Secrets of the City

I’m ready for Hard Times to re-open, speaking of open. I hope they haven’t scrubbed all the patina away.

This thread sucks. Close it.

I’m listening to really bad Russian hip-hop right now, and I kinda like it.

I’m getting ready to drive to Renville, Minn. for an E85/biodiesel event. Woo woo! Actually, these can be kinda fun sometimes.

Is there any really good Russian hiphop?

Just wondering!

Da!

I thought so.

This is a funny video if you’re a fan of 24

Click on “The Early Years”

It’s the 1994 unaired pilot of 24

Nice to see Ivan D Terrible making an early morning appearance here.

I’m waking up with very little voice after singing “Ring of Fire” four times karaoke-style at Jitters last night… and making sure you don’t read about any of my co-workers in the newspaper this morning. Work parties are awesome.

Juno is a good movie, not a great movie. Like Jason Reitman’s last effort, Thank You For Smoking, there is much to work with, but both have an Achilles heel if you choose to see it as such.

The plot for TYFS runs out of gas, and Juno turns this around with a very cynical-but-sweet story, but has the misfortune of being too heavily peppered with hipsterisms. Maybe teens talk that way, but if that’s the market then I don’t understand why it’s an indie comedy.

I’m totally digging Mpls music blog Switchblade Comb. Thanks to Mr. s4xton for the tip.

I caught the last five minutes of Juno last night at the Walker.

I was only there to see Ms. Cody answer questions after the movie.

She arrived on stage after the credits totally hammered. She put the uptight Walker-provided moderator to shame and literally shoved her out of the spotlight and off the stage.

Ms. Cody is totally awesome and funny.

“I’m listening to really bad Russian hip-hop right now, and I kinda like it.“

Marat is very good, and this video in particular is not your average hip hop video. “Ne plach” is another one on the YouTubes.

Nobody can touch Ill Mitch.

Hey it’s my birthday today!!! 30 years today!!!!

BTW, if any of you MNSpeakers would like to wish me a happy birthday in person, I’m having a party at Grumpy’s Downtown starting at 8:30 tonight.

Happy Birthday Alie!

Juno: $59K per theater. Not too shabby.

I heard Ms. Cody on the radio this morning. She was witty and smart, as always. I can’t wait to see the movie.

And what do people think about calling in sick on Fridays and Mondays? I really didn’t want to come to work today, but I knew I couldn’t call in sick, its a Friday.

I have a co-worker who will not call in sick on Mondays or Fridays regardless of how sick she is. She knows it looks bad.

Being home right now snuggling with my doggie would be so much nicer than reading MNSpeak at work…

If you’re sick(and have the sick time to take) and the work that needs to be done can wait for another day, who cares how it looks?

I almost never call in sick. I’ve come around in theory: most of my coworkers use all their sick days. And I’ve never gotten so much as an “atta boy” for not calling in sick. So I believe you should call in sick for sure when you’re sick. And you should take mental health days too.

That said — theory hasn’t quite met practice yet. I still don’t call in sick. Catholic guilt.

To me, it seems silly that you can only call in sick on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You cannot help when you’re sick, so take them when you got them.

On the other hand, I am rarely sick…

I called in sick yesterday because I felt sick. Today I just feel sh*tty, which is normal, so I came to work.

If you loved Pandora, you’ll go crazy bananas for this: Songza

Would it be kosher for me to pimp something of mine over at the daily mole here in the open thread?

if they give you sick days, use them. don’t play martyr if the cause ain’t worthy.

we’re going to Corner Table for a (relatively) late dinner tomorrow night…anybody have a recommendation for pre-dinner drinks & snacks in that neck of the woods?

Go home, KC, that’s what sick days are for…

Happy Birthday Alie!

I called in sick this Monday; I was sick.
I’m not sure about Jason’s theory, but I know if people are sick they shouldn’t come to work. Especially in the cubicle/office world.

Would it be kosher for me to pimp something of mine over at the daily mole here in the open thread?
I’m not sure about the kosher part, but it is open thread and I think you can pimp yourself in just about any comments section.

Oh yeah, Happy Birthday Alie.

