Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Off to NOLA
Today I'm heading to New Orleans with two friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are doing a few days of volunteering for the St. Bernard Project, running a Turkey Day race, sightseeing and of course, eating... The food there can't be beat. I'm hoping to go out for Italian tonight to a great restaurant I went to last January. I don't remember exactly where it is or the name of it but I think I can find it with just a little guidance from the B&B owners. Here's hoping! Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Veteran's Day
A few years ago I read an article about an American going into a small country church in France that was especially poignant. A woman asked if he was American and when he said yes, she said thank you. He then noticed that she had been at a very well cared for memorial that said something to the effect of "In honor of America and in gratitude to her and her 50,000 sons who now and forever rest in France." (I know the number is off but it was a big one.) I have searched for that article and cannot find it anywhere but wanted to share the sentiment. The story above is about a new Canadian tradition which I thought was really nice. Brian Williams and NBC News do a good job I think of honoring the soldiers. Williams especially loves sharing stories of Medal of Honor recipients on his blog.
In more mundane news, I'm very excited because I purchased cross country skis yesterday and I start lessons tomorrow. The first few weeks are dryland training and then around Thanksgiving time we hope to have actual snow. It's something that I've always wanted to learn how to do so I'm excited that this winter I'll get the opportunity.
I've also been continuing my training for the Frozen Half in January. Yesterday we did six miles which felt great for the most part although a little Tiger Balm really helps too. I learned about Tiger Balm when I was in Cambodia on a cycling trip and knew that it was hard to find outside of Southeast Asia but luckily our world is more global because you can now get it at Walgreen's. I can feel my muscles tingling right now from it. Nice!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
A New Day
I think this video speaks for itself. I love the message and wasn't sure about the song at first but now I can't get it out of my head.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Non Voters
My cousin sent me a video that is pretty funny. You can customize it and send it to others if you so choose. I think pretty much anybody will attest to the fact that you don't need to worry about me not voting but I do feel like I need to do more activism this year on behalf of the candidates I believe in. I'm kind of bummed because I can't go to a rally on Thursday night that Bill Clinton is going to be at. Regardless of what people think of him, I believe most people would agree that he gives a great speech. Enjoy the video and go vote on Tuesday!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Snow!!!
We had some flurries of snow today! It was really more like rain but I'll still take it. I'm very excited by the onset of winter although I enjoy all the seasons. Here are pictures from the Lake Harriet Rose Garden and the Japanese Peace Garden right across the street yesterday. The leaves were past their peak but still pretty.
It was quite chilly this weekend but not too bad this morning if a person got moving. I went on a 5 mile run this morning with the half marathon group. It seemed chilly but our coach had a route picked out which kept us sheltered from the blustery wind so it was relatively painless and warmed up quickly after we started moving. It's the longest run I've done since I did the Twin Cities 10 mile in 2004 but it went great. I can't wait until Wednesday and Thursday when I go running with the group again.
Oh, another funny running story: I went to the Monster Dash 5k yesterday which encourages costumes and there were some cute ones. The dog dressed up as a hotdog with "parents" who were mustard and ketchup was cool as was the orange prisoner jumpsuit that said "T. Petters." Ouch.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
St Bernard Project
Just wanted to get the word out about the CNN Heroes project. The network identified 10 heroes and is allowing viewers to vote for the 2008 Hero of the Year. The winner receives $100,000. I'm sure all ten nominees are doing great work but I can personally vouch for Liz McCartney as I've met her through my work in the New Orleans area. Liz and Zach moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to open the St. Bernard Project which helps homeowners rebuild houses that were destroyed. They still have a huge waiting list but work tirelessly to continue helping people move out of trailers and into their old homes. Click here to go to the CNN page where you can vote to help St. Bernard continue their amazing work. A few friends and I will be returning to help out SBP over the Thanksgiving holiday and I'll be able to give you another update after that. So go vote for Liz in a race that can be completely non-partisan. In regards to the partisan election, get informed and vote in that one too!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Running
I'm very psyched because I went to a running clinic tonight and am training for a half marathon. A few years ago I did a running clinic where we just learned to run. I know it seems simple but it was great to have a coach and a group of people to run with a few times a week. We did a 5K and then I did another clinic with a lot of the same people and ran the Twin Cities 10 Mile. Tough but great at the same time. It wasn't long after that I moved to Tokyo and without the friends and support and with Tokyo being miserable to run in with a lack of trails and awful weather, I lost my momentum. Since school ended I've been doing some running here and there and told a friend about this clinic which I found out was being coached by my old coach and she thought she would like to try it. So tonight was the first night and it was even better than I remembered. Love the coaches, my friend loved it and the other participants seem really cool so I am psyched. We went for just a short 3 mile run around Lake of the Isles and the weather was perfect for a run. It's really nice to have a group to go out with in the evening too. I can't wait for Sunday when we go again!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Comcast
I hate Comcast! Our local cable company is pathetic. I have spent hours trying to get my service fixed and still nothing. Today I came home from work early only to find that they are running extremely late. It's after 7 (They were supposed to be here between 4 and 7) and I called to find out what the status is. The repair guy is still two visits away from getting here! The other night I spent an hour on the phone with them without getting my problem solved. In fact, while I was on the phone with them the first time they broke what little was working so I had to call back! Service calls where you are on hold for over 20 minutes are not fun.
On a more positive note, I did get to Tuesday night's Twins game and we had great seats. Only 4 rows up by the bullpen and they were free! My neighbor got them at a charity event. It wasn't the most exciting game of the week since last night was a heartstopper but it was definitely fun and set the whole week in motion. Now one more sweep and they should be good for the playoffs. They are definitely doing better than they were at the beginning of the week but it's not close to being a sealed deal yet.
I just thought of an even worse thing about Comcast. After waiting and doing nothing, the cable guy will probably be here screwing things up during the debate. Argh!!! Will the nightmare ever cease?
On a more positive note, I did get to Tuesday night's Twins game and we had great seats. Only 4 rows up by the bullpen and they were free! My neighbor got them at a charity event. It wasn't the most exciting game of the week since last night was a heartstopper but it was definitely fun and set the whole week in motion. Now one more sweep and they should be good for the playoffs. They are definitely doing better than they were at the beginning of the week but it's not close to being a sealed deal yet.
I just thought of an even worse thing about Comcast. After waiting and doing nothing, the cable guy will probably be here screwing things up during the debate. Argh!!! Will the nightmare ever cease?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Linkorama
Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long. Not a lot new to report other than I hate Comcast and the Twins are disappointing me.
I'm planning a trip to New Orleans for Thanksgiving to work with the St. Bernard project. There was an article about them in today's Washington Post which is worth checking out. A great organization in an area that desperately needs them.
This weekend I went to River Rocks music festival which was very cool. The main acts that I wanted to see were Jakob Dylan. I've put his song "War is Kind" here which is great. I know this is a poorly done political video but it was the only version of the song I could find. It does have some poignant images amongst the political ones though.
Another band that I was excited to see was Semisonic. I love their frontman Dan Wilson with his solo material (also known for writing a lot of material for the Dixie Chicks album). Here's their song "Chemistry". An oldie but a goodie from hometown boys made good.
And finally, after missing out on seeing them either 13 or 14 years ago, I saw Live. They were the spring concert at American either my sophomore or junior year but procrastinating me had a ton of papers to write before the next Monday so my friends thought it would be in my best interest if they stole my ticket. Here's one of their greatest songs "Heaven"
So there's some material to entertain although not a lot of news from Minneapolis. Have a great day and let's hope that the Twins can get their act together as time is almost out!
I'm planning a trip to New Orleans for Thanksgiving to work with the St. Bernard project. There was an article about them in today's Washington Post which is worth checking out. A great organization in an area that desperately needs them.
This weekend I went to River Rocks music festival which was very cool. The main acts that I wanted to see were Jakob Dylan. I've put his song "War is Kind" here which is great. I know this is a poorly done political video but it was the only version of the song I could find. It does have some poignant images amongst the political ones though.
Another band that I was excited to see was Semisonic. I love their frontman Dan Wilson with his solo material (also known for writing a lot of material for the Dixie Chicks album). Here's their song "Chemistry". An oldie but a goodie from hometown boys made good.
