I like to ask people "what are you really enjoying these days?"  It’s a fun way to open a conversation, an easier way to encourage expression of gratitude and a fun entry into finding out about new things, events and even people.  

So, today, I ask myself the same question.  What am I enjoying right now? 

Other than, of course, my family, faith, friends and greater Milwaukee in general, the list could get long quickly so I’ll keep it to eight.  What’s on your list? As you think about it, enjoy these.  

Digit
Making a game out of saving money is fun, and while I think I do OK on the traditional side of saving and investing putting personalty and portability on it has really made saving a few extra bucks easy and fun.  Download Digit now.  It’s not bank, but savings account, that is backed by the FDIC.  It’s easy, connect to an account and every few days, the good people at Digit will transfer a few dollars — $2 to $18 seems to be the average - into a secure account. When you need some extra cash, your money back or need to just rationalize a fun purchase. you merely send a text message and Digit transfers the amount you tell it to back into your checking account.  It also sends you updates on balances and rewards you for certain levels of savings.  

Goody Gourmets, 4425 N. Oakland Ave.
I can thank my Dad for a lot of things in my life, and one of these things is my love of popcorn.  These days, and honestly for the past several years, I’m loving the triple mix at Goody Gourmets.  This place rocks. Wonderful people, amazing smells that drift onto Oakland Avenue and most importantly great popcorn.  Eat your heart out, garrett.  

Walking the Park East
I was a part of the event that helped "kick off" the tear down of the Park East Freeway,  a 0.8-mile highway spur that was part of a loop that separated Downtown from north-side neighborhoods.  That was 2002.  Today, 13 years later, when you walk the area you truly get a sense of what’s happened and what’s coming.  Parks, plazas, neighborhoods and a new entertainment district.  I walked the area last week and got goose bumps thinking about what’s next.  It’s been a process, but one that is playing out the way that it’s meant to.  Big things ahead.

Smoked salmon on a stick
We should all eat more fish.  And, the St. Paul Fish Company inside the Milwaukee Public Market makes this easy. $3.75 for a new sized chunk of tasty smoked salmon on a stick. Grab and go. Lunch is done.  

Creativity, Inc.
I’ve put this book in our weekly #WeWant segment, but since I’m still savoring it I’ll list it here too.  It is one of the best business books I’ve ever read, Written by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace. It’s a fascinating look at creativity, change, success and well, life.In the book, Catmull never seeks  "to define the word creativity—and that’s intentional."  He doesn’t define the title of his book because it doesn’t seem useful, rather he believes "that we all have the potential to solve problems and express ourselves creatively. What stands in our way are these hidden barriers—the misconceptions and assumptions that impede us without our knowing it."  At one point, though, he uses this phrase to clarify what creativity could mean — "unexpected connections between unrelated concepts or ideas ."  I that this, a lot.  Especially when it comes to making Milwaukee and greater Milwaukee even better.  We need to "fight" to bust out of ideas and perceptions that we all hold on to.  Life isn’t easy and making our city and communities better is hard work.  Becoming comfortable with uncomfort is hard too. Battling, collaborating and connecting like we’ve never done is required.  We must do it to be great.  

In the past several years, Milwaukee’s moved beyond its inferiority complex, risk aversion and fear of failure.  Sure, all three still exist but there’s a sense that change is afoot.  I’m hopeful we are all a part of it.   Read Creativity, Inc., it’s sure to get your "I want to make things better" juices flowing!  

The promise of Marquette basketball
New basketball seasons alone are enough to bring joy and excitement, but there’s something extra special about the promise of this and the next several seasons of Marquette basketball.  Coach Wojo has his plan in place, and now it’s stocked with players with not only potential but ability, character and courage. Power forward Henry Ellenson will be awesome to watch as the program continues its path back to annual 20+ win seasons.  And, more, I hope!  

Yahoo! News Digest app
This is sleek, well designed and user friendly app.  Download it.  I’m not a big fan of news feeds that endlessly scroll.  I want comfortable feeling during my news consumption, and this app delivers.  Admittedly, I don’t check it daily but when I do I always enjoy the experience.  Nice work, Yahoo!

Modelo Especial
I love Milwaukee beers, and am as loyal as I can be.  Yet, right now I’m in love with the Mexican pilsner, Modelo Especial.  I know, I know it’s parent company is Anheuser-Busch InBev, but it’s a darn good staple beer that’s crisp and drinkable.  Try it.  Hat tip to our own Milwaukee All-Star, Fred Gillich, who encouraged me to add it to my beer list.