This was just unveiled at the U. It’s a nice live-cam from atop the Mayo Building showing downtown Minneapolis.

Oh, let’s be clear, I’m not sick. I just wanted to stay in bed. If it would have been a Wednesday I would have called in, but not on a Friday.

grote, I don’t think there is a lot up that way. There used to be Westrum’s, but it closed. The only things I can think of are on Lake, like BLB, everything in uptown and the Lyn-Lake area. Or Westrum’s on Blaisdell and Nicollet, but that is soooo ghetto.

Ok, if anyone is interested.

(This issue is to me, sort of like transportation is to Wayne)

I was thinking about Azia for drinks…that’s the closest one I could come up with.

Thanks, guys! I look forward to my dirty thirties!

Oh, and I got $300 from my parents…what should I buy? It’s burning a hole in my pocket!

another tattoo…because I’m sure that’s what they had in mind.

My wife called in sick Friday and Monday this week. She was sick.

You shouldn’t go to work if your sick, especially if it’s something contagious, which this was.

I work at home. I never get a sick day. I can always do something, even if it’s just returning calls and e-mails.

Grote! Genius! But, the one I’m planning is a little more than $300…plus my mom will want to see what I bought…they still don’t know about the swallows…

they think you spit?

/rimshot…

$300? I can think of so many things…

A wii, snowshoes and gear, shoes and bags from Heavenly Soles, a really nice winter coat, a trip up to Fitger’s, a new pair of glasses, a day at a spa (you could even bring your mom), a stand mixer AND a new le cruset dutch oven, a seriously kick ass dinner at La Belle Vie, or a new puppy.

Is anyone else going to see Andrew Bird at the Guthrie tonight?

Ah, it was at the Walker yesterday, so that’s why they were screening something else at the Lagoon last night. I saw Blade Runner, starring the man I’d want to be if I was a man when I was just a child, a turn-of-the 80s Harrison Ford. Nowadays I wish I was Tom Brady — winning sSuper Bowls, dumping pregnant girlfriends, and dating underwear models.

Buy some mutual funds or ETFs or something that puts the money to good use making more money. That way you’ll have more money, maybe even enough to pay to draw all over yourself some more.

Champs, you’re on the wrong bus.

kc, I was thinking about getting a Wii…but I’m also thinking about getting a Timbuk2 bag and a wireless router for my upcoming laptop…Gawd! I’m not used to having this kind of cash to just blow…Kevin’s idea is intriguing, but I’m an instant gratification girl…not much of a saver…

Go out to eat at a nice restuarant and then save the rest.

Happy Birthday Alie!!

And what do people think about calling in sick on Fridays and Mondays? I really didn’t want to come to work today, but I knew I couldn’t call in sick, its a Friday.

I usually plan ahead and call in sick or go home sick Thursday. Then when I call in sick Friday it’s more believable. Then hello four day weekend!

Think of the vacation you could take when you turn 40 if you let your $300 grow for 10 years.

In want a Wii, but we have a game cube we rarely use, so I doubt we would use the Wii more.

A timbuk2 bag would be sweet. They are so nice. I also like Gravis bags. Not really the same thing, I know, but just a brand that I like.

If you are getting a laptop, maybe a router is necessary, but they are kind of cheap. How about getting yourself a year of city internet?

kc, I already have Comcast, and I don’t have SLP’s wireless in my hood, yet, so I need the router…decisions, decisions…I’ve also had my eye on a surround sound system, too….sigh…

Think of the vacation you could take when you turn 40 if you let your $300 grow for 10 years.

Let’s see, if you gain 6% annually compounded, you might end up with $540. Adjust for inflation and that will be worth about $400 in today’s dollars. So, instead of a weekend in Des Moines, you could get a weekend in Omaha. Sweet vacation there, Kevs.

I say you throw a party for yourself @ Nye’s, open up a tab, and invite MNSpeakers for free drinks until it’s tapped out.

A whole weekend in Omaha! Bleen!

IF you get a surround sound– you should buy the stuff separately… don’t just buy the system in a box. The guy who writes the audio column for the Strib raves about the Best Buy house brand speakers– they’re like $50 for a pair.

