new mix

Hey All.  February is ALMOST OVER (HOOORAY!!!) however, I have yet to do any appreciate for black history month.  So here is a little mix of some of MY favorites, of course I could not include everyone, but this is just a start for you all.  Hopefully you all can jam to this stuff, as I am on this somewhat sunny Friday afternoon.
Cheers!  http://mixtape.me/p/20529

1. Sir Duke- Stevie Wonder.  While it may say that this is Do I Do on the play list, alas, it is not.  But I do love the song Sir Duke.  the horns, the upbeat happiness, i love.  It also reminds me of the many mix tapes i had in my shitty little car in High School.  I'd say 1/4 mixes (in those days) had this song on it.

2. Iron Lion Zion.  Today was reggae day in my office, so I decided I'd add a little Bob to my BHM dedication mix.  I really like this song-it isn't as bubble gum as say 3 little birds, or stir it up.

3. People get up....James Brown.  Who doesn't enjoy James Brown?  and isn't this photo pretty awesome?  I think he does a pretty good job getting me ready for the weekend, yourself?

4. No Scrubs-TLC.  What I really wanted was Creep or Red Light Special, but I couldn't get my hands on those songs.  You are going to have to make do with No Scrubs.  Until very recently, I did not know that a Real Housewife of Atlanta  actually wrote this one. 

5. Baby Love-The Supremes.  The ultimate ladies of Motown.  need I say more?

6. Soldier of Love-Sade.  I remember when I first heard Smooth Operator.  Sade is awesome.  Maybe she is slightly elevator-ish, but not all of her music.  This new album/single is pretty great.  according to A-it's "her jam" which is pretty great to witness her dancing and excitement over the number.

 7. Fly Away-Lenny Kravitz.  My whole life I have had a crush on Lenny.  He is beautiful.  And his music was/is pretty awesome.  I liked his 90's stuff best of all, but this particular song reminds me of the boy I dated in High School.  those were the days....

 8. Cheek to Cheek-Ella and Louis.  I heart these two.  together, separate, they are wonderful.  I think this is a great little tune as well.  When I hear this song it makes me want to be out dancin' with my girl!  I sort of wish I grew up at the time of my grandparents-only because part of growing up was learning to dance all classy like.  Kids these days learn to grind and make me vomit in my mouth a little bit. 

 9. What you Want-the Roots Featuring Jill Scott.  I'm no hip hop expert, but the root are f*ing awesome.  have you heard ?love rock the drums?  AMAZING.  there aren't a ton of hip hop bands that are bands, not just a front man.  I love how these guys play live music. And Jill Scott-what a voice, eh?

10. Hit the Road, Jack-Ray Charles. This is one of those songs that used to make me excited when I was a really little kid.  Just like Yakidy Yak always made me smile, so did this one.  Also, kids don't know what any of the songs they like mean, so I think I must have just thought the rhyming was good.  who knows.

 11.  Alright-John Legend.  Not my lady Amanda, but my bestie Amanda is a John Legend fan.  I hear his music and I think of her.  Also, my office mate is a big JL fan and I think adding this to the list of greats was a must.  he is pretty talented.

12. Wolf Like Me-TV on the Radio. Again, I was hoping for a different TV on the Radio Song, but this mix host really isn't great.  So, Wolf Like Me, which was probably their biggest success, it has to be.  I like this Brooklyn Based band.  They are hard, but not too hard, but there is definitely a lot of emotion, but not in a sissy way.  All in all, check these guys out.

13. Right Here (Human Nature Remix) SWV.  When I was about 10, I had this single....on a cassette tape.  I would listen to it by myself in my bedroom, singing along, wishing I could be in the music video.  I think it was around the same time that I wanted to be able to drive in a big old convertible with a dude name Big J and a jar of Gin and Juice (of course I didn't really know what any of that meant at the time, I just though tit would be cool.....)  About 2 months ago I heard this song for the first time in a while and it made me really happy. I hope it does it for you.

