An Olio
a miscellany of thoughts

April 28, 2005

 

Best 2005

The City Pages annual Best of the Twin Cities is out. It's always a fun read. There are some problems. Though it's improving, it's still far too skewed towards Minneapolis "bests".

There are the usual incomprehensible editors' choices, such as Cindy Brucato as best television news anchor. But my favorite "you've got to be kidding" entry this year is naming Slanderous Minneapolis as the best locally generated blog. It's a fake blog. (And the print is too tiny to read easily.) While fakes are an inescapable part of blogdom, in my book they shouldn't be considered for a "best" distinction in competition with real blogs.

 

No Law?

It appears that the concealed weapons gun permit law may be dead for this session of the Minnesota Legislaure. The statute was passed last session but later declared unconstitutional. Although the court's reasoning was on a technicality rather than the merits, hopefully the law will not be reenacted.

April 27, 2005

 

Panhandlers

What do you do when confronted by a panhandler? If someone approaches me on the street, I always say I have no money. Today I was coming from the library and was waiting in the St. Paul Hotel entranceway for a ride home in the hotel van, which they sometimes graciously provide me.

A man approached me and said he was waiting for a friend who was in the bathroom. He said they needed money for bus fare to Minneapolis and if they didn't get back in time they would lose their beds in the shelter. I do know that is a rule. He looked "normal" and not excessively scruffy, whatever that signifies.

I happened to have $2 in change and I gave it to him. I don't know why. Maybe I thought he was telling the truth. Though thankfully I've never been homeless, I do know what it means to be down to your last few dollars.

These days so many people are homeless, or can't make ends meet even working more than one job. It's so sad and overwhelming. I don't know what my $2 was used for, but I hope it was for a real need.

April 22, 2005

 

It's on My Wish List

I read a review of iTreoPod and I want one. I have neither a Treo nor a iPod. My children are good at making sure I'm up to date technologically, so I'll put an iTreoPod on my Christmas wish list and maybe I'll be lucky enough to receive one. I already have lots of duct tape.

 

The Death of Cinema?

There's an article in this week's City Pages by Rob Nelson from the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. Featured are Martin Scorsese's views on film preservation and the effects of new technology.

April 21, 2005

 

JibJab for Passover

JibJab has a new cartoon, just in time for Passover. It's called Matzah!

April 20, 2005

 

Catholic Women: No Changes?

In an article in today's Chicago Sun Times Carol Marin writes about the views of some about the effects of the election of Pope Benedict XVI on Catholic Women.

April 19, 2005

 

Cookies With Pie

I'm quite fond of pie, but I can do without this PIE.

April 17, 2005

 

It's Never Too Late

If you ever get the idea that you're too old to do something, this article about a 101-year-old Ziegfeld Girl is a good inspiration to go ahead. There's also a short article in the New York Post about Doris Eaton Travis.

April 15, 2005

 

Lagnaippe

Lagnaippe is a word used particularly in Louisiana. It means "a little something extra", like the 13th donut in a bakers' dozen. But lagnaippe can be anything anywhere, often a pleasant surprise, which I had today.

So far this spring in Minnesota temperatures have been 20 - 30 degrees above the normal 40s and 50s. I don't do well physically when it gets over 65. I take the bus and sometimes drivers don't turn on the air conditioning even when it's over 90. Some claim that's because the air makes buses slower, a claim I don't believe. At any rate, I was pleasantly surpised to find when I boarded the bus to go home that the driver had the air on. A good lagnaippe for me!

 

It's About Time

News articles frequently include references to a woman's appearance, but rarely to a man's appearance. An exception is an article in today's Washington Post by Robin Givhan about John Bolton, nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, Bolton's Hair: No Brush With Greatness. Though the article is written in a serious vein, I think it's a hoot.

 

I Scream, You Scream....Fido Screams?

Yep. In spring we shake off winter and return to some favorite haunts, among them the local ice cream shop. Often you're accompanied on your jaunts by your best friend. If you go to one of the tastiest ice cream parlors in the Twin Cities, Grand Ole Creamery at 750 Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Fido can have a treat too. It's called Frosty Paws and costs $1.95. Since I don't have a dog, alas, I haven't bought a Frosty Paws. But I think it's a clever marketing idea.

April 14, 2005

 

Chinasaurs

There's always something new to see and do at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Now through May 1 the Chinasaurs are on exhibit. The collection feature the longest-necked creature ever found, the mamenchisaurus. Mighty impressive.

 

Why Blog?

There are many reasons to have a blog; here are some of mine.