Archive for February, 2015

• February 10, 2015

  Chapter 104- Studio Session at Radio Milwaukee with Bahamas

  

  So you all know my trusty go-to radio station, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, right?  Well because I’m a member, I got invited to their Frostbite Series (a bunch of bands played studio sessions for the station).  I RSVP’d to go see Bahamas.  Not that I knew much about them besides this song, which you have definitely heard and loved I’m sure.

  

  Anyway, I showed up, got myself a Louie’s Demise over at Stone Creek Coffee (because it was too late in the day for coffee, but not too early for a beer), and sat down in the front row.  While I looked around at the entire audience who was on their phones, I sipped my beer and wondered how awkward I’d look taking photos for the blog.  Lucikly, DJ Kallao was sneaking around taking shots so I wasn’t alone.

  And here’s the thing about live music…it’s the best.  Every time I see a show, I wonder why I don’t make it out to see more music (but then I remember how many young children I have).  After this studio session, and only four songs, I’m officially a Bahamas fan.  If you’re curious, Afie is the dude on guitar, and he is Bahamas.

  

  After the show, I asked for a photo and said something really awkward as per usual.  I also tried to buy an LP but they only took cash and I was out of luck.  So AFIE, IF YOU’RE READING THIS, feel free to contact me for my home address where you can send a signed album.

  

  After the show, I got a tour from the lovely Becca, Development & Market Coordinator, and a bunch of us listeners walked around admiring the building.

  

  We even got a chance to step inside the recording booth where Marcus Doucette and Kallao were doing their thing.  I had to introduce myself to Marcus because I’ve won tickets from him twice in the past few years, which is pretty awesome.  Because, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at Turner Hall in like 2011.  Anyone else witness that musical orgy?

  

  Back to the tour.  It’s a pretty interesting building, with lots to admire.  Like records for days.

  

  And bottle caps for backsplashes.

  

  And old wood pallets for CD shelves.

  

  And a rooftop for viewing the city and having parties and checking out the green space.

  

  And having a nice gentleman take a new profile pic for me.  While on the tour, Producer Nate Imig walked past us and I missed an opportunity to give him some feedback and praise.  Because the community stories that he puts together at 88Nine are the reason I started listening to the station, and I get so many ideas for adventures from there.  I really appreciate the work 88Nine is doing, and the efforts to get people involved in their community.  So here’s my virtual handshake, Nate.  Thanks for passing on the stories of our city!

  Thanks Bahamas and Radio Milwaukee for a great afternoon!

  A. Storm

   

  6 Comments / Adventures without kids, Food and Drink, Non Profits, Shows/Festivals / amber

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• February 4, 2015

  Chapter 103- Asian Market Phongsavan

  

  Today I was feeling adventurous, and met my friend Kate to get pho at Milwaukee’s Asian Market Phongsavan.  I say adventurous because it was sort of a hike to get there, we were in a serious time crunch with naps quickly approaching, and I had no idea if my kids would actually eat pho.

  I’m going to give you instructions, in case you want to check out this authentic spot.  Above is the view from the street, it’s just off of 76th near a CVS in a pretty much unmarked building.  Look for lots of cars parked in the parking lot and on the street.

  

  Go in this door.  And shut it behind you.

  

  Make your way down the main aisle, go through to the next section of the building, and when it ends, the pho restaurant will be on your right.

  

  We ordered at the counter from a nice gentleman who asked if we wanted regular or special soup (he said the latter contains pork).  The menu was fairly basic and didn’t give options for different meats/meatless versions of the soup, so I just said “I’ll have what she’s having” and added an order of fried rice for the kids, because they had all declared on the drive to the restaurant that they don’t like soup.

  

  And this was our lunch bunch (minus a picture of the beautiful Kate).  I spotted a counter opposite the restaurant’s counter, and went over to get some rice cake things and some bread for the kids.

  

  When I got back to the table, our food was being served.  We quickly made up plates, because eating lunch with a 5 year old, a triplet of three year olds, and a one year old pretty much equals a race to eat as fast as possible before things get messy.  My soup was delicious.  Kate’s vote is that this is the best pho in town, but I’m going to reserve that title for my ranking.  In all honesty, I’m sort of freaked out by meat.  I really only eat vegetable/tofu pho (though I know the broth isn’t vegetarian), and was brave about but not a huge fan of the tripe (insert wide-eyed emoji).

  

  All of my kids loved the fried rice, two of them liked the broth of my soup, and everyone liked the noodles I fished out of my soup for them.  Little A was very interested in the jalapeños, which I had stated were very spicy.  She then asked Kate, “do you like your…howtotrainyourdragons?”.  Hilarious that “jalapeño” was translated into a DreamWorks movie.  But if you say the pepper’s name in conjunction with the movie title, you’ll realize she wasn’t that far off.

  

  Baby S enjoyed the noodles immensely, and when she ran out of them she filled her time by sticking a chopstick in my water.

  

  Our friend A chose the much-coveted green sticky rice ball thing.  And you can imagine his disappointment when it dropped on the ground.  Poor guy.

  

  But then this happened!

  

  On our way out, we stopped to look at some of the produce.

  

  Even though we didn’t speak the same language, the ladies behind the stand helped me discover the rambutan fruit.  I’d never seen or heard of it, and one woman opened one up for me and the twins to try.

  

  Here’s a picture of the inside of the fruit.  You basically just peel off the spiny skin, and are left with a soft white fruit.  Its texture was similar to a pear, and the flavor was mild and sweet.

  

  After sharing and then purchasing some rambutan, we headed to look at some of the clothing, jewelry, medicinal goods, and much much more.

  

  It was nice to be in such an out-of-the-ordinary place (for me, anyway).  When I asked Little A what she thought, she said “it’s so…different!  I like it!”.

  

  On our way out, a fellow toddler waved constantly and shouted “good bye!!!” in the sweetest way ever, and we made the mistake of looking at toys.  There are many, many toys for sale there.  And right after the display of toy guns and babies in strollers, we had a meltdown that we didn’t buy any toys.

  

  We had a great lunch, and thanks for my lady Kate for introducing me to this gem.  We’ll be back for sure.  I know they have much more on the menu than pho and rice, so we’ll have to get more adventurous and give the various items a shot.

  Here are few more links with information about the spot, maybe we’ll see you there someday!

  A . Storm

   

   

   

  4 Comments / Adventures with kids, Food and Drink / amber

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