« March 2007 | Main | May 2007 »
April 19, 2007
Mid-week Update...
Amazingly I ran almost 8 miles yesterday, bringing the week's total (Sunday-Wednesday) up to 14 miles. Eight miles was a bit out of the ordinary for me... I made a huge loop through the city around the convention center then back home. Does anyone else feel self-conscious about running through downtown? I mean, I want to run to Loring Park, and I want to run through a pedestrian-friendly area, but I don't want to run through crowds.
I'm not keen on the idea of driving to go running, but I mean, that's simply what one has to do if a non-uptown resident wants to run at, say, Lake Calhoun or Lake of the Isles. I like running by the river, but I need to switch up scenery from time to time. Going up or down the river can only last so long.
Right now I'm in the new location of the Purple Onion Cafe, inside the 1301 University Building. The cafe is great, nice view of downtown, nice patio overlooking University Avenue, nice decor. I guess my beef is with the building itself. 1301 University describes itself as "an upscale student living experience" -- and this is what I have a problem with. I mean, I like to live the life of luxury just as much as anyone else. After all, I did just buy a new Volvo. And I lived in a brand-new pre-fab 6-bedroom house my senior year, which was pretty nice compared to most of the Dinkytown slums.
But isn't living in a slum part of the college experience? Or am I wrong to think this? I thought it was an experience everyone goes through at some point in their college career. Don't get me wrong, I think 1301 University is super sweet, and I would have loved to have lived there; it's so close to campus and no bugs come out of the floors. Unfortunately anything above $500/month would have broke the bank. I guess my main concern is the character-building experience that many students are going to miss by not living in a slum. This sounds rediculous, but they need to know what it feels like to have bugs crawl over you and to have a shower's plumbing fail and to find 3-year-old pot in a removable floorboard. This is the University of Minnesota, not the University of St. Thomas.
Speaking of the Volvo... Chris Farrar noted that the only reason I got the car was because of this:
Well, it is true that I am a fan of the logo--how virile. But in all honesty, I liked the whole perceived image of Volvo. Yes, it has the power that I need. But, it isn't in a pretentious way (i.e. BMW) or in a hip-hop video way (i.e. Mercedez-Benz). I don't think I've ever seen a hip-hop/rap/soul (read: black) music video that has the artist driving a Volvo. With Volvo class and power is tacit. However, I do like the logo better than Saab's logo.
Posted by piep0058 at 07:38 PM | Comments (1)
April 16, 2007
Sven Sundgaard Eat My Dust
Most people in the Twin Cities are familiar with Kare11's weekend meteorologist Sven Sundgaard and his blog where he frequently posts topless pictures of himself and talks about how much he loves to run and blah blah blah. The shirtless pictures are fine, I guess, he's not bad to look at. However he does like to talk about running, and I intend to show him up on that. And to top it off, posting topless sweaty pictures of myself might attract (more likely deter) some visitors to my site (not that I'm counting).
So here's the deal, I have no ambition to run a full fledged 26 mile marathon (the norwegian munchkin has me there). However, I do aim to do a half marathon. I think 13 miles sounds appropriate to me. Check out the course:
The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. I intend to circumnavigate the whole damn mess on foot in a decent time (TBD). Deadline? October 1st, 2007 (or before the first snow). Is this an easy goal for myself? Yes. I'm already running 5 miles easy some days. However, I have yet to actually ever push myself anywhere beyond that. That's always seemed to be the limit for me; I want to see how far I can go (without becoming a crazy marathon runner, those people are weird).
Say Joe, didn't you buy a new car? Why yes, yes I did.
New Car (check)
New Music (check) (Currently 120 Days, Young Love, and Peter, Björn, and John)
New Loft? That's on the horizon (In other words... "I don't having a fucking clue what I'm doing")
Posted by piep0058 at 08:52 PM | Comments (5)
April 03, 2007
On a Roll!
So I've been writing a lot lately. I'm not entirely sure why. There seems to be a lot of time on my hands, I guess, but then again, there always is a lot of time for me these days.
I would most likely be walking outside right now; however, it's snowing. While I know it's Minnesota, I think snow in April is a bit excessive. I would be generally okay with the idea if a) it hadn't reached 80 degrees here last week and b) the snow hadn't froze on my windshield causing me to have to scrape it.
Missouri better have some better weather when I'm down there this weekend. Speaking of traveling... I might just stop in Davenport, Iowa.
And then I can stop at Coral Ridge Mall in Iowa City! Yes? I think so! Oh what a poor representation of Americana. I really don't think one can find any less sophisticated shopping conditions in the United States. The sad part is, they really tried hard to make it a nice mall. It's big, yeah, it has all the stores anyone expects (but no abercrombie kids!!!). The Sioux Empire in Sioux Falls also does not have an abercrombie kids, but I think it's done a lot nicer (for just being one floor!). Not that it's really saying much, but if I had to choose which small town to drive through, Sioux Falls beats Iowa City. Or maybe I'm basing my opinion upon the amount of gays I saw at the respective malls... hmmm who knows. Bottom line? I better have some 70 degree weather in St. Louis or I'll be pissed.
Posted by piep0058 at 09:05 PM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2007
In & Out of Debt
I had a shopping spree at the outlet mall in Hickville, Minnesota, to celebrate the final payment to get myself out of debt. It was nice, I got some shoes that I've been itching to get for a long time.
On the drive up I-94 I decided that it was time for a chance in driving conditions. Yes, the red Jeep Grand Cherokee and I are having a divorce. I'm leaving it for a younger vehicle. The new car will be a Silver 2004 Volvo S60. Check it out.
This will be my car for approximately the next six years at least. I'll post some pictures of the real deal once I have it with me back in Minnesota. I'm making the purchase down in St. Louis (my dad is quite savvy when it comes to getting car deals). Should be a fun quick little drive down to the 'Lou.
Posted by piep0058 at 07:09 PM | Comments (1)