It's a beautiful day. The sun is shining. My baby daughter smiled at me with her four little teeth when I picked her up. And yet, I'm in a terrible mood.
I blame Brett Favre.
There are lots of great reasons to be happy today. Mayor Tom Barrett is out of the hospital, I'm going camping in Door County in just a few days, and we just announced the hiring of veteran theater critic Damien Jaques. Life is good.
But Brett is bringing me down.
So, on that note, I'll just ignore all that good stuff this week and offer up the five frustrations on my mind. Because getting it off your chest is the best way to move on. And I know you're not really interesting in reading about why that bush I planted in my garden is going strong, right?
Five stages of Favre grieving: The Kübler-Ross model of grief describes the five steps in dealing with tragedy. I think I'm on step four ... Step one, denial: There is no way that Brett Favre would ever play for the Vikings. He might hate Ted Thompson but he doesn't hate Packers fans! This can't be happening! Step two, anger: That piece of crap! I supported him after every interception, every playoff meltdown, his Vicadin addiction and even as a Jet. I boycotted the Packers last year because of you! I hate you so much! Step three, bargaining: Please, Brett, just stay on your tractor. It isn't worth destroying your legacy because of a personal vendetta. Step four, depression: Seeing Brett running around in purple and slapping Ryan Longwell's butt will be the saddest moment for me as a football fan. He's actually gonna help the Vikings, isn't he? Now I have to boo him and treat him like the enemy. Step five, acceptance: You know what? It doesn't matter. Football is just a game. What Brett Favre does or doesn't do has absolutely no bearing on my life.
AMC HD, please: Despite my position as a general naysayer, I'm actually pleased with the HD offerings from Time Warner Cable. I'd like to see MSNBC and VH-1 in high def, but for the most part, I'm getting by with what I've got. The exception is AMC, home of two of my favorite shows, "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad." These shows just cry out for HD, instead of analog low def. Of course, AMC only has a few original shows, so it might not make sense to make the investment for a network that broadcasts mostly old movies.
Where has summer gone: I say this every year, but it's Aug. 19, and I have nothing to show for this summer. Every year, it seems to move by more quickly. At this pace, I expect it to snow next week. I'm not alone in feeling this way, am I?
Why does running still suck: After a poor start, I think I'm doing everything right now. I have the right shoes, custom orthotics (review coming next week), plenty of lightweight gear and accessories. According to my MapMyFitness.com log, I ran 41.3 miles in July and have run 21.19 miles in August. My knees have stopped hurting, I'm getting faster, but it's still incredibly hard and have lost a measly four pounds. Does running get easier? And if so, when?
Upcoming obsession, Guitar Hero: I'm pretty late to hop on this bandwagon, but I just discovered "Guitar Hero," and it's super fun. I'm trying to avoid buying it, myself, but every time I walk down the aisles at Target, it practically jumps into my lap. The new one comes out on Sept. 1. Anyone wanna place an over-under wager on the day I break down and buy it?
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
