Secrets of the City

Years ago I figured out how to avoid towing during a snow emergency. I got towed twice. After that I made sure that I knew what was going on; I knew that I couldn’t pay a hundred bucks or so, every time it snows.

Now I’m pissed about the people who don’t get towed. I spent hundreds of dollars learning this lesson. And still my street isn’t plowed. I park on the street, you park on the street, my street, and you didn’t move your car.

G*D*’it

Now my street hasen’t been totaly plowed. And I want a plowed street.

Why is the only observation deck in downtown on the 17th floor of the Foshay tower? I know the IDS deck closed in favor of a private restaurant, but why haven’t one of the other two buildings stepped in to give us a high-up place to gaze at our city?

The NorthStar East building has thier sky garden on the 8th floor that is pretty cool. It’s not a high-up place, but it has benches and tables that make it worth taking a look at. Also, there are a few condo buildings that have decent observation decks, like The Towers for instance.

Every day this Minneapolis goes without a new stadium for the Twins proves that we are populated by too many pseudo-sophisticated rubes who don’t know what it takes to sustain a major city.

Wait, wait, wait.
When did Minneapolis become a major city?
It’s third tier at best.
Along the same lines as Memphis.

Question for native Minnesotans.
You decide that you are going to cook for Christmas this year. Instead, you’ll head out to a nice dinner on the Christmas Eve.
Where you do think the best place for the holiday meal is?
Question also applies to the first night of Chanukkah (which is Monday), just make it kosher.

Ironic, I hope that’s ironic. The Twin Cities is the #14 market; Memphis is #44.

Hey Rex, if you’re ever a little bored (and goodness knows, this isn’t a busy time of year), I would love to see an RSS feed for MNspeak comments….

Is there an MN Speak RSS feed for anything? That would be supa-cool, but not as cool as an observation deck up by the Halo.

I highly doubt that new stadiums define a city as major, New York has old stadiums, does that mean it’s a minor city?

Ironic, I would suggest Big E’s for a nice Christmukkah dinner.

About four inches up and two inches to the right, you’ll see:

»RSS

The comments RSS has come up before — I’d have to put text advertising in it, which I don’t really want to do. I think you’ll have to continue coming to a webpage to see comments.

Why do TV Viewers get so upset when I don’t wear a hat on the air? What do they care if I want to be vain and stupid? Someone wrote me and said that he was trying to convince his kid to wear his hat outside and I was setting a bad example. I also show up to buildings that blow up and houses where people have been shot. That’s not really a good idea, either.

I was.
Seriously though: While a high number for markets, it isn’t really what you would consider a “bustling metroplis” like New York, Los Angeles, or even Chicago.

Yes and no. Those places have 3-8 times the population. But there are other markets bigger than the Twin Cities (Dallas, Houston, Tampa, for instance) where we’re more bustling.

(The general point I’m trying to make is that I commonly hear people say MSP is a small city. That’s sorta true and sorta not true. MSP is either a “big mid-size city” or a “small big city.” It’s similar in size to Seattle, but no one ever calls Seattle a small city.)

The city-size issue is interesting from a news coverage perspective. I used to work in Milwaukee (population 650,000) and we covered the heck out of the city. All the suburbs were smaller, I think most were in the 30-40,000 range.

Here, we have huge suburbs… 50, 60, 70 thousand people isn’t uncommon. So it’s hard to justify intense TV coverage of the city… when many people live in Plymouth and work in Minnetonka. And frankly, don’t care about the city.

We’re a big market with two mid-sized cities as a hub. That’s what I think. Still, a cool place to live.

I’ve said it before and I’l say it again, Jason is the funniest newscaster in the Twin Cities — nay, the country:

“Why do TV Viewers get so upset when I don’t wear a hat on the air?”

JD is onto an interesting topic which is the diverse audience of the Twin Cities media. It truly covers the entire state – rural, urban, suburban and metro. Wow.

I’m not really a traveler, so I don’t know this. But are there any other metro areas with two major cities as close and intertwined as ours? I always think that kind of sets us apart from other big cities.

Are we talking or Minneapolis/St Paul + Suburbs? Minneapolis/St Paul? or just Minneapolis?

The city of Seattle (pop 563374) is like a St. Paul bigger than Minneapolis (pop 382618)

Yes Jibbers, that’s my point. I tend to use market size (thus Twin Cities plus some), which I think of as more representative than city population. (The feds also regard it as one metro.)

But actually, from a media perspective, they’re maybe not even the same market.

Kevin: Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle/Tacoma, St. Pete/Tampa, Boston/Manchester.

But really the “market” of The Twin Cities goes beyond the state border even. JD, how many stories a month are about something that happened in western Wisconsin or eastern North or South Dakota? I grew up in western Wisconsin with no connection to Madison or Milwaukee or the eastern half of the state at all because all we got was MN news and TV stations. MPR this morning interviewed a lady starting a news station in Ashland, WI–but I still don’t think it’d be strong enough to reach my hometown…so the western Wisconsin as a suburb of the Twin Cities saga continues. The market here is HUGE.