And finally, after missing out on seeing them either 13 or 14 years ago, I saw Live. They were the spring concert at American either my sophomore or junior year but procrastinating me had a ton of papers to write before the next Monday so my friends thought it would be in my best interest if they stole my ticket. Here's one of their greatest songs "Heaven"
So there's some material to entertain although not a lot of news from Minneapolis. Have a great day and let's hope that the Twins can get their act together as time is almost out!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Ordinary People Change The World
I'm very excited to read my friend Brad's new book "The Book of Lies." Part of the plot is related to the creation of Superman and in researching that book Brad found that the place where Superman was created is not preserved and has fallen into total disrepair. He has helped facilitate the collaboration of many artists and fans to help a group correct this. The video is good so check it out and pass it on.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
New Orleans
Wow, it's amazing how fast time goes when you have a job! I can't believe it's Labor Day weekend. Due to working, I don't feel like I have much to report so instead I'm going to remind everybody of the storm 3 years ago and provide some links to amazing videos. As a reminder, over 1800 people died as a result of Katrina and the following disaster. Coincidentally, that is how many FEMA trailers are still being used.
The first video is Green Day and U2. It's a great song and poignant in that there is some computer generated footage of what would have been an amazing response. Alas, only the tragedy is actual.
This is a fairly well done video although there probably could have been a better song. I like the news clips that are interspersed however.
When people wonder why the entire U.S. has to help in the recovery of New Orleans, this article eloquently answers that question in terms of resources. In addition, I would have to add that it is the right thing to do for other human beings.
An Editorial: It's time for a nation to return the favor
Sunday, November 20, 2005 New Orleans Times Picayune
The federal government wrapped levees around greater New Orleans so that the rest of the country could share in our bounty.
Americans wanted the oil and gas that flow freely off our shores. They longed for the oysters and shrimp and flaky Gulf fish that live in abundance in our waters. They wanted to ship corn and soybeans and beets down the Mississippi and through our ports. They wanted coffee and steel to flow north through the mouth of the river and into the heartland.
They wanted more than that, though. They wanted to share in our spirit. They wanted to sample the joyous beauty of our jazz and our food. And we were happy to oblige them.
So the federal government built levees and convinced us that we were safe.
We weren't.
The levees, we were told, could stand up to a Category 3 hurricane.
They couldn't.
By the time Katrina surged into New Orleans, it had weakened to Category 3. Yet our levee system wasn't as strong as the Army Corps of Engineers said it was. Barely anchored in mushy soil, the floodwalls gave way.
Our homes and businesses were swamped. Hundreds of our neighbors died.
Now, this metro area is drying off and digging out. Life is going forward. Our heart is beating.
But we need the federal government -- we need our Congress -- to fulfill the promises made to us in the past. We need to be safe. We need to be able to go about our business feeding and fueling the rest of the nation. We need better protection next hurricane season than we had this year. Going forward, we need protection from the fiercest storms, the Category 5 storms that are out there waiting to strike.
Some voices in Washington are arguing against us. We were foolish, they say. We settled in a place that is lower than the sea. We should have expected to drown.
As if choosing to live in one of the nation's great cities amounted to a death wish. As if living in San Francisco or Miami or Boston is any more logical.
Great cities are made by their place and their people, their beauty and their risk. Water flows around and through most of them. And one of the greatest bodies of water in the land flows through this one: the Mississippi.
The federal government decided long ago to try to tame the river and the swampy land spreading out from it. The country needed this waterlogged land of ours to prosper, so that the nation could prosper even more.
Some people in Washington don't seem to remember that. They act as if we are a burden. They act as if we wore our skirts too short and invited trouble.
We can't put up with that. We have to stand up for ourselves. Whether you are back at home or still in exile waiting to return, let Congress know that this metro area must be made safe from future storms. Call and write the leaders who are deciding our fate. Get your family and friends in other states to do the same. Start with members of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations committees in the Senate, and Transportation and Appropriations in the House. Flood them with mail the way we were flooded by Katrina.
Remind them that this is a singular American city and that this nation still needs what we can give it.
The first video is Green Day and U2. It's a great song and poignant in that there is some computer generated footage of what would have been an amazing response. Alas, only the tragedy is actual.
This is a fairly well done video although there probably could have been a better song. I like the news clips that are interspersed however.
When people wonder why the entire U.S. has to help in the recovery of New Orleans, this article eloquently answers that question in terms of resources. In addition, I would have to add that it is the right thing to do for other human beings.
An Editorial: It's time for a nation to return the favor
Sunday, November 20, 2005 New Orleans Times Picayune
The federal government wrapped levees around greater New Orleans so that the rest of the country could share in our bounty.
Americans wanted the oil and gas that flow freely off our shores. They longed for the oysters and shrimp and flaky Gulf fish that live in abundance in our waters. They wanted to ship corn and soybeans and beets down the Mississippi and through our ports. They wanted coffee and steel to flow north through the mouth of the river and into the heartland.
They wanted more than that, though. They wanted to share in our spirit. They wanted to sample the joyous beauty of our jazz and our food. And we were happy to oblige them.
So the federal government built levees and convinced us that we were safe.
We weren't.
The levees, we were told, could stand up to a Category 3 hurricane.
They couldn't.
By the time Katrina surged into New Orleans, it had weakened to Category 3. Yet our levee system wasn't as strong as the Army Corps of Engineers said it was. Barely anchored in mushy soil, the floodwalls gave way.
Our homes and businesses were swamped. Hundreds of our neighbors died.
Now, this metro area is drying off and digging out. Life is going forward. Our heart is beating.
But we need the federal government -- we need our Congress -- to fulfill the promises made to us in the past. We need to be safe. We need to be able to go about our business feeding and fueling the rest of the nation. We need better protection next hurricane season than we had this year. Going forward, we need protection from the fiercest storms, the Category 5 storms that are out there waiting to strike.
Some voices in Washington are arguing against us. We were foolish, they say. We settled in a place that is lower than the sea. We should have expected to drown.
As if choosing to live in one of the nation's great cities amounted to a death wish. As if living in San Francisco or Miami or Boston is any more logical.
Great cities are made by their place and their people, their beauty and their risk. Water flows around and through most of them. And one of the greatest bodies of water in the land flows through this one: the Mississippi.
The federal government decided long ago to try to tame the river and the swampy land spreading out from it. The country needed this waterlogged land of ours to prosper, so that the nation could prosper even more.
Some people in Washington don't seem to remember that. They act as if we are a burden. They act as if we wore our skirts too short and invited trouble.
We can't put up with that. We have to stand up for ourselves. Whether you are back at home or still in exile waiting to return, let Congress know that this metro area must be made safe from future storms. Call and write the leaders who are deciding our fate. Get your family and friends in other states to do the same. Start with members of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations committees in the Senate, and Transportation and Appropriations in the House. Flood them with mail the way we were flooded by Katrina.
Remind them that this is a singular American city and that this nation still needs what we can give it.
Friday, August 8, 2008
2008 Olympics
I guess it's been a while so I'll add something although there's not a whole lot to report. The Olympics opening ceremonies are on right now. I think the story of the flag bearer for the US is pretty cool. He's a Lost Boy of Sudan who became a U.S. citizen a few years ago. A middle distance runner named Lopez Lomong who escaped from the violence in Sudan to come to America. There is a documentary called Lost Boys of Sudan which is well worth a watch. Here's the link to the wikipedia article about it. Check it out. In addition to his history as a refugee, there is a lot of political overtones in his selection. I believe it's a vote by the entire team that decides who will carry the flag in the opening ceremonies but I'm not positive about that. Just checked, yup, the U.S. team voted to have Lopez carry the flag for them.
Of course, I'll be cheering for the U.S. basketball team as Chris Paul is playing but it really bites that I have to cheer for Kobe too. Grr...
