ChocolateFest

Yesterday, I went to Burlington, to check out what's the hoopla about their legendary festival, ChocolateFest. When I got there, I was amazed by the sheer amount of people there. For a small town, they sure could cram them in. And the chocolate...Everywhere! never saw so much chocolate in my life! They had baking contests, sculpting and judging.

To understand the meaning behind the festival is to understand Burlington. Burlington is a small city about 35 miles west of me with a population of about 11,000 people. The city reminds me of northern Wisconsin in a way. Small and quiet. It's famous for not only the birthplace of Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, but for being the headquarters for Nestlie's Chocolate. Yup, that where your Crunch Bars, 100,000 Grand, and Quik chocolate milk come from!

Here's some photos from the festival....

Willie Wonka...I think...

A chocolate bake off

Yup, these are edible....

ENJOY!

Thinking About Summerfest

I was just looking over the Summerfest lineup for this year, trying to decide what bands to see. The line up is starting to fill up and it's worth getting stoked up for sure! MANY cool bands are going to be there! What's even cooler is I got the entire duration of Summerfest off from work!

I probably won't be the there every night, but for sure, I'll be there on July 3rd to see Rush. I've already got tickets to see them. For some of the headlining acts I'm interested in, I can wait for last minute deals on lawn seats.

The lineup isn't complete yet, but here is a list of what I'm interested in seeing...

Thursday June 24:
Sheryl Crow-Miller Lite Oasis
Night Ranger-M&I Classic Rock Stage

Friday June 25:
Tom Petty with ZZ Top-Marcus Amphitheater
Jeff Beck-Harley Davidson Roadhouse

Saturday June 26:
Tom Petty with ZZ Top-Macus Amphitheater
Savoy Brown-M&I Classic Rock Stage
Uriah Heep-M&I Classic Rock Stage

Sunday June 27:
BB King-M&I Classic Rock Stage
Robert Randolph and the Family Band-Briggs and Stratton's Big Backyard

Monday June 28:
Eric Clapton with Roger Daltrey-Marcus Amphitheater
Blue Oyster Cult-M&I Classic Rock Stage

Tuesday June 29:
.38 Special-Briggs and Stratton's Big Backyard

Wednesday June 30:
Moody Blues-M&I Classic Rock Stage

Thursday July 1
Santana with Steve Winwood-Marcus Amphitheater

Friday July 2
Scorpions-Harley Davidson Roadhouse
Yes-M&I Classic Rock Stage

Saturday July 3
Rush-Marcus Amphitheater
Counting Crows-Harley Davidson Roadhouse
Peter Frampton-M&I Classic Rock Stage

Sunday July 4
Nothing really

Nothing, except for going to see Rush, is set in stone yet. Some plans are may be taking shape. It depends on many things...

Working Overtime

God, I'm so tired these days. I've working a lot overtime, doing ten hour shifts from 4:00 AM till 2:30 PM. It's starting to get exhausting. Feeling like I'm not getting much of a life.

I don't mind working overtime sometimes, but when it cuts into whatever social or leisure time I have can be kind of annoying. On top of that, I find myself taking more naps.

Can't complain too much, at least, I've got a job. Oh well...a man gotta do what a man gotta do...

Yeah, I work Saturday too....

River Bend

Yesterday, with the weather being so nice and mild, I decided to take a nice long walk through the woods at River Bend. River Bend is a nature reserve on the outskirts of my city. The trails at places were broken and rather muddy I managed to find my way through. I saw some cardinals, chickadees, orioles, robins, a hawk, squirrels and some deer tracks. Even heard some woodpeckers in the woods. I brought along my camera to take a few pictures.

Cardinal



The Root River



A trail in the woods



A young Red-tailed hawk

ENJOY!

RIP Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio, whose soaring vocals, poetic lyrics and mythic tales of a never-ending struggle between good and evil broke new ground in heavy metal, died this morning, according to a statement from his wife and manager. He was 67.

Ronnie James Dio rose to fame in 1975 fronting Rainbow with guitarist Richie Blackmore from Deep Purple, bringing tunes like "Stargazer", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock and Roll" to life.

