Play in the City

Happy Thanksgiving

Wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, even if I am a few days late. Hope you enjoyed your holiday, and that you have much to be thankful for this year.

As for me, my holiday was nice, although Dave's grandma's passing put a bit of a damper on the festivities this year. I did manage to see my whole family on Thanksgiving, as well as Dave's family, and I've gotten to relax a little, too. Of course, the weekend has gone much too quickly, as it always does. I was very thankful for the four days off though!

The night before Thanksgiving I got together with some high school friends in Burlington. It was a great time, but I regretted much of it the next day, when I just couldn't stomach most of the delicious food that was being served.

The day after Thanksgiving, we got our first big snowfall of the year already, so Dave and I spent some time Friday night shoveling snow.

Just like I enjoy raking leaves, I enjoy shoveling snow, too. The world is so quiet and peaceful, and it's a good workout, too. Once we'd finished the driveway, Dave went inside, but I stayed outside and did the neighbor's sidewalk - not really because I'm a nice person (though I AM) but because I wanted to shovel more snow!



That's about as good as it gets as far as outdoor activities go this past weekend. But I'll be back with you soon. Have a good week!

Lucky #100

Greetings,

I'm sorry I've been MIA this weekend. It was Thanksgiving. Dave's grandma passed away and yesterday was the wake and funeral. My internet was down for awhile.

Plus, I've been stressing a bit about what to put in this post. Why, you ask? Well, because this post is special.

It just happens to be my 100th post.

In the blogosphere, a 100th post is a big deal, and it usually entails a list of some sort to mark the occasion. Many bloggers do a "100 Things About Me" post, and while I stressed all weekend about whether or not I should do one on a blog that isn't meant to focus solely on me, I've decided to go ahead and do my own list. It's my blog after all. And I think it's terribly fun to get a glimpse into another person's life, whether you know them or not.

(Speaking of which, the book I just read, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, is fantastic, and it does just that – it gives you a look into the author's life, and it's hilarious and comforting and surprising and – did I mention hilarious? – all at once. I highly recommend it.)

Before I get to the list, I must do a little reflecting. After all, 100 posts is a milestone.

This blog is all kinds of fun to keep. As I've said numerous times before, whenever I look back over the site, I'm amazed at some of the things I've been lucky enough to do. And I'm only halfway through my year!

I've become more involved in the blogosphere and I'm always surprised at how many kind, unique people there are out there, sharing their lives with strangers. It's an awesome way to be connected with the world, and I really don't see blogs going anywhere anytime soon.

On this day, November 27, 2005, the stats for Play in the City look like this:

27,185 hits
140 average per day
441 comments posted
3 trackbacks
5 pages of results for Erin Leffelman on Google

Anyway … without further ado, I give you my list, in honor of my 100th blog post.

Hooray for reading!

My book club had its first meeting last night and it was an absolute blast. I was a bit nervous about it - I mean, how do book clubs work? I had no idea. But I found out last night.

You mix 1 part book discussion with 2 parts laughter and gossip, mix in a couple bottles of wine, some food and a great Milwaukee apartment and - voila! - you've got a book club. 



Jennon, who lives in the Fifth Ward, hosted the meeting, and when I first walked into her apartment and looked out her windows, I had to do a double-take. Just outside her door, from her deck on the 13th floor, was the most spectacular view of Milwaukee I'd ever seen. The entire skyline to the left, Lake Michigan to the front, and the Allen Bradley clock to the right. It was breathtaking!



Anyway, there are five of us in the book club - although one couldn't make it last night - and we're going to take turns hosting and choosing which book to read, and we'll be meeting once per month.

I'm already excited for our next meeting.

I love a parade

Who doesn't love a parade?



The Milwaukee Holiday Parade was wonderful yesterday. The morning was sunny and warm, and according to the story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this morning, an estimated 50-100,000 people came out for it. 

