So Tom Petty's doing a tribute to George Harrison, singing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Harrison's son playing backup guitar. Nice.
Wait a second, who is that guy way off to the right in the red hat? Is that Prince? What's he up to? Is he going to jump in at the end and play some kind a off-the-hook solo?
I hereby annex this Open Thread in the name of Her Glorious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Reigning Monarch Plenipotentiary of Her British Isles Supreme Governor and Protector of the Commonwealth.
Greetings, fellow nite owls. I spent much of last night hacking up a lung with this damn asthma. I would have logged in, but it would have woken "our little boy," who sleeps in the den.
Even the French Roast at Dunn Bros aint cutting it this morning. (Yawn..)
Thanks for the link Max! It really made my day. Well, so far... actually now I'm going to be late for work... Anyway I'm not a Petty fan but am a huge George Harrison fan and that Prince solo really is off the hook. The band all enjoyed it too, you could tell.
The only people who wear sillier looking hats than fly fishers are the rock stars.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 8:00 AM on May 2
I have never understood the fascination with the governor's hair. I was at a press conference his first year in office when he walked in with a new cut and people started the murmur. Me thinks a lot of people have a crush on him.
»» Submitted by kevin at 8:17 AM on May 2
Query: Last week I was @ the Town Talk diner and noticed a new place (restaurant) saying they were opening soon - it's on the side street by town talk -- 27th ave, I think. It's called the Green Olive or something -- a new Indian place?!
Does anyone know more about it?
»» Submitted by CatConundrum at 8:20 AM on May 2
I don't feel good and I'm already having a bad day at work. No good.
I might have to skip the depantsing tonight.
»» Submitted by mb@work at 8:20 AM on May 2
Any participants care to post reminder on the san pants event today? Where? When? Why no one is wearing pants?
I love that WMGGW clip. Some people thought Prince was showing off a little too much for a tribute performance. But supposedly Dani Harrison had asked Prince to "cook" the solo. Dani didn't want it to be too melancholy.
I have one meeting today and nothing else planned.
Anyone need anything researched on the interweb?
I'm going to have some time today and I can only look at cute kitties for so long.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 8:28 AM on May 2
"No No I do have power! My wife doesn't keep my cock in her purse!"
Strident doesn't begin to describe him.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 8:42 AM on May 2
This part irked me in particular: Hoffman allegedly told one staffer that, since the A-List (the paper's picks for best events each week) was being edited by females, it was necessary to make sure it wasn't too, you know, girly.
What, like girls are only interested in the Lilith Fair line up and poetry readings about their vaginas?
Let me be the first to admit: Media stories about other folks in the media tend to be self-aggrandizing, self-referential, and just plain self-absorbed.
If you feel the need to start your piece with that disclaimer, why wouldn't you stop right there? Now we just need Lambert to write an article about Priesmeyer's article about Brauer's post about Demko and City Pages. Then maybe Deb Rybak can weigh in and set Lambert straight.
I for one, will not miss that place. When I started grad school, people always wanted to go there. I'd be like, "but we can go to Town Hall." And they would say, "Bud Light for a dollar!!!" First year grad students are like freshmen with more money and a legal ID.
Cat, if it's the place I'm thinking of, right around the corner to the south-ish, it was/will be Mediterranean. It was supposed to open forever-ago and I have all but abandoned hope.
Huh, I thought Grandma's closed months ago. hweird.
Also, I stopped by Town Hall for the first time last Saturday, which is sad when I think about it. I had the Masala Mama and the cask Masala. I thought the first was good, but oh my god, the latter--I just about cried.
But after I got over my stubbed toe, I took another sip and thoroughly enjoyed my beer.
ranty is right, mediterranean. That spot has been a revolving door of restaurants for the last couple years: two different mexican restaurants, was then something else, then Calypso cafe for 5 minutes . . . and now a new sign.
kc- I used to go there a lot with my roommates when I first moved here. Thursdays were so horrible, packed to the rafters with frat boys and girls, it was about 9,000 degrees in there, and the stench of people was astounding. Good riddance.
I like how poor business decisions can now be blamed on the smoking ban and having to *gasp* pay people minimum wage. How is the hell can you not make a bar on a college campus profitable?
I'll tell you...Cocaine! I don't have any insider knowledge of the owners personal vices but jesus if you can't sell beer to college kids you might as well shoot yourself.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 9:08 AM on May 2
My secret spot on the west bank is sergeant preston's. It's in general quieter than town hall, it's faster service, and cheaper, and the food's not bad. However, when I'm really craving french fries, only the town hall will do, because they have the best in the city.
