Memoirs of a Geezer!
Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth
to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!
This Episode: Getting Away...
Time being the precious commodity that most would agree it is, there are times in the course of human events when one simply needs to get away. No matter the distance or the length, it is or can be a cathartic necessity. For those of us in the sagging arms of geezerhood, we need a bit of respite, particularly if we're still productively (but maybe not lavishly!), gainfully employed.
As such, SweetHeart and I -- following a delightful birthday celebration with family and friends on the 11th of November (Please notate your 2017 calendars!) -- embarked upon a weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, home of the the University of Wisconsin's original and historic campus (1848!). We stopped only once en route, and then only to nourish ourselves on a modest portion of granola and yogurt. One shouldn't eat and drive, we're told. (I recall an acquaintance wisely stating, "If you drink and drive, don't smoke!"... Sage advice indeed, what?! We, however, neither drink spirited beverages nor use tobacco products in these perilous times!)
Having arrived in Madison, and having acquired ducats to the Badger Football contest vs. the University of Illinois and its "Fighting Illini," we parked near one of Madison's relatively new Colectivo Coffee locations, this one on Monroe Street, and walked -- my favorite backsack upon
my back -- the approximately 1.5 miles to Camp Randall Stadium. At Gate 10, we were rebuffed by a ticket-taking / quasi-security official who stated, "We don't allow backpacks in the stadium!" I, of course, exclaimed something rudely and with vigorous incredulity!!
Never ones to be downhearted or lacking in strategic initiative, we walked a block or two from whence we had come, entered a pizza and gyros parlor (apparently couldn't decide between one culinary offering over another!), approached a young man who was clerking and taking orders for pizza and gyros (an admirable and highly dexterous chap, his face reddened by pizza grease and fat splatters!), and persuaded him to safeguard the aforementioned, highly valued backsack behind the pizza / gyros counter.
Though lopsided heavily in the Badgers' favor, the game ended at 48 to 3. Great fun to watch. The young man seated next to us was perhaps gifted with the loudest cheering voice one had ever beheld. Every play and every success achieved by "our team" was greeting with booming cheers and parroted pronouncements... e.g. "First & 10... Interception... Touchdown... Reception... Another First Down..." And he joined in the singing too... loudly, very loudly... "Build me up, build me up, Buttercup... Don't break my heart..."!! (And other traditional ballads!... He even "Jumped Around" loud!)
The guy seated behind us in the tightly packed rows of bleacher seats had two perpetual-motion children who repeatedly kneed us in the backs. "Never mind," we said graciously, following his many apologies, "we have grandchildren who knee people in their backs... we understand completely the need for children to knee and otherwise abuse their elders..." (Lotta people wearing red!!)
Dinner after the "big game" was a feast at Freiburg Gastropub on Monroe. Wonderful food, dessert too! The following day, we hiked at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, a beautiful acreage that features "distinct ecological communities, horticultural collections... more than 20 miles of trails..." We dined at Everly. My dinner was good; SweetHeart's was a mound of celery root described as having radishes, shrimp and other natural ingredients. It was a mound of celery root with two thin slices of radish and a few diminutive shrimp that hid themselves cleverly under the aforementioned mound of celery root! And cold soft boiled egg!
Determined to see a fine foreign film, we opted for a purported Bollywood treat from India that was described as a "romantic thriller." SweetHeart aptly described it as "Bollywood meets Jackie Chan." It was a mischievous blend of motorbike road romance followed by violence and mayhem that didn't sort itself out until an omniscient narrator explained everything... And then it still didn't make sense! But what fun it was!! Oh yeah! We also visited the Madison Museum
of Contemporary Art, one of our favorite attractions in the Capital City! Always something novel, fun and interesting to see, and hear! You should go! Go Now!
At the other end of our weekend adventure, we met our PhD candidate-student, Alie, with whom we had a terrific brunchy thing repast at Daisy Cafe on Atwood. Then, off to UW's Beacon Hill School of Education building where we met two of her delightful fellow students and one of her professors. Her doctoral advisor was not available.
Heading homeward, we reflected on our pleasant and renewing weekend sojourn, and I moaned about the work that was waiting for me at my global headquarters office, but admitted how lucky I am to have a good business and some truly wonderful clients. As I write these words, my thoughts wander back to State Street, Monroe, Randall, good restaurants and coffee shops and all the sights, sounds and delights that Madison holds for the occasional traveler. The following weekend, back to Madison for Badger women's volleyball with Amy and Megan and friends. A happy return, even if only a week later! Another chance to get away.... Perhaps we'll let you know how it all turns out. Thank you and Good Night...
[Special Note of Gratitude and Attribution: The perpetrator dedicates this posting to SweetHeart who has an excellent eye for photography! Most of the photos placed above are hers, with the exception of the ones in which she's pictured, of course, but she directed them! The photo, above and to the right, was taken in the prairie region of the Arboretum! She also plans and organizes our holidays superbly, both small and large!! As for me, "Have Bib, Will Travel..." (Does anyone know why so many young people wear those skinny black legging trousers?)]
