MN State Fair on a stick

I attended the fair this past Tuesday and did enjoy several things! I did have some fantastic foods along the way:
- nice vanilla shake from the U of M dairy barn
- fried cheese curds
- Tornado Potato... and yes, it was delightful. I had some spicy seasoning on it as well.
- corn on the cob dipped in butter (I'm in the mid-west)
- Sweet Martha's Cookies... mmmmm.

... I'm sure there is something I'm missing. I did see some rather interesting things on a stick. You'll have to see to believe. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.

The fair is not all food, rides and shows however. If grease and Garrison Keillor are not your thing, there are several things other things that can keep you busy. For instance, we visited the 'Miracle of Life Birthing Center.' Here you can see animals, you guessed it, being born. I'm not talking about TVs just broadcasting births. I'm talking, if there is a cow about to have a calf, into the birthing center they go. This place has bleachers and monitors for all to enjoy. When we strolled through, we saw a 3 hour old calf in the middle pin and piglets nursing in another. Pretty cool actually.

We also walked through the cow, swine and horse barns. I don't get to see these things in the middle of a metropolis too often. So, when I can, I jump on the chance.

If you are a media junkie, or fancy a certain weatherman (Sven), then the fair is good for that as well. See, all major TV news and radio stations are present at the fair. You can again, sit in bleachers, and be an active participant in the broadcast, see the anchors and camera operators at work and the interns running about.

There is also an art exhibit and a 'green' expo. I now see why people can spend days attending the fair. It's rather difficult to absorb everything in one visit, especially if you are seeing a show or want to be on a live Newscast.

I didn't get to visit the beer garden or attend a show this year, but I'm looking forward to the 2010 fair and this one's not even over yet.

The Great MN Get Together!

Well summer is really winding down in the land of 10,000 lakes. You can feel the crisp air in the morning. I've been watching more people reach for sweaters and close-toed shoes. I must say that I'm excited.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Changing leaves, football, students heading back to the books, and people here begin devising 'winter projects'.

With more months of below freezing than above, many people pick up their 'inside' hobbies once again. For instance, I have learned to knit in the winter months, along with getting back into American Sign Language, French, (a little) German and baking is even attempted.

But I'm not quite prepared to dwell on Old Man Winter just yet...

For now, I'm going to focus on what is currently holding the attention of every Minnesotan. The State Fair! I breathe the fair every day. Seriously, I live across the street from heart attack on a stick. While I was tempted to pass this year, I'm looking forward to the adventure this week. See, last year I worked everyday of the fair. I had just moved up to Minnesota and was looking for work and was placed in the two week position of soda spiller, bee killer, hot dog fetcher and beer tapper. I'm not sure if it was the 13 hour days in the heat, the thousands of people I served or the lack of funds to enjoy my breaks, but I didn't have a great first experience. Fortunately, from the help of locals, they have turned my pessimism for the fair into an event that I now look forward to.

My plans are to head there during the work week in hopes to hit a less massive crowd.

And yes, there are a few things I'm looking forward to trying out. Like, the Tornado Potato! That is the picture that I have in this post. I mean, who wouldn't look forward to eating this?!

Bookstores, visits from friends and GPS

So, I have started reading Marshall McLuhan again. McLuhan was the one that first coined the terms 'global village' and the famous 'medium is the message'. This guy is my media analyst that I run to for support and understanding in the web world we live in. However, as I search for his books, I realize that I am wildly unsuccessful at typical bookstores. I have ventured to Barnes & Nobles, used book stores and several others. No Luck.

Yes, I'm aware that I could venture online, where I do everything else, but there is something about finding the book I desire. I need the challenge. So, by recommendation, I am venturing to a place called Midtown Used and Rare Books. I looked on their site and they do have some McLuhan, but the one I found was $205, first edition. Oh. My checkbook will not like that.

This whole issue started a few weeks ago when a friend of mine ventured through the Twins from Colorado on her way back to North Carolina. No, I don't think she has a good map, but she does have a GPS which she refers to as 'Ms. Magellan.' I'm not sure how much they paid for 'her', but she isn't helping women in the fight against the stereotype of being directionally challenged. I should know, I get lost in J.C. Penny's.

My friend, we'll call her Marsha, is a law student and therefore loves books. On Sunday she wanted to go to a bookstore that she found online. So, I volunteered to drive. Mistake 1. So five of us got into my Jeep and accepted the adventure to Minneapolis. Mistake 2. Now, you must remember that 1) I don't have a sense of direction and 2) I have had car in the Twins for about 3 weeks. Therefore, I'm not used to the highways and city drivers yet.

Ok, so Marsha, her boyfriend, a friend of Marsha's boyfriend, myself and my boyfriend all got into the Jeep. Well, lets just say the trip form Roseville to Minneapolis was filled with Ms. Magellan directing me, Marsha translating, and me missing every possible turn. Honestly.

