Comet

Richard called at noon and asked if I had eaten yet. I responded with a resounding "No!" and I told him I'd be over in an hour. Traffic was terrible and I made it to his place at 1:15. We didn't know what we were in the mood for, so we walked down Farwell. We came upon Comet, a newly renovated coffee shop-turned bar/restaurant. Richard was telling me about how he hadn't been here since they reopened, so we tried it out. The decor was nice, 5 points for that. No smoking in the eatery, another 5. Everything on the menu=under $10, another 5 points. But perhaps the most impressive thing for us was the music they were playing. The played a wide variety ranging from Radiohead and REM to Rilo Kiley, The Clash, The Flaming Lips and The Beatles. And not a hint of Matchbox 20.

I hate Matchbox 20.

They were really advertising themselves as a place to get some very fresh, very delicious, very "like mom used to make" food. Well, my mom has never made me a grilled artichoke, provolone, spinach and tomato on a baguette sandwich, but she should start. That thing ruled! I had a side salad (with home made ranch dressing, of course) as well. Also ruled. Richard decided on the French Onion soup which he said "rocked so hard" and the Reuben. All he had to say about the Reuben was "Mmmmm. Hrrrrr. Muuhhrrrr." I shouldn't have asked him about his food while he was eating.

So check this place out. Comet (on Farwell) will rock your taste buds off (and perhaps your socks). Very good food, very good music and very good people who eat there and write about it on the internet.

http://www.onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/newcomet.html

Do you have to pay to park?

I have 2 sections of 1st graders daily...1 group from 8:30 - 10am and the 2nd from 10:30 - noon. These kids are really fun and they love to learn. But some of the questions I get are so random I just don't know what to say. For example:

Ryan: Do you have to pay to park everywhere?

Mr. Dorn: What do you mean?

Ryan: You know, when you drive your car. Do you have to pay to park everywhere?

Mr. Dorn: Well some places you do and some you don't. At school the teachers and parents can park for free, but if you were in a very busy area in Milwaukee, you'd probably have to pay to park.

Ryan: Ok, I want to be a teacher then. I don't want to waste my money on parking.

So funny. It made me smile today. Also please note that Ryan has a speech impediment so all of his R's sound like W's, for example:

Ryan: Do you have to pay to pawk evewywhayuh?

Mr. Dorn: What do you mean?

Ryan: You know, when you dwive yo cah. Do you have to pay to pawk evewywhayuh?

Mr. Dorn: Well some places you do and some you don't. At school the teachers and parents can park for free, but if you were in a very busy area in Milwaukee, you'd probably have to pay to park somewhere.

Ryan: Ok, I want to be a teacho then. I don't want to waste my money on pawking.

As you can see, this way is much cuter. I wanted to make sure you had the full effect.

(And to clarify, I have not seen Batman yet nor will I ever see it if I keep being made fun of about it. And Star Wars Rules. So do Jack's Natural Rising Pizzas.

Summer School

Yes, that's the school I'm teaching at. My room is that one with the window.

So Summer is upon the world and I'm still in school. Not that I'm complaining, I have a great job teaching 1st graders how to read (which, as far as Richard Raney is concerned, is an easy task). My kids have been great and I love what I'm doing. Also I work from 8-12 every day, so that affords me time in the afternoon to lounge, rollerblade, jog (ha!), read and love the summer time.

I will soon be writing more to update everyone on my endeavours of the last 2 months, but as for now, I'm out. The Buick needs some fixin'.

Check out http://h-bombcritiques.blogspot.com for some intuitive critiques of theatre, books, music and movies. Hans has a nice blog open there. Also check out http://cigelske.blogspot.com if you want to be jealous of a great writer and world traveller.