(Sponsor's Name Here) - GreenfieldNOW

I am not going to Opening Day for the first time since 2004, been to 16 overall since 1985... Predictions are impossible this year. Gallardo = 2008 Sheets, Parra = 2007 Gallardo. The key is if there is the opportunity to get an ace before July... I had a 300 game at Riviera Lanes a few weeks ago, it was my 16th... Leaving for Vegas in two weeks to bowl the USBC Open Championships, aka Nationals... The bar has been set, and it won't be topped this year... Wisconsin bowlers tend to do well at Nationals... Not gonna eat my way through Las Vegas... Don't think I can eat steak for three meals a day for six days? Try me... Copper prices are going up, is the recession almost over? Oil is going up, so it just may be... Maybe not for the captain, but the first thing I thought of when I read this was "Cool"... Still looking for bloggers in West Allis to write about issues... But don't look at me, I've got more important things to write about... Metallica is in the middle of a month-long marathon on XM42, it goes through Monday... (Sponsor's Name Here)'s Offical Son, Mitten, was the starting pitcher for his Rufus King High School JV team on April 8th. He and another pitcher combined to no-hit Bay View High School 17-4 (side note; 17-4 and a no-hitter? Yeah, it was JV)... Mitten's fastball was clocked as Thursday... It can't be that hard is it to make sure your van is empty first... Or to put your baby in a crib... Or keep your beer truck on its tires... Way cool... So is this... And this... My-Sugar-Na thinks I have too many blog links... Blame Mark the Editor, he showed me how... My-Sugar-Na's new shoes give her blisters... Hey, bbear, quarter craps (but only 10x odds kinda stink)... The Milwaukee Wave managed a 10-10 record with a bunch of guys you've never heard of. Next year should be much better if they can retain their stars... In one of the other indoor soccer leagues, the PASL-Pro, the Stockton Cougars won the championship, were sold, then fired their head coach... In the third indoor soccer league, the Baltimore Blast will face the Rockford Rampage in Baltimore this weekend for the NISL title... Happy Easter, y'alls!

Which item shall we talk about today?

Posted by Michael James on March 31, 2009

My-Sugar-Na

I've got two potential topics spinnin' in my noggin...

The Wisconsin DOT is considering up to 12 roundabouts on S. 27th St. in Franklin and Oak Creek between College Ave. and Ryan Rd.
NCAA brackets update (for entertainment purposes only).

A cobbled together semi-rant

Posted by Michael James on Dec. 18, 2008

Bowling, Fantasy Football, Injuries, Las Vegas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Wave, My-Sugar-Na, Religion, Television, US Cellular Arena, Vacation, West Allis, Xtreme Soccer League

1) When you are driving on the freeway in the snow and the rest of the traffic is going 45 MPH, then YOU should go 45 MPH or else get off the freeway. If you are afraid to maintain freeway speeds in the snow, park the car in the garage and take the bus. Along those lines, JS Online had a poll question that asked what annoys people most after a snowfall, fast drivers or slow drivers. It was a dumb question, it should have asked "which drivers are more dangerous in the snow, fast drivers or slow drivers?" Slow drivers are far more dangerous because everyone is trying to go around them causing cars to slide while switching lanes, and causing the pokey drivers to panic and drive even slower. I was behind a car with an easy to memorize vanity plate. I won't call out her car here, but if I ever get stuck behind her and find that she is soley causing a traffic disaster on I-894 southbound between the Zoo and the Hale again, I will identify her.

PBA Update - The Steve Jaros Story

Posted by Michael James on Nov. 29, 2008

Bowling, My-Sugar-Na, PBA Tour

This was going to be titled "Live by the Position Round, Die by the Position Round: The Steve Jaros Story". But without mentioning the PBA in the title, nobody would know who Steve Jaros is. But if you are reading this, you must be interested in the PBA; if not, the Hit-O-Meter has already counted your visit (and I thank you). Now that you're here, set a spell and read a great story.

We tricked, we treated, we laughed, we cried...

Posted by Michael James on Oct. 28, 2008

2008 Presidential Race, Barack Obama, James family, John McCain, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga, Taxes, Vier Pogo Squad 51, West Allis

The thousands of you - well, make that the 18 of you that actually read my blog post from last week - may be wondering how the pre-Hallowe'en weekend worked out. Well, do I have a story for you...

Baby, It's (gonna be) Cold Outside

Posted by Michael James on Oct. 23, 2008

James family, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga, Vier Pogo Squad 51, West Allis

I am trying to like my kids more (today, at least).

