FYI I had a great birthday:) Thanks for all of the wishes. Last night was just the way I wanted it. Nice little dinner @ Bagu and then a few cocktails @ Tailgate in bed early no hang over and feeling good for tonight:)
In other news....
What if the calendars were incremental? What if they never started over again at 1?
What if today was 2009*31 or January 62,279?
Happy Arbitrary Re-Starting of the Calendar Day:)
Wishing You and Yours A Wonderful 2009:)
Love,
Brian in Minneapolis
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Brian In Minneapolis: Forward Looking Statement for 2009
Today is my Birthday:) One thing I always do on my birthday is set goals for the coming year.
I am, I think, I will.
What do I want to accomplish with my 31st year on planet earth?
Goals for my 31st Year on this Planet
Read 50 Books.
Take 20 credits worth of classes.
Fence off my back yard.
Place a concrete patio in the back yard.
Get a dog.
Publish one book.
Take Two Trips - Thinking of North Carolina this summer and Arizona this spring.
Pay off another $10,000 in debt and quit being my own worst enemy it absolutely sucks how much crappy credit history can effect your job prospects, especially in this market.
In the fall I would like to redo my basement.Especially, the bar area not really sure how much money or what exactly I will do but at a minimum I want to put my poker table up, wire the basement for TVs and sound maybe put a few small flat screen monitors up, get a few comfy used bar stools. (It kills me to see all of this stuff on Craig's list right now and not be able to afford any of it.) I would like to start having bi-weekly game again by next winter so if you want on the list let me know and I will keep you posted.
Try 24 New Bars or Restaurants.
Sign-Up for some more sports teams.
Upload Videos to the net. (I have never done this before and it is something I want to do)
Register on inventnow.org
Pick two from the following list. (They all cost the same and I want to do them all but I have to narrow this down)
- Renew MPR Membership
- Fencing Lessons
- Join the Masons
- Renew Mensa
- Dance Lessons
- Karate Lessons
- Swedish Institute Membership
- Renew PMI Membership
- Renew Block Buster Movie Membership (F U I like it better then netflicks)
I am going to avoid the Cliches about working out, eating better, losing weight, quitting smoking, saving money etc. Although I wish to do all of these things I am going to try a little different appraoch this year and hope that all of these things will become a by-product of another goal for example...
Get a dog = Walk More(Exersize) Come home to let him out (Leave the bar early and don't stay out so late = Save money)
Remodel Basement and Patio = More entertaining at home. (Save money + increase home value)
Kickball = Exersize + Social +Fun
Get the idea?
I am, I think, I will.
What do I want to accomplish with my 31st year on planet earth?
Goals for my 31st Year on this Planet
Read 50 Books.
Take 20 credits worth of classes.
Fence off my back yard.
Place a concrete patio in the back yard.
Get a dog.
Publish one book.
Take Two Trips - Thinking of North Carolina this summer and Arizona this spring.
Pay off another $10,000 in debt and quit being my own worst enemy it absolutely sucks how much crappy credit history can effect your job prospects, especially in this market.
In the fall I would like to redo my basement.Especially, the bar area not really sure how much money or what exactly I will do but at a minimum I want to put my poker table up, wire the basement for TVs and sound maybe put a few small flat screen monitors up, get a few comfy used bar stools. (It kills me to see all of this stuff on Craig's list right now and not be able to afford any of it.) I would like to start having bi-weekly game again by next winter so if you want on the list let me know and I will keep you posted.
Try 24 New Bars or Restaurants.
Sign-Up for some more sports teams.
Upload Videos to the net. (I have never done this before and it is something I want to do)
Register on inventnow.org
Pick two from the following list. (They all cost the same and I want to do them all but I have to narrow this down)
- Renew MPR Membership
- Fencing Lessons
- Join the Masons
- Renew Mensa
- Dance Lessons
- Karate Lessons
- Swedish Institute Membership
- Renew PMI Membership
- Renew Block Buster Movie Membership (F U I like it better then netflicks)
I am going to avoid the Cliches about working out, eating better, losing weight, quitting smoking, saving money etc. Although I wish to do all of these things I am going to try a little different appraoch this year and hope that all of these things will become a by-product of another goal for example...