Happy Weekend, Y'all! 

cassette tape  Stevie Wonder  James Brown TLC  Sade   Lenny  Ella and Louis the roots  John Legend SWV

have I told you about...

Hi Friends and Happy Friday Junior!  Today I'd like to spend a little time telling you about my favorite blog ever, Sweet Juniper.  Before I do that, I want to just say that all of these photos were taken from the authors blog and photography website for the soul purpose to get you to go over there and read up/view the AMAZING photography yourself.(James Griffioen photography page). 

Now, let me tell you a little story. About 2 or so years ago, someone tweeted a link to sweet juniper with some remark about feral dogs/homes and Detroit.  Being that I date a girl from The D, I clicked on the link to check it out. That day, my life was changed.

 I'm aware that that sounds very ridiculous and dramatic, but I'm not kidding, I love this blog.  And after spending many hours digging through old posts, I found his photography site, which also blew my mind. I saw a show of his in Chicago about a year an a half ago and seeing the photographs in person was kind of breath taking. Not only does he take amazing photos, his stories are pretty great (not just because he is a really good writer, but really, he is an AMAZING writer) but because he does really cool things with his kids/family.  It makes me want to be like that when I am a parent.  And then there is the Detroit aspect of it.

His blog has gotten me over the roof interested in Detroit.  Before Amanda, I didn't think much about the city.  And really, I have family in Michigan (way far away from Detroit...)  but still, Detroit didn't mean much to me.  When I found this blog and started reading about the city and looking through the photos, I became (and this may sound crazy) almost obsessed with the city-it's history, the architecture, what the hell happened to make it what it is now, and most importantly, I had to go visit the city. A and I drove to Detroit 2 years ago for Thanksgiving.  While it was pretty great to finally see the city, I'd really love to go back in the summertime, with a bike.

I could spent hours telling you about the many things I'VE spent hours reading about, but really, you should go to sweet juniper (back logs, specifically feral houses, feral dogs and the train station and the book depot. All of these places are unbelievable. I mean these photos are both very sad and very beautiful all at the same time. I don't think most people know the extent of the history of the D and how the people of the city are trying to take back the city.  The author of this blog does a great job recognizing all of the really good and unique stuff that make Detroit what it is.  Like I said, I could go on for weeks talking about this city.  And I barely know it.  I'm just so interested in it.  I did my fair share of wikipedia-ing the different abandoned skyscrapers and neighborhoods and waves of crime and discrimination and corrupt government officials and all of it.  here I am now getting all crazy into it!  anyhow, check it out.  I promise you won't be disappointed. 

Thanks Sweet Juniper.  You are pretty Rad.
best source  

Snow Day

 We woke up to this yesterday.  Most of Mpls had a snow day (helps that it was also president's day)

Anyhow, I spent the day shoveling watching Planet Earth and hanging out with the pugs.  A thought it was a good idea to fight the streets and go to work.  I still say she made a poor choice, as it just wasn't safe out there!

I have a handful of other pictures, but they don't want to upload right now.  ah well.

Happy short week friends!!!

lunch

 Today I ended up having an awesome lunch, and while I was the one putting it all together, I had no idea how great it would be!

Ever since watching Food Inc. recently, A and I have changed our eating habits for the better.  don't get me wrong, we had been eating pretty well in the past, but this film really pushed us over the edge and I feel great about it.

Anyhow, last night when I was throwing my lunch together, I found some odds and ends and thought I could make it work today. 

My lunch consisted of half a tomato, 3 baby Bella mushrooms, a pita (and a tub of hummus) some slices of cheese and 3 leafs of lettuce.  At first I thought I'd just nibble on them all separately, as I enjoy most of these components on their own.  Then I thought maybe I can just make a stuffed pita sammy.  And then it hit me.

 Pita Pizza!!!  I spread the hummus on the pita, cut up the tomato and mushrooms and added them on top.  Lastly, I cut the cheese up into smaller pieces, added them and put the whole thing in our convection over in the kitchen of my work.

