State Fair Day #2

Had a date at the state fair today, used up the $17.50 of state fair bucks from the company outing last week. Liked getting pork chop on a stick of course, found out Amy K, the senator, likes it as well. It was mentioned in a TV interview we saw at WCCO. Also picked up some John Deere popcorn and a can of black pepper Spam. We also found all of the 13 real estate signs in the history walking tour, got a voucher for 2-for-1 tickets at a historic site. After a day at the fair I left her there so she could attend the Toby Keith concert at the grandstand, I went on to a comedy club. Liked meeting a family on the bus on the way back. When I spoke of the Charlie Brown statue search he said his ex-wife was part of the effort to get sponsors.

    Heard a song on my car radio today that I liked, 'Use Your Love' by the Outfield. The guitar intro is great, once of the best I've ever heard besides 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' by Yes.

    Besides the fair, we did get more statue pictures for the Charlie Brown and Snoopy project. We are now over 100, at 104 if I'm not mistaken, since we found 14 today. Five of these were at the fair, the other 9 were at offices open 'banker's hours' so this was the best day available to find them. We aren't out of ideas just yet, which feels good. Since we went to the fair after those offices, we reached the century mark at the fair. Also got tickets for a St. Paul Saints playoff game on Sunday, game 4 if necessary. But the only way it isn't played, when a best of five series, is if there is a sweep. So the odds are fairly high that it will be played, but must check the news to find out.  

Annual Meeting at Loft

Attended the Loft annual meeting tonight in Minneapolis. Saw a former instructor there, it was a reminder of how much had changed in my life since taking that class 4 years ago. I started doing comedy since then. Also notable: the class was around the time of the 35W bridge collapse. Pleased that he recognized me, wasn't expecting that but this has happened before. I trust this is a good thing, leaving a lasting impression, though I once heard a joke in response saying they had seen me on 'America's Most Wanted'. I haven't been on the show, so of course it was a joke. But still a good story to tell. This instructor did a critical writing class, I went to an open house event and another instructor said I was good for the class and was right. I am still surprised at times what I'm good at, but as the saying goes you'll never knoe until you try. I like being straightforward about what works and what doesn't, without being mean. It's also surprising about what relevance I am finding about events from before I started the blog, events I hadn't written about yet. It gives me hope that I can continue to find good subjects to write about for a while, one concern that writers have is experiencing writer's block. It was nice adding another stickie to the timeline of Loft history, found out the one from last year was still there and didn't want to duplicate it, this time I spoke of doing comedy as well, relevant to writing.
   The Kesha show was tonight at Wilkins Aud in St. Paul, I had to pass due to the scheduling conflict. But I did go to Cheapo after the event and got 2 CDs, one was a Pink CD which had 'Get This Party Started' on it, a reminder of seeing Chicago Wolves hockey games when living there. The other had James Bond movie songs, liked 'View to a Kill' by Duran Duran, the liner notes said it was a #1 hit.

Binoculars and Tape

After coming back from  the comedy club tonight I was cleaning out my car as usual. Besides the food wrappers I brought in binoculars and tape, left over from the weekend. I've had the Bushnell binoculars for a while, got them at a liquidation sale about a decade ago. The label on the tape said '3M packaging tape' and finally I'm using it as I had 2 rolls but the other finally reached the end of the line earlier this year. It does remind me of an article I've read online about how sometimes it's best to shop in your own home before anywhere else, as one might already have what you need. I've made this mistake before, buying 2 copies of the same book, or I once had 2 denim jackets. I try to buy just what I need for the near future, including for soap and toilet paper as well even though those items don't cost much. Next Monday is Labor Day, so the club is closed but I'm sure I will find other things to do with the evening off.

3 Home Runs

Went to the Twins game today, they beat Detroit 11-4. The 3 home runs helped, as all had runners on. Not a big fan of home runs unless there's 1 or 2 on, then it's a bigger impact. There was an alumni event at the bar called 'The Loop' a few blocks away before the game. There was a drawing, a $5 buy-in on the raffle, 7 items, but didn't win. The price of the game tickets included pizza and drinks, we ordered pepperoni, thin crust.

   I was tired after the game, fell asleep while dinner was being made. I later helped with dinner, stirring the cheesy rice. 'Simpsons' episode was about magicians and peaches. Also watched an episode of 'History Detectives' that my date had taped for me. Much like before, I liked the history being covered. It was about the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago, vandalism of an Andrew Jackson bust on the ship known as 'Old Ironsides', and a Native American Indian weaved basket.
  The errand running after the date included grocery shopping, but it was a smaller order compared to previous weeks as I didn't need as much. Not all of the breakfast and lunch food was used up yet. I buy less if there are items left as I prefer to use just what is needed for the week.