Of course, I'll be cheering for the U.S. basketball team as Chris Paul is playing but it really bites that I have to cheer for Kobe too. Grr...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Gas Free Commute
I joined the ranks of bicycle commuters today! It was good but harder than I thought. This morning went pretty well. It's about 10.5 miles each way which I don't think is too bad but one thing that I hadn't thought about was my heavy backpack with shower stuff and work clothes. I'm on a trail for about 6 miles which is great. I think I could shave off a little distance by doing more road and less trail but the trail is great and I don't want to miss it. The ride home was definitely harder than this morning with more traffic and the temperature way hotter. In addition, I forgot my lock which meant that my biking clothes sat in my backpack all day rather than hang in a locker which made for (sorry to gross you out) some damp attire this evening.
A friend and I had talked about running some evenings and last night she asked if tonight would be one night we could do that. I thought it might be a possibility but by the time I got home it was time for dinner instead. Very tasty Mexican though with a great friend. Yum.
So my initial thoughts of commuting by bike every day I think are down the tubes for now. For one, I still want to do some running and two, as it is I'm going to have to quit my favorite Spin class at the YWCA in a few weeks when my membership ends there so I think tomorrow I'll take advantage of that in the am and try to run tomorrow night. I'll shoot for Wednesday as the next commuting day.
Oh, life is good... Twins just beat the White Sox! Dangit, why does Obama have to be a Sox fan... Yuck! It definitely is a strike against him. However, Diamondbacks, who cares about them other than McCain? I guess there is no winning situation in Presidential baseball.
Another sign that life is good. I had to catch my breath with excitement today when I saw as I was filling up my gas tank that it's only $3.599! Nice! Still expensive so I'd better keep on pedaling when possible.
A friend and I had talked about running some evenings and last night she asked if tonight would be one night we could do that. I thought it might be a possibility but by the time I got home it was time for dinner instead. Very tasty Mexican though with a great friend. Yum.
So my initial thoughts of commuting by bike every day I think are down the tubes for now. For one, I still want to do some running and two, as it is I'm going to have to quit my favorite Spin class at the YWCA in a few weeks when my membership ends there so I think tomorrow I'll take advantage of that in the am and try to run tomorrow night. I'll shoot for Wednesday as the next commuting day.
Oh, life is good... Twins just beat the White Sox! Dangit, why does Obama have to be a Sox fan... Yuck! It definitely is a strike against him. However, Diamondbacks, who cares about them other than McCain? I guess there is no winning situation in Presidential baseball.
Another sign that life is good. I had to catch my breath with excitement today when I saw as I was filling up my gas tank that it's only $3.599! Nice! Still expensive so I'd better keep on pedaling when possible.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Pictures
I discovered an awesome photo sharing site and have been hard at work moving everything to one place. You can find it at notquitedailyjen.smugmug.com or by clicking on the Pictures link on the right. Enjoy!
On a sadder note, I have to recognize the awesome life of Estelle Getty and her passing today. How can a person not love Golden Girls and especially Sophia...
On a sadder note, I have to recognize the awesome life of Estelle Getty and her passing today. How can a person not love Golden Girls and especially Sophia...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Red Ribbon Ride 2008
Another Red Ribbon Ride is in the books and they just keep getting better and better. For the second year in a row I was Moto Support which meant that I brought water, Gatorade and snacks to the Moto crew stationed at various intersections guiding cyclists along the route. We also occasionally relieved them so they could take a break, grab lunch and even just go to the bathroom. It was a little different because for the past four years I have crewed with my friend Kristin who wasn't able to do it this year. However, my new carmate, Van, was great and I think he really liked our job too. I do think our assignment is the best of the lot. There are about 150 crew members and only two get to do Moto Support so I feel pretty lucky. What makes it great is the actual Moto crew and how we are able to get to know them better since we are focused on only 6-10 people and they happen to be exceptional folks. In fact, the hardest part of our job is saying goodbye to one when we have to move on to the next!
Also, speaking of the Red Ribbon Ride, I wasn't going to be doing a lot of fundraising for it but decided to at the last minute and sent out a plea for donations. To all who supported me both before (Yes, some friends donated before I even asked! Awesome!) and after my plea, thank you! If you still want to donate that's not a problem either. You can click on the Red Ribbon Ride link on the right.
I'll upload pics later as now it's off to sleep since I am exhausted. Crewing the Red Ribbon Ride is the hardest I work all year long I think and the most fun too. It's great how the people you are with can make even the most exhausting days a blast, isn't it?
Also, speaking of the Red Ribbon Ride, I wasn't going to be doing a lot of fundraising for it but decided to at the last minute and sent out a plea for donations. To all who supported me both before (Yes, some friends donated before I even asked! Awesome!) and after my plea, thank you! If you still want to donate that's not a problem either. You can click on the Red Ribbon Ride link on the right.
I'll upload pics later as now it's off to sleep since I am exhausted. Crewing the Red Ribbon Ride is the hardest I work all year long I think and the most fun too. It's great how the people you are with can make even the most exhausting days a blast, isn't it?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Politics
Ok, I've steered clear of politics so far but here's a few thoughts. You might even be surprised.
I had to drive to Bemidji this weekend and I saw two old buses on the way that had U.S. Government plates. As I passed them, I noticed they were full of troops. I had no idea where they were going but along the way I saw a few signs on overpasses that were red, white and blue and said things like "Welcome Home". Putting two and two together I'm assuming that they were troops coming home, most likely from Iraq or possibly Afghanistan. It put me in a thankful, patriotic mood and I did a lot of thinking. Most know that overall I'm a peacenik but not in the most extreme sense. For one thing, I can't help it but I love planes of all sorts and that does include fighters. I suppose I shouldn't but who can help it when they are so cool. Secondly, a person can't help but be awed and inspired by soldiers and most importantly, grateful. Third, although America has a tendency (especially lately) to be a bit boneheaded and do stupid things, I also can't help but be awed by the U.S. as well, especially the Constitution. You have to admit that it has endured a lot and is a pretty amazing piece of work. So there is my little patriotic rambling on. Anybody that knows me knows that I can complain with the best of them about some of the actions of this country but it's only because I have such high expectations and want it to be its best.
On a COMPLETELY different note, there was an article about how MLB players think the rule about the All Star game winner getting World Series home field advantage is a crock and I totally agree. Yet another stupid think that Bud Selig has given us. Bogus.
This week is the Red Ribbon Ride which will be a blast. If you have a few extra bucks and want to donate it to a great cause, click on the Red Ribbon Ride link to the right. Thanks!
I had to drive to Bemidji this weekend and I saw two old buses on the way that had U.S. Government plates. As I passed them, I noticed they were full of troops. I had no idea where they were going but along the way I saw a few signs on overpasses that were red, white and blue and said things like "Welcome Home". Putting two and two together I'm assuming that they were troops coming home, most likely from Iraq or possibly Afghanistan. It put me in a thankful, patriotic mood and I did a lot of thinking. Most know that overall I'm a peacenik but not in the most extreme sense. For one thing, I can't help it but I love planes of all sorts and that does include fighters. I suppose I shouldn't but who can help it when they are so cool. Secondly, a person can't help but be awed and inspired by soldiers and most importantly, grateful. Third, although America has a tendency (especially lately) to be a bit boneheaded and do stupid things, I also can't help but be awed by the U.S. as well, especially the Constitution. You have to admit that it has endured a lot and is a pretty amazing piece of work. So there is my little patriotic rambling on. Anybody that knows me knows that I can complain with the best of them about some of the actions of this country but it's only because I have such high expectations and want it to be its best.
On a COMPLETELY different note, there was an article about how MLB players think the rule about the All Star game winner getting World Series home field advantage is a crock and I totally agree. Yet another stupid think that Bud Selig has given us. Bogus.
This week is the Red Ribbon Ride which will be a blast. If you have a few extra bucks and want to donate it to a great cause, click on the Red Ribbon Ride link to the right. Thanks!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Baseball and Fireworks
So what's better on the 4th of July than baseball and fireworks. They actually mix quite well. Yesterday I went with some friends to the St. Paul Saints game where we tailgated in advance and then took advantage of the extra seating (on the warning track!) to watch the game. After the game they had an excellent display of fireworks with some pretty good music. The best of course was Ray Charles singing "America the Beautiful". The only downer was the guy with the big pickup truck who lit a bunch of fireworks in the parking lot right in the middle of the driving lane. He left all of his trash there and when one of our group gently questioned him about it he said he is a taxpayer and his taxes will pay for city employees to pick it up! Not so proud to be an American at that point.