Get a dog = Walk More(Exersize) Come home to let him out (Leave the bar early and don't stay out so late = Save money)
Remodel Basement and Patio = More entertaining at home. (Save money + increase home value)
Kickball = Exersize + Social +Fun
Get the idea?
Monday, December 29, 2008
Brian in Minneapolis by the Numbers 2008
Tomorrow is my Birthday. I turn 31 years old and say good bye to another year of sand in my bodies hour glass. In closing the books I look back on some highlights of this past year.
Brian in Minneapolis by the Numbers 2008
Read: 56 Books, 13,496 pages. (Not counting school books)
School: 22 Upper Division Credits.
Movies Watched: 51
Debt: Paid off $13,692.31
Out and About: Tried 24 New Bars and Restaurants (At least they were new to me)
Travel: Left the state 15 times (Denver, Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, Green bay, Appleton, Madison, Wautoma, La Crosse) ok wasn't too exciting of a year of travel but I think anytime you go somewhere new you benefit.
Rounds of Lay-offs Survived: 5
Kickball Record: 7-3 (Sorry about the Championship I will work on tagging up this summer)
Number of Posts: 322
Number of Hits: 22,340 (Thank you for stopping and making my random thoughts part of your day:)
Home Improvement Projects Completed: 9 out of 13 planned project
Happiness meter: 9.2
Brian in Minneapolis by the Numbers 2008
Read: 56 Books, 13,496 pages. (Not counting school books)
School: 22 Upper Division Credits.
Movies Watched: 51
Debt: Paid off $13,692.31
Out and About: Tried 24 New Bars and Restaurants (At least they were new to me)
Travel: Left the state 15 times (Denver, Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, Green bay, Appleton, Madison, Wautoma, La Crosse) ok wasn't too exciting of a year of travel but I think anytime you go somewhere new you benefit.
Rounds of Lay-offs Survived: 5
Kickball Record: 7-3 (Sorry about the Championship I will work on tagging up this summer)
Number of Posts: 322
Number of Hits: 22,340 (Thank you for stopping and making my random thoughts part of your day:)
Home Improvement Projects Completed: 9 out of 13 planned project
Happiness meter: 9.2
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thank You:)
AW I would not have gotten through this year without you. You were the light in my darkness and I owe you the rest of my life:)
PS, KS, BB, JE, KW-T, MT, MB, AH, RD, ED, MM, LA, DM, SH-M, ML, JW, KW, MB - Thanks for the drinks, the shelter from the storms, putting up with me, challenging me to be better and comforting me when I fall short. You guys are the best.
To Little Sis, MOM, G-Ma and all of my extended and collaboration of family sorry I am such a prick and can be so indifferent thanks for respecting my space and allowing me to live the life I wanted to. You are really special people and I never forget that even if it seems that way.
To everybody @ Cardinal Stritch. (Hey it's accredited) Thanks for a challenging year.
To Tailgate sorry about the tiff this year promise if you get our shirts on time I will never bad mouth you again.
A shout out to the Library on York in Edina thanks for all of the help with research this year.
To all my friends on Face Book, MySpace, Blogspot, Bloglog and readers thanks for making me a part of your world and letting me be a part of yours.
PS, KS, BB, JE, KW-T, MT, MB, AH, RD, ED, MM, LA, DM, SH-M, ML, JW, KW, MB - Thanks for the drinks, the shelter from the storms, putting up with me, challenging me to be better and comforting me when I fall short. You guys are the best.
To Little Sis, MOM, G-Ma and all of my extended and collaboration of family sorry I am such a prick and can be so indifferent thanks for respecting my space and allowing me to live the life I wanted to. You are really special people and I never forget that even if it seems that way.