As such, SweetHeart and I -- following a delightful birthday celebration with family and friends on the 11th of November (Please notate your 2017 calendars!) -- embarked upon a weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, home of the the University of Wisconsin's original and historic campus (1848!). We stopped only once en route, and then only to nourish ourselves on a modest portion of granola and yogurt. One shouldn't eat and drive, we're told. (I recall an acquaintance wisely stating, "If you drink and drive, don't smoke!"... Sage advice indeed, what?! We, however, neither drink spirited beverages nor use tobacco products in these perilous times!)
Having arrived in Madison, and having acquired ducats to the Badger Football contest vs. the University of Illinois and its "Fighting Illini," we parked near one of Madison's relatively new Colectivo Coffee locations, this one on Monroe Street, and walked -- my favorite backsack upon
 |
| We're at the game! You know! The Badgers! Camp Randall... Footballs... |
Never ones to be downhearted or lacking in strategic initiative, we walked a block or two from whence we had come, entered a pizza and gyros parlor (apparently couldn't decide between one culinary offering over another!), approached a young man who was clerking and taking orders for pizza and gyros (an admirable and highly dexterous chap, his face reddened by pizza grease and fat splatters!), and persuaded him to safeguard the aforementioned, highly valued backsack behind the pizza / gyros counter.
 |
| Not the actual loud fan, but the best one could do in the circumstances! |
Though lopsided heavily in the Badgers' favor, the game ended at 48 to 3. Great fun to watch. The young man seated next to us was perhaps gifted with the loudest cheering voice one had ever beheld. Every play and every success achieved by "our team" was greeting with booming cheers and parroted pronouncements... e.g. "First & 10... Interception... Touchdown... Reception... Another First Down..." And he joined in the singing too... loudly, very loudly... "Build me up, build me up, Buttercup... Don't break my heart..."!! (And other traditional ballads!... He even "Jumped Around" loud!)
The guy seated behind us in the tightly packed rows of bleacher seats had two perpetual-motion children who repeatedly kneed us in the backs. "Never mind," we said graciously, following his many apologies, "we have grandchildren who knee people in their backs... we understand completely the need for children to knee and otherwise abuse their elders..." (Lotta people wearing red!!)
 |
| Interesting Food Choices at Freiburg, and Tall, Too! Tall and Yummy! |
 |
| SweetHeart peering through a natural Arboretum art form! |
Dinner after the "big game" was a feast at Freiburg Gastropub on Monroe. Wonderful food, dessert too! The following day, we hiked at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, a beautiful acreage that features "distinct ecological communities, horticultural collections... more than 20 miles of trails..." We dined at Everly. My dinner was good; SweetHeart's was a mound of celery root described as having radishes, shrimp and other natural ingredients. It was a mound of celery root with two thin slices of radish and a few diminutive shrimp that hid themselves cleverly under the aforementioned mound of celery root! And cold soft boiled egg!
 |
| An artistic shot taken by Sweet Heart! We're looking into a barrel into which drips of water are apparently falling. Our head tops, however, never became moistened by falling droplets! Very strange! |
Determined to see a fine foreign film, we opted for a purported Bollywood treat from India that was described as a "romantic thriller." SweetHeart aptly described it as "Bollywood meets Jackie Chan." It was a mischievous blend of motorbike road romance followed by violence and mayhem that didn't sort itself out until an omniscient narrator explained everything... And then it still didn't make sense! But what fun it was!! Oh yeah! We also visited the Madison Museum
 |
| Wonderful shot of SweetHeart taken from the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; background view of State Street and a gorgeous late afternoon setting sun! |
At the other end of our weekend adventure, we met our PhD candidate-student, Alie, with whom we had a terrific brunchy thing repast at Daisy Cafe on Atwood. Then, off to UW's Beacon Hill School of Education building where we met two of her delightful fellow students and one of her professors. Her doctoral advisor was not available.
 |
| Wild Torkeys! They got wild Torkeys at that Arboretum place! Wild, I say!! |
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| Prairie Section Tree! |
Heading homeward, we reflected on our pleasant and renewing weekend sojourn, and I moaned about the work that was waiting for me at my global headquarters office, but admitted how lucky I am to have a good business and some truly wonderful clients. As I write these words, my thoughts wander back to State Street, Monroe, Randall, good restaurants and coffee shops and all the sights, sounds and delights that Madison holds for the occasional traveler. The following weekend, back to Madison for Badger women's volleyball with Amy and Megan and friends. A happy return, even if only a week later! Another chance to get away.... Perhaps we'll let you know how it all turns out. Thank you and Good Night...
[Special Note of Gratitude and Attribution: The perpetrator dedicates this posting to SweetHeart who has an excellent eye for photography! Most of the photos placed above are hers, with the exception of the ones in which she's pictured, of course, but she directed them! The photo, above and to the right, was taken in the prairie region of the Arboretum! She also plans and organizes our holidays superbly, both small and large!! As for me, "Have Bib, Will Travel..." (Does anyone know why so many young people wear those skinny black legging trousers?)]
Humbly Submitted, 11-21-16 -- Joel K.
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