Just a lil pic from the grounds here at work. Makes me think of a old western movie... or the time I spent running cattle up along the San Gabriel mountains... on my trusty and sure-footed steed named 'Buttercup'.
January 26, 2009
January 23, 2009
Winter Fun, II.
Not 10 blocks from my apartment are two large lakes, right in the heart of MSP. One thing that was pretty strange for me to wrap my head around was that almost every lake (proabably all) freeze over in the winter here. Sure, it makes perfect sense (and has helped ice fishing become so popular), but coming from IL where the lake is one of the Great Lakes (and doesn't freeze over)... it's kind of hard to understand.
But it's true. I went out the other day on a quick walkabout and saw why Minnesotans spend so much time outside - it's easy.
YES, Margaret, I'm standing on a frozen lake... very thick ice with no fear of falling through (well, besides my irrational fears of falling through ice)
Want to get in some hockey practice for your pee-wees? No problem. The moms and dads were busy shoveling off the ice (on skates) and making sure everyone got along.
The half dozen or so rink/hockey areas on the lake don't even take up all the ice (and this is the smaller of the two). People were also X-C sking and taking the dog out for some fun on this lake. Me, I was just walking... some snow shoes would be nice though.
The nicest part (though boring to see in a picture) was that they have a warming house (i.e. double-wide) set up right near the lake. You can spend hours out on the ice and be able to properly blow little kids noses during a change in periods. I think I even saw people bringing food... like a winter picnic - that's dedication.
But it's true. I went out the other day on a quick walkabout and saw why Minnesotans spend so much time outside - it's easy.
YES, Margaret, I'm standing on a frozen lake... very thick ice with no fear of falling through (well, besides my irrational fears of falling through ice)
Want to get in some hockey practice for your pee-wees? No problem. The moms and dads were busy shoveling off the ice (on skates) and making sure everyone got along.
The half dozen or so rink/hockey areas on the lake don't even take up all the ice (and this is the smaller of the two). People were also X-C sking and taking the dog out for some fun on this lake. Me, I was just walking... some snow shoes would be nice though.
The nicest part (though boring to see in a picture) was that they have a warming house (i.e. double-wide) set up right near the lake. You can spend hours out on the ice and be able to properly blow little kids noses during a change in periods. I think I even saw people bringing food... like a winter picnic - that's dedication.
January 21, 2009
Winter Fun, I.
I've been impressed lately in regards to how Minnesotans choose to spend their long winters. They could just curl up on the couch and gain weight all winter, but no. They find many many things to do in the great outdoors, just with snow on top. I know of two ski-jumping hills in the area... every local park seems to have an ice/hockey rink (more on that later)... I heard kids snowmobile to school... and they really take their snow-tubing seriously. I know b/c I had the chance to go this past weekend.
Load up the friend's car and it's only about 30 minutes away. Not bad at all. Dominicks isn't even less than 30 minutes away in Chicago.
The place is called "GreenAcres" and pictured above is my first-ever-in-my-life "liftpass". It was really for the tow-rope, but still. And you may not know that the little wire piece for your zipper is called a "wicket". I believe that comes directly from the term used in croquet.
Tube - check. And don't take this choice lightly, something too small and yer heinie will be falling right through... too big and you'll be "riding the bull" all the way down. Glove choice can be critcal as well, the tow-rope yanked off one of those little grey thingies as it pulled off my glove more than once.
Jump out of the way at the top of the tow-rope (don't forget your tube) and look for the best spot to launch yourself over the edge.
Scoot your butt over the edge, take the running start, or have someone that doesn't like you shove you hard off the lip. Scream on the way down and get up and repeat. You get 2 hours of mayhem between you and tons of teenagers and kids celebrating God knows what, so make the most of it.
Load up the friend's car and it's only about 30 minutes away. Not bad at all. Dominicks isn't even less than 30 minutes away in Chicago.
The place is called "GreenAcres" and pictured above is my first-ever-in-my-life "liftpass". It was really for the tow-rope, but still. And you may not know that the little wire piece for your zipper is called a "wicket". I believe that comes directly from the term used in croquet.
Tube - check. And don't take this choice lightly, something too small and yer heinie will be falling right through... too big and you'll be "riding the bull" all the way down. Glove choice can be critcal as well, the tow-rope yanked off one of those little grey thingies as it pulled off my glove more than once.
Jump out of the way at the top of the tow-rope (don't forget your tube) and look for the best spot to launch yourself over the edge.
