Racine, Wisconsin

Right on Lake Michigan—which I never saw!

We ate, we listened, we danced. All Racine, Wisconsin style.

Overall a quick but highly entertaining trip!

Racine, Wisconsin is the home to the annual $100 Hot Dog at Lakeside Curative. A great lesson learned in the storybook of my life! And a very fun work day filled with pictures, chatting and dancing! LOVED IT!

We had a FABULOUS Mexican dinner at Jose’s Blue Sombraro where they made “Tornados”– a margarita and sangria combo. I was hesitant at first but some guys at the bar—who actually studied at Eugene O’Neil Theatre in New London, CT, small world– highly suggested them. So, when in Racine! They were awesome. Craving one to this day.

I also got a little bit of puppy love at a local pet shop. Craving a little pet action (no animals on the road, although we suggested that our bosses allow us to cart around a team daschund…cute idea, huh?…they aren’t buying it) we mad a pit stop at a local pet shop.

When they realized who I was (yeaaaa celebrity status) they let me chose any puppy I wanted to play with! And of course, in the spirit of my job I chose the hot dog dog. I named him Frank. Meet Frank:

And yes I kiss puppies. Some people think it’s weird. Too bad!

So after a little puppy lovin’ my co-worker (total BAND GEEK, haha! She knows it!) convinced me to attend a Drum Corps.

Say What?!

This better be like Nick Cannon in “Drumline.”

Well, after the pricey admission–$10 to see ,what I thought would be glorified marching bands— I must admit I had a good time. These teams float across the field while playing instruments—you have to see it to believe it. They run around in full sprint WITH a Tuba. It’s not your “typical” halftime show. It’s like halftime show on crack. My favorite team and a team I met (yea i know some drum Corps people!) were none other than the Boston Crusaders. So I am now a fan. Even after that crazy $10 price tag…geeeeesh.

We then topped off the night by getting locked out of our hotel rooms. Which happens all the time to us.

WHY, WHY, WHY?! are hotel key cards shaped like credit cards if credit cards DEACTIVATE THEM. They also fit perfectly next to, inside of and JUST plain NEAR cell phones. Which ALSO deactivate them. Awesome. After our long day of work, food and drum corps watching, we were stranded in the hallway of the Racine Marriott waiting to be permitted the access to sleep .

And don’t just think we are lazy. This particualr hotel was shaped like a GIANT L. We were at one end of the L and the main desk was on the other end. As was the elevator to get there. Not a good design. At. All.

So, bring on the bell boy.

As I lay, defeated by my hotel key, in my “I Survived Hot Dog Day” t-shirt.