Alie – Are you going to switch to SLP wireless when it comes around? From what I’ve read, it’s slower than Comcast. I’m thinking about switching, but don’t want to go slower.

I’m listening to really bad Russian hip-hop right now, and I kinda like it.

I prefer this version.

Yeah, I really don’t want to downgrade on speed, either, Miller. If I do get SLP wireless, I might wait a few years to see if they tweek it to make it go faster…plus, I’m fairly happy with Comcast even though it costs a grip.

Jason, I was thinking of getting something like this…they sell it at Target for $249…

Ignore that. It’s just the TV guy sucking up to Big Best Buy after his story the other night.

Let’s see, if you gain 6% annually compounded, you might end up with $540. Adjust for inflation and that will be worth about $400 in today’s dollars. So, instead of a weekend in Des Moines, you could get a weekend in Omaha. Sweet vacation there, Kevs.

Well then grow some balls and go for more than 6 percent. I hear Jakarta is huge right now.

And average stock market index gains over the past thirty years or so have been in the 10-12% range. I agree with keven but differ slightly on geography. I say put some of your money into funds investing in BRIC countries for the next couple of years. Hedge that with gold and oil futures, you could see returns of 15 to 20% until the world economy implodes.

Or the aliens land.

I call up sick when I’m sick which is very seldom. Maybe three or four days a year if even that much. I don’t abuse it and have many hours available to me if I really got something bad. I don’t care what day of the week it is or what any of the bosses at work think of it either. They all miss much more time than I do. The work can wait if it needs to, or someone else can do what has to be done like I do for others when they are gone. So if your sick, really sick stay home whatever day it is and don’t spread it around.

I say spend the money foolishly and savor the regret. I think grote’s bar suggestion could qualify.

I saw them raving about Jakarta on CNBC yesterday, because when I’m home sick I don’t just lay around in bed.

If you’re sick, stay home. If you think you’re getting sick, stay home. If you need some time away from work so that you don’t fry, stay home.

NONE of us does work that is so important as to sacrifice our health or happiness. Period. That doesn’t mean we won’t have to hustle sometimes, or grind out some tough days. But for the most part, our health and happiness are supremely more important than our work.

That’s my take at least. What are you going to do – fire me?

I say spend the money foolishly and savor the regret. I think grote’s bar suggestion could qualify.

Let’s take this one step further. Do the bar thing, but require everyone to submit 3 drunken brainstorming ideas to be used the next time you get $300 from your folks.

kc!’s totally bailing.

Grote, I have a feeling that one of those suggestions would be to buy a high end male escort…not a bad idear tho.

3 drunken brainstorming ideas

1) Get knuckle tattoos
2) Make a low budget ski movie
3) Spend it on Kitten Juggling lessons

Wait I’m not drunk. . or am I?

I think I’m going to go take a nap in the copy room. My eyes hurt.

JACC- Knuckle tatts! Haha! LOVE and HATE, here I come!

$100 for today. Spend unwisely.

$100 squirreled away for another unwise day later in the year.

$100 as a beginning deposit into a saving acc’t (like an envelope under your mattress) for something kick ass. Saving money like you were a little kid is fun. I have a little safe I’ve had since I was a tyke. I’m presently dropping in quarters and dollars whenever possible in order to pay cash for a new road bike.

Or just $300 on steaks, booze, and strippers…

Take mom out on the town. (Strippers?) Then get her a tattoo…

The Wii conspiracist in me is still pissed, good luck finding one, wife wants one, I’ve been to 9 different stores in the last week looking…nothing.

Me thinks the stores all hold out and put them out sunday morning as bait

Get a Eee pc an eff the wii!

Take mom out on the town. (Strippers?) Then get her a tattoo…

Just make sure you tip the dancers in cash.

ryanol – Every time I walk by the game store next to Applebee’s in Block E they have a stack of Wii’s. I haven’t been by in a few days but I distinctly remember them having a bunch last year when no one else had any.

