Ponderable Thoughts

When the weather starts to cool in Minneapolis, we begin to pull those Fall clothes out of hiding. For me, it was more about looking at those clothes and saying "It's time to retire you". Which led me to my voyage to the Mall of America yesterday. It's funny that people in the Twin Cities rarely frequent the mall, but it is the MUST SEE attraction for out of towners. As I'm strolling through Nordstrom's, arm full of clothes, I had an unshakeable question pop into my head: "Have I sold out"?

I don't know how or why this ponderable question kept coming up. But I had to dig a little deeper into the notion.

By all accounts, I'm actually pretty successful. On my own, I out earn most couples I know. I have a pretty well respected corporate job at one of the most popular companies in the country. But how did I get here? I look at my upbringing, and I was never pegged as an overachiever by my schools. When it came to delinquency, I was just as involved (if not more) than all my friends. I graduated from a public high school in Minneapolis, went to a public college (paid for by only me) and graduated with an education degree. I grew up with the notion that being organic, eclectic and individualized is the way to go.

Most of my friends barely graduated high school. Most never went to college. Most never attained a legitimate "career". So how did I, by all accounts the same as them, end up where I am? Between the ages of 15 - 25, I spend more time riding my bike, illegally hanging out in train yards, and taking every step necessary to not to be a corporate sell out than actually taking the proper steps in life to achieve any social success. But here I stand in Nordstom's with an arm full of suits and over priced sweaters, and not even caring what the price tag is. Maybe it's true: The times are a changin', and I just need to adapt. But truth be told, I would be most happy in a small apartment downtown, working in a coffee shop or record store, and riding my bike or taking the bus everywhere. Growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional. No matter my place in life, or the price of my pants, there will ALWAYS be a scribe in a pocket somewhere in case I come across a nice clean mirror. I'll never get up in this city the way I used to, but I will always remain known.

In a very unrelated note, I got into a heated discussion with some friends the other day over local music (specifically rap). It seems that people can't understand why I'm not on the whole Minneapolis bandwagon when it comes to hiphop music. But please get one thing straight, I was hanging out with Sess off Dale Street back before most of you knew what local rap was.

The whole discussion came about by seeing an Atmosphere ad for the U's homecoming. Someone asked if I was going to go. I replied that I haven't seen an Atmosphere show since 9th grade, and if my bucket list holds up, I won't have to see another one. They couldn't believe that I wasn't an fan. "Blasphemy" they say.

I have every Headshots tape since the inception (and yes, even Atmosphere records). I didn't buy them when they re-came out, I have the originals. Never question that I don't support the locals. I put more people on the Abstract Pack than anyone I know. But I just can't get behind the recent influx of newer artists, and heck, even some old ones. In the words of Common "If I don't like it, I don't like it/Don't mean that I'm hating". Maybe it's my age, maybe it's my overall taste, but I still can't bring myself to buy a Doomtree song. Maybe one day I'll get the hype, maybe I won't. But until that day, I'll just keep this Soulja Boy on repeat--that last part was a joke. I also don't own any Soulja Boy songs. It's 4:30am and I know where my head is at.

And it's Sunday. And you know what that means? Yes, another Twins loss. Hopefully next year will be different.

Sidenote/rant:

-When did Facebook become real life? I can't even count the amount of times I hear "Well I heard on Facebook....". Facebook is supposed to be an informal way of keeping in touch with people you don't see on the weekly. But some people use it as real life. I mean, they're on there 40 times a day (literally). I log in, at most, once day. Also, people don't care where you are. Stop checking in at your house. Unless you are having a party with some tasty cheese fries, I don't care. And people, stop putting your feelings out there. Those of us in the real world, look at that and think you're the most depressing person on the planet. It's sad. Be a grown up. Cry a river, build a bridge, and get over it. But don't tell everyone on the planet that you're depressed about spilling coffee on your pants.

People wonder why I don't have 500 friends on FB. It's because I don't know 500 people. Let alone that I don't care what the 387 people I don't know are eating for lunch. If I meet you at a function for only 15 minutes, don't look me up on Facebook. I will not be your "friend". If you want to set up time to go get coffee and talk music/books/sports/whatever-else, that's great, I'll give you my mobile number. But I'm not going to be your FB buddy and look at uploaded pictures of your cat Mr. Mittens, or the batch of Ramen Noodles you just cooked.