Breakfast at Perkins

Had breakfast at a Perkins this morning, was meeting family who was in town for the Twins game. It took some time to figure out what else to do for the rest of the day. But the day filled up well, used up a gift card from Bed Bath and Beyond to get a bookcase. I've had my car for over 8 years and just learned something about it when trying to cart the bookcase home: it has fold-down back seats from the trunk.  

Then it meant getting it assembled, which thankfully wasn't too difficult. Just needed a hammer and some screwdrivers. It is 5 shelves. Also made it over to the Borders in Woodbury for the liquidation sale, I got 2 'anthology' history books and a day-by-day Charlie Brown calendar. In the evening we saw a DVD, an episode of 'Little House' where Johnny Cash was a guest star. It led me to sharing another memory of being at the fair, as somebody at the nearby bandshell was playing Cash songs. But I didn't like how he started 'Ring of Fire' then switched to 'Folsom Prison' midway through 'Fire'. I said I wanted to hear 'Tennessee Flat Top Box' but it wasn't played. Found out it was the same song my date hadn't heard in a while. I really like the guitar interlude in it. Still not sure why her dad thought about walking out of 'Walk the Line', something about how it was too real. I will admit it was hard to watch in some areas, but I really liked the music in it, as it was like just being at a concert.

Ring of Honor

I presented 'ring of honor' pictures to coworkers who were in them. Also brought in one that was already framed, it was the 'long lost twin' of a coworker. The other is a college roommate, and both are sarcastic farmboys. It was from when he got married 11 years ago.

   I made it over to a Blockbuster Video store nearby tonight after work as I had read in the paper how it was closing. It was due to losing their lease, since of course the buyout by Dish Network was in April, which helped them exit bankruptcy protection. I bought a bag of microwave popcorn and a DVD, 'Winter's Bone'. Saw it at the theater last year and I still speak of it well, since many of the characters reminded me of people I knew growing up in small-town Iowa.

   On the date tonight we watched a movie after dinner, 'It's Complicated'. I was told that I was a lot like the Steve Martin character, and I did see this as the mannerisms were quite similar. Some parts of the movie were more fun than others, I liked the funny parts more than the serious when of course the serious parts were divorce-related.

Parking Lot Pill Whiner

Sent a photo order to Walgreen tonight after being at the state fair today, the opening day, for a team building event. When I picked it up I saw somebody in the truck next to me swearing and said he was ready to go crazy as he said he had been looking for a pill for an hour. Even if he was talking to me, I didn't talk to him. I got in my car, locked the door, and left. Wanted to get out of there right away.

   It was an unusual day, as we had 3 hours of work then on to the fairgrounds. It was long enough to get the payoff reports submitted. I took a bus over there, one I had taken a few times but not too often. It let me out about a block from the main entrance, and since we were given an hour to get there and it took me about 20 minutes I was early. But I liked it that way. The team building event was a scavenger hunt, getting pictures of many things at the fair, including a Lucy statue over by the administration building. What I liked about it was getting 2 more pictures done for my 'ring of honor'. I had hoped to get it done at the science museum event but some of them left before I got there. And of course my workplace isn't camera-friendly so it means doing it off-site. I did walk around the fair a little with 2 of the 3 colleagues I got pictures with after the team building event was over. We used some of the fair bucks we were given, $25, for food from a Greek place in the international bazaar. Since they didn't plan on coming back at a later date, and I do, I was given their remaining bucks. One of them, a smart guy who has joined Mensa, called the fairgoers 'proletariat' and bemoaned how slow they were going.

    Eventually I left as well, after walking around a little by myself and I liked seeing a bagpipe player at O'Gara's. I had hoped to do a writer networking event at a bar in town but it was a no-go again. I showed up even earlier than before, but the event coordinator did not, so I left and went home. I felt there was no need to stay around for an event that wasn't happening.

Contest With Squishy

I did a comedy contest tonight, one of the other comics was named 'Squishy Man', had seen him before at another contest. I didn't make the top 3, but I just liked having the chance to compete. 'Squishy' did advance. He had friended me on Facebook before the contest saying we were on the same night. He had a raccoon for his profile picture but just changed it to Papa Smurf.

   Much of what I had said before to my date likely made more sense after meeting more of the people there. We agreed on many of our opinions about the comics. What I like about this contest is being able to vote on the participants, as this is not available at other contests where the judges are appointed.

   I did pay more attention to some of the wall art as I was explaining things to somebody who hadn't seen it as often as I do. Like the portraits above the stage, of Diamond Jim and his companion, actress Lillian Russell. It had been a supper club before it was a comedy club. She said she had driven past it before but hadn't stopped, so I liked knowing I had helped with crossing something off a 'to see' list.