And I just want to add that I think Mpls is dissed way too much in the nation when it comes to being hip and fun. Rex has posted some really great outsider articles talking about our fair city(ies), but the general population of America still sees us as a cold, boring place. And I wish we could magically change that.

Taylor, I concur. I nearly spit out my Cherry Coke laughing.

Since we’re being random, does anyone know a guy named Ted who works for channel 9 news?

If he doesn’t exist then some guy came up with a really elaborate way to hit on me at First Ave last week…

The news director is named Ted Canova. What did he look like?

Probably in his 30s, had a grin on his face like he thought he was really clever, darker hair, tall…

If Ted Canova hit on Andrea at First Ave, this could be the absolute BEST MNspeak scoop!

Sounds like Ted. Here’s an old picture of him from 1999.

I went to the Preview of The Ringer last night. There were only like 40 people there and even the T-shirt guy commented that he could hand out the tshirts by size. I’m the guy today wearing the The Ringer Truckers hat, Jeffy 3/4 sleeve ringer t-shirt and sweat bands.

The movie is pretty terrible, I think that 13, 14 yo’s would dig it but for adults I would pass.

There were some awesome songs in the film by what I think is a band made up of Special Olympians. I’ll have to find the name of the band.

Ha. Yep, that’s him. He bought be a beer and asked me if I wanted to come on air to do a report about the 35th Anniversary party at First Ave, but I declined because I thought he was trying to get in my pants.

That’s hilarious, Andrea. At least he bought you a beer.

No. Friggin. Way!

Incidentally– I feel like I’ve proven my worth as a journalist today. I’ve helped Andrea identify the guy hitting on her at First Avenue. They don’t teach this stuff at the Marquette University Communications school….

I agree, that was some fast turnaround time on that investigation! I hope we haven’t publicly humiliated him…oh, wait, maybe I do hope that. It was a little strange.

Buy Mpls.St.Paul Magazine for Steve Marsh’s interview with Fox 9 News director Ted Canova! On newsstands now!

Hey, myandrea — I don’t want to get anybody in trouble here, but what do YOU look like? Do you have a Colleen Needles thing going on, or what?

Best thread ever.

For those who don’t know their local tv, Canova is the former WCCO news director who is now the FOX9 news director. There was this little scandal a while back.

Nice job, DeRusha. Now if only we could get you to wear a hat when it’s cold …

(And because I’m now totally obsessed with this incident, I should also add that of course the guy can hit on whomever he pleases. Heck, I’d probably hit on Andrea at a bar. I mean, if I weren’t… and she weren’t.. um, nevermind.)

I agree about DeRusha’s hat, the earmuffs just don’t work.

JD – you should run with this story. It would be a great way to get back at Fox 9 after CCO ran the whole story about the blimp thing. A hotly contested rivalry is exactly what the Twin Cities media needs.

Watch it Marsh, you’re gonna get me sued!

What, just because my boy has a thing for big hair, red, red lipstick and gold jewelry? What’s wrong with that?

Oh yeah, in our interview, he copped to being a “Jackson Browne groupie.” Subtext, yo. Subtext.

No Marsh! Don’t do it!!!!

I am going to take it as a mildly creepy compliment and move on. Seriously. I was only talking about it because I thought people would be amused, and clearly they were. It wasn’t threatening in any way, and I am actually kicking myself a little for passing up the chance to be on TV. LOL.

P.S. If you look hard enough (ok, not hard at all) you can find all sorts of information about me online.

Okay. I saw both andrea and ted at the bar on Wednesday. I can corroborate that. Didn’t see them together though. Ted was solo. Andrea was being escorted by Mr. Howwastheshow. Have no idea what happened between Ted and Andrea. So why are you smearing ted’s good name, dre? What, are you too lazy to work at six AND ten? Baby, this isn’t about us. Don needs you!

Sorry. Just started channelling Casa-canova there.

Why does Bill Kline have to open his emails the same way he opens his vocal announcements on MPR? “Hi, I’m Bill Kling…”

Have you ever received an email from anybody who starts it that way?

Gee, Bill, that sure doesn’t make you sound stiff and corporate or anything.

i love this website. that is all.

This thread is hilarious! Unbelievable.

And I agree, those earmuffs look insane. I’m just gonna get over it, and put on the dumb hat. Let’s be honest– my good looks aren’t exactly what’s gettin’ it done for me.

Incidentally, if someone could find a hat that wouldn’t make me look like an old man or an Eskimo… and would keep me warm… that would make my day.

((by the way– I’ve worked for lots of news directors. I think it’s kinda cool that Ted is hangin’ at First Avenue. I only met him once, so I don’t really know the guy.))

Don’t any Blimp 9ers read mnspeak?? If so, I’d like their take on this… come on, Lyden. Let us know… Olson, Galles, Johnson, McCarthy… anyone?

Derusha is on to a new good topic: winter fashion. For hats, I definitely prefer Wigwam’s Thermolite Cap, as I too hate the old man look. This cap doesn’t stick way up on the top, isn’t bulky and fits nicely on the head. I have three — and I’m not a Wigwam rep!

