About an hour and a half north of Chicago, there's a magical place called Milwaukee; here, settled around some awesome architecture, on streets with funny names, along a lake that you should swim in at your own risk, there are people of all different backgrounds calling this city home. Whether you're born and raised in 'the 414' or you made your way here otherwise, there are a few things us Milwaukeeans know all too well.
1. There are more reasons to go to a Brewer game than the baseball.
If one hasn't tailgated at Miller Park, have they ever really tailgated?
2. That being said, choosing the winning sausage is a science.
A science we dedicate ourselves to around the sixth inning.
3. David Gruber is our city mascot.
He's on our TVs, he's on our billboards, he's at our sporting events. "One call...that's all!"
4. Potholes are a close second for that mascot position.
"No, officer, I was swerving to avoid the potholes."
5. Where to find and pose with the Fonz.
And, of course, how to pose with him.
6. And where to find a Bloody Mary that includes a full hamburger or a whole fried chicken as a topping.
This adventure requires preparation.
7. What people mean when they say 'KK' or 'Oak and Loc'.
No, we aren't speaking robot. We also use landmarks for directions.
8. Or what an 'Oconomowoc', a 'Wauwatosa', or a 'Waukesha' is.
Hint: They're not Pokemon.
9. We have a mobile minister, whose car is commonly referred to as the 'Jesus Mobile'.
Brother Ron has been going 35 years strong, complete with giant speakers on the top to spread the word.
10. There's a HUGE difference between a hot dog, a sausage, and a good ol' brat.
Learn it. Live it. Eat it. Love it.
11. On Friday's we wear our fish fry clothes.
Can you say "beer battered"?
12. Most of us are either Team Kopp's or Team Leon's.
Some of us are risky and like them both.
13. When it's not winter, it's construction season.
And sometimes, we get lucky and the traffic barrels stay out year-round.
14. But when it does get warm, there are more people on Bradford Beach than there are grains of sand.
College kids. College kids everywhere.
15. That fishy smell as you drive over the Hoan Bridge.
It's even better than it sounds...
16. Summer also means festivals. Festivals every weekend.
Not only do we host "The World's Largest Music Festival", but just about every other festival too.
17. And March means the Shamrock Shuffle.
Some shuffle, some stumble, some crawl.
18. Bay View, Riverwest, and Walker's Point aren't actually cities.
Note: Some of their residents might think they are.
19. Lake Park is a Pokemon goldmine.
And one of the few places in Milwaukee where you can find something other than a Rattata.
20. 4/14 is actually celebrated as Milwaukee Day.
Yes, I'm serious.
21. You can try to deny it, but we're all at least a little proud to be Milwaukeeans.
Milwaukee isn't perfect, but it is home.