Scoot your butt over the edge, take the running start, or have someone that doesn't like you shove you hard off the lip. Scream on the way down and get up and repeat. You get 2 hours of mayhem between you and tons of teenagers and kids celebrating God knows what, so make the most of it.
January 19, 2009
Results, Poll #51, Shoveling.
How eager is the t.c readership to go out and move some frozen rain around? Let's see...
> 5 people (45%) chose 'yes, old school with a shovel' - there's a hearty bunch!!! Good for you. I've heard this counts as cardio for your Ironman training too.
> 0 people (0%)chose 'yes, new school with a blower' - no one has a blower, really?
> 3 people (27%) chose 'nope, nothing for me to shovel' - well, well, well... some of us have it so easy, huh?
> 3 people (27%) chose 'nah, my _____ does it all' - and some of us even have it easier. BUT, maybe you do lots of other things in the household? I'm sure that's it.
So, there you have it on the subject of shoveling. You all must get practicing shoveling if you read any of my stuff.
New poll up now and thanks for playing.
> 5 people (45%) chose 'yes, old school with a shovel' - there's a hearty bunch!!! Good for you. I've heard this counts as cardio for your Ironman training too.
> 0 people (0%)chose 'yes, new school with a blower' - no one has a blower, really?
> 3 people (27%) chose 'nope, nothing for me to shovel' - well, well, well... some of us have it so easy, huh?
> 3 people (27%) chose 'nah, my _____ does it all' - and some of us even have it easier. BUT, maybe you do lots of other things in the household? I'm sure that's it.
So, there you have it on the subject of shoveling. You all must get practicing shoveling if you read any of my stuff.
New poll up now and thanks for playing.
January 13, 2009
Discuss, Poll #51, Shoveling.
On my first office visit at the new company, I was told the snow was different in MN. Well, I've had plenty of opportunity to certify that staement. Not only have I had the opportunity to drive in it, remove it from my car, and walk around in it, but I've also had the pleasure of shoveling it a few times now. It's for sure different than CHI snow. Because the temps usually have to RISE for snow to be possible, the snow here is light and airy... I might even say "champagne-like".
But enough about MN snow, anyone got a humorous snow story? I won't bore everyone with my "ice-pick-in-the-face-small-scar-still-visible-on-my-upper-lip" story from childhood, but if anyone has something less bloody - do tell.
But enough about MN snow, anyone got a humorous snow story? I won't bore everyone with my "ice-pick-in-the-face-small-scar-still-visible-on-my-upper-lip" story from childhood, but if anyone has something less bloody - do tell.
January 11, 2009
Results, Poll #50, Movie Seats.
Well, a fairly emotional topic for some of the t.c readership... some good comments this week too. Here's what the voters have said about the issue:
> 1 person (10%) chose 'i won't do it' - wow, tell me who you are! i'd like to get some tips/wording from you so i can use it the next time i'm faced with sitting b/w two spanks in the next movie.
> 6 people (60%) chose 'yes, but begrudgingly' - sure, this makes sense. most of us are nice enough people and do what we are asked. i really do think there is a way not to move though. explain to the person that's arrived during previews that you arrived on time for a reason and are not going to move. you could get kicked out if they make a stink, but maybe not.
> 3 people (30%) chose 'sure, it's not my theater' - you're so sweet. is your blood type S, for Splenda?
> 0 people (0%) chose 'i never 2nd guess it, i always move' -this was probably redundant, oh well.
10 voters this time... starting the new year off with a reduction in voters. maybe folks didn't have time at work with this week after coming back from two weeks off?
> 1 person (10%) chose 'i won't do it' - wow, tell me who you are! i'd like to get some tips/wording from you so i can use it the next time i'm faced with sitting b/w two spanks in the next movie.
> 6 people (60%) chose 'yes, but begrudgingly' - sure, this makes sense. most of us are nice enough people and do what we are asked. i really do think there is a way not to move though. explain to the person that's arrived during previews that you arrived on time for a reason and are not going to move. you could get kicked out if they make a stink, but maybe not.
> 3 people (30%) chose 'sure, it's not my theater' - you're so sweet. is your blood type S, for Splenda?
> 0 people (0%) chose 'i never 2nd guess it, i always move' -this was probably redundant, oh well.
10 voters this time... starting the new year off with a reduction in voters. maybe folks didn't have time at work with this week after coming back from two weeks off?
January 8, 2009
Frostbike.
This is a quick video of an annual event here at Q. It's called FrostBike and is held every February over a weekend. The title is fitting for that month in MN. It's a chance for our customers to come and visit us, it also happens to be one of the bigger industry tradeshows as companies come from all around to show their new products.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)