The best hat ever is the “Kromer”. http://www.kromercap.com/

I read on JD’s blog about the fasion issue and have since noticed that several WCCOers wear hats, including the beautiful and talented Sue Turner. Ooo la la. Just kidding… Mary Tan was also wearing a hat, I believe.

Two things: First, Rex and I are actually in the early stages of development for ‘urban winter ware’ because lots of people experience the same frustration that DeRusha does. I need a good winter hat that isn’t goofy and has some style but is also warm. The same gear you wear to snow blow the walk shouldn’t be used to go out to the new Apple Valley downtown.

Second, this.

JD and Charles Barkley are not role models.

sure they are

I really like those new earmuffs that wrap around the back of your head. My coworker told me she got hers on QVC. (This might be the lamest post I ever make.)

I’d hit on her at First Avenue, she’s hot as Liz Phair.

Canova is the coolest local news director of all times. No question.

Everytime somebody writes “earmuffs” I want to shout out “f**k!” Is that normal?

earmuffs earmuffs earmuffs earmuffs earmuffs earmuffs earmuffs earmuffs

Obvs, Canova called Marsh up and bitched him out.

As long as this is an open thread:

DO NOT EVER, EVER PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM http://WWW.BESTPRICECAMERAS.COM! The company misrepresents its products and will only sell if you purchase items that were not on your original order but REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER to be sold with the camera.

Earmuffs.

“Don’t any Blimp 9ers read mnspeak??”

I’m talking to Tim Blotz today on a vehicle donation story…I’ll point him toward this MNspeak thread..

My new year’s resolution for 2006 is that every instance of me getting hit on should be newsworthy.

Ok, Kevin, here’s my consumer warning:

My 13-watt 60Hz Sylvania minitwist compact fluorescent light bulb (#CF013EL) suddenly began to smoke and heat up about 5 a.m. last week– I got the power off before a complete meltdown and fire…

This is VERY SCARY folks…I usually leave these lights on (for the dog) while I shower…a few minutes later, and our deaths could have been the lead story on Blimp9 (well, after 15 minutes of Vikings, Vikings, Vikings).

I love CF lights and never had a problem with them until now…all my Syvania bulbs are now in the trash.

I have just placed my earmuffs in my desk. I use those wraparound (180s they’re called) earmuffs. I believe the consensus among the MNSpeakers is that they too look dumb.

Taylor…let me know when you guys have something to improve upon my earmuffs. It shouldn’t be hard to come up with a hip, warm hat. But I have yet to find it.

Did you hear that sound? That was Alexis falling off her local blog babe perch. Andrea, here’s your crown…

Oh boy. Down boyz.

I had the same thing happen to a CF bulb about a year ago. I use almost exclusively CF bulbs in the house and leave them on all the time. I’m not sure what caused the issue in my case. I now mostly buy bulbs from IKEA and have never had any trouble with them. Flames shooting out of the side thou is a rather scary occurrence.

ALAMN is now lobbying to get Sylvania to make smoke-free bulbs. [golf swing]

Anyone know where I can get a nice horrendous X-mas sweater for myself? Something red and green with deer would be nice. I don’t want to pay much either. Any info would be most helpful!

Simpleton: Arc Thrift Store on south Penn.

In the IDS building at the Made in Minnesota store.
I’m surprised, DeRusha, that you aren’t required to wear a black hat with a giant “4″ on it.
A buddy of mine works for Fox 5 in NY. If he ever goes outside in the winter, they all have to wear this hat with a giant “5″ in the center.
The station comes first.

Johnny Carson, I love you.

Back to hats. I don’t know what all y’all’s problem with the old man look is. I’m a Mad Bomber man through and through. I’d wear that shit in the summer if the authentic bunny fur didn’t make me sweat like Steve Marsh in a sauna.

Dear Johnny: Thanks for the message from the grave. Your death from smoking-related emphysema (aka chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) really helped us get our message across about the dangers of tobacco.

My bad — should have signed on as just plain Bob — forgot I was still logged on as ALAMN, which has no official position on Sylvania CF bulbs, smoking or nonsmoking.

Johnny, is Jack Parr with you? If so, does he substitute host while you’re away? Your show must be really great now — all the really interesting people are already dead.

Bob

ear muffs are silly. i prefer snazzy hats

No substitute hosts for me yet, Bob. I’m waiting for David Brenner.

Let’s cut to the chase, Molly P. How would you feel about a pre-nup?

I’ve never met Tim Blotz… haven’t seen him wear any headwear either.

I think earmuffs are goddamn adorable. If I saw a newscaster wearing earmuffs, I wouldn’t be able to contain some sort of window-breaking squeal.

Hey Bob I guess you’re saying that all the interesting people were smokers. Now with smoking bans, soon all you’ll be left with down there on earth are boring people and they’re going to be around a long time to annoy you.

I’ve met Tim Blotz and spoke to him several times. I also have his cell number in case anyone needs it. Very nice man. That voice…but he’s still no JD.

I’m going to also start reading Andrea’s website because it will help me understand what hot girls think. That is important to me.

