Secrets of the City

What’s everyone’s favorite blaxploitation movie?

I’d have to go with Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.

Blackula.

Bix, I can’t think about things like that. I’m still angry and bitter that max and jason ruined everyone’s night by unfairly rigging last night’s contest. I’m so upset, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to work today.

I’ve only seen a handful of blaxploitation movies, and I had a crush on Pam Grier for a while after I saw Foxy Brown, but that Super Fly soundtrack… yeeeaaaahhhhhh…

“…I had a crush on Pam Grier for a while…”

Who hasn’t?

I really hadn’t heard of Pam Grier until Jackie Brown. That movie wasn’t so hot. Not so much up on the blaxploitation genre.

Does Do The Right Thing count? Looking back, it seems like it should.

If this Wesley Willis classic is not in the Dark Knight somewhere, I am asking for a refund.

I don’t think I have ever seen a blaxploitation meeting. Let me help you with that Bix…

That’s racist.

Cb4.

I dunno, pretty much anything with a wayans in it.

Circling back to the open thread theme, I note that in the new animated Batman series on teevee, Alfred the butler is drawn as an African American. Is this a sign of race-neutral progress, or a step backward to old sterotypes?

Can cartoons be in HD?

um, yes, kevin. it’s just a matter of resolution. even if it’s drawn.

Shawn Mayer of Nashville Star is coming back to May City for a concert next week. w00t! May City is a few miles from where I grew up, they had a pretty good little league team back in the day. A few weeks ago when the show came by to do a segment on her growing up, my dad had to go to her house and turn the water on (he’s a water provider to the stars). This is the second country singer from the area to reach superstardom, after Shannon Brown’s hit “Corn Fed” a few years back. w00t country music!

Wow! That was random!

More random: According to the Dunkin Doughnut’s corporate website, you can’t just open one DD franchise you have to open FIVE at a time.

More random: According to the Dunkin Doughnut’s corporate website, you can’t just open one DD franchise you have to open FIVE at a time.

Buying the rights to multiple stores is pretty standard in the franchising biz, Christin. IIRC, Border Foods has the rights to open at least five Sonic stores in Minnesota — it might be ten, actually.

you don’t have to open them all at once, you just have to purchse the right to open that many as a minimum

Correct, Wayne!

zomg, why do I know this stuff?
it has nothing to do with my life.

I had a dougnut yesterday, downtown, but they were imported from another neighborhood. Minneapolis: the town where you can’t get a doughnut downtown.

I had a dougnut yesterday, downtown, but they were imported from another neighborhood.

I wasn’t downtown yesterday??? But I would have been an import from another neighborhood though…

There are 100 DD in Chicago!

It’s not fair!

Waaah!

There are 100 DD in Chicago! It’s not fair!

That’s what she said.

chicago has more of everything. especially middle aged guys driving rented lamobrghinis on rush street, popping viagra and looking for 20-something arm candy.

Well, it’s a great sports town.

Favorite blaxploitation film? The Spook Who Sat By the Door, hands-down. It’s about a black man who goes to work for the establishment for five years (the CIA, actually), then uses what he’s learned to secretly raise a black nationalist guerilla army in the Chicago ghetto and wage war civil against the establishment.

Sound like a familiar narrative?

Who isn’t looking for arm candy?

Heh.

Obama may have taken one look at that cover, traced the arc of his campaign and said “how did it come to this?”

Our New Yorker hasn’t even arrived yet.
It better be here today along with my Hold Steady Tickets for the Seattle Capital Hill Street fest.

God, I fucking hate interns!

I need a drink.

We’re Hold Steading it next week. Ya hoo!

*Steady-ing

The raspberries are now going strong. If there were some organization like say “Jam Club” — but there isn’t — who may like to obtain some raspberries. Not “Jam Club” because there is no jam club. I was thinking that they could be made available at around 2pm on Sunday. Like the last meeting — which wasn’t Jam Club because no one talks about Jam Club. Shoot me an e-mail and I can send you more deets. (Rhubarb could be obtained if you are of that nature…) There is no Jam Club!

