January 2011 recap

Another busy month, here are the highlights:
1) Happy New Year with the Kellys, Okerlunds & Duncans. The annual bash was great
2) Vick's Nyquil: When I needed him most, Michael Vick is asleep in a dream matchup against the Vikings, and the Halftime Show loses the Peske Bowl. That's three straight 2nd place finishes for Rush and I...but this after a 1-5 start. Burned by the Vikings yet again...unreal.
3) Xavi robbed: Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d'Or as the world's finest soccer player for 2010. Sure, he did score a whopping 58 goals during the calendar year, but did NOTHING during the World Cup. Spain won the World Cup and could not have done so without Xavi, in my opinion the games most dominant player, and a guy who was called the greatest central midfielder in football history by a columnist for Goal.com.
4) The 52 dates adventure begins with trips to Grand Szechuan, Town Talk Diner, Leann Chin and The Blue Nile...more updates on that to come.
5) Greta has her first orchestra concert...a video posting to follow.
6) Brian has his first CC skiing event: -16 degrees at bib pickup time, 4 for race time. He is nervous, sick, dehydrated....and cold.

Blyleven in '11

Props to Bert Blyleven, who was (deservedly) elected today into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It took long enough, but Bert made it on his 12th ballot. 287 career wins, 60 shutouts, 5th all-time in K's. Met the guy once at MSC, and although I never saw him pitch in person, I'll give him hero worship for his efforts on the '87 Twins. World-class practical joker, and as you can see, his taste in t-shirts is unparalleled.

Vikings go outdoors!

The Vikes are headed outdoors for the first time in 29 years! The team and the U are prepping TCF Bank Stadium for the MNF game with the Bears. The video preceding this post explains why it's needed. A rare opportunity to watch the NFL outdoors in Minnesota, but if they tear the roof off the dome and install real grass, this could be a regular deal. My friend Steve Rushin penned an excellent article for SI this week to put the doomed dome to rest: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/steve_rushin/12/15/metrodome/index.html

RIP Metrodump: The indelible image from the Blizzard of 2010

Check out the new Danny MacAskill video, great cycle stunts and beautiful Scottish landscapes. He is the master of balance and braking skills. Teeth-grinding, sweaty palm action. I believe you can see the Firth of Forth. The Firth of Forth is near Fife to the north.

Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home"

KBJR Reunion...long past due

I'm way overdue with this posting, taken in September at the Fox9 studios. Former KBJR cronies, from left to right: Mike Birkeland, Jimmy Rich, me and Paul Moore. Birkie called me out of the blue while on a Cities PR junket for his energy co-op and we met for brews. Paul joined in and we crashed Fox9 and hung with Jimmy for a while. It was great, and long overdue. Jimmy still keeps a filthy desk and has Old Blue. Paul runs his own communications company. Birkie's put on about 70 pounds ;-)