...from finalist Karen Cinpinski

Memorial Day: not only a day for remembrance, but a time for celebration and togetherness. Just think how lucky you are to live in Milwaukee on this holiday weekend. Most inland cities don’t get the perfect blend of city-life and nature’s charm as Brew City. St. Louis and Minneapolis are both great, but neither have anything comparable to the breadth and beauty of Lake Michigan and its neighboring park system—especially this weekend as multi-generations gathered at Veterans Park for Milwaukee’s free Family Kite Festival to share an afternoon of child-like amusement and simple pleasure. Milwaukee’s skyline creates a picturesque backdrop for the vibrant triangular kites or the octopi, dragons, and bears bobbing and dancing in the cloudless sky as they create little shadows over the couples picnicking at tables or on grassy patches below. Don’t think for a minute you’re unwelcome if you don’t own a kite—there’s a lot more to experience! A father plays catch with his son like he did with his dad years ago, a mother and daughter watch sailboats floating along Lake Michigan, couples feed each other free food samples from local vendors, while others dance to acoustic melodies played by local singer-song-writers. Either way everyone was enjoying this unofficial start to summer during the kite festival. Also at this humble event, families who were tightly holding their kite strings could hear seagulls squawking above, applauds for the street performer who confidently juggles flaming batons, and the “cling” from silver bells on the four-person surrey bikes that zip around the lakefront drives. How many places have you visited where a vivacious city is bordered by a lake that’s more like an ocean? With the welcoming events and activities, Milwaukee’s lakefront is the perfect place to spend a day all summer-long!

Comments

[Jason Conner]

I agree wholeheartedly. Milwaukee's lakefront is a welcoming atmosphere for first-timers or repeat visitors.

[bertha_barker]

Great job! Your description of the kite fest makes me feel like I could see all of this happening and wish I was there to experience it! I can't wait to see more from you!!!

[Eric Damielson]

I agree, that was a wonderfull description of milwaukee

[Charlene C]

You have the best description from a family point of view. The detailed highlights makes me fell warm and fuzzy with a vision of family and friends gathering for an enjoyable event. We have a lot to be thanksful for living in Milwaukee.

[Charlene C]

You have the best description from a family point of view. The detailed highlights makes me fell warm and fuzzy with a vision of family and friends gathering for an enjoyable event. We have a lot to be thanksful for living in Milwaukee.

[Julia]

Nice, but the sweeping descriptions are a little much. Also, we don't really get a sense of who you, the blogger, are! Still, love the kite festival!

[Edward]

For Julia- Don't leave negative comments. It's in poor taste. I notice you didn't comment on the two typos that were present in Molly's blog

[Scott Collier]

It was a gorgeous weekend to be in Milwaukee, and you have described that feeling perfectly. Thank you for the reminder of what a great weekend it was and also for the great read!

[Julia]

Wasn't trying to be negative, just constructive! I was just saying that we don't really get a feel for who she is from that one post and there's only one shot to share yourself with readers.

[Erin]

Oh Edward, if your pal Karen indeed gets this gig, you best be prepared for some negative comments here and there. It's a blog, which means people are free to express their opinions, negative or not.

[Krista]

Exactly.

You don't want this gig if you can't handle feedback. People aren't always nice. They're here to criticize - both positively and negatively. So be prepared.

Blogs are meant for opinion - from both the poster and those who comment.

[Joe Guff]

Very nice description of the event. Made me sad I missed it, sounds like a great time! Sounded a little more like an advertisement than a blog though, what did you chose to do here? Did you fly a kite, get a lesson in how to handle one of the acrobatic kites? Have a picnic yourself? It's just that, in my opinion, blogs should be a tad more personal :)

I'll tell you, though, after reading this I would certainly like to see the kite fest some time and I can't think of a better result to the post!

