Monday, July 31, 2006

One of the Great Ones

It's not often that someone comes along and really sparks a moment in your life that you will never forget. One happened to me 16 years ago that has recently been brought back to the forefront in the NFL. The National Football League recently held it's 10th annual rookie symposium which is an event aimed at preparing new draft picks for life in the NFL on and off the field. The topics discussed include financial planning, social relationships and dealing with the media to name a few. This year though, they've added a new topic: what it's like to be a gay man in the NFL.

The topic will be discussed with Esera Tuaolo, a former defensive tackle who retired from the NFL in 1999. In 2002, he revealed he was gay sending shockwaves through the NFL, mostly to teams and players he had played football with. Recently, he released his first book, Esera Tuaolo: Alone in the Trenches which describes his life as a gay man in the NFL.

In the NFL, Esera was what most people would consider a "journeyman" since he played for a total of five teams in his nine solid years in the NFL. I, however, still think I am his biggest fan. I met Esera 16 years ago when the Packers drafted the All-American from Oregon State in the second round in 1990. That summer I was one of "those kids" at Packers practice. As a 13-year old I went to a few of the early Packers mini camps and let the players ride my bike from the Packers practice field to Lambeau field across the street. One of my first days there, Esera was walking up to Lambeau alone (no one probably knew who he was yet) so I went over to say hello. I actually had his football card already so I recognized him immediately.

I approached and gave him a "Hi Mr. Tuaolo" in my squeaky voice and politely asked him to sign his card for me. He was the first Packers player I had ever spoken to. I'm surprised I could even get out a "hi.". On the card was a picture of him in his college uniform that had the jersey tied up in a knot showing his big D-End gut. He took one look at the card and said with a big smile on his face: "Oh man, where did you get this?! I didn't even know I had a card out yet. Look at my big belly on there! You don't want me to sign this do you? You should throw this away! Okay, here's what I'm going to do, I'm going to sign my name in big letters across my belly so you can't see that thing anymore." And so he did. We chatted for a few more minutes before he had to run inside. I'm sure he doesn't remember me, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

That season my Dad and I were at the game, front and center, the night that Esera became the first NFL player to sing the national anthem at a nationally televised game. Pretty cool.

One of the great ones...

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Straight Up With An Olive

Big news! The Milwaukee DeGroot clan has increased by 50%. Say hello to our new family member, Olive. She's an eight-week old Pug puppy that we picked up Friday evening in Madison. Both puppy and mom are doing fine.

[I know that sentence doesn't make a lot of sense but since I've received an astronomical amount of emails about people having babies this year, this is as close of an opportunity as I'm going to get to return that favor for a while. So forgive me.]

It's been an eventful weekend with her. Friday I am happy to say that she slept through the night (almost) with no accidents. I was shocked. I had envisioned walking around the house with paper towel and Febreeze for the next month or so. She's been really good about going to the bathroom outside.

Saturday I took her over to Downer Avenue for the annual "Downer Days" event which was a great idea or a mistake depending on how you look at it. Every five feet of walking I would have to stop while people came running to pet and ask the standard questions: How old is she? Male or Female? What's his or her name? After a while I didn't even wait for the questions to come. Someone would walk up and I would just recite the answers like the Terminator: She's 8 weeks old, female, Olive. Some were very receptive of this. Hey, I thought I was helping. Some were not and I could tell they were ready to call the pet patrol on me. It was a good time though and it wore her out a little.

So far it's been great, but the feeling of GREAT responsibility is certainly sinking in!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Pulling Up Roots

Tonight Kirsten and I had dinner with our friends Kerry and Joe. Kerry stood up in our wedding and Joe was a very supportive spectator holding down the crowd amongst the pews. Anyway, they are moving to North Carolina next week for Joe to pursue a PHD at Chapel Hill. He is also receiving funding to pursue some research there.

It's always sad to see friends move away no matter how well you know them or how well you would like to know them. Joe and I have very different views on pretty much everything from politics to religion to beer preferences, you name it. We've only hung out a few times but saying "good-bye" tonight was tough even with the promise to visit. I have a friend in Charlotte (who I believe is a frequent reader of the blog so holla if you are) who I would like to visit so now Kirsten and I have an extra reason to get down there and say "hello."

Roots was great. We ate down in the Roots Cellar which is supposed to be the more casual of the two places to eat. We dialed up a couple appetizers, the Hummice Nachos and Cheese Tray which were delicious and then went around the horn with the entrees ending with the Blackened Salmon Salad in front of me....which was excellent. I love the atmosphere at Roots. We had a couple drinks, shared some past stories and some recent events that we had yet to share with each other, including my domination of the Fish Days run.

We took the walk back up Commerce Street back to our condo and hung out for a while sharing more stories and then we said good-bye. We certainly hope to see each other soon, but who knows what the future holds. I believe someone once said "the future is what you make it" so if that's true, we'll be making a trip down to North Carolina soon.

Good luck to Kerry and Joe. Have a safe trip and we'll see you soon!

Run with the Fishes

Thanks to all you commenters that were so concerned about me after the Fish Days run. I'm happy to say that I completed the 2 mile run in 22 minutes which I was excited about but I could have done without the huge pile of puke right after the finish line. Not mine, someone else's. I even received a yellow "Finisher" ribbon which is now hanging on the fridge. Kirsten put it there. I don't know if she's proud of me or mocking me. Anyway, she one-upped me by finishing second in her age group for the 8K run so she got a medal, which is not on the fridge thus I think the ribbon is a sign of mocking.