To everybody @ Cardinal Stritch. (Hey it's accredited) Thanks for a challenging year.
To Tailgate sorry about the tiff this year promise if you get our shirts on time I will never bad mouth you again.
A shout out to the Library on York in Edina thanks for all of the help with research this year.
To all my friends on Face Book, MySpace, Blogspot, Bloglog and readers thanks for making me a part of your world and letting me be a part of yours.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
So This Is Christmas...
Question: Why did you give presents to people you loved today? As opposed to some other time throughout the year. I assume you thought they were special and lovely on days other then today. So why presents? Why today?
Hopefully everybody did their civic duty and purchased enough presents to insure that Limited Brands, Target, and Wal-Mart won't disappoint analysts earnings expectations too much.
Department Store: Man filing out a tag on a present he is having gift wrapped.
Brian in Mpls: Don't you think it is kind of funny you sign presents from Santa instead of from Jesus? I mean aren't you celebrating his birthday by passing out presents that are supposed to represent offerings in his name to your loved ones? What's with Santa getting all the credit? I wonder if Christ feels gypped at this arrangement? I mean you die and people celebrate your birthday by getting everyone but you a present in someone elses name.
Religious Person: *Shocked expression*
Brian in Mpls: I suppose though it might be traumatic for the kids to have little blood trails from the stigmata wounds leading from the Chimney to the tree instead of the cute little elf and reindeer prints you can get at Michaels.
Religious Person: *Shocked expression*
Brian in Mpls: Sooo...What's Jesus going to get you for Christmas?
Religious Person: Eternal salvation.
Brian in Mpls: Technically that's his Easter present to you but I am willing to work with ya on this...So what did you get Jesus for his birthday?
Religious Person: (Pause) I don't think you understand Christmas. *Said as he is walking away*
Brian in Mpls: I guess not..
Hopefully everybody did their civic duty and purchased enough presents to insure that Limited Brands, Target, and Wal-Mart won't disappoint analysts earnings expectations too much.
Department Store: Man filing out a tag on a present he is having gift wrapped.
Brian in Mpls: Don't you think it is kind of funny you sign presents from Santa instead of from Jesus? I mean aren't you celebrating his birthday by passing out presents that are supposed to represent offerings in his name to your loved ones? What's with Santa getting all the credit? I wonder if Christ feels gypped at this arrangement? I mean you die and people celebrate your birthday by getting everyone but you a present in someone elses name.
Religious Person: *Shocked expression*
Brian in Mpls: I suppose though it might be traumatic for the kids to have little blood trails from the stigmata wounds leading from the Chimney to the tree instead of the cute little elf and reindeer prints you can get at Michaels.
Religious Person: *Shocked expression*
Brian in Mpls: Sooo...What's Jesus going to get you for Christmas?
Religious Person: Eternal salvation.
Brian in Mpls: Technically that's his Easter present to you but I am willing to work with ya on this...So what did you get Jesus for his birthday?
Religious Person: (Pause) I don't think you understand Christmas. *Said as he is walking away*
Brian in Mpls: I guess not..
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Despite Our Special Status - I Love Minneapolis
Minneapolis or for that matter Minnesota in general is handicapped.
It is cold been -7 this week with wind-chill below -30.
There has been snow and freezing rain.
There is black ice that causes spin outs on the road
You have to pay extra money to live here for things like heat, gloves, mittens, jackets, salt, shovels.
There is a cost in time takes time to shovel, plow, scrape your windows, warm up your car.
In almost all respects you can think of it is a flat windy, cold and inhospitable place to to live.
Yet, there is this vibrant culture that exists in this place. The arts, The museums, the shows, the sports, the bars, the restaurants, the clubs, the libraries, the open mic nights, the different cultures clashing in feast for the senses along EAT Street, Uptown, Downtown, Frog Town, Dinky town. The intellectual pursuits of the universities that ring the cities.
It is like an oasis in the ice.
