Skiing

As Missy discussed that she's planning on skiing for New Years in Europe, I realized my #1 ski contact in SF is not living in SF anymore. Thus, beyond skiing the day after Christmas in South Dakota's Black Hills, I am not sure of my 06-07 ski plans. However, the summary of my thoughts includes:

• I think I might be too advanced for Minneapolis' ski hills.
• I think planning a trip w/ a bunch of people to Lutsen might be a lot of work.
• I think skiing in CO if that trips happens would be wicked fun.
• I think trying out Spirit Mountain in Duluth might be fun for a day.
• The mountains in New England are icy but I still know people on the East Coast so this could be a possibility.
• Tim is still getting a share in Tahoe so I might crash his party sometime.
• Why don't very many of my friends ski? / Maybe my new friends from ABC ski?!?!?!

UPDATE: I'm reposting because I wanted more responses than I got from y'all. Now that it's cold, maybe skiing is on the mind a bit more?

Seriously

I just read that it's 3 1/2 months till Valentine's Day. Seriously, who thinks about that holiday this far out?!?!?

Weisman

While I'm still MIA at the MIA, I will be going to a museum next weekend - unless I'm dead in bed post-homecoming. But I've been remarkably hangover free lately so I think I'll be good to go.

Will you join Bejota, his friend, and me at the Weisman on Sunday at 3pm to visit the Red Bull exhibit? It's my effort at culture. Holla.

I like free beer - anybody in?

We’re excited to announce that Finnegan’s is now being served at The Cardinal Tavern on 38th and Hiawatha. Join us for our next social at the Cardinal on Thursday, November 9th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Arrive before 8:00pm and we’ll buy your first pint!

I love stalking

I use mybloglog.com to track who visits my site, where they come from, where they click through, etc. This one I found particularly funny for no good reason, really. Someone Googled "alicia blog" sexy and found their way to my blog this way. Why? Who knows.

Perhaps you haven't been listening

Please, please start reading Planet Dan's blog. His Halloween History is not to be missed, and indicitive of his style. If you live in Mpls and don't read him daily, you're dumb.

New House Shit Sunday

I've been deep in deliberations for the last 10 days as to what major furniture to buy. After visiting many stores, debating between many options including sectional, leather chair, etc. etc. a week ago I narrowed it down to getting a couch with a chair/ottoman.

I chose to buy the following at Schneiderman's - if you haven't been to their new store in Plymouth you're missing out. Alicia also had luck here so if you like our kind of stuff, go there. One of my fav things is that their fabric protection plan has a clause where if you don't utilize it in the next 5 years, at that point you then get the cost of the plan back in a gift certificate to the store. So it's a win-win.

The other win-win: The "Wheel of Furniture" promotion is going on right now so I spun the wheel and got 10% off my order. Yipee!

Keep in mind - my room is going to have light blue walls with the wall where the windows are as the accent chocolate brown wall.

My couch - except in chocolate brown:


My chair/ottoman - except in a dark brown w/ blue geometric print:


My rug - except 8x10:
If you like it, yeah! I do and that's what matters. It should all be here by my mid-January housewarming party...

RSW Rental Cars

Alicia and I are headed to Kerry's wedding and need to rent a car. Pretty simple.

Oh wait - a couple of the rental car companies are "sold out" for that weekend, the others are all charging $40-50/day for an Economy car. WTF?

If anybody has an "in" for renting a cheap car mid-Nov in Ft. Meyers, holla.

New House Shit

Once upon a time I had this bookshelf in my Southie apartment. Since it's cheap and I already know I like it, I'm going to avoid reshopping and plan to get a pair of them for my new living room.

Green with envy

Michael, Bejota, and Missy are meeting for dinner in Chelsea in 15 minutes. Considering these are three of my favorite people in the world, I really wish I was there.

Laura's Word of the Moment

Contrary to "Word of the Day" (defining fun words), this posting is about the one word of the moment I can't stop saying - I use it liberally and it's loosely defined.

And the word is of the moment is... "yowza". Not sure why, but it has bumped out "whatev" as my fav.

Look at all these boys!

I found out that the LBS women's rugby team needs to update their pix (Missy's not in it) and the boys is slightly out of date but at least one of the boys from our drinking team at the pub crawl is in this pix of the LBS men's rugby team pix.