Be Careful Out There

'Be careful out there' was what I said to a colleague at the end of the day. He showed me some of his scrapes from biking into work in the morning, said he ended up on a bus bumper. I was thinking of the parting line during the introduction of the TV show 'Hill Street Blues'- although there's 2 more words in front of it, 'And hey'. He said he was too young to remember the show, I don't think I had seen it that much either.

Finished the mustard bottle I got at a potluck in early April, now on to the ketchup. There's also not much left of the ketchup. Another good night in the contest at the comedy club. It was the semifinals, and some of my friends were competing, others were doing stage time separate from the contest. There was a rap duo called 'Valley Meadows' that was pretty good, made up of 2 of my comedian friends.

   There are lingering memories of my dad visiting over the weekend, as I have been watching Youtube videos of TV show theme songs I had showed him, like 'Perfect Strangers' and 'One Day at a Time'. I get a little emotional about the former, as it was one reason I gave for moving to the big city eventually after college. The show made big cities look fun to a small town kid. It's the theme of many shows I've liked- somebody moving to a big city where the opportunity is. I think the most memorable scene would be when Balki gets on the back of a horse cart next to a box that says 'America or Burst' though it should say 'bust'. The other main character, Larry, is more like me. He was described as a 'hard-nosed Midwesterner' which is what I am as well. 

  

Bringing In Soap

Had to remind myself to get the bottle of laundry soap I had just bought out of my car, had left it there overnight. Did this before going to the comedy club tonight. Also realized how I may have done dishes and recycle the night before, but not trash, so that was taken out as well before leaving.

   The joke was how the Riddler would be the show closer at the comedy club, since all we saw for the last slot was plenty of question marks. I didn't stay for the entire show, had things to do. I'm trying to figure out better time management so I can stay for the entire show again. But the weekend leaves me busy and I am often unable to get caught up on the weekend, which is what I prefer. 

   Seems relevant to mention time managment as I did take an online class by that name at work today. Figured it was a good idea since I had the time after finishing the payoff reports, and my boss complained about how I was slower than my tag-team partner. Found out I didn't have to get something delivered by an early deadline, as there's high volume on Mondays. 

50 Plymouth

Before my dad went back to the airport I asked that the story be shared on a few things I often heard about as a kid, including about the '50 Plymouth' so I wouldn't have to ask again. It was one of four that I wrote down. Others were about am ex threatening my great-grandpa after he married someone else, a distant relative in a mental hospital, and 'co-op, whee!' Had planned on getting some cassette tapes for it, but got too busy to get to a store to buy some. Writing it down worked fine, didn't take all that long. 

   Went to a church service downtown, largely since I wanted to see the building which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Plenty of archival photos on display in the fellowship hall. A woman in the pew in front us spoke to us for a while, she had handled the offering plates, then the fill-in pastor spoke to us as well. The photos reminded me of many places downtown to show to Dad, like Mickey's Diner, along with where many of the Charlie Brown and Snoopy statues are. We ate sandwiches at the Erbert Gerbert, explained how there were funny names for the sandwiches there.

   We also made it to the state's museum, and saw some of the same exhibits we had seen when he wanted to go there 2 years earlier but I didn't mind at all. This included the '150' exhibit, a favorite of mine. Good thing I'm seeing it again as it's closing in January. He questioned why it was called the 'greatest generation' in another exhibit, I said it was the title of a Tom Brokaw book.

    After seeing him off at the airport, I did have a date, 'The Simpsons' was on as I arrived, an episode with a powerful message about parenting can sometimes go from one extreme to another. Then we went to eat, first to Olive Garden but the wait for a table was too long, so we went to Noodles and Company instead. I had spaghetti and meatballs as it was on my mind how I didn't have toasted ravioli when I was in St. Louis recently.

Dad, Baseball, Museums

Liked seeing the toy train museum with my dad, though I had seen it before on a date. In the evening we went to the Saints baseball game against Fargo-Moorhead, Saints won 10-9. Looked up a few things I thought about while getting snacks at the convenience store after the game, like regional names for donuts and sandwiches. I knew a sub is a common term for sandwiches but sometimes called hoagie or hero. Dad liked Hoagies as Bill Cosby liked them on his sitcom. The article said the term originates from Philadelphia, explaining it further as Cosby went to college at Temple. Same with donuts, seeing 'Bismarcks' there and wondered if it had anything to do with the German politician. Hard to say, no mention in Wikipedia. Just said it was a regional term, under the heading of 'Berliner' and mention of the urban legend of President Kennedy possibly saying 'I am a donut' when translated.

    A notable thing about the museum was hearing there was a companion location in the back, didn't hear about it when there before. It was nice, more tracks available, along with being able to operate some trains like 'Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends'. There was a reminder sign up saying to shut off the trains when you leave, likely for the kids more than the adults.

