2010 Highlights

The 10 things I am appreciative for 2010.

As the hours wind down on 2010 and were all drunk, and stuffed from overeating, I thought I would look back on 2010 & look at some of things I enjoyed about this year.  There were so many of them I had to narrow it down to 10, otherwise I would miss out on 2011.

10.  The lessons & experiences learned throughout the year. 
Yes this an everyday thing, but I think alot of times we don't stop to think about what we have learned as we go through our lives and cherish those experiences or learn from our mistakes.

9.  The sights I have seen as I have traveled this state for work! 

I logged almost 1300miles for work last year criss crossing the state in so many directions on freeways, country roads, etc that I have seen so many things.  Below are some of the best road pictures of my 2010 travels.  Me at the Lacrosse Oktober Festival, & my favorite tourist trap the Redneck Rest stop in Ottawa Wisconsin.

8.  Festivals! Festivals! Festivals! 

There were so many I went to this year, each one of them had great highlights & memories.  I even went to State Fair twice (Yes I still hate State Fair, but can't get enough of the Herb Kohl milk!).  Oktoberfest in Lacrosse, Portwashington Fishdays, Summerfest, Polishfest, Germanfest, Irishfest (The Redhot Chili Pipers), Mexican fiesta, Festa, church festivals!  Need I say more?  They were all a blast & so were the people I went to them with.

7.  Eric Clapton & Roger Daltry in concert at Summerfest. 

Alot of people would have this at number one I'm sure.  It was great hearing Daltry play some great songs from The Who, & Eric Clapton on the guitar, enuff said! Plus it was at Summerfest the best music festival in Milwaukee!

6.  Seeing the Transsiberieran Orchestra in concert for the first time.

I fell in love with TSO in 1997 and have always wanted to go to their concerts when they came to Milwaukee.  However I didn't have the money or the shows sold out so fast.  This year I finally got to go & if you have been debating about going, I highly recommend you to go.  Its 3hrs of great music, pyrotechnics, a guitarist named Angus its truly amazing.  A slight recommendation, remember that its an ORCHESTRA so dress somewhat nice.  Motley Crue shirts are not acceptable attire as you will get weird looks from people. LOL

These last ones were the hardest to rank.

5.  Attending the Indianapolis Colts vs New York Jets AFC Championship game...... In the basement! 

I'm not really a Colts fan.  I like some of the Players but my friend Aaron is a huge Colts fan.  So a bunch of us thought it would be fun to drag him down there to witness the championship game.  They had a huge tailgate party for the fans & let us watch the game in the basement of the stadium.  I feel so lucky to be able to say I have been in Lucas Oil Stadium's basement & the basement of the Indianapolis Motor speedway Museums' coveted basement.  Also we met alot of nice JETS fans while we were in Green Bay Packer gear!

Yes I bought a foam Colts head!

4.  1st Badger football game at Camp Randall Stadium.

I have never been to Camp Randall, but have driven by it several times.  Again its always come down to a money issue or broken promises, or plans that have fallen through.  Thanks to our great reps over at Charter Communications I was able to score 2 tickets against Arizona State University.  Go figure one of the games that we should have put up 70pts against an opponent and we just squeaked out with a win.  Oh well it was still alot of fun.  The 5th quarter was a party in itself & watching the student section the whole game was entertaining.

3.  Doing the Polar Bear Plunge on New Years Day.

It was a balmy -2 degrees and my friend Lisa & I both agreed your not a true Milwaukeean if you don't experience the Polar Bear Plunge at least once.  So we did it.  Plus it was a bucket list item.  Its not so bad once you are in the water.  Its the getting out part where you catch cold real fast.  A true Polar Bear though just doesn't stand in the lake for a few seconds.  No sir, he frog splashes into the lake and gets fully submerged!  Plus it gives the crowd something to laugh at & cheer.  I think I heard this year its supposed to be like 23degrees for the plunge....  Wusses!

2.  Friends!

No not the TV show Friends!  I'm talking about all the new friends & people I met this year!  Its always great to "Network" with people & have great conversations.  Social Media is becoming more & more important in this day & age & its important to network, & connect with people with similar interests.  Old friends I haven't forgotten about you.  My year would have been boring without most of you people!  Especially going to alot of them festivals!  It was great to reconnect with old friends & coworkers on Facebook as well this year.  I cant wait to see what 2011 brings us.

1.  MY 1ST INDIANAPOLIS 500!

So the nice thing to do would be to say my friends were the highlight of my year....  Well not this year (Next Year isn't looking too good either lol).  Everyone who is a race fan should at least witness the Indianapolis 500 in person once in their life.  I guarantee you will want to go back year after year!  I'm already looking forward to May 2011 (You can go with me if you want).  The parties, the marching bands, the feelings you experience, the crowd, hearing Jim Nabors belt out "Back Home Again in Indiana" (That will bring a tear to your eye I guarantee it!), oh yea & theres a great race that takes place!  Theres so much to take in.  Watching all the drivers emotions during the month of may on TV just doesn't do any justice.  The tension before the start of the race is so thick you have to cut it with a chainsaw!

Well there you have it.  2010 was one of the best years ever!  I cant wait to see what 2011 brings to the table.  All I know is I'm taking the same approach to 2011 as I did with 2010.  Grabbin the bull by the horns and going for it all!