this past holiday week, I made the 12.5 hour (25 hours round trip) trek from Milwaukee to Potomac and back. that's quite a lot of time in a vehicle alone, and thus my mind decided to wander. below are some observations from the road and my visit, complete with the quirky randomness I so enjoy...
- the Chicago skyline is awesome regardless of the time of day (or night)
- Gary, Indiana is still a stinkhole
- "Killing an Arab" by the Cure will likely never be heard on US radio (or radio in general) again, but it will on my iPod
- the "mountains" of Pennsylvania seemed way more daunting when I was six. I'm sure they're not "mountains" in the true sense
- even though i can make the dish myself, Mom's mac-n-cheese tastes way better when she makes it
- one can never listen to the John Denver & the Muppets Christmas CD enough
- my nephews are still freakin' cute
- Gavin is my brother's mini-me. Liam, on the other hand, has channeled is auntie as a two (and three) year old. I've already apologized for this
- a four year old boy and truly move at the speed of light to avoid "Santa"
- "Santa" was cool as a kid because he brought toys. he's even cooler as an adult because now he brings bottles of rum
- watching "A Christmas Story" with Mom (while drinking Bailey's) every year never gets old
- screw a white Christmas. I'll take a 50 degree green Christmas anyday...
- my aunt called me "cutie". maybe one day it will resonate (I still maintain that tall, linebacker-built people like myself cannot be "cute")
- within a period of two years, I have become taller than my uncle
- compliments are great, especially when they come from unlikely sources
- there is such a thing as "bad" stuffing and "too sweet" sweet potatoes
the Loss clan is apparently overwhelming even if you're dealt with them for 45 years- my brother is way more like our dad than he'd care to admit
- in a room full of trains designed to mesmerize children and enthusiasts alike, I find the Cerberus (three-headed dog) train and a sign that reads "No Humping"
- my legs are freakishly short for my height
- Jim Vance is the shit. I'd have a beer with him
- Mom and I don't like shopping, but we sure love Target
- despite not living in the area, I still drive like a native Washingtonian and have a pronounced Maryland "o"
- it's still weird for me to see Ravens jerseys all across Maryland. growing up it was still Redskins country
- Tilted Kilt is better than Hooters. yes I wrote that
- the only way I'd be able to fit into a Tilted Kilt "uniform" is if I didn't eat for five months. that's not gonna happen
- my dad asked me how much air I liked in my tires (prior to getting it checked before my return trip). I almost responded "I like my tires like my men...hard". parental filter success
it is possible for a cute, little Scottie to be incredibly annoying. ask Caye - Maryland crab cakes are the shit
- it's ok for Rutgers to upset #10 Kansas, but NOT ok for Vandy to upset #13 Marquette in the same evening
- watching Marquette games with Mom rarely turns out favorably
- Mom sent me home with over three dozen cookies. if she only knew...
- my iPod has a thing for Erasure
- Bryan Adams is still great driving music. so is Chicago...this chick digs Cetera
- stupid drivers are bred everywhere...slower traffic keep right and pass on the left...fucktards
- it is still necessary to "salute" any billboard promoting Indiana University. especially if it involves men's basketball (here's why)
- the College Football Hall of Fame is in South Bend...who knew?
- if Newark, New Jersey is the armpit of the USA, then Gary, Indiana is the bunghole
- Chicago rush hour sucks. Tastykakes made it a little better
- it is possible for a dog to stay awake the duration of a road trip
I am incredibly lucky to have fabulous friends and family in my life- Mom is a truly amazing woman. I could only hope to handle myself with such positivity, poise and grace as she has
- I am unfortunate enough to have two places I can call home
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