It's been a while, eh? Last time I tippity-tappity-typed away was the week before the GREEN BAY PACKERS WON THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm in one of those pour-out-your-thoughts moods. And tonight, I have nothing but good thoughts. Life has been rather wonderful lately, and I can honestly say that I'm the happiest I've ever been in my adult life. (In a way, it's kind of pathetic, lol. But hey, I'm happy!)
I've got a lot of things about which to update all three of my readers.
So since January, the Packers brought Lombardi back to Titletown, Chris got a new job, the Brewers took over first place (twice), and much more! Well, not really much more, but a bit. Here goes...
So after the Packers showed the Steelers how it's done, I went out to celebrate. I had a great time with my friend Sarah and a couple of her friends. I miss hanging out with her; it's been a while. She's pretty awesome.
Now, skip to May right quick. A friend of mine, by the name of "Dale" (to whom I'm greatly in debt for the opportunity) recommended me for a job at his place of work. I came in for a trial day, and apparently they liked me, because I'm still there almost two months later. I'm now a chef at McGonigal's Pub and Park Avenue Wine Bar in downtown Barrington, IL. Our kitchen serves both restaurants, a traditional Irish pub and a higher-end wine bar. I really enjoy my job and the people with whom I work. It can be rather demanding on my feet and knees, but the reward is worth it (knowledge, experience, and MONEY!); if I want to sit down more than once during a shift, I have to go take a poo.
Now I haven't put this in written/typed form yet, so here goes a little something I've been thinking about for the past year or so but has come more and more evident in my mind over the last few months:
I want to open my own restaurant. Finally, after 26 years on this beautiful planet, I've realized what I actually want to do in life. I want my own place, full of yummy goodness and creativity. Now, this won't be any ordinary restaurant. This will be an American-style joint with a brewery attached! I'll run the restaurant while my twin brother, Mark, runs the brewery. I want a restaurant; he wants a brewery. Why not combine the two! A few names have come to mind, the most prominent and agreed-upon being Twin Brothers Brewpub. (Although my dad thought of Paka's Brewpub. Has a nice ring to it, not gonna lie.)
Now there's going to be a staple to my restaurant: burgers. I love experimenting with burgers. Name an item you want on your burger, and, chances are, we'll have it and gladly put it on a bun for you.
Now, with an American-style place, you can't just have burgers. You need fries, brats, salads, sandwiches, etc. But you know what an American-style restaurant really needs? That's right, you guessed it. A fish fry! And it won't just be any old fish fry. Our beer batter will be made with one of Mark's delicious beers! And say you want to drink the beer that went into that beer batter. Well you know what? You can! Is there a better way to wash down a delicious Wisconsin-style fish fry (is there any other way?) than with the delicious, made-on-site beer that's in the batter? Didn't think so.
And besides buying him drinks, my buddy "Dale" will be my Executive Chef, and he'll collaborate with me on the menu. Gotta give something back for giving me this opportunity at my current job, right?
Here's a little story about "Dale": "Dale" and I played hockey together for a year in high school. We essentially just coexisted on the ice. We hung out a bit a few years later. Then shit hit the fan, and we didn't talk for a while. Then, out of the blue, I see this guy at the bar, and despite the things said in the past, we talked. From there came a renewed friendship, and then later on, a job opportunity, which I jumped on and took full advantage of. Now, "Dale" and I are pretty good friends, I'd say, and he's been great through this entire process. And in turn for his teaching and training me in this new kitchen, I've taken him under my wing on the pool table and the dart board. Sure, I let him win on occasion in both, but the teacher still has to maintain his dominance.
But in all seriousness, thank you, Dave. You've been great, and I hope this friendship and companionship continue. You're good people, brah. Chelluh.
Okay, back to my (what will be) beautiful brewpub. There will be a pool table. There's no debating that topic. Unless you want to lose, of course. There will be delicious beer on tap, including the collection of our very own Mark Lukas. Mark will also have a burger named after him on our menu. The details of said burger shan't be enclosed, in fear of one (or all) of my three readers stealing the idea. I'm onto you! (Hint: It involves fries and cheese.)
