by Jason Meinen | Oct 4, 2015 | Music, Other, Rant, Sports
If you remember this post, you will remember my love for grass. In California, there is absolutely no such grass like that…unless you are at a very high end golf course or a professional sports organization’s stadium…and even they – Levi’s Stadium in particular (host of Super Bowl L) – has had there own grass issues.
So imagine teaching PE in this “great state of California” without the use of a gymnasium (it’s like asking a classroom teacher to teach without desks or chairs for their students…good luck!”), AND without adequate green space (weed grass doesn’t count). Let’s just say, this PE teaching experience is turning into quite the sh_t show! No, I’m serious…and I have the pictures to prove it.
Sh_t happens…the geese have taken over the weed grass field!
Just the type of “play area” you want younger children playing on…if I had a dollar every time I heard the word “poop.”
Geese don’t discriminate…they even managed to bomb most of the blacktop area.
While I tried to put on my best face for this colossal sh_t show, I just couldn’t help but feel that these are NOT appropriate teaching conditions (I said something to my princiPAL…he was going to mention something to grounds, but I’m not expecting a quick fix anytime soon). Whenever grounds has come by to take “care” of the weed grass, it usually takes the guy almost 2 hours to mow (and dust bomb the rest of us)…a job that could easily be done in 30 minutes.
Oh, and did I mention the amount of garbage that is usually left on the “prickly, sh_tty, weed grass” field…
An outdoor garbage can would be nice to have (somewhere) on the school grounds.
And yes, Heineken is served after hours here…
Top shelf in the San Lorenzo area.
So, you can imagine how excited I am to be putting in my first FULL week…yes, five days straight of teaching (maybe I need to schedule another trip back to Wisconsin). I’m sure it is going to be a fantastic week…especially after my K-2 SPARK training on Friday¡ Thankfully, there is no rain in the forecast this week (that blog post will be coming soon…especially with the talk of El Niño this winter…and no gym space).
On the bright side, I will be able to proudly wear the Green & Gold all week long…suck it Niners fans!
by Jason Meinen | Sep 22, 2015 | Other, Rant, Rave, Sports
Over the last couple of days, I have taken a great liking to the following burns…let’s just say, some of the people involved…truly had it coming (you’ve been pwned)!
1. Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury telling Bret Bielema what he really thought about the Arkansas Razorbacks football program. The truth hurts…but of course, “Big Game Bret,” wouldn’t let it go the next day…when Kingsbury had CLEARLY moved on from his previous days’ comments. I (along with every Wisconsin football fan) CAN’T WAIT for the day that Bielema is canned at Arkansas…and it is likely to be (very) soon. #unbielemable (I wish I still had those stickers).
Uncanny resemblance
2. Aaron Rodgers crediting God for Sunday night’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks. What’s that Russell Wilson…do you still believe that God cares about who wins football games?! To refresh everyone’s memory, here is my real take on Russell Wilson. #phony
3. Thank you Deadspin, for truly summing up Scott Walker…I don’t like to EVER talk politics (especially in this blog), but this was too good to pass up. I’ll let you read the excerpt because I couldn’t have said it any better myself. #dropout
Now fix that bald spot!
4. I am not an Oakland Raiders fan by any means (as a matter of fact, I like them even less – if that’s possible – since our move to California), but this response to Super Bowl L (ahem, 50)…is just too perfect. #thisleague
Does anyone else hear the Bloodhound Gang playing in the background…or as George Costanza would say, flame on! (skip to 3:11 mark) #priceless
by Jason Meinen | Sep 17, 2015 | Rant, Rave, Sports
It should be a four-letter word in the state of California (or maybe it is). On some days, I feel like Michael Douglas in the movie Falling Down. I just don’t get it…there are FOUR to FIVE lanes on most freeways (in each direction), and yet people still can’t seem to drive. I’ve also noticed there are very few posted speed limit signs (probably because in most instances…no one can actually drive the speed limit). And don’t even get me started on motorcycles…why are they allowed to drive in between the lanes of traffic?! Yeah, that seems totally safe¡ At least they are required to wear helmets¡
My commute to school (work) is 27 miles one way (it SHOULD take less than 40 minutes to get there). However, on a good day, it takes me 45-50 minutes to get to school. On a bad day (most days), it takes one hour to one hour and twenty minutes plus. And in most instances, I have never even encountered an actual accident. It is absolutely crazy…the starting, the stopping, the slowing down, the starting, the stopping…I just don’t get it. Why can’t people drive in the state of California?!