In 1980, Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. Reviving the band, they released the critically acclaimed Heaven and Hell album. That time spent with the band was short lived.

In 1982, Dio formed his own band, Dio with former Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice. There they released some more excellent material such as "Holy Diver", "Rainbow in the Dark" and "The Last in Line"

Since then, Dio returned to Black Sabbath two more times before renaming it Heaven and Hell.

Last summer he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and was receiving treatment in Houston. He seemed to be doing better. Until this morning when I heard this.

His wife and manager Wendy Dio, released this statement-"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Cancer in a Nutshell -- With Update

A few weeks ago, I had gotten a message from a friend whom I haven't seen nor heard of in 25 years. We immediately reconnected as good friends. As we talked and laughed, reminiscing old times, she had revealed out to me that she had terminal cancer. She has less than 18 months. I was shocked!

As she was telling me her story, I became amazed. Yes, amazed. I was amazed by the fact her strong will is there! Instead of letting this terrible condition bring her down, she chooses to live her life to the fullest! She is full of smiles and laughter. Her spirit is inspiring, infecting those around her with smiles!

This is her story:

As someone who is battling cancer, you see life through whole new out look. You understand that most people don’t understand the struggles. But yet you push on that everything is ok. Some do see when a health struggle like a heart attack hits their lives, they understand the struggle. I also understand that some have it worse then yourself. Knowing this, my struggle is not was worse then person before me.

My cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (head and neck) stage 4. Terminal

So what is my point of view? Well, I look at life and the irony of it. But now the choice is which side will I look at? Honestly you can’t look one and not see the other, but I try to look more toward the positive.

Some of the positives of being a 44 year old female, is most of my friends are going through menopause. I hear them complain about their systems and some of their joys. Yet I don’t have to worry about, a right of path age that will be lost or missed?

Still looking fresh and young, but not worrying about buy expensive cosmetics. I still like taking walks, exercising, and eat right. But do enjoy the some of the naught pleasures of life.

I can choose how and where I am going to die. If you are a car accident, you don’t have that choice.

Some of the negative is not seeing my two children approaching middle school, having their first crush, first date, prom, high school and college graduations, weddings, grandchildren. Even thou I will miss these very important mile stones in their lives, I can rest assure that I place some of the life lesson seeds in their young minds.

Life lessons on the important of manners, dreams, goals, education, and loving family and friends.

I have been brave and honest with my kids about this nasty evil that has came into our lives and the people who effects also. So I do share my enjoyment, my happiness, and my pride in them during theirs and our good times and bad times, well lesson learned and water under the bridge. There is good in today and there will be tomorrow.

It is not their job to become little adults. Thank you God for the blessing of family and friends to help these two precious souls navigate through life’s good and evil.

I want to thank my friend for her inspiration and a lesson learned in life. My heart and prayers goes out to her. Her condition may be terminal, but in my mind, she's a survivor....

UPDATE My friend, Brandie, emailed me with a new message. UPDATE

Thanks Drew!
There is one thing that I forgot to mention in my writing, and that is this cancer is starting to hit more women my age. Yes this was considered a man's cancer, so there is no real research on how this cancer and treatments effect women.

Plus, because this a fast growing cancer, and life expectancy is only less then two years, the hopes for a cure or even remission is not in the cards for me. But I do pray that a cure can be found for the next woman, and she can live a long life.

Brandie C. the author of "Cancer in a nutshell"

Some Lyrics Going Through My Head....

Are you wanting inspiration
You spill your secrets on me
Then you tell me with a whisper
Of things that will never be.

--------------------------

Take your time, hurry up
The choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old

--------------------------

And he talks to the river of lost love and dedication
And silent replies that swirl invitation
Flow dark and troubled to an oily sea
A grim intimation of what is to be

There's an unceasing wind that blows through this night
And there's dust in my eyes, that blinds my sight
And silence that speaks so much louder than words,
Of promises broken

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the great mothers out there! Don't know we could have done it without you! You ladies ROCK!

JTI Spring Gathering

Here we are, all gathered again. The JTI Springtime Gathering. This time to honor Beejay coming up from Florida to introduce her beau, Mr. Dan. Many of us came out and had a good time. Had a couple of drinks, good tacos and shared a few laughs.