Tuesday morning I went out to start my car it was one of those colds wear your bones hurt and you get fatigued doing just simple things. In this temputure I saw a man smile and I wasn't cold any more.
I wonder what we would become if we didn't have the handicaps or are we a great city because of them?
Some places are only special because of the weather, I say we are special despite the weather.
It is cold been -7 this week with wind-chill below -30.
There has been snow and freezing rain.
There is black ice that causes spin outs on the road
You have to pay extra money to live here for things like heat, gloves, mittens, jackets, salt, shovels.
There is a cost in time takes time to shovel, plow, scrape your windows, warm up your car.
In almost all respects you can think of it is a flat windy, cold and inhospitable place to to live.
Yet, there is this vibrant culture that exists in this place. The arts, The museums, the shows, the sports, the bars, the restaurants, the clubs, the libraries, the open mic nights, the different cultures clashing in feast for the senses along EAT Street, Uptown, Downtown, Frog Town, Dinky town. The intellectual pursuits of the universities that ring the cities.
It is like an oasis in the ice.
Tuesday morning I went out to start my car it was one of those colds wear your bones hurt and you get fatigued doing just simple things. In this temputure I saw a man smile and I wasn't cold any more.
I wonder what we would become if we didn't have the handicaps or are we a great city because of them?
Some places are only special because of the weather, I say we are special despite the weather.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
An Apple a Day
Person: That apple is rotten.
Brian in Mpls: It is all relative.
Person: Relative to what?
Brian in Mpls: How hungry the person is holding it.
Of all the expressions I hate the most, one that continually tops my list is.."One bad apple spoils the bunch."
The truth is all apples spoil given a long enough time line. Whether they are in a bunch or not. There are not magical apples out there that refuse to spoil or will only spoil when around already spoiled apples. The causality is life cycle, oxidation, lack of water, etc. It has almost nothing to do with the other apples, other then they all share the same properties. Yes some rot faster then others but all will rot eventually.
You hear this expression used most by parents who want to escape blame for their children's actions. They shift focus from the circumstances and natural process and blame the other apples or the children's peer group.
Failing to realize that peer groups tend to be selected based on common elements that are usually outside of the children's control. I.e Social-Economic status, School choice, emotional relativity, family structure, early experience etc. They blame the other apples rather then examine the forces that caused them to bunch in the first place.
PS Happy Festivus:)
Brian in Mpls: It is all relative.
Person: Relative to what?
Brian in Mpls: How hungry the person is holding it.
Of all the expressions I hate the most, one that continually tops my list is.."One bad apple spoils the bunch."
The truth is all apples spoil given a long enough time line. Whether they are in a bunch or not. There are not magical apples out there that refuse to spoil or will only spoil when around already spoiled apples. The causality is life cycle, oxidation, lack of water, etc. It has almost nothing to do with the other apples, other then they all share the same properties. Yes some rot faster then others but all will rot eventually.
You hear this expression used most by parents who want to escape blame for their children's actions. They shift focus from the circumstances and natural process and blame the other apples or the children's peer group.
Failing to realize that peer groups tend to be selected based on common elements that are usually outside of the children's control. I.e Social-Economic status, School choice, emotional relativity, family structure, early experience etc. They blame the other apples rather then examine the forces that caused them to bunch in the first place.
PS Happy Festivus:)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Weekend ReCap
Friday
Read: Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity, by Garrett Gunderson. This book comes the closest to any financial book I have ever read at explaining my personal philosophy on finance. He nailed out of the park why 401k's are horse shit and why insurance is important. Definitely a book to check out.... I wish I would have wrote it, but at least now I have something I can send people who ask what my view on the market is.
Went to Trocaderos for few drinks.
& Ike's
Saturday
Cleaned, Raked the Roof, Watched some TV in my sweat pants.
Typed some more on my paper for class.
Cleaned up and went to a Work Party.
Drinks after @ Tailgate sorry B man that we couldn't meet up but we will have to do it soon.