Thankfully I can listen to almost the entire Green & Gold Today on 540 ESPN (to get my Packer fix) on the way to school and on the way home, I can listen to the Brewers (when they are on the East coast) or Homer & Gabe or my favorite, Sports Central (always good hearing your voice Greg). It is nice to stream Wisconsin sports radio (thank you technology!)…but it doesn’t make the commute that much easier or relaxing. I’ve dealt with commutes in the past…having lived in Wauwatosa and having to drive to Kewaskum. I actually didn’t mind that commute…because I could actually DRIVE without the unnecessary starting and stopping (unless it was winter…even then it wasn’t California bad). A commute can actually be a very good time to decompress…that is why I envy my wife, who gets to take a shuttle to work, and people that can take BART to their place of employment.
They say patience is a virtue…and they also say that time is of the essence (well, you can’t have it both ways!). So which way is it California? Please make up your mind.
More…I just got my Packers season ticket waiting list priority number today. I moved up to 75,432 from 76,171…I should have those Packers season tickets very soon¡ Go Pack Go!
by Jason Meinen | Sep 9, 2015 | Beer, Other, Rant, Rave
Johnny Drama’s policy on going to The Valley (much less living there) is spot on! We live in the Tri Valley area and here is what we are currently experiencing temperature-wise (it’s September 9th, right?).
This is day two of this triple-digit heat (oh, but it’s a dry heat¡). Imagine having to teach PE outdoors (there are no gyms) in this stuff…thankfully it’s only in the low to mid 90’s in San Lorenzo (I really couldn’t tell the difference as I was being cooked on the already fried grass/dirt/quack grass at school)¡ Some districts are actually sending students home early because most schools in California have no air conditioning (really?!). Not having AC in California makes as much sense as not having a furnace in Wisconsin.
Thankfully, we are heading back to the great state of Wisconsin this weekend for my friend Aaron’s wedding. I am definitely looking forward to the Fall-like temperatures. See you soon Wisconsin (I can’t wait to start hydrating)!
by Jason Meinen | Sep 7, 2015 | Other, Rant, Rave
There is a shortage of teachers in California (multiple people sent me that acticle when it came out…and I saw many other articles just like it)…I can’t say I’m the least bit surprised after going through the credentialing process myself. Let me walk you through my (horrifying) experience…
On August 11th, I went to the Alameda County Office of Education to apply for my California teaching credential (I figured I may as well…I was not having any luck finding a job in sports (do they even exist?) and I had finally reached my level of summer boredom). I plunked down $100 for a “preliminary” (I was missing certain paperwork…still not sure what) single subject credential in PE & Health (the Office even questioned me about not having my original PRAXIS scores from 1999!) and another $74 to get fingerprinted (so that I could, at the very least, substitute teach). With all of that complete, I decided to use my application “receipt” (who knows when I’ll get my actual credential as they are currently processing applications received BEFORE 6/29/15!) to apply to a few school districts on EDJOIN…mostly just to see if I would even get a response back from anyone.
Lucky me…I received an email about an interview for a full-time elementary PE position on August 13th (I thought…wow, that was quick…I figured they must really be desperate to find someone, as the school year was quickly approaching). On August 17th, I went in for an interview at the San Lorenzo Unified School District district office. The interview went well, but I found it strange that the interview wasn’t with a principal or with any other PE staff members (the director of elementary education conducted it). The next day (August 18th), I received a call back that all my references checked out (thanks Piitt…not sure they even called anyone else) and I was offered the job. I accepted the position (too soon maybe…another school district called me about a middle school position later) and I went in on August 20th to sign my contract and fill out a ton of paperwork (they actually left me with the paperwork and I spent the ENTIRE afternoon filling it out at home…it was nauseating). The next day (August 21st), I went back to the Alameda County Office of Education to get fingerprinted (a 2nd time remind you) because each district requires their OWN fingerprints (don’t ask me why, but can you say waste of time and energy…why not share fingerprints…probably TOO LOGICAL¡). After getting fingerprinted (where I had to show up at 8am to guarantee being fingerprinted…as they only take the first 14 walk-ins each day starting a 9am – I was fifth in line), I went back to the San Lorenzo district office to turn in my paperwork. At that time, I was told that I may not be able to start the school year in the classroom as it will take “some time” for the County to process all of my paperwork (it was taking most paperwork at least a week to get processed) and I needed a new TB test (just another hoop to jump through). Awesome¡
School started on August 25th (I was able to meet the staff and tour the building a bit on the 21st…even sat in on a staff meeting)…it was a half day at the elementary school that day. I was not able to be there on the 1st day of school due to the County “processing” my paperwork…and because of that, I could not be around students. August 26th was also a half day due to the district’s early release Wednesdays (or called shortened days in California)…I was forced to sit that day out as well due to the County. August 27th…nothing. August 28th…nothing (great, now I’ve missed the entire first week of classes). August 31st…still nothing!