   Also made it over to the Twins stadium as he wanted to see it, a good idea we went early in the afternoon as stadium employees were already showing up to work the game 3 hours in advance. Got a picture of one of the statues, Tony Oliva, hadn't seen it before but had seen the others- Carew, Puckett, Killebrew. I think it was due to the entrance it was at. We went there after lunch, my lady friend cooked pork chops for us. The dog seemed to like seeing my dad.

Money Grab

There was a money grab at work to finish 'Celebrate You' week, much like on a gameshow. I had tickets but didn't win the drawing. It was annoying when one was chosen, as somebody said 'he really needs the money' since he had a child on the way. I said that all of us have bills to pay. It was nice to see a senior leader there that I know, we spoke more about my recent visit to St. Louis as he is from there. 

   I lucked out with the laundry, woke up a little earlier than typical and made it back to the laundromat right at 6am, when they opened. Decided to get a little cleanup done before leaving, there was also a slight delay as there was a train on the track, which is rare. I got the drying done and had a breakfast sandwich at Mc Donald's, one with a playground inside. Liked seeing more than just Ronald on the banners there, also saw Grimace, Hamburglar, and Birdie the earlybird. I saw more of those characters when I was younger, even had a sleeping bag with them on it. Made it home and got the laundry folder and hung up and put away, made it in time for the bus I normally take to work. Definitely did more than I usually do this morning! One shirt had granular soap caked onto it so I put it in water in a mop bucket for it to soak further. 

    After work, I got a little more done, including giving a burial to my tomato plant under a nearby pine tree. Then I went to the airport to find my dad. I saw him at baggage claim when I arrived. We ate at the Subway sandwich shop, then walked around the rest of the plaza. Surprised to see how a pizza place had closed, I had eaten there. Was informed it had closed 3 months ago. Then I thought of the President Clinton quote: "It's the economy, stupid." We went inside a liquor store I hadn't been in before, got a 6-pack of Leinenkugel, a beer I often drank with my college buddies. We didn't have the energy for much else by then.

  

Roundtable and Lockout

Liked being part of a roundtable at work today, it was back to back meetings as part of 'Celebrate You' week. Of course it's not over yet, we have another day to go. The meeting was in a room I hadn'r seen much of before, on the executive side. The seats were really comfortable, and it was nice to be asked to give opinions about what is going on in our department. Also to ask questions. I asked if there were plans to grow the business, get more clients, since it hasn't been too busy where I am specifically.

    I was trying to get ready for my dad's visit this weekend, it meant doing laundry. I ventured out to do this after watching 'Big Bang Theory', picked up a dinner at a convenience store first. Arrived at the laundromat just before 8pm, got the 2 loads in and then went back to my car to get out a drink after getting some Famous Amos cookies out of the vending machine. I was locked out, couldn't get back in. The sign said 'last wash 8pm, no exceptions', but didn't say the door locks up at that time. Tried calling the police non-emergency line, they were of no help. Went across the street to a restaurant, was told about a cleaning crew being there later. Waited until 11pm, to no avail. Walked up and down the block while waiting, good exercise. Met some interesting people, one of them claimed he had a cellphone for sale for bus fare. I'm thinking it was likely stolen, said I already had one. Another was coming from a nearby bar and claimed he could call the owner to get it open, but didn't. Then there was the barflies at the restaurant. One of them had a Chicago Bears jersey on, #54 Brian Urlacher, and suggested that my lady friend do the laundry for me. Another kept talking about the ownership changes there, I was getting bored and impatient and kept saying 'yeah, yeah.' Still another was on the front stoop of a house and saw me walking, first he was having a beer then smoking. Offered me a drag, I said I don't smoke. Made a reference to dating somebody, he wanted to ask about them, 'who are they?' I said they lived in another town, and they do. Didn't want to be all that specific. Eventually decided that my best bet was to get there right at 6am when they open, so I went home. 

Higher Contest Participation

There were 11 comics performing tonight at the contest, one was a write-in. It was nice that there was no no-shows this time. But this made it harder to know who to vote for. I ended up voting for none of the 3 who advanced. I figured it would be more than that. Next week will be my turn.

   I did one thing I don't do that often, and don't like having to do either. It was changing my seat. I moved from one side of the club to the other, closer to some friends, more where I wanted to be anyway. It was due to so many showing up around me, and at first being asked to move one table over since I was by myself. Although where I moved to wasn't entirely great either, since I was right in front of one of the fans and it of course was colder. Saw a comment card from June likely explaining the fans: saying it was too warm in there and would come back in the winter.

Online Classes

My 3 applications for the rotations at work were rejected, was told I didn't have enough computer experience. I don't want to get passed over again, so this time I will want to see that I take as many online classes as possible. Not just about computer programs, but about time management as well.

