Nope

Do I really think Brett Favre is going to retire? See above for answer. Even if he announces it in the next couple of days, I still don't believe him. I will believe it if the 2010 season goes by and he does not show up.

Oat sodas, caucasians, and what have you - Louisville Report 2

As I alluded to, the reason I went to Louisville was for Lebowski Fest. For those of you who are unaware (and based on the box office receipts back in 1998 you might be), The Big Lebowski is a Coen Brothers movie that was the follow-up to Fargo, which is loved by most, except Minnesotans. So, expectations were pretty high for Lebowski, except that for various reasons, people didn't take to it right away. It is generally considered to be a box-office flop.

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However, when it came out on DVD, people started to give it another look. On college campuses all around the country, kids got drunk and watched this movie over and over again. I know, because I was one of them. This is definitely a movie that needs repeat viewings to really get. But, once you get it, you really get it.

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The history of the festival is available at the link for those interested. It is a good story. Anyway, this was the ninth year. I went with two friends from Kansas City who I met a few years ago through my buddy Jason (occasional commenter here).

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The first day, there was a free studio performance at the studios of WFPK, a radio station in Louisville that is most like The Current here in Minneapolis. The show is posted on the site if you are so inclined. It was an interesting mix of indie rock, bluegrass, and a couple of other acts I couldn't quite pigeonhole. I will talk more about the bands in the next post.

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That night, a couple of bands played outside the Executive Strike & Spare, which hosted the majority of the festival. Then, we had a late-night screening of the movie. That was the beginning.

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On Saturday, after a day of hanging around the city, we reconvened at the bowling alley. Outside, some more bands played...then, we bowled. I scored a 125, which is good for me. Afterwards, there were many beers (oat sodas), white russians (caucasians), and good times and fun conversation. I even met this guy (he was Liam in the movie). He's a great guy, and is the one person from the movie who regularly comes to Louisville for the festival.

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As for bowling on Shabbos, what can I say...I f'n roll on Shabbos!!

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Lebowski Fest was an outstanding time. I really enjoyed myself, and really enjoyed meeting people who are really into the movie (and they are really, really into it), more than I am, and this is with me being a pretty big fan of The Big Lebowski.

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UPDATE: Photos from the Saturday night party are available here.

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Next: An underrated music scene?? In Kentucky?!!

Louisville Report - 1

As posted below, I spent last weekend in Louisville, a city that I haven't really visited before. I did not know what to expect, except that it would have a pretty genteel, southern vibe going. Well, there was some of that, but my impression of Louisville is that, while southern, it's not entirely southern.

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I have to say, I really enjoyed what I saw of Louisville. The Fourth Street District in downtown was a pretty cool area, with the part I saw consisting of local businesses (not much in the way of chains). We ate lunch at the Bluegrass Brewing Company, which had pretty standard brewpub fare, but was pretty tasty. I had a good amber ale (alt).

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We had some time to kill on Friday afternoon, so we went to Cave Hill Cemetery, as recommended by our visitor's guide. Apparently this is a frequently-visited place. Especially for fans of Colonel Sanders, who is buried here. The people who run the cemetery saw clear to paint a yellow line from the entrance to his grave.

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Later that afternoon, we decided to go to a great neighborhood bar called Shenanigans (no link, unfortunately). It is literally a neighborhood bar as it is completely surrounded by houses.

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But, the highlight for me about Louisville, besides things I will write about in future posts about Lebowski Fest and the music scene, is the Highlands area, along Bardstown Road. Despite the heat (it was around 96 degrees on Saturday), we walked around the neighborhood. A couple of highlights included Why Louisville, which has an eclectic collection of items, and Ear X-Tacy, which is one of the better music stores I have ever been to, rivaling the former Let It Be Records or Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, the old Atomic Records in Milwaukee, B-Side Records in Madison, and any Exclusive Company in Wisconsin.

