Monthly Archives: August 2012

The Spots


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Tonight was the first ever corporate choir sing-off at Minneapolis’ summer Music & Movies in the Parks at Lake Harriet. You see, I’m one of 30+ members in the Target choir, The Spots. We were joined by choirs from General Mills, Wells Fargo and Ameriprise in a program titled “Sing United,” in which we each sang 4-5 numbers as individual choirs and joined together for four choral pieces. In other words, it was on like Regionals in Glee.

I’m fortunate Target offers many networking groups and encourages team members to be themselves and focus on all aspects of well-being. Or as they say during orientation, “Be You. Be Target.” The Spots is one of those networks, and our summer season began in late February. We’ve been learning the music and the choreography to nine songs at our twice a week, lunch-hour rehearsals and our all-day boot camp in June. Yep, we’re that dedicated to creating quality music. It’s a lot of time invested, but it’s a lot of fun, a lot of laughter and many new friendships. The Spots mostly perform for internal meetings, though we usually have a few public performances.

At Lake Harriet, the energy was palpable with grins ear-to-ear, the acoustics were sharp, and a summer breeze swept in from the lake. The Spots’ tight harmonies wove through the electric night air, fortified by measures in unison, and our arms and feet moved with the beat. We sang a little Motown (Up the Ladder to the Roof), some Bollywood (Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire), some Swahili (Baba Yetu), Taio Cruz’s fist-pumping Dynamite, and the Beatles (With a Little Help from My Friends). It was one of my favorite musical moments in recent memory.

And if there had been a Glee-esque panel of judges, I’m certain my friends and I would be heading to Nationals.


August 12th, 2012|Minneapolis, Music, People|Comments Off on The Spots

Desk Makeover


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After 11 months, my desk finally looks less like a campsite. Let there be art.

August 9th, 2012|People|Comments Off on Desk Makeover

Open Up Your Eyes


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And the time has come to realize,
And see the plan you’ve been designed for.
So face the fear of all unknown,
And see the heart inside,
So open up your eyes.
So open up your eyes.
– From Jeremy Camp’s song Open Up Your Eyes

Photos from one of my favorite cities, Toledo, Spain.

August 8th, 2012|General, Travel|Comments Off on Open Up Your Eyes

Beefeaters


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Beefeaters, also known as Yeomen Warders but not nearly as fun to say, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. Yeomen Warders began guarding the Tower in 1485, and in principle were responsible for looking after any prisoners and safeguarding the British crown jewels. Today, there are 37 Yeomen Warders and one Chief Warder, and they act more as tour guides. All warders are retired from the Armed Forces of Commonwealth realms and must be former senior non-commissioned officers with at least 22 years of service.

Why this post for today? One, the London Olympics are still on. And beef, it’s what I had for dinner.

August 7th, 2012|People|1 Comment

Cathedral of Saint Paul


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The Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minn. is the third largest church in the U.S. It’s the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, along with the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. The exterior walls of the cathedral are Rockville granite from St. Cloud, and the interior walls are American Travertine from Mankato.  

 

August 6th, 2012|St. Paul|Comments Off on Cathedral of Saint Paul

A Day in Loring Park


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A year ago, I was visiting Casey in Fairbanks, Alaska with our friend Heidi. Instead of searching for bears, moose and the closest Fred Meyer, today we roamed for margaritas, buskers (there was a decent guitar player today) and Target on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. I found a used book at James & Mary Laurie Booksellers that was calling my name. Literally, the book title was Joe.

We ventured into Loring Park for a photo, and thanks to Casey’s patience with the amateur photographer, I think we got a winner. (Luckily for everyone involved, it didn’t take as long as this sunflower in Alaska.) What a fun afternoon!

Earlier in the day, the Target Spots–the corporate choir–performed a 30 minute set at the Loring Park Arts Festival in the misty rain. The choir celebrated the morning at Loring Kitchen and Bar with spicy Bloody Mary’s and bottomless mimosas. I also walked away (after paying, of course) with two new awesome prints by Ukrainian-born, Chicago artist Anatasia Mak. Support the Arts!

August 5th, 2012|People|Comments Off on A Day in Loring Park

Bullseye Bus


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This fall, Target is donating $5 million to schools as part of its “Give With Target” program. The giving campaign will provide $2.5 million in grants to in-need schools, and up to $2.5 million in Target GiftCards to local schools that receive votes on the Target Facebook page. Vote for your K-12 school.

Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler will hop on the Bullseye Bus for surprise visits to four schools across the country in August.

The bus parked in front of the downtown Minneapolis store on Friday, and I got to step inside. And bonus, I saw my college friend Danielle and learned she did the graphic design work for the project!


Give With Target

August 5th, 2012|Minneapolis|Comments Off on Bullseye Bus

King Midas’ Bike

King Midas gold bike
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A bike dipped in gold mysteriously parked in front of my building all week.

August 5th, 2012|General|Comments Off on King Midas’ Bike

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, London
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Given much of the news lately is on the 2012 London Olympic Games, I figured it was a good time to share photos from London, which I had the opportunity to visit last year. Some former colleagues and I walked around Westminster Abbey, among other touristy things, and there was lots of energy in the air, since Prince William and Kate’s wedding would be held the following month.

Westminster Abbey



August 5th, 2012|General, Photography|Comments Off on Westminster Abbey

Mi reflejo

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
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                Who is that guy I see, staring straight back at me.
                       Hoy no reconocí, a quien vi frente a mi.

August 4th, 2012|People|1 Comment