High-Rise Window-Washers

Not the best job if you suffer from vertigo!

Billowing Clouds

While driving home from work the other day, there were white clouds billowing up in the distance.  Behind me the sky was threatening to storm, and you could see the contrast reflected in the glass towers ahead.

Whoosh! SkyWatch Friday

Near my work there is a small shopping area with a few restaurants, shops, and a hotel.  Driving over there for lunch one day I noticed the clouds appeared to be "whooshing" across the sky, leaving a trail behind.

See more SkyWatch Friday photos here.

Dancing with Toulouse

The lobby posters announcing the show "Posters of Paris" at the Milwaukee Art Museum are just as exciting as the vintage ones on display.

Window Wall

Above is the large glass wall separating the "Posters of Paris" exhibition from the rest of the Milwaukee Art Museum lobby. The posters included fabulous full size original lithographs by well known artists of the late 19th century, such as Toulouse Lautrec, Jules Cheret, Jean de Paleologue (also known as 'Pal'), and others. Cameras were not allowed into the exhibit, but photos were allowed in the lobby.

Milwaukee Architecture

This view is looking northwest from the outside of the Milwaukee Art Museum over Lincoln Memorial Drive.  Not sure exactly what that large white building is, but I think it may be one of the cities' older posh apartment buildings. In the foreground you can see a kiosk with advertisements for the current museum show, "Posters of Paris."  I will show a few more images over the next day or two from our little jaunt downtown.

September Theme Day: People Watching

What better place to watch a crowd than at the Milwaukee Art Museum? We drove down to review their current "Posters of Paris" exhibit last weekend.  This image shows the crowd milling about in the atrium of the gorgeous Calatrava wing which overlooks Lake Michigan.

View all Theme Day entries for September.

Two Towers Sunset

The reflective glass of the two bank towers on Hwy. 45 and Good Hope Road in Milwaukee often displays a colorful sunset photo opportunity. This was taken as I was leaving work one evening. The Hilton Garden Inn is in the foreground.

It's all happening at the zoo...

...I really do believe it's true. ~ Paul Simon.

Read more here!

Twisted Fork Brunch

I had brunch with my daughter at the Twisted Fork last Sunday, although we eschewed the "booze" part of it. An omelet with bacon and cheese, rye toast and a bitty bowl of fruit was only $7. Such a deal. They also serve great Alterra coffee.

For those of you who might be familiar with Milwaukee's east side, it's in the same location as the old "Oriental Drugs." You can see a favorite old-time local tee-shirt here.

Casablanca

"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world...she walks into mine."

This Middle-Eastern style restaurant is located on Brady Street in Milwaukee. Not exactly Morocco, although, they do offer elaborate hookah pipes and flavored tobacco, just like Sydney Greenstreet smoked in the movie. Plus belly dancers on Friday nights...yowza! Read more about Casablanca (the restaurant) here.

Happy Days?

How appropriate for downtown Milwaukee. Just seeing this silly cover made me smile, even amidst the flying snowflakes! Spring is coming, we just need to be patient.

Jimmy John's

A favorite area sub sandwich shop is "Jimmy John's." This particular location is on Brady Street in a converted brick fire-station/garage. Taken about a month ago during one of the last nice days of autumn, patrons are are eating at the tables outside, enjoying the warm sunshine before it disappears for the next six months.

Waiting for the Train

Another view inside the new Milwaukee Amtrak station. A tree is growing in the large, open atrium, surrounded by people waiting for the arrival of the westbound Empire Builder. Originating in Chicago, the train arrives in Milwaukee for the next leg of the journey, including La Crosse, Minneapolis, Fargo, and all points west to Seattle on the Pacific coast.

Welcome to Milwaukee

We visited the new Amtrak station in downtown Milwaukee last week to pick up our in-laws, who were visiting from La Crosse for the Thanksgiving holiday. The view above shows the west exit of the station looking north at the Milwaukee skyline. Both Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses are serviced at this location. The view below shows a stylized "2D" Greyhound sculpture hanging above the attendants' counter, complete with a wreath for the Christmas holidays ahead.

Milwaukee Harbor

During our visit to the lakefront on Labor Day weekend, we saw this bright red speed boat with a racing flag paint job heading out towards Lake Michigan for some fun in the sun. The moored boats below at the Milwaukee Yacht Club gave a peaceful look to the warm afternoon.

Signs of Autumn

As evidenced by the crimson leaves on this tree, fall has arrived early this year around this part of the Midwest.

SkyWatch Friday: Cavorting Critters

Since I was unable to post something related to the City Daily Photo monthly theme-day ["Big"] on September 1st, I thought I do it now. These over-sized critters appear to be climbing up an old smoke stack towards the sky in downtown Milwaukee. The mouse and reindeer are part of a sculpture installation piece by artist Bill Ried.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Fashionista

During a walk down Brady Street in Milwaukee last weekend we came across a side-walk sale at this cute little dress shop.

The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous

On Brady Street in Milwaukee the above old-fashioned mosaic tile sign is woven into the wall of a restored red brick building. There are a number of variations on the old pun inspired by this classic beer sign. They all go something like this:

Back in the 1950s, Mel Famey of the old Milwaukee Braves was a natural -- a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon whose fast ball blew away the best hitters. His change up made the best hitters in the league cry -- they would swing, drop the bat, and stare incredulously as the ball hit the catcher's mitt. He was indeed awesome!

Why then, you might ask, is he not in baseball's Hall of Fame? Why haven't you ever heard of him? Alas, like many others before him, Mel's downfall was demon alcohol.

Ol' Mel really liked to tilt the glass. His drinking became almost legendary around the country, but he never let it affect his pitching until The Braves and the Yankees were in the World Series! The series was tied at three games apiece, and the Braves were in New York for the seventh and deciding game.

The night before the big event, Mel's thirst got the better of him. He sneaked out of the hotel after curfew, and bought himself a case of beer. As you might imagine, the next morning Mel didn't feel so good.

But being the pro that he was, Mel managed to do just fine -- until the bottom of the ninth inning. With the Braves ahead by one run, two out, and the bases loaded, Mel's revelry the night before finally caught up to him. Eight straight pitches -- eight straight balls. He walked in the tying run and the winning run, thereby, losing the game and the series.

After the game, a reporter went to the jubilant Yankee's clubhouse and spoke to the last two players that faced Mel. "Tell me," he asked, "to what do you attribute this victory over the best pitcher in the major leagues"? In unison they replied:

"It was the beer that made Mel Famey walk us"!