Blogging by Blackberry isn't the easiest thing in the world. With a tiny keyboard, it takes a while to type. But I've got a little time on my hands.
I'm waiting for new tires to get installed, so I've spent the last hour wandering around the South Side by foot.
I've always wondered what people are up to when I see them strolling up and down 27th Street.
Well, today I'm that guy.
I surveyed my walking options from the Goodyear tire store and determined the best way to kill an hour was at HOBO, across the street and through a parking lot. Walking around, I realized how many times I've driven this street without setting foot upon it.
HOBO held my attention for about 20 minutes. Even I, the gullible consumer, just didn't need any cheap crap today.
As I left, I took stock of my surroundings. I could go to Wal-Mart, RadioShack or troll for lunch. Dairy Queen was closest, but I don't think they take credit cards. And don't even get me started on the other two options.
Then I saw the McDonald's across the street. I normally save fast food for road trips and airports, but this specific location is special. When I was a little kid growing up in Whitefish Bay, we'd stop here for lunch before visitng my great grandparents, who lived a few blocks away.
I realized that I haven't been to this specific McDonald's in about 20 years, and that was enough impetus to get me in the door. Unlike the cheeseburgers I ordered when I was five, I opted for a slightly healthier Asian salad.
And here is where I sit as I tap out this little blog.
Hopefully, I've now wasted enough time to get back to the tire shop. Then I can move on past my low-brow Saturday onto an equally thrilling afternoon full of lawnmowing, gardening and mulching.
I believe this is what they refer to as "living the dream."
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.