  There was another round on contestants at the comedy club tonight, 2 rappers this time and a really beautiful vocalist. 2 of my friends did a duo, one was wearing a suit and I said I thought of the Cuban rapper known as 'Pitbull'. I was really grooving to the music of one of them, doing the 'pointing thing' like in the movie '8 Mile', Eminem's movie. One of the judges saw me and pointed at me, he must have noticed I was having a really good time with it. He later said he gave extra points as one of the factors is crowd reaction. One of my good friends was supposed to be a judge tonight but I guess he had to cancel out at the last minutes, unable to get time off from his dayjob apparently. 

Another Interview and Tie

I decided to wear a tie to work again today, as I had another interview for a half-time position. This is the last of the 3, hopefully I will get a callback for at least one of them. It has been busy lately with meetings, it was one of 2 today. This one was in the afternoon, and the first of the day was in the morning with my boss's boss. It was an announcement about how the committee I am on won't be happening for a while, due to apathy on the floor. Though it hadn't been happening for a while anyway, it was our first meeting since May. After the announcement was made she left the room and we discussed further. The joke was how 'at least we're already sitting down'. The 2 meetings, 30 minutes each, meant it was busier for me, which was fine. I was assigned special requests this week and there are many times when it isn't busy, especially after one portfolio was sold, there was plenty of contract copies to be made on the repos.

    I did go to the comedy club tonight, but again didn't stay until the end of the show. One friend was sitting near me, I shook his hand on my way out and said how I had things to do. And I did, as my errand running from the weekend wasn't complete yet. Needed to get groceries, I did do some things once I got back from St. Louis but not all. Thankfully the store is nearby, and I knew what I needed.

   Saw an email tonight how Twins player Jim Thome reached the 600-home run club. It meant he hit 2 tonight, and he is the 8th to reach the milestone.

Overnight Delivery

Watched the movie 'Overnight Delivery' on my date after getting back from a weekend in St. Louis. What caught my eye when first seeing the movie back in 1999 at my hotel room near Detroit was the V.W. in it, the Thing, a rare car as it was imported to the USA for just 2 years in the 1970s. Had to ask on the V.W. website as to what model as it was such a rare car, a boxy convertible.

    St. Louis was nice as usual, I was busy Saturday before and after the Cardinal game. The Cardinals lost 6-1, same score as Friday but different result. The Rockies had another home run, this time it was a 3-run that just cleared the fence and landed in the shrubbery. The giveway was a picture frame, sponsored by Shane Jewelry.

    Before the game I went to the Walk of Fame in University City, plenty of stars there and got pictures of some of them, including a Chuck Berry statue that I was told was put up just a month earlier. Liked seeing the Blueberry Hill diner as well, went in to get some postcards and to look at the collectibles in the trophy cases. This included some Simpson items, and I liked playing the Simpson pinball machine there. It was a reminder of how being famous can be a family affair, as Bobby McFerrin, along with his dad, were in it. Same was true of T.S. Eliot, and his grandpa.

      After I was done there it was on to the Scott Joplin home, a reminder of how a famous person's story is often only beginning at their death. Joplin's music eventually became really popular, due in part to 'the Entertainer' being in the 1973 movie 'the Sting'. There was also mention of a 1970s biopic where Billy Dee Williams played him. The tour guide played one sheet in a player piano, a song inspired by the 1904 World's Fair. I said I was already familiar with 'the Entertainer' and 'Maple Leaf Rag'.

    After the game I needed to make tracks to get across the river to a comedy show, inside a Ramada Inn in Fairview Heights, Illinois. I missed some of the host/MC, a few minutes. I liked the 2 comedians after him quite a bit, some of the jokes reminded me of ones that my comedian friends do.

    Ate at the Denny's near my hotel before my flight, one server had an Iowa Hawkeye button on and it got my attention of course. She saw my Hawkeye shirt on and I found out her son would be starting college at the U of I in the fall.

Arrived in St. Louis

Flew to St. Louis this morning and touched down around noontime, it's my annual visit for baseball games. I have a ritual when going there, like eating at the Subway sandwich shop near the hotel. I'm staying at a different one this time, as the Motel 6 near the airport was unavailable. I found out why on arrival, it has a new owner and name- the Airport Inn. I made a reservation online for the America's Best Value Inn across the street, I think I had stayed there once before when it was a Days Inn. Saw them changing the sign while town for last year's visit.

    In the early afternoon I called my dad, returning his call, as I like doing so on the next day if possible. He talked more about my sister's dog that is poorly behaved, unsure why. He will be visiting me soon and he wanted to get me his flight information. I did so after finding a Salvation Army as I wanted to make a donation of Cardinal items that will sell better in St. Louis. Some were shirts I had from previous visits, they were the giveaway promotion. But these spoke of Albert Pujols, a fine player but I am a fan of teams so I figured someone else could use it more than me. I kept one that celebrated the 1982 World Series win, but that was a team thing and not an individual thing.

