Happy Halloween!!

BOO!

A Devil and his Angel

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. As a kid, it's simply amazing! You get to dress up like your favorite scary monster or superhero and go from door to door and get showered with free candy. How is that not the coolest thing ever?!? Well I still can't get enough of Halloween and love to get dressed up and party...and this year was no exception.

This year however, I actually did a 'couples' costume idea with the girlfriend. I was the 'classy' devil and she was my angel. And they turned out to be pretty good costumes if you ask me. My costume was complete with classy dress-up outfit, horns, skull cane, and 'red' eye contacts to freak everyone out...and they did! I even had a couple of girls who refused to look me in the eyes cause they'd get creeped out.

Well we partied it up at a friend's place ... kudos Cory!! And got our Halloween party on! Below are a couple pics of Mary and my costume and some others from the night. Look below or if you want to see more pics click here.

Can't wait for next year!! (My only regret is I missed the James Annual Halloween party. :( Next year, I'll be there!!)

The Devil
A Devil and his Angel

Clark (Superman) & Lex Luthor - Smallville
Evil Incorporated
Happy Halloween!!!

Random Picture Day

Finally

This past Saturday I FINALLY got out on the bike I bought from Mikey B. It had been a loooong time coming, as the bike had been just sitting in my apartment screaming at me for some attention.

Well, the girlfriend and I rode around the three lakes (Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet) in Uptown. The weather was perfect out and it was a really fun bike ride; about 10.5 miles. Even got a few nice pics out of the deal (see below).

The only things that weren't too nice were a couple of minor problems I discovered with the bike (I think the chain needs to have a couple links taken out of it, due to some shifting problems, and the chain kept slipping when I was standing up trying to pedal fast.) Along with some "after biking" pain that resulted from the seat since I haven't been biking since hmmm ... let's see ... I was 10?!? Other then that a really enjoyable ride.

Below are a few pics from the ride to prove I actually did make it out. (Since Pete and Mike won't believe it.) Enjoy! :)

Best Holiday Ever

Halloween is easily my favorite holiday and I'm really excited about my costume this year and the party I'm going to. (However I am really sad that I'm going to miss my friend James' Halloween party. Bummer! He always throws a great party and it's a good time to see friends.)

However, for the first time in my life I'm actually doing a "couple" costume idea with my girlfriend. Should be pretty cool. I just got the last piece of the costume in the mail today too and it looks great. Can't wait!!

I'm not going to unveil what it is until after the party, but I should be able to post photos after Oct. 27th. Until then I'm just building up the hype I guess.

In reliving past Halloween memories, here is a picture of my Halloween costume from last year when Mikey B, Corey, Aimee and I went as the Ch. 4 News team from Anchorman. NEWS TEAM ASSEMBLE!!!


Happy (early) Halloween everyone!

New Work Computer

Well I have to say that new computers make me happy. Especially when it’s a brand new BIG Mac. Get it ... bigmac? Nevermind.

It’s computer change-up time at work and today I got my brand new 24-inch iMac. Holy Frig-A-Crap!! The display on this thing is HUGE and so crisp and clear. It’s like I’m watching HDTV at my desk. I love it! And also love the new style mouse and thin keyboard too.

If you want to get one for yourself (I highly recommend it) or check out what I’m talking about here is the link: http://www.apple.com/imac/ Go with the 24-inch display model, you won't be disappointed!

God save the Mac!

Science Museum of Minnesota

This past weekend I went to the Science Museum of MN. I used to go to there all the time when I was a kid as my parents had a membership. My favorite exhibit was always the dinosaur bones. I was fascinated with dinosaurs! (still am) And all of the exhibits, as a kid, seemed to go on forever and ever. And no trip to the Science Museum was complete without getting grossed out by the mummy.

Well I hadn’t been to the Science Museum since it moved in 2000 to its new location downtown St. Paul. I was really excited to see it as I had fond childhood memories. However, as I’ve learned time and time again, once you revisit a place from your childhood one always feels a bit under whelmed. As a kid a place that seemed vast and wondrous to a grown up can seem small and uninteresting. So I went in with hopeful, but low expectations.

I have to say that while the museum was certainly not as big as I remembered as a kid it was still fun. And the dinosaur bones exhibit, hands down was still the best. Oh and I got grossed out by the mummy again. Ewww…. If your looking for something to do on a Saturday and you’re in the St. Paul area you should check it out!

Here’s a few pics.

Therapeutic

Since August I’ve switched accounts at work, much to my dismay. I left the most enjoyable and rewarding account I’ve worked on in my advertising career for easily the worst and most frustrating by far. Not a fair trade you say? I’d more than agree with you, but I didn’t have a choice. The only upside is the account shift carried with it a big promotion and a raise. However, I’m finding out that money isn’t everything. But that’s not the purpose of this entry, I’m getting side-tracked…

I finally got around this afternoon to cleaning out my office at work. I had a file cabinet and bookcase packed full of 2 years worth of old files for accounts I used to work on, and today I cleaned house. I tell you it was like my own therapy session. 'What’s this? Who knows … throw it!' I cleaned house (or the office, I guess) ... in essence for a brief moment it was like throwing away responsibility. Who knew cleaning could be this cathartic?

