365 Pix in 365 Days for 2015: Images 026 through 032

The last week of January found me in Chicago at the beginning of the week and ended with me in Maple Grove for a volleyball tournament. As mentioned in my last post, the annual AHR Expo was held during this week. The only people who would know that would be the four who read the blog post. Let's amp up those page views, people!

The tour went off without a hitch and I was able to arrange meetings for the time slots my General Manager requested. Before the trip, he said he wanted all of us to have full days while in Chicago and go home on Wednesday completely exhausted. Mission accomplished; although my exhaustion probably wasn't in the way he intended.

As an introvert, I find constant business meetings and engagements to be mentally and physically taxing. I've grown out of my childhood shyness to a degree, but I recognize I much prefer to think through ideas quietly by myself than to discuss them with others. Also, we all met up in the late evening to early morning of Tuesday and Wednesday, which fed into my overall exhaustion. I woke up at 5 in the morning to shower, having only three hours of sleep and lingering alcohol in my system.

The understanding was Wednesday would be a travel and rest day and then we'd be right back at it on Thursday. No such luck. We arrived at the airport well ahead of our flight, so we had an impromptu meeting for almost an hour. The new expectation was for all Regional Sales Managers (RSMs) to send up follow-up emails with action items once back in Minnesota that afternoon. In a show of defiance, I sent out most of my emails on Thursday, with only one being sent on Wednesday because the GM already promised the Principal I would.

I've already spent more than enough time complaining about work, so I will leave it that the end of January was a carryover from the week prior. Oh, and my mom's birthday was on that Tuesday and I called her from a quiet spot in McCormick Place.

Image 026:  01-26-2015

A view from my room on the 30th floor of the W Chicago Lakefront.

Image 027:  01-27-2015

View of downtown Chicago from McCormick Place.

Image 028:  01-28-2015

The awesome brown liquor wall of the 
Untitled Supper Club 

Image 029:  01-29-2015

St. Paul's version of Stonehenge 

Image 030:  01-30-2015

Minneapolis from Boom Island, which is no longer an island.

Image 031:  01-31-2015

G-Bug showing one of her double threats - throwing it down!

Image 032:  02-01-2015

Her other threat - affecting the opponent's shot.

365 Pix in 365 Days for 2015: Images 012 through 018

I didn't start Week 3 of pictures with the intention of having a theme, but one seemed to have grown organically as I perused my photos. Not only has there been a lot of change over the nearly two decades I have lived in the The Twin Cities, but there has been a surge of new construction in the last few years. The fact that nothing stays the same is hardly an epiphany, but I'm starting to look at places and remembering what used to be there. So, Week 3 is a series of pictures of the old and the new.

Upcoming weeks will have a different mix of pictures as I start my traveling season for work. I'll be making another trip to Chicago followed by one to San Francisco. I'm excited for the latter as I haven't been there for about five years. My wife is jealous because her dad and his wife live there and I will be spending the weekend with them. Cost and timing were not on our side, so she wasn't able to meet me there. I plan to make it up to her later this year.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures and commentary.

Image 012:  01-12-2015

The swankiest corner in the Grand Avenue area of St. Paul.
There used to be a Ciatti's in this corner building.  Now there's
an Axel's and a Cafe Latte.

Image 013:  01-13-2015

Preparations for the Red Bull Crashed Ice Competition.
There used to be a path of sloping green grass here, and before
that, a light rail tunnel from back at the turn of the century.

Image 014: 01-14-2015

This is a new housing development called The Paxon.
There used to be an abandoned concrete parking garage just
a year ago last summer

Image 015:  01-15-2015

I was sad to hear that Pracna on Main was closing. This was one of
the bars on Minneapolis' Main Street, one of the first streets in the
city, that had 'patio' seating during the summer. My Wife and I
once stopped here after dropping off our tax returns. We were
going to get some money back and felt like celebrating.

Image 016:  01-16-2015

My Wife and I were invited by some friends from work to attend
a benefit at Cooper's for a young woman who was battling cancer.
There were tacos, bingo, a raffle, and silent auction. Oh yes, and
dancing.  Lots of awkward dancing.  I'll just say there was a dolphin
impression and leave it at that.  I had never been to Cooper's before,
so it was new to me.

Image 017:  01-17-2015

Just one of several add-ons and new buildings being erected in
Minneapolis.