Thanks Ranty & Spaceman. I hadn't been over that way in awhile and I was hopeful.
Well, at least the tacky furniture store on the corner is gone.
Molly wrote what the chick friends and I were thinking when we read that article. Although, to be fair, CP isn't the only media company suffering from the lack of female writers.
My eight-year-old tantrum: In most cases, hits are very different from page views so it only muddies the water when talking about site traffic. Objective data? maybe, depending on it's usage.
»» Submitted by Cat_s at 9:09 AM on May 2
Wow. The prospect of T-Mullet getting picked to ruin the American Justice System as opposed to continuing his quest to turn Minnesota into a "cold Alabama" sounds like a pretty decent trade-off to me. I would even take my chances with that ham fisted Tranny over the current Eagan hillbilly we have fucking things up.
Other considerations for McCain's Cabinet:
Michelle Bachmann : Sexretrary of Heterosexuality Defense
That's a great clip! The historic value of the performance (historic for modern times, at any rate) is high. Prince shines! He provides the highlighted guitar work and seems to be showing Dhani that he can still do one of his signature moves (laying back while playing), albeit with a little assistance (this was a few months before his reported hip surgery, to be fair). Dhanni responds with delight and a big grin. It is eery how Dhani looks just like his father, especially when singing. To me, the star of the performance is Jeff Lynne and he provides the highlighted vocals for the tribute. He's played this song many times and can sing it like no other, in my opinion. I like the version he sang with George and Eric Clapton in 1987.
The remaining Beatles, with Eric Clapton, performed the song at the Concert for George in 2002. Clapton, in this version, provides both the guitar and vocal highlights, though Jeff Lynne is there to play along. Dhani Harrison, Billy Preston and many others are on stage.
You can download a much better version of the VH1 tribute here. Some people claim this is the better version, but I disagree.
We know Brian Daugherty, the guy in Duluth who blame his restaurant's failings on the smoking ban (now more than three years old, BTW).
He once tried to spin some numbers suggesting that the partial (back in 2004) ban was killing his Duluth flagship, but the tax reciepts showed that more people were going to the smokefree joints there than the year before. Oops!
Mayor RT made a special point of starting his smokefree tour of the city at Grandma's the night the ban began. Daugherty was more than happy to take the nonsmokers money then. I have never liked Grandma's much, so I walked over to Bullwinkles instead. So I guess it's my fault.
I did a bad thing and bought a PS3 and GTA IV last night. It's, well, amazing. I don't plan on getting much sleep or leaving my apartment for weeks to come. Except, you know, friday night, saturday night, and sunday this weekend for the parade!
»» Submitted by wayno at 9:19 AM on May 2
One thing there is no shortage of is numbers to spin.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 9:22 AM on May 2
Do you have George and the special tax rebate to thank for that, wayno?
I suppose now you will be riding around on your bike beating people in a rage to death due to the poor Liberty City transit planning.
I hope the May Day parade doesn't get rained out. If it does there probably will be more DUI's because smokers will be forced to drink in cars. Why does God hate smokers?!?
re: Grandma's My family and I went there with my cousin Ann before a Twins-A's game in 1989.
»» Submitted by kevin at 9:25 AM on May 2
Is it No Pants Day? A couple of years ago Cinco de Mayo and No Pants Day were on the same day, so I had a pant-less tequila party. Then we took our pant-less selves to the VFW later in the evening. Good times.
Bob, the plan is Musashi on the corner of 6th & Henn, after work. I'd say 5-ish.
My unsolicited parking advice is go for the surface lot across from The Loon & Champps.
»» Submitted by jane_ at 9:25 AM on May 2
p.s. All are welcome! If you are a lurker or infrequent commenter and feel shy about showing up, please do! It's a fun group.
»» Submitted by jane_ at 9:28 AM on May 2
Do you have George and the special tax rebate to thank for that, wayno?
yes I do.
I take out my aggression that GWB's economic failings have given me by spending the band-aid handout he's given me on something where I can be a mass-murderer and it's just for jks.
I suppose now you will be riding around on your bike beating people in a rage to death due to the poor Liberty City transit planning.
Actually, the train system in the game is better than anything we have in Minneapolis.
OH BURN!
»» Submitted by wayno at 9:28 AM on May 2
as much as I love the idea of a bunch of ladies running around in panties, the thought of probably twice as many men doing the same (and with liquor, possibly losing control of their ... propriety) is enough to keep me home. Also GTA IV.
»» Submitted by wayno at 9:30 AM on May 2
Aliecat - don't disregard the "allegedly" in there. Sourcing issues?