Of My-Sugar-Na, Trees, and parking for the State Fair

Posted by Michael James on Sept. 17, 2008

Blogger's Clip Show, My-Sugar-Na, Taxes, Vier Pogo Squad 51, West Allis

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Animals and those creepy alien-type things on Stargate: Today I am pleased to turn over my humble little blog to my favorite wife, My-Sugar-Na! Please give her your undivided attention.

This blog is on hiatus

Posted by Michael James on Sept. 1, 2008

Fantasy Football, Gambling, Injuries, My-Sugar-Na, NFL, Religion, Television

The singular, A-number-1, positively, absolutely most important time in a young man's life is upon us. For that reason, I can't blog for awhile.

Day 8 - State Fair Blog done (Sponsor's Name Here) style

Posted by Michael James on Aug. 8, 2008

Milwaukee Brewers, My-Sugar-Na, State Fair, West Allis, YouTube

Once again on Thursday, autos were streaming into the yard between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. I have concluded that it is because the neighbors are not yet home from work so our unpaid, underage staff gets a jump. We parked nine cars (although one was my cousin, although she paid double the rate) before the signs came out in the neighborhood. My-Sugar-Na and I stayed out until about 6:30, and decided that was long enough to head to the Fair ourselves.

Day 5 - State Fair Blog done (Sponsor's Name Here) style

Posted by Michael James on Aug. 4, 2008

Fox 6, My-Sugar-Na, Restaurants, State Fair, Television, West Allis

On my way home from work this evening, driving east on Greenfield Ave., I turned right onto 86th St. to see what the parking situation was like.

Day 4 - State Fair Blog done (Sponsor's Name Here) style

Posted by Michael James on Aug. 3, 2008

Craps, Free market, Green Bay Packers, My-Sugar-Na, NFL, State Fair, Television, West Allis

A record setting day in the mobile child delivery system industry. 22 cars parked beat the record (of 21 cars set yesterday). However to be fair, My-Sugar-Na and I made more money yesterday, as the "Demand is more than supply" theory set the pricing. And to prove the free market works, today "Supply was more than demand", so pricing needed to be adjusted accordingly. However as of tonight, we are 60% of what we made last year, with a full week to go. My theory that more folks are taking local vacations seems to be bearing out.

Mamma Mia! or Batman?

Posted by Michael James on July 22, 2008

Las Vegas, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga

What a silly question. Of course I saw Mamma Mia! this past weekend and not Batman. Are you daft for thinking otherwise?

From WestAllisNOW's unofficial travel reporter: Albuquerque, NM

Posted by Michael James on July 11, 2008

Bowling, Craps, Gambling, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga, Restaurants, Vacation

We'll miss you, Shakey's

Posted by Michael James on June 25, 2008

My-Sugar-Na, Restaurants, West Allis

Actual conversation heard Monday evening...

From the E-mail bag...

Posted by Michael James on June 17, 2008

James family, My-Sugar-Na

BBear (who has told me she LOVES the blog... thank you very much, the check is in the mail [she will get a cut of my pay for this blog.]) asked in a comment "I have to ask... Where did the kids get the nicknames from?"

Blown away by Cheer Day

Posted by Michael James on June 7, 2008

Injuries, James family, Miller Park, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga, Television, West Allis

Some time in 2007, (Sponsor's Name Here)'s Official Daughter, Gooey, and (Sponsor's Name Here)'s Official Stepdaughter, Sloppy, concocted Cheer Day. Conveniently held in conjunction with Sloppy's birthday party, Cheer Day was to be a day when the two girls thrilled us with their repartee of cheers and dances. However, Gooey had broken her arm in the week leading up to Cheer Day, and on the big day wasn't feeling well. In other words, the First Annual Cheer Day fizzled.

Grab a beer (or wine) and settle in. This could take awhile.

Posted by Michael James on May 23, 2008

HBO, James family, My-Sugar-Na, Restaurants, Television, Vacation

New York City was fun (but I wouldn't want to live there!) I did the chronological last week, so instead I will pick some topics which I find interesting (or from which I have interesting photos. We took about 300 pictures, and printed about 185. Consider yourself lucky you only are seeing this small sampling). Again, I apologize if you don't care, but at this point my hit-o-meter has regestered your visit, and I thank you.

Hey, ma! I'm home.

Posted by Michael James on May 13, 2008

Free market, Gambling, HBO, James family, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga, Restaurants, Vacation

Long version (with photos), see next post.