Image 018:  01-18-2015

G-Bug had her first tournament with her new team, the
17-2 squad. There used to be a young lady who didn't get
much competition time on the 16-1 team, but not this year.

For One Week, The "Happiest Place on Earth" Wasn't

Well, it's Sunday and a full week back from my vacation.  Having a four day work week to get back into the swing of things would have been just the way I would have drawn it up if I actually planned it.  We had an absolutely gorgeous July 4th weekend, most of which was spent outside doing yard work. Yet another storm rolled in the early hours this morning, and left a small amount of rain, but the day is hot and muggy and perfect for staying indoors for things like laundry and blogging.

The first half of my vacation started on Thursday and was spent in Orlando to attend the AAU National Tournament for G-Bug's volleyball team. We would probably have enjoyed being in Orlando more if the tournament was held in February, like the one in Wisconsin Dells, but the Orange County Convention Center was a nice place to be to get out of the mid-90 degree heat.

I had given my family the heads-up on the tournament months in advance, envisioning the trip would be a good way for all of us to get together this year. My brother and his family stayed the whole week we were there, while my mom was in town from Thursday to Monday.  As an added bonus, my aunt and uncle, who live in the Palm Beach area, drove into town for the weekend.  The tournament ran from Saturday afternoon until Tuesday, so there were a couple of "free" days for G-Bug, although she was required to stay with her team.

Our crew had rented two two-bedroom condos at Lake Buena Vista Resort.  My mom stayed with my brother's family while G-Bug's mom stayed with the Wife and me. Let me repeat that for effect, I was staying in a two-bedroom condo with my wife and ex-wife. Fortunately, the master bedroom and bath were on one side of the condo and a second bedroom and bathroom were on the other side, so we were able to stay out of each other's way.

The first night we all went out for a group dinner, G-Bug's mom included.  We tried to go to Downtown Disney, but we followed the cones and traffic attendants in an elaborate loop that got us back to the main road we took to get into downtown.  We settled on Landry's Seafood House, which, as a second choice, was pretty nice.  Our waitress was a sour prune and put on the hard sell to buy member cards to other restaurants or theme parks, but we declined. The food was excellent, as I had a crab stuffed Mahi and the Wife had a Cedar Planked Salmon.

We were finished with dinner after 10p and we tried to make our way back to the resort. I had followed my brother in our rental car to get to the restaurant and with the detour around the crowded Downtown Disney, I had lost my bearings. I wanted to follow him back to the resort and be there before 11p as we all could visit G-Bug before curfew. Mom had said it was just a couple of lefts to get there, so we chanced it on our own.  The roads were still busy with traffic and the stop lights off the main road only allowed a couple cars to go through before changing. I was gunning through "pinks" (just turned reds) by the third light.

We saw a building with 'Lake Buena Vista' on the side, but the building was a different resort.  I pulled into the parking lot, but was confused by the traffic cones by the entrance, as our resort didn't have any construction near it. We made a U-turn and I waited for a break in the traffic to get back on the highway.  Once on the road, I quickly realized I didn't see any of the landmarks that were close to our resort.  The signs for the airport confirmed we were headed the wrong way.

My biggest pet peeve is stupidity. I have little patience when others exhibit it and get very angry with myself when I do. Plus, a clock was ticking in my head to get back in time to see G-Bug.  Needless to say, when I asked my three passengers for help with directions, I used some serious invective and my foot became leaden.  And let me confirm for effect, I had my mom, wife, and ex-wife in the car with me. The directions were a back-up, now that I knew what road we were traveling. I knew once we turned around I would be able to find my way again. When we dropped off mom at her condo, my brother's family had already gone to bed and we only had a few minutes to see G-Bug. We decided to pass on a visit with her.

365 in 365 for 2014: Images 055 through 061

My Wife's birthday is at the end of February, and we celebrated with a trip to Wisconsin Dells, much to my dismay (more on that in another post).  It may seem odd to go to a mostly summer water-themed family destination in the middle of winter, but G-Bug had a pretty big, two day volleyball competition that weekend in the Dells, so we killed two birds with one stone.

Unfortunately, G-Bug didn't get much playing time, in spite of an illness that reduced the team by three members (also for another post).  My hope is the coach wants to get his core group working well together as a team and then start introducing new players into the rotation on a regular basis.  I still find it difficult to have patience for the lack of competition time she gets.  The big tournament in Florida this summer will be over several days, so G-Bug should get more opportunities on the court.

