Aaron Landry

For the last few days there has been an a very bright UFO over Minneapolis. Sometimes it takes a trip over to Saint Paul. I first noticed it last night on my way home on I-94. It took quite a long time to figure out what it was: a blimp that says “Enough is Enough” on one side and “Had it up to here?” on the other.

There’s a good thread about it at MNspeak.com where nobody seems to be able to figure out what it is about. A report by WCCO, our local CBS affiliate, didn’t add much more information about it but the reporter did get a ride in it. Good for them. The notable part of the story for me was that this is apparently going to go on for one month. Either way, nobody in the city seems to know what the hell this thing is other than that we are being eaten by a viral marketing campaign of some sort.

My guess? A month from a few days ago when the blimp started flying puts us to election day. Peter McLaughlin, who is running for Minneapolis Mayor happens to use the exact same typeface and colors on all of his stuff. He isn’t doing terribly well against incumbent R.T.
Rybak and needs a new curveball. Seems mostly logical to me, but it doesn’t sound like it would be a good campaign tactic unless he can explain what we are having “enough” of. It also doesn’t explain why it went over Saint Paul for the Minnesota Wild season opener as he’s not running for Saint Paul mayor. It would be horribly expensive as well. Peter McLaughlin would be named the “Blimp Mayor” for the rest of his life. I hope I am wrong. Although it is weak, it’s my best guess so far.

Here’s a photo of the blimp posted by MNspeak.com user solace next to a Peter McLaughlin lawn sign a block from me.

Update (13 Oct 05): C.J. has the scoop today on the blimp.

Hanging out at the fire with members of the Minnesota Geocaching Association after our event and meeting. Good times.

Out with Bill for a bite, drink and Golden Tee. The waitress served us the best Sparksbombs I have ever had. Even in stemware. Amazed they even had Sparks. What a treat in the middle of greater Minnesota.

Geocache in a mall parking lot in central Minnesota near Brainerd. Bill and I never got out of our cars. We needed each other on both sides to get it. We owned it with teamwork!

Late last week the radio in my hiptop died. Sad. Right after my warrantee expired too. So while I figure out what to do about replacing or repairing it, I’ve been using a Nokia 6610 and my friend Dave Lee’s old Color Sidekick with a broken backlight. Last night, Bill and Kim let me borrow their old silver cam so I can at least post something!

This is what I would have posted photos of if I had a hiptop with a camera at the time:

Last Friday: Had dinner with my grandparents, extended family and Masako Memezawa, a friend of my grandparents from Japan who stopped in town on her way from São Paulo where she was at a conference. Although the language barrier was sometimes difficult, it was very good to see her again and talk about some of the music she listens to, what her family is up to and how her trip was. She repeated an invitation to me: “You are welcome to Japan.” I must take her up on this when I am able to.

Last Saturday: Future cousin-in-law Walter’s bachelor party. Long story short I had too much to drink, my cousin Nick got kicked out of Drink in Uptown and I barely remember my bus ride home. Photos would have been good.

Last Sunday: Dixie’s Calhoun to play Scrabble with Barry, Karyn and Bryan. I won the first two games, and Barry and I tied the third.

Tuesday Morning: A new IHOP opened right near my work at 6am. Co-worker Nick and I were one of the first customers. Quite exciting, except it was as if the entire staff was on their first day at the job. Overly friendly, though. Fantastic chocolate chip pancakes.

Tuesday Evening: Meeting at my mother’s house with my stepfather Randy and my sister Amy. Still trying to figure out how to get my mother’s assets and estate handled. It’s been extremely rough. I think we’ve just turned a corner and we’re beginning to head in the right direction now.

Wednesday Evening: Bill lends me his silver camera and I take the photo of him and Kim, and in the late evening Amy Berg comes over and she smoked me in Cribbage 2-4. I’m glad I didn’t quit when it was 0-4.

Today, I’m heading up to Brainerd, MN for a geocaching event that the Minnesota Geocaching Association is hosting. My last day as a Board member is Saturday.

We’ll see how the old silver cam works out.