Thank God! (A Top Chef review.)

Ilan Won!


Marcel Lost!

Remeber the good old days?

I was saddened to hear that the Hi-Dive will no longer be throwing their Wednesday night "Off the wall 80's Dance Party." Judy Benet introduced me to "80's night" back in the summer of 2005. Her and I were regulars there for a while. I brought a bunch of people in there to experience what I though was the best dancing in town hands down. Sad Sad news to start 2007 with.

Not Another Woodbury!

I have a very soft spot in my heart for my hometown, Woodbury, Minnesota, but its growing out of control... sort of like untrimmed pubic hair. This is an article from the January 14th St. Paul Pioneer Press.....

Aunt Jackie

My Aunt Jackie past away one week ago today after a very long and tough battle with Multiple Sclerosis. I flew home Friday afternoon to attend the service on Saturday evening. Despite the very unfortunate circumstances it was very nice to see a lot of my family that I never ever get to see. I saw my cousins (Jackie's children) whom I haven't seen in I don't know when... it's been years. It was a lovely and simple service. Jackie’s daughter, Colette, said some nice words followed by her (Jackie's) son, Keith, who gave a very thoughtful and beautiful speech. The reception was held at The Woodbury Health Care Center which is where Jackie lived for the past eleven years. It is also where my Grandma Ann resides. The ladies put together a very nice meal. They, of course, were all very concerned with not having enough food. In true Midwest fashion the amount of food was slightly ridiculous. Someone made 30 pounds of scalloped potatoes. That amount was on par with the amount of all the items served. I guess its true that people eat when they are sad. I got to enjoy the company of my cousins very boisterous 6 year old son, Austin. He took a liking to me because my name is so easy to spell.. P A T. I have promised my cousins that the next time I go home that we will have a cousin outing and leave all the old people at home. I informed my brother that he is in charge of this event. My only request is that we make reservations at some restaurant where we can sit at a big round table.

It was kind of weird to be back in Minnesota so quick. I landed on Friday afternoon, two weeks from when I had departed MSP to go back to Denver. That is the quickest I have returned to Minnesota since I moved away in 2001.

I had a enjoyable visit with my parents and brother. I also had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast with my old Scout Master, Bob Nelson. He is in his mid 80's and spends most of his free time traveling the world. So far his 2007 travel plans include... Costa Rica, Tasmania & Namibia and this has all been planned before summer. He is without a doubt one of the most interesting characters I have fortune to be friends with. I had the pleasure of running into Chris Stewart, one of my brothers close friends and an ex fellow boy scout. I also ran into this guy from high school named "egg." My brother, his friend Tom, and I enjoyed our Friday night by doing the old Minneapolis bar hop. I don't really remember where we went but we did play shuffle board at this red-neck Duluth themed dive bar and snort tobacco at some German Cafeteria Club. BTW... this snorting of tobacco... I guess it will be all the rage soon. We will see.

Ped... Sorry I didn't see you. I will make it up to you next time!!!

Great minds shop alike.

Judy Benet and I gave each other the same exact Mother Mary Flask for Christmas. It all started when we went to The Faint concert and we were all "We should have a flask." Well, now we do.

Merry Christmas Judy Benet

Only United could go to China.

United won the new China route authority. It was a semi heated battle between American, Continental, Northwest and United. I always thought United had a very good chance of winning the authority on the count that their proposed route was D.C.-Beijing, which is a very convenient route for the very same policy makers (DOT) who decide things like this. Oh the politics. This is kind of interesting. It's the DOT's report on its decision to grant UA the route authority.

Compare and Contrast

These before pictures were taken prior to me leaving Minnesota in 2001. The after pictures depict the current state of the neighborhood that has grown around my parents house. During my childhood and even just prior to me leaving Minnesota my parents house on Cottage Grove Drive was surrounded my corn fields and small forests. Today, my parents are being suffocated by suburbia.

BEFORE

















After

Andy Warhol gets high with Braniff International.

Minnesota

About to land at MSP.


Fruit hanging from Chandelier.


Sitting down to dinner.


After dinner chat.


Talking about what the democrats will do now that they have taken over power of the house and senate.


Grandma


Mom reads a letter that someone has sent grandma.


Relish the relish tray.


Beef stroganoff and broccoli.


Dad & Mom.

Not Pictured: Dionne, Amy K.P. and Tom.

Rug!

I bought this awesome rug while I was Christmas shopping. Dare I say I found it at T.J. Maxx while I was shopping for exotic jams. It was $100 marked down from $185. It just fits right in. It makes my little closet of a condo look like a little closet of a condo with a fabulous rug.



Notice how I couldn't be bothered to take this shit of the rug to take this picture.

Pure & utter fabulousness

Good times in the car pool lane.

Pictures of car pool commuting.

Robert

Lisa

The Public!

I have enjoyed almost 10 years working in the airline industry. The entire time has been spent working with the public. I am begining to hate people. This is why!

2007

Here’s to a wonderfully fabulous and outrageous 2007. Here’s to a very mediocre 2006.