JB, doing my part to enlighten the public since 1982.

Oh Vacation

You call it a balloon, I call it a bad breath holder.

So the first formal vacation is slated for this week. Due to the gas prices, my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants (or at least the seat of an airline) is quickly diminishing. My ticket for the UK almost doubled in price since I last checked, so needless to say I won't be going this year.

On another note, I've decided to add some media-vacation-notes. So with this being the first day of vacation, lets see what transpired.

So my old running shoes have long worn out. I've decided that breaking in my new shoes would be a great way to spend a Monday morning/afternoon. I was a little nervous about spending so much dough on shoes, but around the 10th mile around the lakes, I realized it was a wiser investment then google.

After the run and a much needed lunch, I decided that I should go for a bike ride. Since I don't think I have any flicks of the new bike up, I decided to post some around the city of Minneapolis. I actually gave in and used a digital camera because with the heat, I felt it best not to carry my film around (hence the less-then-good photos). This is from Harriet looking towards downtown.

Another one from Harriet with the Bandshell and Downtown.

After visiting cities from around the US and the rest of the world, places like this are great to have in your city.

After about 2 more hours on the bike doing the Minnehaha Falls/Nokomis/Harriet/Calhoun circle I walked for a bit towards Harriet. This is the rose garden. It smells better then it looks. During the middle of the day it is occupied by old people and 1st date couples.

So I found a nice tree to prop the bike up against and relax for about a half hour. But guess what? Five minutes into it, this beastly woman flops down 100 feet in front of me to read a book (which I'm sure wasn't a good one)...No joke. It's quiet as could be and she farts. I heard it...FROM 100 FEET AWAY!! Within about five minutes of sitting there, she starts to sweat through her shirt. Thanks obesity.

The bike parked up against the tree. It's much easier to ride now that I have foot holds and a front break....

I got home and decided to make dinner. As you can see, Italian sausage looks pretty similar to

something........But anywho, Broders has the best Italian meats in the city (or at least that I can find).

So heat up some olive oil, add the sausage, onions and a whole bunch of other things and let it cook. Hours later my kitchen still smells good.

Add some cheese and bake. mmmmmmmm. If you look to the top-right, you can see the pictures some of my students have made for me. (Yes, I actually do hang them on my fridge-along with the topgun flicks).

Some good red wine with bread later and it's a night!

So this is a video I took while sitting under my tree at Harriet park. In it, you can see the sweaty woman and a couple that made out for about 15 minutes.

This is a short clip of Lake Harriet from a dock. I'm pretty sure you can't see all the fish in the water.

Tuesday is the Ma's birfday so I don't think there will be many photos, but the rest of the week should be good for flicks.





The All-star game is also this Tuesday. I may or may not watch it. It sorta reminds me of the probowl. People are there, but don't really try. Also, Derrick Lee got snubbed...The home run derby is also a waste of time. At least the slam dunk competition can be good. My problem is that people don't participate anymore. I remember the days of the Michael Jordan/Dominiqe Wilkins showdowns. There are no big name players anymore. Why won't Dwayne Wade or Carmello partake in the event?? Perhaps they are worried about bruised egos.....I think more "big name" athletes should participate in things like that. It's good for the sport. If Ryan Howard or Alex Rodriguez were participating, I'd probably watch. Don't get me wrong, Justin Morneau is the home-team guy, but not exactly a charismatic player. And out of all the pro athletes I've met over the years, he's one of my least favorite in person. Heck, Shawn Merriman (who you would think would be arrogant) was much more pleasant to talk with--but that's another story.





On another random meeting, I met David Crosby this past Thursday at the IDS center. I was down there for lunch with Kristen and who should walk out wearing a jean jacket outfit?? Mellisa Etheridges' baby-daddy! I didn't' get a chance for a photo or a long chat, but it was cool none-the-less to see him.





Everyone should check out the Nicollet farmers market. It's one of the best in the Twin Cities.
Other then that, the Lyndale and Mill City farmers markets are really good in the summer months.

Well, have a good week everyone. Enjoy the weather. I'm off to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and then the Sculpture Garden.

-JB