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Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how cool Louisville is. I don't think I could live there (too hot and humid), but I would like to, and probably will, visit there again. I recommend it highly. And, I didn't even see the more common tourist attractions there.

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Next: Caucasians, oat sodas, and rolling on Shabbos.

Abiding in Louisville

I wasn't blogging on my last trip to Detroit in April, but I am now. This time, I am going to Louisville, KY, a city I have never really visited before, but have been through (once as a kid).

So, why Louisville in the heat of summer? This is why.

Anyway, either while on the road, or upon my return, I will tell you all about it. In the meantime, know that I will consume more Kahlua this weekend than probably at any point throughout the rest of my life.

So, what about your doorknobs?

So, one of the things I am adjusting to out here in the burbs is the type of conversations people have.

OK, first thing I am adjusting to is talking with neighbors. I rarely spoke with any of my neighbors in any of my previous residences. I don't think the average apartment building is conducive to knowing neighbors. However, in this new neighborhood, my roommate is starting to get to know his neighbors. This is good for him as he bought this house, and will be living here for the foreseeable future. As for me, it's probably a good thing to know these people as long as I am going to be here.

However, if all these people have to talk about is easements, yards, and lighting fixtures, I am going to go insane. I have never cared about this crap. If I am going to get to know people, I want to get to know them. This is the sort of thing I would pin on the whole Minnesota Nice thing, but I imagine this is what happens in subdivisions all over the world. But anyway, I fully expect a conversation to take place soon about entryways. I expect to be riveted by that one. I will let you know how it goes.

My hope is that there comes a point where this stuff stops, and interesting conversations begin. If not, it will be one factor in why I move right back to Minneapolis as soon as I am able.

Mullets and Zubaz - aka Living in Bachmannland!!

So, one of the reasons I started things up again was because I wanted to document the slight and major differences between living in Minneapolis and living in the burbs, specifically Blaine, MN. There will be future posts on some of these differences. But for now, I gotta run....but, I have not gone away again.

Am I wrong...

...in thinking this could be scary? Read the article, then let me know if I am being a little paranoid.

10 is 12, and apparently 12 is 10

After all the talk of superconferences and mass hysteria in the college world, this is a surprising, and admittedly a little boring, development if true.

Frankly, I think the remaining schools in the Big 12 did some serious capitulating to Texas in order to keep the conference from dissolving. I am amazed that schools like Missouri are OK with Texas starting its own network, and getting more TV money than they are. I think that's a high price to pay to stay out of the Mountain West (which will likely shrink back to 9 with Utah expected to move to the Pac 10).

But hey, if it means Jim Delany can continue to study further Big Ten expansion on his timetable, than all the better. 12 is a good number for now.

If things change, I am sure I will be posting about it. I continue to have fun talking about college conference realignment.

Damn! I wish I was important! Oh wait...

I was going to post about how celebrities thinking their opinion needs to be heard always makes me laugh, because for the most part (no matter where they fall on the political spectrum) their views are simplistic, and can be just as easily articulated by the average high school freshman. Enter Sophie B. Hawkins, best known for this song, who has chimed in with her take on President Obama's handling of the oil gusher in the Gulf (frankly, calling it a spill at this point is like calling Hiroshima a small explosion).

So, like I said, I figured I was going to rip into her. However, I found myself....kinda agreeing with her on some things. The idea of "smaller government, smarter government, flexible government" is something I can get behind, especially the smaller part. Part of the problem with the government's response to the disaster in the Gulf is lack of flexibility. It's hard to move a behemoth such as the federal government into action for the most part. Her point about Obama "rushing in the lawyers while the well is still spewing..." is pretty poignant too. The idea of getting lawsuits going before we even get this mess even close to cleaned up seems a little opportunistic to me.

So wow, a sorta-celeb who veers from an extreme worldview...kinda refreshing. However, it's just one opinion, no more imporant than most anyone else's opinion. Especially mine.