The other baseball and fireworks story I have is actually Pat Neshek's. Here is what he wrote in his blog: "I hope everyone had a terrific 4th of July. Last night I probably had the coolest Fourth of July in my life. I spent it on the roof of the Metrodome. I talked to Dan Gladden about a month ago and he said if we were ever in town over the fourth to make sure you check out the fireworks from the top of the dome. Sure enough we are in town right now and I had to see this for myself. I don't know how to describe it but I felt like I was in a dream climbing up the baggy. To get up to the roof you have to go through a series of doors so the pressure doesn't escape to quickly and send you or your things (hat) flying. It's the same feeling as when you walk out the dome after a game and the pressure sucks you out the door. Once on the roof there is a catwalk that goes around the stadium. Then you come to a point where there is a rope system you take to climb up the actual Teflon baggy. I couldn't believe it so I kept climbing up (with my left hand of course). Once up it was like being on the moon or having a giant trampoline. I spent the first couple minutes deciding if I was safe or not and then I started jumping. After about 5 minutes fireworks were going off in all directions and it was one of the coolest things I have ever witnessed." You can check out his blog at patneshek.com
The other baseball and fireworks story I have is actually Pat Neshek's. Here is what he wrote in his blog: "I hope everyone had a terrific 4th of July. Last night I probably had the coolest Fourth of July in my life. I spent it on the roof of the Metrodome. I talked to Dan Gladden about a month ago and he said if we were ever in town over the fourth to make sure you check out the fireworks from the top of the dome. Sure enough we are in town right now and I had to see this for myself. I don't know how to describe it but I felt like I was in a dream climbing up the baggy. To get up to the roof you have to go through a series of doors so the pressure doesn't escape to quickly and send you or your things (hat) flying. It's the same feeling as when you walk out the dome after a game and the pressure sucks you out the door. Once on the roof there is a catwalk that goes around the stadium. Then you come to a point where there is a rope system you take to climb up the actual Teflon baggy. I couldn't believe it so I kept climbing up (with my left hand of course). Once up it was like being on the moon or having a giant trampoline. I spent the first couple minutes deciding if I was safe or not and then I started jumping. After about 5 minutes fireworks were going off in all directions and it was one of the coolest things I have ever witnessed." You can check out his blog at patneshek.com
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Summer Activities
I've had a few questions lately about some of my summer activities so I figured I would give you an update and clarify things. In the past, the big event of the summer for me has been the Red Ribbon Ride. It's a four day bike ride that raises money for several organizations providing services to those living with HIV/AIDS, which has been a cause near and dear to me for several years. I have been a rider once but for four years now, I have been a crew member supporting the riders. It is a lot of hard work but it is also the most fun I have all year long. This year I am again crewing the Red Ribbon Ride but I have also added a few events. As you know, I have already crewed AIDS Life Cycle and the Breast Cancer Ride. Next up is the Red Ribbon Ride later this month. In September I will be working on Dusk 2 Dawn, an overnight walk which will raise money for HIV/AIDS service organizations in Minnesota and South Africa. I have links to all the events except for Dusk 2 Dawn on the right (and I will add that one in the next few weeks most likely). Yes, I will continue to fundraise for events although I believe I will concentrate most of my efforts on Dusk 2 Dawn. Feel free to click on the links and donate as you see fit though or just find out more about each of the events.
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Summer fun
Here's a top five list of Minneapolis public parks in my humble opinion... I don't think too many would argue with it as they are some of the most popular places in the city. They are great year round but especially in the summer of course.
5. Lake Calhoun- A little too populated but fun to watch folks out on the busiest lake.
4. Mississippi River - Not as smooth as some of the other trails but pretty scenic with great views of both the river and nice homes.
3. Minnehaha Creek Bike Trail - Riding on the trail from the Falls to Lake Harriet or vice versa on a trail that is completely surrounded by trees and water makes for an awesome afternoon.
2. Minnehaha Falls - Great to hang out watching the falls and enjoying either the concession stand or DQ across the street.
1. Lake Harriet - Just shy of 3 miles around, there is a concert at least once a day all summer long. What better way to end a day than with a run or bike ride followed by taking in free entertainment?
5. Lake Calhoun- A little too populated but fun to watch folks out on the busiest lake.
4. Mississippi River - Not as smooth as some of the other trails but pretty scenic with great views of both the river and nice homes.
3. Minnehaha Creek Bike Trail - Riding on the trail from the Falls to Lake Harriet or vice versa on a trail that is completely surrounded by trees and water makes for an awesome afternoon.
2. Minnehaha Falls - Great to hang out watching the falls and enjoying either the concession stand or DQ across the street.
1. Lake Harriet - Just shy of 3 miles around, there is a concert at least once a day all summer long. What better way to end a day than with a run or bike ride followed by taking in free entertainment?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Depressing
Sorry, blame Brian Williams.... I read his blog and he posted a link to one of the most depressing reviews of the state of our current affairs. It is extremely interesting though if you want to check it out, here it is...
Is everything spinning out of control?
Can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in American psyche is under assault
The Associated Press
updated 6:34 a.m. CT, Sun., June. 22, 2008
WASHINGTON - Is everything spinning out of control? Midwestern levees are bursting. Polar bears are adrift. Gas prices are skyrocketing. Home values are abysmal. Air fares, college tuition and health care border on unaffordable. Wars without end rage in Iraq, Afghanistan and against terrorism.
Horatio Alger, twist in your grave.
The can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in the American psyche is under assault. Eroding it is a dour powerlessness that is chipping away at the country's sturdy conviction that destiny can be commanded with sheer courage and perseverance.
The sense of helplessness is even reflected in this year's presidential election. Each contender offers a sense of order — and hope. Republican John McCain promises an experienced hand in a frightening time. Democrat Barack Obama promises bright and shiny change, and his large crowds believe his exhortation, "Yes, we can."
Onslaught of dispiriting things
Even so, a battered public seems discouraged by the onslaught of dispiriting things. An Associated Press-Ipsos poll says a barrel-scraping 17 percent of people surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction. That is the lowest reading since the survey began in 2003.
An ABC News-Washington Post survey put that figure at 14 percent, tying the low in more than three decades of taking soundings on the national mood.
"It is pretty scary," said Charles Truxal, 64, a retired corporate manager in Rochester, Minn. "People are thinking things are going to get better, and they haven't been. And then you go hide in your basement because tornadoes are coming through. If you think about things, you have very little power to make it change."
Recent natural disasters around the world dwarf anything afflicting the U.S. Consider that more than 69,000 people died in the China earthquake, and that 78,000 were killed and 56,000 missing from the Myanmar cyclone.
Americans need do no more than check the weather, look in their wallets or turn on the news for their daily reality check on a world gone haywire.
Floods engulf Midwestern river towns. Is it global warming, the gradual degradation of a planet's weather that man seems powerless to stop or just a freakish late-spring deluge?
It hardly matters to those in the path. Just ask the people of New Orleans who survived Hurricane Katrina. They are living in a city where, 1,000 days after the storm, entire neighborhoods remain abandoned, a national embarrassment that evokes disbelief from visitors.
Food is becoming scarcer and more expensive on a worldwide scale, due to increased consumption in growing countries such as China and India and rising fuel costs. That can-do solution to energy needs — turning corn into fuel — is sapping fields of plenty once devoted to crops that people need to eat. Shortages have sparked riots. In the U.S., rice prices tripled and some stores rationed the staple.
Residents of the nation's capital and its suburbs repeatedly lose power for extended periods as mere thunderstorms rumble through. In California, leaders warn people to use less water in the unrelenting drought.
Want to get away from it all? The weak U.S. dollar makes travel abroad forbiddingly expensive. To add insult to injury, some airlines now charge to check luggage.
Want to escape on the couch? A writers' strike halted favorite TV shows for half a season. The newspaper on the table may soon be a relic of the Internet age. Just as video stores are falling by the wayside as people get their movies online or in the mail.
But there's always sports, right?