Sunday
Watched Football
Made some beer cheese soup
Watched House Bunny - pretty much what I expected...lol
Read: Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity, by Garrett Gunderson. This book comes the closest to any financial book I have ever read at explaining my personal philosophy on finance. He nailed out of the park why 401k's are horse shit and why insurance is important. Definitely a book to check out.... I wish I would have wrote it, but at least now I have something I can send people who ask what my view on the market is.
Went to Trocaderos for few drinks.
& Ike's
Saturday
Cleaned, Raked the Roof, Watched some TV in my sweat pants.
Typed some more on my paper for class.
Cleaned up and went to a Work Party.
Drinks after @ Tailgate sorry B man that we couldn't meet up but we will have to do it soon.
Sunday
Watched Football
Made some beer cheese soup
Watched House Bunny - pretty much what I expected...lol
Saturday, December 20, 2008
WWJHOHI (What would Jesus have on his IPOD?)
I wonder what songs\artist Jesus would have on his IPOD.
The simple answer would be everything but I don't think he would. His actions in the bible seem to signify a tendency for preference of one thing over another such as where he celebrated Passover or who he choice to visit and break bread with or even that he choice bread to break instead of rice to share etc.
This would lead me to believe this preference would also extend to the types of music he listened to.
Now my gut instinctive stereotype would be that it would be filled with Country and Gospel but then how vain would he be to listen to nothing but songs that glorified him?
So then maybe it is just filled with censored music? Show tunes? I wonder how he would feel about Christmas music? Is the catchy version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer a type of blasphemy?
If you had to create a playlist for JC what would you put on it?
The simple answer would be everything but I don't think he would. His actions in the bible seem to signify a tendency for preference of one thing over another such as where he celebrated Passover or who he choice to visit and break bread with or even that he choice bread to break instead of rice to share etc.
This would lead me to believe this preference would also extend to the types of music he listened to.
Now my gut instinctive stereotype would be that it would be filled with Country and Gospel but then how vain would he be to listen to nothing but songs that glorified him?
So then maybe it is just filled with censored music? Show tunes? I wonder how he would feel about Christmas music? Is the catchy version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer a type of blasphemy?
If you had to create a playlist for JC what would you put on it?
Friday, December 19, 2008
Blood Clots...
The Kind of Blood Clot You Actually Want.
Hey it is Friday how about some shooters....
Blood Clot
1/3 Jag
1/3 Cherry Dr McGillicutty
1/3 Red bull
Chilled in a shaker..
Enjoyed Quickly
Also heard this called a "Hemorrhage" in different parts of the land....
It is a good mixed crowd social shot. The jag gives it a bite and the redbull and Dr. give it some sweetness so it goes over good in most crowds.
Another good Winter Time Social Favorite is the Ginger Bread Man
1/3 Goldschlager
1/3 Butterscotch schapps
1/3 Baileys
Chilled in a shaker..
or same ingredients in 1/4s with Jag for an Oatmeal Cookie.
1/4 Goldschlager
1/4 Butterscotch schapps
1/4 Baileys
1/4 Jag
Although too much Baileys tends to lead to some internal problems for me so I usually stick to the blood clots.
Hey it is Friday how about some shooters....
Blood Clot
1/3 Jag
1/3 Cherry Dr McGillicutty
1/3 Red bull
Chilled in a shaker..
Enjoyed Quickly
Also heard this called a "Hemorrhage" in different parts of the land....
It is a good mixed crowd social shot. The jag gives it a bite and the redbull and Dr. give it some sweetness so it goes over good in most crowds.
Another good Winter Time Social Favorite is the Ginger Bread Man
1/3 Goldschlager
1/3 Butterscotch schapps
1/3 Baileys
Chilled in a shaker..
or same ingredients in 1/4s with Jag for an Oatmeal Cookie.
1/4 Goldschlager
1/4 Butterscotch schapps
1/4 Baileys
1/4 Jag
Although too much Baileys tends to lead to some internal problems for me so I usually stick to the blood clots.
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