»» Submitted by hmmm at 9:31 AM on May 2
Very well done...would have like to have been there. Jeff Lynne on lead, good to see another Wilbury on stage. Prince adds a ton to the song, and has a rather dramatic exit as well. Dani sure looks like his dad.
g rote will not be able to make the the pantless HH tonight, but g rote's all-time-favorite band to see play live is playing @ the Entry Saturday night. he hopes to see you there.
»» Submitted by grote at 9:34 AM on May 2
My eight-year-old tantrum: In most cases, hits are very different from page views so it only muddies the water when talking about site traffic. Objective data? maybe, depending on it's usage.
Cat- in my former life of ad sales this was often my complaint. Objective only has meaning if you are honestly disclosing how your "hits" are being counted.
»» Submitted by mb@work at 9:35 AM on May 2
If you are a lurker or infrequent commenter and feel shy about showing up, please do! It's a fun group.
This meetup with be 100% Bobfree, so if that is an added incentive for you, please come! Jane is right, it is a fun group.
Kurtis: I'm a little depressed seeing that. I would like to live in my nice, comfy nirvana bubble where anytime bacon and good health co-exist peacefully.
Mb: Have I told you that I love you? To be fair, I don't think most sites are being dishonest -- I just don't think most know the difference and it's an often misused number.
»» Submitted by CatStillCan'tDecideHowSheWantsHerWater at 9:46 AM on May 2
Isn't Sgt. Preston's called something like Preston'z Way Rockin' Urban Pub now?
Very well done...would have like to have been there. Jeff Lynne on lead, good to see another Wilbury on stage. Prince adds a ton to the song, and has a rather dramatic exit as well. Dani sure looks like his dad.
Did anyone see the clips of him at the British Grammys a couple of years ago? The one where he was joined on stage with Wendy and Lisa?
It was shortly after he had vowed that he was never going to play anything from Purple Rain again, and yet they performed Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain, and I would Die 4 U.
I put in an offer on a house in SLP and its like 1 block north of the border of that mysterious toxic gas zone :(
Don't worry, we'll be neighbors and can wear our gas masks together.
»» Submitted by mb@work at 9:56 AM on May 2
My secret spot on the west bank is sergeant preston's.
That seems to be a more common bar name than I thought. There is also a Sargent Preston's in downtown Lafayette, IN.
The Minneapolis one is now "Preston's Urban Pub," with a little fresher decor inside. The service (and food) must have improved since my experiences on their patio. I suppose my friends and I just weren't pretty enough to be served in a timely fashion.
»» Submitted by SpellsGood at 9:57 AM on May 2
Its oftly close to the high school so you would think the EPA wont take to many chances...but I am a little worried about resale value.
Anyone have suggestions on free software for landscaping planning?
I just want something really simple for my yard but I want to be able to plot out where the trees are, the pool gets set up and the patio and the deck. I'm trying to build a cool computer controlled low voltage LED light installation in the back yard that utilizes empty gin and vodka bottles and would like to be able to to schematic drawings on the software to estimate distances and such.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 10:08 AM on May 2
I haven't played around with it but is google sketchup not up to the task?
I tried to go to a psychic once. Me and a couple friends did a drop in appointment. Before she got to us, the psychic had a "psychic emergency" and had to leave.
I get mad that I don't find out about stuff like this until it is too late.
I am woefully under-imformed of goings on around me.
»» Submitted by mb@work at 10:36 AM on May 2
I lived next to a psychic for almost three years, but I think it was just a front for a pimp.
»» Submitted by kevin at 10:44 AM on May 2
Is it possible to get a prescription for THC pills?
The Rat
Actually, there is. It's called Marinol and is marketed as a strong anti-nausea pills. They tried them on me when I was going through chemo, but they weren't working so I got something even stronger.
In the spirit of an Open Thread, I'll mention that for no reason, my office decided today would be superhero tshirt day. We've got an Aqua Teen Hunger Force, 2 Supermans, a Bob Dylan and a Warren Buffet.
»» Submitted by jane_ at 10:56 AM on May 2
Today's ridiculous youtube video via Maury
And yes, that baby totally does has his gift of gab.
Thank you for that vid bixby. I'm sort of tearing up here at my desk. Watching that video takes me back to when my wife brought me on to Montel's show and proved that I was indeed the daddy of our first born son. One of the top 5 happiest days of my life.
I also hate that we are suppose to get a big announcement today, so all I'm doing is waiting for it. I know they announced it to some people at the other building at 10:00, but where is the general email? Damnit. I need to know.
Is anyone here a big organic banana eater? I picked some up at Rainbow on Monday when they were awfully green, but they have yet to change color AT ALL.
