May 31, 2005
Kiss of Death Comes Early

Sorry for the late start today. Holiday weekends always throw me off. Especially when you have to travel to North Dakota. More on that later.

The Vikings got a Kiss of Death today from Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the magazine most famous for jinxes.

King likes the Vikes to win not only the Central Division crown but to beat the Carolina Panthers in the NFC title game to return to their first Super Bowl appearance since SB XI. I was then a young lad sitting in front of the TV watching the Raiders and a slim John Madden pick apart our boys.

Funny thing is, I agree with King's picks to have the Vikes and Panthers emerge as real forces in the NFC this coming season. I'm just not sure I can see both in the title game. But the picks are not unrealistic either.

Who do you see in the NFC title game this year? Leave a comment below.

North Dakota

Yep, had to travel back to the good ol' treeless wonder that is North Dakota this Memorial Day weekend. And before we get much farther, you must know that I am allowed to rip NoDak because The WifeŽ and I were born and raised there. Jamestown for me and LaMoure for The WifeŽ.

We both lived it, experienced it, and left the state as fast as we could after graduating from College. NDSU for me and Jamestown College for The WifeŽ.

The reason for the trip was to see Niece #1Ž graduate from high school. That was fine, but the fact that it was scheduled during a major holiday weekend was not. I mean, who the hell does that?

The WifeŽ and I agreed that we would have much rather been under the pergola sipping wine and such than in the middle of North Dakota where expensive wine means Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill wine and an expensive meal means dining inside the restuarant rather than going through the drive through window.

The best thing about the trip was the 75 MPH speed limit meant we could click off the miles doing 80 MPH.

The best sight was a dude, sporting massive mullet and wearing oversized mirrored sun-glasses filling up his gas tank. The car was a souped-up Firebird. The NoDak license plate read YOULOSE. Um, no my friend, you live in NoDak. You lose!

And it is as if the US clothiers send all their crap suits and ties to NoDak. This may be an inside joke on their part. And the male residents of NoDak may not know any better....but for God's sake pick up a friggin' fashion magazine and look at what is current before I puke all over you wardrobe malfunctions next time. I've not heard The WifeŽ snicker that much since she saw a Vikings fan wearing khaki shorts and white tube socks on the streets on New York City back in the 1997 season. Probably a NoDak resident!

I could go on and on and on...but we have to return now and then to see the relatives. So I'll just end by saying NoDak's #1 export is its children for a reason.

Hope your holiday weekend was better than mine!

Developmental Camp

Many of you have asked when I will be posting new photos from Developmental Camp. At this point, I plan to attend a practice session on Tueday, June 14 and hope to have photos posted shortly after.

Posted by maasx003 at May 31, 2005 11:57 AM
Comments

This is an interesting post, as I have had people tell me that I can not complain about NoDak as I have only lived here for five (almost six) years, and was not born here. My retort has always been that since I pay taxes, I get to complain. And yes, 75 mph on the Interstate is a good thing.

Curt in Grand Forks

Posted by: Curt Hanson at May 31, 2005 1:12 PM

At least you didn't grow up in SoDak, like me. I also got out as soon as I graduated from college (DSU for me).

New Orleans is bad, but it's paradise compared to the Dakotas.

Posted by: Jimmy at May 31, 2005 3:06 PM

What you say is all true, of course. Even still, I have a soft spot for the whole "scene."

Did you stop by the World's Biggest Buffalo? A treat, to be sure!

My favorite ND fact is that ND is the least visited state in the Union. And what is the second largest industry in ND after agriculture? That's right, tourism. That says all that needs to be said right there.

Posted by: SBG at May 31, 2005 4:59 PM

SBG: That was oour other joke...how many ways can you sell the fact that Lewis & Clark spent some time there? I mean, move on already! But as the wife said, that IS the tourism for them. But the whole L&C thing is sooooooo over done!

Posted by: Brian Maas at May 31, 2005 5:45 PM

Glad all you bitchy ex-dakotans are gone.
You fit in the "BIG" city of Minny, huh?
Happy for ya!
It's not that bad here at all.
Something must be wrong with you, not the state.
Sad to see a fellow Vikings fan rip the second biggest Vikings supporting state behind MN.
Stop being a dick Mr. Bitch or Die....

Posted by: McDtheViking at June 1, 2005 12:22 AM

I currently go to school at UND in Grand Forks. I graduate in December and I cannot wait to get the heck out of here. Here is my stat for this state, it actually decreased in population the past year. That must mean this place has some problems.

Posted by: Trent Briggs at June 2, 2005 9:30 PM