Best thread ever.

Hey JD, I think you’ve got a live one there in zosiablu. Better get the muffs out, and…….you never know?

I second Taylor, Jason, Kevin, and whoever else already said it: best thread ever. My hatred of the human race has shriveled to a tiny speck of a scab after reading this. And, Johnny, pre-nups are for wusses who wear earmuffs.

Is Matt… Matt Liddy?? If so, go Gophers!

I agree with Zosia. Earmuffs are hot. Plus that’s just a really fun word to say.

You should read my blog because of my insight and charm, not because of how I look. The sexiest part of any person is the way their mind works.

JD, JD are you there? Got another live one for you! I’m going out right now and buying a bunch of earmuffs. I’ll never be without earmuffs now.

This is one fine thread!

Yeah, there’s some vulnerable about earmuffs. I means, someone is wearing muffs on their ears. All criminals should wear earmuffs. It’s an instant sway into innocence.

SOMETHING vulnerable, that is. And I’ve always loved the phrase “live one.” It makes me think of chickens, for no reason at all.

Yes! It’s almost as charming as a man wearing a pink tie. I love that.

Zosia, us “live ones” ought to stick together.

This might be the weirdest day on the internet ever.

Its too bad Canova was not wearing a pink tie with earmuffs at First Ave.

Oh dear god, I just laughed out loud at work. I agree Rex, this has turned into a really, really odd thread.

Andrea, I always got your back, you saucy live wire.

I propose an Earmuffs for Men club. Actually, girls in earmuffs are just as cute. Earmuffs for People? What was that acronym for yesterday? Liberal Education Singles Something? Maybe they’d be interested in sponsoring our earmuff club. They seem like a lively bunch.

I can not, however, get behind the pink tie.

Our fair governor is rated at a lukewarm “fair to middlin’” in a new survey of approval ratings for governors by SUSA. Pawlenty came in 22nd out of 50.

Men eating an ice cream cone, though. That kills me.

How about PEEPS: the Promotion of Everday Earmuffs for People with Style.

Among the really stupid things Pawlenty has said, my favorite was when a State Poet Laureate was proposed, then show down. His comment was something along the lines of, “What? Are we gonna have a State Dancer Laureate now? State Mime Laureate, perhaps?” YES, because there is A GREAT PRECEDENT for State Mime Laureate and none at all for poet laureates. Thanks, guy.

Comment spree. Home sick from work makes me chatty.

go away Paul. Best thread ever!
(jk, it’s an open thread, say what you want)

Brilliant, Andrea. And maybe we can have actual marshmallow peeps with earmuffs as a mascot. Edible AND functional.

least. productive. day. ever.

Maybe I’ll run out and get some pink earmuffs.

I wonder if this hurt the PiPress compete for ad dollars and what we all really want…better comics.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/13445245.htm

I am a little afraid that we have passed the 100 comments mark and not established anything, you know, real. Except for the tendency of Sylvania lightbulbs to start small fires.

It’s too damn fun though! In the week before Christmas, it should be ok to be silly and discuss lame things.

No one has asked the really tough question yet. How does chuck t know how much steve marsh sweats in a sauna?

Open thread, eh? Why don’t we talk about how our governor is sporting a full on gover-mullet. I mean, what the (EARMUFFS!) fuck?

You said “muffs”.

Oh, good, more Pawlenty haircut talk. I thought we left that pitiful conversation back in 2003.

Regarding pink ties – does anyone know where I can get a good one? The only ones I can find have big purple diagonal stripes in thim and s*** like that that. P-U, I refuse to buy the ties with giant diagonal stripes. Who am I, Brian Setzer? I just want a decent looking dark pink tie with maybe a hint of purple or black to go with a shirt and jacket that makes me look not quite so mean.

steve, you better type f*#k about 50 more times, you’re behind a bit

You are correct, sir. State emergecny?

Why are you being such a pussy about writing the word “fuck,” scott? I only used the Sat. morn. cartoon version once for effect.

Seriously, myandrea is right. We should all do productive stuff on an open thread. Like rank the best local albums one through ten. Raise your hand if you’re noting every fucking blogohead’s 2005 top ten list. Please. Just a thought. It has gotten out of control.

Fuck.

wow. i’m impressed.

on a related note: i hope to someday be capable of wearing a pink golf shirt. that is a true accomplishment ranking right up there with earmuffs.

A google search for pink ties turned up a really strange page.

I plead something, I wasn’t around in 2003.

Pink ties.

Do you think Tim Pawlenty likes Brian Setzer’s haircut? Probably.

And Marsh, it’s not our fault about the top ten lists. Reimenschneider had us compile the lists, what are we supposed to do with them after that? I actually find it a little interesting, comparing lists and seeing similarities (or vast differences).

Setzer and Pawlenty, yes. Pawlenty’s hair is definitely more ducktail than mullet. Which is pretty weird without the other rockabilly trappings. Like that time my grandma got a mohawk…

Hmph, Reimenschneider never asked me.

Black java! Thought you were dead, when was the last time you posted some photos? I need a fix of black java! (Gross).

