Gettin ready for Pip's Power Hour

I recently made my yearly trek back to the Hoosier State to see brother Pip.  As always the weekend went way to quick, but it was absolutely awesome to see Pip and Lauren again.  I look forward to this trip every year and it had been a while since I’ve made the journey.  Last year, instead of going to Indy for a weekend, we made the trip to Bloomington to be with Matt & Lauren on their wedding day.

I set out early on Friday mid-morning to get a jump on the traffic.  After be-bopping my way across “Corn Corridor” (IE, the most boring drive the in the world between Columbus and Indianapolis) I rolled in to Pip’s place around 3:00 or so.

The typical view when driving on I-70 between Columbus and Indy.

After that drive, I’d seen more than my fair share of corn and we dove right in to the Star Wars flicks that were released that day on Blu-Ray and some Miller Lite   After checking out the majority of the special features, Lauren got home from work and we sat down to some absolutely tremendous steaks… yummer.

Remember Century Club from when you partied?  Yeah… well, we didn’t do that.  Pip had created a Power Hour CD (a shot of beer ever minute, for 60 minutes) so we gave that a shot (no pun intended).  We must really be getting old cause dammit if we made it about 40 minutes before we threw in the towel.  Now to be fair I don’t think it was cause we were drunk as much as full from that wonderful dinner.  Perhaps next time.  Regardless it was fun as hell.

G modeling my new IU hat

Saturday started out as a rather domestic day.  Pip and I spent some time at Bed, Bath & Beyond and I needed a new Hoosier hat so we stopped at Dick’s to pick that up.

With our domestic quota more than met, we headed to BW3 for some beer, wings & football!  We got to watch the Hoosiers get a win and surprisingly got to hang out with a buddy that we went to IU with (Awesome to see you Weilhammmer-jammer-nutslammer).

After lunch & football, it was off to the main event.  We stopped over at Pip’s in-laws for a quick visit (good to see the lovely Brenna & Sara) and it was off to a joint called Nickel Plate.  Buford joined Mark, Pip and I and we proceeded to rip it up.  We were joined by another buddy of mine and his wife and we closed out the evening there.

Buford was nice (and sober) enough to give us a ride home and even gracious enough to deal with our Taco Bell request.  Unfortunately, the car had had enough of our bullshit and decided it was done for the evening.  With the dashboard lights flickers and the headlights off, we pulled into the first parking lot we found – Fishers United Methodist Church.  The irony here is simply ridiculous, so I won’t bother describing it.

Buford pretending he's in the pits at the Brickyard

Pip giving in to the inevitable.

At the end of the night, Lauren picked us up and then Angela drove all the way across town to pick up Buf.  Thanks ladies.

Bros @ Nickel Plate

And just like that… it was Sunday and time to get my ass on the road.  While I always have a blast on trips like this I’m always super excited to get home to A, G & C.

I decided I couldn’t handle the Corn Corridor again so I went the Northern route on the way home.  This is significant only in that I’ve been driving back and forth to Indiana now since 1994 and I’ve never gone this way before.  While there was certainly an abundance of corn on this route as well, it wasn’t nearly as boring as the I-70 strip between C-bus and Indy.  Definitely will be taking this route again.

Want to thank Pip and Lauren once again for their hospitality.  Love you guys.

And for those of you that are wondering… the 2012 version of The Beeramind will return when Pip makes his way to C-town in late March.  Already looking forward to it!

We decided that we should make a shirt to commemorate our year on the floor and came up with this Amo-designed shirt that represented us… The Flaming Keg.  On the back was a list of the top things heard on the floor.  Many of these were inside jokes that only the residents of the floor will remember/understand and some of them are pretty clear.  Without further adieu, I give you that list.  I hope the shirt has a place of honor in the quilt Pip!