I hadn't been to a parade in several years, and I'd forgotten how fun they can be. Where else can you see marching bands, dogs wearing Santa hats, tap dancers, local celebrities, oversized balloons, Dancing Grannies, AND Santa Claus all in one place? A parade brings communities together and puts everyone in a great mood. The streets of Milwaukee were just bursting with holiday spirit yesterday!

The marching bands were my favorite part - the bands from Franklin High School and Mequon-Thiensville in particular because they both did some pretty groovy choreography as they played - and there were plenty of them: two dozen, according to the paper. The guy from Jolly Giants on the big wheel was fun to see, and the Dancing Grannies were great, too - I think I want to be one someday. We saw Gene Mueller and Amy Taylor, our pal Mike Jacobs ("we had lunch with him one day!" - Dave), and - mmmmm - Patrick Paolantonio.

Several groups gave out candy and other goodies as they walked by, and even though we may still feel like little kids in our minds, ready to run for the candy, we hung back and let the actual kids have it. However, when people from Starbucks went by, handing out bags of their "Holiday Blend," I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by. I yelled out "I love Starbucks!" - thoroughly embarrassing Dave - and I was thrown a bag. Score! I made a pot of it this morning - delicious.



The 90-minute parade ended with Santa of course, and I was in really high spirits as we walked back to the car.

And, as a side note, I'm getting even deeper into the holiday spirit this morning because VH1 has a new special in their "I Love The … " series – "I Love the Holidays!" It's absolutely hilarious, and yet also leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. I love it.

The Kick-off Extravaganza last night

I rushed home from work last night, put on some warmer clothes and then picked up Christi and we headed downtown for the Holiday Lights Kick-off Extravaganza. I knew we'd miss the tree lighting at 5:40 at Red Arrow Park, but I was hoping to see the entire performance at Pere Marquette Park, which began at 6:00. Unfortunately, it took about 15 minutes to find parking, when we finally just decided to pay $6 like eight blocks away.

We hightailed it toward the River, walking arm in arm (and singing the theme from Laverne and Shirley) to stay warm, and as we got closer to the park, we began to hear Trans-Siberian Orchestra music blasting from the speakers. We joined the crowd of several hundred people and watched while two men with chain saws carved a huge Christmas tree out of a block of ice in time to the music - it was awesome. I wish we hadn't missed so much of it!



We walked through the crowd a bit and took in the scene around us: families and couples, all dressed in plenty of layers, eating cookies and drinking coffee and hot chocolate while watching the performances, which took place on a small stage that bordered the Milwaukee River. The sky was clear and the moon was full, and the buildings surrounding us were illuminated by red and green lights, and various holiday messages blazed across their windows. Trees and Christmas figures stood darkened on the grass, to be switched on a bit later.



We got to see the Milwaukee Bucks dancers, Radio Disney dancers, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra chorus perform, and they all looked and sounded wonderful, and had big smiles on their faces despite the bitter cold temperatures. After each performance, the applause wasn't very strong because everyone was wearing mittens or gloves, and I felt kind of bad for the performers not getting that roar of applause that they should have. I did what I could with my cheers. 

Christi and I were given jingle bells to wear around our necks by a girl walking through the crowd, and after awhile, we decided to get some hot chocolate to warm up.

Now this hot chocolate we were given deserves some recognition. It was the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted, and I don't think it was just because I was so cold. It was as if someone had melted a piece of chocolate into my cup. And you know why it was so tasty? Because I'm pretty sure it was Starbucks hot chocolate. And I say "pretty sure" because when we walked up to the park, there was a Starbucks banner that said "Hot beverages this way" - but when we were handed said beverages, they did not come from an urn that said Starbucks, and they were in plain white cups, not Starbucks cups. I find that pretty cool. But anyway - man, it was delicious.

