Coffeeshop Chameleon

I was at a coffee shop in Minneapolis the other day and I saw this student stuying at a table. At first glance, she was dutifully typing on one of those new black Macbooks, but then I looked again, because something didn't seem right. For one thing, all the inputs were at the back of the computer, and there were all these jagged unclean lines around the screen panel. Then I saw what was going on.

She'd put a Apple logo over the top of the Dell logo, and it blended in almost seamlessly.

Sidewalk of the Week: Burgess Street

This week's sidewalk lies outside the site of last weekend's triple homicide, and about six blocks from my house. Even though the family that lived here is gone, people walking to this point have used the sidewalk to mark their presence, the fact that they have noticed, to symbolize their loss. Flowers, teddy bears, candles, and baloons gather together here, forming a community of tragic memory.

Sidewalk Flotsam #1

Making our sidewalks safer, one mattress at a time. Or: Yes, the old lady slipped and fell on the ice, but luckily she landed on a safety mattress!

[University Avenue & Highway 280, Minneapolis MN]




The "broken window theory" at work in a Saint Paul alley.

[Western and Front Avenues, Saint Paul MN]




What was the old saying? I think it was, "When you get to a fork in the road, take its picture."

[Western and Front Avenues, Saint Paul MN]

Those who Live in Ice Houses should not Throw Snowballs

My house is not the most insulated knife in the drawer, and after the snow and the sun come the sheets of icicle. The large one, blown up in this photo, is probably over six feet long.

Sidewalk of the Week: Western Avenue

The amazing thing about when snow comes is the sidewalk disappearing act. They're gone. Impossibly gone, buried six feet under. Then, the next day -- [poof!] -- they're back. How do they do it? Neighbors with snowblowers come by, pretending not to enjoy blowing the snow clear across the street. Plow drivers collect overtime. Guys with trucks get excited. Boots come out of the closet, and vast armies of shovels assemble like the mops from Disney's Fantasia. Even snowmobiles stop gathering dust. It's the economy of yesteryear.



This sidewalk on Western Avenue in Saint Paul was, like most in the Twin Cities this weekend, covered w/snow. Now its pristine concrete is back, ready to be trod upon.

Update:

As pointed out by erstwhile reader, Andrew, there is more snow at this very moment, covering the sidewalks all over town. I just saw the guy who works at the Potbelly Sandwich Shop struggling in vain to keep his sidewalk clear of snow. Ha! Fat chance. (Of course, he's only doing it because he's a low-paid fast food worker and will be fired if he gives up trying...)