The event was actually a lot of fun. Free food and drinks (I threw down 2 Gatorades in about a minute after I finised) which were badly needed since it was already in the 80's by racetime at 8:15 AM. (I don't need to tell most of you how hot it was. I think we all experienced the ridiculous heat this past weekend.) I had never been to Port Washington before, only driven by it on the way to Green Bay, but it is a neat little town. I think I would strongly consider looking for a house there, but the commute back to downtown Milwaukee is a little long for me to be thinking about doing every day.

While waiting for Kirsten to cross the finsh line, I met a couple who were also in the 2 mile run. Of course, they were like 50 and finished way before me. Anyway, once the "real" runners started coming down the stretch, they started cheering every single one of them by name. I asked "Do you know every runner here??" She responded with a smile that "yes, our son runs cross country for Port so we know most of the running community." We chatted for a while and then here comes Kirsten, bearing down the final stretch, and I mentioned that she was coming. "What's her name?" I was asked. I told her so together we created a little cheering section for her. Then off I went to meet her after the finish line. "See you next year!" the lady said. I think that's a real possibility. Nice town, nice people.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Thanks!

Thank you all for the prayers and well-wishes but my little guy didn't make it. I had about 30 seconds to grieve, but then they gave me a new one so I was on my way. They say you never forget your first, but I've forgotten mine. Probably because my second looks identical to it.

So tomorrow I will be participating in my first official run! I'm trying really hard to be excited about it, but I just can't get there. It's only a 2-mile jaunt so hopefully I can make it. I ran 1.5 miles at the gym the other day so that should be a good warmup. It sounds like once you're "in the crowd" that adreneline will take you the rest of the way. Let's hope so!

The run is part of "Fish Days" up in Port Washington and it boasts that it's "The Largest One Day Outdoor Fish Fry in the World." Sounds delicious and I'm sure I'll throw down a few tasty breaded fillets after the run. Port Washington is also home to super-geek Screech from Saved By The Bell who is in the process of losing his home. Maybe we'll stop by.

Have a good weekend!

Friday, July 07, 2006

I Need Your Prayers

For those of you who every secretly hoped to see my in a vulnerable state, here you go. I am dealing with a crisis and need all the well wishing and prayers that you all can provide. To make a long story short, my baby is sick. After meeting with an expert today, surgery is scheduled for early next week, if it can survive that long. If I can.

It snuck up on me yesterday like a tornado to a trailor park. No warning, no indication, no symptoms. That gurgling sound that is so gut wrenching, I can only imagine how tough it was for the little thing to try to carry on, to stay strong. I immediately hit panic mode and soon after the short life of my baby was flashing before my eyes. That smooth outer shell, that colorful brightly lit face. By my side nearly every day, we've bonded like a fat man at the buffet at a Ponderosa.

And who could forget that long road trip where I thought I was in the mood for nothing but silence. My baby was there to provide me with an entertaining song, as it always does. Never leaving me in silence. Please keep us in your thoughts and send some good karma our way...for myself, and my iPod.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

First Game of the Year

As an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan, I'm embarrassed to say that Tuesday's game was the first one I've been to all year. On the bright side, it was a great time and worth the wait. It was my friend Derrick's birthday so he and his wife Terri organized a tailgate complete with a lot of beer, tasty burgers and brats and fun for all ages.




Someone brought the Bean Bag Toss game (left) which kept some of us busy, and feeling defeated. It was a lot of fun hanging out and the weather was great. Derrick did all the cooking which wasn't necessary since it was his birthday and all, but he enjoys it and did a great job, especially with the brats where he added some his own spices and things. Tasty.

Inside the game (right), we were sitting in left field where we just baked in the sun. It was so hot and not a lot of air came through. The Brew Crew broke it open with a 5-run fouth inning and never looked back winning the game 5-2. Don't look now, but the Brewers are only 2.5 games out of first place in the NL Central!

A great time...thanks to our host, and loyal High Life Heaven reader, Derrick!

90 And Still Kickin'

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been waiting to upload some pictures off my camera of the last few day's activities but I just haven't gotten around to it. I will soon though, I sort of promise.

Off to Green Bay tomorrow to spend a whole weekend with the family. I can't remember the last time I was up there for such an extended amount of time. It seems like the last dozen or so times it was for the day or just overnight but not this weekend. On tap is going out for fish with the parents, and maybe the sisters but I haven't asked them if they're going yet so I don't want to speak for them. Saturday then is the celebration of all celebrations...my Grandma's 90th birthday party. Apparently it's going to be quite the bash. According to the last count, it was 60+ people attending.

People say my Grandma is slipping, physically and mentally, but I'm not so sure. I'm still baffled by the event that happened a while back. She was apparently "slipping" at that time too. My family went to pick her up later in the afternoon on a Sunday last Fall. I don't remember where we were going, but that's not important. On the way there my Mom makes some crack about how Grandma's all confused and doesn't know what's going on anymore or something like that. Anyway, we pick her up and start to drive off. I'm kind of glancing at her waiting for a comment like "I can't believe it rained tomatoes this morning" to come out thinking she doesn't know what's going on but she looks over at me and says "Derek, how about the way Brett Favre played today. .I couldn't believe how well he played." My jaw just about hit the floor. Yea, she's really slipping. Upper 80's and still following the Pack. I hope I'm slipping like that when I'm her age.

And before you make any cracks about Favre, Grandma was right, he played great that day and the Pack won.

I'll try to get some pictures up soon.