When we finally got the book store, I told everyone to get out. Sounds harsh? I don't think so. The last thing anyone wants to have are people telling you were all the parking spots are.

Now, my beef with bookstores. My boyfriend has a deep passion for theology and religious text, Marsha was seeking out cook books, I on the other hand, dig journalism, media, radio and communication theory. When they gets 5 bookcases, I have 2 shelves. Ugh.

That is what sparked my search for McLuhan. I thought 'there has to be a bookstore that has his books or books about him.' To that bookstore's defense, they did have one book titled 'Everyman's McLuhan'. I suppose that will have to keep me busy til my mission is completed.

My Increased Carbon Footprint

I now have a vehicle in the Twin Cities!

It has been one long year, and I really have not gotten you an update. Well, here is some information in a nutshell:

1. I ended up not working for AmeriCorps, but an education company focused on connecting students to their future.
2. I now have my own apartment, conveniently, between St. Paul and Minneapolis.
3. I recently bought a Jeep. Now, I know this is not the most efficient vehicle, but in the words of my parents 'You can move yourself next time... and pull a trailer so we don't have to mail 15 boxes.' I suppose they no longer want to participate in my moving.

I have really grown to love the Twin Cities. I have gone camping just 20 minutes outside the cities, visited museums and I love the libraries here. The downtown library in Minneapolis is a site to behold and an experience.

I also work at a small boutique in St. Paul on the weekends, so that is a nice break in between my communications with educators during the week.

I have also started volunteering at KFAI, a community radio station in Minneapolis. What can I say? I can't get radio out of my head. In that realm, I'm also working toward a certificate in broadcast engineering.

I am sad that this amazing Minnesota summer is coming to an end.

I will be more diligent about my posts this next year. Make sure to shoot me an email or give me a call if you are going to be in the Twins, I would love to show you around.

I now have my own apartment & soon... a vehicle.

Twin Cities... What a great metro!

I am now in the land of 10,000 lakes! Minnesota is my next home for at least the next year as I serve in AmeriCorps. However, since I do not start work until mid-September I have been biding my time with some exploration.

The first week I bought a 'Go-To' bus card that has a declining balance and went all over the Twin Cities. I have gone to visit the St. Paul libraries, coffee shops, historical markers and roamed the streets. I have also ventured to Minneapolis, just over the river along with the infamous Mall of America. I am not a shopping person, but it sure was a sight to be seen!

St. Paul is a city of roughly 270,000 people but holds a small town charm, which I attribute to the heavy European influence. This part of the Twins metro has a history of German immigrants, at least according to my research. There is no shortage of Lutheran and Catholic Churchs here! I think that I have seen one Baptist church in the Twins so far.

While I only spent a few hours in Minneapolis, I felt a more youthful and urban vibe. That could be due to the University of Minnesota campus that is right on the river... or any of the dozen other colleges in the area.

As everyone knows the unemployment rate right now is the highest it has been in over 20 years, so part-time work has been hard to come by. So, in turn I have not been too sucessful in finding a part time job. I have however been hired to work the 12 days of the state fair! It is the 2nd largest state fair in the nation, second only to Texas! I will be working in the Grand Stand concessions area where all of the concerts will be, so I will be hearing some great music while serving beer, hot dogs and soda.

If you are in the Twins please don't hesitate to call me or email me! I would love to see a friendly face!

Two Worlds, Same Country.

I have now been in the Lower 48 for a few weeks and it has been nothing short of overwhelming. The readjustment has been steady. I believe that the constant bombardment of options is the most challenging, well that in conjunction with heat and crowds. So, between those three things my mind has been busy.

Having so many options and choices down here puts things in perspective. The consumer does rule, I knew this, but when you are in a place of isolation, with limited options, you get used to soft tomatoes and milk that expires in two days... Here, consumers demand the best constantly, thus tons of waste, something I am having to readjust to.

They really are two different worlds.

I went to Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C. with my friend Christine for the 4th of July weekend. I have never been to either city and after being in Nome for a year it was a breath of fresh air, well as fresh as a hot city can get.

For the 4th we walked around Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore, had beer and chips overlooking the harbor at a place called Kahuna, went to an Orioles game and later went to an outside symphony that had choreographed fireworks, unfortunately it was raining so the colors were slightly anticlimactic. However, by the 1812 Overture they had the cannons, so that was frightening!

July 5th we drove down to D.C. and parked by the Jefferson Memorial. I had forgotten what an amazing writer Jefferson was. Most amazing authors are simple in their words and straight forward with their message. I know what to look for during my next library trip!

Besides Mr. Jefferson we went to one of the Smithsonian Museums, The Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. It is so great to see grass and open space in such a large city. The short time I spent in Europe the big cities are stores, apartments and cement. However, there is not the infectious urban sprawl that we see in the states.

I am currently in Texas traveling around in hopes to see as much of my family as possible before I leave for St. Paul, MN. I must admit I am nothing short of excited!