Play in the City

A Photographer. Me?

Several months ago I was contacted via email by several people that were part of the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, a.k.a. Friends of the Domes, and those who were working to build a new and improved website for the Milwaukee gem, its members and potential visitors.

Apparently, they read my post about my trip to the Domes back in November and were impressed with the way I photographed the exotic plants and vibrant flowers found in each Dome (YAY!). Thus, they asked if I would allow them to use several of my images for their future website. Naturally, I was thrilled and without hesitation, I hooked them up!

The site is now finished and as it turns out, all of my photos were used! Just head over here to check out the new website and have a look at my photos!

About 99 to 95 percent of the pictures found in the Show Dome, Arid Dome, Tropical Dome and Outdoor galleries online were from my camera! I must say, it's pretty cool to see my work on display somewhere other than Play in the City. I hope they keep them up for a long time!

Look Who’s Talkin’

On Milwaukee is.

On Tuesday, OMC staff writer Jeff Sherman scooped the AOL story by Carol Vinzant. I’m glad that the AOL article is getting out to a number of Milwaukeeans. It seems like most people who have read the story feel rather miffed and a little confused about Milwaukee appearing on a "Worst Places to Live" list. I couldn’t agree more with you guys – I think it's absurd that Milwaukee would be categorized with dead-end cities like Detroit and East St. Louis (no offense).

Anyway, I told Jeff that I’d link his article from Play in the City. So, click here to read what On Milwaukee had to say.

Defending Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a great place to live and I'd be the first to defend my stance on the subject!

Last week, I was interviewed for an online article written by freelance writer Carol Vinzant. The AOL article, The Worst Places to Live…Or Are They?, was published online yesterday and I finally had a chance to read it over a cup of coffee this morning.

It’s a fascinating article because it exposes the stereotypes that different cities have. Some of Carol’s mentions include Detroit’s supposed decline, New York City’s excessive costs and overwhelming population, and L.A.’s phony and impious lifestyle. Carol also tapped into cities typecast as bad places to live based on high crime rates (New Orleans, Philly and Baltimore) and poverty reports (Mississippi). It’s also interesting to read how people defend the status of their city against such blackened reputations and condemnatory accusations.

As I read, I noticed that I also have unjust prejudices against other cities, which is hypocritical since I hate when people who have never been to Milwaukee speak badly of it.

It’s a great article. Interviewees did their city and state proud, albeit we all were probably a little bias. Take a look at it by clicking here and then share your thoughts. There are some amusing, often uproarious, comments following the story as well. Let me know if you agree or disagree with the statements and the resident’s justifications.

If you're here for the first time because of the AOL article – WELCOME! I hope you'll stay awhile. Feel free to scroll through some of my recent posts or allow me to direct you to the links under "Favorite Posts" because, well, they're my favorites!

Tooting My Own Horn

I have some exciting news!

Today, I had my first non-job interview, er, interview. Carol Vinzant, a writer for AOL, emailed me this morning asking if I’d talk to her about Milwaukee for a story she is writing – I think that warrants a post!

Carol is doing an article for this weekend on places that get a bad rap to live. She is asking people who actually reside in these cities, and like it, to explain how misunderstood it is. She said she found Play in the City and thought I’d be a great candidate to quote for the story since I talk about Milwaukee on a regular basis.

I hate that Milwaukee was featured as a bad place to live because I love living here! Since I'm a huge advocate of getting positive publicity for the city, I'm hoping I served it well.

Carol called around 2 p.m. and we went over the negative stereotypes of Milwaukee – mainly the beer and bratwurst bit – and then she asked me several questions – What negative stereotypes are you sick of from outsiders? How realistic is the beer and brats image? What makes Milwaukee more fun or more of an opportunity for a young person? Why do people move to Milwaukee? What does Milwaukee have that Chicago doesn’t?

I bet she could have asked any of you the same inquires and you’d easily be able to throw down your two cents. Knowing that's the case, feel free to share your thoughts on the subjects in the comments section. I'd like to hear what you think.

The interview itself went really well even though I was a little on edge. Carol was really friendly and cool, and she told me I was perfect for the story and that I was funny – I made some jokes about Milwaukeeans herding sheep over the M-Change and milking cows on Water Street – so I like her even more.

I think it will be a fun story as it will represent different people from around the country. I’m excited to get my point of view out there, commend this city and give Milwaukee the praise it deserves, plus spread the word about PITC if she lets me.

Carol said the article should launch on Sunday and since I'm told it’s okay to toot your own horn once in a while, I’ll link it from here after I read it.

My podcast debut

I was so busy this week getting things back in order that I nearly forgot about the podcast I was a part of back in September.

Carolyn Alfvin, the creator of Single, Married, Widowed, Divorced, posted the episode on her site the weekend of our wedding and just reminded me about it a couple days ago.

The episode is titled The Webbing Party: The Web's startling role in planning for wedding and baby. I have a sneaking suspicion that the people interested in listening to it are the ladies who are recent or current brides-to-be, or those who are about to have a baby.

