"Quote of the Day"

"Jon Baas is the Jimmy Stewart of Milwaukee bloggers. In a blogging world where cynicism and sarcasm are common, this freelance artist writes with alacrity, wishing readers a blessed day."
-- Dan Curran ("Milwaukee Magazine")

I came across this quote today (published a few years ago), and thought I'd share. It made me smile. And I like smiling. Maybe I should make this my new tag line? :)

Have a wonderful Monday all! Tomorrow is a brand new month.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:32 PM  I   I  0 comments

"The Cardboard Tube Fighting League"

The Cardboard Tube Fighting League is a global organization that hosts cardboard tube based events in Seattle, San Francisco, and Sydney, Australia. The CTFL hosts tournaments and battles where cardboard tube fighters go head-to-head in an attempt to break their opponents tube without breaking their own.

The events also focus on cardboard costumes and theatrics. These events are often held at public parks throughout the summer, are open to everyone ages 5 and up, and emphasize fun over competition. Cardboard tubes are provided and all events are free for participants.

Sounds like fun! Where can I sign up? :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:09 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Toilet Paper Roll Sculptures"

Since childhood, Junior Fritz Jacquet has been fascinated by paper. He explores and experiments with different techniques of folding and crumpling it to create new objects that decorate his life. Here's a collection of work derived solely from toilet paper rolls. Enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:39 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Thursday in Review"

Woke up. Surfed the net. Listened to the rain outdoors. Helped replace fluorescent lighting fixtures. Showered by broken glass. Swept it up. Showered by electrical sparks -- three times. Careful to minimize future showers. Ran out of supplies mid-afternoon. Called it a day. Had dinner at a local Chinese buffet. Loved the sweet beef BBQ; very tasty! Returned home. Talked to Kelli on the phone. Relaxing for the rest of the night.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:35 PM  I   I  0 comments

"T-Shirt Thursday: Patriotic Hearts"

In an effort to show off some of my popular (or new) t-shirts, artwork, and gift ideas exclusive to my online store, Jon Baas Designs, I've decided to feature a few of them here on my blog every Thursday. I call it, "T-Shirt Thursday". Feel free to comment, and enjoy!

Today's Featured Designs:
(click on each image to see available products)


More T-shirts & Gifts: .... Patriotic Heart T-shirts .... Patriotic/Military Pride T-shirts

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:09 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Wednesday in Review"

Woke up. Surfed Wikipedia. Left home to do outdoor work. Helped trim bushes, tall weeds, and other shrubbery. Spent the day engaged in landscaping. Gained a blanket of sunscreen, sweat, and dirt. Enjoyed a tasty Italian beef sandwich for dinner. Returned home around 7:30pm. Showered. Talked to Kelli on the phone (until she fell asleep). Working on a number of small projects. Going to bed in a few hours.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:47 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Playing Catch-up"

This past weekend, Kelli came down for a visit. This was her last weekend before school starts (today is her first day), and she wanted to get away from the stress for a while. On Thursday night, she came down -- we hung out through Sunday, watched some movies, took a walk, and enjoyed a relaxing few days together.

She's returned home to Brillion now, and as of this writing, is probably herding around thirteen excitable kindergarten kids (9 of which are boys. Oi!). And, not only that, this year, she's the administrator of a new Early Childhood Program as well (aka, 23 4-year-olds!). So, it's a safe bet she'll probably be rather exhausted by the end of the day.

I'm pulling for her, though -- hoping she can make it though the day with less stress than anticipated. She's a strong woman, I know she'll do just fine. I just think about her. In the meantime, however, down here in Milwaukee.... I'm off to a day of maintenance and outside work (for my landlord). Should be fun! Hopefully.

Wherever YOU are, here's hoping YOUR Wednesday is a good one as well. When I get back later this afternoon (or evening), I'll post more, so stay tuned. I'm back to blogging. Daily posts. Frequent musings. Just like old times. Don't go anywhere. :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:10 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Blogging Motivation"

Bear with me folks. I haven't been in much of a blogging mood lately, and I can't pin-point why. Life isn't treating me poorly. Not by a longshot. Things are positive, I'm keeping busy, and I have no major complaints worth sharing. I just haven't been too motivated to write lately. But I'm working on that. And I'll find my groove again. I promise.

For now, don't give up on me. This blog is NOT dead. I'm just in a blogging rut, and I'm slowly working my way back out. We'll get back to the good stuff shortly. Before long I'll be keeping your eyes busy again. So stick around. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not going anywhere. :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:57 AM  I   I  0 comments

"NEWS: Milwaukee Mayor Attacked"

Milwaukee made national news today.