Oh, that’s why. Okay. Well, I don’t know with the one I had to write for C.R. either. (Sorry, Rexy). Enjoy!

1.Tapes N Tapes “The Loon.”
2.Robert McCreedy “Just Might Kill You.”
3.Revolver Modele, “Discotheque Crypt.”
4.Spittin’ Cobras, “Spittin’ Cobras.”
5.Vicious Vicious, “Don’t Look So Surprised.”
6.Askeleton, “The Happy Album.”
7.Various, “First Avenue Bootlegs”
8.The StNNNing, “Dignified Sissy.”
9.Big Ditch Road, “Suicide Note Reader’s Companion.”
10.Ashtray Hearts, “Perfect Halves.”

I meant I don’t know what to do…etc., etc. Sometimes my extraordinarily fast brain gets ahead of itself and entire phrases.

Good Lord.. I was just out working on my story for ten tonight (it’s a good one– it involves computers and a state of Minnesota screw-up)… and I come back and see we’ve passed the 100 mark!

I just asked Matt Liddy, he said he didn’t post about my muffs. So, sorry Liddyfan.

And I just looked at Zosiablue’s profile. If you want me to wear earmuffs… I will certainly wear earmuffs.

Marsh, the 50% overlap in our top 10 albums list doesn’t necessarily imply either of us has good taste, but….seriously, I hope that McCreedy album shows up on more lists. Good stuff.

Pete Scholtes kindly contributed dozens more 2005 Minnesota albums to the list I posted the other day. With hundreds of Minnesota albums released every year, another benefit of these lists is they give neophytes an idea of where to start. It’ll be interesting to see the results of the STrib writer’s poll.

Nice list Marsh.

Jason, is that story about the Enterprise Technology Audit?

The Idle Hands new one is gonna be a doozie.

Here’s a video from them…if you look hard…you can see Marsh’s mop in the background.

kevin from minneapolis,

I’m still alive and still drinking black java (delicious). I was afk shopping for earmuffs the whole month on November. The last photo i posted was less than 24 hrs ago. before that a few days er something.

earmuffs.

I totally cribbed 50% of your list, David. Honestly, my first five or six are all still in pretty regular rotation on my iPeezy. And there were more than a few that I forgot about until I went to Peter’s. Thank you, both of you guys. Peter does so much for local music at the end of every year. Big up.

I think my QA with McCreedy was the only thing I wrote for CP this year. What up, y’all? No love for S.Money now that I writes for soccer moms? Or is it just because CP is more preoccupied with national acts under D.Hicks? There’s a thread to consider. You want to hear from some whiny garage bands? Start that one up, Rex.

Is it uncommon for drunken men to lamely attempt to hit on women at bars/clubs or is it common for some women to insidiously inform others that they are worthy of getting hit on under the sad veil of disgust? Don’t flatter yourself tuts.

No. I’m still sulking.

You guys wanna grab a beer…or two? Rex, you can TiVo SG Atlantis and watch it later. Marsh, I wanna hear how the Shus Creative meeting went.

Yeah, why doesn’t anybody want to talk about it? Where is “m.maerz dips” in the TWIN CITIES YEAR IN MUSIC compilations?

Heavy.

TP: I’m walking up to that dorky Mnstories vlogCON at the BLB right now, actually. Anyone joining me?

Crap! Got that email from Chuck at like 2:30 this morning.

Crap! Got that email from Chuck at like 2:30 this morning.

Believe it or not, I’m working. Stupid Olympics!

Andrea- not about the audit… A guy goes to the surplus sale yesterday and buys a computer for $30. He fires it up, and there’s hundreds of documents still on the computer. Turns out, more than a dozen computers like this were sold today and yesterday… and NONE of them were scrubbed. We found out where in state gov’t they came from– and that makes the situation even worse.

It is common for men to hit on King Tut.

Very common. The Tut is hot.

I think I’m ignoring that shot at me. Yep.

That’s an interesting story, Jason. I will have to tune in tonight. Seeing as how that will probably directly effect me at my day job, I am very interested to hear that…

Also, jderusha, I’ll be waiting for the earmuffs. I expect screenshots as I’m TV-less over here. (Which is not really a statement against anything. I also don’t have a microwave, a toaster or a proper alarm clock. I’m a lazy shopper.)

Sadly, tonight I’ll be inside… so now opportunity for me to sport the earmuffs. Andrea, the Dept. of Administration messed this one up. I’m logging an interview with them right now.

JD’s story could affect me too! I will definitely watch.

kevin from minneapolis,

read the 13th comment in thread “The Thread That Binds Us”. just curious.

You should reference their response at the end of the Enterprise of Technology Report at the end of the audit by Legislative Auditor. They were very defensive about problems pointed out with their computer security, and were aware of many many problems in the State’s practices.

Just curious how many government employees frequenting MN Speak – especially those on this thread today.

Well, about 10K people visited the site today (which, believe it or not, is a little low).

My dynamic IP makes up 9,900 of those hits.

