Bill Gates thinks while he works. Who knew? There’s an interesting piece on the Fortune magazine site about how various accomplished people work. One thing I noticed in particular is that so many of them work in a structured break time during the day, often including physical activity. I’m going to have to try that … Read more
So this fucking midget walks into a bar with a chimpanzee on his shoulders, right? It’s cold as shit, and both the midget and the monkey are covered with snow and frost; the chimp, in fact, looks almost like it could be dead. There’s not another soul in the bar but the blind bartender and … Read more
Oh Lordy. Once again, there’s so much great stuff going on tonight. I love spring. There’s The Rake’s own Gallery Grooves–a seen-and-be-seen affair taking place at Artistic Indulgence. Free wine, free cheese, plenty of pretty people to kick-it next to. Kevin Barnes from KBEM will be there, and he’s promising to spin some Fred Hersch, … Read more
“L’Atalante”, 1934. Directed by Jean Vigo; written by Jean Guinee, Albert Riera, and Vigo. Starring the incredible Michel Simon, Dita Parlo and Jean Daste. Now showing in the lecture room at the Walker Art Center, running continuously as the museum is open, every ninety minutes. I wish I had nothing better to do with my … Read more
There’s some all right stuff going on tonight: Jamie Lidell’s at the Varsity; Karen Armstrong–you know, that nun-turned-palatable pop theologist–will be speaking at Wayzata Community Church; Rebel Reels, short films by and about the world’s swelling population of Rebel Girls–such as myself, I’d like to think–are screening at The Center for Independent Artists. (Today’s rant: … Read more
Native Minnesotan women spend the majority of each year with their bodies covered from head to ankle out of environmental necessity. Somali women residing in Minnesota have a similar head-to-ankle requirement, although the practice of wearing a modesty-preserving veil, or hijab, has its roots in tradition rather than meteorology. Pitted one against the other: Which … Read more
Perhaps if Augusten Burroughs’ successful memoirs Running With Scissors and Dry hadn’t made addiction look like such a profitable publishing proposition, James Frey wouldn’t be tormented by persistent nightmares in which Oprah chases him down dark alleys brandishing his own shaken “memoir” and calling him a lousy liar. Burroughs is one of those writers who’s … Read more
Near Block E on March 31, spring arrived with a .44-caliber bang. The hero of the day was Minneapolis Police Officer Jomar Villamor, who quickly apprehended the suspect. It turned out that Officer Villamor was working off-duty, as were many of the police who responded that Friday night to the murder of a Minnetonka mortgage … Read more
Calhoun Square shoppers peek into Aura during the day and see no action, just stools flipped on top of tables. Dedicated purely to nocturnal enjoyment, the former 101 Blu space is atmospheric and alluring, ushering in nightfall early with a happy hour that includes delicious mini sandwiches–BBQ pulled pork, BLTs, and tangy El Cubanos. Unusual … Read more
The face of George W. Bush, sliced into eleven salmon-pink fillets, is neatly arranged on a six-foot banquet table in the sunken living room of a suite at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. This sounds like a liberal fantasy but in fact it’s a Republican one. The fillets are dusted with something that looks … Read more