If you have a little time, have a listen. I think it's a very interesting topic of discussion, and it turned out well. I spend most my talking time about my addiction to the Knot, and about how that site helped me so much in my planning and in ultimately having a beautiful wedding. All through the process of planning, I thought, how the heck did people plan something like this before the Internet? I couldn't imagine it! We discussed the downsides to such sites, though, too …

While you're there, check out some of the other episodes that are posted. Carolyn and her co-creators are funny, sarcastic, witty and smart and their conversations are always enlightening.

It was quite the pleasure being able to sit down and chat with them!

Celebrity Shoot-out

Last night I spent my evening rubbing elbows with local media celebrities at the Bradley Center. I didn't win the shootout like I'd hoped to - but I was close - and I had a really fun night anyway.

I rushed home from work yesterday and changed my clothes and then we were off to meet my parents downtown for the Admirals season home opener. A little before 7:00 we made our way up to level 300 - where the suites are. I had never been in a suite before and it was really nice - spacious and comfortable with a great view of the ice. There were chips and salsa out on the tables, and after a few minutes, pizzas were set out. Beer and soda were served, and I sipped my Pepsi (unfortunately, I hate beer) as I watched the other celebrity shooters stroll in.



We grabbed some pizza as the players were announced, and we listened to the national anthem as solemnly as we could - seeing as though it was sung by an Elvis impersonator. The game began and Dave and my dad sat in the seats with their beer and watched the first period as my mom and I talked and nonchalantly tried to name all the local TV anchors surrounding us.

I was very excited when Jim Stingl arrived, as he is the only one I'd met before. I really enjoyed meeting him when he wrote the story on the blog, and I was looking forward to talking with him again. I visited with him a lot throughout the night, and he was very kind in introducing me to the people I may not have met otherwise.

I got to talk with Susan Kim from Channel 4 for quite awhile - she was incredibly sweet and her family was beautiful - and I also met Charlie Sykes (he and Bill Michaels were human hockey pucks last night), Bill Johnson of ESPN radio (who wanted a picture with me so he could be on the blog!), Mike Strehlow of Channel 58 (he was incredibly nice and cute - and he smiled a lot!), and Patrick Paolantonio from Channel 12 (so handsome!), who was there with co-anchor, Caroline Lyders, to root on his other coworker, Joe Gehl.



I'm not sure how much of the game I actually watched. I was talking a lot, and we were sitting just above the new Poop Deck - and the fans sitting there were REALLY loud with their yelling and their ringing cow bells.

Halfway through the second period, we were taken downstairs to prepare for our shootout. Dave rode the elevator down with us - he was my official photographer, like always. I had been wondering where Gene Mueller was and when we got downstairs, we saw him - he had never gotten his suite tickets in the mail, so he and his family were sitting elsewhere. I have listened to Reitman and Mueller for years and I was very happy to meet him.



The second period ended and the players shuffled by us into the locker room, slapping hands with their young fans as they went by. We had been lined up in the order we were to be shooting in, and we headed onto the ice in a single-file line.

One by one we took our shots. Jim Stingl went first and missed. Susan Kim, the only other woman in the group, missed. Everyone ahead of me missed except Jim Powell and Joe Gehl. I was second-to-last and was feeling pretty confident when I walked up there. I wound up a bit, pushed the puck, and ... missed by about two inches. DARN!

I have to say, I think of all the people who missed, I came the closest to getting it in the goal. (But what's the old saying? 'Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.') Gene Mueller brought up the rear - and missed (by quite a bit - but who's keeping track?) Jim and Joe both shot again and Jim ended up winning the $1,000 for his charity. The rest of our charities got $100.



So then we headed back upstairs and watched the rest of the game. Well, almost - I think most everyone left a bit before it ended. The Admirals ended up losing, 0-1. I said good-bye to everyone and got a hug from Susan Kim. I also had to give Jim Stingl a big hug, of course. I must say, he holds quite a special place in my heart now. He's just the nicest person ever to talk to. I truly hope I can see him again and again!

The four of us went to Buck Bradley's for a drink after the game and visited for another hour or so. It was a really, really fun night. I had been a bit nervous since I'm not exactly a local celebrity the way the others are, but they were all so nice. I feel very lucky to have been invited.

Blog of the Week

Just saw tonight that Play in the City is in the running to be "Blog of the Week" on MKE.com. So.... if you like my blog, please visit their site and vote!

Thank you very much!

On the radio

This morning I was on "The D-List" with Drew Olson and Channel 12's Dan Needles on Milwaukee's ESPN radio. (AM 1510) I was pretty nervous going in but they were really casual and friendly and put me very much at ease. I've never been on the radio before - it was so fun!

We talked for about 15 minutes about the blog and the recent comments and coverage, and also about random topics like Summerfest and my career plans - and Dan's eating habits. I'm relieved it went well. Radio is something I've never even considered as a career choice, but from what I witnessed today, it seems like it would be a heck of a good time!