Yeah, yeah…I know, this was almost a couple months ago. Maybe one of the positive side effects from really, really pushing on improving my health this year is having the means, time, motive and energy to furgin’ get timely stories achieved. I don’t want to dwell too much on the other good crap I’ve let slide, or will cannibalize with odd anniversaries. When I first transformed Picayune into a blog, I remember having nothing to write about some days. Hard to believe right?
Anyway, my first trip back to the Midwest in a decade shouldn’t be left hanging. I ended matters with a part one followed by an interruption involving the Stern pinball factory. Since last week was national Marquette Day (no clue what the hell it means), I want to wrap it all up, make the journey worth the hundreds of bucks spent by me, Somara, and Nelson for it to be possible.
Thursday rolled around which would be my last full day in the region. One thing Nelson and I had totally agreed upon was a trek to Milwaukee, get in a quick visit to our alma mater. Not too many years ago, Nelson lived there until he moved to Cleveland and my last visit was 2000 when he invited me to his oldest kid’s baptism; I was asked to be the godfather. It’s symbolic yet I agree, I’m a poor choice given my position on religion.
The original plan (or compromise) had us taking at least two kids in tow but for reasons beyond my clairvoyance, Tammy agreed to watch them all while we’d be gone the whole day. Those who aren’t familiar with Midwestern geography, Milwaukee from Chicago, especially the southern edge, is a day trip; similar to how Austinites view San Antonio. I am confident the eldest two children were relieved, they wouldn’t be stuck in the car listening to a pair of old farts bore them about their college days.
We left after the bulk of Chicago’s rush hour and arrived in Milwaukee around noonish. The city didn’t look terribly different from what I recalled over 20 years. When we got up close at the Marquette campus…there it was very noticeable, hell, it didn’t much like the same school. I immediate thing that came up once we started walking around, I don’t miss Milwaukee’s horrible weather. What was I thinking the day I applied?
The only thing we could find open around Marquette was the student union because it houses the gift shop! Isn’t it just like the Jesuits? Always finding a way to make money! No wait, there was the little art museum I never visited in my entire undergrad career. One time I should’ve though. This woman I had a huge crush on, attended an opening and Peter Bonerz (aka Jerry the Dentist from Bob Newhart) appeared, he’s an alumnus no one is ashamed of unlike Sen. Joe McCarthy, Chris Farley and dropout Scott Walker. I was a tad bummed. I would’ve loved to go back into Johnston Hall, see if there was a little memorial to Dr. Grams. Nelson and I struck out with his department, Straz (I think) Hall which is business.
Johnston Hall was where I earned the bulk of degree and it's one of the oldest buildings on the campus.
Johnston Hall remaining was comforting compared to all the other buildings the “leadership” has leveled for better stuff: 1212, the Biltmore, West (an empty lot), the parking garage attached to Mashuda and the original student union. It explains why the tuition is outrageous. Marquette isn’t using their NCAA TV lucre on the students. I’ve always wondered why the Computer Science and Math department received a totally new monstrosity. Compared to the state schools and the Ivy League, Marquette was and still isn’t a powerhouse in this field of study.
On the left is the original library I used and on the right is an extension.
Having traveled over a thousand miles, I did buy some Marquette-wear for myself and Jose (I found a golf shirt I thought he’d like, he does). It took some effort to find something without Golden Eagles or swooshstikas. The Jesuits should be ashamed of having this stuff made abroad too. No luck on a hockey jersey. The helpful student clerks said the team must be contacted more directly. I settled on a more neutral T-shirt.
Upon leaving the union, I got a good view of my freshman residence. It was a dump 25 years ago too. Couldn’t remember immediately nor did I have the patience in freezing cold to find my favorite room, 1019, right next to Paul’s, 1018. I’m confident the students continue to drop crap out the window a la early David Letterman. No idea on what all the blue Komen ribbons in the windows were about. Marquette is a culturally-socially conservative school so we can rule out a Hipster dedication to Pabst Blue Ribbon. Nelson was fortunate to be spared the initiation of residing there, he was a Y-East Hall guy (usually the home of the few Goth girls). It isn’t the same now. Before I moved away, the school decided to make McCormick co-ed and the former all-ladies dorm of O’Donnell was switched to all dudes.
McCormick Hall, aka the Beer Can. Mainly for its cylindrical shape. Indirectly for the smell of vomit and urine during weekends.
Wells Avenue wasn’t recognizable. Firstly, the city changed it from a one-way street to two-way. Secondly, no bars and dive restaurants remain. My guess? The Greek system’s restoration thanks to Governor Thompson’s poor math skills and/or shallow morality. What used to be the Ardmore on 16th was present. In 2000 it was called the Gym. Now it’s a “whiskey bar” and closed during our visit. I noticed what appeared to be more apartments on the north side of Wells. Not all was lost! A favorite after-bars restaurant continues to survive…Real Chili. I wish I had two stomachs so I could eat there. Nelson humored me with a few photos. Check ’em out below!
A shining red beacon of hope during Milwaukee's dreary nights.
The inside is the way I remembered it in the Eighties, just fewer drunks.
Here's the area when Phil's fists-of-death failed us with a drunk frat boy…
…followed by the hallway where I received a thorough ass-kicking by said frat boy he intended for Phil.
Great. I’m running out of time and based upon my rough outline, I probably have another few hundred (or more) words plus several additional pictures. I’ll leave it here with the funny anecdote regarding Phil’s martial art prowess, conclude it tomorrow, time willing.