sleep today.

I was off and driving by time 6:22 rolled around. As I drove down Water Street in Milwaukee to the Downtown YMCA, I noticed how empty the city was at that hour. I made nearly every stop light on my way. There was almost no one out. It was strange to think that in two hours, I'd be making the same exact drive - but there would be a lot more cars. When I got to my parking garage, I expected it to be empty too... but it was packed, as you can see in the picture below. I don't know who these people are who show up for work at 6:30 AM, but I just want to let them all know that they're officially crazy for being up this early :)

As I was walking in, I realized that I had no actual proof I was at the gym that early. I didn't take a picture of my clock, and there was no way I was going to do so while working out. So, I decided to check-in on Facebook to the Y:

As I began my workout, I noticed that the gym was PACKED. It was a different crowd than I usually see. Instead of the testosterone fueled broskis that I normally find in my afternoon workouts, I encountered quiet, mild-mannered office workers trying to stay in shape before they headed to the office. And as soon as seven o'clock hit, they were completely gone. I pretty much had the track to myself after that. It was great.

As much as I liked starting my day working out, there was one thing I didn't really like. My whole routine felt very rushed. I do a lot of stretches before I actually run - nearly 30 minutes worth - due to the fact that I had a knee injury a while back. I had to eliminate a stretch or two, and really book it on the track to get done in time. If I continue to go to the gym in the morning, I'll definitely need to give myself a few extra minutes.

Overall, it was a good experience. I felt great all day, despite being tired from my lack of sleep. Maybe I can get myself into this habit after all...

That was day two. I am now one twenty-third done with this experiment of awesome!

Day 1: Photography Exposition and Lecture

Day one! Here goes nothing.

Tonight, I went to listen to photographers Kelli Connell and Will Steacy speak about their photographs currently on display at Marquette University's Haggerty Museum of Art in the exhibition "The Truth is Not in the Mirror: Photography and a Constructed Identity." I had no prior knowledge of these photographers or their works. They were speaking at Eckstein Hall, Marquette's gorgeous new law school. It was my first time in there, and let me say, the place is absolutely amazing. Don't believe me? Have a look for yourself:

Anyway, enough of my gushing about the location. I didn't know what to expect going into this - I have never been to a lecture given by an artist, much less two artists, about their work. I was ready for it to be boring and for me to want to get out of there. Instead, I found it very interesting.

Kelli Connell spoke first. All of her photographs were composed shots of a model who played two roles in a relationship setting. Connell literally duplicated the same woman in two different positions in each photograph. (You can see an example here.) She described her technique, which I found very interesting. She shot multiple photos per scene, each with the model in a different position. After developing the photos (she shoots with film), she cut up her contact sheets to compose the final image, which she then edited in Photoshop. I was also surprised MU let this show up in their art gallery, considering that the photos could imply a relationship between two women - which they haven't taken kindly to in recent times.

Will Steacy was the second photographer to speak. He had two projects that he focused on. The one I really enjoyed focused on life in the inner city in poor areas. As a child of the inner city, Will identified with living in fear in a dangerous place. In eight (I think) cities, he walked from the airport to the city center in the middle of the night, taking pictures along the way. Some of his pictures were unreal. I always wish I knew how to capture emotion in my pictures - and Will's pictures definitely had it.

After the lecture, I went over to the reception at the Haggerty Musuem to check out the gallery. Somehow I never made it into there in my four years of college. Nice place. Not very big, but worth checking out if you have the time.

There was one thing that really stuck out to me this whole night, however. During the lecture, a man walked into the classroom in the law school about half way through. He looked a little disheveled and unkempt. I'm guessing he was homeless, or close to it. He sat through the portion of the lecture he showed up to, payed attention, and seemed generally interested... which was surprising to me. Afterwards, at the reception, I saw him make a beeline for the free fruit and snacks every chance he got. He was scarfing the food down as fast as he could. That was probably his dinner and warm shelter for the night. That was definitely something I thought about as I walked Marquette's pretty snow covered campus back to my car. Not everyone has had the luck and fortune I have to be able to go to school, and get the skills to earn a living. Made me wish I knew a way to improve the lives of those in need.

That's day one. What will tomorrow bring? You'll just have to read to find out!

Day 0: Here Goes Nothing...

Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday will mark the start of Lent for millions of Christians worldwide. With Lent being a time of sacrifice for Jesus, tomorrow many will be asked:

What are you giving up for Lent?

Now, I am by no means religious. I haven't given anything up for Lent since I was a kid in Catholic grade school. But yesterday, an idea struck me while reading the blog 28 Things to Do - what if I gave up doing uninteresting things for Lent? For the next 46 days, Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, I plan on doing something new and interesting every single day.

While this sounds like it could be fun, I believe it is actually going to be a serious challenge. For one, thinking of something new to do every single day is going to be hard. I only have about one week's worth of ideas so far. Another factor that makes this difficult is the fact that I hold down a full time job as a Software Tester - so the weekday hours of 8 to 5 are out. Nevertheless, I plan on giving this a go. Let's see how long I can keep doing it - and how long I can keep thinking of new ideas!

If you have any ideas for things you'd like to see me do, shoot me an email: 46daysofawesome@gmail.com.

46 straight days of self improvement and new experiences begin bright and early tomorrow...