PS: Blogs will get a lot of feedback, both good and bad. It's the net, though, and people really can say what they choose. Just take the advice and ignore people who just want to hate the best you can. I'd say the people here so far we're just trying to help, not insult :)

[KarenC]

Hey Julia-

When writing this blog I thought the descriptions would allow readers to get a better feel for what was going on at the fest. The experience is what many people want to read—the sights or sounds—everything that can engulf you. And while I think this is a good way to connect to visitors, you have a point about my blog not being as personal as others. I’m very glad to read positive criticism and will make an effort to write more like my other blogs—more personal.

If I could rewrite this blog I’d totally show off my quirky personality and great sense of humor while keeping the excitement I have for this fantastic city! But I’m only given one chance and this is it. I proved that I’m a good writer and will promise that I have more up my sleeve!

[KarenC]

Erin-

Thanks for the warning, but I’m completely prepared for everything my readers may throw at me. I’m not one to cry in a corner. In fact, I’m quite good at softball—I have the arm to throw questions and comments back. :) I will stick up for myself and opinions, but at the same time will consider constructive criticism. While I appreciate people sticking up for me and my writing (Edward), I’m a big girl and I can hack it! Thanks for all of the feed back!

[Erin]

I didn't say that you couldn't handle it. But that's good to know. While most comments are really nice, there will be the fair share of nasty ones, just because some people have nothing better to do!

Edward was the one who took offense, so the "warning" was meant for him. Seriously, "don't leave negative comments"? How bossy!

[Kaitlyn]

I agree with Julia... I wish all these entries had a little personality and zip to them. If I want detailed, sweeping descriptions of some place I'll get a book.

[KarenC]

And last but not least, Krista-

Let me tell you, I’m dying for this opportunity! Whether it breaks me down a little to build me up, I’m all for it! You are absolutely right. People aren’t always going to be nice—can you imagine how boring this world would be if we all walked hand in hand and frolicked together in unison? Lame. People have opinions and have the liberty to express them—sometimes more critically than others. But that’s no reason to run and hide.

This is one of the many things I love about blogging. You get feed back! I write on my own privately, but I won’t get comments to help build my character and improve my writing if I don’t share!

I’m the captain of a volleyball team at Tracks. I registered my team for “A level” when they thought I was crazy! I did this because we are a great team and will only improve if we are challenged. Yes, we will be beat down sometimes, but we will improve in the end—otherwise we’d just plateau.

I guess where I’m going with this is that I’m up for the challenge and will take criticism honorably. It will help me improve my writing and better entertain my readers! Thanks for all of your input! I appreciate it!

[Krista]

KarenC - I like you. You sound tough - good for you.

If you get the gig, I'll be excited to see the personality come through.

Good luck!

[Erin]

I like that you said you're dying for this opportunity. That's just how I felt two years ago.

I haven't voted yet, just putting that out there.

Whoever takes over best do this site proud, though!

[Michael]

Now this is what I'm talking about! This is the pride our city has for itself and the history behind it, generations. Being from Milwaukee myself I can picture a lot of the things you speak of, but even without that, I could really understand what makes Milwaukee great. Now how about them Brewers!

[Michael]

Now this is what I'm talking about! This is the pride our city has for itself and the history behind it, generations. Being from Milwaukee myself I can picture a lot of the things you speak of, but even without that, I could really understand what makes Milwaukee great. Now how about them Brewers!

[Kelly]

Karen - After your responses to the many comments, I definitely am getting a much better sense of your personality and would look forward to your take on the city. I agree with Julia's first comment though, your post didn't really have the personality and attitude (in a good way!) that your comments do. Good luck!

[KarenC]

Thank you, Erin, for posting a couple questions for all of us! Reader’s primary concern regarding my first blog is the lack of personality. With my character on the line, I’m pleased to take some time to share more about myself and my plans for PlayintheCity.com. Hopefully from the additional information you read, I’ll prove to have the ability to be a superb blogger, not just a good writer!

1. Basically, I’ve been planning this blog for years, but didn’t realize it. Your first question is difficult not because I haven’t considered what I want to write about (since I don’t stop thinking about it), but because there’s so much I’ve already penciled into my itinerary! Honestly, each season I make a multi-page list of things to see, events to partake in, and places to explore in Milwaukee!

