Time-lapse drive through Minneapolis

Check out this YouTube video of a time-lapsed drive through Minneapolis, going west on Lake Street and then north on Hennepin Avenue. I’ve watched many of this guy’s YouTube videos, many through the Twin Cities area, but this is the first that pretty much went through “my” neighborhood, the Uptown area of Minneapolis. Pay special attention around 2:15, when the driver takes a curve to the right; about three blocks south of there is where I lived for my last year in Minneapolis.

Also keep an eye out for landmarks such as the Midtown Market, Calhoun Square, Loring Park and downtown Minneapolis. The last shot of this video shows Minneapolis’ skyline. The building with the gold-lighted crown is the Wells Fargo Center, where I worked my entire time there. And one more thing, be sure to notice the piles of snow on the side of the road. Those are no bueno.

I am glad to be back in Austin, but I miss Minneapolis sometimes. It really was a lovely place to live, despite the inhumane amounts of cold and snow.

A buddy’s success

Here’s a video on CMT featuring the up-and-coming band Love and Theft. One third of the band is my friend Brian, with whom I went to elementary, middle, and high school.

I’ll always remember Brian as one of the more talented students at school. I downloaded the single “Don’t Wake Me,” for free on iTunes, as it was featured on the home page for a bit. It’s a fantastic song. Congrats to Brian and the band on your success.

Caution: It’s depressing. Traumatic pet stories.

If you’re up for a tear-jerker, here’s a recent post at one of my favorite blogs, an entertainment-review site, Pajiba. The writer shares the trailer for an upcoming documentary about “crazy cat ladies,” then invites folks to comment on their traumatic pet stories. Here’s my two cents:

We found our German Shepherd in the backyard paralyzed from the midsection down. He was really my sister’s dog from the start, and she wasn’t around (forgot what she was off doing). So my dad and I took the dog to the vet. On the way there, the dog had pooped all over the car out of fear. We put him to sleep that day…

From scanning most of the other comments, I see a lot of very sad (some slightly comical) stories. If you’re feeling down and want a catalyst for a good cry, here’s your chance.

Watch the trailer, too. As a cat owner myself (I only have one, though), I feel a little sentimental toward these women.

R.I.P. Woodreaux.

I’ve updated the look of my web site…

…again.

I think I’m a little eager for work.

In other news, the Diocese of Austin’s Bishop Gregory Aymond is moving to become the archbishop of New Orleans. Good for him on the promotion, not so good for Austin-area parishes. I’ll miss Bishop Aymond, I’ve seen many wonderful confirmation masses thanks to him.

Also, last night I stepped out on the front porch to find ominous swirling gray clouds overhead… turned out it was a tornado brewing. I love Texas storms, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in my subconcious to move back to Texas for them.

Can I borrow $10?

Check out this poster from Lure Design, Inc.:

Only $10! If I had an office, I’d post it in there.

iPhone 3GS, and I might be able to afford it

For the past hour or so I’ve been keeping up with engadget’s live blogging of the World Wide Developer’s Conference from Apple, for which there was much anticipation of an announcement for a new iPhone. I got what I was waiting for–looks like in just a week-and-a-half the new iPhone 3GS will be available. Get a 16 gigabyte version for $199 or a 32 gigabyte version for $299.

It includes video capture! A compass! Voice recognition! It’s speedier! And cheaper!

I’d sure like one. Please? I’m still having to clear out music (that I still like) in my library to make room for new music so that it will fit in my iPod.

Now I’m an ‘award-winning’ communicator

Cool, eh?

Check this out. I’m not in the article because I’m not affiliated with Wells Fargo anymore, but the award is for 2008, for magazine issues with which I helped.

Feb. 2008 issue, Connections

Very, very cool. Congrats to the team!

(Also, please forgive my lack of posting for so long. I’ve moved back to Austin, my home, and am currently conducting a rabid job search. It ain’t easy.)

Dear fast food chains that are advertising fish sandwiches to target folks who don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent, or might have otherwise given up meat for Lent,

I’m giving up fast food for Lent. So there!

25 things

This is a task I got on Facebook. I figured since these posts automatically go on Facebook, I’d just post it here. Hence:

Rules:
Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

1. I have a pimple on my chin right now, after going years without having a pimple. I’ve always had really great skin. So this is really bothering me.

2. I still sleep with my green blankies that I’ve had since I was a baby. I also still sleep with a night light.

3. I’m a shopaholic. Since I’ve not had a job it’s been really really hard for me not to buy things.

4. My dream job is to design book covers. I’d get to read books then play around with design all day. So cool.

5. I love pineapple, both hot and cold. Especially on pizza.

6. I’ve crossed the borders of Mexico and Canada, but have never been overseas. I’d really love to visit major cities in Europe, like London, Paris or Rome.

7. I miss Caribou Coffee.

8. My 8 gig iPod is too small.

9. I have a thing for iconic women in art. The Mona Lisa, Girl with the Pearl Earring, Rosie the Riveter, etc…. I’m not sure why. But I like collecting magnets and other little trinkets featuring them.

10. I love editing grammar mistakes. Though I’m sure I make plenty of my own.

11. I’ve never seen Mary Poppins.

12. I’ve also never seen a Bond film.

13. I’m a fan of sports teams in a really regional sense. I like teams from Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Georgia. For some reason, I don’t like teams from California, New York, Florida, Oklahoma, or Ohio.

14. On that same note, all that REALLY matters is football. Outside that, it’s just a bit of fun.

15. I speak French very well, I just don’t remember a lot of the words. Give me a page text written in French and I’ll read it perfectly, though I’ll have no idea what I’m saying.

16. I’m a horrible party-er because alcohol makes me tired.

17. Daisies are my favorite flower.

18. I’ve always thought that if I won a large sum of money, I’d first donate to a crisis pregnancy center, then to non-smoking campaigns, then animal shelters.

19. I still laugh at lolcats.

20. I’m horrible with laundry. I hate doing it. I hate folding it and putting it away. As you can imagine I’ve got clothes all over my room, and whether it’s clean or dirty… that’s all in my head.

21. I can’t dance.

22. I’m having a really hard time keeping this list going. I must be really boring.

23. I’m usually in bed by 9 p.m., asleep by 10 p.m. I sleep a lot.

24. I’m a cat person.

25. I love my hair ever since I’ve moved back to Austin… the soft water in my parents’ house is nice.

‘Blizzard 2009′

Well, I am back in Austin. I had been here for a few days–working on my dad’s web site, unpacking and getting settled in–when my mom’s uncle passed away. So I hopped up and went with her to Rayne, Louisiana, the Frog City. The drive is about seven hours one way.

It was a nice little trip, without considering the reason we were going. I didn’t know “Uncle Hawk” all that well, but I could tell he was a community man. He was a crawfish farmer and owned a restaurant called Hawk’s. He was married to my mom’s mom’s sister, Denise, who is known as “Aunt Richard” for some reason of which I’m not aware.

It was nice to see my mom’s side of the family, to which I was never too terribly close. I was very touched during the veteran’s tribute to Hawk. And I’m very thankful the mosquitoes left me some of my foot.

On the way back yesterday, my mom and I listened to the Jeff Ward show on News Radio 590 KLBJ. His show was one of the things I missed about Austin. And this episode was particularly hilarious. He spoke of Austin’s ‘BLIZZARD 2009′ (we’re below freezing today with a bit of freezing rain… the horror) and I nearly called in to joke about how I just moved from Minnesota and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it.

They also referenced the Snuggie, the creative, innovative, exciting blanket with sleeves!

Enjoy.

Update: Found the audio of the show: http://www.590klbj.com/podcast/index.aspx