I’m a big fan of Donald Goines’ Detroit-centric blaxploitation lit. And also, Iceberg Slim’s “Pimp: The Story of My Life” is the Canterbury Tales of the blaxploitation genre. Good jumping off point if you really want to know why pimpin’ ain’t easy.

Obama may have taken one look at that cover, traced the arc of his campaign and said “how did it come to this?”

Doubt it. He’s tied in VA, leads in NV. Also tied in SD, ND, NC, MO. Obama is playing offense in McSame’s backyard.

Still raising almost twice as much money as McSame (and with $68 average donation)

McCain is close to losing his cool, looking mighty desperate with all the name calling, denial of reality, and flip flops.

I was negligent in getting THS tickets for 1st ave so we are flying to Seattle to see them. I’m actually not a huge fan of seeing them at 1st Ave. Its usually way too crowded.

I have seen them twice at the Triple Rock, twice at 1st Ave, once at the Picador in Iowa City, and once in Milwaukee.

Rat – are you still pissed about Obama taking out Hillary? That’s so 2 months ago.

Yeah, I actually hate going to shows at First Ave. I can never see anything and don’t like the crowd. My husband really wanted to go though.

Sort of.

Sorry to hear it.

Yeah, I actually hate going to shows at First Ave. I can never see anything and don’t like the crowd. My husband really wanted to go though.

That’s why I hang out in the mezz for shows.

Yeah, he agreed to stay upstairs this time. We just saw them the last time they were in town so it’s not like it’s our first time. (3rd in fact) he can give a little on this one…

I have a chance to see THS in LA the week after next, but all things being equal, I think I’m just going to drink and hang out in Hermosa Beach and let some homeless dude yell in my face instead.

Discuss…there is no greater rite of passage to becoming a Minneapolitan than figuring out how to enjoy shows @ 1st Ave. It can be done, but it takes experience and determination. My favorite spot? Not telling, but I don’t have to get there early, I can see the show just fine, hear the show perfectly and I can get a drink whenever I need to.

When I’m at First Ave, I usually end up off to the side to the right of the stageby the pool tables. Sound is surprisingly good, you can still see and there are two bars with no lines. I’m too old to fight with crowds.

Grote, sounds like we may have the same spot.

you’re not supposed to tell me where your spot is…it’s more fun if I have to find it through trial and error.

Don’t worry, I wasn’t talking about that spot…

CINF, I like that spot too. Also, the spots near the stairs are good if there aren’t too many douchebags trying to watch the show while standing on the stairs (although, it’s a fun game to shout them down).

I’m nearly 7 foot, so most spots are good for me at first ave. The drink thing is easy too, as the side bar is always uncrowded.

The Grotto bar used to be the best place during all ages shows. You were right there on the other side of the mesh and all those pushy teens couldn’t get at you.

You were right there on the other side of the mesh and all those pushy teens couldn’t get at you.

what are you, David Cassidy or something?

The last time I was at a crowded 1st Ave. show was seeing the Shins there a year ago or so. By the time we got there, my usual spot was taken so we ended up with the masses. My 5′4″ wife enjoyed the view of the back of the dude in front her for the whole evening.

When that joint is filled to the gills, it’s a pretty crappy venue.

I <3 The Shins… listening to them on my ipod right now.

Just saw Rat’s joke about the “double Ds” in Chitown.

Heh!

PS: Got my New Yorker in the mail yesterday.

what are you, David Cassidy or something?

Something like that!

I think grote and I have hung out at shows before without knowing it. And alie has hit on me before, too, apparently.

CINF, moi? Hee!

And alie has hit on me before, too, apparently.

I’m starting to feel left out.

I guess I have a spot, too. I always end up in this spot, I can see fine, if I’m with a short person there’s usually one good spot for him/her. I am not a big drinker so I just get one when I first arrive and I’m all set. I’ve also had good luck getting seats in the middle of a show. Twice some people had to suddenly leave and I was standing nearby.