But there's always sports, right? The moorings seem to be coming loose here, too.
Baseball stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens stand accused of enhancing their heroics with drugs. Basketball referees are suspected of cheating.
Stay tuned for less than pristine tales from the drug-addled Tour de France and who knows what from the Summer Olympics.
It's not the first time Americans have felt a loss of control.
Alger, the dime-novel author whose heroes overcame adversity to gain riches and fame, played to similar anxieties when the U.S. was becoming an industrial society in the late 1800s.
American University historian Allan J. Lichtman notes that the U.S. has endured comparable periods and worse, including the economic stagflation (stagnant growth combined with inflation) and Iran hostage crisis of 1980; the dawn of the Cold War, the Korean War and the hysterical hunts for domestic Communists in the late 1940s and early 1950s; and the Depression of the 1930s.
"All those periods were followed by much more optimistic periods in which the American people had their confidence restored," he said. "Of course, that doesn't mean it will happen again."
Each period also was followed by a change in the party controlling the White House.
This period has seen intense interest in the presidential primaries, especially the Democrats' five-month duel between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Records were shattered by voters showing up at polling places, yearning for a voice in who will next guide the country as it confronts the uncontrollable.
Never mind that their views of their current leaders are near rock bottom, reflecting a frustration with Washington's inability to solve anything. President Bush barely gets the approval of three in 10 people, and it's even worse for the Democratic-led Congress.
Why the vulnerability? After all, this is the 21st century, not a more primitive past when little in life was assured. Surely people know how to fix problems now.
Maybe. And maybe this is what the 21st century will be about — a great unraveling of some things long taken for granted.
On the positive side, the Twins are leading 1-0 in the 2nd and have a six game win streak going. They are only 1.5 games out of first.
Is everything spinning out of control?
Can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in American psyche is under assault
The Associated Press
updated 6:34 a.m. CT, Sun., June. 22, 2008
WASHINGTON - Is everything spinning out of control? Midwestern levees are bursting. Polar bears are adrift. Gas prices are skyrocketing. Home values are abysmal. Air fares, college tuition and health care border on unaffordable. Wars without end rage in Iraq, Afghanistan and against terrorism.
Horatio Alger, twist in your grave.
The can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in the American psyche is under assault. Eroding it is a dour powerlessness that is chipping away at the country's sturdy conviction that destiny can be commanded with sheer courage and perseverance.
The sense of helplessness is even reflected in this year's presidential election. Each contender offers a sense of order — and hope. Republican John McCain promises an experienced hand in a frightening time. Democrat Barack Obama promises bright and shiny change, and his large crowds believe his exhortation, "Yes, we can."
Onslaught of dispiriting things
Even so, a battered public seems discouraged by the onslaught of dispiriting things. An Associated Press-Ipsos poll says a barrel-scraping 17 percent of people surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction. That is the lowest reading since the survey began in 2003.
An ABC News-Washington Post survey put that figure at 14 percent, tying the low in more than three decades of taking soundings on the national mood.
"It is pretty scary," said Charles Truxal, 64, a retired corporate manager in Rochester, Minn. "People are thinking things are going to get better, and they haven't been. And then you go hide in your basement because tornadoes are coming through. If you think about things, you have very little power to make it change."
Recent natural disasters around the world dwarf anything afflicting the U.S. Consider that more than 69,000 people died in the China earthquake, and that 78,000 were killed and 56,000 missing from the Myanmar cyclone.
Americans need do no more than check the weather, look in their wallets or turn on the news for their daily reality check on a world gone haywire.
Floods engulf Midwestern river towns. Is it global warming, the gradual degradation of a planet's weather that man seems powerless to stop or just a freakish late-spring deluge?
It hardly matters to those in the path. Just ask the people of New Orleans who survived Hurricane Katrina. They are living in a city where, 1,000 days after the storm, entire neighborhoods remain abandoned, a national embarrassment that evokes disbelief from visitors.
Food is becoming scarcer and more expensive on a worldwide scale, due to increased consumption in growing countries such as China and India and rising fuel costs. That can-do solution to energy needs — turning corn into fuel — is sapping fields of plenty once devoted to crops that people need to eat. Shortages have sparked riots. In the U.S., rice prices tripled and some stores rationed the staple.
Residents of the nation's capital and its suburbs repeatedly lose power for extended periods as mere thunderstorms rumble through. In California, leaders warn people to use less water in the unrelenting drought.
Want to get away from it all? The weak U.S. dollar makes travel abroad forbiddingly expensive. To add insult to injury, some airlines now charge to check luggage.
Want to escape on the couch? A writers' strike halted favorite TV shows for half a season. The newspaper on the table may soon be a relic of the Internet age. Just as video stores are falling by the wayside as people get their movies online or in the mail.
But there's always sports, right?
But there's always sports, right? The moorings seem to be coming loose here, too.
Baseball stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens stand accused of enhancing their heroics with drugs. Basketball referees are suspected of cheating.
Stay tuned for less than pristine tales from the drug-addled Tour de France and who knows what from the Summer Olympics.
It's not the first time Americans have felt a loss of control.
Alger, the dime-novel author whose heroes overcame adversity to gain riches and fame, played to similar anxieties when the U.S. was becoming an industrial society in the late 1800s.
American University historian Allan J. Lichtman notes that the U.S. has endured comparable periods and worse, including the economic stagflation (stagnant growth combined with inflation) and Iran hostage crisis of 1980; the dawn of the Cold War, the Korean War and the hysterical hunts for domestic Communists in the late 1940s and early 1950s; and the Depression of the 1930s.
"All those periods were followed by much more optimistic periods in which the American people had their confidence restored," he said. "Of course, that doesn't mean it will happen again."
Each period also was followed by a change in the party controlling the White House.
This period has seen intense interest in the presidential primaries, especially the Democrats' five-month duel between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Records were shattered by voters showing up at polling places, yearning for a voice in who will next guide the country as it confronts the uncontrollable.
Never mind that their views of their current leaders are near rock bottom, reflecting a frustration with Washington's inability to solve anything. President Bush barely gets the approval of three in 10 people, and it's even worse for the Democratic-led Congress.
Why the vulnerability? After all, this is the 21st century, not a more primitive past when little in life was assured. Surely people know how to fix problems now.
Maybe. And maybe this is what the 21st century will be about — a great unraveling of some things long taken for granted.
On the positive side, the Twins are leading 1-0 in the 2nd and have a six game win streak going. They are only 1.5 games out of first.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Breast Cancer Ride
I finished a weekend of crewing the first ever Breast Cancer Ride in Minnesota. I've been crew on a lot of HIV/AIDS rides and this was done by a team of people that had done that in the past. Some of my favorite folks and they do a great job. It was somewhat different from the longer events in the past but overall very similar. The same group is putting on an overnight walk in September called Dusk2Dawn which will raise money for HIV/AIDS services in Africa and I plan on working on that as well. That will be even more different since it will be a walk rather than a ride. Seventeen miles over the course of about 12 hours I believe. I wasn't sure if I was going to walk or crew that one but I think I will crew. I'm going to focus on raising money though as if I were a walker.
On a totally different note, I'm watching MASH which is the best show ever made. I decided that I will open a bag of worms by listing what I think are the top 10 shows ever made. These are not in order except for the top two.
1. MASH
2. West Wing
3-10.
Quantum Leap
Animaniacs
Law & Order: SVU
30 Rock
Cosby Show
Mary Tyler Moore
Sportsnight
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Granted, I'm putting this list together off the top of my head without much sleep but I think these are pretty good.
On a totally different note, I'm watching MASH which is the best show ever made. I decided that I will open a bag of worms by listing what I think are the top 10 shows ever made. These are not in order except for the top two.
1. MASH
2. West Wing
3-10.
Quantum Leap
Animaniacs
Law & Order: SVU
30 Rock
Cosby Show
Mary Tyler Moore
Sportsnight
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Granted, I'm putting this list together off the top of my head without much sleep but I think these are pretty good.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Pics from my trip
So here are a few pictures from my trip. I'll try to upload them to a file sharing site as there are so many of them but here's a sample set...
