Monthly Archives February 2006

Town Talk Diner, Minneapolis, MN

After years of waiting, the Town Talk Diner re-opened with a whole new interior, staff, menu and owners. I was meaning to get there earlier, but even a week and a half after day one, I was treated like a king. Everyone from the bartender to the owners were introducing themselves to me and making sure my experience was great, along with getting to know me on a first name basis without being intrusive. Throughout the whole visit I was sure that they knew I was “that guy that lives near here that writes stuff and takes photos with that phone and puts it all on his website” by the way I was served.

Drinks range from little 7oz bottles to premium brews to a 40oz of Mickey’s to $9 “Adult Malts/Floats.” I got one with OJ, Triple Sec and Grey Goose Vodka and it served in a glass with a stem but almost too heavy to carefully lift to drink. Awesome. Very nicely prepared. I dig.

Interior was modern. Respect to the old diner feel but not cliche and still very new. I was incredibly surprised to hear music from the forthcoming Flaming Lips album which is in no way released yet. Never thought I’d hear that in the wild before April.

Bartender ordered my sandwich wrong and he figured it out when the cook was bringing it out to me. He apologized and Managing Partner Tim Niver gave me a special visit on my side of the bar to make sure everything was ok, and I was still okay with my drink.

Before the sandwich I ordered came out, they brought me some mustard pickled eggs on the house. Nicely prepared and unique taste.

By the time I got my food, everyone seemed to know me on a first name basis. I enjoyed my sandwich and fries and before I signed out and left, the staff really wanted to make sure I enjoyed my food and had a good time. Tim gave me his business card as well at the end of our conversation. Can’t say that’s ever happened to me at a restaurant.

I am coming back and bringing friends… or a date.

Campaign Meeting

Some core staff of Alex’s campaign met to discuss strategy for the next week or so. Goal now is to focus on getting people out to the precinct caucus on March 7.

Today’s Mail: Flaming Lips and Crashing the Gate

A few initial copies of the Flaming Lips‘ “The Soft Bulletin 5.1″ DVD came with the wrong CD. The DVD is their brilliant 1999 release remixed in 5.1 surround. It is quite amazing. The CD along with it was supposed to be a “demastered” version of their 2006 5.1 release as they heard it at Tarbox Road Studios. What mistakenly was shipped was the original 1999 US version. Per a suggestion from George Salisbury I sent my copy and a short note down to the Lips in Oklahoma for a replacement. Today I got a handwritten note from Michael Ivins and the correct CD.

I also got an advance copy of “Crashing the Gate: Netroots, Grassroots, and the Rise of People-Powered Politics” by Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas ZĂșniga. Now I need to find time to read.

AfterHours Formalwear, Oakdale, MN

Getting sized up for Rob and Emily’s wedding in May. $145.33 for the tux rental. Rob says they are nice. My current sizes today in inches:

Chest: 47
Overarm: 53
Coat: 46
Waist: 37
Outseam: 40
Neck: 17
Sleeve: 34
Shoe: 10.5

Rex Sorgatz’s Party

Discussion on MNspeak
Chuck’s Video of the Party

Senate District 62 Candidate Forum

Higher resolution on Flickr: Senate District 62 Candidate Forum

Missing Mouse Mystery

I got into the office and my mouse was gone. I email the staff about it and 10 minutes later there is a ransom note on my desk saying that I need to put $100 in a specific locker by 13:00 or my mouse gets smashed. As I didn’t have $100 for a cheap old iMac mouse handy, I printed a $100 bill (Thanks to Bill’s suggestion, no pun intended). I then cleaned my desk from some junk and threw it in the locker with the bill taped to the inside. Co-worker Joe returns my mouse and is surprised to hear I got a ransom note. He knows nothing about it. So co-worker Nick gets motivated to be my private investigator but as of 16:48 we have no idea who left the note.

Compellent Storage Center, Eden Prairie, MN

Presentation at Compellent regarding their very cool SAN solution. Met with Phil Soran, President and CEO, Jim Rundquist and others.

Downtowner Car Wash, Saint Paul, MN

At the Downtowner Car Wash in Saint Paul getting an Express Detail. Got to use the gift certificate that Matt gave me for Christmas. Watched the latest Chasing Windmills and I saw a strange item before I paid: Tab Energy. WTF is this, I wonder? Being that everyone is all about the sodas and energy drinks at skholla.com, I had to do my part. I paid the $1.99 for it and I can broadcast that it is a silly drink.

Downtowner Car Wash
520 7th St E
Saint Paul, MN 55101
651-222-7045

Good Meetings

Good meetings are meetings with food.