Well for the moment I now have a clean office. I bet by tomorrow it will be all junked up again.

El Pistolero

I have a problem that I’m willing to admit. Those close to me (friends and family) have known about the problem for many years. Only the last year or so have I really come to grips with the problem and learned to control it. The source of my problem … the camera.

It’s not something I normally do in daily life, only when someone is snapping pictures of me. I thought I had it under control however just last week I was reminded once again that this is a problem I need to keep constant watch over and be mindful of.

Last week, Juan (a Spanish friend of mine) started calling me by a nickname, which I was honestly honored by and made me laugh … a lot. The name, El Pistolero. It means … The Gunman. Yes, I’m that guy.

I’m the guy that in just about every picture you see me in I end up making “the guns” motion with my hands. I’m not sure how I started down this path of photo-posing destruction, but here I am and admitting the problem is the first step. Right?

Honestly, with the new nickname (el pistolero … the gunman) I’ve come to embrace my problem, identify it and take the appropriate steps towards correction. I’m ready to step into a braver, larger, “gun free” world.

In the hopes that coming to grips with my problem will help me down my path of corrective action here is the perfect sample of my infamous gun pose. Bang. Bang.

Taylors Falls

Well after being pretty much sick and overworked the entire summer I finally escaped for a day with the girlfriend. We went down for the day to Taylors Falls, and what a good day it was! I hadn’t been to Taylors Falls since I was a kid, and well let’s face it when you’re a kid you can’t appreciate anything, right? Right!!

It was sooo beautiful a top the rocky cliffs overlooking hundreds of trees turning color with the river running far far below. You should go if you get the chance!! The leaves are turning now and it’s beautiful. Only less than an hour’s drive from Minneapolis. If you do go be sure to go over to the Wisconsin side and drive next to the cliffs by the river and walk around on the trails. You won’t be disappointed.

Well as I do with every adventure, I of course had to bust out the old trusty camera and take a bunch of pictures. For you impatient readers enjoy a few selects below. Otherwise to see them all click HERE.

Why I DON’T drink bleach underneath the sink

Today I was once again reminded of the usefulness and purpose of Mr. Yuck stickers warning us what NOT to drink underneath the sink.

Over my lunch break today from work I took my car down the street to gas up and get a car wash at Bobby & Steve’s Auto World downtown Minneapolis. I pulled next to the gas pump, got out of my car and as soon as I did I had the feeling like something was incredibly wrong. I heard shouting. I looked around and notice everyone had locked themselves inside their cars, and a crazy unkempt looking woman in hysterics was running around waving her hands and screaming “They stole my $5,000!!!! They stole it from me!!! I have proof!!!”

As I was the only one (stupid enough) to be outside their car at the time she immediately ran over to me and started pulling at my shirt saying, “They stole my $5,000!! That’s a lot of money right? They stole it!” To which I responded, “I’m sorry … that sucks!”

Startled by the woman’s forcefulness I took one look at her and caught an eyeful of a whole lotta DAMN going on. The woman’s hair was long, stringy and tangled. Her clothes were dirty and ripped. She reeked and her mouth looked like a train wreck! There were several missing teeth and the few precious remaining ‘chompers’ were a jagged mess and two of them stuck straight out. Yikes! To quote one of my favorite Simpsons lines, “I call the BIG one ‘Chomper’!”

Well I immediately kept my eyes focused on the ground and the gas pump (as if my life depended on it) all while the woman kept asking me questions and tried to get me to believe that magical forces “stole” her money she put away in a secret room. Meanwhile I thought to myself the whole time, “Please don’t kill me freaky Jason!” Luckily enough the manager of Bobby & Steve’s Auto World finally saw her and ran out, pulled her aside and got her to leave. The cops showed up shortly after the incident and after she had left. Yikes!!

Let this be a resounding warning to all the kiddies and bored adults out there. The chemicals underneath the sink are NOT for drinking!! They may seem colorful, mysterious and even tempting, but they cause brain damage and can make you think that you’ve lost large sums of money from a magical room!! A word to the wise! BEWARE!

IKEA Sunday

About a month ago, one of my dresser drawers finally broke. I say "finally" because I've been using the same dresser since I was born. It was handed down to me from my Dad who had it quite a few years before I was even born. So sort of a crappy family heirloom, if you want to think of it that way. Well I didn't want to drop a ton of cash on a new bedroom set before I buy a house and buy all new stuff again, so where can I get some good looking furniture for cheap? What's that ... IKEA you say?