On September 1st (after wishing all of my friends a happy 1st day of school in Wisconsin), I finally sent the district office an email kindly asking…why the F is this taking so long?! I received the standard response, the County processes the applications in the order that they receive them…we’ll let you know as soon as we hear something. Again, awesome¡ But, wouldn’t you know it…that afternoon, I finally received word that my paperwork had been processed and I could FINALLY start school the next day (one has to wonder if my email had anything to do with it).
So, as of last Wednesday, I have been teaching PE at Del Rey Elementary School (home of the Dragons¡) in the San Lorenzo Unified School District. Through only three days of classes, I can firmly say the experience has been “interesting.” I thought Wisconsin did things differently in terms of education, but California may just blow them out of the water. Like I said, it’s only been a week…but I’ve also seen a lot in my 13+ years of education to know how things work. I’ll leave you with what my friend Aaron said…well, maybe this is what education in Wisconsin will look like in 5-10 years. Stay tuned…he may be onto something. In the meantime, I’ll be busy taking credits to obtain my EL Authorization…if I want to teach in California beyond this school year (or maybe, I’ll be one and done).
by Jason Meinen | Aug 27, 2015 | Rant, Sports
Russell Wilson! D-O-N-E…DONE! I’ll admit…I was a huge fan of Wilson when he was calling the plays for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2011 (#unbielemable that they lost THREE games that year). But…ever since Wilson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and known cheater Pete Carroll…I have grown to dislike him more and more with each passing NFL season. The “Fail Mary” game was the first time that Wilson left a bad taste in my mouth (especially with his postgame comments)…and last year’s NFC Championship game still has me RED hot. But after reading this RIDICULOUS article in Rolling Stone…I cannot stand (hate is probably a better word) Wilson and am completely done with him (even crediting water for his recovery from a Clay Matthews hit…shows how much of a joke the NFL concussion protocol is)! Actually, Wilson may be one of my most hated current NFL players…joining the likes of Johnny Manziel, Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick (and every player from the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings rosters). Well Russell Wilson, enjoy that celibacy with Ciara…just stop sharing all your holier than thou views with the rest of us on Twitter (unfollow)…we are done with you!
Lastly, remember when we thought Wilson’s ex-wife was the crazy one…maybe we still need to hear her FULL side of this story…to be continued (I’m sure).
Now who’s the crazy one…
by Jason Meinen | Aug 21, 2015 | Rant, Rave, Sports
I’m in my office…I wish I could actually say that, but I’ll be too busy jumping through hoops today (and likely Monday…and Tuesday).
Thankfully, my parents come to visit tomorrow (that should help take my mind off this nonsense for a bit). I’ll explain more about the nonsense at a later date (obviously it involves landing a job…and in California that means cutting through A LOT of red tape).
Also, good luck to the Kewaskum High School Football Team (like them on Facebook) as they open their varsity slate tonight at West Bend East (Rondorf, you’re in for a long night). Go Indians!
Well, enjoy your Friday…I likely won’t be!
by Jason Meinen | Aug 18, 2015 | Music, Rant, Sports
It’s bad enough that the Wisconsin Badgers will open the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide (Roll Tide¡) in the Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (the house that Jerrah built…the 8th wonder of the world¡). Throw in having to start Joel Stave (really…no one else is better?!) at quarterback with an unproven line in front of him (also see below), and the lack of a serviceable wide receiver (Alex Erickson is okay, I guess…but a no. 1?) or tight end, and having no proven backup to Corey Clement at running back (the backup was a reserve CB at this time last year)…and you have a recipe for disaster (big time)! How is the spread only 10.5 (seriously)?!
