The bridge disaster put a hit on my carefully planned blog schedule. (I’ve been reading through the local papers from the first days after — I was out of town when it happened — and will offer deep thoughts in the not too distant future. I know, hearts be still.) But I gotta say something … Read more
I get a little grumpy every time I set foot inside the Town Talk Diner at 27th and E. Lake in Minneapolis. The decibel level is overwhelming, especially in the bar, which not only makes it hard to have a conversation, but pushes me towards morbid thoughts of how I am becoming one of those … Read more
My mother is a gifted caretaker. She’s nursed me through three births and two surgeries. I’ve watched her sit with dozens of friends and relatives who were sick or grieving. When I was very young, she volunteered at a hospital and I remember the things she told me when I would go with her: people … Read more
Looking for a great Fringe Festival show to see this weekend? Go see Ben Kreilkamp’s The Book of Pops. Here are a few video previews of some of my favorite scenes. The Book of Pops will be performed Friday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., at the Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake … Read more
Soooooo my sister is coming to town. With my natural hospitality tinged by a pinch of sibling rivalry, it means that I need to bring my A-game … without it seeming like I’m bringing my A-game. I have to pull off flavorful and different, while exuding simplicity and ease. Spain may be the key. I’ve … Read more
…if people who expect nothing come away empty-handed, then there really is no hope. —William Maxwell, Time Will Darken It The dead flicker like candles around you. They are burning their memories for warmth. —Kelly Link, “Flying Lessons” This world is full of war criminals, many of whom have never fired a weapon in their … Read more
It all started a couple years ago with Bob. Bob started video taping his 60-second rant and posting them online. These were your typical daily rants, rants about the news, rants about the world, rants about Tyra Bank’s dolphin phobia — Drinking with Bob — rants that you could hear at any bar on a … Read more
Notice: There is actually a respectable fashion event going down tonight. However, in my dual roles as theater and fashion writer (and a triple as a full-time employee), I’m afraid I’ll be missing Commingle in favor of catching one, maybe two Fringe Festival shows this evening. Nevertheless, my fashionable friends, this Commingle show was a … Read more
lucky boozers… Am I becoming disenchanted with my favorite show? I’m ok with cross-marketing when it highlights chefs and their restaurants, or maybe a high quality name brand ingredient or sweet blender or something. But I’m a little worried when Cold Stone asks the kids to come up with a Mix-In for ice cream as … Read more