Lizardmom, her husband, and their daughter-Froglover, showed me their ideas for the future of the best of Racine posts. SER cracked some good jokes. kkdither was all smiles and laughs. Orbs Corbs and I chatted about family. Dog Addicts and her husband talked up a storm! Mr. Dan got Beejay blushing with pride about the fun they had...All in all I had a great time! I love these guys! Yes, Mr. Dan looks great in a sombrero!

BTW, where was Madame Zoltar?

Riding the Tide

Every now and then I write songs/poems. Usually it's when I have something inspired to write about. I haven't written anything since My Girl From California last year. This is my latest piece. It starts off mellow to a climax, the last verse bringing it down. Enjoy!

Riding the Tide

Softly the winds blow-breaking the stride
Our love is still there-way deep inside
Love and the passion-we could not hide
Set sail on the sea-love on our minds

We are together-it feels so right
The sun is shining-the rays so bright
Our love is the anchor-onward we might
The sails are open-ship's taking flight

Hollow fateful day-words broken truth
Was churning the sea-that was so smooth
The darkness may fall-bringing the gloom
Blinded by the dark-to see it through

The winds from the west-bringing the rain
The harsh words that sting-bringing the pain
The sails are breaking-nothing's the same
Was everything-broken in vain?

Broken and betrayed-twisted inside
Tossing and turning-riding the tide
Yearning for our love-hurting inside
Waiting for the ebbs-to flow and reside

The sea is raging...
The sea is raging...
And storm blows through the night



Way deep down inside-you were so right
Even the darkness-even the night
Can we find a way-to make it right?
That's because our love-still burns inside....

How the World Sees the U.S.

When I saw this, I couldn't resist posting this. Hope it gives you a good laugh....

I Got Tickets!

Wooohooo! I've got tickets to go see Rush for the third time! I'm totally stoked for this show! With so many concerts to see this summer and Summerfest has a hell of great line-up this year, I was forced to limit myself to whom I should see. So Rush pretty much came out on top. (Thanks to a special friend ;) in helping me to decide)

This tour should be a great one! From I've read from various blogs, the band plans to play the entire Moving Pictures album, some new and unreleased material, and an old classic "Jacob's Ladder". That's just a small part of a three hour show with two sets and no back up band!

The tickets I've got are decent. I've been to the Marcus Ampitheater quite a few times. There really isn't a bad seat in the house. My seats are in the rear reserved (yellow), section 4, aisle P, seats 32 and 33. The prices weren't too shabby. About $70 a piece.


I plan on having a great time. I hope to see some friends there. (Some whom you may know) I will be blogging about this show...

My Top 25 albums from1984 to 1989

So here it is folks! My top twenty 25 albums from 1984 to 1989. What a crazy time of my life it was! I had just graduated from high school and out into the real world. PARTY! And THAT'S what I did. When I wasn't attending classes in college or working as a waiter, I was out there in the bars and nightclubs partying the nights away. I could you tales of downing shots of Jack Daniel's in barber chairs and waking up in the middle of a field, but that will have to wait for another blog. Those days are long over, now that I am a single dad. No sense in reliving them...

Anyways, the music scene was changing then. New Wave and heavy metal arrived at full force. MTV rotated the same mindless videos repeatedly and endlessly. The leather, the big hair, the makeup and the neon clothes were at full bloom. The music started to sound corporate and plastic. At was all bright lights and glitter, but no real talent and soul. Yet underneath all this corporate bullshit, there was some GREAT stuff. Let's check it out!

U2 The Joshua Tree-1987 Hands down, THE best album from the '8o's! Bono and the boys take musical inspiration to new heights with this album. The Edge's jangling guitar and Bono's soulful lyrics leaves me breathless to this day. A timeless classic!

Guns n' Roses Appetite for Destruction-1987 I was totally blown away the raw and furious energy of this album! The rage! It like I could feel their pain and anger. It is the perfect fuck you adieu to the world. On top of that, these guys are talented musicians!