The first is from the Badlands in South Dakota, the first of four national parks I've visited in the last three weeks.
This is Lake Jenny in Grand Tetons National Park just north of Jackson, Wyoming. Notice how much snow there is (Minnesotans who complain about winter not ending, this picture was taken Memorial Day weekend).
This is the Grand Canyon of the North in Yellowstone National Park.
Ride out on Day 1 of AIDS Life Cycle. 2500 riders!
Our spacious accomodations, tents for 3000!
The real Grand Canyon, my fourth and final national park...
The church in Santa Fe, an awesome little tourist town...
That's it folks. Sorry I didn't take any pics of Iowa or Nebraska. I guess I could have snapped some shots of really high water in Iowa. Oh well.
The first is from the Badlands in South Dakota, the first of four national parks I've visited in the last three weeks.
This is Lake Jenny in Grand Tetons National Park just north of Jackson, Wyoming. Notice how much snow there is (Minnesotans who complain about winter not ending, this picture was taken Memorial Day weekend).
This is the Grand Canyon of the North in Yellowstone National Park.
Ride out on Day 1 of AIDS Life Cycle. 2500 riders!
Our spacious accomodations, tents for 3000!
The real Grand Canyon, my fourth and final national park...
The church in Santa Fe, an awesome little tourist town...
That's it folks. Sorry I didn't take any pics of Iowa or Nebraska. I guess I could have snapped some shots of really high water in Iowa. Oh well.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I'm Back!
Wow. After a two week and six day road trip (approximately 6500 miles) I am back in Minnesota. It's good to be back but I had a great time too. Two days ago I was having lunch in Santa Fe which was my favorite part of the return trip. The day before that we stopped at the Grand Canyon which was amazing.
During my trip, a friend emailed and asked if I could help out on the Breast Cancer Ride. It's a similar event to the multiple bike rides I have done for the past seven years and since it is a good friend I said sure so I'm working on that on June 21st and 22nd and probably helping out some before that as well. So, I'm working on a total of three cycling fundraisers this summer. One down, two to go...
On that note, I was sweep support for AIDS Life Cycle 7 which was an amazing experience. It's so much bigger than the Minnesota events I have done and that is a massive understatement. 2500 riders, 550 roadies/crew moving down the road from San Francisco to L.A. which is very hilly. A lot of it is along Highway 1/the Pacific Coast Highway which is beautiful but crazy having that many cyclists on a fairly busy road. There are also times where the cyclists get on Highway 101, the freeway! That is really interesting to say the least... As a sweep vehicle on other events I've picked up cyclists along the route but usually get to do a lot of cheering. We did some cheering on this ride but there was a lot of picking up cyclists. I think we had 60-70 sweeps over the seven days including one day of 28! We were busy!
Ok, I'm going to try to get some pictures up here. Have a great day!
During my trip, a friend emailed and asked if I could help out on the Breast Cancer Ride. It's a similar event to the multiple bike rides I have done for the past seven years and since it is a good friend I said sure so I'm working on that on June 21st and 22nd and probably helping out some before that as well. So, I'm working on a total of three cycling fundraisers this summer. One down, two to go...
On that note, I was sweep support for AIDS Life Cycle 7 which was an amazing experience. It's so much bigger than the Minnesota events I have done and that is a massive understatement. 2500 riders, 550 roadies/crew moving down the road from San Francisco to L.A. which is very hilly. A lot of it is along Highway 1/the Pacific Coast Highway which is beautiful but crazy having that many cyclists on a fairly busy road. There are also times where the cyclists get on Highway 101, the freeway! That is really interesting to say the least... As a sweep vehicle on other events I've picked up cyclists along the route but usually get to do a lot of cheering. We did some cheering on this ride but there was a lot of picking up cyclists. I think we had 60-70 sweeps over the seven days including one day of 28! We were busy!
Ok, I'm going to try to get some pictures up here. Have a great day!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
San Francisco, LifeCycle and beyond
I'm spending two days in San Francisco ahead of AIDS LifeCycle. Tomorrow I meet Alisa, the person I'll be in a car with for a week so I'm crossing my fingers that we'll get along. For the next week I'll be supporting 2500 cyclists doing the ride from SF to LA. Then I meet some friends in LA and drive back with Sarah via the Grand Canyon, Colorado, etc. Should be a fun week or so.
I also got talked into crewing the first ever Breast Cancer Ride. It's a two day event around Minneapolis. Should be a lot easier than the other things I have done. Just Saturday and Sunday and I might even be able to crash at home in my own bed during it which would be a nice change. It's June 20-21 and you can let me know if you are able to help out as they are still looking for volunteers.
Ok, now on to the season finale of Lost!
I also got talked into crewing the first ever Breast Cancer Ride. It's a two day event around Minneapolis. Should be a lot easier than the other things I have done. Just Saturday and Sunday and I might even be able to crash at home in my own bed during it which would be a nice change. It's June 20-21 and you can let me know if you are able to help out as they are still looking for volunteers.
Ok, now on to the season finale of Lost!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Reno
So almost to California. About 10 miles to be exact. Tomorrow is breakfast at Lake Tahoe and then maybe wine country on the way to San Francisco.
We spent the last four days in Jackson, Wyoming which was great although a bit rainy. To be exact, it has rained EVERY day of our trip so far. However, Sunday was pretty nice for the most part so we were able to see a good part of the parks. Yesterday was a downer and we were hanging out with my cousin Sara who lives there so we went to the National Museum of Wildlife Art which was actually really great. Also saw Ironman which wasn't too bad. Had some ice cream at what has to be one of the nicest Dairy Queens anywhere. Have you ever been to one that has a fireplace in the center and looks out on mountains? All in all, a great day even if it wasn't what was planned for Jackson.
On a bad first, today was the first day I have ever bought gas for over $4 a gallon. And it was well over that. Not the last time either. I think it will be a week or so before I get any for less. Bummer. Thank goodness I have been getting around 30 miles/gallon. Not bad for Gus (name of my Saturn Vue). Yes, it has more meaning. Saturns must have astronaut's names in my opinion so my SL2 was Shep and the Vue is Virgil "Gus" Grissom. Next Saturn will be Glenn after John Glenn to keep the Mercury 7 order going. If you want more info on them you can rent The Right Stuff :)
We spent the last four days in Jackson, Wyoming which was great although a bit rainy. To be exact, it has rained EVERY day of our trip so far. However, Sunday was pretty nice for the most part so we were able to see a good part of the parks. Yesterday was a downer and we were hanging out with my cousin Sara who lives there so we went to the National Museum of Wildlife Art which was actually really great. Also saw Ironman which wasn't too bad. Had some ice cream at what has to be one of the nicest Dairy Queens anywhere. Have you ever been to one that has a fireplace in the center and looks out on mountains? All in all, a great day even if it wasn't what was planned for Jackson.
On a bad first, today was the first day I have ever bought gas for over $4 a gallon. And it was well over that. Not the last time either. I think it will be a week or so before I get any for less. Bummer. Thank goodness I have been getting around 30 miles/gallon. Not bad for Gus (name of my Saturn Vue). Yes, it has more meaning. Saturns must have astronaut's names in my opinion so my SL2 was Shep and the Vue is Virgil "Gus" Grissom. Next Saturn will be Glenn after John Glenn to keep the Mercury 7 order going. If you want more info on them you can rent The Right Stuff :)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
South Dakota
So today I pretty much crossed South Dakota. Erika and I are in Spearfish, almost to Wyoming. Tomorrow night I will be in Jackson where they are having Old West Days! There's a wine tasting tomorrow night. 400 different wines! Hmmm, what are the chances I can talk prima (cousin) Sara into joining us for that. I wouldn't bet against it if I were you.
We visited the Badlands which were pretty neat. It was really windy and pretty chilly though. The real bummer was that it rained and fogged in Mount Rushmore so we didn't get to see that. We did have dinner in Deadwood though. Pretty good and a cute town. You probably need to watch the HBO series to really appreciate it but I wouldn't recommend it if you are at all squeamish or averse to swearing. Interesting show though overall.
I'll write again with a update from Wyoming on our old West trek. Have a great day!