This is actual, real, news

Durham, NC -- A team led by scientists at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering has demonstrated the first working "invisibility cloak." The cloak deflects microwave beams so they flow around a "hidden" object inside with little distortion, making it appear almost as if nothing were there at all.

More dets in the full article.

Happy Halloween #2

For some reason, I can't stop staring at this picture. Thanks Matt Flores for sending me fun stuff for my blog.

Better late than never

I gave you a heads up I might be buying a condo, but dropped the ball in updating you on the issue. So here are the dets:

1. I AM buying a condo. Which officially makes me a grown-up.
2. It's a condo conversion (so it's a 1960s building that was icky apartments for the last 40 years but now is getting gutted and renovated).
3. It's in Uptown at Lake and Bryant.
4. I close on Nov 14 Nov 27. Unless it changes (again).
5. I am busy busy busy furniture and paint shopping.
6. I will have a housewarming party in Dec or Jan. You're probably invited.
7. Per my last posting, if you need a place to stay in Mpls, holla. You can totally stay with me. I'll hopefully have good references after Alicia's siblings stay there over Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, with my close date bumped back, they'll be staying at my old place instead.
   

Since I copycat Alicia, I will provide "New House Shit x-Day" postings as things progress.

I did not get this memo

Grey's Anatomy's T.R. Knight is gay, he has confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE.

"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there," Knight tells PEOPLE in a statement.

"While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

Knight, 33, plays the unassuming Dr. George O'Malley on the hit ABC drama. A Minneapolis native, he began his career in that city's famed Guthrie Theater.

I'm not a lesbian

but I bet my "vacations/year" figure is closer to those of the GLBT community than the breeders. Fact to back this up (not that I go on cruises often):

"Gay and lesbian travelers go on cruises three times per year, compared to once every three years for mainstream cruisers."
COMMUNITY MARKETING, INC., "11TH ANNUAL LGBT TOURISM PROFILE," U.S. NEWSWIRE 9.15.06

More Project Runway!!!

No, next season hasn't been announced - but this article about Minneapolis' own Katherine Gerdes is still fun.

Did you see the crew from PR on Best Week Ever last week?

Believe it

Bridesmaid Rachel, groomsman Jonathan at Amy's wedding.

Reasons why I like Amy - she emailed out this pix and labeled it "best pix of the wedding". I love that Rachel has a fake tooth knocked out, not a real one, but the look on her face is priceless anyway.

Christmas is coming

and if you've been racking your brain as to what to buy me, might I suggested these dishes from Corelle.

WTF is up w/ his facial hair?!?!?!?!?!?

Mall to Open at 12am post Turkey Day

Bejota I'm sure is excited about this. On the other hand, my feelings on this can be quickly summed up as such:

"Ravioli, holy canol!"
"Shoot me now, God"

The Friday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year and many retailers open their doors early to the throng of shoppers searching for holiday bargains. But for some shoppers, 5 a.m. just isn't early enough.

This year, Albertville Premium Outlets will open at midnight on Nov. 24 for "Midnight Madness," giving customers an extra five hours of shopping. About half of its more than 100 tenants plan to participate, including all of the largest tenants.

The mall's parent company, Roseland, N.J.-based Chelsea Premium Outlets Inc. -- a division of leading mall developer Simon Property Group -- rolled out the midnight program at eight of its shopping centers last year.

"Parking lots last year were almost full by 1 a.m. and they stayed full throughout the night and throughout the day," Chelsea spokeswoman Jamilyah Smith-Kanze said.

Buzz Anderson, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, said he expects other retailers to follow suit with earlier openings.

"One thing retailers really try to do is to make shopping fun, and there's probably a large segment of people who probably can't wait to go shopping at midnight," he said.

The idea isn't certain to succeed, though. It could be challenging for some retailers to staff the additional hours and it also might be difficult to maintain the early momentum.

"I think this is something people are throwing out to put a new spin on Black Friday, and we'll just have to see where it goes," Anderson said. "It could end up being a big dud."

Save the date - Bob - Fine Line - Sat, Dec 2

Will it just be a threesome with Bob, Alica, and me when we go to his show in December, or are y'all with us? Tix are $20ish. I might go DT and buy them b/c tickemaster fees are making me crabbier than usual. I haven't seen him since Summerfest and I'm ready. Holla.

