A Few Nights Out in Wisco

After my big road trip (see last post,) I still had a week's worth of vacation
left, so I headed back home to Wisco to see the fam.



















In what is becoming a regular tradition upon my visits home, I went
with the siblings to the Crystal Corner to see the Hometown Sweethearts
do their weekly thing.



















In attendance were Kristen B., Little Sister, Big Brother, and Dave B.
These four make up the reigning championship bowling team at Schwoegler's
Lanes Bowling league... seriously. Their team name is "Holy Balls."



















T-Diddy also made an appearance. It's weird that even though she moved to
San Jose last year, I still only see her when I go back to Madison.

























Ellen gets demolished by Joe's excellent application of a "get-a-load-
of-this-fuggin'-guy" finger and my consumate Cold Lampin' skillz.



















Since Taryn and I have both relocated to California, we felt it necessary
to flash our new adopted gang signs. West Coast Represent!




















Holy Balls in effect!



















Joe and Dave perform either a super-masculine chest bump celebration...
or else some bizarre sort of mating ritual.



















Ellen and Kristen closely follow suit. Good form, ladies!
























Anybody who has been to music shows in Madison knows Dancing Abe.
He is a local scene stalwart, dances a mean shimmie-shake, and is always
willing to whip out his wallet and show you pictures of his shoe collection.



















If you are an attractive young woman and see Abe pointing his googles
towards you, do not be afraid. This is his sign that he wants a dance. He
actually is a gentleman on the dance floor, and I have yet to see him try
anything lecherous.



















Ellen and Taryn pose with Nate and C.B. from the band.



















The following night I met up with Will "The Thrill" Enright and "O" at the
Great Dane. Throughout undergrad and part of med school, Will used to
tend bar here, even winning 2nd (or was it 3rd?) place in the Isthmus' Best
Bartender Award. He definitely won my vote, mostly because he only
served me gin and tonics in a pint glass.



















We were met at the bar by Paul, Mel, and Little Sister.



















All through Med School, O would make inappropriate comments about my
sister to get me riled up. Unbeknownst to me, while Will was filling me full
of beer, O had the nerve to ask my sister for her phone number. Unacceptable...



















I think Paul has the proper incredulous expression at O's audacity. If I had
been aware of the situation, I would have put an end to it with extreme force.



















Will looks properly disgusted at the fact the O's phone number has been
entered in Ellen's cell... Paul still looks incredulous.



















Here I am back on the scene, blissfully unaware at what just transpired...




















...until someone spilled the beans and told me what happened. Here is my
reaction on film, just prior to me beating O into a bloody pulp. Unacceptable
behavior from someone I call a friend.




















The next night is was back to the Crystal Corner to see a reunion show of
The Junkers. Will showed up again, this time accompanied by his lovely
wife, Erin.



















Meanwhile, former roommate Andy Braun and former bandmate Liz
Winter (now Braun) made the trip in from Milwaukee.



















It should be no surprise that Braun-Town can Cold Lamp like a professional.




















Seeing The Junkers with Liz was like being transported back to 1997-2003
Good times... good times.



















Dave B. showed up, and apparently we sealed a multi-million dollar
business deal with a firm handshake.



















I was still giving Ellen the silent treatment after her inappropriate actions
with O the night before.
























I think I must have at least 2-3 hundred different permutations of this
picture with Joe.




















Apparently I sealed several business deals this evening. The tall guy is
Matthew Stratton, who is notable for, among other things:
1) playing lead guitar for The Junkers
2) having one of the the greatest nicknames in the history of the
world... "The Longhorn"
3) and wearing a t-shirt that has the sillohette of the state of Wisconsin, a skull a crossbones,
and the saying, "Don't F*(% w/ Wisconsin"



















Ken Burn's sings for the Junkers, writes for The Isthmus, and writes
a worthwhile, thoughtful blog.