Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Unexpected End to My Vacation

This past week, I got to take a vacation to watch the Brewers play baseball in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. It was an awesome experience with a great friend, but what might stick with me the most is what happened at the airport as I was waiting to head back to Milwaukee.

As I was sitting in the terminal at Reagan International, a plane landed and men in green polo shirts began to wheel men in yellow jackets up the ramp. It quickly became clear to me and the other people in the terminal that these were veterans, judging from the hats that some of them wore and the verbiage on their clothing. I remember hearing about Freedom Honor Flights, and knew this had to be something similar. One by one, these veterans emerged into the terminal either in a wheelchair or with the aid of a walker. One by one, each veteran got a standing ovation from the other civilians waiting to board their planes.

I was extremely close to the doorway that the veterans were emerging from so I got an excellent view of the emotion that overwhelmed these gentlemen as they were greeted with an applause unexpected to them. Some came out beaming with smiles, some began to well up, while others remained stoic and filled with pride. But you can tell that each of the veterans were appreciative of the appreciation they were being shown.

This went on for the better part of a quarter hour, as 15 to 20 veterans were brought out. They were met with handshakes and proud looks and a chorus of thank yous, and it made me proud to be an American. And this was just at the terminal! I can't even begin to imagine what being with these veterans would be like as they head to the World War II memorial, much less what they'd be feeling when they see the monument erected in their honor.

I didn't take any pictures or get to talk to any of the veterans personally, but these men had an aura of well-deserved respect about them. I was welling up myself, seeing the veterans that were missing limbs or the ones overcome with emotion. It was truly a humbling experience and one I will not soon forget. It reminds me that we need to thank those that have defended, are defending, and will continue to defend this great country each and every day. Thank you veterans.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

You eat these things.

Unless food is prepared in Walter White's 99.1% pure meth superlab (Breaking Bad reference, anyone? Ok, I'll continue.), there is a good chance some contaminants are going to be in them. I'm of the mindset that if I turn the other way and pretend they're not there, I won't notice. Noticing would be the worst. Ugh. But apparently the US Food and Drug Administration deems these to be acceptable. I can see how they could get in there, BUT WHY PUBLICIZE IT! LET US BE NAIVE AND NOT KNOW WE'RE EATING UP TO 19 MAGGOTS PER 100 GRAMS OF CANNED MUSHROOMS! But seriously, gross.

Mushroom maggots

Monday, September 17, 2012

BREWERS

The Brewers took two of three from the Mets over the weekend, and they are playing surprisingly well without the likes of Corey Hart. It certainly helps that Ryan Braun has been on an absolute tear, hitting two home runs on Sunday to not only put him at 40 for the season but 200 for his career. He belongs either at or near the top of the MVP discussion, but there's still time left in the season. If he can help bring the Brewers back from the dead and help them clinch a playoff spot, hands down he has to be the MVP. I could not be more excited for the four games I am heading to this week. Pittsburgh Wednesday and Thursday, DC on Friday and Saturday. Who knew that when I booked the trip over the summer that there would be so much on the line? I. AM. JACKED!!!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Baseball?

Don't look now, but the Milwaukee Brewers have won 8 of their past 10 games. Seriously, don't
look. They seem to be thriving off the fact that really no one in the state of Wisconsin is paying attention to them. As of Wednesday morning, the Brew Crew sits 7.5 games out of the wild card with 27 games to play. The Brewers are essentially sixth in the playoff standings, and would need to move up to second to earn the a wild card berth. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. Over the last 27 games, Milwaukee would need to go something like 23-4, while the other teams went 15-12 to clinch a spot. Is that possible? Sure, especially given the fact that the Brewers still have a handful of games left against the Pirates (including two in Pittsburgh that I'll be at!). The Packers start up this weekend, but the recent successes of the Brewers mean that I can't check out from baseball just yet.