Well…things are only getting worse for new head coach Paul Chryst. The Badgers are only two weeks into practice and the injuries are starting to pile up (and a scrimmage is set for this Saturday). The following players (17!) are injured and/or have missed practice in the last couple of days (in no particular order):
Jacob Maxwell (shoulder), Jon Dietzen (ankle…also nice hair¡), Hayden Biegel (head), Beau Benzschawel (knee), Arthur Goldberg (foot), Zack Baun (head…saw in T&F what a stud athlete he is), Austin Ramesh (hamstring), TJ Edwards (shoulder), Leon Jacobs (toe), Jeremy Patterson (knee), Jake Keefer (hip), Arrington Farrar (mono), Eric Steffes (back), Jason Erdmann (ankle), Caleb Kinlaw (groin), Jake Whalen (knee), and Ty DeForest (abdominal).
That is quite the lengthy list! Some of these players are starters or potential starters and need the valuable reps in practice. Others are backups, that will likely be needed at some point and/or are contributors on special teams. With all the injures, one has to wonder what it going on in terms of conditioning at Madison?! Granted, injures are a part of football and some injuries just can’t be avoided, but it is very disconcerting at this point of the preseason (16 days until the Alabama game). Hopefully, most injuries are just minor and the Badgers will be as close to full strength as possible September 5th against the Crimson Tide…because they are going to need every possible body to win that game…or to keep it within three touchdowns (because there is no longer a Melvin Gordon around to bail this team out).
On Wisconsin!¡
by Jason Meinen | Aug 14, 2015 | Beer, Music, Rant, Rave, Sports
The Modesto Nuts!
Well, I survived my first trip to Modesto (The Death Star…yes, George Lucas is from there)…barely. Let’s just put it this way, if Clara had made us live in Modesto…I’d already be back living in Wisconsin (and I’m being dead serious). I’d compare Modesto to a Wisconsin city, but I don’t want to offend any cities there (just think of your least favorite city in Wisconsin and times that by 10, and you’ll have Modesto). When one of your most popular bars is in a strip mall…you know you have problems (major problems). Thankfully, the Modesto Nuts game was fun (very similiar to a Lakeshore Chinooks game, but with less people). It was also Barefoot Tasting Night at the game (very refreshing¡)…I guess that was probably why we got free tickets (plus almost half of the entire crowd were Gallo employees…we also could have gotten a free Nuts hat). We even spent the night in Modesto at the Best Western Palm Court Inn…nothing like staying in a motel (Pitbull wasn’t there). Today, I got the much anticipated E&J Gallo tour (nothing like getting a tour from a recent college graduate). It was nice, but nothing too amazing (the history and production were impressive though…more of that please). I guess you could say, been there done that (when you’ve been on as many brewery tours as I have…you become desensitized to it all). Well, I survived, and safe to say, I probably won’t be going be back to Modesto anytime soon…maybe a Nuts game (I guess).
More: Special shout-out to our little buddy, Ari. Five years ago today (time flies), we went to the Wisconsin Humane Society just to look for a cat…and lo and behold, we came home with Ari. It’s been a blast having Ari in our family the last five years…he has definitely changed our lives (Ari has no trouble waking us up super early every morning…he’s like a kid), and more impressively he made it to California no problem at all (where he is living the life in our fenced in yard). Ari, enjoy an extra scoop of food on us tonight…hopefully the food coma will help you sleep an extra hour or two.
Ari’s (or Moo Moo’s) adoption photo.
Even more: Tomorrow we are making the trek to Russian River Brewing Company. There are no words that I can use to give this place the proper recognition it deserves. So, let’s just put it this way…it is going to be AWESOME! (I got the cooler all ready).
by Jason Meinen | Aug 9, 2015 | Rant
Well, we are finally unpacked. However…we have some issues. The following items arrived, but are damaged, and in some cases, totally unusable. My bike, my watch, our headboard, a couple shelves, a drying rack, a lamp, a curtain rod, the toaster…just to name a few. Oh, and did I mention we are also missing some boxes…namely one that includes our college diplomas. How the F does this happen?!?! I get it, we moved across the country (I expected some minor damages), but I find it totally inexcusable that you would lose people’s stuff! On top of all of that, Clara’s car was even dinged up while being shipped here. So now, we get to fill out a ton of paperwork in hopes of retrieving our things (those boxes better show up) or having them replaced…again, making way more work for us. I am totally convinced we could have made this move from Wisconsin to California much easier had we just done it all ourselves. This unnamed moving company has been a complete joke (but they’ll probably just write it off)! End rant.