Besides swing dancing at the Milwaukee Ale House, playing sand volleyball weekly at Tracks and Leff’s Lucky Town, biking around the city and park systems, and rooting for the home team at Miller Park, I’m always looking for excitement! For instance, this weekend is jam-packed with such activities like the Downer Avenue Plein Aire Painting Competition. Being an artist myself and living only a couple blocks away, I’ll stroll around Downer peeking at local artists while they paint the scene. Maybe I’ll soak up some inspiration too—I say maybe, of course I will!

Many of these artists wouldn’t be fulfilling their dreams if MKE wasn’t so involved in the arts. Naturally, I will be participating in the Miller Lite Ride for the Arts this Sunday as I kick my own butt riding the 50 mile course! Eek! I guess I’m counting on the riding I do around the city to pay off at this point. I’m also dropping by River Splash Saturday evening.

Coming up, I’m pumped for Summerfest! Not only am I a music junkie, but I used to work in Milwaukee radio. Spending every waking moment at the soundstage on the festival grounds, I learned the ins and outs of the fest. I’ll share that knowledge with you as I get caught up in the music, food and fun.

I’m also excited to catch a glimpse of Bamba and Muuri, the two male koalas spending the summer with us at the Milwaukee County Zoo. I’ll be there to interact with the sting rays and sharks as they surf the new touch pools. I’ve only stroked my cat, Quinn, never a sting ray!

Furthermore, I love the outdoors and plan to bike the Oak Leaf’s Trail to the Boerner Botanical Gardens and all over the lakefront. Fishing and sailing are two of my favorite summertime activities and I’m excited to test those bumbling hydrobikes at McKinley Marina!

And finally (thank you for sticking with me), I heart ethnic festivals! Not too many people realize that Milwaukee is known as the “city of festivals” for a HUGE reason. What better way to unite our different customs and heritage than at festivals held summer-long! Whether Irish or Italian, Hispanic or Polish, African-American or German, the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan becomes packed with people looking to learn about a different heritage or celebrate their own by sampling food, dance, music and experiencing part of what makes Milwaukee great, its diverse culture. Plus, I didn’t take Polka lessons at Art’s Concertina Bar for nothing!

I hope all of you are as excited as I am to get this rolling—then again, I have no doubt about it! Like I said, I’m thrilled to be a part of this competition and look forward to hearing more feed back—positive or negative. :)

2. This too is a tough question, Erin, simply because I’m blessed with many people who I’d love to share this experience with! My high school friends who are always searching for a new hotspot, siblings itching to spend a lazy afternoon together outdoors, or my boyfriend who wants to learn more about Milwaukee since this is only his second summer here. I can’t say who’ll venture with me more, but I’m guessing I’ll be dragging my boyfriend along for most adventures—not that I’d have to twist his arm, he’s behind me 100%! What I’d enjoy most about having Eric at my side while parading around Brew City and exploring different events is that he and I are two very different people (proof that opposites DO attract!), so at all times there will be a different perspective to take into account. Not only will it be a perfect time to bond, it’s a way to share each other’s interests while perhaps finding new ones too!

Thanks again for asking! If there are any other questions, comments or concerns, feel free to share. Hopefully we’ll hangout again soon!

[anonymous]

I'd love to hear more personality if Karen gets the gig. Honestly, this entry sounds like catalog copy -- a bit too dreamy and with sweeping generalizations, especially "a father plays catch with his son like he did with his dad years ago." I wasn't clear if this actually happened or you were imagining it (again, smacks of promotional copy). Also, you don't tell us specifics (because the blog will be read by a lot of newbies in Milwaukee): Where is Veterans Park? How long has this kite festival been around? I know this is a sample entry, and am not trying to be harsh. Just pointing a few things out.

[Suzie_Q]

Karen- It seems you put a lot of thought into this position--after reading your answers to Erin's two questions and reading your comments (above), I'd be excited to read more from you if you get this gig. While it’s a challenge to write a descriptive essay well, it’s not necessarily showing who you are. I'm finally seeing your personality shine through from your answers and wonder why you didn't write like this to begin with. You are a good writer and I bet you could make a good blogger too. Best wishes!