 After it was all melty and good, I tore up the lettuce and topped it.  And then sliced it.

 "Holy Cow this thing is DELICIOUS!!!"

seriously, so so good.  And now I have a new way to mix up the same old ingredients.  yummmmmm.
I hope you all enjoyed your lunches today, too!

Today's a new day

It's Friday Junior, friends.  We made it.  (Friday junior-ie, Thursday is a little nickname given to the almost weekend of the work week.  once you get to Thursday, you know you're almost there, and you can get through the rest of the work week)

When I say we made it, I really mean I made it.  And just barely.  I had a really rough day yesterday.  between work, and life, there was more than one moment when I wanted to just stop and scream and disappear.  But of course none of that happened.  Instead I tried to survive the work day.  I feel fortunate that I share and office with a very level headed lady that keeps me in check. 

Anyhow, on really shitty days, there are a few things I need to do to make myself feel better.  One of them involves some alone time.  I prefer this time to also spent on a bicycle, but a couch in an empty apartment will work too. 

Leaving work yesterday, I was so so grateful that I rode my bike.  Not only was it real nice out, I needed my 20 minute commute to unwind a bit.  On these rides I tend to play out conversations in my head, think about things I'd like to do different next time, places I wish I were right now (ie: Hawaii) and just take in the fresh air.  Last nights commute really helped bring me back to real life.  But who am I kidding, as soon as I walked in my front door, I had to unload, and cry a little bit too.  But you know what, it made me feel better.

And this morning when I woke up at 4:30 (because Parker was crying at me and it was 430 and he had to go out and poop because he wouldn't last night because the sidewalks were all puddley and he is turning into an old man) I went outside and the air was amazing.  there was fog everywhere and it felt like it was 35 degrees out, if not warmer.  I knew (after I slept a few more hours)that the day was going to be better than yesterday.  And so far, it has been.  My ride in was amazing.  It's like 45 degrees out, all the yucky snow is melting, you can see the (DIRTY) roads again, and in general have more room on the road to move.  The highlight of my ride in-going over the Mississippi.  It was so foggy, you couldn't even see 10 feet out.  it was pretty breath taking.

While I know it isn't *really* the end of winter, I feel like I survived the worst of it. To that I say HAAZAA Winter!  I BEAT YOU!!!!! I hope all your other Mpls(and I guess St Paul) cyclists are feeling the same way!

scream from here
fog from here

pink and red

The-Love-Tree

 Happy Valentine's Day, Friends.  To tell you the truth, I'm not huge on this holiday (shhhh, don't tell A).  part of that is because I have never been too into it, except to recognize that i have a lot of people who I love, not all as romantically as other.  Another part is because A and I recognize our anniversary just a week prior to today's event.  Lastly, I like to love all the time, not just one day.  BUT, it is fun to have a reason to go on a fun date, and give someone something cute.  And that is what I plan on doing.




A is a big fan of P.F.Chang's.  This is something I have known since we met.  And I dig it too (especially the lettuce wraps.)  what this means?  Tonight A and I will be having a romantic evening at PF Chang's, potentially followed by a movie (either at the Southdale Theater, or at home....depends on what is playing and what A feels like.)  And of course I have a little valentine for my lady.  I sure hope she likes it.  It has been SO busy with the It's a Date sale that I didn't have a lot of time over the last few weeks to go out shopping and whatnot. PLUS, I'd prefer to spend the big money on A's birthday, because her birthday is all about HER, not just valentine's everywhere.  How about you all....any big plans?

  from tugboatprintshop
(in case you haven't noticed, I love trees.  a lot.  and love trees make me happy.)

another one

All in all, I am happy to be spending this Valentine's day with the girl I love.  this is our FOURTH valentine's day together, which seems like a long time, and a short time all at once. And to spend this 4th year together, P.F. Chang's seems fitting.  I guess when you find the one that makes you happy, it doesn't so much matter what you do, as long as you do it together.  I love you, baby. 

