Retro. College ID card.

Not sure what year this was. 1982-86. Much of it's a blur.

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Ginkgo leaf.

First time I ever heard of this leaf - and the tree - was at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, my alma mater.

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UW-Whitewater = Division III National Champs!

Congratulations, Warhawks! My alma mater took it to Mount Union and won the Division III National Championship last night, 38-28. Whitewater also won the title in 2007.

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UW-Whitewater Football Wins Division III National Championship!

UW-Whitewater finally did it.

After losing to Mount Union (Ohio) the past two seasons in the NCAA Division III national championship football game, My college aluma mater, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (the Warhawks) defeated the Purple Raiders, 31-21, Salem, Va., on Saturday.

Senior Justin Beaver led the Warhawks—who were a 20-point underdog in the game—by rushing for 248 yards. Whitewater opened up a 17-0 lead in the third quarter, then withstood a Mount Union threat that cut the lead to 24-21 in the fourth quarter. The Mount Union Purple Raiders had a 37-game winning streak going into the game.

Mount Union had previously won 9 NCAA Division III championships. Too bad, ya bastards. GO WARHAWKS! Class of '86 rules!

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"Promise you will always remember me".

"Promise you will always remember me". That was Christopher Robin talking to Pooh. I alluded to this subject briefly in the post below. Being in California, it’s difficult to keep in touch – particularly face-to-face – with many of my friends whom I would choose to remain close with. Time and distance can have such an eroding effect our relationships, don't you agree? These thoughts are a constant with me. Funny how at one time two people are as thick as thieves, and suddenly neither of them knows the other exists. People move away, make new friends, get married, have kids, make more new friends or simply drop off the face of the earth. We ALL have them - people we've bonded with while growing up, while attending high school or college, family members, work/social acquaintances. Even some friends in CA I don't see nearly as much as I would like - believe me, it can be hell getting around here. Now don't get me wrong - I'm very lucky and my life is rich with the friends I am in contact with. But it's healthy to take stock in the things that matter to you most - and family and friendship ARE the most important thing to me. I have friends – and you know who you are – that I’m lucky to see once or twice a year when I go home to Wisconsin, either during my May fishing trip or around the Christmas holidays, visiting my home state, IA and IL. Most of these I'm in touch with over the phone or by email throughout the year, but it’s never enough. Then there are friends I'm in contact with via phone or email but that's all. That too is never enough.

I had my college reunion in October last year and my high school reunion in February and like my other classmates, I reminisced. You conjure up the good ole days with some folk and that's the extent of the reunion. But then there are others who are different – you pick up where you left off and you can talk about anything and not miss a beat. And those people - those I would not miss a beat with – are mentioned below. Perhaps I've been in and out of touch with you and I apologize. Know that I think of you often and that you are my special friends that I rarely get to see (if ever) but that when we do meet up, our “reunion” is as if we were never apart. You are my friends regardless of how often we see each other, or talk on the phone or email. I put this post up in haste, so if inadvertently missed you, do not take offense – I will revisit this writing. If people think it's odd of me to write down such things, let'm. Some people wear a badge of honor – this list is a badge, of sorts...an honor roll of friendship.

Eddie Wavro, Chris & Doreen Van Els, Jim Scharnburg, Mark Stanek, Kim Ellie, Jay/Tim/Wade Labecki, a number of my cousins on both sides of the family & family members, in general (way too many to mention), Ned Zoelle, Cameron Bruce, Kenny Wiemer, Ben from UW-Milwaukee, Steve Gresl, Tom Surges, Tom Millonig, Dave Wanta, Paul Voeller, Mark & Kim Totty, John Bell, Caryn Burkhardt, Echo Gaffney, Gerry Krause, Todd Peterson, Deanna Long, Damon Cole, Richard Barker, Lisa Clark, Mel & Linda Clark, Mike and Tracey Clark, Lee Hayden, Lisa Bohn, Jim & Patty Klika, Kurt Roller, Col. Marcy Steinke, Julie Stelling, Lisa in Newport Beach, Sherri & Tom Brisch, Jeff Jeanpierre, Doug Lorretto in IL, Ray Smith, Susie Streit, Pat & Sandy Gilpin, Rip & Janice Russell, Jody Hovland, Ron Clark, the Stuehn’s, the Olson’s, Saad, Ed Cotter, Dave Parke, Dan Forrest, Dan Velicer, Dave Stauffacher, Rich Inman, John Mamerow, David Ellie, Chris Korman, Kenny Koepsel, the Pilot brothers, Bishop Tom Skrenes, Greg Amborn, Tex, Bob Wade, the Ircink’s in Spokane, Eddie Hale, Jack Saunders, Gary Sauders, and Ken & Michelle Burke.

Three more names – Jeff Hall, Doug Boden(?) (ex-Lamer's bus driver in Milwaukee), and Keith from New York who I met when I moved to North Hollywood. You three are the most elusive as I have no way of knowing where you are or how to get in touch with you.

YOU are all special people to me, and I wish you were all here with me right now.

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Jim Sickels.

Jim Sickels is one of my closest friends from college. That's Ashley and Ryan - the oldest, Morgan, is missing. I introduced him and wife, Sandy, while at school. I'm very proud of that - and the kids are wonderful. I met Jim while we were resident assistants together. He took a semester off school for some military sojourn and Tom Kazar took his place, another one of my closest friends. If I were stranded in, let's say the woods, in a survivalist mode, I'd want Jim Sickels there with me - along with Jim Keller, another close theater buddy from Iowa (ex-military as well), my brother, Jason, and my 2nd cousin Gerry Kraus. Talk about outdoorsman...four of the best. With these guys watching my back, I would tackle just about any outdoor activity. Red Dawn - eat your heart out!

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