When it was time for the finale, Sandy Maxx from 99 WMYX led the crowd in a countdown from 10, and when we got to 1, all of the trees and Christmas figures lit up in unison and - corny as it may sound - it was magical. There's something about the holidays that can make any person, no matter what age, feel like a delighted little kid again. As soon as the park lit up, the music and the fireworks began. I had no idea that fireworks were in the plan, and it was a happy surprise. It was odd to see fireworks in the freezing cold with buildings as their background, but it was really neat. I expected them to stop after a minute or so, but they just kept on going! They were some of the best fireworks I've ever seen - I was amazed!



The best part was that they were set to go off in tune with the music, so they slowed down and quickened up as necessary, and each time a new song came on, different fireworks would explode above. When Elvis' Blue Christmas came on, a bunch of kids dressed all in blue with their faces painted blue came out and danced. When Feliz Navidad came on, the whole crowd began dancing, as that's a song that you can't help but move to. People were mesmerized, and by the time the finale came, I was giddy. I had tried to take some pictures, but of course pictures don't do fireworks justice, so I put the camera away and just enjoyed it. (though the picture from the Journal Sentinel in the post below this one shows them pretty well!)

The evening was a three-parter, and once the fireworks were over, the crowd was heading to the Wyndham Hotel for a tree lighting ceremony, but we were frozen to the bone and decided to head back to the car. We had a really great night, even if it was a quick one. I'm really glad I got to experience it - it was a perfect kick-off to the season.

If you live in the Milwaukee area, it's definitely worth coming out for next year! We're lucky our city puts on such an elaborate - and free! - show for us!

And don't forget, tomorrow is the Milwaukee Holiday Parade. It starts at 9:30 a.m. at Kilbourne and Prospect and ends at the Grand Avenue Mall. I'll be down there, and I'll try to get some good pictures!

Picture

A very cool picture from the Lights Festival last night taken by Jeffrey Phelps of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Again, I'll post about my experience there last night when I get home tonight - right now, I must start working! Have a great day – and Happy Friday!

In the spirit

I'm definitely in the Christmas spirit now! The holiday lights event tonight was spectacular - I had so much fun. We nearly froze to death, but we had such a good time nonetheless. Check back tomorrow night - I'll post about it then! Good night!

Kick off the holidays tonight

BRRRRR!

Winter has officially arrived in Wisconsin. Just like that, yesterday it was 30 degrees and there were flurries falling from the sky, and today it's even colder. I'm not enjoying the cold one bit, but I guess it's good timing, considering that tonight officially kicks off the holiday season in downtown Milwaukee.

I heard about it again on the radio this morning and it sounds like it'll be tons of fun. A tree lighting around 5:40, then a 45-minute performance in Pere Marquette Park by the Milwaukee River that will feature Radio Disney dancers, Milwaukee Bucks dancers, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra chorus, and much more. They'll have free cookies and coffee and hot chocolate, and lots of pretty decorations to see.

If you're in the Milwaukee area, I think it'll definitely be worth coming out for. But be sure to bundle up! I'll be there with my friend, Christi - hopefully I'll get out of work in time to catch most of the festivities!

For more information, go here.

A blustery weekend

The weather this weekend has been atrocious! Wind, wind, and more wind - the strongest wind we've had in these parts in ages! It makes for some cozy weekend weather to hole up in, but it sure doesn't allow for much outdoor fun.

Yesterday Dave and I finally bit the bullet and raked up all the leaves in our yard, both back and front. I actually really enjoy raking leaves - have since I was a kid when Dad would have all three of us kids outside with the rakes all day while he burned them all in a big pile in the backyard. I love the smell of the leaves and the feeling of accomplishment when they're all raked up, and I always loved jumping in them, too - though we didn't do that yesterday since they were wet.