by Jason Meinen | Aug 4, 2015 | Beer, Rant, Rave, Sports
Sorry I have been idle, but we’ve been rather busy over the last few days as we moved into our rental home on Saturday afternoon. The moving truck came and dropped off all of our stuff (most things came in one piece…except my bike and watch so far…) and we have literally been unpacking ever since (I found out again how much I really hate moving…word of advice, don’t do it).
Yesterday I spent the day setting up all the essential services in our names. California is absolutely ridiculous when it comes to this…everything required some sort of start-up fee (usually around $100). It was really annoying and a very drawn out process too…as I would have to call AND fill out forms online for most services! And of course, the cable guy can’t come until next Monday (between 7:30-8:30 AM of course)…so no cable or Internet at our place till then (it is going to be tortuous…kind of like No TV Week – now called Screen Free Week). I tried to set-up an antenna yesterday so that we could at least watch basic channels…no such luck (even with a Mohu Leaf…one of the best antennas on the market that worked to perfection back in Wisconsin). There is just no way to pull a signal when we are living in the valleys that we live in as I was only able to get 3 channels (and two were in Spanish). At least I have my phone…I guess. So don’t expect too many blog posts until next week…when we start to return to some sense of normalcy (I hope).
Without further ado…here are a few pictures of the outside of our place. I’ll have the inside pics once everything is un-boxed and organized to the way we like it.
Backyard
Sideyard
Ari digs the fenced in yard.
Tidbits: Before we moved in on Saturday, we spent Friday in Berkeley. We hit up three breweries (Jupiter Brewhouse, Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse, and Buffalo Bill’s Brewery)…all decent, but nothing real special and we walked around on the California Berkeley campus checking out Aaron Rodgers’ former stomping grounds (no key needed…just walk right in).
California Memorial Stadium
The house that Aaron Rodgers re-built…renovations were completed in 2012.
by Jason Meinen | Jul 30, 2015 | Beer, Food, Rant, Rave, Sports
Nothing like a little matinee baseball to make the week go by faster (or to at least give me something to do). And as luck would have it, the Milwaukee Brewers just happened to be visiting San Francisco for their lone trip to AT&T Park this season (talk about great timing). With temperatures projected to reach triple digits in Pleasanton, yesterday seemed like a great day to venture into The City and see some afternoon baseball…even though I would have to do this solo, as Clara would have to work (hey, it still is the SOH 13).
I arrived to the stadium well before the opening pitch. So early, that the gates weren’t even open yet. So I wandered around the outside of the stadium taking in all of the monuments and plaques (interesting all the Barry Bonds love, I guess cheaters can prosper), tried to imagine what it would be like to win three World Series titles in the last five years as the Giants have (could Milwaukee or our livers survive even one World Series title), and took many (many) pictures for groups of fans (not sure why they would ask the guy in the Brewers shirt to take their picture, but I did…even if some of them barely spoke English).
Once inside, I was hoping to catch some batting practice…no such luck. With it being a day game, the players were forced to take BP in the cages under the stadium. So instead of watching the players hit, I was stuck watching the Brewers pitching staff go through their warm-ups. While definitely not as exciting as BP, watching MLB players warm-up by playing catch (just like we did as kids growing up) still is cool to watch. All I could think of at that point, was how lucky these guys are to play baseball for a living. It just can’t feel like a job…can it? No way.
Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse (bomb) playing a little pitch and catch.
So as any veteran sports fan would do when you see your team is down by a number that looks insurmountable (and you are in enemy territory to boot)…I headed to the bar. And why wouldn’t I, 21st Amendment is right up the street. It also was happy hour.
So what did I learn yesterday…I can watch the Brewers lose anywhere this year (I’ve now seen it in person at home and on the road…probably the last game I’ll see all year too), Miller Park is still way better than AT&T Park (this was my second experience at AT&T, and while I like it…I’m just not a fan of their standing room only policies, really high beer prices, and no secret stadium sauce), and I will never, ever be a Giants fan (the Brewers are probably gonna be bad for some time, but they are still my Brewers). One last add, I need to remember to pack some sunscreen next time…burnt forehead, not good!
by Jason Meinen | Jul 27, 2015 | Rant, Sports
Just getting caught up with the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony from yesterday. Talk about four deserving players, and talk about getting old…I can remember almost the entire playing careers of Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and John Smoltz. However, the following excerpt from Smoltz’s induction speech about Tommy John surgery and young baseball players really struck me.
