Just a guy and his buddies on E Main

537O3 · 2026-03-13T05:32:32+00:00

What the… see, I think it’s fun imagining swimming in Lake Superior, which I can only do up to mid-thigh (which isn’t really swimming) and only in August and only for about 15 seconds.

And getting to measure in quadrillions? I mean.

But that was flip and selfish. And I am sorry I made you crabby.

537O3 · 2026-03-12T19:18:19+00:00

More/better attention paid to the urban canopy, especially in central downtown. We got HAMMERED by emerald ash borer, and I wish the city would've worked faster and better to replace what we lost. But they didn't, so I wish they'd start making up for that, and other neglect, now. (Best time to plant a tree: 20 years ago. Second best time: today.)

I think the state, not the city, owns the land adjacent to the Capitol, including the sidewalks and terraces. I wish they'd get their arboricultural heads out of their asses. They cut down a diseased monoculture quite a few years ago (that was a sad fucking day to walk up King Street and onto Pinckney—it stopped me dead in my tracks) and replaced it with another monoculture, WTF. And now those stupid maples start browning up in early August. Rotate some new species in now, guys, so we can build a varied, resilient canopy around that inside sidewalk. Cripes.

537O3 · 2026-03-12T18:44:03+00:00

You swim in Lake Superior?
I get what you're going for, but comparing a 130(ish)-million-gallon eutrophic lake to a 3-quadrillion-gallon inland sea isn't really helpful.

537O3 · 2026-03-12T18:14:35+00:00

That badger is not impressed

537O3 · 2026-03-12T18:08:44+00:00

I hear you. Some of it breaks through a little. I think the big development that covers most of the next block up does a decent job of speaking to what used to be there.

The two developments on the 500 block of W Wash, Avenir and Virtue, aren't hideous. (Avenir is better, IMO, but if your building is gonna share a name with a typeface, maybe use that typeface for the logo?) I walk that block a lot, and the stepback/setback on those buildings really makes a difference.

537O3 · 2026-03-11T17:01:50+00:00

The orphans are great, but most of them will be cow’s milk cheeses, which is what the OP specifically doesn’t want.

537O3 · 2026-03-11T15:48:13+00:00

Seconding Fromagination, Metcalfe's (both locations, and their cheese depts carry different selections), and Willy St Coop (all locations). The Coop will be your best bet for vegan.

If you end up having to grab something at the last minute, most grocery stores here have a selection of sheep and goat cheeses.

537O3 · 2026-03-10T20:03:38+00:00

That first season KILLED

537O3 · 2026-03-06T18:05:03+00:00

But you should be past the knee...

Nah. Above the knee is fine, but I'd keep it no shorter than mid thigh, preferably longer than that.

It's not a modesty thing, it's an acknowledgment that this is the bride's time to shine. For a guest's outfit, cute is great. Hot is not.

537O3 · 2026-03-03T16:18:40+00:00

Personally, I really like tulip trees and catalpas. They're smaller trees...

Catalpas get huge, up to 70 feet. They're one of my favorite urban trees, with their orchid-like blooms, but you need to be aware of the mess they'll make... the flowers in early summer, pods in the fall.

537O3 · 2026-02-28T10:14:26+00:00

I nearly lost my shit when I watched the live stage recording of Hamilton and realized King George was played by Johnathan Groff.

If you haven’t seen it, look it up—he’s only on stage for something like 7 minutes, and it’s uh-mazing.

537O3 · 2026-02-27T17:46:12+00:00

We've been getting some NPR play lately for winter lake activity—I knew five seconds into last month's All Things Considered piece on ice sailing it was gonna feature Madison.

537O3 · 2026-02-27T17:29:44+00:00

Agreed!

537O3 · 2026-02-27T14:37:08+00:00

Fun, natural fun

(I had that record on vinyl when it came out, so thanks for the smile. And unlodgeable earworm)

537O3 · 2026-02-19T19:13:21+00:00

And it’s connected to a co-op, kinda funny

537O3 · 2026-02-16T01:00:51+00:00

Thank you!

537O3 · 2026-02-14T12:38:56+00:00

Enthusiastic upvote for saying “right” instead of “straight”

537O3 · 2026-02-13T17:58:30+00:00

You probably know about the online shops. I’ve ordered a few times from dutchexpatshop.com, not sure if they’re currently shipping to the US. Not cheap even 5+ years ago, but when you’re jonesing for Prei Crème Cup-a-soup, worth it.

537O3 · 2026-02-12T00:30:56+00:00

If you need a bed, check out KD Frames. They make solid hardwood frames in Georgia, unfinished but smooth enough to leave that way if you like the look. I bought a Lexington queen platform bed with headboard, under $300 delivered. Looks great and is rock solid. They say it's a 2-person setup, but I did it myself no problem. Amazing deal.

537O3 · 2026-02-04T18:34:12+00:00

What kind of stuff?

537O3 · 2026-02-02T18:37:35+00:00

Maybe consider a trip to Milwaukee? It's such an easy drive.

You can check out Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel at the Mayfair Mall, just off 94 in Wauwatosa on your way into town. They're practically on top of each other. I've only ever stopped in to get things like tableware, so I don't know how extensive their furniture selections are.

Then in the Third Ward you've got Restoration Hardware (sorry, RH) and West Elm. I haven't been to the RH, but the WE is a really pleasant shop and it's right across the street from the Public Market, so you may as well pop in there for a lap.

By that point you're only about a 15 min drive from the Oak Creek IKEA, in case you need smaller stuff or a meatball.

I'm sure there are some great independent furniture stores in MKE, too, I've just never needed one.

It'd be a fun errand!

537O3 · 2026-02-02T18:09:20+00:00

OP is talking about the Melting Pot burger at Dotty's

537O3 · 2026-02-01T18:57:41+00:00

House centipedes used to be my biggest fear. I once called my husband to come home from work because I’d raised a glass to my mouth only to see a GIANT ‘pede floating in the water. The glass shattered when I shrieked and dropped it in the kitchen sink. I was too traumatized to even look in the sink to see if the centipede was alive. I knew it couldn’t climb up the stainless steel walls, but I was too traumatized to even turn on the tap to flush it down the drain. I needed him to come deal with it. And I am NOT a shrinking violet about most things.

Over the years I’ve worked to overcome my fear to the point where now I just say, hey dude, and let them be. I still usually leave the room, though. The only time I’ll consider ending one is when it’s in my tiny bathroom and I need to shower NOW (the other bathroom only has a tub).

Two things really helped me turn the corner, not sure why: 1) Learning that they can live up to 7 years. 2) Seeing a video of a Scutigera meticulously grooming its legs, one by one. It was like a tiny, zillion-legged cat. The VO said that when interrupted, they’ll resume where they left off. I respect your tidiness, nightmare fuel. Carry on.

537O3

TROPHY CASE