Cudahy, Kenosha and College Roommates

Brooke and I took not-so-fun 94 to Milwaukee for my college roommate Chris' wedding.

I was really hungry despite eating some leftovers before leaving. We decided to stop by Moe's Almost World Famous Diner. 

We had also brought popcorn along as a snack, but we were still hungry after that and we had only been driving for 2 hours. 

Almost is the key. It was almost good.

We've always passed this place and talked about stopping. The food was very "meh". I don't think we'll stop again. 

I made Brooke drive for a while. She seemed happy about it.

The next morning Mrs. Breakfast (thank Amanda) had her favorite meal of the day.

Whenever we visit Scott's parents no one eats breakfast and I don't get to eat until late in the afternoon. I wasn't waiting this time. 

  I ate a leftover burger from the night before.

 
Present, wrapped.
 

We decided to go on a walk around my hometown of Cudahy. There a murals like this all around General Mitchell where I went to grade school.

I told Brooke where everybody lived and what was up with this power substation...

fake deer...

private parking spots...

And unfinished condo buildings.

There are a few places in Cudahy and neighboring St. Francis like this.

I'm sure the skater boys love this until the cops show up.

I just realized I didn't take any pictures of the normal, ranch house dominated area I lived in.

Big K.

They're building a Wal-Mart just down the block. This was the only big box store in the three suburbs that lie south of Milwaukee and strafe Lake Michigan. I'm kind of pissed that Wal-Crap is trying to put this Cudahy staple out of business by building less than a mile away in South Milwaukee.

The whole situation reminds me of my time at Taco City. This local chain that I worked for had awesome fast-food Mexican. The Taco Bell had closed and it was an open market. Then TB came back and built right across the border in South Milwaukee. Damn the Rockets.

The real reason we were down was for my old buddy Chris's wedding. We were hungry upon arrival in Kenosha after our 40 minute drive and stopped at the Brat Stop. Despite this massive display of cheese I was not up for dairy products.

We each got a Racine Kringle, not be confused with O&H Bakery's authentic Racine kringle.

Upon arrival we saw our buds from the Casablanca house days Jake (one of my roommates) and Meredith. We were so stoked to see them.

You may have noticed that these last four photos looked Holga/Diana-like. Sadly I have taken up the non-art of Instagram. Blake told me on Facebook that he was disappointed in me. My response is this picture of Jacob and I dancing. Totally worth it, eh?

For most of you that know us we usually always have a camera with us. But sometimes we don't want to carry it around especially at a wedding that Scott isn't photographing. So to capture the moments a cell phone will have to do. I personally still prefer my film cameras. 

I sadly did not take any pictures of Zapp and his lovely bride Rachel. I will post this picture as a consolation. I miss that dude. Congrats Zapp, I'm happy that you've found a replacement for your first love, BEAST.

After partying with Jake and Meredith at their hotel (aka dozing off), we went out for lunch with my pops.

We were going to have some Mama Demarini's. Unfortunately they were closed due to licensing issues. Not cool Milwaukee, not cool.

Instead we went to kitschy-little-hole, Burger Mary's.

It was descent, but it was a chance to chat with my dad. We always have very serious talks about the news and weather. Poppyseed is devotee to the old fashioned newspaper and NPR (but used to listen to WTMJ religiously).

Then we met up with Mr. Jake to see the house he just bought in lovely South Milwaukee.

My freshman year in college I wasn't having a good time. I had known Jake through my first serious gf and ran into him one day in Dinkytown. I thought, heck I should walk past his house and see if he's around. I did run into Jesus Jake and we hung out that night.

Long story short, we became roommates for the next two or so years and had many exciting music and politics debates, discussions and a few disasters (on my part). I also met Brooke through this dude, so I owe him big time.

This was the only picture we could find with both Scott and Jake in it. Here's Jake getting slapped at a random party back in 2006. The guy with the crazy sweater is Scott and that tan girl in green is me. 

Jake's house was full of promise and cool gadgets from days gone by.

There's even a family tree from the previous owners.

We chatted some more, but eventually his mom politely kicked us out. He had a house to move into and we had custard to eat. Hopefully I'll get to see him and Mr. Zapp in the not to distant future.

Brooke and I went to Kopp's. We got custard.

It's like a sin to go to Milwaukee and not get custard. 

I love Custard.

How many custard (or ice cram) joints are works of art?

Then we drove back home, avoiding 94 like a fat kid and his lonely bicycle.

On the way back we wasted a good half hour looking for Scott's hat that he thought he dropped in some random town. Turns out it was tucked away in our map book the whole time. 

Goodnight Wisconsin.