Minneapolis Metblogs » ashley

Vikings in the Morning

ashley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:40:16 +0000

For reasons beyond my control, I was awake at 7am today (Sunday), and noticed that there are already people tailgating in the parking lot around the Metrodome. Tents set up, people donned in purple and gold, throwing footballs around…

Is this normal or just for the hardcore fans?
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Veterans Day

ashley — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Have you hugged a vet today? Cause you should to get on that…

Empty Bowls, Full Stomachs

ashley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:04:03 +0000

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?

Censored* Voting

ashley — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:29:12 +0000

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”?

Where Am I?

ashley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:33:09 +0000

Here’s a pretty simple game of “Where in Minnesota Did I Take this Unaltered Picture?” Kudos to the first commenter who gets it right!

P.S. It has my favorite free views of the city.

Drop and Give Me Twenty!

ashley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:29:41 +0000

Photo courtesy of CrossFit MSP

The holidays are fast approaching, and I’ve made a plan to gorge myself guilt-free. It’s called: CrossFit MSP Boot Camp.

According to Wiki, CrossFit is “one of the fastest growing fitness movements on the planet,” combining constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity.

The Boot Camps, hosted for the first time at the CrossFit gym in St. Louis Park, incorporate the same philosophies as CrossFit, minus the complex lifting movements. Owner Michael Pilhofer says they’re for both men and women looking to get an efficient, short (15-20 min), fun workout, done in a small group environment.

I submit that the Boot Camps are also for those wishing to make a little more room in their waistband for a second helping of turkey.

Another plus is that CrossFit workouts are scalable for people of all fitness levels. Meaning even those of us who only run… after the ice cream man… will still benefit.

The six-week camps start November 2, and some discounts are available for signing up with a friend. As I learned in a similar boot camp, the best motivation to not wimp out is group peer pressure.