Night o' Sedaris #2

Alicia and I really enjoyed seeing David Sedrais on Saturday night at the Orpheum. He read 3-4 stories to us that will be publishing in the New Yorker or in his next book. Then, he gave a non-fiction book recommendation, Is There No Place on Earth for Me? by Susan Sheehan about living w/ schizophrenia. He made a comment that since the woman the book profiles isn't living anymore, there's no need to feel sorry for her as you read the book. It was funny. Then he recommended that we all visit Tokyo. And finally, he answered audience questions mostly about things he's written, the MOA, and politics.

I was busy internetting today and figure out that his sister, Amy, is going to be in town in 3 weeks. And tickets are only $12 w/ my MPR discount :) Anybody interested in that show?


89.3 The Current presents The Current Fakebook with Amy Sedaris at The Fitzgerald Theater on Wednesday, November 15th at 8:00 pm. The Current Fakebook will bring together writers, be they novelists, screenwriters, bloggers or critics, and some of their favorite musicians for an evening of music and insights that spring from the written word. Current on-air host Mary Lucia, a writer and humorist in her own right, will interview guests and give them time and space to express themselves in a casual, creative and innovative format. The evenings featured musical guest will be Bound Stems. Amy Sedaris, former member of Second City and Annoyance Theatre comedy troupes, has appeared often on screen, both large and small. She's co-creator, with Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello, of Comedy Central's hit show Strangers with Candy and is half of the Obie-winning "Talent Family" playwright team (with her brother, David). She has recently published a guide to entertaining entitled I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. Amy lives in Manhattan with her imaginary boyfriend, Ricky, and her pet rabbit, Dusty.

Strange Craigslist Posting of the Day #4

Family Camping "Next Summer"

Date: 2006-10-10, 11:45AM CDT

I have decided to start a camping club, it is not easy to find new friends with kids that have simmiler interests, most of the people i know live in a plastic bubble and would die if there kids got dirty.

I feel that there are alot of people out there that would like to go camping with a group but dont want to get stuck in a campground with a bunch of people that have nothing in common with them so here is what i am looking for:

People who want to have fun

drinking in moderation is ok

not going to church on sunday morning is ok

no drugs

no Perverts

I would like to find as many people that would like to sit by a fire at night tell storys and laugh as i can and if to many people show up we will have to build a biger fire.

so far there are 5 familes + mine that are singed up, i will send you a form to fill out with your preferances. there is no reqierment as to when to come camping or how offten, i will be sending out a flyer with dates and locations of camping trips.

I have one spot pick out so far for mid summer, here is the web address. http://kampdels.com/ I am also looking for other suggestions.

My name is Cory(34) and i am a Support Manager for a software company My wife is Linda(38) and she is a Office Admin. for a construction company we have 3 kids (12,12,2)

Strange Craigslist Posting of the Day #3

Hallelujah Night
Date: 2006-10-14, 4:23PM CDT

Hallelujah Night
Tuesday October 31st 6pm to 8pm
Zion Baptist Church
621 Elwood Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55412

There will be Sloppy Joes, chips, CANDY, games, and prizes. Biblical costumes are encouraged but all are welcome as long as they are not inappropriate. We will also be having a contest for the coolest costume Everyone is invited

Strange Craigslist Posting of the Day #2

pregnant...anybody else?
Date: 2006-10-16, 11:18PM CDT

Hello, Hi..my name is Sandrine, I moved in Minneapolis last April to be with the man of my life...last week, we had the surprise that we are expecting our first child together (He has 2 children from previous marriage) - so anyway..

I am 31 and never been through pregnancy..I am very happy but don't have my friends around and have no clue about all this. If you are pregnant and wanna share your experience - please contact me..it's already tough to move in a new city, loosing all your friends and going through pregancy without "girls" support.

Ok...I am done
Have a good day
sandrine

Strange Craigslist Posting of the Day

Clothing Shopper
Date: 2006-10-18, 1:28AM CDT

I'm looking for a couple girls with a good sense of fashion to help me out. I hate shopping for clothes and I'd rather have someone else do it for me. Male, 24, Minneapolis.

Survey says...

We asked 100 people how well you need to know someone to invite yourself to sleep at their house...

If this were a Family Feud question, what would it show? I was just thinking I should plan a vacation to visit Rachel in Nashville. Then I remembered, I really don't know Rachel very well. Not in a "she might not be who she seems" way, but in a "it might be rude to intrude on her life because I barely know her" way.