“Before I hand it over to next inductee, I’d be remiss if I did not talk about Tommy John. I’ve been given an opportunity as one of the only players, the only one right now, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with Tommy John Surgery. It’s an epidemic. It’s something that is affecting our game. It’s something that I thought would cost me my career, but thanks to Dr. James Andrews and all those before him, performing the surgery with such precision has caused it to be almost a false-read, like a band-aid you put on your arm.
I want to encourage the families and parents that are out there that this is not normal to have a surgery at 14 and 15 years old. That you have time, that baseball is not a year-round sport. That you have an opportunity to be athletic and play other sports. Don’t let the institutions that are out there running before you guaranteeing scholarship dollars and signing bonuses that this is the way….
I want to encourage you, if nothing else, know that your children’s passion and desire to play baseball is something that they can do without a competitive pitch. Every throw a kid makes today is a competitive pitch. They don’t go outside, they don’t have fun, they don’t throw enough — but they’re competing and maxing out too hard, too early, and that’s why we’re having these problems. Please, take care of those great future arms.”
I could not have said that any better myself. Parents need to adhere to these warnings. Smoltz knows what he is talking about, yet every day, parents continue to push their kids beyond what is considered “normal” wear and tear for athletes their age. I’ve said it before, parents need to let kids be kids and let the chips fall as they may…parents need to stop living their lives vicariously through their children! College scholarships are few and far between and the idea of actually making it to the Major Leagues is like hitting the lottery. So parents, please start listening to Smoltz’s advice and let’s put this epidemic to an end.
by Jason Meinen | Jul 26, 2015 | Music, Other, Rant, Rave, Sports
If you’ve seen the show Weeds on Showtime, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. The “little boxes” phenomenon is very prevalent in the Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore areas. It is very strange and frankly, just doesn’t look right. So with that to comprehend and a limited amount of rental housing (we just couldn’t do an apartment complex and can’t quite afford a home out here yet), our exhaustive search appears to finally be over. We received a phone call this evening confirming our selection…yes, it is that competitive in terms of home rentals out here (there are few options and the good ones are scooped up right away). So for the next year, we are happy to say that we will be calling Livermore, California our home. (Ironically, today’s Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Randy Johnson – the Big Unit, graduated from Livermore High School…a did you know tidbit). We’ll iron out the full details tomorrow and hopefully be moving into our place rather soon. Our temporary housing has been acceptable, but we really miss our household items…especially our comfortable bed. So hopefully next weekend at this time we’ll be all moved into our own “little box.”
by Jason Meinen | Jul 23, 2015 | Rant, Sports
Remember the good job, good effort kid from Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. Well…sadly, that kid probably figured everyone was getting a trophy regardless of the outcome. And who could blame him, especially after watching this week’s HBO Real Sports piece on Trophy Culture. Yes, we are giving out trophies to kids like they are candy (17th place trophies, last place trophies, participant trophies…basically trophies just for showing up)! Being a teacher for the past 13 years, I saw first hand how this “self-esteem approach” is setting kids up for future failure. At some point, we need to draw the line, and just let kids be kids! To quote George Costanza…”you know we’re living in a society.” I can only cringe how this future society will be with all the “Trophy Culture” kids in charge. Oh, the humanity!
by Jason Meinen | Jul 20, 2015 | Beer, Rant, Rave, Sports
Well, we survived our first weekend in California. After sleeping in on Saturday (kind of), we ran some errands so that our temporary home (apartment actually) has all the amenities that we need to survive over the next couple of weeks. The Pleasanton Farmers’ Market, Target, Costco, Walmart, Safeway…all we missed was Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond and we would have had a nice little Saturday…just ran out of time I guess.