Okay, switching topics now. How do you like that for my segway? Smooth, ain't it?
So keeping on board with the whole "changes" aspect here, I'd like to gladly announce that my brother and I have broken silence after almost two years. Things aren't all peachy-keen, but at least non-hateful words are exchanged. Everyone is happy to hear this, but no one more than my parents could be happier. I don't really want to get into too much detail with this; it's a rather sensitive subject to me. But I just wanted to let out the basics. And it's a segway to my next topic...
Next topic: Life is good.
Here comes the next topic. Are you ready? Are you sure you're ready? Positive? Okay. Here goes.
Are you 100 percent sure? Really? Really? No, really? Are you annoyed yet?
So with this new job (Thanks, Dale!), I've change my inner-me. I'm happier now. I'm more vibrant. I'm more focused. I'm more forgiving. But at the same time, I'm quick to eliminate those who bring me down. That may be harsh on my part, but I will not sit around and tolerate those who aim (intentionally or not) to bring me down. I'm happy. I enjoy being happy. I think it's safe to say, I'm happy that I'm happy. (Holy redundance, Batman! Is redundance a word?)
I'm working a job I love. I'm hanging out with people I enjoy. I'm still playing hockey, which, if you know me at all, you know it's my passion. But I'm playing defense instead of goalie! I'm learning something new and intriguing, and I love it! I'm actually kinda good at it, for only doing it for a few months. At least, in my mind I am. I do, however, miss playing goalie. And when (if) my knee heals up and rehabs correctly, I'll get back in net. But in the meantime, I'll continue to grow and learn on the ice in a position that makes sense in my head, but is still being molded physically.
So as I stated before, I'm completely happy for the first time in my adult life. There's only one piece of the puzzle missing: someone with whom to share this happiness. It's really not a necessity right now, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it. Nonetheless, things are excellent. The only blemish really isn't much of a blemish. I really don't mind being single. I mean, it's only been over three-and-a-half years since I last had a girlfriend. Only three-and-a-half years. I'm content where I am currently. Hell, I'm super happy where I am. Throw "content" out the window.
I'm confident that in due time, someone will help me share the wondrous life that I'm presently living. It's a splendiferous thing when you don't dread going to work. I get paid to learn and grow and make awesome food. The only downside: I can't eat everything I make. Lucky customers.
Oh, before I go, I wanted to share something regarding my restaurant. There's a benefit to having a large family. And here's why:
David: manager, business plan writer
Andy: accountant
Ben: remodeling, maintenance
Mark: brewery
Dad: loan knowledge, old-man expertise
Mom: awesome recipes
Okay, I'm tired and going to bed. What an abrupt end to a lengthy blog entry. Aren't you upset and sad? I'm not. I'm tired. I also have to pee, so I'll do that first. Then sleep. I love sleep. Maybe I'll post more often. I guess time will tell, eh?
P.S. - I almost forgot the best update of all! Mark's home! It sucks that he had to leave Montana and all the new friends he met there, but it's great to have him back home. Now this also means that my trip out to Montana in August is now a no-go, which I was going to do instead of the annual trip to Hunky Dory with the fam. This year will mark the 24th consecutive trip to Hunky Dory for the Lukas family. Unfortunately, this year will also mark the first year which I will not be able to go, since it was too late to ask off work by the time Mark decided to move home. While fairly disappointed that I will not be able to go to Hunky Dory this year (or Montana, which I've seen in winter and would love to see in summer), I'd much rather take seeing Mark's hairy face every day over a vacation, whether it be the first trip or the 24th trip. My best friend is back. And to me, that's a rather wonderful thing. And you can't put a price tag on that or substitute it with anything. I really wish I could explain how great it is to have a twin. There's no person I'd rather spend time with than my twin brother. He is I and I am him. Somos son juntos. We are together. Again. And this brings me to my final point, a simple point which sums up this entire post:
Life is good.