Ahh, late to wishing Alie a Happy Birthday. So here it is:

Happy Birthday Alie

There’s another B-day vid that was funny, but it was pretty sarcastic so I thought I’d go with the nice one. I’m sure you’ll get enough crap from your friends about it being your 30th. And if I can drag the friends to Grumpy’s I will. Otherwise, if you feel like venturing out, I think we’re heading to McMahon’s.

ryanol – Every time I walk by the game store next to Applebee’s in Block E they have a stack of Wii’s

and every time I walk by that store, I smell weed and urine soaked homeless thugs….oh, and the faux perfume counter across the hall. makes for quite a bouquet of scents.

Oh, and totally get a Timbuk2 bag. They have new patterns now to design your own – they’re very cool and not much more than $100. And they last 4-eva! You won’t regret the purchase, truly.

Grote: Corner Table is yummy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALIECAT
Don’t save the money, spend it, that was the gift.
Your not suppose to be sensible with money gifts.
It’s for fun, so have fun Alie, lot’s of stuff or one or
two items, on your friends or on yourself, or both.
Just have fun.

Somebody is going to have to clue me in on the Timbuk2 bags. I see bags that try too hard to be cool for a price that is, well, it’s high. Explain.

What do you think about this Russian rap video from the same guy?

I bought a Timbuk2 messenger years ago as an answer to putting all my crap in one bag for work travel. It was the perfect solution and it’s held up amazingly over the years so it was well worth the investment. They were cheaper when I bought my first one, but the prices have not really gone up that much in the 20 years or so they’ve been in biz.

They are popular because they hold up better than just about any bag on the market. $120 is nothing to pay for something that will last for years.

Off-Topic:

Triple Espresso announced that it’s closing

It strikes me as silly to pay that much. I paid $20 for my bag from Target four years ago and it’s held up through thousands of bus rides, beach trips and even five months of lugging a laptop back and forth.

Nike bags are pretty good, too. I’ve got some my mom bought me in high school that I still use. Back then they came with a lifetime guarantee, don’t know if they still do.

omg…Zubaz made the front page of the Chaska Herald.

Well, then – call me silly as it works out to be about $8/year for as long as I’ve had my original Timbuk2 and it’s still going strong.
I don’t spend a lot of money on material items, but I will spend the $$ on quality for things I use on a daily basis and for sports equipment.

those $20 Target lugage pieces suck. if you’ve gotten through “thousands” of trips with one, then you must have it covered in six inches of bubble wrap and never have opened it. those things must average about 30 zipper uses before it falls off or breaks.

omg…Zubaz made the front page of the Chaska Herald.

Zubaz and Chaska were meant to be together. Zubaz are the cheese and Chaska is the crackers.

A real e-mail I received at work today:

“Can you give an address where I can buy a pair of Zubaz this Saturday…….the show showed the guy in a gym shop. You also mentioned an email ordering in your story. My boyfriend will only be allowed to wear them in the house. He had two pair five years ago before we got together and I hated them. So I will indulge him. All for love.

Thanks Much!!!!!!!”

Wow.

My kid bro axed for zubaz for the xmas..?!

Is that love, or insanity? I’d say it’s a fine line. Ha.

When I was in college I applied at the Zubaz warehouse for a summer job. They didn’t call until like August so I never found out if they made you wear them to work.

So, I’m totally buying the Timbuk2 bag, but now I’m stuck as to whether I should shell out an extra $40 for the build your own, or what…

I just heard on the radio that Wiis will be out in full force for buyers this weekend at Best Buy, Target, ToysRUs and a few other places.

ryanol – Every time I walk by the game store next to Applebee’s in Block E they have a stack of Wii’s. I haven’t been by in a few days but I distinctly remember them having a bunch last year when no one else had any.

if you’ll kindly point to the name and phone number of such establishment I would be greatly indebted to you fine mnspeakers.

happy birfday allie!

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone!

Gamestop–Block E (612)339-6048

I’ve seen Wii’s at the downtown Target on two separate occasions since they came out, too. They go fairly quickly, obviously.

it’s a Gamestop.

build your own, build your own, build your own.

*makes cheerleader arm movements*

I called three times, busy tone always….kwit clogging the tubes

talked to my insider at gamestop and he tells me that the your sol…on monday of next week I can raincheck….eff that.

Toysrus told me that if i come early on sunday…i could get one probably…early on sunday, WTF.