I want to let everyone in on some bad news that I just heard. I called my dad this morning and he said that the 4th of July Committee called him down at the VFW this morning to tell them to cancel any events that were planned for down there. He said that the 4th of July Committee has decided not to go forward with this year's celebration.

What he was told, is that there is not enough funding for this year's events. With the increase in prices of gas and other items they felt they couldn't hold any of the events. Also, they were lacking on volunteers, so they decided to cancel this year's events.

He was told that they are teaming with Wakefield for the parade and fireworks over Sunday Lake, but this is all that will be happening in the area this year.

HOBO Breth and Sis'th-

As you all know, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics took place in Muskego last weekend. However, due to the -30 degree temperatures, the plunging was limited to head dunking in a kiddie pool. The HOBOs taking part in this plunge, although happy to do it for charity, were a little disappointed that there would be no "rice and raisins" for a good cause. We then heard about the Hatch directly afterward, which made things even more disappointing.

So, The Gregas and I have decided that we're going to do it one more time here in Green Bay on February 23rd....and I hope there are more than just us two cocktalers!

HOBOs, dig into those wallets and purses one more time and donate whatever you can. And, if you want, join the team! We could always use one more plunger for the cause. Plus, we tend to make a weekend out of it and good times are abounding.

Here is the link to the HOBO team page: http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/pp08/team.asp?id_t=745

I promise to send a photo of myself jumping into a frozen lake to all who donate. I cannot promise, however, that it will be a pleasing sight.

Thanks friends, I hope we can all step up for a good cause.

Cheeks

Greetings my HOBO brether and sisteren. Let me ask you a couple of questions:

Do you like science?
Do you LOVE mustaches?
Do you want to see a combination of science AND mustaches?

Thought so. If you said no, then shut up. For those of you who do, allow me to present to you the following presentation from our newest subsidiary, the HOBO Science Institute:

Yes! With the HOBO Science Institute's own "Portable Mustache Device (tm)", you no longer have to worry about an embarrassing, poorly formed mustache ever again! Be sure to tell your friends and share this video. It is TRUELY a miracle of science and technology!

How's everybody doing with the fit club event!? I wanted to check in and see who's stickin with it! All the people that started the contest send in your updates with what you're doing and how it's workin for you!
I'm still tryin to bulk up but i'm doing my cardio a few times a week to get back into it. My diet's the same, i won't change that for a while.
For everyone in the club, stick with it! The first couple weeks are the hardest, but once you break through it's easy to keep it up!
GOOD LUCK!

In the spirit of the HOBO Fit Club, is anyone interested in training for the 4th of July Hometown Run? I noticed that at least a few people wanted to add some cardio/running to their fitness goals and this would be a great incentive. It's always easier to keep to the plan when there's something to shoot for!

The Hometown Run has 10K (6.2 miles) and 2 Mile divisions and it's usually the morning after the Half Year's party, early enough in the 4th of July festivities that you can pace yourself for one night, run the race, and then go nuts the rest of the week. Last year I went out, drank a few, got up in the morning, ran the race, and let me tell you that the Miller Lite and chicken wings afterwards tasted damn good!

If enough people are in, we could even start the race as a team/group with silly T-shirts or hats or something to identify us as HOBOs. Both runs start at the same spot/same time, and those who finish first can be at the finish to cheer on the rest of the group. It'd be fun :)

First off, let me say thank you to everyone who has posted in response to my post a few weeks ago. Whether it was due to my post or not, there has been a significant increase in the participation of the website and I LOVE it! I especially like the posts on the front page by first time posters. Good work. So, as promised I am going to start making weekly posts... with a couple of rules.
1) I am going to try to focus on HOBO Happenings and things that are important to HOBO, but I will pretty much post whatever I feel like. I promise that I will eventually tackle some of the history of HOBO, definitions of HOBO rules and ideals, and an explanation of certain HOBO terms and idiosyncrasies.
2) I will never apologize for missing a post. I hate when people do that. I guarantee that I will miss some posts, but hey… shit happens.
3) I will try to make my posts on Thursday nights. I was going to make this post last night but I wanted to give Giles’s post ample time at the top of the front page. So if anyone else is looking to make regular posts, I already have dibs on Thursdays.

