2006 - Year in Review!

January
came in with bang and a Gentle Hand. BONYE was a hit and soon to be a tradition. Within the first hours of the New Year, Felecia rejected my (drunken) marriage proposal and I decided that 2006 would not be the year for love.
Got lost on my first trip to Milwaukee's NAACP. Asked for directions at the King library, but the only person who could help me was the other white person. What gives?
Visited KT in DC. Began thinking about moving and finding a new job.

February
was wicked cold and I spent a good deal of time inside. Saw Prairie Home Companion in Milwaukee and Wicked in Chicago. Managed to not sing along to either show.
No snow.

March
began with my first retreat at my new church. Afterwards I felt much more a part of the congregation.
With my new Milwaukee coterie, I saw quite a few concerts - David Gray, Aqualung, Nickel Creek, Ditty Bops, and the 5 Browns.
Played tennis for the first time this season. Made plans to play often.
Played tennis for the last time this season.

April
was very busy in the office. And I kicked up my studying campaign for the May exam.
Tap Danced my way through every Thursday night.
Golf lessons on Saturday mornings.
Not selected for jury duty.
Saw my most wide-spread, "acceptable" public drunkness ever, at Brewers Opening Day.

May
Exam! But very busy at work. Did not study nearly enough, and expected not to pass.
Went home for my great aunt and uncle's 60th wedding anniversary. Danced and drank with the family.
Visited Minneapolis with Christie and Jake. Considered moving there.

June
started with Riversplash, the official kick-off of the summer festival series of Milwaukee. This was my third attendance at Riversplash, but this time I had friends who went with me! Sang along with Milwaukee classics such as "Sex and Beer" and "Tonight (I'm Gonna Ruin my Life)."
Met the intern. Was the first person in my office to tell him, "Shut up" and "You don't know what you're talking about."
Bed bugs moved into our apartment. Jake moved out.
Still believed in the Brewers.

July
brought the end of the strawberry season. I made jam.
Rush tribute band!
Exam results came back positive. Yea! I'm a third level actuary and can now learn stronger spells to fight the orcs.
Beat all four sausages in the 5K Sausage Run.

August
J and Lindsay visit Milwaukee. Watch sows give birth at the State Fair. The piano-player hits on Christie at the dueling piano bar. She doesn't discourage him. We toast "to bad decisions".
New apartment. No bed bugs!
Attend a coworker's pool party. Leave before the naked chicken fights.

September
Visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles. See Tom and Ray and Cory. Miss my friends and wish that they still lived in the room next door.
Puked on a plane. Twice.

October
Study, Study, Study.
Weekly parties, but I behaved.
Organized my office to volunteer at a local soup kitchen. We served 300+ dinners. Learned good things about my coworkers.
Aunt Virginia died (not unexpectedly), but I was reminded of the worst part of living so far away from home.

November
hosted another actuarial exam. I smuggled my answers out of the room and when compared them to the posted solution, reasoned that I probably did not pass.
Julie still in town.
Aunt Sharon died. Her local newspaper allows people to leave messages under her obituary online. As a teacher (of Latin!) magistra, she had many messages from previous and current students. This made me reevaluate my current career path.
Dan Goldin Day brings about new traditions such as being turned away at the door of the brewery tour and making cool new friends. This year was Adrienne and Trevor.
Hosted a chili dinner for the young adults at the church. Realize that there are some other young adults at the church!

December
began with a big snowstorm. Company holiday party was a blast. Because I could walk to it, I definitely had the most to drink. Luckily I was also the photographer, so there aren't many pictures to commemorate my shenanigans.
Attended my first baby shower.
Visited PA for Chirstmas.
Prepared for PhilONYE.