   Also made it over to Grand and Dodier, to the Herbert Hoover Boys Club, the site of Sportsman's Park which closed in 1966. The front desk clerks were very helpful to point out the field for me and I thanked them both with a handshake, then went on to get pictures and get a closer look. The scoreboard does say 'former site of the park', as well as a wall on a nearby building which spoke of the notable players who had played there over the years. I found a baseball on the field and threw it underhand into home plate, then decided to put it in my picture of home plate. I put the ball next to home plate and my flat-billed blue Cardinal hat on one corner of the plate. I had read about the site in a Sporting News article back in 1990, thankful I finally made it over there. On the way back to I-70 and my hotel I spotted a big pillar in the middle of the road, had to drive around it. Found out later on from the desk clerk it's a former water tower, and on the National Register of Historic Places.

    At tonight's game there was a giveaway, a team banner sponsored by Walmart. The Cardinals beat the Rockies 6-1, playing little ball was fine with me, just find a way to drive in runs. The Rockies got a solo home run and that was all, which reinforces what I've said before about home runs- not impressed unless there's one or two on. Because then it's a game changer, otherwise it's just nice to look at.  

   

Abandoned Keys

Saw some abandoned keys on top of a newspaper box as I was going into work this morning, gave the typical sentiment of 'I'm sure somebody misses those'. Had 2 interviews for some coveted rotation positions, half-time for 6 months, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Was wearing a tie and nice shoes today because of it. Walked in an area I hadn't seen before at lunchtime. It's odd how I'm told I'm 'dressed up' when all I do- even if it's not too often- was put on a tie. Figured it was a good idea, as the saying goes, 'putting your best foot forward.' I decided to take this literally, as it meant dress shoes as well that aren't used much as I don't want to wear them out too soon like others I've head before. Usually I have more comfortable gym shoes since I'm on my feet for much of the day. Saw that I was shaved and had a haircut, got one the night before. I don't like doing either one much.

   Went to a fundraiser stroll at Como Park in St. Paul tonight, nice to see the lake there as I had just been there for plays at the pavilion. Plenty of snacks available, and I made a song request but the DJ played a different Maroon 5 song. Asked for 'This Love' he played 'She Will Be Loved'. Wanted to get some last-minute things done before leaving town so I left shortly after I heard the song. As usual I tend to pack in a rush, but much of what I pack is clothing and printed reservation forms to refer to.  

Bridge Walks and Barges

I like doing walks across the bridge during lunch, today I noticed one of the barges was from St. Louis. It reminds me of how I like visiting that city, and will be in a few days. It prompted me to look up songs about St. Louis on Youtube, where else? The 3 I found couldn't have been more different from each other, as they were by Nelly, Jewel, and Washboard Slim.

    The first was dark, but it can be expected from a rapper. It spoke of how some have jobs, some sell drugs. This would be true of many cities. The second was more gentle, and is good to listen to. 'your arch reaching high into the sky up above, you're a town that's so easy to love.' Also nice how it went through the history, like being named for a French king. The third sounded like it was a blues or jazz song from the 1920s or 1930s. Found out Jewel did plenty of songs about other cities.  

   Went to the comedy club tonight and noticed there were more no-shows in the contest, spoke with the husband of one comic who is a cop. He was the inspiration for a 'badge bunny' joke, since some cops have 'groupies' and I had a one and done date with one of these types.

   At work there was an ice cream social, I had cookies and cream on a stick and the bells from the ice cream coolers were rung fairly often.

Twins/Red Sox Game

Went to the Twins/Red Sox game tonight, Twins lost 4-3 but had plenty of chances. Realized it's part of seeing 4 games in 8 days, a busy stretch for me. This was the second of the 4 games, the other 2 are this weekend. I got on a different bus than normal as I wanted to head over to the stadium right after work, traded text messages with my date when asked where I was. Since it was rush hour it likely took longer than if it wasn't 'peak time' but I still made it well before the game began. She headed into the concourse with one inning left, saying she was chilly. And it was for this time of year, we were in the upper deck in the top row so we felt the weather more than others did. It was a reminder of why I don't like doing events on weeknights if at all possible: I was out later than normal. But I like seeing one Red Sox game a year, a way of keeping the memory alive of my favorite movie, 'Good Will Hunting', which had a Boston setting and plenty of baseball overtones in the storyline.

   There will be another Twins game later this month, an event through my college alumni association chapter. There will be a pre-event at a nearby bar, may end up with another door prize like a hat or shirt.

God Shirt and Miming

After work there was a man on the bus, had seen him before, and he was miming. Either that or sign language, hard to tell. He had a God hat on, the shirt said 'God' on both sides, and had a cross around his neck. He did a small wave, I responded with the same. He did the same to a young girl, after moving to the back of the bus where I already was.

