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When I moved to Minneapolis, I was surprised by the number of people who use public transportation to get to the office. It’s a good thing. As a result, people in business attire are often found dotted across Metro Transit stops downtown as they wait for a ride home.
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Tonight I uncovered a little street music, where rhythms of the beat box, cello, guitar and violin wove through the night air like a seasoned cyclist winds through rush hour. And they are Tea-Tum.
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The rains abated in time for my first Twins game of the season with friends. Despite having “the worst record in baseball,” the Twins won 5-0 over the Angels, which included a two-run homer. In between bites of Turkey to Go, Wisconsin cheese curds, and Minneapple pie (which is amaZing), it was a fun reunion among four former U of M Admissions Ambassadors.
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Signs you’re 31: You don’t really give a darn how many people stare at you quizzically as you attempt to take your self-portrait in a public park. (There were several hundred, because it took me 45 minutes.) I probably looked like a crazy. Actually, I’m certain of it. It’s much harder than it looks! Every 10 seconds, I jumped behind the camera, adjusted my tripod, pressed the 10 second timer and then started smiling, laughing and/or moving my head in a clockwise direction while the camera captured five shots at a time. It certainly didn’t help things that I was talking to myself!
Birthdays are not only a day for celebrating but a day for taking inventory: of the family who supports you; of friendships made and maintained and those that have yet to be; of colleagues, and a career that has been both intellectually challenging and rewarding; of passions; a community and a faith underlying it all.
The journey’s only just begun. Thanks for coming along.
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Today, I took a shot at making an offer on a house. Ultimately, it went to another buyer, but it was not all for naught. I learned a ton and devoured legal fine print like I was starving for run-on sentences. It was my practice layup for the slam dunk that will be my future home.
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It’s funny how time changes your perspective. I love attending the annual Festival of Nations, where ethnic food from 35 countries, folk artisans, and entertainment combine over a four day weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota. I sampled empanadas, arepas and chorizo from Colombia, a caramel apple crepe from France and kolaches from Czech Republic. While everything tasted quite good, in the last decade since I first attended the festival, I’ve either had the privilege of trying those treats in their respective countries, or I had an enormous swath of ethnic restaurant to choose from in Chicago. Once exotic foods like Hungarian, South American, Indian, Thai, Nepalese and Lebanese are no longer Greek to me.
I most enjoy the performances by students and adults alike who are proudly sharing their music and culture. It reminds me that each of us has a rich history and heritage, which make the world a more interesting place. And, that’s something to celebrate.
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Some Fridays call for happy hour. I called for Lemon Shandy at Brit’s Pub. And, it was simply brilliant.
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After creating or sharing news from 8-5, it’s only natural that my coworkers and I sometimes end the day at the newsroom. One of my favorite happy hour bars, The Newsroom is conveniently next door to my office. And also conveniently a four block walk home.
Minneapolis readers: Where’s your happiest happy hour?
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Nice Ride Minnesota is a non-profit organization that provides public bike sharing to the Twin Cities. For a nominal daily, monthly or yearly subscription, you simply take a bike when you need one, and return it to any station in the system when you arrive at your destination. The bike share system became operational on June 10, 2010.
My photo challenge is 33% complete, which means I have 243 more stories to share.
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There’s always a surprise or two every time I walk on Nicollet Avenue. Today was no different. Who knew I’d witness Morris dancers celebrating May Day and the onset of spring—a 500 year-old folk tradition from England that has roots here in Minnesota. With bells strapped to their shins, the Bells of the North enthusiastically sang, danced and clacked sticks along with accordion music to mark the change of the seasons. A pleasant surprise, to be sure. And even more so when I learned my coworker’s mother-in-law is a member of the The Bells, which was founded in 1979!
See a photo gallery from Minnesota Public Radio. See below for a video clip from last year.
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