Top 15 Things Heard On Thompson 5

1. FOK YOO!!!
2. Well, umm, my brother…
3. You’re up on Techmo.
4. Cheesesticks anyone?
5. Is Wheezie porning again?
6. Are you making a beer run?
7. Risk anyone?
8. Goddamnernuttslammerhammerwhammer…
9. Suddenly/UNREAL/Get out!!!
10. Void the Floyd
11. Can I bum a dip/smoke?
12. It’s 11:30, basketball anyone?
13. BUMOUTS!
14. Shit’s tight man.
15. HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

We rolled in on Friday evening just in time for the wedding rehearsal and dinner.  The Pips decided to get married at a BEAUTIFUL facility on the south side of Bloomington called Deer Park Manor.  I spent 4+ years in Bloomington and never even knew it was there.  After the walk through was done, we headed to one of my favorite bars – Nick’s English Hut – for dinner.  Pip/Lauren – AWESOME choice!   Needless to say, the beer was flowing, the pizza was awesome and everyone had an awesome time.

A and I headed back to the hotel to get changed and then I ventured out to check out my old place of employment – The Bluebird.  I’ve gotta tell you… no matter how long I’m away from that place and how many modifications they make to the building I absolutely fall in love with it as soon as I walk through the door.  We were waiting to hear some Zombie (or Mummie) band play which sounded like they were gonna be awesome, but by the time we got there at like 11:00 they were DONE!!!  Um… since when does the headliner go on at 9:00 on a Friday night in a college town?  In any case, we decided that since we’d already paid the cover charge, we’d stick around until the next band came on.  The appearance of the girl with the violin didn’t bode well, nor did the lead singer referring to it as a “fiddle” and after a couple of songs we were on the to the next bar (with nothing but the “appearance” of the fiddle girl to keep us motivated… WOW).

It was off to Kilroy’s Sports to finish off the night.  Actually, by this point we were all getting a bit tired so we jetted and went looking for some food.  Luckily Taco Bell was right next door and it was PRIME time for some tacos.  Unfortunately, the higher-ups at Taco Bell never went to college, and don’t understand that if you put a Taco Bell next to a bar in a college town, the 1:00 to 3:00 AM time slot is going to be your busiest.  Nope… closed at 1:00 AM.  Fuckers.  I settled for a slice of Rockits pizza which in retrospect was a great idea… LOVE IT.

Saturday was kind of a blur and not cause I drank too much the night before.  We (the groomsmen) had on our schedule to be ready to be picked up from the hotel at 2:45 for pictures.  So, A and I had a nice leisurely morning consisting of lunch with Pip & Kevin and then some pool/spa time.  Talk about a perfect way to spend an early afternoon.  We even had a chance to head over to the jewelry store where I bought her engagement ring to have it spiffed up.  The leisure stopped at around 2:15 as I was getting out of the shower.  I received a call on my cell from the wedding coordinator asking me where the hell we were.  Apparently we were supposed to be down there at 2:15 rather than 2:45.  Oops.  Needless to say, I did the flight of the bumblebee and got my ass ready and downstairs in record time.

Pictures were up first.  Everyone looked pretty damn good if I do say so myself, but we were all left in the dust by Lauren.  Holy LORD did she look awesome.  We took a ton of pics on campus and with the leaves in their peak of color they should be absolutely amazing.  As you may know, Pip’s a HUGE Beatles fan so I wanted to share just one of the pics that we took.

How’s that for an awesome picture!  I tell you what… I’ve got new found respect for professional photographers.  It definitely was NOT easy to get this shot.  Between us walking in a straight line, being on the same step, stopping traffic and not getting people in the background I was shocked we managed to get it in only a few takes.  Needless to say, I can’t wait to see how the rest of them turn out.

The rest of the afternoon was an absolute blur.  We took about another our or so of pictures and then it was off to the park for the ceremony and the reception.  Both Matt and Lauren gave AWESOME vows which they’d written themselves.  I really do hope someone was taping then when they said them cause damn were they great.  I managed to mumble my way through a toast to the happy couple and then it was off to the dance floor for the rest of the night.  As I said in a previous post, Pip and I were ready to roll and had no choice to get out there and rip it up when Footloose came on.  On a side note… dancing like an idiot to the Footloose theme burns about a billion calories per song and leads to intense sweating.  I’ve heard that they’ll be adding it to P90X shortly.

After the reception, everyone filed onto the shuttle buses to get us back to the hotel.  On the way out, the 5-0 rolled in with a couple of cruisers… yep… the cops had been called on Pip and Lauren’s wedding.  Apparently we were just too darn loud.  Luckily we were done so it was a non-issue.  A was wiped but a few folks headed back to the Bluebird for some more live music (a kick ass Prince tribute band).  Incidentally… when did the bars in Bloomington start staying open until 3:00 AM?  Pretty sure I wouldn’t have made it through college if this was the case back in the day.  2:00 AM was plenty late for me.