At any rate, that tournament is in the summer, and I still need to document the winter. Here is the next week of pictures.

No. 055:  02-24-2014

"Yeah, it's another negative degree day and we just got dumped
with 10 inches of snow, but let's do something that could kill
us in warm temperatures." - Minnesota logic

No. 056:  02-25-2014

St. Paul reminds me a lot of Boston.  Interesting mix of
old and new buildings packed close together.

No. 057:  02-26-2014

One of the numerous high end apartment
buildings found in downtown Minneapolis.

No. 058:  02-27-2014

I had a bouquet of flowers waiting for the Wife at our
hotel room.  Let me know if you want any tips
for romance on a budget!

No. 059:  02-28-2014

Proof there is nothing more depressing than a water park
in the desolate Wisconsin winter.

No. 060:  03-01-2014

This is one of the venues for the volleyball tournament.  This dome
housed 16 courts.

No. 061:  03-02-2014

This is the other venue in Wisconsin Dells.  G-Bug got some
court time this day.  Her team won its first match of the day.

365 in 365 for 2014: Images 041 through 047

In this week of pictures, we have scenes of winter, a different kind of scenes of winter, and weekend volleyball.  Valentine's Day fell on a Friday and the Wife and I did what all old married couples do for Valentine's Day - ignored it; although she did get me a tie with hearts on it, some body wash and super hero socks.  Don't worry, she was taken care of. She bought herself a small basket filled with numerous tulips.  Hey, what can I say?  I'm a romantic.

No. 041:  02-10-2014

Dead center is the Witch's Hat water tower.  To the left, the yellow
building is a new development of campus housing for the U of MN.

No. 042:  02-11-2014

There are few iconic buildings of St. Paul, but I think the most
iconic is the 1st National Bank Building downtown.

No. 043:  02-12-2014

The cobblestone sidewalk of Main Street in Minneapolis.
I'll have to take a picture in the spring for comparison as most of
the trees shown have green Emerald Ash Borer bands on them,
meaning they will be removed. 

No. 044:  02-13-2014

Minneapolis at dusk.  There are good signs the winter is ending.
The days are staying lighter longer.

No. 045:  02-14-2014

Happy Valentine's Day!  The weather cooperated and provided a
bright, sunny day.  Here is the facade of Target Field.
Like Punxsutawney Phil, I can see my shadow, but there's only
 5 weeks of winter (Vernal Equinox is March 20).

No. 046:  02-15-2014

G-Bug serving.  Probably an ace.

No. 047:  02-16-2014

G-Bug spiking.  Probably left a bruise on an opponent.

365 in 365 for 2014: Images 034 through 040

This is just a "get me over" post on the picture project. What can I tell you? Just more cold, snow, and misery for the week.  The thought occurred to me, this winter is exactly the type I worried about suffering before moving to Minnesota. Hard to imagine I've been spoiled over the last 17 or so years.

The recent cold reminded me of a newsletter article I wrote for the first company I worked when I moved to Minnesota. I kept all the editions where I was either mentioned or featured or had published work. Here is what I wrote in February 1997:

There is one characteristic which defines a state and differentiates that state from the others.  A sense of pride is formed from that characteristic and binds the residents together.  I have recently discovered the one characteristic in which all Minnesotans find pride. 

Is it the Twins?  Not lately. 

Is it the Vikings?  Not likely.

Is it the magical splendor of a golden sun sparking on one of the numerous lakes of which Minnesota gets its nickname?  Not really.

The pride of Minnesota is the winter's bitter cold.  To survive temperatures that drop 60 degrees below zero, one needs strength.  My mother visited me recently for the holidays and she did what all visitors to Minnesota do - she went to the Mall of America.  While at the register at one store, a clerk pegged her as an outsider.

"Visiting for the holidays?" he asked.

"Yes.  I'm trying to get out of the cold."  The temperature had warmed from the prior week and was a balmy 20 degrees that day.

The clerk's eyes twinkled and his chest heaved with pride.  "Do you know how cold it gets around here?"

Minnesota winters are famous.  While living in Boston, my fiancee tried to convince me to move to Minnesota with her.  She wanted to return home but I wanted no part of the bitter cold.

"Come on.  The winters aren't that bad."

