|
Winter, WIAug 20, 2005
|
|
From left: Jim, Al, Karl and Jeff
The "Taj Ma-crapper"
| Al Wortz and Karl Tremmel worked with us at META Group (they were in sales with Jim). Al is now with Gartner and Karl works for Gelco. Al and Karl have been friends for years, pre-dating META. In fact Al, another former colleague (Mark Lindwall, who wasn't in Winter this particular weekend) and Jeff (who you see in some of the pictures) went to high school together. These guys have been friends for AGES; they're more like brothers. So when Jim and I decided to hang out with Al, we were assuming we'd visit him where he lives in Sheboygan, WI. He mentioned that the guys would be up at their hunting cabin in Winter that weekend, so I promptly invited us and Al was gracious enough to let me think it was his idea. The cabin is a work in progress as the guys have been designing and building it themselves for the past few years. Karl is the construction brains behind the operation and Al and Jeff are the brawn. They were there that weekend building a permanent outhouse (there's no water for plumbing as the guys haven't yet dug a well) in advance of hunting season. We have never seen an outhouse this lavish: 4 foot deep concrete foundation, lighting, heating (which can both be switched on from inside the cabin to heat the building before you go in) and there's a rumor they're now pursuing a heated toilet seat. Al refers to this new outhouse as the "Taj Ma-crapper" and it's truly a thing of beauty, as commodes go. The cabin is jointly owned among the guys. Some own it legally and others own it via their sweat equity. Given that these guys are like brothers, it really doesn't matter who legally owns what, but the reason the property was purchased to begin with has a lot to do with Al's camper and deer stand getting stolen, a little to do with Al falling out of a tree and something to do with not wanting to ever risk missing opening day of deer hunting season again. It's a long, hilarious story that has to be told en masse over dinner of venison and calico baked beans (thanks, Al) and a camp fire. The bottom line is that if you're ever in Winter, WI at night, in the woods, be on the lookout for several inebriated gentlemen ridin' their ATVs and shootin' their guns at trees. Now, if it happens to be the opening day of deer hunting season, be especially scared, because opening day is akin to a religious experience. Oh, and we don't anybody who might be doing this... Thank you Al, Karl and Jeff for being such great hosts. |
Advertisement 
|
