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 048 through 054

The big event during this week was the first major snowstorm to hit the Twin Cities area. We have had alternating days of frigid cold and light snow throughout the winter, usually no more than 4-5 inches, but nothing like what hit us on Thursday night.  The severe weather warnings started the night before and seemed a bit premature, if not over dramatic as the day started pretty mild. However, because of the expected snowfall, we decided to cancel our bowling week.  It was a good thing we did because at about 2p, the snow really started to come down.  We were given approval to leave work early at 2:30p to avoid major traffic tie-ups.  As more and more people left the office, I found it easier to do my work.  I didn't leave until 4p and was able to make it to downtown St. Paul in 50 minutes; about 10 minutes EARLIER than the route takes me usually.

Since the wife was working late, I decided to take in a Happy Hour at the Bulldog in the Lowertown section of St. Paul.  This has historically been an unassuming area of downtown, away from the hustle and bustle of the Xcel Energy Center and its support network of bars and restaurants; the Ordway Theater; and the Landmark Center.  The Farmer's Market is in Lowertown, a quaint copy of the Minneapolis one.  Now, construction has begun on a new ballpark for the St. Paul Saints baseball team and the Union Depot of the new light rail system from St. Paul to Minneapolis is located in the area.  Lowertown will become a lot busier in short order.

I didn't stay long at the Bulldog, but my car was covered in heavy, wet snow when I returned.  I slowly picked my way through downtown, heading over to the Cathedral of St. Paul because I knew they were making preparations for the Red Bull Crashed Ice event that weekend.  The roads were slippery and impassable and I gave up my effort before my car got stuck in the snow.  I wasn't so lucky when I got home.  I had to gun the engine to make it into my driveway and stopped well short of my garage.  I figured I was in for the night and went inside to wait out the storm.

At around midnight, my Wife called and said she was late leaving her client's house because her replacement was late to relieve her.  In addition, her car had been plowed in the small cul-de-sac her client lived.  She asked if I could come help her shovel her car out of the snow.  When I tried to leave, my car was stuck solid in the driveway.  I did my best to shovel my way free, but could only get a little movement.  I told my Wife the car appeared to be as stuck as her's was and she should prepare to bed down there for the night.

I spent a little more time trying to get my car free and managed to get it closer to the road before getting stuck again.  This time, my wheels spun freely as the ten inches of snow had lifted my car from the driveway.  It was about 1a by this time and my jeans were frozen solid.  In fact I could hold the pant legs up and they maintained their shape, like metal duct work.  I decided to call it quits and go to bed.

An hour later, my Wife called again to say she was able to dig herself out with some help and on her way home.  She wondered if she could get into the driveway.  I told her I was able to get my car almost to the end, but she should have room so that her back end wasn't in the street.  I went outside again and cleared a small entry way in the snow.  She was able to get snug in behind my car, and although she was parked on the sidewalk, she wasn't in danger of getting hit by a plow.  

The next day, I notified my boss I was working from home at MNDoT had recommended no unnecessary travel and I had to get my wife's car out of the driveway before I could get mine clear.  I shoveled snow from 8:30a to about 1p before I was able to get my car onto the street.  After lunch, I shoveled for a few more hours and was able to clear the sidewalk, front walk, front porch, and entryway to the driveway.  My neighbor helped clear some of my driveway with his snow blower, but otherwise we just let it get packed down.  I had to throw snow higher than my head to get it over the seven foot high berm my front yard had become.  Thankfully, we haven't had any more snow since the storm. We wouldn't have any place to put it!

No. 048:  02-17-2014

For President's Day, the 35W bridge was lit up
in red, white, and blue.

No. 049:  02-18-2014

Wells Fargo Center building reflected in the IDS Tower.

No. 050:  02-19-2014

Washington Avenue bridge in downtown Minneapolis

No. 051:  02-20-2014

The snow starting to fall in Mears Park.

No. 052:  02-21-2014

The neighborhood buried in snow.

No. 053:  02-22-2014

The birdbath is almost entirely covered by snow.

No. 054:  02-23-2014

Once we freed ourselves, we took Jack and Jill for a run
at Battle Creek Park.  They were desperate to get outside.

Have A Seat, Bruce Wayne. I've Got This.

In case people haven't been aware, we've had just an awful winter here in Minnesota; a year when "the Polar Vortex" was forced into the American lexicon. The weather has forced any sane living organism to stay indoors, but the downside to that defensive ploy is the onset of cabin fever.  Television, internet, and food are decent enough distractions for the Wife and I, but our furry children, Jack and Jill, require more active pursuits. Every trip outside to go potty is another temptation to heed the call of the wild.

One morning, the call was too strong, and Jack and Jill went rogue.  Fortunately, we don't live on a very busy street, and "the kids" were easily distracted and slowed by the frequent scents left by other dogs.  I had time to slip on my costume, which only required me to put on boots (sans socks) and a scarf to function as a cape.  I started bellowing the dogs' names from the driveway before I could see them and then added curses when I saw them a couple blocks away. Christian Bale couldn't have cut a more intimidating figure - and I'm referring to his role in American Psycho. To their credit, Jack and Jill knew the jig was up and we all sheepishly returned home.

Jack and Jill in warmer days

This may be coincidence, but the weather has started to warm and Jill is in heat. Jack was already fixed (BTW, since when is cutting off a male's balls "fixing" him?!) before we got her, so there isn't any risk of getting a litter of small poodles. However, the force is still strong in Jack and he follows Jill around like a horny teenager. The humping is amusing at first, until it gets to the point when Jack should show some restraint and self-respect. More disturbing is the spastic pelvic thrusts he makes after he's done with Jill.  I guess he can't help it, but does he have to arch his back so much?

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!!

365 in 365 for 2014: Images 027 through 033

This week of pictures could only be described as a week of bitterly cold. Unfortunately, for this winter, the week was trumped by subsequent weeks. We do what Minnesotans do, keep on and wait for the weather to get warmer. It's only a matter of time as the earth continues to rotate around the sun. It will happen. In the meantime, some cold weather photos.

No. 027:  01-27-2014 

In celebration of Mom's birthday, an arch in downtown St. Paul.
I don't know how the two are related.

No. 028:  01-28-2014

A winter version of St. Paul from the High Bridge

No. 029:  01-29-2014

How Minnesotans "gleam the cube."

No. 030:  01-30-2014

An ice sculpture from St. Paul's Winter Carnival event.

No. 031:  01-31-2014

A ship in the bottle ice sculpture from the Winter Carnival.

No. 032:  02-01-2014

An old Grain Belt brewery building.  Now an architect's office.

No. 033:  02-02-2014

Got myself in trouble on a shoveling project.  Can't tell from this
angle, but there is about 7 inches of packed ice at the entrance
to my driveway.  I was only successful in creating a deep divot
that scrapes the bottom of the car.