What is the thread that binds us?

sorry, i have major linking issues over here. I highlight the words add the url and it doesn’t work. Its a thread from the Dec. 14th. try this.

http://mnspeak.com/mnspeak/archive/post-1140.cfm

I wonder what explains the flurry of posts today. Perhaps giddiness. I posted way more than normal… I guess I was just enjoying the open thread from home this morning. I brought Terri Gruca here for the first time… solved the mystery of Ted Canova… discussed my ugly earmuffs… found out about a woman who loves earmuffs… and pimped my 10pm story. I’m exhausted.

If there were 10,000 hits here today and CCO sees a big ratings bump, JD takes us all out for dinner. Won’t be me though, I check CCO on the website.

Night, everybody.

This might be the weirdest day on the internet ever.

Agreed, Rexie. Today has been a long series of strange and wonderful events, both online and off.

Everyone take a drink.

steve what’s up? your undies are certainly in a bunch tonight. need a massage?

Drink? OK. (I’m at the 331 Club and will do so.)

New open thread tomorrow, Rex? Or is this one still alive?

Saw Marsh (and of course Chuck Olsen) at the BLB. Terrific show. mnstories looked great on the big screen. Special hi-res versions. Very cool.

JD, good story.

The next story I need to comment on. It was about the ice backing up the river.

The guy who had his dock missing was interviewed by Rick Fuentes. Who looked like he was shivering so hard he was going to break.

He should have been wearing the muffs.

David, if it’s that slow at the 331, you should just walk the 7 blocks to my house and help me wrap Christmas presents.

So true. I’ll tell Rick to get it together. Thanks for the compliment, by the way!

Yeah, I’m a little emotional. Barlow’s last day, dog.

Oooo la la. I want to meet up with Alexis for Christmas present wrapping and perhaps a cocktail or five.

Since this is an open thread and there as been so much talk from Jason DeRusha and WCCO, I thought I would just share my thoughts on the station’s meterologist Aloha Taylor. Okay, I guess if you clicked on the link and looked at her picture, you probably don’t need me to tell you any longer – she’s dead goregous.

Forget Barlow. Aloha, Aloha. Wow. I wonder if she would do an interview with me about the First Ave. 35th Anniversary Party.

Navy surgeon husband. Buzzkill.

This site gets kinda skeevy after 10. I’m going to sleep.

And she doesn’t have a blog. That’s pretty much a deal-breaker right here.

(Rex just revealed way too much about himself.)

I’m going to actually type out LOL for the first time ever, Rex.

So my old pal CJK sent me a banjo for Christmas. And tonight, the better half gave me ye olde xmas gift, a keyboard. (And after I messed around with it for an hour or two, I realized I could pretty much replicate a whole mess of my favorite records from the ’80s, starting with AON’s “Daft”).

Anyone want to start a band?

jason – when did you attend marquette?

I went to Marquette from 1993-1997. Great school… lived in Milwaukee from 2000-2003 as a reporter before I got here.

Jason, nice story last night. I actually watched the local evening news, you should consider that an accomplishment in and of itself. Plus I got to make good with my boss by reporting what you said to him first thing this morning. Thanks!

Ross: I will be in your band. Let’s call it “Ross Raihala and The Saint Paul Front”.

From Craig Westover’s column this morning (12/21):

“With the ethics of a bus station pimp, smoking ban proponents are seducing honest business owners into whoring for a partial statewide smoking ban…”

Is Craig talking about someone we know?

Small world dept: I know John Gammell, the guy DeRusha interviewed last night on ‘CCO re: the used state computers with information still on the hard drive. In fact, I think I’ll be seeing him at a Christmas party this week.

Where’s the best sledding hill in the TC?

That’s awesome, Andrea. Thanks for directing me to the audit too… I linked to that on my blog. I was talking to Don Shelby about how exciting as a journalist it is to post information about a story I’m working on for TV (without giving away too much to the competition)… and getting input on this site to make the story better. Talk about collaborative journalism! So thank you!

Where’s the best sledding hill in the TC?

Can’t say which is the best, but in my neck of the woods, the favorites are Highland Golf Course (Snelling and Highland), Hillcrest Rec (Ford Pkwy., next to the library), and Linwood Rec (St. Clair a few blocks east of Lex).

Stay away from the sledding hill in Theo Wirth. Way lame. They actually make you stand in a line and wait to go down four at a time. You can’t even go down four-on-a-tube. That aint sledding.

There’s a decent hill at the Town and Country Club Golf Course in St. Paul (Marshall and Otis). And I always see people on a hill at around the Minnehaha Creek and 12th or Bloomington.

Ear Pops are the ear muffs of the new millenium.

Chicks dig ‘em, too!

Check them out. The guy who markets them is RIGHT HERE in Minneapolis!

earpops.com

Highland Golf Course has a few pretty big ones. Just go south on Snelling and you’ll see the hills, right by the big water tower.

Talking about earmuffs is so 24 hours ago (just kidding).

Jason, glad I could help. I think MNSpeak has proven time and time again to be extremely beneficial to the community. It’s great!