However, partial agreement aside, the headline stays because I like it! Oh, if Color Me Badd chimes in, I'll opine on that too. :)

Lord Stanley's Cup...Chicago-bound

It's a little late, so I will post more on this later, but I am pretty excited for the Blackhawks. The 16-year old version of me who owned a cheap replica Blackhawks sweater (and hat) is especially happy.

As I am sure most know by now, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on Wednesday night, beating the Philadelphia Flyers in OT on a goal by Patrick Kane, who initially seemed to be the only person to know he scored a goal. It was weird to watch, because he was starting to celebrate and no one seemed to know why. Once they declared a goal scored, the rest of the Blackhawks eventually joined in.

Anyway, the Blackhawks are the second biggest impediment to Wisconsin getting the NHL (the biggest being that Milwaukee is an oversaturated sports market). Milwaukee is considered to be Blackhawks territory...I think. I still believe this should be settled in this manner.

But, being that the Blackhawks are a team I used to follow as much as someone in a non-NHL state could in the early 90s, I have to congratulate them. And, yes, I am happy they won.

...and the first domino falls (maybe)

If the reports are true, then it looks like Nebraska is jumping ship to the Big Ten, and in doing so, causing the seismic shift in collegiate athletics by ending the Big 12.

If the Big Ten is giving Nebraska a formal invite to apply for membership, then this tells me that talks with Notre Dame have really gone nowhere. As much as I stated that Notre Dame going into oblivion serves those clownshoes right, they were the Big Ten's probable first choice.

So, if these reports are accurate, allow me to be one of the first to welcome Husker Nation into the best conference in the land. The SEC is better at football, and the ACC is better at basketball, and the Pac-10 (16) is better at some other sports, but I would argue that top-to-bottom, no one is as solid as the Big Ten. Oh, and our academics (overall) are better than theirs too.

Strange days indeed...most peculiar mama.

UPDATE: NU Regent Chair Bob Phares has issued a pretty strong denial to these reports. The Nebraska Board of Regents is meeting on Friday, and their Big 12/Big Ten dilemma is on the docket to be discussed. So, perhaps these reports are premature. However, my understanding is that the Nebraska-to-Big Ten move has a lot of support amongst the powers that be in Lincoln.

One other thing is kinda bugging me right now, and it's the lack of any news regarding Missouri. The only thing I know is that their Board of Curators is also meeting this week (how cute, their board isn't of regents, but curators). Supposedly the matter of conference affiliation is not on the agenda. But, if that June 17th deadline by the Big 12 for a blood loyalty oath or whatever is legit, I am guessing it will be discussed.

I would like Missouri to move to the Big Ten. Like Nebraska, they would be the conference's bottom-feeders academically, but neither are slouches academically (and Missouri has an outstanding journalism school, which makes this J-school grad happy).

UPDATE 2 (10:15 Central) - Seeing a lot of chatter about potential invites going to Rutgers (not a shock) and Maryland (quite a shock...but a pretty good fit actually). If this is true, and I think it's a little early to tell, this is really interesting. It must really not be going anywhere with Notre Dame if there is any truth to this. As you might have gathered, I am going to keep up with this. I have a tough time believing Maryland is willing to leave the ACC this quickly. Not linking to anything because none of what I am seeing is from anything resembling reliable sources. But, interesting stuff nonetheless.

How's about Nebraska v. Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl?

The way things are going in the rumor mill of Big 10 and Pac-10 expansion, apparently the Big 12 is going to be a carcass. If things happen as rumored (Missouri and Nebraska to the Big 10, the entire Big 12 South (perhaps switch Colorado for Baylor) to the Pac-10), the matchup in the headline is a possibility.