TC Bike Swap

Hey folks.  To break up the sale a bit, I hit up the TC Bike swap in Blaine yesterday.  It was fun, but not as cool as the last couple of years, but maybe that's just me.  What I DID find was this great little (not too little...) tool pouch made by local guy James and his company Beard.  Ill get to that in a second.

So I walked around, by myself for about an hour-made a few laps, and left with this, a water bottle cage and a pair of socks.  But all in all, I'm way happy about the tool pouch. 

As you can see here, the pouch fits all the tools I need/bring with me.

 So here is what I keep in my tool pouch in the winter time.  extra tube (I have some extra pieces of old tube as, just in case I need to attach anything to myself or my bike) rag, chain tool, multi tool, extra chain links, crank bolt wrench (I know....this may be a weird one to carry around.  But here is a little story for you.  I just happened to have this in my bag the day of Stupor Bowl.  After the race and the festivities, I headed to Dinkytown to hear some great music (Calamity and the Owl.....AMAZING) and such.  Around bar close I went out to my bike, unlocked and started on my way.  Within 3 pedal strokes, I could tell something was way wrong.  I pulled over, checked out the situation, and some dbag tried to steal my crank arms!  now, A. I was parked RIGHT IN FRONT of Kitty Cat Klub-what a gutsy fucker.  Also, my cranks are shitty.  it is my winter bike-really....you want them?  lastly, the non drive side crank arm was *almost* off.  I wonder who scared them/why they didn't finish the job?  And I thank who/whatever got in their way.  That's why I have this guy with me-for asshats like that) patch kit, mini pump and 15mm. 

This multi tool is rad.  except for the chain tool that I broke, all tools work great.  And honestly, these are the tire levers I use and I have never had an issue with them.

So that's that.  Swap was fun, tool pouch is great (check out BEARD for more products) and I'm happy to be riding in positive temps again :)

Happy Monday!

It's a Date!

 Hello everyone!  I won't talk too long about it, but the sale this weekend was awesome.  I had so much fun, and to be completely honest, blown away with what A, Megan and Nora did to the space at Salon Stella.  These first few were from Friday night.  We unloaded cars, drank beers, and I headed out for the night.  When I came back early on Saturday morning, it looked amazing!


busy worker bees



 Ok, now to the actual shop photos.  Let me just say that I don't claim to be good at taking photos, and you will see that below.  I even forgot to take a picture of (in my opinion) the coolest part of the space, the dressing room.  sorry guys.  I'm a fool.  But you get the idea.

 We saw a lot of familiar faces and made some new friends as well.  A big thank you to everyone who came out.  We all appreciate your support a great deal! 

Happy Monday!

Wednesday Happiness

 Happy Friday FRIENDS!  I can't believe it is already the weekend of the big It's a Date! sale.  I'm just so excited!  I hope you are too.

Because we have been so busy getting everything ready for the sale (A has been tagging, packing, pricing and such for the last couple of weeks)  I thought it would be nice to make a really delicious dinner for us, as the next few days may see a lot of take-out food.

We had a great falafel dinner on Wednesday.  I made the falafel's from a box, but they were still really really good.  I also sliced up a cucumber, carrot and shredded some lettuce (I forgot to chop a little raw onion, but A didn't mind too much).  Paired with some warm pitas from the onion and a container full of Holyland hummus and we were set.

 I also made a side of roasted veggies-potatoes, carrots and mushrooms, to be exact.  just a little olive Oil, slat and pepper and dill and it was GREAT!

 cook you falafel, COOK!

 Man was it a good dinner.  I think we will be making variations of this for the next while.

 Also, A did a little baking for the sale.  She made these sesame coated sugar cookies with organic strawberry/raspberry preserves. so. so. good! Also, chocolate and sprinkle covered pretzels.  All of you not sure about going to the sale, if nothing else, come for the baked goods and mimosas! yummmmmmm!