Two questions:

Why is it everytime somebody refers to “the Cities” they really only mean Minneapolis? As a St. Paulian, I take offense.

And why is it I can’t swing a cat in these towns and not hit some goofball either in “marketing” or ” consulting”? I’m tired of feigning interest.

Alexis:

A woman of your many charms would be the ultimate gift to UN-wrap at Christmastime…

Am I being redundant?

SLED RIDING on the hill at Town & Country golf course. moe is right. tonight will be the perfect night.

stevemarsh: tapes & tapes at varsity on thusday nite, even though mnspeak says there’s nothing going on…

Re: earpops.com

great for skiers, campers, bikers, joggers, constructions workers…Construction Workers?

I used to roof houses. If i showed up at the site wearing earpops, a severe beating would soon follow.

I like the high res images too. Screams quality.

Aidan:

Were you in “Legends of the Fall”?

Thursday night there are also concerts by This World Fair/JoAnna James/Thrush at the Fine Line and White Light Riot at the Turf Club.

Add calendar info to the calendar threads!

Oh you boys, you make me blush.

When I go sleeding, it’s at Columbia Golf Course in Northeast. There’s a good-sized hill with a steep start (I forget which hole it is) that causes you to go speeds you might not be comfortable with.

Why is it everytime somebody refers to “the Cities” they really only mean Minneapolis?

Only people from the suburbs say “the Cities.”

The entire state says “the Cities” and it means the whole metro area. I live in the burbs, which is part of “the Cities” in my mind and everyone who doesn’t live in the metro.

While spending my childhood living in a small town in northern Minnesota, I became very accustomed to saying “the Cities” in reference to any pilgrimmage made south. Often times we actually ended up staying in hotels in Edina, Bloomington, or Hopkins (those trips were the highlight of my youth, how sad is that?). I think there is a statewide habit of glomming the entire metro area together into the Cities.

I live in Minneapolis and I say “the Cities.” And I mean the entire metro. I don’t know anyone who thinks of the Cities as Minneapolis only.

I think its a simple equation:

The closer you live to minneapolis the less likely you are to say the cities.

If you live very, very, far from minneapolis (the stix), there is a 100% chance you would refer to the metro as “the cities”. If you live near minneapolis (metro area/suburbs) there is a 50% chance you would call minneapolis “the cities”. If you live in minneapolis there is a 0% chance you would refer to minneapolis as “the cities”. My equation has a 5% margin of error. people like mel fall into this 5%. Maybe i’m way off, but i think this equation make sense.

I grew up in central Illinois, so when people say “The Cities” I think of the “Quad Cities”: Moline (IL), Rock Island (IL), Davenport (IA) and Bettendorf (IA). How random is that?

Growing up, in various places around the area, I always said “The Cities.” When I moved here 8 years ago, I immediately began saying “Minneapolis.” However, in the past six months, I’ve transitioned back, directly because of this site. Saying “Twin Cities” has more parity for me when posting here.

Black java is right, it’s a proximity thing.

Hell, how many people in Minneapolis don’t even say that. They say, I live in Phillips or Seward or Uptown or whatever. It’s like our own little country…just as it should be.

When I was a kid (late 70s) I used to sled down that monster hill behind Mounds View high school. You can see it from 35W heading north, it’s huge. I’d be surprised if they still allow sledding there in these litigious times, but it’s worth investigating if you’re into that sort of thing.

Kevin, are you trying to pull us into another discussion of geographical names for Minneapolis neighborhoods?

Please say yes.

I am officially comment #200, and this is now the second-most-commented thread (comparison) of all time.

The fact that the word “earmuffs” is used in at least 25% of those posts is even more impressive to me.

And to think Nagel started it all with an innocent complaint against towing and plowing. Just look at it now!

We’ve come a long way, PEEPS.

I actually had to resist the temptation to blog about blogging today, just because of this damn thread.

I too used to live in the Quad Cities (KWQC-TV). But didn’t you forget about East Moline (IL). They have a giant sign upon entrance to their fine town proclaiming, “One of the Quad Cities.” Yes, there are 5 Quad Cities. So appropriate.

In Michigan the “Tri-Cities” are Saginaw, Midland and Bay City.

And a bit to our southwest, we have the “other” Twin Cities of Omaha/Council Bluffs.

It really is confusing, this Midwest living.

We should get The Current to partner with MNSpeak to have a concert at a sledding hill. That would be awesome.

Jason, how could I forget East Moline? But you are correct. Did I used to see you on Channel 6 when I was home for the holidays? There’s always been something familiar about you. Though in that market, I usually watched CBS, Channel 4, WHBF, I think.

Isn’t it a little artificial calling a thread that is open 2 days the most commented on. Leave it open for 2 weeks and it will never be touched. If you had started a new open thread today this would have never reached the highest.

Well, I’m not trying to inflate anything, cuz, ya know, I don’t really care. But it was at about 190 in 24 hours. (And about 80% of the longest thread on this site — the Keillor thread — were after the first 24 hours.)

David– you were the one watching WHBF! I was the weekend anchor at KWQC (started as a reporter in July 1997, promoted to anchor in January 1998, I left in April of 2000).