Lightning round

Posted by Michael James on April 25, 2008

Bowling, Free market, James family, Milwaukee Brewers, My-Sugar-Na, Nostalga, Other blogs, Restaurants, Riviera Lanes, Vacation, YouTube

Belated Happy birthday Sis, two years younger than me, but somehow she is quite old, while I am quite distinguished... Can someone explain that with the prices of corn and wheat, fuel, steel and copper - as well as a down housing market and scads of homeowners nearing foreclosure - how we aren't headed for a massive recession?... The Michael Buble concert on Tuesday night was way cool... My-Sugar-Na really liked Buble's opening act, Naturally 7, an a capella soul group... Since my January surgery I have been cold a lot... My elbow isn't at 100%, yet (gettin' a little worried), and thanks for asking... Derrick saved the day Wednesday... All four of my kids are well past middle age if they don't get their schtick together... My home computer won't let me blog. Mark?... Speaking of New York City, I am flying into LaGuardia and staying in Central Islip on Long Island and just learned that Long Island may as well be on a different planet than Manhattan... No, My-Sugar-Na won't let me eat my way through New York; "The Port Authority Bus Terminal is just ONE of the sights I came to see"... I am more excited at going to Albuquerque in July... XM Radio doesn't play enough Metallica, but they are too giddy about U2 and Lenny Kravitz... If NASCAR didn't have sponsorships, left turns or sheep, it would be a park and ride... This is underrated... So is this... Guess what, Time Warner's new Navigator software stinks... Eight more months until Christmas... The office biddies are fretting about the IBM Selectric that isn't working right, apparently it is 1978 in that end of the office... In February, I had a trivia question and nobody even ~~hazarded~~ tried to guess the answer of Henry Aaron and Warren Spahn... I couldn't have said it better myself... I broke the driver's seat in my car, I now have a rocking chair... Check the playlist, then get yourself Paul Anka's "Rock Swings" CD... I'd like our dogs better if they didn't bark... The last night of bowling league was last night, I haven't bowled competitively since November and I finally get paid.... Ciao.

This past weekend's KIDSfest at State Fair Expo Center

Posted by Michael James on April 14, 2008

James family, My-Sugar-Na, Vacation, West Allis

Metroparent Magazine is close to being onto something with KIDSfest, but unless something bold is done before next year, this may turn into an idea whose time has come and gone. The event planners, who probably think that having something for everyone is a great idea, instead turned it into a mish-mosh of stuff. I feel they would have been better served by picking a focus and developing it.

Welcome to "National Lampoon's Iowa Vacation"

Posted by Michael James on April 1, 2008

Craps, Gambling, M/$, My-Sugar-Na, Restaurants, Vacation

This one didn't star the Griswold family, instead we follow the exploits of me and my step-family for the past weekend. (Side note, this may only be interesting to me and My-Sugar-Na, but if you read this far, my blog hit-o-meter has already registered your visit, and I thank you.) The actual points I want to make are in bold, the rest is just filler... er, I mean backstory so you understand the context of my comment.

Putting the X back in the church

Posted by Michael James on March 6, 2008

Catholic church, My-Sugar-Na, Religion

(Side note - I added this first line after I typed the first four paragraphs and realized that I've diverted way off-topic. But bear with it, I'll get there eventually.)

One of my favorite aunts will likely pass today. Although (Sponsor's Name Here)'s Official Parents, as well as My-Sugar-Na, are taking this kind of hard, she is 81 and not-so-gradually over the last 10 years or so became less of the aunt I'd become fond of. She became cranky and depressed, and she always had some physial ailment to prattle on about. Over the past few years, I've been mourning the loss of that person. Now as she prepares to enter God's Kingdom, I am more concerned for her five children and their immediate families as they prepare to bury both parents over the course of 14 months (my Uncle Vince had a massive heart attack right around Christmas 2006, and the day he died, I am sure my aunt died, too. The Lord, however, wasn't quite ready for her until now).

The Auntie El that I remember was the type of person that - when she walked into a room - she held court. Not in a stand-up comedian kind of way, but she just had that presence and that way to tell a story. She would be going on about something, and she would get to a detail that she couldn't quite remember. She would say "Jay (her nickname for my uncle), do you remember why my peach caftan - you know, the one with the yellow blossoms - got caught in the toaster oven?" He would reply "It was because you were sweeping the kitchen floor." She then would say with disdain "It was not!" Then he would smile, shake his head, then join us in listening to the rest of her story. Auntie El was also the one that introduced me to the fun of Latin Mass (when it was held in the chapel at the semniary)