A few months later we were on our way.  My first winter consisted of record-breaking, history making temperatures.  This winter is my second and I have faced near record-setting snowfall - and survived!  I have spoken with family who live in the northwest and they are coping with temperatures in the 20s and 30s.

"Rookies. Do you know how cold it gets around here?"

Here is a week of cold pictures.  Better ones are in the offing.

No. 034:  02-03-2014

A sure sign Minnesotans have given up.

No. 035:  02-04-2014

The lights of Minneapolis looked really crisp on this night
and there was a touch of winter's dusk.
This is what my camera was able to capture.

No. 036:  02-05-2014

Tried again the next night at a different location.  Meh.

No. 037:  02-06-2014

The gated community of Como Zoo and Conservatory.

No. 038:  02-07-2014

Snow's piling up on and around the birdbath!

No. 039:  02-08-2014

Pretty much says it all about Minnesota.

No. 040:  02-09-2014

G-Bug getting direction from the coach before the serve.

If You Can't Be An Athlete, Be An Athletic Supporter

I’m going to be honest with you.  This post is a puff piece written by a proud father.  I’ve made mention of my daughter’s participation in volleyball, mostly through photo captions in my “365 in 365” projects, but haven’t written at length of her experience with the sport.  Obviously, I look at her through the lens of a parent, but I honestly believe she is a talented player.

Her mother got her enrolled in a club team in the Maplewood area.  This is a huge commitment in money and time for both of us, not only for the club fees (which G-Bug’s mom is handling), but also traveling to various venues for overnights and weekend tournaments.  Most tournaments are in the Twin Cities, but there are a couple in Rochester, MN; one in Wisconsin Dells; and the Grand Finale in Orlando, FL in June.  Both of us beamed with pride when we saw her be selected by the 16-1’s coach to play on his team.

Playing club volleyball is an entirely different experience than high school and less expensive clubs.  The competition is intense, the conditioning grueling, and the coaches demand the best from every player.  They also instill a sense of team spirit, which I felt was a little lacking in the club team G-Bug played for, but was better when she made it on the JV squad as a sophomore.

If there is a downside to this club team, it’s that G-Bug is playing with other quality players who have shown a more competitive fire.  Her coach has commented how she is too nice and she has to find a way to “release the beast.”  I’ll tell you this though, you can’t ask for a better 11^th player off the bench.  Plus, at 6’1”, she is the tallest on the team.  She has been projected to be a middle blocker, but there are two other middle blockers ahead of her; so she doesn’t get much court time.

However, she has made the most of her time when she is competing.  A couple weeks ago, she was playing middle when an errant pass from the other team floated toward the net.  G-Bug jumped and spiked the ball with authority.  The ball didn’t bounce, but cratered!  Her whole team cheered and her coach jumped out of his seat.  A few people in the crowd, who knew G-Bug didn’t compete much, but was patient for her opportunity, cheered as well.  The parents of one of her teammates came by and gave me a congratulatory pat on the shoulder.  After the match, G-Bug was all smiles.

This past weekend, the team was participating in the President’s Day Festival and G-Bug was put in the rotation as an outside hitter.  She looked a little confused on the floor as she didn’t practice much at the position, but she did a very good job; not only as an outside, but serving as well.  In truth, I think she is more suited at this position and the mother of one of her teammates said the same to me during the tournament.

Every Wednesday night, we go to LA Fitness to play volleyball during the open gym time.  There is a regular group of Hmong people who play, both men and women, with a sprinkling of others for diversity.  The play is first come, first serve, so every night is a different mix of teams.  The rules are six players per team who rotate around a permanent setter.  This person is in the middle, so the other two players at the net rotate from the left outside to the right.  This is where G-Bug has gotten most of her outside hitter experience.

I think when we first played, the other players weren’t quite sure about us.  G-Bug is tall, but young and might not have been up to the level of competition.  She proved herself in short order.  In fact, she has developed a little bit of a fan club that cheers and claps whenever she puts down a good spike or serves an ace.  I’ve played against her a few times, too, and she is an excellent server.  She’s dumped a couple right in front of me and I’ve watched others whistle passed to get misplayed by one of my teammates.  I’ve thought about creating short videos of her playing so I could send them to her coach; but then I thought he might not want his players involved in the seamy underbelly of back alley volleyball.

Hey, that might be a good movie idea!  Dibs!!