I’m an East Coast transplant now living in Mpls and trust me, I hear people calling it “The Cities” all the time. Granted, a lot of the people saying it are the ones who immediately check me for bullet wounds when I say I live in North…

New sub-sub-subtopic: Your solstice meal.

Beef barley soup chez moi.

And cornbread. Can’t forget the cornbread.

I bet we could push another hundred comments just debating whether or not the length of this thread is legitimate.

free-range lentils with a nice organic tofu stroganoff

Just got back to work after the yearly trip to Ingebretsen’s to pick up the xmas lutefisk. I can’t stand the stuff, but it’s a cool tradition to carry on.

I am now anti-this thread. It is so cool that it is no longer cool. I’m anti-things that everyone thinks are cool so I’m not coming to this thread again.

It will give me time to listen to my iPod while I text message with my camera phone while waiting for my laptop to connect to the free wi-fi at The Tea Garden, which is where I go for desert after I eat at Chipolte on days when the New Uptown Diner doesn’t stay open past 3 p.m.

kev, you’re the coolest ever

Even if Rex had started a new open thread today, we’d all still be on this one. Admit it.

Can we talk about holiday cards for a moment? I am a single guy and know that most single guys do not send them out. Some times they do after getting married. Almost all do after having children.

I received one today from a friend with a picture of his daughter, wife and himself. Very nice, very sweet.

Listed but not shown are Sniff & Scurry. I assume they are pets.

Anybody want to guess???

I don’t know…I think this thread is still pretty damn cool. Any time you can get a thread mentioning random Fox 9 execs trying to pick up women, holiday cards and Alexis losing her throne as Queen of the Blog Babes, I’d say it has cool to spare.

jason – i was at MU from 87-91

KM

Cornbread, yes. Earmuffs, yes. When I lived in Duluth, I called it “The Cities,” but no longer.

I’m visiting my parents and it’s t-shirt weather.

On the Iron Range we say “The Cities” if we mean Minneapolis and environs, but we’d usually specify St Paul sererately.

I hate Minnesota.
This place has to be the most boring, backward major city I’ve ever been in.

First, the shopping sucks. unless you’re willing to run around in the standard male uniform of Dockers, Polo, and cheap shoes.

The restaurants suck, perhaps the state motto should be, “You Won’t Believe the Things We’ll Put Mayonnaise on Here in Minnesota”!

The climate?, Unfit for human habitation.

One also finds that many of the people suck once you realize that Minnesota Nice is just a chickenshit attempt of people trying to avoid looking you in the eye and saying what’s on their mind.

I have seldom met anyone that likes it here, unless they have never lived anywhere else.

You must be a transplant, and we don’t like your kind around here.

I think what mthalo is trying to say is it’s too hard to get heroin here.

Oh, well in that case, he’s absolutely right!

“Profiting off user-generated content is Web 2.0 colonialism.” – Paul Mooney

Goldbricker.

Zosiablue is the best part about Minnesota.

I think that the climate is tits. I walk around without a coat during winter. After the snow’s first melt in March I’m seen skipping on sidewalks wearing a t-shirt.

For the record, I can’t think of any other place that has the pristine balance of user friendly city life and scenic beauty.

calling on everyone, mthalo needs some serious love and compassion. he/she sounds like they’re in a real bad place…

That place is called the East Coast state of mind and the only thing that can fix it is a one way ticket East.

First off, I love MNspeak (and this thread), but why write a post about kissing ass?

One thing I find strange about MNspeak.com is how threads bounce around on the front page in the sense that posts don’t follow chronological order. Some threads get moved to “Yesterday” and some stay as “Today,” and some disappear off the front page faster than others. It’s not like most blogs where there is more strict priority to more recent means closer to the top. For example, in “Today’s Talk,” is a post from December 20, yet this post from December 23 is considered “Yesterday’s Talk.” It’s December 26 right now. The archives appear to work accurate, but it’s the front page that’s wonky. Drive me bonkers. Is there a reason as to why certain things stay up and others don’t, and if so what’s the priority? Why the “Today’s Talk” and “Yesterday’s Talk” labels on the front page if they aren’t accurate?

Hey s4xton.

There is, believe it or not, a logic behind the madness. Basically, I think of MNspeak as about one-third blog, one-third discussions, and one-third media source. That hybrid leads me to organize posts a little differently than a typical blog — but chronology is still the predominant factor.

Since my background is in media, I can’t stop myself from occasionally trying to prioritize things up. I actually feel there’s an ontology behind this — “Today’s Talk” is literally, “the items people are talking about today.” So a post about what bars are open on Christmas Eve obviously isn’t under much discussion today, and it will quickly slide down. Other posts that seem more pertinent over several days — vikings boat scandals, open threads, etc. — will stay up longer.

But again, for the most part, the site is chronological, but I’ll keep something closer to the top if it’s getting lots of conversation (this is particularly true if I didn’t post it).

Rex-

That makes some sense. Thanks.

-Aaron

Has anyone been to the sushi place next to Azia? Anemonie or something? Any reviews?