How long until they're ripe, damn it? Yeesh, I just want a banana.
@joyride: we buy the organics from the quarry Rainbow and had that happen once, too, where they stayed green. It must have been all those organic preservatives. Now I don't get a bunch unless a couple are sporting a little yellow.
»» Submitted by Jared at 11:21 AM on May 2
Totally, Kevin, same place.
That's awesome. He drove a big white Escalade and sometimes a blue van. Always seemed to have beautiful women around. The best pimp next door moment ever was when he and a white guy got in a fight with some hispanic guys in the back yard and the hispanic guy kept hollering, "Fuck you, you Larry Bird. Fuck you Larry Bird!"
»» Submitted by kevin at 11:24 AM on May 2
My Super Hero T-shirt has Doug Henning on it.
»» Submitted by grote at 11:28 AM on May 2
Joyride, try putting them in a paper bag with an apple or a pear. That should do the trick.
Found on random green banana question/answer site:
"Organic bananas are wrapped in plastic because it helps speed up their ripening. All bananas are shipped green, conventional bananas take a quick stop in a room where they are blasted with a Ethylene Gas to hastens their transition from green to yellow. The organic bananas skip the gassing and are packaged in plastic bags where they naturally give off and bathe in the Ethylene."
I think you're right Alie. It would certainly explain the Doug Henning comments lately.
* sidenote, are you going home before going downtown?
»» Submitted by mb@work at 11:44 AM on May 2
I want to revisit Simpleton's question, because I also would like to hire someone to help me come up with a cool landscape design. I hate my ultra generic suburban backyard. Any ideas?
Joyride, try putting them in a paper bag with an apple or a pear. That should do the trick.
What other interesting food tips/tricks do we know?
Here's one.
In order to get some of bitterness out of cucumbers and really make them sweet, cut the tip off one end. Rub the part you cut off around the tip in a circular motion on the cucumber. Rubbing vigorously, a creamy white froth will come out of the cucumber. Now eat. It's noticeably sweeter. Learned this from a cook in India.
What? Did I say something? Why is everyone smirking? What?
A guy just showed up w/a Batman shirt, and another guy just put up a poster of the Flash. Now that may be taking it a bit too far.
»» Submitted by jane_ at 11:51 AM on May 2
@jderusha - I am looking for a landscaper too. I need to do something with that pool that doesn't hold water. I'm thinking about filling in half of it and landscaping the hill, adding a waterfall, and a pond.
OMG, I just Wiki'd Doug Henning and I did not know that he died in 2000.
So sad. I remember seeing him at the Orpheum when I was a kid. My mom agreed to see Doug Henning if I agreed to go with her to see John Prine.
Them were the days!
»» Submitted by Bx at 11:59 AM on May 2
Too bad John Prine didn't withstand the musical test of time like Doug Henning . . . oh wait.
I've just been informed that my favorite street vendor from my days in Milwaukee has his own Myspace page. Pepperoni! Cannoli!
»» Submitted by grote at 12:18 PM on May 2
got this email from my local police today...yet another reason to be wary of byciclists...
2nd Precinct Hightlight for the week of April 26 - 28, 2008
Summer/Jefferson NE: At approximately 10 pm officers observed 2 people riding bicycles without lights/reflectors on wrong side of street; investigation revealed 1 man had .380 handgun, with laser sight; he did not have a carry permit. Both individuals: Arrested/ WEAPON CID investigating
»» Submitted by cubbie at 12:25 PM on May 2
I'm always packing when I ride, so I can pop a few in any rude drivers' windows if they harass me.
no, I'm not. But maybe you should actually give me three feet while passing and not honk or yell shit just in case.
»» Submitted by wayno at 12:26 PM on May 2
* sidenote, are you going home before going downtown?
haha, well it probably wouldn't be, but I don't think that's going to happen.
I've got going out plans for tonight, tomorrow night and sunday afternoon. I'll have company around or be visiting folks most of the weekend, so really I won't even be around to play it.
»» Submitted by wayno at 12:36 PM on May 2
yes ma'am I would... I'll buy your first drink (and the pack of smokes I owe you) if you pick me up.
»» Submitted by mb@work at 12:37 PM on May 2
pretty rad.
the one on the george harrison tribute concert is better though.
it has mccartney and ringo in it.
they do the crappy 2 drummer thing with ringo though... why do they never let him man the kit alone!!! he's amazing.
»» Submitted by danny_m at 12:51 PM on May 2
Anybody know how to extend the life of a banana? I hang them, but they still barely last a week. If I throw one in my bag to bring to work, it turns brown and goes mushy. It infuriates me that we send shit to Mars but I can't get a banana that lasts two weeks.