We visited the Badlands which were pretty neat. It was really windy and pretty chilly though. The real bummer was that it rained and fogged in Mount Rushmore so we didn't get to see that. We did have dinner in Deadwood though. Pretty good and a cute town. You probably need to watch the HBO series to really appreciate it but I wouldn't recommend it if you are at all squeamish or averse to swearing. Interesting show though overall.
I'll write again with a update from Wyoming on our old West trek. Have a great day!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Off to the Wild West
So I've graduated, I'm still trying to figure out what to do for a career and so I've decided that now is the perfect time to take a long vacation. I'm crewing the AIDS Lifecycle in California with my vehicle which is forcing/allowing me to take a long road trip. I leave tomorrow with a friend for San Francisco. We're going to stop at Mount Rushmore, for several days at Jackson Hole (where I can visit a few cousins) and then to CA. In CA, I'll be hanging out for a few short days in San Francisco and then driving to Los Angeles with the ride. Once I get there another friend is meeting me and we are driving back via the Grand Canyon and Colorado. I'm not sure how much I'll get posted along the way but will try to at least do a few updates and maybe even put up some pictures. I definitely will get photos up at some point for you to ponder, enjoy, avoid work with.... Have a great day!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Neshek down? :(
Wow, really not daily lately. Oh well. The real bummer is that Neshek came up with an injury today which could be serious. Any time you feel a snap in the elbow as a pitcher, not good.
Spring has definitely sprung here. Getting much greener and going for a walk or run along the Mississippi is great these days. I noticed that there was a little mass of snow left on the banks of the river a few days ago but I think it is all totally gone now.
On the plus side in sports, the New Orleans Hornets are up 2-0 in their series against the Spurs. Tonight is game 2 in San Antonio. Keeping my fingers crossed.
So what does it say about the quality of your furniture when you rearrange it because there's just not enough support left? I have a really old sofa and love seat that are probably better suited for a fish house or something where you really just want trashed stuff but I'm not getting anything new for this apartment. Hopefully I can move in the next six months or so and grab something new. I rearranged it so that my main piece is the love seat rather than the sofa which kind of sucks because my knees are at the end of the love seat but oh well. Something different soon....
Have a great day and enjoy the spring! Oh yeah, there's now a lot of tulips blooming at yards in the neighborhood. Also good to see.
Spring has definitely sprung here. Getting much greener and going for a walk or run along the Mississippi is great these days. I noticed that there was a little mass of snow left on the banks of the river a few days ago but I think it is all totally gone now.
On the plus side in sports, the New Orleans Hornets are up 2-0 in their series against the Spurs. Tonight is game 2 in San Antonio. Keeping my fingers crossed.
So what does it say about the quality of your furniture when you rearrange it because there's just not enough support left? I have a really old sofa and love seat that are probably better suited for a fish house or something where you really just want trashed stuff but I'm not getting anything new for this apartment. Hopefully I can move in the next six months or so and grab something new. I rearranged it so that my main piece is the love seat rather than the sofa which kind of sucks because my knees are at the end of the love seat but oh well. Something different soon....
Have a great day and enjoy the spring! Oh yeah, there's now a lot of tulips blooming at yards in the neighborhood. Also good to see.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Happy Birthday 30 year olds!
Not much to report but I just want to mention that I know four people turning 30 between April 20 & 25. Kind of crazy that they are all the same age. Happy Birthday Lisa, Erika, James and Andi! (Actually Lisa might not be 30 yet but she's the true "oldest" of the four since she has the husband, mortgage, kids and all :)
Also, loving Justin Morneau and his walk off single on Sunday. Overall most of the Twins are doing ok. Not any real standouts but no huge disappointments either. Boof pitches tonight though so that could change. Still my least favorite.
It's awesome weather here these days and the trees have buds. Some are getting ready to burst out with green it seems. A little bit of rain and it's definitely better looking outdoors.
I've seen a few movies lately and have a few more to watch. I saw Things We Lost In The Fire with Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro which would have been a Lifetime movie if it weren't for the high powered stars but still good. Lost Boys of Sudan was a documentary which was good. It's about Sudanese refugees coming to the U.S. Also just got done reading a young adult novel called Hattie Big Sky which was really good. It takes place in 1917 and has an orphan girl trying to earn her deceased uncle's claim in Montana. It's a lot about how hard it was to be German American during World War I. Can definitely see some parallels today.
That's enough rambling for today. Have a great one!
Also, loving Justin Morneau and his walk off single on Sunday. Overall most of the Twins are doing ok. Not any real standouts but no huge disappointments either. Boof pitches tonight though so that could change. Still my least favorite.
It's awesome weather here these days and the trees have buds. Some are getting ready to burst out with green it seems. A little bit of rain and it's definitely better looking outdoors.
I've seen a few movies lately and have a few more to watch. I saw Things We Lost In The Fire with Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro which would have been a Lifetime movie if it weren't for the high powered stars but still good. Lost Boys of Sudan was a documentary which was good. It's about Sudanese refugees coming to the U.S. Also just got done reading a young adult novel called Hattie Big Sky which was really good. It takes place in 1917 and has an orphan girl trying to earn her deceased uncle's claim in Montana. It's a lot about how hard it was to be German American during World War I. Can definitely see some parallels today.
That's enough rambling for today. Have a great one!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Free Rice
I've added a link to freerice.com which is an awesome website that helps people with their vocabulary while providing food for hungry people around the world. If you're just surfing the net, kind of bored, there's no better way to spend your time. On that note though, I will also mention www.kiva.org which is a microfinance site that you can use to loan money to people around the world. You can select somebody who needs some money to start a business, they develop their resources and pay you back. Very cool project.
On a completely different note, I'm now 2-0 with the Twins as I went to the game last night against the Rays and the Twins got back to winning after a few lousy games. Detroit is finally getting on to winning after a pathetic start. We helped out in their efforts unfortunately. Morneau is doing well and Mauer has been getting back to hitting after a slump. It's early but the race for the playoffs seem to always come down to a game or two and we focus on those later in the year when the outcome of a game in April counts the same. Oh well. Have a great day!
On a completely different note, I'm now 2-0 with the Twins as I went to the game last night against the Rays and the Twins got back to winning after a few lousy games. Detroit is finally getting on to winning after a pathetic start. We helped out in their efforts unfortunately. Morneau is doing well and Mauer has been getting back to hitting after a slump. It's early but the race for the playoffs seem to always come down to a game or two and we focus on those later in the year when the outcome of a game in April counts the same. Oh well. Have a great day!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Ah, the memory of being a sardine...
Here's a blast from the past that somebody mentioned was online. For anybody that has been on a Tokyo subway during rush hour I'm thinking you'll have memories of this sort of thing. Notice how one person fights to get on and then two more go on after that! Very typical in my experience there. For those of you that ask why they don't have more trains... They are pretty much at capacity. The trains run at least every three minutes and sometimes there is one parked in the tunnel right behind the one in the station. A very efficient system but a very big city.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Minnesota Ball
In addition, (since I ran out of space in the last entry) I decided I should show you what my car looked like after the game. I had to sweep off my car three separate times last Monday. This was the last one so though it doesn't look like a ton, this was after only a few hours. We had a pretty decent snowstorm last Monday although by Thursday it was t-shirt weather again. Gotta love the variety.
Let's Play Ball!
Sorry it's been so long. First it was a weekend in New York with some friends and then last week...baseball! I went to the opener which the Twins won but I haven't been to any games since then. Boof Bonser is really good.... at being my least favorite player. Today was another loss for him. Granted, he didn't get much run support but anybody that legally changes their name from John to Boof has a ways to go to earn my respect. My top three players are Pat Neshek, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan in that order. I've put some pictures here of NY and also the Twins. I had very distant seats but my zoom is pretty good. I'm going to get good seats one of these days and then I should have some really good pictures. Back to schoolwork. Have a great day!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Guthrie
One of my favorite things in Minneapolis is the Guthrie Theater which opened a few years ago and has won rave reviews from all over the world. I have gone to several plays there but they also hold concerts periodically and it is an excellent venue for that. Nanci Griffith was playing the other day so I convinced a friend to go (even though she hadn't even heard of Griffith). My friend lives in Minneapolis but had yet to go to the Guthrie, a sin in my book, but she loved it. There is a walkway which overlooks the Mississippi so we went out there for a few minutes and I took these pics. The first one is looking towards the 10th Street bridge which is right next to where the 35W bridge once stood and will again in a year or so. The other is looking the other direction towards the Stone Arch Bridge which is an old one that is now open just to pedestrians. We had a fun evening and Nanci Griffith was fantastic.
