Every…freaking…time…

And I, being ever so prepared, decided to wear flipflops.

Good thing the dog harnesses made [...]]]> Alesus and I decided to take a nature-tour with the krakens. Of course the path near the river was flooded and the dogs had to charge right through the middle of the muck:

Every…freaking…time…

And I, being ever so prepared, decided to wear flipflops.

Good thing the dog harnesses made it super easy to throw the dogs in the river to torture clean them off.

And yes, the back seat of my car is a hot mess.

More pictures:

We should make time to do this during the semester.

I have lived in Minnesota for a two years now, and I spend more time at the lakes here than I ever spent on Miami beaches (and I lived in Miami for six years.)

My quality of life is far better in Minneapolis. [...]]]> I go to lake Calhoun several times a week.

I have lived in Minnesota for a two years now, and I spend more time at the lakes here than I ever spent on Miami beaches (and I lived in Miami for six years.)

My quality of life is far better in Minneapolis. Miami is glamorous, but it caters to tourists, the wealthy, and the orange.

I love that I can bike around Minneapolis, take public transit without wearing a gas mask, and study at dozens of independent cafes. Minneapolis is caked in parks, full of amusing immigrants and sub-cultures, and just a vibrant place to live.

I love it, crazies, cold, and all.

The hill is on a street named “Yankee Doodle” which makes the whole situation seem even more ridiculous. But do not be fooled! Yankee Doodle has a [...]]]> I biked to work on Sunday. I work 16 miles in the suburbs, and the distance doesn’t bother me, but I hate going up the hill near the office.

The hill is on a street named “Yankee Doodle” which makes the whole situation seem even more ridiculous. But do not be fooled! Yankee Doodle has a massive, half-mile long hill that hurts. The hill is so large that I expect a Buddhist monk or a mountain goat at the top.

So I decide to get cute, take a short cut, and promptly get lost in this Ozarky town named Mendota:

Trust me, there are houses down there.
Mendota is in a tiny valley and has about 200 people, a restaurant, a bar, and no real through-streets.

I eventually got out of Mendota, went the wrong way along the Mississippi, and of course, came to an even STEEPER hill than the one I wanted to avoid in the first place.

Flippin’ fail.

I ended up where I started, and my 32-mile bike ride became a 47-mile ride.

Yes, my bum is sore.

The lake itself was kinda bland, but hanging out with the coworkers was hilarious.

There was also an intense volleyball game. People changed into athletic clothes. There were dives and aggressive stances. Absolutely amazing.

I also played this bean-bag toss game [...]]]> We had our annual company picnic at Blackhawk Lake. Lawyers playing trivia is always amusing.

The lake itself was kinda bland, but hanging out with the coworkers was hilarious.

There was also an intense volleyball game. People changed into athletic clothes. There were dives and aggressive stances. Absolutely amazing.

I also played this bean-bag toss game that apparently is a Midwestern staple. Who knew?

I am the caretaker for my apartment building now, so gloriously awkward phone calls from prospective tenants interrupted the picnic. Apparently my landlord listed my telephone number in the newpaper ads for the building, and these prospective tenants think I am the building owner.

I have 10-types of crazy calling for apartment showings. Good thing the craziest callers end up canceling the apartment showings 10 minutes in advance or don’t call back when I inform them that their prior evictions may, in fact, be a problem. Life in Minnesota gets more amusing every day.

The images link to larger files. RSS/Facebook readers: click here if you cannot see the gallery above.

The pictures were taken on my Blackberry. I’m ambivalent about spring coming. The temperature is warmer but the dogs are muddier, and there’s [...]]]> Things are actually rainy and muddy right now, but a few weeks ago we got some pretty hoar frost.

The images link to larger files.

RSS/Facebook readers: click here if you cannot see the gallery above.

The pictures were taken on my Blackberry.
I’m ambivalent about spring coming. The temperature is warmer but the dogs are muddier, and there’s no dramatic hoar frost.

The worst part of the thaw is that all of the trash, dead animals, and dog shit that has accumulated all winter is now visible. It looks like a big septic tank exploded all over the city. Ick.

See also:

• Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Snow romp with the dogs
• St. Anthony Falls

The thumbnails link to larger images. Facebook/RSS readers: click here if you cannot see the gallery. ]]> I obviously when camera-happy on last year’s Bemidji trip… here are the rest of the pictures.

The thumbnails link to larger images. Facebook/RSS readers: click here if you cannot see the gallery.

]]> Why yes, it has gotten cold. Why do you ask?

It’s 19° with a “feels like” temp of 4°.

Here’s what happened:

September