So this week, in response to Show’s post, I will take on a topic that I’ve been meaning to tackle for awhile: A brief summary and definition of HOBO.

What is HOBO?

HOBO is a social fraternity of like-minded individuals with an affinity for mustaches, sports, drinking, food, getting dumb, the Fourth, social interaction, nicknames, and a variety of games (video, board, card, dice, drinking, playground). Though it is primarily a fraternal order HOBO is NOT about exclusion but rather inclusion. HOBO ideals are rooted in non-discrimination, spontaneity, individuality, and humor. The order itself is, in practice, a means for developing and maintaining our friendships while honoring the brotherhood.

The primary goal of HOBO is to maintain the brotherhood. HOBO has realized that as we get older and move in different directions, it is more important that we keep in contact and continue to keep each other involved and interested in the order. HOBO believes that the best way to maintain the brotherhood is to make our own fun. The cultivation of our own brand of fun is central to the brotherhood and allows us to become an autonomous unit of fun and not rely on outside help. This is achieved through a number of methods that HOBO employs, such as holding events and parties (Gregapalooza, Inebriation Celebration), displays of solidarity (growing mustaches, matching t-shirts), and sporting contests (The Main Event, Hobowl, HOBOlympics). HOBO is committed to including as many people in the events as possible and all events are open to whoever is willing to join in the fun and get dumb.

The HOBO members themselves are expected to live up to certain expectations applied by the brotherhood as a whole. These expectations are really just geared towards participation, inclusion and having fun. Brothers are also expected to look out for one another and never leave a HOBO behind. Each HOBO is endowed with a unique super-power, a role, and a HOBO nickname (sometimes many). The individuality of the members is HOBO's strength. HOBO forms like Voltron with each member bringing something special to the table. In addition to the brotherhood, HOBO maintains a group known as "The Friend's of HOBO", who are people that are interested in participating, helping, and supporting HOBO events while not actually taking an oath to the order itself. The Friends of HOBO are also given a HOBO nickname.

Though HOBO refers to itself as an organization there is no rigid internal structure or official positions held. The Original Four, referring to the four founding fathers that organized HOBO in May of 2003, hold ultimate decision-making powers but no specific rules of order are maintained. Although there are no ranks in HOBO, it does maintain an informal mentor-apprentice program. Any prospective new member must first complete an apprenticeship under a current member as their mentor, culminating on the night of the Fourth with the induction of new members. Although, all current HOBO members are male, there are no rules that discriminate against anyone from joining the ranks.

The 4th of July, or "The Fourth", is the most celebrated time of the year for HOBO. The Fourth celebration is typically 4-5 days of HOBO events and drinking. Originally the celebration was primarily concerned with completing and winning as many Poker Runs as possible. In recent years the festivities have grown to a broader range of activities at the sacrifice of decreased number of Poker Runs. However, the Poker Run is still the central attraction of the HOBO Fourth, and HOBO maintains an impressive winning percentage.

The "Hobos Walk" slogan has evolved overtime to become the mantra of Hobodom. This phrase derives from the HOBO dislike of driving to anywhere that is unnecessary, especially if drinking has occurred or will occur. Instead of concentrating on the inconvenience of walking, HOBO makes it a point of pride and enjoys satisfaction they get from walking. Depending on the context, "Hobos Walk" can refer to a strength of will, determination, and perseverance to handle an undesirable task.

The "Hobos = Key" slogan originally referred to a pre-HOBO plan to dominate the world. It too has evolved in meaning to refer to the ability of HOBOs to come up big in clutch situations. HOBOs innate ability to come-through at a time that it is most needed is part of the charm that make HOBOs desirable.

The future plans of HOBO are aimed at broadening the scope and quantity of HOBO events and increasing the number of HOBOs and Friends of HOBO. HOBO also aspires to take a limited community service role with the goal of spreading the HOBO word and reaching out to a grander audience.