I'm off to New York this weekend. Some friends and I are going to hang out and we're going to see a show or two. One being the new revival of South Pacific. I'll let you know how it is. Have a great weekend!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
Hey everybody-
Random story day. I've been following some basketball like everybody else has with March Madness going on. One story that isn't NCAA but is very cool is how good the New Orleans Hornets have been this year. They had to relocate the season after the storm and NOLA isn't really a basketball town so they have been just barely making it. Until this year that is when they caught on fire. A lot of it is due to Chris Paul. He's an awesome player who's only 6'0", pretty short for the NBA. I did a little bit of research and realized that he played two years for Wake Forest before going pro. Wake Forest has always been one of my favorite schools just because you have to give credit to a place that picks "Demon Deacons" for a mascot. Another really cool story about him comes from his high school years. During his senior year, his grandfather was murdered at the age of 61. The day of the funeral Paul has a game and scores 61 points! He intentionally missed a free throw and then left the game. Pretty amazing story. So all of you "Cinderella" team lovers, here's one to root for. The New Orleans Hornets have the city buzzing and are making a strong run for it all.
On another note, it's Easter! Time to eat chocolate after giving it up for Lent. Yippee!
And finally, something to make you laugh. This is why even if I "kind of" know another language, I hesitate to use it for fear of butchering it. It's a Bulgarian version of American Idol where a contestant doesn't really know the words of a Mariah Carey song but still tries to do it in English. The final result is pretty entertaining.
Random story day. I've been following some basketball like everybody else has with March Madness going on. One story that isn't NCAA but is very cool is how good the New Orleans Hornets have been this year. They had to relocate the season after the storm and NOLA isn't really a basketball town so they have been just barely making it. Until this year that is when they caught on fire. A lot of it is due to Chris Paul. He's an awesome player who's only 6'0", pretty short for the NBA. I did a little bit of research and realized that he played two years for Wake Forest before going pro. Wake Forest has always been one of my favorite schools just because you have to give credit to a place that picks "Demon Deacons" for a mascot. Another really cool story about him comes from his high school years. During his senior year, his grandfather was murdered at the age of 61. The day of the funeral Paul has a game and scores 61 points! He intentionally missed a free throw and then left the game. Pretty amazing story. So all of you "Cinderella" team lovers, here's one to root for. The New Orleans Hornets have the city buzzing and are making a strong run for it all.
On another note, it's Easter! Time to eat chocolate after giving it up for Lent. Yippee!
And finally, something to make you laugh. This is why even if I "kind of" know another language, I hesitate to use it for fear of butchering it. It's a Bulgarian version of American Idol where a contestant doesn't really know the words of a Mariah Carey song but still tries to do it in English. The final result is pretty entertaining.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
I'm Dreaming of a White Easter
Only in Minnesota. Well, actually all over the Midwest but Minnesota usually gets singled out. Spring arrived and with it snow. It's actually really pretty. I know some people, or rather most people, get sick of snow but I never do. I love 60-70 degree weather but thinking about 80-90 degrees definitely leaves me wishing for December.
One good thing about this time of year though is Twins baseball. Only nine days until the opener. I was able to get tickets although they are the cheap upper deck seats. Should still be fun. Last year my least favorite Twin was Boof Bonser but it appears that he worked hard over the winter so he should be better. He still has a stupid name though and yes, it is his fault. It was John until he legally had it changed to Boof. He's no Pat Neshek (who happens to be my favorite player). I'm not going to make any predictions except to say that it's likely they won't win the division but they shouldn't be in last place either.
Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
One good thing about this time of year though is Twins baseball. Only nine days until the opener. I was able to get tickets although they are the cheap upper deck seats. Should still be fun. Last year my least favorite Twin was Boof Bonser but it appears that he worked hard over the winter so he should be better. He still has a stupid name though and yes, it is his fault. It was John until he legally had it changed to Boof. He's no Pat Neshek (who happens to be my favorite player). I'm not going to make any predictions except to say that it's likely they won't win the division but they shouldn't be in last place either.
Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring Break!!!
It's Spring Break and now it's.... gone... Or at least close to gone, this week has flown. I spent a few days in Bemidji and then have been mostly working out and seeing movies since I got back home. Here's the reviews so far:
Juno-Excellent. Funny movie but also poignant.
August Rush-Good. You have to suspend reality to accept all the "miracles" in the movie but still good wholesome entertainment.
Dan in Real Life-Good. Steve Carrell in probably one of his more serious roles although the movie overall is pretty funny. This movie has something for everyone.
The Jane Austen Book Club-Cute. Great cast. Definitely a chick flick.
I still have a few more movies to see in the next few days. Kind of an eclectic bunch. I'll let you know how they are.
It kind of feels like spring has sprung here but the reports are that it will be short lived with snow possibly tomorrow. We'll have have to see if that pans out.
Juno-Excellent. Funny movie but also poignant.
August Rush-Good. You have to suspend reality to accept all the "miracles" in the movie but still good wholesome entertainment.
Dan in Real Life-Good. Steve Carrell in probably one of his more serious roles although the movie overall is pretty funny. This movie has something for everyone.
The Jane Austen Book Club-Cute. Great cast. Definitely a chick flick.
I still have a few more movies to see in the next few days. Kind of an eclectic bunch. I'll let you know how they are.
It kind of feels like spring has sprung here but the reports are that it will be short lived with snow possibly tomorrow. We'll have have to see if that pans out.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Spring Break!
Today I finished my last papers before spring break thank goodness. Now I'm off for a week but I feel like I have plenty to do during that time. Oh well.
It's definitely spring here and today I took advantage of it again with a walk at Minnehaha Falls and along the river. The picture is of the falls obviously. There is still a lot of ice but the water is rushing too. They have a new photo displayed there from the 60's when President Lyndon Johnson visited along with Vice President Humphrey and Governor Rolvaag. It states that there was actually a drought and they had to unleash the water from fire hydrants further up the creek so that the water would flow. Kind of interesting. I don't know that they would do that today. There would be a lot of bad press for wasting resources to create the photo op.
The Twins won again today after a few losses. They are doing pretty well during spring training so far. Hopefully they can put together a winning record this season. There's been some interesting press lately about Pat Neshek's diet. He's been almost a vegetarian for a long time and now he's made the leap to vegan. His wife has been vegan for a long time. He has a little bit about it on his blog (www.patneshek.com) but basically says it's no big deal and the media are blowing it out of proportion. It would be interesting to find out how many professional athletes are vegetarian or vegan.
I have the local news on and this now answers the question of whether anything can be worse than the national news.... The reporter literally just put words in the interviewee's mouth. When she wasn't talking fast enough, she interrupted her to finish her sentence! That's not reporting!!! Painful... Oh well, have a great day!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Hey everybody
So, let's try this blog again... I don't know if I'll have much to say... For those of you that know me, that is totally a joke as I always have more than enough to say. What it will be about though is the question. I figure this blog will be for venting about politics, chatting about Twins, sharing some activities and even showing some photos here and there. If you're going to stop by this site anyway you must not have a whole lot to do and want to read my ramblings. Actually, you can just as easy wander over to somewhere more interesting whenever you want... As far as the name of this blog, you can probably guess that I hope to blog close to daily but don't expect that.
Today was the first 50 degree day in Minneapolis since last November and I took full advantage. A friend, her dog and I went for a walk around Lake Calhoun this afternoon. It's not my favorite lake but pretty cool this time of year during the middle of the day. Not a lot of folks on the trail and very sunny. The best part was watching the paraskiiers. This is a photo of one in front of the downtown skyline which I thought was pretty cool. Although it might not stay this warm consistently, I think we're done with the really cold days of the 2007-2008 winter. Bring on the Spring!
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