hawing

Awwwww! (said like Homer Simpson) The NWS snowfall prediction map had been ranging from the 11 inch zone to the 9 inch zone for Madison. Now it's 14.2"?! I hope our neighbor has his snowblower ready. (He likes to clear his property, ours and that of the neighbor on the other side of us. Yes, he is a good guy.)

Indeed - if it really gears up overnight, that is the best timing model for closings. That would match the approximate timing for several of the most recent UW-Madison "snow days" - the Groundhog Blizzard in 2011, the December 2009 snow day and the one in December 1990. There was another big overnight storm in December 1987, but the next day was the campus study day, so there were no classes to cancel. I still don't think that would bode well for UW-Madison this time, as it would be difficult at best to reschedule Thursday's finals. But for MMSD, sure; so I'd say NMF has a solid chance if the current forecast holds.

I wish it were that simple. Students who live within walking distance of campus will expect the libraries to be ready for their studying needs. But ehh, I can walk in if need be. In case the weather gods read Brewerfan, I'd really appreciate being able to make my Wednesday evening haircut appointment. Thanks!

I can tell from your post that this must be a general pattern with your mother, but does she usually harp on you for relatives' birthday cards? I'm only asking because 80 is a milestone year, so maybe that was part of her request this time. Fun fact that belongs more in the random thoughts thread, but I'm putting it here: One of my grandfathers and one of my great-aunts turned 90 the same year. It caused quite a stir among the card store ladies in Monroe when my mom went looking for a "90th birthday" card in both March and June.

That is some payday for Zack.

Actually, Patrick425, the technology that so infuriated Vegas Patron is on its way out in the next year or two. So don't dissuade your son from UW-Madison just for that reason. Besides, if he keeps a flash drive on him, he can scan for free.

Update: The patron called Friday morning to continue her tirade. She literally told my colleague that she's from Vegas and EVERYONE accepts $100 bills there. OK...I'm sure they do. on the strip. Maybe not in the public library for 25-cent copies.

The night staff at my library reported that a visitor last night was irate because (among other things) our copy card dispenser doesn't accept $100 bills. How common is it for vending equipment to be programmed for $100 bills? If that's what I was carrying (and, sidenote, I don't think I've ever been in personal possession of a $100 bill), I don't think I would expect every service provider I came in contact with to be prepared for that denomination. From the night staff's description of this patron's tirade, it sounds like she came with many unrealistic expectations - but the $100 bill issue is for some reason the one that fascinates me most.

There were some pretty freaking awesome (well, dramatic) obituary headlines back in the day. That'd be one of them.

If Chris reaches the show, his surname is going to look awesome on a shirsey.

Although the Wisconsin football program is physically close to both my home and workplace, I don't follow CFB closely enough to be able to knowledgeably comment on the Xs and Os of whether this is a good football-career move. However, I have been in position to observe the red-sweater crowd for quite a while, including the tail end of the pre-Richter/Alvarez era. Here's what I think is contributing to some of the disgruntled reaction: 1. The change is super abrupt, and awkwardly timed for the bowl game preparation. 2. When has something like this ever happened at Wisconsin - a coach in a major sport being lured away by another college program? Fans who have fancied UW to be a big college athletics playa school might be surprised to see another school up the "playa quotient" (I love making up phrases) the way Arkansas has. Tying in to NMF's statement above, it stings to realize you were someone's stepping stool. 3. Even I'll admit to a little bit of "$2.5 million isn't enough for you? Really?" Wisconsin is full of spendthrifts, maybe especially in the current economy, who aren't likely to feel sorry for someone making "only" that much. My initial reaction this afternoon was surprise, but I soon realized I wasn't sure if I was more surprised by the announcement itself, or by the idea that a big-time athletic school wanted to swipe a Wisconsin coach. NMF's quote also made me realize, kind of with a start, that wow, Wisconsin has had only 2 coaches the last 23 years. They had three during my student years (1985-1990; I graduated just as Barry completed his first spring season, so four if you count BA).

I read about this earlier today but now's my first chance to react online. I won't lie; I don't think I ever expected "Robin shoots Dale Sveum" to be a headline anywhere.

His middle name is Heinrich. That's Burke Heinrich Badenhop on our roster now. What more do you need in a Milwaukee name? It even ends in HOP.

Six hours seems like a while to be holding on to that disappointment.

ESPN.com link That's a shame. From my vantage point, he seemed like a really solid guy.

Oh, yeah, that was the person who checked me out. She was pretty vocal throughout my transaction about having missed out on it - not hostile, but she didn't stop talking about it. Then she kept saying things like "but it would have cost me all the money I'm earning working at this sale anyway." Since I was also buying items for kalle8 at this sale, my checkout total was the highest sum I've ever spent at this thing - so the checker probably thinks I'm not only the robber of her Kottaras jersey, but in the 1% to boot. (Not the case.) What time did you check out, BSC? I'm wondering how long she was still emoting about it. We left the service level at 1:15.