All in all, it was an absolutely amazing weekend.  We did hit a bit of a snag on the way out of town when A quite literally ripped her toenail off but that’s another post for another time.

Pip, Lauren… congratulations again.  We had an absolute blast and feel truly blessed that we were able to share in your special day.  See you soon… talk to you sooner.  Love you guys.

I haven’t been this giddy since the day before WrestleMania

It’s almost go time Pip.  See you tomorrow my man – you’ve got yourself some marrying to do!

PS – The photo shown here is from Pip’s bachelor party in Milwaukee.  That right there was a great party… but what happens in Waukee, stays in Waukee!

In retrospect, it actually shocks me that we were able to get away with this.  Not only were we obviously drinking on our *cough cough* dry campus, but we were obviously gambling as well.

People often point to Chris Moneymaker or the movie Rounders as the start of the poker boom… I like to think it was the fine folks at 406!

I was going through some old pics and ran across this one.  As the title of the post says, who DOESN’T like a good keg stand???  I mean come on now… cold keg beer flowing while a couple of folks hold you upside down?  That right there is the definition of college fun.

I’m pretty sure a keg stand these days would kill me, but damn it’d sure be fun to try!

There never was a more perfect time than to thanks the Barenaked Ladies for their classic “This Old Apartment”

Broke into the old apartment
This is where we used to live
Broken glass, broke and hungry
Broken hearts and broken bones
This is where we used to live

Why did you paint the walls?
Why did you clean the floor?
Why did you plaster over the hole I punched in the door?
This is where we used to live

Why did you keep the mousetrap?
Why did you keep the dishrack?
These things used to be mine
I guess they still are, I want them back

Broke into the old apartment
Forty-two stairs from the street
Crooked landing, crooked landlord
Narrow laneway filled with crooks.
This is where we used to live.

Why did they pave the lawn?
Why did they change the locks?
Why did I have to break it, I only came here to talk
This is where we used to live

How is the neighbor downstairs?
How is her temper this year?
I turned up your tv and stomped on the floor just for fun
I know we dont live here anymore
We bought an old house on the danforth
She loves me and her body keeps me warm
Im happy here
But this is where we used to live

Broke into the old apartment
Tore the phone out of the wall
Only memories, fading memories
Blending into dull tableaux

I want them back
I want them back

I certainly wouldn’t change my life now but I tell you… there are definitely times when I think back on my time in Bloomington and remember that “simpler time”.  Can’t beat going out with your friends 6 nights a week can you???

Go HOOSIERS!!!

During Little 500 week, Northlane would close off it’s entryway so only residents and their guests would be allowed on the premises.  Private security was hired to keep things safe.  This seems like a big over overkill until you recognize one thing – the fact that private security was there meant that the Bloomington police had no need or desire to be there.  As anyone who’s ever been to college knows, the absence of police is a good thing.

With that background I give you this photo.  It’s Buford and someone else (I know it’s not me) that I can’t remember.  I can’t tell if this photo was staged or not, but even if it was reality wasn’t too far from this.  In fact, this might have been a staged shot cause the truth was just too bad to photograph This was taken during junior year and that particular week happened to be BEAUTIFUL.  If my memory serves me correctly it was mid 80′s all week without a cloud in the sky.  We were grilling all week just enjoying the days.  Damn I miss college… I wouldn’t change the life that I have now for anything but it would be nice to go back for a weekend or so

Perhaps it was a carryover from the “grunge” movement that was sweeping the nation but I can tell you this – the majority of the pictures I’ve got from college have SOME plaid flannel in them.

As you can see here, I’m sporting the standard backwards IU cap and I complete the ensemble with a plaid flannel shirt and some sort of fruity looking beer in a house mug.

Wes takes his plaid one step further and goes with a patterned jacket.  Nice touch.

While there’s no plaid or flannel visible for Pip here you can rest assured that underneath his IU sweatshirt the plaid is lurking.

These days I try to keep my flannel to a minimum (only when I’m going lumber jacking).