It's a good thing (or is it?) we managed to get them all out to the curb yesterday, just before the wind started up. Last night, as we drove through the East Side, a long stretch on Oakland Ave. was completely without power. There were no stoplights, no streetlights, nothing, and it was creepy. We expected to come home and find our power out, too, but we didn't. It turns out that the power outage wasn't due to the weather, but a plane that crashed into some power lines! My friend today even said that she saw it on CNN last night. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Today the plan was to head to the zoo, and I woke up pretty excited about it. But all night, our windows had been rattling, and my bed even shook a little this morning from the wind, and when I walked to the grocery store to get some breakfast, it nearly knocked me off my feet! I thought of the people who had to run the Jingle Bell run this morning, which I had originally planned on running. I bet it was difficult - and not too fun! We put the zoo plans on hold, probably until next weekend or the weekend after.

It was still a lovely day, though. Sunday is definitely my favorite day of the week. I spent a leisurely two hours pouring through the Sunday paper and having some coffee, and then we ventured downtown to go to Borders bookstore, on Wisconsin and Plankinton. I was seeking out Suze Orman's book, The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke since that's what I am - especially the broke part. I found it and realized it was hardcover and $24.95 - and being broke, that was too much for me, so I ordered it from Amazon today instead. I'm hoping it will provide some good information and a glimmer of hope - because being broke is causing me much stress and anxiety these days. And I know I'm in the same boat that many twenty-somethings just starting out are in - but it doesn't make it any easier.

We walked through Grand Avenue mall, which is all decked out for Christmas already, of course. (We got a kick out of this bear orchestra - unfortunately, they didn't play for us) It really bothers me that we can't enjoy one holiday before we have to be thinking about the next. I love Christmastime so much, but I'm completely not ready for it yet this year.

I guess I have to be ready, though, because this week kicks off the season in Milwaukee. Thursday night I'll be heading downtown for the first night of the Holiday Lights Festival, and Saturday morning, I'll be down there for the Holiday Parade, which begins at 9:30 a.m. on Kilbourne and Prospect.

Anyway, I also took a few pics of the lake today. It was such a bright shade of blue. I enjoyed it just for a moment from Juneau Park before retreating back to my car and heading home.



I'm off now to enjoy what's left of my Sunday. I have a few hours to fill before my favorite show – Grey's Anatomy – comes on. Hope you've all had a good weekend – and are staying warm in this crazy wind!

Hello Hello

It's Thursday night, which means that another weekend looms just ahead. This is always good news.

I've already worked like 50 hours this week, so I get to take a half-day tomorrow - so my weekend will be extra long. And for the first time since I've started having weekends off, I actually have no plans. Nothing I'm committed to, nothing that I have to do. And it feels fabulous. 

I'm enjoying my new job more and more every day. For the first couple of weeks, I really thought, "if this is what people do for forty plus years of their life, you can count me out." It was such an adjustment getting up so early, and being gone for the better part of the day, and settling into a completely new environment, but now I'm finding that it's easier and easier to get up early, and the job is really fun. It's exciting and challenging and different every day. Yup, I've decided that you can count me back in.

Anyway, I'm not yet sure what I'll be doing this weekend that I can share with you... The plan was to run the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at the zoo on Sunday morning, but I didn't sign us up in time. I think we might head to the zoo anyway since I've wanted to go for some time now. But we'll see.

Another thing looming just ahead is a long Wisconsin winter. This is not such good news.

I enjoy winter for the first couple of months each year, but six months is a bit ridiculous. And I'm a little bit worried about finding enough outdoor activities to fill this blog during all those cold months. I mean, I'm psyched about the things I'll be doing - skiing, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, the Polar Bear plunge, various Christmas activities, etc. - but they are certainly not enough.

While this blog is meant to showcase the outdoor recreation scene in Milwaukee, it has quickly become more than that. It encompasses the many things I appreciate in my city - the restaurants, the theaters, the museums - and I'm sure it will become even more of that in the coming months. But don't worry - I'll definitely be spending much of my winter outdoors, trying things I've never tried before, and of course coming on here to share.

My winter activity list just isn't quite long enough, though. What are some of the Wisconsin winter activities that I should partake in? Any thoughts?