I have to say, I've been out of the HOBO-loop recently. It seems quite a few situations have developed while I was on sabbatical, honing my hobo ways. Lets review some of these items:

I am not quite certain who this applies to, but is it really necessary for a said HOBO to supply beer to a HOBO-with-sister out of respect? Obviously all HOBOs respect other HOBOs to begin with. I'm sure dating HOBOs already have additional respect for those HOBOs with date-able sisters. Does one HOBO need to bear gifts to another to display the proper amount of respect? Also, can one HOBO ask for another's (case of) life-blood? Donors are medically limited to one donation of 1 pint every 8 weeks. It would be dangerous to a HOBO to donate as much as 24 times the recommended amount! I suggest an alternative be found for whomever this concerns.

Values: Great topic. I think that HOBO is NOT equal to competition. This certainly doesn't mean that hobos don't compete. What I think it means is that hobos leave it all out on the field/court/bar rail/dumpster. When it's done, it's done. How about this one: mutual respect. Now to address the roast. Fair game, I say. Because we all know that after we've had our laughs, there's no hard feelings. Otherwise, I like the existing ones.

I feel compelled to tell a story. I was in Florida at the end of July, visiting none other than Venny the Venezuelan, for his wedding. I couldn't help but notice the ladies. Not what you think, say I! I must be thankful for the Northern girls. So there we were, walking through the mall when we came up behind a tall, slim, well dressed woman. She walked a bit slow. I had places to go. We passed her. After a minute or two, I heard behind us a sharp whispery voice, "that's so sick." She had obviously been reading the back of my shirt, which honestly, was not in the best taste. But I got to thinking, "Self, that's just typical. Snooty city ladies who think they've outclassed me." I say to you all, don't be anything but what you want! Her, quick to judge. Me, saddened that some people are so shallow. ALAS! Me, glad that there exists a clan of fellows who will not be so judgemental! Where a man can wear an A-shirt with ironed-on mustaches and be applauded!

HOOOOOO!

BOOOOOO!

I'd also like to see some HOBOs sporting "the shirt" from the 4th in public. Maybe we can make up some good LOGOs 4 HOBOs. Things that belong on hats and wifebeaters. Possibly a likeness of the HOBO salute, or a wicked mustache that graces the tall foam front of a mesh hat. And I do like the HOBOlympics rings.

Think about it!

-Gile

HOBOs post...from Milwaukee

It was Thursday night, the time was 9:40 PM EST, and I was feelin' great! I was in a cozy Hamtramck Bar, the Atlas (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendi...), drinking a Schlitz, which was on special for $1 US, and I decided to start calling HOBOs.

My first call was to Gregas, who unfortunately was not available so I had to leave a voice bomb. The second call was to a HOBO who will remain nameless. This HOBO did infact take the call but rebuffed me so that he could eat his macaroni and cheese. That is right, there is a HOBO amongst us who did not fullfill his or her duties as a HOBO, a HOBO who values his mac and cheese more than helping a fellow HOBO out. Now I know that mac and cheese is tough competition, there is no doubt about that, but eat and talk at the same time, I don't think HOBOs are above this.

I must say, I was disappointed. In an effort to enhance my buzz I called this man hoping he could provide some witty banter, but instead he decided to watch Grey's Anatomy and eat his mac and cheese. I will not publicly reveal this HOBO, as I don't want to tarnish his reputation, he knows who he is. But I do however want this HOBO to humor the next HOBO that drunk dials him and be courteous by trying his hardest to help enhance the other HOBO's buzz.

I will say though, not all was lost Thursday night. Gregas came through. Gregas called back shortly after I got off the phone with the nameless HOBO, and came through like a champ, humoring me in my babble. I am sure we had an interesting discussion, fortunately I was a wee bit too drunk to remember all of it, I do however remember promising to start a blog on this subject. Thank you Gregas!

Anyway, sorry to bother everyone with my complaint, I just thought something should be said so that this doesn't happen to any of you.

Don't change HOBOs (except the nameless one),
Giant