Don't even ask...

Had an early morning e mail from JB who worked the ambulance duty (he is an EMT) at Summerfest, Milwaukee's "Big Gig", (Be forwarned, this is not a totally happy piece).
For those who don't know, Milwaukee is a Native American word meaning meeting of the three rivers; and, indeed, three rivers meet just before flowing into Lake Michigan. But I am sure that in some obscure language it means Podunk and, in another, The City that can't. Anyway, he asked how I liked the concert last evening.

Summerfest is a great happening if you like rock, crowds, loud rock, beer, really loud rock and the chance to stand in long lines to over pay for food you usually wouldn't eat. Yesterday, there were at least 2 drunks, one nonresponsive ,and a child trambled by a drunk carried away. This is by way of introduction, because since its inception, when the music was jazz, I don't go to the "big gig". Call me an old foggy.

On the summerfest grounds is a rather large amphitheater with 2/3rds under cover and the rest grandstands and grassy areas. It was to this venue that Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All ... and Going to Graceland....etc.) came last night to give a nearly sold out concert. The man must be near 70 years old and looks and sounds like he's 40. He is a great talent with a story-telling style of singing. And...the musicians were fantastic. I wish I hadn't gone.

The acoustics were supplied by speakers larger than most mother ships that have been spotted in the area (by near-nonresponsive drunks). I could not understand one word the man said, or sang, in spite of knowing many of the lyrics. More over, in the wisdom of the type of talent that runs the city where 3 rivers meet, smoking is allowed. So, Lady Linda (who has a touch of asthma) had to endure the couple just ahead of us enjoy their smokes.

Never mind, I did enjoy the African syncopations the group used, a truly unique sound, and I made the best of it. Then we went to drive home.

We sat in a small fenced in lot with one exit, a lot we had paid extra for because it is closest to the theater. We did not move, I mean not an inch, for 20 minutes and would still be there had not some of the citizens left their cars, gone to the exit and pushed aside the talent-challenged lady who was supposed to be directing traffic.

I won't bore you with the fact that every expressway in the area is torn up, blocked or rerouted and that the city that can't had virtually no signage to help us (never mind the out of town suckers) to the grounds. Well, not totally true, there were some signs that you saw when you had already gotten within a few blocks.

With exception of Med school, internship and air force, I've lived my entire life (so far) here in podunk. I have the best friends in the world, many paddlers, and family in the area. I have Lake Michigan, the only venue other than the other grea lakes and the oceans that is worthy of sea kayaking. I know how to get things done here and who to call. I know the medical community. We have a huge extended family here...and I hate this place.

But, hey, don't let me keep you from moving here. After all, we do offer, incompetent government which has nearlly bankrupted the city and county, a sewage district which taxes the (literally) sh*t out of us and dumps turds into the waters off our beaches, the highest taxes in the nation and Summerfest.

Hey, I feel better. I hope I wasn't too political, it's just that I am ticked off. And, I hope this won't put you off from returning to read future blogs, I promise to let this go now. I going to start organising my stuff for the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium and the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium...neither which is held where the 3 rivers meet. Okay, but that was the last barb. Except...I had some nice pictures for this edition, but blogspot refused to work properly and would not upload them. They're not in Podunk, are they?

Paddle safe
DS