365 in 365 for 2014: Images 097 through 103

If I'm not careful, the weather might just lap me. We've finished the first week of September and already the forecasts are calling for highs in the 50's later this week and overnight temperatures in the 30's. Still warmer than April. September 22nd may be the autumnal equinox, but let's face it, Summer's over.

Not that I'm totally depressed that Fall is almost here. In fact, September and October are my favorite months of the year. I've always had more of a sense of "rebirth" when a new school year started. The weather may be cooler, but pleasant, and you start the month in a new class with a fresh haircut, an updated wardrobe, and a bright eyed hope to the great things you'll accomplish during the year. Then in November, the bottom falls out and you're ready for the holiday break. Once you return, you count the days to Summer like a soldier whose "short" on his tour of duty.

Lucky for me, I've been employed full-time for many years (some of them gainfully) and I mark time differently. It's all about fiscal quarters and fiscal years and September is the end of the next quarter. It also marks my 5th anniversary at my current job. Yeah, September will be a good month; so, here's some pictures from April.

No. 097: 04-07-2014

Once the ice is off the river, boats are ready for cruises.

No. 098:  04-08-2014

An old trolley line converted to a biking and walking path.

No. 099:  04-09-2014

I just liked the way the fire escape went in a diagonal across
the side of the building.

No. 100:  04-10-2014

Anyone else pick up the late 80's remake of 'The Blob' vibe?

No. 101:  04-11-2014

When the ice melts, the river begins to swell.

No. 102:  04-12-2014

The U of M had a couple big fires near campus. This one took out
some student housing.  Fortunately, no one died.

No. 103:  04-13-2014

A blurry evening shot of the Lowry Street bridge.

365 in 365 for 2014: Images 076 through 082

Chris Kuball isn't the only person who can ruin a summer day with reminders of winter. Here is my next series of pictures from back in March.

No. 076:  03-17-2014

There used to be a large building that blocked the view of the
highway.  The view will be blocked again when the St. Paul Saints
have their new ballpark in 2015.

No. 077:  03-18-2014

An old brick building in downtown Minneapolis.

No. 078:  03-19-2014

The new Green Line light rail going through the U of M campus,

No. 079:  03-20-2014

The slowly melting Mississippi River.

No. 080:  03-21-2014

The slowly thawing downtown St. Paul.

No. 081:  03-22-2014

A quick freeze after a thaw creates a skating rink at
the Battle Creek dog park.

No. 082:  03-23-2014

A beacon in Mounds View for the small,
regional St. Paul airport.

365 in 365 for 2014: Images 013 through 019

The winter isn't even a month old and the season has already weighed heavily on most Minnesotans.  There are the die-hards with their outdoor hockey and ice fishing and extreme jogging (this is the same as regular jogging, but in sub-zero temperatures), but I don't associate with these people.  The ones I do are as tired of the cold and snow as I am.  I had to shovel snow again this weekend, but had some help with a very sunny day. The front walk looks better, but all I could manage on the driveway was to make the snow pack as flat as possible.

Although I'm not part of the cold weather crowd, I did have a run-in with one of their number.  Friday night was a special hockey night as I believe both the women's and men's U of MN hockey teams were playing outdoors in TCF Bank Stadium, the regular home of the college football team and the temporary one for the Vikings starting next year as the new stadium is built (the Metrodome/Mall of America Field was deflated on Saturday).  I was stopped at a red light on University Avenue on campus when a taxi pulled up next to me.  I heard some sort of vocalization and when I looked, there was a lumberjack-looking man, complete with auburn Viking mustache, leaning out the front passenger window.  I rolled down my window with trepidation.

"Game time," he said.  There wasn't any sort of inflection in his statement, so I didn't know if he was asking or telling me.

"I'm sorry.  I don't know," I replied.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

A look of shock and confusion suffused his face.  "You don't . . . you're not going to the game?"

I was dreading where this line of questioning was going.  Mercifully, the light turned green and his taxi sped away.  Nothing more was exchanged between us, but I'm sure he said "what an asshole" to his fellow passengers.