Would you think it was weird if someone you really didn't know super well approached you about visiting you and wanted to stay with you? I'm a little dumb about the etiquette of this - I don't have to know you very well for me to warmly open my home to you and invite you to stay w/ me and tour guide you (think: Boston). I am very liberal in my visitor policy, probably more than almost anybody.

Throwing a survey up on my blog seemed like the best solution to this problem. How well should you know someone before you ask to stay at their house for a few days on vaca? I know Michael very well, but he doesn't allow visitors to stay w/ him. I had met Rachelle once, and she slept over at my house and didn't think it was weird. Where do you stand on this "important" issue?

The guy from Se7en could kill me for any number of reasons

Your Deadly Sins

Lust: 80%

Sloth: 80%

Gluttony: 60%

Greed: 60%

Pride: 60%

Envy: 40%

Wrath: 40%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 60%

You'll die from overexertion. *wink*

How Sinful Are You?

Hopefully the Dodge Stratus isn't next

Why didn't I hear the Ford Taurus will be discontinued until today?
I'm out of the loop. When I Google image searched Taurus, I was NOT expecting the results I got. Naked girls are named Taurus? Who knew. I find it ironic that in light of the car model being discontinued, 0/20 top results for the model name picture a car.

Alicia - when you drove a Taurus, did you join the Taurus Club of America? Shoot me now.

Get your vote on

In the race for district 61 state senator, I have the option of voting for Mark Dolski. Anybody think he's related to Miss? Hmm... I won't vote for him but it's fun anyway.

Ooh, and could Alan Fine be a bigger ass? Not possible.

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%PSA*%*%*%*%*%*%*%

Not sure where to vote or what your ballot will look like?

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%PSA*%*%*%*%*%*%*%

Did you get the memo?

I heard a few weeks ago that Zach Braff announced he's leaving Scrubs after this year. While this made me sad, I know he'll be around in front of the camera so it's not that big a deal (unlike when Kilbourn left TV and dropped off the face of the earth).

The problem is that Scrubs has disappeared from fall's TV schedule. Again. Why must you do this to me NBC? Rather than complaining, simply see last year's bitching about this.

WTF?

Reactive blogging?

Since Sabatkes asked, I'll share with you my opinions about PR's finale. I had read a magazine a few weeks ago highlighting the collections and giving their opinion. Jane magazine perhaps?

Anyway, it said Michael's collection was disappointing; Jeffrey's was most impressive because of the range of outfits included and high level of detail. So when I watched part 1 of the finale, seeing that Michael wasn't moving real fast, and Jeffrey had lots of fancy stuff, I wasn't super surprised.

My personal favorite I think was Uli. Though I did like Laura's, I agree her range just didn't do it. I thought Uli did a great job of keeping with what she knew and liked but a few of her outfits surprised me. I'd like to like Jeffrey's but I'm just not down w/ his punk rocker stuff and don't thin it's cute or what I'd like to wear.

Throughout the show, the scenario was set as this: Michael is posed as "not developed enough" Laura as "limited range" Uli has "only print dresses" Jeffrey has "good collection, but did he cheat?". I wasn't sure if they were going to flip the tide and have an underdog win -- when I go and watch back episodes of reality shows I notice so much setting you up to be surprised by the editing.

However, I was fine w/ Jeffrey winning. Don't love his collection, but I was ok with it. I think it would've been fun if Uli did, I liked that she was second, but I was ok w/ it.

If you want me to blog about anything else, comment w/ your requests. Sometime I'll return to my excessive longwinded blog posts you're all used to.

Happy Halloween!

I'm not a big fan of funny animal pictures but this is great.



But is the dog or the "Harry" funnier? I'm not sure.

Per Kerry's request

I've started blogging again. And my parents - they also noted missing my blog.

Unfortunately, my return does not include:
1) stories or pix from London
2) stories or pix from Amy's Dayton, OH wedding
3) reasons why I've been out of blogland lately

This posting does, however, include a fun link to a website that allows you to do flexible searches for intn'l flights -- Zuji.com is a foreign subsidiary of Travelocity and lets you do flex searches (directions are here).

That's all for now.

Greased lightning

What US state has more occurances of lightning than any other state?

COMMENT w/ your guess.

Funny t-shirt of the day

From Busted Tees