My Uncle Vince had one of those government jobs that people look at and say "He got paid how much? To do THAT?". Then he retired quite young. My aunt had mostly been a stay-at-home mom (because that is how it worked in the 50s through early-70s). However, I do remember that she took a job waiting tables at the University Club... probably as much to get out of the house and socialize as anything. Picture Rosiland Russell as Auntie Mame with Uncle Vince playing the part of Patrick Dennis (granted, my aunt looked more like Lucille Ball, but I've seen both versions of Mame and Rosiland Russell pulls off Auntie El far better than Lucille Ball). Remember the scene soon after the 1929 Stock Market Crash and Mame was a clerk in a department store? I could easily picture that as my aunt at the Club. Mame had only been taught how to process COD orders, and walked the floor trying to get the customers to order COD. I can see my aunt, having only been shown how to refill coffee, walking around the dining room with coffee pots chanting "Coffee! I can refill your coffee" ("Ma'am, I would like another gin and tonic." "Sorry, sir, I can only refill coffee!" she would say, gleaming.)

Another comparison to Auntie Mame is the scene near the end of the movie where Auntie Mame has this new platform furniture, and she is trying to impress company by raising the platforms with the cords that were located across the room as sort of a control panel. The scene ended in pure hilarity as the cords got messed up, and some guests were raised to the ceiling and others spilled their drinks as the platforms went off-kilter. A few years ago, she got a new walker with a seat attachment. She then demonstrated all of its features (at one point, I expected her to put a few drops in the laundry to get my clothes the whitest).

While laying in bed this morning thinking about my aunt's last few days, I wondered if - as a devout Catholic - she had received her Anointing of the Sick (the current way of calling them the Last Rites). I assumed that she did, and wondered if her parish priest, Fr. Lou Ferrigno (well, he really did look like him) administered them, or if another hospital priest took care of that sacrament.

And then it hit me like a flash of lightning. Jesus Christ himself probably said "Its about time somebody thought of this!"

Way back (like, in the 50s) the sacrament was known as Extreme Unction. What a way to get the younger kids back into the church... something EXTREME. The church could call it X-UNCT. Kids would be down with that, wouldn't they?

Granted, the Catholic Church would need a tag line, something like "When your Maker calls, make sure you answer TO THE EXTREME! Call your priest and get down with the X-UNCT!"

I can imagine in a few days, when Auntie El is meeting St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. P-Dog (as the young Heaveners call him) has got a voice like Duffman (from The Simpsons) and askes my aunt "X or not? It takes an X-TREME sacrament to pass through these gates" My aunt will respond "HEEAAAAAUUUUUGGG, X to the MAX!"

The Gates open, my Uncle Vince is waiting for her and takes her to their Heavenly living room where Jack Benny, Vi & Jerry Loper (family friends) and some guy that once knew the Ricardi's (more family friends) are sitting on the furniture. Auntie El says "Sorry I am late, but ugh, that St. Peter. Jay, I don't like how this furniture clashes with the china in the hutch."

And Heaven begin to learn the joys of Auntie El.

Did you see me in West Allis NOW?

Posted by Michael James on Feb. 21, 2008

Barack Obama, Blogger's Clip Show, Bowling, Catholic church, James family, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, My-Sugar-Na, Other blogs, PBA Tour, Television, They Came to Bowl, USBC Masters, West Allis

I've been told that my grill/FD story made the paper this morning - I'll have to buy a paper now... Unfortunately, my buddy trumped me... It'll be BO vs. Mc in November, I'm sure I'll pull it together and vote for the RIGHT guy... It's cold outside... The lunar eclipse was cool... Watched the remake of Hairspray; very interesting... Jesse Martin is leaving Law & Order... Taking my first trip to New York City in May... Family didn't die of carbon monoxide poisoning overnight... I love my job... I should lose weight... I miss bowling... I'm worried about the ice dams on my roof all winter... American Idol is dopey... I could spend hours looking at this website... Trying to get over the fact that Milwaukee lost the USBC Masters... The cost of every metal I purchase for work is skyrocketing right now... My birthday is on Holy Saturday this year, and (Sponsor's Name Here)'s Official Daughter, Gooey, celebrates her birthday on Easter Sunday... My car needs a good cleaning on the inside... Planning on going to Wrigley Field on April 2 or 3 to watch the Brewers/Cubs game... Our office is buying pizza for lunch tomorrow, I get to pick the sausage off... I felt it was a good set of comments on my Obama post, aren't you glad West Allis can talk to each other without it breaking down into this or this?

Those were some great steaks!