Yesterday, after visiting the Wisconsin State Fair with his family, Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett stopped to help a woman who was screaming for help. According to the police report, she was trying to protect her 1-year-old granddaughter from a 20-year-old man. Barrett confronted the intoxicated man.... and was beaten with a lead pipe.

Barrett, 55, is in stable condition at a local hospital with a fractured hand and head wounds. The woman and baby were unharmed; the 20-year-old man was arrested earlier today.

Here's wishing Barrett a swift and speedy recovery.

"Milwaukee mayor hospitalized after pipe attack"

-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:19 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Tuesday in Review"

Got up around noon. Showered. Worked on my computer for a while. Went and got my hair cut. Returned home and watched the last half of "Stardust" (I watched the first half last night). Worked some more. Went to see "Star Trek" in the theater with Scott and my friend Rachel. Stopped at a local custard place for an ice cream sundae. Raspberry... Mmmm! Sat outside in the cool evening air and chatted. Came home. Tired. Going to bed shortly.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:52 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death."
-- Robert Fulghum

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:44 PM  I   I  0 comments

"150 Things To Do When You're Bored"

Whether you're a kid, or just a kid at heart (like me!), here are 150 boredom busters to get you through the down times when you don't know what to do. Enjoy, and have fun!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:36 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Le Wrath di Kahn"

I feel like letting my inner geek out this evening, so.... here's something fun for your viewing pleasure. It's Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn -- as an Italian Opera. Le Wrath di Kahn. Courtesy of Robot Chicken. Enjoy! ... [links & video]

-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:05 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Rain and Humidity"

Yesterday the temperature was 70-80 degress, and it rained. Not a bad day. Today, the rain has been off and on -- with thunderstorms -- and the temperature has been very humid and in the 90's. Tonight more scattered thunderstorms are predicted, and "some may be locally strong to severe". Hail and strong winds could be possible.

It's been an interesting weekend. Especially for those at the State Fair.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:42 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Wisconsin State Fair 2009"

Today is the first day of the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair. Located in my neighborhood (only 8 blocks from where I live), the State Fair features everything you would expect from Wisconsin -- prize-winning livestock, local beer, heart-stopping quantities of sausage, brats, fried cheese, cream puffs, etc. It's an eleven-day celebration of summer fun, and runs from August 6-16.

And to make things even more interesting, this year's unique food attraction is one you wouldn't expect: chocolate-covered bacon... on a stick. Salty and sweet, it's already become a favorite on the first day! But it's only one of 45 unique foods on a stick offered at the Fair this year. You're probably going to have to loosen your belt a little. :)

Other foods on the stick include: cheesecake, deep-fried Oreo cookies, fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chilled cookie dough, cherry pie, Reuben sandwiches, and deep-fried cheese.

Here's to the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair! May it have beautiful weather, warm days, record crowds, and plenty of memorable fun for all!

"Fair Offers Chocolate-Covered Bacon" ... [video]

"List: Wisconsin State Fair Food on a Stick"

WISN News: Wisconsin State Fair

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:18 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Miss Kelli +1"

Happy Birthday to my wonderful fiancee, Kelli! Today she celebrates another year of life. And today, she does so for the last time as an unmarried woman. On July 10, 2010 (aka, next summer), she and I will be tying the knot, and less than a month later, I will have the honor of celebrating her next birthday -- as her husband.

Happy Birthday, Beautiful!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:34 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Back in Milwaukee"

Good morning all! Happy Thursday!

I'm back in Milwaukee again after a wonderful weekend spent up north in Brillion with my fiancee and soon-to-be-inlaws. It just so happened too, that my Marine brother Ben was visiting in the area, so I got to spend a little time with him too. We returned to Milwaukee together on Tuesday, he spent the night, and yesterday, he continued westward toward Minneapolis.

I myself spent the day painting in two more apartments. Today, I'll be finishing off the second. After that, I'm home this weekend. It'll be back to blogging, working, (and a little play too!) for me.

Here's hoping all of you are doing well. Drop me a blog comment sometime, send me an email, visit my forum, or say hi on Facebook. I won't bite. I promise. :)

In the meantime, though, have a wonderful Thursday! I'll be back this afternoon.

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:26 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Brillion Bound"

Another weekend, another trip to Brillion! Yep! Today I'm taking the bus north to see my Kelli for the weekend. And this time, her parents will be in town. I'll get to hang out with them too! I might even see my sister and brother in the mix as well, so... this should be a very enjoyable few days!

I'll be back in Milwaukee on Tuesday (later in the evening), and I may or may not blog before that (while in Brillion). Either way, though, stick around. Unlike the past two weeks, blogging WILL resume once I return.

So, have a great weekend all. I'll see you soon!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:48 AM  I   I  0 comments