American Holiday

Mr. Reed making his move back to MKE - Watch out guys!
The then unmarried happy couple rollin' on the river.
The Gimbel brothers listen attentively to the wedding planner

Josh and Elijah - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

The elder Gimbel's all spiffed up.

Separated at birth?

The merger of giants.
Beautiful women all dressed up.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Wagner ready to go to Italy.

Recently returned from a 2.5 week trip to the US and haven't had a posting opportunity. Visited LA and Milwaukee. Filled my face with food, family and friends.


In LA I managed to have Mexican food about 5 times in 3 days, burgers, pizza and even a spectacular Cuban meal at Versailles Restaurant on Venice Blvd (http://www.versaillescuban.com/index.html). We had the Cuban dinner on the way to the airport for our 11PM flight home. Sophia and I and the Whinery clan - Ed, Fran, Jon, Vanessa, Chris (honorary Whinery), Eric and adorable Antony and Bela dinner in the loud and crowded place. The food was bountiful, full of garlic and great. Too bad for the other folks in business class on Thai Arline's that night as I assume we oozed garlic out of our pores for the entire 16 hour flight!

The Milwaukee leg of the trip was marked by the gala wedding of Benji and Rachel. It was a spectacular day (even though it rained). The service was lovely as I stood in as the world's oldest groomsman. The dinner and dancing was first class. The Pilot House at Discovery World is a great venue. Situated on Lake Michigan with a 360 degree view the room was perfect for the event. http://www.discoveryworld.org/ . As an aside, well known Milwaukee politico and former lackey and bottle washer for yours truly at Miller Brewing Company, Joel Brennan, is about to become the CEO of the place.

Anyway the Milwaukee week was action packed - Tuesday - family boat trip. Party boat piloted by my dad - no personal injuries and only minimal property damage. Wednesday - dinner at My brother's - just his family, Rachel and Benji and me and Sophia, great food and a relaxing good time. Thursday - late dinner with mom and Jack as they pulled into Milwaukee for the big event - a bonus visit! Also had a quick visit with my old friend, old boss, banter buddy Tom Reed. Friday - rehearsal dinner, a mob of out of towner's and relatives, many of whom I hadn't seen in a long time. fun to catch up. Saturday - the big day! Sunday - the after wedding brunch, all the mutuals were shared.


One big take away is that I wish I had put together a hand out sheet of talking points on life in Singapore. I must have answered the same questions over 100 times. Don't get me wrong I like to talk and I am excited to tell my story but a sheet of a few key bullet points would have helped

• Lived in Singapore over a year now


• Love the job


• Love Asia and enjoy Singapore


• Yes they speak English there


• Sophia likes it too


• The food is great


• We have been to Viet Nam, China, Thailand, India and many more places


• We hope to be there at least three years


• It's very hot and humid - always


• Please come visit, but call first....
  

After the wedding Sophia went back to LA and I hung out in Milwaukee. got in a Brewer and White Sox game, a few more hearty meaty meals - steak, beef, pizza. Hung with Noah and watched about 10 episodes of my new favorite show "Flight of the Concord's" (will probably be in in Singapore in 2010 and also squeezed in a trip to Northfield and Kraft HQ.

We arrived back home safely and soundly and are now getting back into the Asian groove.