Def Leppard Hysteria-1987 How can any band outdo their previous album like Pyromania? Def Leppard managed to do so. Just as catchy as Pyromania, but more carefully crafted. Yes, with a one armed drummer.

Metallica Master of Puppets-1987 Nobody can rock harder and faster than Metallica! These guys from San Francisco are a driving force that pummel you with scorching rhythms that will rivet into your brain!

Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet-1986 I know, I know everybody must of heard something from this album a million of times! What can I say? It's a classic! These rockers from New Jersey, not only created a hell of a catchy album, but lyrically created storyline like tunes that people can relate to.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Born in the USA-1984 I absolutely love the homeliness of this record! Its was more upbeat and more pop oriented than his previous work. It's kinda like a record that makes you feel good inside. Having the title track sort of like the national anthem helps.

Deep Purple Perfect Strangers-1984 The long awaited reunion of the famous Mark 2 lineup returns! Ritchie Blackmore and the boys put out a perfect album! The best stuff since 1972's Machine Head. A must get for any Purple fan!

Pink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of Reason-1987 Argue if you want if this is David Gilmour solo album or this is an actual Pink Floyd album, I don't care. It's the first one without bassist Roger Waters. With or without him, I thought this album was brilliant! I really loved "Sorrow".

Robert Plant Now and Zen-1988 After scratching my head over the Honeydrippers project and his "Shaken and Stirred" album, I began to wonder about Plant. What is he doing? Instead of running away from the Zeppelin legacy, he now embraces it-bringing in mysticism and mystery into the fold. Recruiting his ex-band mate Jimmy Page helps.

REM Document-1987 I didn't get into REM until the '90's. By then, I backtracked to get their earlier stuff. I thought Document was the best out that bunch. I really liked "The One I Love" and "Finest Worksong".


Aerosmith Pump-1989 Their 1987's release Permanent Vacation was one hell of great comeback for Aerosmith! Pump turned it up a few notches, making it their most hardest rocking, best damn album they released since 1976's Rocks!

Iron Maiden Powerslave-1984 The 13 minute epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" was alone worth the price of this album! The rest of the album also rocks! Even the instrumental "Losfer Words" left me headbanging for years.

Van Halen 1984-1984 This is exactly the album that Van Halen needed to break away from the dismal Diver Down album. Adding keyboards was a brave and bold idea-and a brilliant one.

Tom Petty Full Moon Fever-1989 Tom Petty's first solo album away from the Heartbreakers proved beneficial for Petty. Pulling off timeless classics like "I Won't Back Down", "Running Down a Dream" and "Free Fallin'" certainly helped Petty' career out of a rut and got the Heartbreakers re-energized.

Grateful Dead In the Dark-1987 The Grateful Dead's first studio album in 17 years. The Dead had been playing most of the album for years before recording it. MTV's rotation of "Touch of Gray" helped the band's popularity to new heights

Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain-1984 I admit it, I like Prince! I just love the way he snatches up rock and roll, r & b, funk, reggae and everthing else under the sun and puts into a mixing bowl and makes it work! It takes talent to do that! Yeah, I thought the movie sucked.


Marillion Misplaced Childhood-1985 By about this point, prog rock just about dead. Asia was starting to fall, Yes was starting to suck, and Genesis was getting wimpy. Somehow Marillion carried the torch. Having a killer tune like "Kayleigh" helps.

Van Halen 5150-1986 After the departure of singer David Lee Roth, brothers Eddie and Alex brought Sammy Hagar into the fold. Argue if you want, if that was a good idea. I believe the arrival Hagar added the more artistic approach to the band. With great results!

Rush Power Windows-1985 Rush embraced the '80's with the synthesizer sound. Some people liked it, some didn't. I loved it, maybe not as much as the 70's stuff. Anyways, the album showed band's strengths as they evolved.

The Cars Heartbeat City-1984 I never was really into the Cars until I got this album. Aside from their first album, I thought this one was their best. I absolutely loved the tune "Drive"

Dire Straits Brother in Arms-1985 Anybody remember the "Money for Nothing" video? I do! That one was a classic! Not only that tune was awesome, the rest of the album was good.