As is widely known, the Big 10 started this latest round of expansion rumors, ostensibly to try to get Notre Dame to join so they could have a championship game. But, Commissioner Jim Delany dropped hints throughout this whole process that the Big Ten was thinking, well, bigger. Mr. D had a good post about this awhile back. Part of me still thinks that this is about getting Notre Dame to join. However, I think the Big Ten ought to tell Notre Dame to take a hike. The Big Ten does not need three schools in Indiana, and as Notre Dame clings to their cherished independence in football, they can keep having days like this one, then lose their precious NBC TV deal and sink into the morass. Although, the one thing that would be interesting about Notre Dame joining by themselves would be that I think they would become a rival game for....Wisconsin. UW doesn't really have anyone to play on rivalry week (Minnesota and Iowa play each other usually), so that would be an interesting development. On the other hand, Nebraska would be a better one for Wisconsin. Call it the Foamation Cup (Foamation makes these (2nd one down) and these for Nebraskans and Wisconsinites, respectively).

I am much more intrigued by some of the other state schools being linked, with Texas being the most interesting (and best, geography notwithstanding) school. Ultimately, I doubt they are coming. However, I think their Big 12 brethern Nebraska and Missouri would love to move to the Big Ten, for more TV money and better academics. For the Big Ten, it gives them a program that is back on the rise in Nebraska, and Missouri solidifies the St. Louis market and gets a chunk of the Kansas City market, although the Kansas City market in my experience is a Big 12 melting pot (many Kansas, Kansas St, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and even a few Iowa State fans) congregate there.

The Rutgers-to-Big Ten rumors are interesting in that it is obviously an attempt to get the Big Ten Network on basic cable in the New York market. Rutgers is a good school academically, and they have had a pretty decent recent football history, but it seems like the Big Ten wants New Jersey eyeballs (some NY eyeballs by proxy, but not that many in my opinion), and that is the sole reason for Rutgers. The New York market is the jewel obviously...my guess is Syracuse goes some way in doing that as well.

My best guesses are a lot of other people's best guesses. For now, I am going with Missouri, Nebraska, and Rutgers....or Notre Dame....or (my pipe dream), Texas. Frankly, I can't wait until this is done. Then again, I can't stop reading all the speculation, it's kinda fun.

But, if things go as they are, Nebraska v. Oklahoma in Pasadena is a possibility.

UPDATE: Because academics is considered to be paramount in the Big Ten's expansion mission, here is a list of members of the Association of American Universities (all Big Ten schools are in this group). FYI, Notre Dame is not in this group, but is a very good school academically. Presumably, the chances of new conference schools being in this group is very good.

Asian spam

So, I am going to have to figure out if there is a way to stop the spam comments in Mandarin (or Cantonese, not sure). But in the meantime, not that I have to tell my highly intelligent and personable audience, but don't click on their comments.

No overdrafts at TCF...or any drafts, cans, bottles, etc.

In the great egalitarian spirit that Minnesota likes to believe it has, some have become rather upset that the University of Minnesota wants to sell booze/beer in the luxury boxes at TCF Bank Stadium, but not in the general seats. I thought this was settled last year, but the Legislature worked to make some sort of compromise allowing alcohol sales in the boxes as long as it was available in part of the general seating. This was promptly shot down by the Board of Regents.

I really don't see the problem with the U's position. Most other college stadiums on campus do not serve booze in general seating (I can vouch for Camp Randall and Notre Dame not serving booze). I am also certain that it is allowed in luxury boxes at Camp Randall.

The reason there is any controversy about this is because when the Gopher football team played at the Jiffy Pop Dome, beer was served as the Dome is off-campus.

Now, I am someone who certainly enjoys his beer, but I really don't have a problem with not drinking at college sporting events. Now, because the Gopher football team is something resembling awful, a beer or eight after the game may be necessary. However, in the end, I really don't think it's any of the Legislature's business to dictate drink policy to the U, especially in some misguided attempt to show how much they supposedly care for the people.

Here's an idea, Legislature...if you are so hellbent on improving access to alcohol for Minnesotans, how about allowing liquor stores to open on Sundays?

Where has Stinger been?

