Someday, I’m Gonna Come Out of that Tunnel

When we spent weekends with my Dad growing up, I always remember two things: eating Beef & Broccoli and watching Rudy. That film was more than just a movie about football. It was a movie that reiterated the fact that whatever I wanted to do, I could do if I just had enough determination. And I’m pretty sure it was the first time a movie score ever really spoke to me. And moved me.

Well it’s finally come. Despite having friends that attended Notre Dame, I’ve never been. I’ve never seen the sight Rudy proclaims: “This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen!” And I’ve never seen the Grotto with all its candles.

Last month, when Notre Dame was in Chicago, I met up with an old friend from Oakville and Kansas, Ally, who works for the Athletic Department for Notre Dame. We rendezvoused, sang songs and enjoyed some long overdue dancing time. And I got a little taste of The Fighting Irish life. Needless to say, I wanted more.

Come Friday, I’ll be en route to South Bend via the train that only cost $11 (say whaaa??) to see The Golden Dome in person. And I’m 100% certain that I will be channeling Mr. Ruettiger the whole time while running around campus with uncontrollable glee.

 

 

Rock the Boat

Twenty years ago, Mom moved us from St. Charles to Oakville. And now, Mom’s jumped ship and headed back out to St. Charles.

Despite the teary moments I had packing up the childhood home, it’s clear to see her complete and utter glee for her new ‘hood.

National Honor

Yesterday, The Society of Professional Journalists recognized what so many journalism students from St. Louis have known for years: Mr. Eden is amazing. Mr. Mitch Eden (or E Dawg as I liked to call him) recently won the Society’s Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award and for one, am so happy for the guy. If it weren’t for Mr. Eden, I would not be where I am today. I am a writer because of him. A vivacious reader because of him. A continually curious specimen because of him. And someone who remembers to laugh on an hourly basis because of him. He instills much more than how to write a feature story (Make the O) and how to use the inverted pyramid.

And I’m so glad the rest of the nation can see the inspiration and class he brings to the profession and more importantly, to humanity.

“If you’re gonna do it, do it right. If you’re gonna hype it, hype it with the facts. I don’t mind what you did.                                           I mind the way you did it.” –Bob Woodward, All the President’s Men

 

Oldies, but Goodies

This past weekend, I went to Indianapolis for the first time. The occasion? An old friend’s wedding. Like a friend from elementary school. We hadn’t talked in a while, I had yet to meet his new bride and a lot of Oakville people weren’t on the wedding roster, so I was a bit nervous. Also important to note, Kelly and I stayed with an old girlfriend who I hadn’t talked to in a while outside of the girls gathering events we always hold when back in STL.

Aside from being blown away by the city itself (I mean, not what I anticipated at all), I was utterly blown away by the fact you get a group of people who knew you when you were 10 and it’s like nothing changed, at all. It’s so amazing that you can go years without seeing someone or talking to them and you’re right back to where you started.

And then you have people in your life you see everyday, yet struggle to make conversation with.

For this, I’m so fortunate. I’ve got friends all over the country, who I rarely talk with or see, and yet, it’s like we haven’t missed a beat. Granted, we might not know all of each other’s latest gossip or online dating endeavors, but it’s like we’re still 16 and living in our parents’ houses.

My favorite moment: When Kelly woke up on Saturday morning and turned to Aubrey and goes “Thanks for not pulling a steamroller this morning.” And Aubrey retorts with: “I thought about it, but didn’t know if you would still get it.”

We all still get it, and we all clearly want to resurrect Lardo Fardo’s Steam Roller moves.

I Hope that Someone Gets My, I Hope that Someone Gets My

I love Ireland and I love writing notes. I’ve always wanted to send a message in a bottle and see where it would go, who would find it and how long it would take. But I’m fearful of creeps out there. And I’m afraid I would just be way too antsy and I don’t need that kind of anxiety. But if my bottle heads to Ireland?! Sign. Me. Up.

After a 16-month journey from Florida, a bottle finally landed on the coast of Ireland. A high school in Florida did this as an experiment to test ocean currents and the Gulf Stream flows. Totally cool. Though I fear if Oakville did this, the bottle would not have fared well on the good ‘ole Mississippi.

36-Hour Man-cation

Every year, the Oakville boys come up to Chicago for Cubs/Cards games. And no girls are ever allowed (though a few manage to sneak in from time to time). This year, it was all man, except a few of the boys needed a place to crash…so I obliged and in turn received the coveted invite to the Man-cation event.

On Friday, once the boys decided to leave STL, they got here at like midnight I believe. It’s pouring rain, I’m exhausted, but in true man fashion, we head out to the pubs around my place. Which means we’re out until four. I tried not to nag (nothing worse than a woman nagging on man-cation), so I just casually fell asleep at the table. Thankfully, they took the hint.

The next morning we awake to……..Deutman cooking up some meat. I had my first ever, steak ‘n eggs. A slab of meat with some scrambled eggs. Manly. Finally we’re out the door and heading to Wrigley for the game and meeting up with a few more boys. I literally was in tears throughout the whole game just laughing. And I’m sure everyone around us sat there wondering what a little lass with pigtails was doing with 6 dudes. After the game, we ventured into Wrigley, met up with even more high school guys and ran into some other boys (more STL, Kansas). It was just so fantastic to turn around and see more friendly faces dressed in red.

Needless to say, I never once was in the company of a gal (until Jackie showed up) and I loved everything about it. I loved the fact there was always at least 2 guys looking around wondering where I was. There was always someone to talk to and someone to make you laugh until your sides split. There was always a dance partner to hit up the dance floor with. And most importantly, there was always someone ready to leave with me.

Most of these guys I have known since 7th grade, but some of them, I never really talked with during school. And I rarely see these boys when I head home. But when Erik & Company left the apartment on Sunday morning, I felt a little sad. Then I immediately scrolled through my contact lists and got in some serious chat time with all my gal pals.

We’ve come along way from our days at OJHS

Street Fest with Jeff & Co and wrestling masks

A friendly face from Q’s