   Stayed for over half of the comedy show tonight, but being tired and behind on a few things meant I still didn't stay for the entire show. One of my friends did get stage time tonight. Another expressed concern for me when I spoke of traveling soon, I said I haven't had any real problems yet while traveling in terms of being a crime victim. I try to practice street smarts as much as possible. It was in reference to how I shouldn't be my 'usual friendly self'. I liked that somebody cared enough to express concern, but I am at the clubs often enough that I do see many of the same people and friendships do form due to this sense of community. I don't see him having much of a problem on the streets, he's a big due with plenty of tattoos. Rather have him as a friend than as an enemy, I've said this about many people I've known before.

Valleyfair and Planet Snoopy

Went to Valleyfair in Shakopee today in order to see Planet Snoopy. Being a Charlie Brown fan it was something I wanted to see since the theme left the Mall of America. The water park was nice, liked seeing the characters doing a show, actually a 'hoedown'. Also got a picture with snoopy, who was making rounds. Bought a few small souvenirs- a bookmark, placemat, and socks. My date decided to take a fanny pack and found a Twins baseball ticket from 2002, so it will be added to the memory book.

    We had hoped to see statues from the St. Paul series but there weren't any. There were some copies of what looked like the 'classic Snoopy', one of them spun around. We went on one ride in that section, it was the hot air balloons, we were in the Brazil balloon but it bothered our stomachs a little. Thankful that we were patient for the wave pool, made sense it was beginning when some music was played as the introduction. Also liked riding in the antique cars, some rides were familiar from going to Adventureland near Des Moines when I was a kid. I said I would like to get to water parks more often, hadn't used my swimsuit much since I got it in Florida 5 years ago while there for spring training. The waterslides and the lazy river was nice as well.

Saints Side Story

Went to the Saints game against Winnipeg tonight, the theme is a takeoff of 'West Side Story' as well as the former hockey teams in both cities. Saints lost 4-3. They were wearing jerseys looking like hockey sweaters, Saints looked like the Minnesota North Stars and the Goldeyes looking like the previous Winnipeg Jets. The new team, moving from Atlanta, will also be called the Jets. This is what likely led to the theme, as one oft he gangs in the play is called Jets. Though the season began before the franchise move happened, but the new hockey team did seem to make the theme even more relevant. 

    Found out the jerseys were being auctioned off, from both teams. My date and I decided we would like them if able to get one for the minimun bid, which was $40. After 3 innings I noticed how half of them weren't bid on yet, mostly Winnipeg jerseys. I got a Saints jersey and she got a Goldeyes jersey- and we were able to get both for the minimum bid. It seemed the best way to go about it, the proverbial 'path of least resistance'. Some weren't bid on at all, others had plenty of interest and the bids going for as high as $100. Liked having a jersey saying 'Saints' and green as well- my favorite color while in school. The one I already had was the one I was wearing that night, a gray road uniform spelling out 'St. Paul'.  The Saints player wearing mine was the starting left fielder. We were able to go onto the field after the game to claim them, and I decided it was the best opportunity to do what she suggested after seeing the  movie 'Only the Lonely' with me. We got pictures in the jerseys on the field behind home plate, it worked out as being way cheaper than renting out the entire stadium for the date. 

   We did find 5 more statues, so we reached the 90 plateau and going over 100 is quite likely. There was the 2 from the apartment complex, and 1 from a school- I had scouted out these a few days earlier. We found the 2 others by driving around, at a hospital and another school. We both got excited about finding them, saying 'I see one!' First was me, then she did. Had hoped to find more but it's still a numbers game.    

Mold Problem at Berg

Found an online article about a mold problem at Berg, a school in my hometown. I said this sounded like a non sequitur. The school board elections are apparently next month, hopeful for good news about some of them being voted out. Getting Emerson Hough School re-opened would be nice.

   There were 2 notable things, scouting out more Charlie Brown and Snoopy statues and seeing a sparrow trying to peck at a penny. It flew away a little, then I picked up the penny, it was made in 1973. This was at the end of my workday when I was going back to my car. I was doing a half day as I did a tour of the Fedbank in the morning, and a medical appointment was moved to that morning as well, originally was to be on Wednesday, 2 days earlier. Also found the time to get to see a secondhand store I don't get to very often. Bought 3 items I liked, a CD of the movie soundtrack from 'Shrek 2', a book with plenty of good archival photos called  'Illustrated History of Baseball', and a Charlie Brown and Snoopy drinking glass. When checking on Ebay I found out it was part of a collector series, there are 5 in all. Plenty of things can be found on Ebay, even if just looking for information.

     Found 2 more statues, one helpful elderly woman let me into the building and said she mostly spoke Russian. I didn't know how to say 'thank you' in that language. So I just stood next to the statue, a Lucy, and tried to show what I was there for. Also found a Charlie at the same complex, different building. Another woman spoke to me for a while, couldn't find a polite way to leave, she was repeating herself about brain surgery after a car wreck in 1985. And how she was brought up German, despite being born in the USA, when growing up in North Dakota.