Posted by Michael James on Feb. 15, 2008

Cooking, James family, My-Sugar-Na, West Allis

So last night for Valentine's Day, My-Sugar-Na suggested that I grill a couple of really nice steaks that she had purchased recently. Since I can grill with best of them (charcoal, people; gas grills are like outdoor ovens) I decided it would be quite lovely to stand out in a gentle snowfall and fire up the ol' grill. I grill regularly - even in winter - and most recently grilled on Super Bowl Sunday.

World Series review

Posted by Michael James on Feb. 4, 2008

Milwaukee Braves, My-Sugar-Na, NFL, Nostalga, Television

Yes, I know the Super Bowl (Side note - The MVP selection was a crock. David Tyree caught one of the two TDs, and made the catch that saved the game for the Giants, and instead a marketing machine was named MVP) was just played yesterday, but on Saturday, I went to Long's Wong and attended a viewing of Game 4 of the 1957 World Series (the "Nippy Jones" game).

The heartbreak of Golfer's Elbow

Posted by Michael James on Jan. 18, 2008

Bluemound Bowl, Bowling, Craps, Injuries, My-Sugar-Na, Reno

Last week Friday (January 11th), I had surgery on my right elbow. The first time I had a twinge in my elbow was in Januray 2005. At that time, I had bowled three nights a week for a few years, but I was only bowling one night a week for the beginning of that seaon. I was asked to bowl in a new league for the second half of that season, and on the very first night on this new team I felt a twinge in my elbow. Not that it really hurt, because that same week I bowled a career-high 847 series at Bluemound Bowl (which included two 300 games).

Various tidbits that aren't long enough to merit their own entry

Posted by Michael James on Dec. 21, 2007

Bowling, Las Vegas, My-Sugar-Na, Nutjobs, Other blogs, PBA Tour, Religion, Restaurants, Riviera Lanes, Star-Spangled Banner, Taxes, Vier Pogo Squad 51, West Allis

1. My-Sugar-Na and I stopped by Tommasino Italia' for dinner last night. The restaurant on 74th & Greenfield (formerly the beloved Doyle's Milwaukee Inn) is owned by Thomas Doyle. During dinner (fantastic pizza, by the way, with fresh giardinara and parmesan on the side), I spoke with Mr. Doyle. He stated two very interesting and believable things.

We still have an indoor soccer team, folks

Posted by Michael James on Dec. 10, 2007

Bradley Center, Gambling, James family, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Wave, MISL, My-Sugar-Na, US Cellular Arena

The Milwaukee Wave played a game which was broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel on Friday, December 7th. Only 2,690 fans thought enough about the Wave to show up.

Three brushes with greatness in a 42 hour span! A new record

Posted by Michael James on Dec. 1, 2007

Coffee, Dan Devine, My-Sugar-Na, Television

Thursday evening, My-Sugar-Na and I went to Potowatomi Casino to watch the Packers game in the Northern Lights theater. We made the mistake of eating at the buffet before saving our seats, and when we got to the theater an hour before game time, all of the seats were either saved or occipied. My-Sugar-Na and I waited for about thirty minutes until two seats opened up. In the row directly behind us was Frank Calieno's father. Unsolicited, he introduced himself to us as "Frank Caliendo's Dad". I don't actually know his first name. Clearly, he is proud of his son, and he was quite proud of the fact that the elder Caliendo had just gotten back from California and will be on an episode of Frank TV in the near future.

Did you notice the lack of an explosion around State Fair on Thanksgiving Day?

Posted by Michael James on Nov. 23, 2007

Cooking, My-Sugar-Na, Television

I successfully deep fried my first turkey Thursday... ON MY FIRST TRY!!!!

Oh, craps

Posted by Michael James on Nov. 15, 2007

Craps, Gambling, Las Vegas, My-Sugar-Na, Reno

As much as I would hate to turn away readers, if you don't know much about craps, this entry might be hard to understand. But please, try to follow along.

Wrap-up of Wednesday's Masters qualifying

Posted by Michael James on Oct. 25, 2007

Bluemound Bowl, Bowling, Miller Park, My-Sugar-Na, PBA Tour, They Came to Bowl, USBC Masters

I apologize for not posting an update after the second block on Wednesday. Our internet server at work went down. I then had dinner plans, and when I got home I was informed by My-Sugar-Na that we were part of Time Warner's service outage. Not only was there no internet, but there was this little matter of the World Series going on. Service hadn't been restored at home before I went to bed, but it is all better now at work, so let's see if I can sneak in a full post (and still keep my job).

Do you feel that your children are safer today than they were a month ago?

Posted by Michael James on Oct. 19, 2007

James family, My-Sugar-Na

For the last few weeks, My-Sugar-Na has been helping children get to school as a West Allis crossing guard.

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