Mayor RT Rybak declared today Suicide Commandos Day.

Looking for something cool and charitable to do tonight? Check out Powderhorn Empty Bowls. It starts at 11am and goes to 7pm Friday (today) only at Powderhorn Park.

You get to pick out a handmade bowl (donated by local artists), make a free-will donation, enjoy homemade soup and leave with your bowl — now empty. It’s a reminder that there are bowls that need filling in the area, and that you’ve done something to help.

The proceeds will benefit organizations who literally fill bowls…the food shelf at the Division of Indian Work, Sisters Camelot and the Powderhorn Park kitchen upgrade.

Has anyone gone before? What was your experience?

Image Soirée au MIA upoaded by Minneapolis Institute of of Arts —– Check out their calendar of events

I think this next item is really cool, Bob Collins and Mary Lucia have put their 5:15 segment online. I know with many folk Bob and Mary can inspire a love’em or hate’em situation, well you can put me in the love’em camp.
MPR News Cut: Fresh Eye on the Radio
Give it a listen.

*Update*Speaking of MPR,if you haven’t seen David Brauer’s, of Minnpost, piece on MPR Executive Pay check it out, especially the comments.

While Secrets of the City has art The Affair
AND
scandalOnline Protest Promotes Viewer Interaction

Citypages trys to help out Snoop, who was in town last night, with Advice for Snoop Dogg on getting high in the Twin Cities

My only advice to the Snoop Dogg would be don’t exhale, but I’ll bet he knows that already.

Since Crazy stays crazy

I’ll close it out with: Smart went crazy

Local boy gone bad, Tom Petters,  now claims to be running from the mob. According to WCCO:

…In another indication of his state of mind, Petters also expressed fear that two investors who stood to lose up to $19 million, and who he claimed had mob connections, would try to kill him.

When I was in high school, I worked for Petters Warehouse Direct. For some reason it always felt like some giant, semi-organized garage sale. At one point in time I met Petters at a company function. He informed me that “You kids should be skipping out on the big name gum, and using Breath Blasters”. I found out that Breath Blasters were re-packaged Certs that we sold in the stores. 3 days later another employee and I made a sketch comedy bit about how Petters would use these Breath Blasters to take over the world. I guess we were visionaries-far ahead of our time. Breath Blasters, ponzi scheme, hey, it’s all the same.

Last night Jason DeRusha asked Good Question: Should Uninformed Voters Stay Home?

It’s a constant message on Election Day: get out and vote. It’s generally accepted that the more voters, the better. The higher turnout, the better. But what about people who admit they don’t know anything about the issues or the candidates in a given race? Is an uninformed vote better than not voting at all?

A number of people chimed in with thoughtful response and many took the safe road saying they abstain if they are uninformed.

Now it’s honest time, at some point in our voting life we’ve all voted for someone that we didn’t know much about.

Hey, we’re all friends here, I’m not judging.

@howwastheshow ponied up some truth that inspired this post:

@justacoolcat @DeRushaJ’s GQ tonight was awesome. Seriously thought about it today. Was only informed on 50% of ballot, but voted on 75%.

When I was 18 I was known for picking based on a funny name or using the infinite-naughty-possibility-generator the write-in box. ( I know write-in isn’t exactly an uninformed vote, but for all practical purposes it’s a wasteful vote)

So here’s my question:

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Today the polls are open but empty. Presidential elections are exciting of course, but local election outcomes can sometimes affect your daily life even more than national ones. (Think if you really want even MORE taxes).

The ‘big’ election today is for Mayor. The incumbent RT Rybak is taking on many contenders, although he’s largely refused to show up to any debates and is probably planning on running for Governor as well.
The two endorsed by the major parties are Rybak and Papa John Kolstad.

This paraphrase, from MPR News yesterday, made me laugh.
Q: What are the major issues:
Rybak: Public safety and job creation.
Kolstad: Increasing business, and the cost of a special election if Rybak runs for governor.

There’s also seems to be a weird quirk with party listings this year. One candidate’s party listing is “Moderate Progressive CENSORED” since the city blocked his original listing, “Moderate Progressive Republican.” Why would they censor something like that when they allowed another fool to list his party on the ballot as “Awesome”?

VIA bigboxcar

What can I say? I like sunfish.

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In myth and legend there’s a magical place East of Minnesota where lawyers go to bask in the glow of happy unicorns. This amazing fabled land is called D.C. and it’s a land of great wealth and everyday is sunny, also everyone gets a balloon when they leave their apartment in the morning and magical faeries called lobbyists sprinkle pixie dust on important government representatives. Oh, and even the most moral get their fill of hookers.

