What is wrong with you?

I just had a very in depth conversation with some crazy lady about the smell of cooking bacon. I am under the VERY firm belief that the two best things you smell are fresh popcorn and bacon while it's cooking. This nutty lady was adamant about how bacon is the absolute WORST smell in the world. Mind you, this was a random lady and I don't even know how we got on the topic. Needless to say, I was glad to part ways with such a basket case.

In completely unrelated news, I finally succumbed to peer pressure and bought a new softball glove for this coming season. I'm quite excited about the 3 possible leagues I will be in. Rookie of the year last year, MVP this year.

Also, if you get the chance to eat at Fogo de Chao, go for it. But go for lunch because the dinner is uber expensive.

Until next time.

-JB

2010 Recap (sort of)

Yikes. We're still trying to dig ourselves out of two feet of snow that has fallen over the past week....So a lot of cabin fever going on.

I can't believe that 2010 is over. I wish I could look back on the year and make a claim that I did something important or changed the world somehow. Instead, I peer back into the last 365 days and I can say a few (very unimportant) things were done:

I rode a lot. Every winter I long for my bicycle. That might sound weird to some folks. But I actually love riding through the streets for any occasion. If the trip is less than 15 miles, I might take my bike instead of driving. Minneapolis is starting to be built for bike heads, and that's a good thing. And if I really wanted to, I could change the tires, layer up and trudge through the icy streets.

I got a new job. I spent the last nine years at one job, doing something I semi-enjoyed. But I left for lots more money and 9-5 hours. In the long run it will be what was best, but there are days when I look out my office window in the summer and wish I had the days free to out enjoying the weather.

I've done a bit of growing up over the past year. I spend less and less time spending time in train yards and searching out vacant buildings to paint in. Most people my age have families and huge responsibilities. And to a degree, so do I. But there comes point (or two) where you realize you are too old to be doing something. That moment came when I ran into a group of 15 year old kids who have never heard of Wasp, Neva, Kahn, Monk or Kept. So I've slowly given up on getting up.

2011 will definitely be interesting. I plan to get more traveling done. Three spots that I plan to see this year are Tuscany, San Francisco (been too long since I've seen Mike Boo) and Denver. And every year I tell myself I will get together with friends more often. Somehow, life gets in the way of doing what is fun. I can't remember the last time I tied one on over the weekend. And to be honest, the best Friday nights are the one spent on the couch with my wife drinking wine and having our inside jokes.

Peace out.

Happy Skansgiving

Oh my oh my. It has been FAR too long since I had time to get on here and dilly dally. A few quick updates as to why: My most favorite laptop died on my and I spent the last month trying to find a replacement--enter a desktop. I never thought a desktop would fit what I needed, but it sure has. Being that it is football season, I have been busy trying to keep my wits about me with the current Vikings fiasco. Needless to say, the season hasn't been the best yet. And the new job keeps me busy beyond belief. But, I love it.

With all that said, I'll make a more conscious effort to be on here more. And with winter upon us, the days in the house will be more and more frequent.

Peace out homies.

-Jon B

Falling out the window

Fo Rizzeal? Has it really been three months since my last post?? What is this world coming to!!!!
Well prior to contrary belief, I have not joined a cult. Just the red and khaki corporation. Needless to say, cooperate life is busier than previously thought--but I dig it like six feet!!
Once I start doing fun stuff again (and having the genius machine turned on) I'll start posting more.
But I will leave you with three things:
1. Shop at Twill at the Galleria -- best menswear by far.
2. Eat at Forepaugh's -- tasty, tasty, tasty food.
3. Get out on your bike. You know you want to. You know those pedals are calling. You know the sound of tires whizzing by parked cars is like a soundtrack to the summer. Go for it.

Dear Summer,

I love Minneapolis and I love Summer. Which means that the past few days have been ideal. Currently I'm missing being active. Why? Because I'm nursing a sprained LCL from a softball injury. I was supposed to be a few weeks into training for the TwinCities Marathon, but I'm hanging out with a brace on my knee.
In other news, the new job is awesome. The people on my team are the best. The culture of the company is really different from my last, so that's taking some getting used to.
But it's Grand Old Day in St. Paul today. The largest one-day festival in the Midwest. Hopefully it stays dry enough for me to ride down there.
That's all for now. I'll post more when I get some free time.....

A Spring in the step

There really is something about Minneapolis in the Spring. The windows get opened, the lakes get busy with runners and I find myself in the house making podcasts.....sigh. And not only that, I spend WAY too much time trying to edit the darn thing....I'm not all that savvy when it comes to the audio stuff, but it does the trick. I hate that the site only allows me to hold 2 hours worth of stuff and then I need to delete it to upload more. So download it to itunes, save it on the ipod, and in less than a month, there will be new shows.
P.S. Thanks for all the people who are listening and sending in questions/comments to the show.

And on a different note, I got a new job. I've been at my previous one for quite a while, and I made the decision to move on to bigger, better things. And the new salary isn't half bad either.

Oh, oh, and since it's so nice, I think I'll go enjoy the weather and run a quick 10 today.

Sorry the post is so short.

Check the show:
http://twincitiesgreatest.podbean.com/

Photo this, photo that

So when did the camera phone become the staple in photography? It seems everywhere I go, people are taking pictures of buildings, people, landscapes, monuments and events with a camera phone. What happened to the days when you needed to load film to a camera, take the picture (have no clue how it turned out) then develop the film? Heck, or even to use a regular digital camera to take pictures.
*I like digital cameras because I like to reminisce immediately* -Mitch Hedberg.
Sure, I get that camera phones are handy because they go wherever you do. But if you see a group of photogs out flicking the sculpture garden in downtown Minneapolis, and you whip out your camera phone, you deserve the sneering that comes along with it.

In other news, Target Field is the most awesomest thing to happen in a long time. It feels great to watch the Twins outside instead of in that dome thing we called a stadium.