     Did some errand running as well, made it over to a Best Buy by the mall in Roseville and decided to pay the remaining balance on my account, just over $200. I've wanted to put more towards paying off other bills, this will make it easier for me. Then on to the mall, where I used up the balance on a gift card at Express for some fancy argyle socks. There was a dollar left on the card. Looked around at the Borders liquidation sale but didn't get much, a special Us magazine with plenty of Lady Gaga photos along with a bottle of Sprite. The magazine was $5, it was half off.

Big Head Todd

Saw the Big Head Todd concert at the zoo in Apple Valley. Most intense guitar playing I had ever seen,by the frontman.  The drummer was just as good as he played like a madman. Heard most every song I wanted to, except for 'In The Morning'. Most of their big hits were played, like 'Broken Hearted Savior', 'It's Alright', 'Bittersweet', and 'Circle' from the platinum-selling CD 'Sister Sweetly'. I have 2 of their CDs, the other is 'Beautful World' and 'Please Don't Tell Her' was played from it, along with a cover of John Lee Hooker's 'Boom Boom'. Concerts are about promoting the new CD, and 'Rocksteady' was played. Didn't hear much of the opening act, but I heard a cover of the song 'Sweet Dreams' by the Eurythmics. I wanted to get ice cream before sitting down, got cheesecake flavor. There also was massage therapy, at a dollar a minute. Hadn't seen it there before, but it was jsut my 3rd concert at the venue. Liked speaking with an older couple before the show about concerts, sounds like they may have a season ticket package for zoo concerts. Mentioned how I likely had a chance to see them while at college in Iowa City but didn't, unsure why. Many bands do like to play at bars in college towns when they are up and coming. But I finally got around to seeing their show, that's most important.   

3 no-shows, 1 Beetle

Went to a comedy contest tonight, a different club, surprising how there were 3 no-shows. I've seen 1 before but not 3. Made it easier to vote on the top 3 as there was just 6 left. Some of my friends were performing, others I didn't know. Knew 2 of the 3 who advanced. I am in the same contest in a few weeks. What I liked was being able to vote in it, usually the crowd doesn't and the appointed judges do. The MC did the same intro for each- 'Charlie Sheen thinks this comedian is a winner!'

    After lunch I felt something in my hair and pulled it out, at first I wondered if it was a deer tick but a colleague said it was a beetle. It was likely from being outside at lunch to mail a letter. I killed it and saved it between 2 pieces of tape so my physician can see it later. It meant going to a Minute Clinic as I did want a medical pro to look at it the the same day, even though I have an appointment with my primary phyisican in a few days. It preoccupied me for a while in the afternoon, trying to find some  information online to calm my fears. I think I used to be what many would consider to be a hypochondriac  but I noticed all too often when I was worried about my health it was nothing. So I tried to learn something from these experiences.

All Is Not Lost

Found out all is not lost with some planning, wanting to see a comedy show while on the road. It just meant choosing another club that fit my schedule and had tickets available. A baseball game I am seeing soon changed the start time, 3 hours later. So it meant fewer options on comedy shows after the game. I was surprised to find out the club I wanted was sold out already even for a midnight show!

   Started a special project today, reviewing the written procedures, I like showing off my writing skills.

Went to the comedy club tonight, it was a talent show and contest. Liked seeing one performer doing song parodies, including of the Lady Gaga song 'Pokerface'. Made it later than I wanted to as I was talking to somebody at a national night out event. He had recalled me from the same event a year earlier, but I still don't see him much. In fact I think it was the first time since last year's event. He spoke of being unemployed.
   I did end up with some stage time at the club tonight, sort of. The headliner performed while votes were totaled up by the judges, I was in the back near them. He asked for comments, they had all left. So he asked me. I said a 'Kill Hitler' joke had been done, but I still thought it was a good one. There were some comedians in the contest, but none of the 3 who advanced were comics. One was a freak show artist driving a nail into his nose, and the other- besides the one doing song parodies- sang about what she wouldn't talk about 'in her monologue'.

You Can Do It!

I said 'you can do it!' like from the movie 'Waterboy' after finding out I could file an attachment to a loan I normally do not service, had to ask first. It was for a home improvement loan, other personnel usually handle those but it just meant finding it and attaching it. A good reminder of acronyms everywhere, hard to keep up with all of them. I made a joke when I first called it, saying 'hidden at HID' since it was for the home improvement department.

   Went to the comedy club tonight but left early, was preoccupied with all of the planning for upcoming events and needing to take care of some paperwork. There's a concert this week and a baseball game next week. I would really like to stay longer but if I'm tired and have things to do I just think of what needs to be done and that would make it harder to enjoy a comedy show.