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 ;-)

Winterfest 2011: I've a ticket...and a conflict.

Winterfest 2011 sold out in about two seconds last week, but I scored one of the 700 tickets. Don B got it for me, but how you ask? Perhaps he knows a hacker or two down there at Seagate in Shak. Can't miss evening for hard core beer geeks, and my buddy Jonesey is handling marketing tasks for the MN Craft Brewers Guild. However, I may have to skip this one, as it's Greta's 11th birthday that night, and Don B is out of town for a girl's hockey tourney in Grand Rapids. "Should I cut down on the beer or the kids new gear? It's a big decision in a town called Malice."

RIP: Goldy Gopher shovel

My Goldy Gopher shovel, purchased during my eight winter stint at 56th & Newton, is now in the dumpster. The blade had long worn off, but the scoop worked great until it cracked while shoveling out from a recent dusting and contact with some ice chunks. Replaced by a completely character-free, but nearly identical design model purchased at Home Depot.