OK, so I've been gone for quite awhile (until this week). So, here's the story of the past several months explaining where I have been:

1. The first thing that really took me away from writing was something I hadn't done since high school, which is acting. I was, and remain, a recovering drama/band geek. So, I was in a play last fall, where I had a bit role in a Halloween-themed musical. The bit part did involve a singing/grunting duet (believe it or not, I did the singing). I have to tell you, it was amongst the most rewarding, fun experiences I have had in a long time. I definitely intend to act again, hopefully many times.

2. Facebook...frankly, that is a huge time-waster. But, you probably already knew that.

3. As many of you know, I was a carless wonder for a long time. But, last fall, I finally bought a car. 2004 VW Jetta, fairly low miles, got it for under $10,000. My increased mobility meant (and means) many more trips to Wisconsin. Less time for writing.

4. In 2009, I wanted to make a concerted effort to have more real-world interaction with people, and I was fairly successful in that. Again, less time for writing. By the way, part of the reason this was more successful was because of #2.

Anyway, I have decided that I want to try to post more often again (we'll see how long that lasts). There could be some significant life changes on the horizon, and I want to try to document those here. In addition, I will try to occasionally comment on happenings outside my own life, in the usual categories that interest me. Knowing my track record, I would give myself 30/70 odds that I do more than five posts between now and Labor Day.

What would you give up?

The year was 1993. Bill Clinton began his time as President. Michael Jordan decided to try life in AA as a Birmingham Baron. And, I was lucky enough to be one of the five boys from my class to be selected to attend Badger Boys State, an American Legion program that is a week-long civics lesson.

It is always interesting to think about some of the people you encounter in life. One person I encountered (and met) is a guy named Tom Nelson. Turns out, he grew up across the Fox River in Little Chute. In the intervening 17 years, he has risen up to become a Wisconsin assemblyman, and has decided to run for Lieutenant Governor (which is an elected position in Wisconsin, unlike in Minnesota where gubernatorial candidates select their running mates).

I am sure he will give many speeches in support of his candidacy. But none, and I mean not one, will match his speech at Badger Boys State when he ran for "county" office.

In his speech, he showed fire, enthusiasm, and he really, really wanted the job. In fact, he said he would "give his left nut" for the job. You know what...it convinced me. I voted for him. We did not hold him to that particular campaign promise.

Unfortunately, I can't vote for him as I live in Minnesota. And, given his politics, I am not sure I would (we disagree on some things). But, I want to wish him good luck in his quest. From what I remember, he's a good man with a great sense of humor. Hopefully, he won't sacrifice anything anatomical, or even promise as much. Best of luck, Left Nut!!

Super Bowl in GB?

I read a little post from Michael Rand at the Strib, where some clownshoe reporter asked Packers president Mark Murphy about the possibility that Green Bay could host a Super Bowl someday, now that the new Giants Stadium is set to host in 2014.

Obviously this will never happen for many reasons, so why a reporter asked about it is beyond me. But, what gets me is the comments from Vikings fans below the post. Read those for your own entertainment.

Referring to the Packers as Pukers? Check.
People complaining about Wisconsin coverage in a MN paper? Check.
Reference to Mark Chmura's dalliance back in the 90s? Check (especially funny given the Vikings' propensity to fly in strippers from Atlanta for boat cruises)

No one has referred to them as a particular slur towards homosexuals yet, but I assume that's on its way.

My rejoinder to them is as follows: No, Green Bay will never get a Super Bowl. But, I take heart in knowing that once the Vikings move to LA, Minnesota will never get another one either.

Sorry that Vikings bashing is my first post back in a long time, but bashing that worthless franchise never gets old.

I should note that overall, I like Rand as a writer. His blog is fairly entertaining, and it's cool to see someone who worked at the Minnesota Daily when I was in school still writing locally.

On another unrelated topic, I just have to note that I got excited when I saw my last post had 12 comments despite saying nothing. Turns out there's three, and two are likely links to malware/viruses. So, you know, whatever.