Well I picked out a new dresser and matching nightstand about 3 weeks ago at Ikea after battling all the annoying couples, screaming babies and kids running around knocking over everything in sight. I finally get to the warehouse part of the store to pick up my items and ... SOLD OUT! CRRRRAAAAAAPPPPPP!!!!! So, since IKEA doesn't hold anything for you (great customer service) after a couple of more fruitless trips to the Swedish Wonder they finally had my furniture in. At last!!

So Sunday I picked up a brand new dresser and nightstand from IKEA. One thing left to do; ASSEMBLE IT! This is where the realization of "cheap furniture" comes in. You get the IKEA box home, dump out 100 billion pieces, a dinky Alan wrench, confusing picture instructions and good luck to ya! You'd think you were trying to assemble a rocket to the moon with a little less than a video of watching a shuttle launch towards the sky. Umm...thanks that helps a lot. Well after a couple of hours I got them all assembled.

I finally have a new dresser and night stand thanks to IKEA. They are no Corey Brower masterpiece, but they'll do for now.

Random Pic

In honor of random picture day, here's a pic I took of two unsuspecting people asleep on a train in Tokyo, Japan.

Sick Day

Well today I had a sick day (and looks like tomorrow too), cause I am well ... really sick!! Despite it being super frustrating being sick (I HATE it), it has allowed me to do a couple of things:

- Take time off of work so I don't go insane, which was quickly approaching.

- Drive to the doctor's office, while sick ... not fun.

- Made me appreciate being healthy!

- Just about finish reading Harry Potter: The Deathly Hollows. An AMAZING book, read it now!!

- Lastly, realize why I have a job and don't sit around all day watching crappy TV.

Hmm ... okay well this is kind of a lame post but I'm bored so ... here's a random pic from last Halloween. News Team ASSEMBLE!!!

P.S. - I love lamp!

A walk through the Scuplture Garden

What a better way to spend a nice summer Sunday night than a walk through the Sculpture Gardens downtown Minneapolis? Well, the girlfriend and I thought so anyways.

Here's a few pics of the adventure otherwise click here for more (and larger versions).

What we call the news

The below link will take you to a video that perfectly (and entertainingly ... is that a word?) explains why I do NOT watch the news. Thank you Jib Jab!

What We Call The News - Video (click and behold)

Enjoy all.

MN Zoo

Well this past weekend the girlfriend and I checked out the MN Zoo. I'd been really looking forward to visiting the MN Zoo since I hadn't been there since I was about 15 years old. I LOVE the Zoo!! And what a trip back to my childhood. Only thing is once going back to a place you knew as a child ... that place inevitably always seem to shrink. And this was no exception.

Overall, just a really fun day! The exhibit highlight for me was watching the River Otters play and swim. Looked like they were having sooo much fun. I could watch those little guys all day long. Also, if you ever get a chance check out the butterfly tent. Amazing butterflies and flowers everywhere. There's a great shot every 2 inches it seems. (I got a little carried away.) It's a photographer's dream come true!

Also, I got to see my friend Corey's handy work on the MN Trail with some nice (and incidentally great smelling) new hardwood floors. Props to Corey! They look pretty darn spiffy.

Well below are a few pics of my MN Zoo adventure, or click here for more of them.

Random Pic

Stop looking at me Swan!!

Antibiotics

It's amazing what a little modern medicine can do!

To back up. I was sick with bronchitis in June and was given a perscription to make the symptoms go away, but not actually long enough to "treat" the problem. So for the month of July the symptoms flared back up again, and I've been sick off and on and it's really been a pain cause I seem to get sick on the weekends during the rarely amazing summer months in Minnesota. We have such precious little time in the summer in MN and I'm supposed to out enjoying it. Not stuck in side with a sore throat and a fever.

Well last weekend the infection (or whatever it was) decided to make a unified assult on my body and I felt awful! So off to urgent care I went to see a doctor and get some medicine. Well I freaked the doctors out a bit (since I was so sick) that they ended up jabbing me with a needle about 50 different times for a bunch of tests. Oh boy, what fun! But not really.

Well the hero in this pointless tale is twofold. The first hero is Antibotics! After getting some antibiotics in my system, first through an IV and next via pills. I feel a billion times better! The second hero in the tale is finding a doctor who will listen to the patient and take a preventative approach to medicine, versus cautious approach of doing nothing. That's what got me into this mess in the first place.

So after a somewhat sick and frustrating summer, I think I maybe finally on the path to feeling better! Thanks Antibotics!!

35W Bridge Collapse

Well I'm alive. I happened to cross the 35W bridge a few hours before it collapsed on my way to and back from lunch, since I work right next to it. Man that's scary! How does a bridge just collapse for no reason?

This morning I (along with everyone else in Minneapolis) went to the Mississippi River to survey the damage. A truly sobering experience as you can see vehicles strewn about the bridge, which lay in shambles and rescue workers all over the scene.

My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those that weren't so fortunate.