Soundgarden Louder than Love-1989 This album could quite well be the birthplace of grunge. Mix punk with Zeppelin/Sabbath and you will get this! To top it off, Chris Cornell's voice just blows me away!

The Firm Mean Business-1986 I like the Firm, but I expected more from the former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Nonetheless, this album is still pretty good. I thought Paul Rogers was exceptional in this album.

Bruce Hornsby & the Range Scenes from the Southside-1988 A very mellow album with a loose and easy feeling to it. Perfect for a quiet evening with your partner.

Neil Young Freedom-1989 Neil Young's comeback album after a string of lousy ones. Contains the tune "Rocking in the Free World"

There you have it folks! My top 25 from 1984-1989. Took me two days to write this...

Four Wheel Drive

Last week, a good friend of mine, whom I had not seen in 25 years called me and invited me to see a band last Saturday night. The band, Four Wheel Drive is one of Milwaukee's favorite local bands. Well known for their play of of classic rock tunes from the '60's, '70's, and '80's, band the does a great job of performing them. They roared into their opening song, "I Just Want to Make Love to You" sounding very close to Foghat's version without the slide. Drummer Tim Wolf held a solid beat through out the night. Keyboardist Duane O' Reilly tickled the ivories, pulling off some vibrant sounds on tunes like "Riders on the Storm" and " LA Woman". Rhythm master Andrew Lee has a flair for showmanship, often stepping into the crowd to play the bass. The band's centerpiece David Ellman, showed off his impressive guitar work- working man's style. He sang with a great voice as belted out the classics.

The dance floor was packed with revelers as the group plowed through numbers from the Romantics, Sweet, and John Mellencamp. My highlights were their version of "Rock and Roll all Nite" and "Surrender" Good and solid fun rock!

I did get a chance to meet the band during breaks between sets. They seem to be down to earth rockers. They spoke pleasantly with the audience and chatting away with friends, bringing a good vibe that filled the place.

All in all, I had a good time. The band played well. If ever want go out and have a good time, and hear some good classic rock this is the band to see! Thanks for the invite B! I appreciate it

Happy Birthday to My Son!

I know my son doesn't look too happy in this picture, he doesn't like his picture taken. Who could blame him? He's just turned 13 today! He's that age... My little boy is growing up! I'm so proud of him! My son is an amazing artist and has got a great heart. I just love his spirit for happiness and way he looks around the world with joy. I could ramble on about him, but he's got a huge list of things to to today and I can't keep him waiting!

The Beatles in 3000

I know that I haven't written anything about rock and roll lately. Right now, I'm working on a project-my top 25 favorite albums from '84 to '89. So while I do some research, here is a video of the Beatles "discovered" in the year of 3000. Check it out! You may find it clever and funny. I did!

Live Love Laugh

I've heard this saying many times before. In the light of our over exhausting world, we seem to be failing to slow down and really see the world around us. I go to work each day with demands of more production and more responsibilities than the day before. Then I come home to a world of cell phones, computers, cable TV and the responsibility of taking care of a thirteen year old boy. Sometimes the rushing never stops.

We seem to live in a world of bigger, better, faster and more. High speed technology was taken us to the furthermost corners of the globe in a heartbeat. We have microwaves that can zap our meals in seconds. We have digital cable that can receive hundreds of TV shows that we never watch. There more options out there than ever. More things to buy. More music to choose from. All off the internet! Decisions, decisions!

In the end, are we really satisfied? Has all this technology and pushing ourselves over the limit brought us happiness? Have they really made our lives easier? Not always. Sometimes things get a little more complicated.

There are many times I'd just rather sit down with a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise. Go down to the lake and watch the waves go by. Take a walk in the woods and feel the breeze. I want to live better with myself. Have the love that I want. Laugh a little harder...at the silly stuff.

Twists and Turns

Sorry, that I haven't been blogging so much these days. A lot has been on my mind. Most of it is about my family, my close friends and relationships. Too personal to blog about it openly. Anyways, I 've thinking about the twists and turns in road of life. Like can they lead right back to where you started? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It's day by day thing. One day, a twist in the road can bring you happiness and then the next day, bad news and tragedy. Sometimes, I'm not so sure about this road. It may be pretty, but the blind curves are the worst.