I'm still not sure what he was wanting from me.  I suppose to engage in some pre-game ritual to get each other fired up for the upcoming contest.  Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he chose the wrong person.  I guess my response should have been something like "OH, IT'S ON NOW!  FUCK YEAH!"  This would be followed by a series of grunts, shouts and hoots.  

So, I missed my chance to bond with the hardcore Minnesotans.  Maybe I will practice this type of exchange at G-Bug's next volleyball tourney.  I'm sure I can get away with some rough cursing around teen aged girls and their parents.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Until then, here are the next week of pictures.  Enjoy!

No. 013:  01-13-2014

The only other time I could get this picture would be in a canoe.

No. 014:  01-14-2014

Near full moon behind an apartment building in NE Mpls.

No. 015:  01-15-2014

A view of Mpls overlooking Lake of the Isles

No. 016:  01-16-2014

The imposing edifice of the Cathedral of St. Paul

No. 017:  01-17-2014

TCF Bank Stadium hosting Gopher hockey

No. 018:  01-18-2014

Growing up in West Hartford, CT, there was a small, two screen
theater called The Elm that showed late run movies for $.99.
The Riverview reminds me of The Elm.

No. 019:  01-19-2014

The Intimidator back at the net.  She doesn't need to jump to get
her hands over the net.  A force to be reckoned with.

365 in 365: Images 196 through 202

Made it to the 200th day/photo!  This week's series of photos includes a couple from our family vacation to Cape Cod.  I'm starting to close the gap!

No. 196:  07-15-2013

One of several Snoopy statues around
St. Paul.  This one is outside the 5*8 Tavern
near our house.  They are famous for the
"Juicy Lucy" but the best is found at
Tuggs Tavern, IMO.

No. 197:  07-16-2013 (placeholder)

Is the logo for Notre Dame the new Jesus fish?

No. 198:  07-17-2013

An interactive periodic table in the chemistry building at the U of M

No. 199:  07-18-2013

A river cruise embarkation area near the U of M

No.200:  07-19-2013

A full duffle bag in preparation for vacation.

No. 201:  07-20-2013

Straight on to the Cape!

No. 202:  07-21-2013

Minnesota has cabins.  The Cape has cottages.

365 in 365: Images 189 through 195

I can't claim to have been particularly inspired to find subjects to take pictures of for this week (the second of July).  We were deep into summer, I was getting overwhelmed at work and looking forward to our vacation.  I was in survival mode and just trying to get through the week.

No. 189:  07-08-2013

Found another car that was crushed by a tree limb for the
storm a couple weeks prior.

No. 190:  07-09-2013

A view of St. Paul further down the Mississippi River.

No.191:  07-10-2013

Some boats on Lake Calhoun.

No. 192:  07-11-2013

The "quad" area on the U of M campus.

No. 193:  07-12-2013

A better view of St. Paul taken from the high bridge
of Highway 149.

No. 194:  07-13-2013

More boats on Lake Calhoun

No. 195:  07-14-2013

Same boats, different angle of Lake Calhoun

365 in 365: Images 070 to 076

Week 11 of pictures.  I really lost the passion during the weekend, so used two photos I took in February.  I hope you enjoy the scroll anyway.

No. 070:  03-11-13 (place holder)

An entrance to some high end apartments on Washington St. in
the North Loop area of Minneapolis

No. 071:  03-12-13

A train yard near the University of MN

No. 072:  03-13-13

The latest "McMansion" on the road around Lake of the Isles
Not crazy about the two-toned sides

No. 073:  03-14-13

Another staple of the downtown St. Paul scene
On a personal note, this date is my sister's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Sis!

No. 074:  03-15-13

Landmark Center across from Rice Park

No. 075:  03-16-13 (place holder)

Father Hennepin Park area of Minneapolis taken from
the Stone Arch Bridge in February

No. 076:  03-17-13 (place holder)

View of Minneapolis from Boom Island, just north of Nicollet Island and
no longer really an island