Is anybody else going next week?

Somebody’s Baking Brownies!

Gotta run…have to make 2 key purchases over lunch in the general vicinity of Lake & Cedar. both of them are legal, I think.

mnblrmkr, I’ve flirted with you, but you never hear me.

JUST KIDDING!

Jane admitting that she’s a light drinker who hangs out with short people is not earning her any cool points.

Admitting that you’ve never flirted with me, that’s supposed to make me feel better?

Jane doesn’t need your cool points.

If there was ever a day where I’d condone drinking at my desk, it’s today. Or maybe I’ve been watching Mad Men too much this week.

Are interns born stupid?

grote, legal purchases are lame.

Hmm…purchasing two legal things at lake and cedar? Are they a burial plot and goat meat?

I’m getting a free massage tonight and I couldn’t be more excited!

Just got this Tweet from a friend:

“Me and 4 lone nerds at batman. Weird. “

um, dude, there are 5 of you…unite.

I’m envious of your free massage as I so need one this week.

grote: short peeps are packed with all kinds of cool, step off.

Fucking tallies. Think they’re better than the rest of us.

Short people got no reason.

Are interns born stupid?

no…that’s their recently received college education talking.

burial plot and goat meat are good guesses, but not quite. in order to prpoerly use each of these items, you must destroy them. one you burn, one you smash. neither is edible, but they both help bring forth edible items. OK, I’m really leaving now.

Spices and smoking wood. Give me a report about the wood place please…

right on the wood. wrong on the other item.

I got my New Yorker yesterday. Also, it seems like the New Yorker gets delivered later and later. Sometimes I get ther previous week’s on Monday. According to people actually in New York, they too get their New Yorkers mad later.

How racist!

(And if you can’t see how shame on you!)

pinata!

…filled with goat meat.

Short is the new black.

mnblrmkr, I’ve flirted with you, but you never hear me.

This would be enough to make me re-think the surgery.

I’m getting a free massage tonight

Did you get in a car accident? ‘Cause I got in a little fender bender earlier in the summer and I have free massages coming at me from all directions. Does anyone know if the city sells addresses from the accident reports? Or do they just give that information away?

kwatt…yoouu bast-ard!

Did you get in a car accident? ‘Cause I got in a little fender bender earlier in the summer and I have free massages coming at me from all directions. Does anyone know if the city sells addresses from the accident reports? Or do they just give that information away?

Nope, no accident, it’s fucked up for a different reason. And yes, I think personal injury lawyers and chiros buy that info, because the same thing happened to me when my car was totalled.

The free massage is from my friend who is studying for his massage therapy liscense.

‘Cause I got in a little fender bender earlier in the summer and I have free massages coming at me from all directions.

Sounds like exactly the kind of action I’m lookin’ for. Time to get myself into a little fender bender.

If you filed an accident report, Miller, it’s public info.

Too bad. I was hoping that the city made a little money on the deal.

kwatt – DO NOT ask for a “happy ending” at the chiropractor’s office. They’re a little sensitive about that sort of thing. I have no idea where it comes from.

They’re a little sensitive about that sort of thing. I have no idea where it comes from.

I think I know.

New Yorker people – what do you do with your old issues? I feel like I’m up to my ears in New Yorkers….

I dismantle my New Yorkers and save the articles I have yet to read, then I recycle the rest of the magazine. I have a file folder of “to read” articles that I periodically go through. If it’s an especially great cover, I’ll save it. I have the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad/Larry Craig cover on my wall at work.

Hello!?!?!? Open thread Friday!??!?! You are suppose to entertain me.

Hello!?!?!? Open thread Friday!??!?! You are suppose to entertain me.

Great, double comment.

What are we, dancing bears to you, kc? Hee!