»» Submitted by kevin at 12:51 PM on May 2
Yeah, buy them organic, green and not in a plastic bag, apparently.
The best way to extend the life of a banana: make banana bread when they get mushy. You can keep that for months if you store the loaf in the freezer, and weeks if you store it in the fridge.
Which reminds me, I've got some bananas to turn in to bread this weekend.
i usually throw even the brownest browning banana into the freezer. when frozen, they are perfect for making smoothies...you don't need to add ice that way.
»» Submitted by grote at 1:13 PM on May 2
Reminder to email me with camping location suggestions. Preferrably within a couple hours reach of the cities. mb21@live.com
Alie and I will send out some emails to those who think they might be interested soon.
Anybody got a sleeping bag they can share?
»» Submitted by Camp Counselor MB at 1:13 PM on May 2
Super, e-mail me your addy (I know the the complex, tho) and what time you'll be ready.
So, this Christian improv group punk'd this really Christian girl into believing that the rapture had occurred and she'd been left behind. Something tells me their going to hell for this hilarity. Totally safe for work (but not your soul).
If you have sex in a mummy sleeping bag, does that make you a necrophiliac?
»» Submitted by grote at 1:25 PM on May 2
Damn.... Johnson beat Livingstone in the London mayoral elections.
Out of curiosity, what's this say about the elections? Am I right that the elections today in the UK are sort of like our midterms? And isn't Brown and his party sort under fire a la Bush in our last midterms?
And aren't you voting today to replace cricket with baseball?
If you oversalt something you're cooking, add a starch to the recipe - potatoes or rice.
If your dog or cat has bad gas, give them a teaspoon or two of plain, non-fat yogurt. The probiotics will help stabilize the intestinal flora and cut the stink.
If it's difficult to cut raw meat against the grain, toss it in the freezer for a half hour or so, then it will be MUCH easier. Or, just sharpen your dull-ass knives.
Most butchers will sharpen your knives for you if you ask nicely and slip them a few bucks.
And remember, "cooked" alcoholic drinks have very little or no alcohol. I went to a party where they were serving "hot mulled wine" and people were like "OMG, I'm so drunk" and I was like "please."
»» Submitted by Bx at 2:16 PM on May 2
If your dog or cat has bad gas, give them a teaspoon or two of plain, non-fat yogurt. The probiotics will help stabilize the intestinal flora and cut the stink.
Or, you could just send them over to Bud Jr.'s house.
And remember, "cooked" alcoholic drinks have very little or no alcohol. I went to a party where they were serving "hot mulled wine" and people were like "OMG, I'm so drunk" and I was like "please."
I am not a kitchen Chemist but I believe the level of alchohol lost to cooking is directly proportionate to the heat at which you "cook".
the idea that alcohol evaporates in most or all forms of cooking is, by and large, not true.
I knew it! I can't count the times I passed out on hot sunny days, perhaps at Phish shows, in hopes of waking up with the booze evaporated out! But no! Just a wicked sunburn.
nate...try stimulants. they lower your boiling point.
»» Submitted by grote at 2:45 PM on May 2
The image of a beet-red nateek dressed in manpris and a tie-dyed tank top is not a pretty one...
»» Submitted by mb@work at 2:46 PM on May 2
Nate everyone knows you gotta dance it out doing the "hippie dance".... you know the one....come on you know you did it....the dance were you look like an old man with a bad back pulling rutabagas from the ground and periodically playing the air drums....
Hey when people get to Musashi's in a couple of hours, they should sit on the site that is on 6th street, not necessarily in the bar area but where there are tables - the area next to the bar.
Shh... I just ducked out of my conference in downtown St Paul to join you guys (last speaker was a total waste of O2). Aiming for between 4:30 and 5 too.
The best way to extend the life of a banana: make banana bread when they get mushy. You can keep that for months if you store the loaf in the freezer, and weeks if you store it in the fridge.
That's what everyone tells me, but that kinda defeats the purpose of a healthy snack.
Also, if you're going to use bananas for bread, you can peel them, put them in a freezer bag and freeze them until you have time to make the bread.
Make sure to peel them, though, because they'll explode and make a terrible mess when they thaw.
So, I just got home from a fine time with my fellow MNSpeakers, and I just realized I now owe someone for my drink. I'll get someone's next time, I promise!!!
Happy Cinco de Mayo, MNspeakers! I usually celebrate with the outstanding hand-shaken (ask for the La Senora) Margarita from Boca Chica, but business calls me elsewhere today. My gift to you: The Drinks of Cinco de Mayo.
