Today is my last day in Madison - the end of an era.
Last night was my going away party and surprisingly, I'm not too hung over. I can't believe the number of people that showed up last night. A blend of the new and old Fiskars crew, some very cool German folks, and who could forget the many boys from the past. Thanks to everyone who came out. It meant so much to me. I love you guys and wish I could bring you back to California with me.
Benko, I'm going to miss your Pad, but not your cats. Mays, Thanks for the symbolic butterflies, Luc - Thanks for the Martinis, Tim - thanks for the laughs, Webteam - thanks for just being there, Gays - thanks for just being the crazy mo-fos that you are, Kiersten - Don't let Noah forget his Masi - Schwake, thanks for representing the Port-O-Party, Greta, we'll always have Helsinki.
It was such a magnificent fall day today so I decided to drive to downtown and walk down the famous State Street one last time as a resident of Wisconsin. As I drove down John Nolen, I took in my favorite view of this aesthetically magnificent downtown. Looking over Lake Monona, I could see the Roman arch shaped windows of Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Monona Terrace. The lake looked calm deep blue reflecting off the clear sky. Finally, I could see the Capitol Dome without it being surrounded by cranes.
I found rockstar parking on Gillman, and walked toward State Street. State street was alive with street musicians, students, and probably a tourist or two. I thought, what a great place this must be for college students.
As I walked down this microcosm of Madison, I couldn't help but think of all the good times I have had here...
Three's Company (Yes, I was Jack...) - we had many lemon drops at State Street Brats, Johnny O's and Bullfeathers. Remembering Wando's conjured up memories of me yelling at the bouncer for not letting the 'Gays' in. Boy, I will get my butt kicked one day if I don't keep my mouth shut.
I walked pass Paul's club - where the only boyfriend I had here would come with me and his friends. I learned how to snowboard while taking a trip to Utah with them although I don't think I ever made 'Varsity.' However, there were many great memories from that time.
Passing by the stench of stale beer and I knew - I was near what Benko likes to call 'The Pube.' Somehow, you always had a good time there because Rufus would hook you up.
After those nights, it was inevitable to get something greasy to eat. Whether it was Pauli and me at Taco Bell or the entire crew at Casa. And somehow, I always bumped into Jeramiah!
As I passed the Walgreen's on Lake and State, I had to walk in and buy a disposable camera to capture one last still picture of the capitol building peaking through the endless brown and orange trees.
Who could forget the crazy Badger tailgates? My fondest memory was waking up to a cleaning bell in the Frank Lloyd Wright mansion.
But I digress. I have to mention and will probably never forget the Dry Bean, Cherry Pie, Quaker Steak and Lube, and Kitt's Korner. Shout out to the West Side!
I may have talked a lot of smack about this town, but it is now and will always be a part of me. I've grown thicker skin and I think, just maybe, that Madison benefited from having a loud little Indian girl to shake things up.
Madison Wisconsin will stick in my memory databank like an old boyfriend or a sentimental old t-shirt that I could never throw away or a best friend that I loved and hated at the same time. Times were good and bad, sometimes extremely good or equally bad. But everyone should do this once in their life if they can. Test yourself, take a risk, push boundaries, try something that you have never tried before and get out of your comfort zone.
Madison, Wisconsin - as much as I love(d) to bitch about you, when I leave here, I promise - I got your back. And thanks for hooking me up with Chicago.
