Nye's Polonaise.

If you want Polish food or beer and a place to polka, this is the joint. I went on a weeknight, but I'm told Fridays and Saturdays this is the only place around to dance to live polka music. They get a huge crowd of fun (read, drunk) folks of all ages.


[It's the kind of place with old dark furniture, woody accents, stiff cocktails, and waitresses older than you are]


[The highback booths are perfect for sucking down some liquid courage before hitting the piano bar or going into the main room for polka (or other live act)]


[semi-creepy piano guy included, and "Wild Bill" is thrown in for free (he's the drunk, white-haired, Irishman that will dance with your date) - this is not made-up]

Catch some Z's in NYC.

As I walked from appointment to appointment on Thursday in NYC, I found this woman lying in a storefront, sleeping. She looked really comfy and really asleep. No, I didn't bang on the glass. There was something written on the window about a "sleep project". I didn't get the whole story, the image was enough for me.

NYC @ night.

NYC seems to have two distinct parts to the day (and more pronounced
than Anywhere, USA) - the day is for commerce, but the night is for
being social, meeting new people, and enjoying life.

I met a couple the night of this photo that gave me their cousin's
contact info. Why? She hosts the classic music show on NPR and works in
MSP too. I will be contacting her when I get back.

NYC Pic - 42nd St at Tudor Place.

Taken between dodging huge raindrops.

Artery 24.

An old soap factory here in MSP has been converted into something of an artist-in-residence space. It's a big place, lots of soap in the day, and for 24 hours once a year, they clear it out and have exhibits and performances. Pretty good idea, especially if you have insomnia (not it).

Some of it was interesting art pieces, some was performance art (and a bit less interesting), and some was only set-up for later and just looked interesting.

[definetly a hazard area, but kinda cool]

[neauvo quilt]

[some pretty standard, yet clever]

[some pretty funny]

[and this is the one that was set-up for later. you could also see a wheelchair waiting behind walls (they had put peepholes in the walls to look through). Word on the street was that this artist's performance piece would be somewhat gross and/or bloody. It didn't show til 1AM and I didn't make it that late]

Poll Results, #57, Lance in France.

I don't think many of us would argue that this year's Tour wasn't more memorable and more watched than in years past. I suspect alot of it is the Lance Factor. It also didn't hurt that there was good racing, some other story lines, and no talk of doping (at least not yet).

The results reflect these statements somewhat:
> 3 (25%) people chose 'yes it's been fun to have him back' - here here!
> 4 (33%) people chose 'lil bit' - so you watched b/c of Lance or another reason?
> 2 (16%) people chose 'not so much' - you should watch with me, I'll explain everything.
> 3 (25%) people chose 'lance who?' - you should get a TV to start.

New poll up when I think of one.

Al's Breakfast Diner.

Having been seen on Food Network, this placed looked to be something of a local celebrity. On closer inspection, it's a greasy spoon, in the best sense of the phrase. Usually, you have to wait in line outside the place (so I'm told), which is simply for the fact that the place is about 12 counter seats, and that's it. People, again, I'm told, wait a long time. Well, I guess it was just one of those lazy Saturdays, because we walked right in and sat down.

Now the mantra for picking out the food should be "keep it simple". Don't get eggs Benedict or huevos rancheros, but you can be sure omelets and pancakes are good-to-go. In fact, I noticed "Corn Pancakes" on the menu, and not being shy about food options, decided to give them a try. It was very unique (not in a bad way) and the corn was as fresh as it gets. I wouldn't order it again, but at least I can say I tried. I also had a $1 bowl of applesauce. Yep, regular ole applesauce. I dunno, it sounded good. They even said, "Would you like cinnamon for it?" ... as if they had to ask.

[turn to the right, mohawked short order cook - check]

[turn to your left, surly (but very nice) counter waitresses - check]