My Wisconsin Top 10

Okay, Instead of blogging what confuses me the most about Wisconsin, I feel it is time to give you what I like about the Frozen Tundra.  These are in no particular order.

1.  Sports.  There are sports to watch all year around.  Badger Football, Packer Football, Badger Hockey, the Brewers.  These are all my adopted teams, but I have really enjoyed the enthusiasm and dedication of fans.  

2.  Beer!  Any excuse to open a cold one I am down!

3.  Summer.  I grew up in the most humid of humid states.  To be here in the summer with little humidity I love it.  There are festivals and cook outs to be had all around.  And any excuse for beer (see #2).

4.  Golf. I have learned to play golf with my hubby.  I know that it isn't Wisconsin specific, but because of #3 it isn't like melting in a rain forest while playing.  And I love the beer cart (see #2).

5.  The People. Now I know I have questioned the reserved nature of the Midwest.  However, I have found that people here are real.  They do not "put on airs" as we say down south.  They do not pretend to be what they aren't.  I love that.  What you see is what you get.   Very cool.

6.  Snow. Yeah it's cold and annoying but when I have no where to go it is a joy to watch it with a nice cup of coffee or a glass of red wine.  It's my "ahhh" moment.

7.  Outdoor activities.  Fishing, hiking, snowmobiles, boating........love it.

8.  Local bars and hangouts.  I love the lack of "chain establishments" up here (at least where I live).  I haven't been to the evil Starbucks in so long.  I have found local places to have coffee and to hang out.  

9.  Peacefulness.  I like the simplicity of where I live.  It reminds me of where I grew up and I never thought I would be back in a small town.   I left my small town with my hair on fire.  But never say never, and I am happy here.

10.  Friday Fish Fry.  I do like that.  I love the tradition.  However, would it hurt to put some hush puppies on the dang plate?  :)   other than that, the fish fry and brandy old fashioned sweets is a nice end of the week treat.  

So there you have it.  I am not as anti-Wisconsin as I sound.  I do like it here!

Pity Party--Wanna dance?

What it is it about the legal profession that just sucks the confidence from a normally confident and secure person?  How can a perfectly out-going, intelligent, and hard working person become a bundle of insecurity?  I have been through boot camp, an all male military world and a middle eastern deployment.  I have never felt once that I did not belong.  When it comes to being associated with this noble profession, I feel as if I don't belong or I am missing the secret handshake.  Sometimes I actually feel like I am pressing my nose against the glass looking in at the suits and nice shoes wondering if I will be in there with my suit and really fabulous shoes.  I feel like any job legal job that I have held,  I  have worked so hard and yet it just doesn't seem to work out.  I feel like I go above and beyond what is required of me and take initiative to try new aspects of the job, but I still feel like that little girl with her nose pressed against the window. 

I am not sure why now I am feeling this way. I can only credit stress and the feeling that I haven't really had a chance to experience the true profession.  I just wish I could gain some of the confidence I once had and feel worthy of a bar license.

History in the Making

I have to admit, I have always considered myself pretty conservative.  I was in the military and grew up with fairly conservative parents.  However, since leaving the military I have learned to embrace my "inner democrat."  I have always been domestically liberal and foreign policy conservative.  I would have never considered voting for a democrat until this year.  I was very torn when election day arrived.  I must admit I let my republican feelings sway me, but I was also very relieved when Obama was elected.  I was excited and inspired.  I hope he keeps me feeling this way for four years.  

I am glued to the inauguration and just feeling "the warm fuzzies" knowing how historical this inauguration truly is.  Whether one is a democrat or a republican there is no denying that this is truly an inspirational president and historical presidency.  

Diploma Privilege--BITE ME!

I need to find from some where that it is unconstitutional for us out of staters to have to take the bar exam and Marquett/Madison graduates do not.  How is that first in his class at Harvard (so not me!) has to take the bar exam, but last in his class at Madison or Marquette does not have to take the exam?  

Wisconsin expects a certain amount of competence from bar exam takers.  So, I am just wondering if those people graduating from Wisconsin schools have that competence too?  Yeah, I am whining and bitching. I think it is unfair.  I never thought I would end up going from FLA to Wisconsin.  So why would I have even thought about applying to Madison or Marquette.  WTF Wisconsin?  Seriously.  It's BS and I am whiny and I hate the effin exam.  

Chicken Little Syndrome

Now, this may sound a little mean....but the "sky is NOT falling."

I have noticed that it seems like Wisconsin is definitely a "worse case scenario" type of state.  For example--the economy.  Yes, it is in the toilet, but do we have be asked in EVERY conversation if our job is secure?  It's crazy. I am an upbeat, optimistic person.  I figure that I am well prepared if anything happens and will handle it if/when it arrives.  I don't like to go around thinking every minute that something bad lurking around the corner.  Now I know why I have affectionately given the hubby the nickname, Eor.  I just have to chuckle. I am hoping that my optimism will rub off.  Might be a little naive of me, given that people here have probably been this way most of their lives.  However, I will continue to be optimistic about things. Naysayers beware!

On Wisconsin!

Okay....let's get the disclaimer out of the way.  I would hate to offend the Wisconsinites, the Southerners, and the politically correct.....so I will try NOT to make fun of Wisconsinites.  This blog is to just allow me to share my frustrations, happiness, likes and dislikes during my transition here in the Frozen Tundra.

Now....

So a year ago, my husband (born and bred Wisconsin had barely been out of the state when we met in law school) moved me to Wisconsin.  I thought, "Hey, how different could it be?"  I had spent so much time in the military moving and experiencing all sorts of different places and people. I considered myself pretty open and adaptable to other experiences and places.  Shall I say now that I was wrong.

I am not saying that I dislike it here.  I do not one bit.  I like the piece and quiet of where I live. I enjoy the sports fanatics as I am one.  I enjoy the "any excuse is a good one to drink" mentality.  I find the people friendly enough.  However.....there are a few things that I am trying to adjust too and if anyone from the great state could shed light upon these feelings...please do.

So: 

 one thing is the stand-off nature of the Midwest.  Being from the south I have never met a stranger. I consider myself an outgoing person.  I love to be social and step right on up and meet you.  When I extend that "outgoing nature" to a stranger here, I am met with the look of, "What the f*&ck are you doing? Are you on crack?"  "Did I invite you to talk to me?".  Look people, just trying to be nice.  Didn't mean to piss in your cheerios.  I feel like outsiders around here need not apply.

Sarcasm or the lack thereof: my husband is the most sarcastic person I know, but when it comes to catching sarcasm in another person, he is clueless.  I feel that people are so literal here.  Why is that?

The dry sense of humor? what is that all about?  Is your brain frozen from the snow?

Being Frugal? I am all for being practical, but come on already.  One's quest to save a penny around here is more extensive than the search for the Holy Grail. 

Now, I know people are going to say, "If you don't like it, then move."  Well, I do like it here. I just need some understanding in the differences of the Midwest.  Like why is it people go to a store or something for "treats" or when you bring in something to work for everyone people say, "treats".  When I think of treats I think of my dogs.  Why is it "kiddy korner" and not "kaddy korner" like we say.  And why bubbler?  

Well, that is all for now.  I am sure there will be plenty more questions for you enlightened Midwesterners out there.  

Ciao for now!