It’s a magical realm,but even with all this glory and happiness it can be a sad land. You see, there just aren’t enough real issues to be legislated. So the important government representatives have to occasionally shake off their hookers, wipe the pixie dust from their clothes, and have a congressional hearing.

The pioneerpress reports House subcommittee chairman: We’re here to help NFL, Vikings’ Kevin and Pat Williams resolve differences

‘It is in all of our best interests for these parties to reach an agreement on this enormously important matter.”

Isn’t that nice? Those important lawmakers want to help those big fat rich men get along with their big fat rich bosses.

Thank God, there isn’t a war going on, or an economy that is in shambles, or a kitten caught in a tree.

It’d be terrible if our esteemed Representatives were to get distracted from the important business of the NFL.

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There’s a new political party in MN the New Dignity Party

Here’s what they have to say,

This party is developing a new package of ideas that may help America at a critical point in our history. Born on the 4th of July in 2009, we declare our own independence from the bipartisan political regime.

In particular:

(1) We aspire to establish a new paradigm in the politics of identity.
(2) We would rein in powers assumed by local governments without the consent of the governed.
(3) We lament the decline of honest journalism as big media companies shape the news along certain lines.

Specifically:

(1) We like white people (and people of other races, too).
(2) We don’t like local governments meddling in their residents’ personal affairs.
(3) And you better shape up, too, Star Tribune!

VIA Chuckumentary

It seems to me their first specific point is really really weird and probably offensive to everyone under the age of 50. Also, they claim to create a new “paradigm”? Ugh.

What do you think?

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“the sombrero is for anyone who doesn’t show up in costume.”

Image uploaded by The Queen of Subtle

Sadly I missed Q.O.S.’s Halloween party, but it sounds like everyone had a blast.

I did take the kids out (one was a ladybug and the other a goldfish, the wife was Little Bo Peep) and then we handed out candy.

Also, I made a scary 30 second video with my cameraphone to terrify the wife.

Between groups of kids arriving the Ladybug and I would walk around the street in front of my house. I’d drag my leg through the leaves and clink the machete against the road. Several kids stuttered out a “ya..ya…You’re really scary” as they they tenatively held out their bag for candy.

What did you do for Halloween? Was your costume horrifying?

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Know how we’re starting Monday out? With this:

photo by twodolla

I almost ran into this (literally) sometime last week when the city banned street parking during their street cleaning phase. Who throws a condom in a tree? I mean, c’mon.

*Attempts at rubber tree jokes will be ignored.

So where’s Waldo?

Thanks to everyone who came out and ran in the Monster Dash. The weather was cold, somewhat snowy and windy. I guess the added layers of costumes helps out in some ways. The best costume was probably the bearded Forrest Gump running. The 1/2 marathon results are as follows: Mens-  Joseph Radosevich 1:14:15. And the women’s – Nancy Buselmeier 1:27:28. We look forward to the Polar Dash on January 1st!

I managed to go 30+ years without getting knocked up. I suppose that’s not much of a surprise based on the homosexuality that coursing through my veins. In any case, when I met the hot piece of action (she’s also incredibly smart, funny and doesn’t beat me!) I call my girlfriend about a year and a half ago, I suddenly found myself with a tween pre-teen.

I’m always on the lookout for something for he and I to do. We get along like gangbusters, which is awesome, but I’m always trying to find something new pique his interest. He’s a video game, reading and computer kind of guy, where I’m a pass the vodka shots and let’s head to a baseball game kind of girl. I’m looking for compromise here.

But you know what I haven’t been able to find? Compromise between the two. Minneapolis Community Ed classes offer martial arts for his age group and that’s about it. If he were five the options would be endless; if he were 16, it’d be the same way. Since he’s stuck in between the whole child to man phase, I’m at a loss and would love some suggestions from anyone else that has a kid that’s just about to start growing hair in awkward places.

Image vroom uploaded by Ruptured Dog

So if you’ve already forgotten to get that Halloween costume and you don’t feel like doing the last minute idea, grab a bike or some running shoes (and that last minute costume) and get outside.

Bike Jerks is putting on the Track or Treat (fixed gear only). Alley Cats are always fun, but doing it on Halloween night should be redonkulous.

And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, check out Team Orthos’ Monster Dash 1/2 marathon, 10 mile and 5k at Lake Harriet this Saturday. Afterwards, there will be a party (21+) at the convention center.