We also spent some time driving around looking for an apartment this weekend…as our searching has been done exclusively on the Interweb since our visit in early June. This has become a very daunting task. Pictures online never paint the true picture of what these places actually look like. Everything is small and expensive…and in a lot of cases, not very impressive. We aren’t sold on the apartment complex idea either and would rather find a home that we can rent, but getting in touch with people has become quite the process as well. Hopefully in the next week (fingers crossed) we will find something. While our temporary housing (apartment) is fine, it is temporary and it just doesn’t feel like home, and besides…Ari misses all of our furniture!
On Sunday afternoon, after some more house rental hunting, we decided to have a little fun and did a wine tasting at Wente. The wine was great and the complex was really nice. And because Altamont Beer Works was super close by, we had to make a stop there…I really dig this place and their brew. And it just wouldn’t be California if we didn’t hit In-N-Out Burger, so we closed out our Sunday there. All in all, a nice start to our California adventure.
Tidbits…I was able to stream the Brett Favre Packers Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night (thank God for technology). It was really good stuff, and I could have listened to Holmgren, Winters, and Favre tell stories all night. In the end, this is what life is truly all about…not the wins and losses (remind me of that during the season). And I would be remiss, if I didn’t mention how much I miss Jim Irwin and Max McGee calling games…I absolutely loved their calls during the highlights portion of the program. It brought back so many great memories. Also, in case you haven’t noticed, the Brewers are undefeated since we left Wisconsin. I’m taking all the credit for this, but I have to ask…when are the trades going to start happening? Seriously! Lastly, I’m addicted to the show Ballers on HBO…I’m not sure if it is even that good of a show, but I can’t stop watching. I love Ricky Jerret! It has become my new summer addiction show.
And now, time to settle in for the conclusion of The Open Championship. Spiethslam?
by Jason Meinen | Jul 7, 2015 | Rant, Sports
I am still not all in on the Brett Favre reunion tour like most people, but I’m getting there…slowly. Articles like the one that appeared in last week’s Sports Illustrated and interviews like this with Jason Wilde and Bill Johnson on Green & Gold Today help immensely, but it is still VERY hard to block out the memories of Favre in a Jets jersey or (gasp) Vikings jersey.
I guess all I really want to hear out of Favre is simply…I’m sorry. That’s it! Favre has three great opportunities to say those simple two words, and I’m hoping that is comes during one of these upcoming events. On Saturday, July 18th, Favre’s number will be retired and he will be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame, followed by Favre taking the field one last time in Brett Favre’s Legends Game, which will be played at Camp Randall Stadium on Sunday, July 19th. And then there is the official unveiling of Favre’s #4 at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night (November 26th) against the rival Chicago Bears.
I’m sorry…that’s all I need to hear before I can move on. Only then, will all be forgiven, and Favre be forever.
by Jason Meinen | Jul 4, 2015 | Food, Rant, Rave, Sports
Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your day and try to eat as many hot dogs as THIS GUY. Seriously, I dare you to eat just 6 dogs, or 8, or 10…I’m sure you won’t regret it. And if you accomplish this feat, let me know how things are tomorrow…I’m sure you’ll have your own fireworks to contend with. ‘Merica…gotta love it (f*ck yeah)!
Update: Okay, this is really disgusting, Joey Chestnut!
by Jason Meinen | Jul 1, 2015 | Beer, Music, Rant, Sports
Nothing like a little Bone Thug-N-Harmony to ring in July 1st. At least that is the song I assume played in every NBA front office as free agency officially got underway at 12:01 am EST. And wouldn’t you know it…Al-Farouq Aminu was the first player off the board for 4 years 30 million to Portland. Not bad for a guy that averaged 5.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg last year and was the 8th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. There is bound to be even crazier money to be thrown around over the course of the next couple of days. The NBA loves their guaranteed contracts.
Speaking of contracts, congratulations to Bobby Bonilla for cashing in on another 1.2 million dollars today on what is unofficially know as Bobby Bonilla Day in New York. Towards the end of Bonilla’s playing career, the New York Mets agreed to pay him $1,193,248.20 annually on July 1st for 25 years, beginning in 2011…instead of paying him the 5.9 million that he was actually owed. Not a bad deal for a guy that hasn’t played in a major league game in over 5,700+ days!
Lastly, July 1st means that I’ve reached the halfway point of my Untappd challenge. It’s not really a challenge as much as it is to see how many total beers I can assume in 2015. My goal for 2015 was 1,000 beers. Well, halfway through 2015, my total now stands at…514. I don’t know if I should be proud or alarmed. Anyways, remember to always drink responsibly.