We used to save them and ship them to my friend that was living in Cambodia but now that she is at Columbia it isn’t necessary. New Yorkers get recycled. Dwell gets saved and stacked neatly. Out and the Advocate get recycled. Gourmet gets saved. Smithsonian gets put in a bin and never looked at then gets recycled during party cleaning. MplsStPaul gets stacked then recycled. Minnesota Historical Society Magazine usually gets wet on the floor of the bathroom then recyled with all of the NYTimes business sections that have accumulated.

I’m starting to think we are getting too many periodicals. At least the subscription to The Economist ran out. No one has time to read that thing every week.

What are we, dancing bears to you, kc? Hee!

I think you need to head to Bolt to see dancing bears.

Friday
Best Damn Happy Hour in Town!
3-for-1 Drink Specials from 4-7pm in the Eagle, Bolt, and Bolt Underground with DJ Lenka Paris

That’s it, folks, the health care problem is solved. This guy is on it…

That does sound like a good happy hour. I used to walk by that place every morning back in the days when it was the Mill Inn, and would see the same one or two third-shifters (at least I hope they were) on the same barstools before 8am. Can I assume it hasn’t retained a dive-bar atmosphere since the change?

If you want to get rid of your periodicals – and want to haul them there – senior communities love getting them. Keeps residents busy – translation: keeps them from buying all of that crap off QVC.

Has anyone taken classes at the Mpls Library’s People University?

We have in the past and they are really great.

Next week there is one on Minneapolis music from the last 150 years (focusing on 1960 to present). The following Thursday there is one on the last 150 years of Minneapolis Beer Brewing.

I think I’m going to attend the William Carlos William class and there is one on Black TV comics on race.

What other cool, fun, educational things are there to do in town?

If you want to get rid of your periodicals – and want to haul them there – senior communities love getting them.

I’m sure Out would go over great at the old folks home.

“So much depends,
Upon a red wheelbarrow,
Glazed with rainwater,
Beside the white chickens”

Any suggestions for a not too noisy coffee shop for Sat. afternoon? I’m meeting with a rep from one of the device manufacturers. She’s also a bilateral implantee.

St Anthony Village, NE, or East Hennepin area probably.

Dougie_D: Yeah, you would think that, but I’m no longer surprised by what is taken… and read.

mnblrmkr: Wilde Roast on Henn & Central should be ok as far as noise.

I’m sure Out would go over great at the old folks home.

they already get Gray & Gay, what’s the big difference?

Rat: someone JUST quoted that to me the other day. Love it, thanks for reminding me of it. Who wrote it? And btw, why are you quoting it?

Lunch: clearly a pinata.

Grote: I like to stay sober to lord over my short cohorts both physically and intellectually. Is that uncool?

Max, thanks for sticking up for me. (Yes, that’s what she said.)

I mail my old New Yorkers to friends in Holland. Long train commute, good reading.

William Carlos Williams. KC mentioned him.

Here’s another one:

“AMONG the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city.”

That poem was inspiration for and interesting painting

DouglasG: I can’t find that thread where no one talked about the Jam Club that doesn’t exist. Which is good because I have some other obligation all day on Sunday so couldn’t make it.

I guess that means all the more for those other members that don’t exist that decide to show up in some sort of non-existent way. Which currently consists of nobody. (Jane, mine makes as little sense as yours does…)

A couple of things:
Cat, I spoke on energy at a senior community in Glencoe a few weeks ago on a Saturday. On the drive there I was pissed about spending half a Saturday doing it but when I got there it felt good knowing how much time they spend with so little to do.

2) Do you think William Carlos Williams was pissed at his parents for having to go by William Williams until he was old enough to decide to add the Carlos?

Depending on the time that this jam club wouldn’t be meeting, someone i don’t know may be interested in doing a drive-by berry picking.

I should be around most of the day if this non-existent person would like to stop by for a non-existent meeting of a non-existent club. 2:00PM was the intent, but the time is completely flexible since there is no Jam Club.