I'm glad someone from Brewerfan scored a champagne bottle. We arrived at the clubhouse shortly before noon, as is our usual M.O. It was crowded in the sense that you might have to wait a moment to view all sides of a clothing rack, but it wasn't crowded enough to overwhelm me. There were no lines for entering or checking out. The biggest ticket item I had in mind was a 2011 jersey, and I found a George Kottaras navy that fit the bill. It also has the Gary Vanden Berg memorial patch, which means it was in use during the NLCS. That was $200. Bigger names were predictably more expensive (I think I saw $700 for a gray Hoffman). There were gamer jerseys as "low" as $100 (navy '11 Stetter, retro Dillard). There were a bunch of replica Greinke jerseys for either $75 or $50 - I didn't pay much attention to those, so I don't remember. Bikeage77, there was a white Morgan jersey at noon today, also with the GV patch, for $275. $5 shirseys were plentiful. If you want to belatedly and inexpensively rep Marcum, Veras, Ishikawa, Loe, Parra, Gonzalez, Greinke or Braddock, is this ever the sale for you. With most of those names you could outfit your whole adult-sized family. There were also some K-Rod and Morgan shirseys, and an odd (to me) camoflage T-Plush shirsey. I imagine I picked up a Parra shirsey just as he was being non-tendered. I also like to think I balanced out the diminished relevance of the Parra shirt with a Narveson (as long as he doesn't change uniform numbers). For fans who are either in long-term denial or insist on being extra hipster, there were still some Fielder shirseys. I thought the selection of non-player Brewers tops (t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, etc.) was broader than usual, though as in past years it really helps if you wear size S, M, or XXL. Still, I found items for myself, the SO, and most of the adult relatives for whom we're getting Christmas gifts. I also thought the cap selection was relatively good. No black lace stripper caps - though there were some bizarrely ugly purses that would probably go with the black lace stripper caps - and several styles I would wear, were I more in the market for yet another cap. There were only two game-used bats when we arrived, and I didn't look them over. The locker nameplates were pretty picked over, though there were a handful with the 90s-style Motre Bame logo, and even more with a Coca-Cola ad I remember from about the mid-90s at County Stadium. From the latter I scored a Cal Eldred (who I thought was dreamy, for a ballplayer at least, when he was a Brewer) and a David Hulse (my lone Brewers birthday buddy to date). There was strange signage from the stadium - think advertising for Father's Day gifts or the "dress your dog in Brewers gear" contest. There were also large banners that in the early years of MP would have hung in the club concourse or some such. I laughed at the Doug Davis banner because he was pictured holding a bat. Why on earth would you do that with a pitcher? I really thought about digging in the banner pile for the $50 5' x 6' Russell Branyan, but I'll get more use out of the GK jersey. Hilariously sad "overheard at the clubhouse sale" quote: Shopper Woman 1 (said to Shopper Woman 2): "What number is Braun's?" Shopper Woman 2 shrugs - despite the fact that Shopper Woman 1 is holding in her hand a BRAUN 8 shirsey, with the 8 facing both me and SW 2. Hawing: "Ryan wears number 8, like it says on the shirt you have there." Shopper Woman 1 responded with a wry smile, because I was so polite in pointing out the glaringly obvious. Then they asked me, while holding up 8x10 photos of Alex Gonzalez and K-Rod: "Are these guys still on the team?" I said the chances were slim and none. Oh well. At least they didn't go on to pretend that they knew anything about the Brewers. I'm really not a major shopper, but the clubhouse sale is one of less-than-a-handful of exceptions I make every year - so I enjoyed myself today.

We're on our way as I post this, and zachlaka passed us near Lake Mills...so see you soon, Zach, I guess. :-)

I suppose there are worse components to one's bf.net legacy than a relish tray. Actually, when I think back on some of the dudes we've banned from these parts, there are definitely worse components. Anyhoo, the John and Cait blog tonight posted its annual sale preview.

It's owned at my library. Maybe I'll make that next on my list after I finish my current baseball book. Thanks for the tip!

UW Business School link This slipped under my radar, mostly due to the Thanksgiving holiday and my recent cold. I probably won't be able to make this - though it's just down the street - but in the (unlikely?) event anyone here does, report back on Bud on Ethical Leadership. The event runs from 5:30-6:15 PM.

I just approved a ton of new members tonight. Some of you have been waiting (patiently, I hope) since before the 2012 season ended, so my apologies for the long delay. A couple of you had (understandably) applied more than once. In one case I approved the first screen name but not the second; and in the other 1992casey had approved the second screen name without seeing the first, then I approved the first without realizing that member was already "in." I'll send each of you involved a private message so you can decide which screen name you want to use. Thanks and welcome!

Well, we haven't received another of those calls, so at the moment I am inclined to let sleeping dogs lie (while knocking wood and touching iron). If I'm ever actually home when a call like this comes, I'll waste no time stating that we were listed as a reference without our knowledge or consent. That is some kind of chutzpah, listing an acquaintance for something like that with no notification. Hmph.

Or maybe details will be available on November 20: Press Release Interesting twist:

John and Cait blog entry Looks like the Dew Deck and parts of the Club level concourse are getting the remodeling treatment this off-season. I can't say I'd encourage a climbing wall anywhere in Miller Park, though, even if it looks like a big can of Dew: http://mlblogsbrewers.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/dew-deck_logo-axon-view.jpg?w=515