There and Back Again

So for no better reason than "just because", Kristen and I decided to take a trip to Milwaukee and Chicago to watch some baseball. I have to say that Twins fans are a group of dedicated people. As soon as we were about 45 minutes into Wisconsin, almost every car with a Minnesota license plate had a person in it with a Twins jersey (obviously on the same quest as us).

Miller Park: I've never seen tailgating like this. Miller Park puts even Vikings tailgating to shame. There were thousands upon thousands of people partying in the lots, but never had any intention of going into the game. It was great. And the best part, is that many of them were Twins fans!

Chicago was another story. I often forget how big the city is, and how horrible the traffic is around rush hour. Either way, we used the train 95% of the time. One thing that struck me as odd was the lack of hobos that are downtown. If you take a stroll down Nicollet Ave. in Minneapolis, most of the people are homeless. In San Francisco, you step over more hobos than drains! But in Chicago, I only saw a few. Being homeless in Illinois must pay very well......

On a random note, my uncle just became a mayor. Now I can truly say that I am some kind of political liability.

Sidenotes:

-15 years ago, De La Soul put out Stakes is High. To this day, it is one of my favorite albums of all time. It will be on repeat all weekend.

-MLB The Show 11 is way too addicting for my own good.

-Happy 4th. Since it is so nice out, I will be peddling on these Minneapolis streets most of this weekend. Chuck up a deuce when you see me.

Where does time go

Last time we spoke Lebron James was the king of the universe. Now, he's just another loser. It's amazing the things that can happen in a few months! I feel like I should check in here more often. People are always like "Yo Jon B, when you gonna get back up on that blog"? And I'm like "Listen homeless guy I've never met, please leave me be". But that's how life goes sometimes.

I tried to write a book. It failed. I think it's ok, but could use a lot of room for improvement. It started off as a comedy, but turned into something kinda depressing.....

Other than that, I'm planning on some fun trips--Chicago, Milwaukee and Italy (not in one fell swoop). Sometimes I feel like I just need to get away. Minneapolis is great, but there's something about being in a place where no one knows who you are (let alone cares). Places like Des Moines, and Buffalo--you know, foreign destinations.

Funny story though: I used to go to high school with this one guy. Now in high school, this guy was THE man. All the ladies were into him and he was a pretty fresh dude. I got into a fight with him when we were in 4th grade, and I beat him up. I never let him forget that, and he hates me to this day. Anyway, I'm at the Mall of America the other day, and I saw him working at the Select Comfort store selling mattresses. Funny how things like that work out. I thought he'd be a CEO by this time. I had to laugh a little.....

I'll try to be a better blogger--I promise! But I gotta run to bed. It's dark in Minneapolis.

Royal Pains

I tried. I really tried to like the Royal wedding. But when I woke up at 5:30 and somehow hoped to catch a glimpse of actual news, I was bombarded with Royal wedding video. I just want the weather! What is the temperature going to be in Minneapolis today? What is the traffic like? I have no idea! Wowzers. My whole day was thrown off. I wore shorts (it was 42 degrees out) and drove on the most congested freeway in town all because my morning news was hacked by the British.

Oh well. At least the Twins are in 1st place in the weakest division in baseball right? What? They're in 3rd?? We have 2 MVP's! How can we be behind the Indians (minus Rick Vaughn aka Wild Thing) and the Royals (minus Zach Grenke)?? What is this world coming to......

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.