Oh, and I sent you an e-mail with directions for that person you don’t know.

2) Do you think William Carlos Williams was pissed at his parents for having to go by William Williams until he was old enough to decide to add the Carlos?

I know I would have gone by Billy C. Williams!

Obento-ya: good food, service was pretty slow for as non-busy it appeared to be. Probably worth a return.

What did you get if you don’t like fish?

CINF-

My Grandma lives in Glencoe. Maybe you were at her place.

Did you see her? She is a short old lady with gray hair.

I had the chicken yakitori.

What a coincidence, that is what my grandma looks like! Perhaps we’re related.

So this non-existent meeting of this non-existent Jam Club has been moved up to 11am-ish for those non-interested non-existent non-members. There is still time to express no interest by looking at my profile and sending me an e-mail. However, I will be out all of Saturday, so get those cards and letters in early!

If we are related, I’m sure you wouldn’t want people to know.

jg, was she the one gumming the cookie?

that sounded dirtier than I had planned.

Have fun with it, people. My friday gift to you.

Nope, she has teeth.

Did we just move from “your mom” jokes to “your grandma” jokes???

mb, natural progression, huh?

I’m my own arm candy!

Here’s a review of Blackula from Bunny and Brandi, bob.

You and Bix nailed, er staked it, baby!

Blackula is in a class of its own in the blaxploitation genre.

Next: How ’bout reviewing the one where they graft white bigot’s (Ray Milland) head on Rosie Greer’s bidy!

i’m my own hand candy

Bidy? Booty? Body!

A lot of really tasty sounding new food items @ the State Fair this year.

Here is the master list of all food vendors and their offerings.

the big new winners to me sound like big fat bacon and cheesy bacony tater tots on a stick.

Oh, that’s in the queue. I think Coffy is next, though.

BET

I don’t really like the fair, but every few years I end up going with a group of people, which is kinda perfect b/c then I can try all the great food by sharing it with others. Just a couple bites of each means I can try more items.

I think “walking taco” sounds just like a frito pie, which I’ve always wanted to try.

Thanks for the Fair list, g_rote!

Happy Weekend MNSpeak, as I ride off into the sunset. May our trails cross again, and right soon at that. Giddyup.

Teucer’s mom is a walking taco. hey-oh! (even lurkers know it)

“Walking tacos” involve a small bag of chips (often crushed), with seasoned meat, cheese, etc, dumped into said bag, served with plastic fork. Walk, and enjoy! Very popular on the dirt track racing circuit, let me tell you!

Then again, so is teucher’s mum…

A lurker zinger! Delightful!

I had a walking taco / Frito pie, but it was called a “Texas Straw Hat”. It was as delicious as it sounds.

This seems approriate:

Cool bathouse, mnblmkr! Little browns?

Shh. Don’t let my sister’s kids hear you. I told them they were vampire bats.

was anyone else at the Block E 4:40 show of The Dark Knight yesterday? am I the only one who complained about the two women who brought their infant children with them? you know, the two screaming, crying lumps of flesh that don’t belong sitting in the front row of a crowded theater? oh, and did you see the four 7 year olds that ran around the theater through the last half of the film?

did any of you get a bunch of free tickets after confronting the manager about how children under 6 months should not have been permitted into the theater because it’s inevitable that they will scream and cry and ruin the whole thing for everyone?

i did! i guess it pays sometimes to complain as much as I do.

oh, and my favorite Blaxpolitation film is Cleopatra Jones, mostly for Shelley Winters’ performance. awesome.

i hate it when i see parents bringing young children to r-rated horror movies. The last time i say this was when i went to see freddy vs jason. I mean what are they thinking?

Berfus no like see kids at scare movie!

Berfus no know what parent think!

Berfus no like kwatt. If Berfus see kwatt, Berfus clubba! (jk)

Kwatt fear Berfus smash.

Saw the Bat at the Heights on Sunday. Agree, it’s not a good choice for young children. Yeah, Ledger is terrific.