Sometimes, I prefer the straight and narrow road. This way, I can see the horizon. See what's ahead of me, instead of a murky view. I know it may sound boring, at least I know where I'm going....

Bad Boy

Last night, I stumbled across a video from one mine favorite local bands, Bad Boy. It's rare that a band from Wisconsin had ever made it big. Off of the top of my head, I could only think of two. The Violent Femmes and the Bo Deans. Three if you include Cheap Trick. (They are from Rockford, Illinois-just south of the border) Anyways, these guys enjoyed moderate success in the late 70's and early 80's supporting bands like Cheap Trick, Survivor, Ted Nugent, .38 Special, Kansas, Paul Rodgers, Angel and Night Ranger. Not only that they headlined to sold out shows across the Midwest.

Signed on the United Artists label in 1977, founding members Steve Grimm (guitar, keys, vocals), John Marcelli (bass), Joey LaVie (guitar, vocals) and Lars Hanson (drums) released two albums-"The Band Milwaukee Made Famous" and "Back to Back" Both albums reached the top 100 nationwide.

Xeno (vocals, guitar) joined the band after his departure from Cheap Trick in the early 80's. That present lineup released their most successful effert to date-"Electric Eyes". Tunes like "Cheat on Me" and "Thunder and Lightning" received radio airplay. The fans were just flocking to their shows.

It wasn't long before the band faded into obscurity. I heard nothing from them in LONG time. I thought they had broken up. And yes, they did. That was a shame! I had enjoyed seeing them play time after time.

They did reform in 1998 with new members. Bringing in Craig Evans on bass and Scott Bernendt on drums, the band was energized! They released a album of new material called "We Should be Dead by Now" in 2002. They continue to play at clubs and festivals across the Midwest. The last time I saw them was two years at a festival nearby my place. THEY ROCKED!

Are there any local bands you want to rave about?

Saturday Morning at the Lake

This morning my son and I decided to have brunch at Chartroom Charlie's, a local restaurant where the Root River empties into the waters of Lake Michigan. It was one of those cold, rainy and dreary mornings where the heart feels cold. We were seated down by windows that overlooked the river. What a great view I thought. My son said to me, "Racine is sure ugly." I didn't think so. I just see it in a different light.

As we were looking out the rain splattered windows, we were watching fishermen in their small boats drifting by. "These fishermen are a die hard breed" ,I thought. Wondering if they caught anything. Salmon, trout or walleye? I'll never know. We watched Mallard ducks bobbing in the river. Canadian geese and seagulls were flying by. It reminded me of the time that we saw a muskrat swimming in the river.

As I was sipping a warm cup of coffee, my mind drifted off to the places I've been to. Like the cottage on the lake Up North. It was the warm feeling I had before-sipping coffee and looking out of window. I remembered the smell of bacon and fresh cinnamon rolls while my mom was cooking breakfast. The fishermen were out there trying to catch their sunfish and bluegills. The indigo buntings, goldfinches, nuthatches, blue jays and downy woodpeckers were getting their morning fill at the bird feeder. The loons were diving deep in the water to catch their morning fish, only to reappear elsewhere. I remembered the bald eagles and the osprey diving for fish and scaring the heck out of the loons.

My mind drifted off to more recent days of visiting the warm and sunny Dana Point, California. It was a whole new world for me. The smell the salt in the air and the warm breezes off of ocean are still in my memory. The palm trees, tall and majestic against the glow of the sun, were just glorious in my eyes. The yellow rocky bluffs behind me looked forbidding, yet grand. I wondered why people would build houses on the edge of the cliffs. The wildlife was different there too. We saw pelicans, cattle egrets and white herons out there looking for a catch of fish. There was this sea lion swimming in the harbor, catching the attention of tourists. Those were some of the happier days in my life.

My point being of this blog, is every where you go, there is beauty to be seen and observed. Just got to look for it. The lunch was delicious and the service was great. As I walked out the restaurant, the rain had stopped and the sun started to shine...