June's Adventure
Well, another late update, and yet, the only person who does care if I'm let or not doesn't seem to care. But maybe that's a topic for another time. So I've done a bit of traveling in the last two weeks, so I guess that's what I'll be writing about for this entry. Unfortunately, I didn't go to the first concert i was thinking about going to. I didn't get very much sleep the night before, but I had to be up for an interview earlier that day, so I decided that while I could make it down there all right, I probably have difficulties making it back. And i really didn't want to get a hotel given the other trip I'd be taking days later, so I decided to skip it. It bummed me out that day, but ultimately I think it was a good call.
So the main trip I was planning on was to go up to Minneapolis to see They Might be Giants for the sixth time. I had my choice between seeing them either at Milwaukee or Minneapolis. I ultimately choice Minneapolis because I had some friends going and I could also visit some other friends. Milwaukee probably would have been cheaper though…and it's not like I don't have history with that city. But I hadn't seen a show at First Avenue in forever, and I'm not that big a fan of Turner Ballroom. So Minneapolis won out. And once I found a four star hotel for a little under $70, I was ready to commit. And then I made a huge mistake of staying up too late again the night before I left. sigh. This meant I ended up sleeping in a little too late. Of course, I didn't I'm not sure what i would have done had I left earlier though. Most of my bags were packed, so I was pretty much ready to go whenever. And I still did get to Minneapolis with plenty of time to do the things I wanted to do there anyway. The drive up went well for the most part. I didn't know where I was going to eat, but I had a real hankering for Chipotle. I used to eat their every week, but there aren't any around here. But I found one in Rochester, which was on the way. It was even on the sign form the highway! Unfortunately I had to go a little more down the road to find it, but it wasn't anything major. I got a little extra in case I got hungry later. It was kind of a late lunch, so I made it my lunch/dinner.
Anyway, it wasn't until I got to Minneapolis when I realized that I forgot my backpack at home. I called my dad to make sure that was the case, and it was. My computer and 3DS were in it, so it wasn't a disaster that I forgot it, but my contact case was also in there too. They are pretty cheap, but it seems like I only buy new ones when I forget to bring one on a trip. Sigh. I stopped at United Noodle because I needed some more Japanese hard to find ingredients. And then I made my way over to the hotel, and I had trouble getting into the parking structure. I thought my truck was too tall to fit. I didn't realize this until I got there, and then I thought I might be stuck. Fortunately, it did fit. And then I checked into the hotel, and wow it was NICE. it was the Hilton, and also part convention center too. It was weird being in one when a convention wasn't going on though. It was super nice, it made me feel like I couldn't afford to stay there. I wouldn't if I hadn't found that deal. My room was super classy, so and I was pleased to get a little taste of luxury. The view from my room was good, but not amazing. it could have been worse though.
After sitting around for a bit, I decided it was time to walk to walk to the concert since I was close enough. Before I left, I look at the email for my ticket. I thought I went with will call, but apparently I guess I did learn from my last will call experience and went with print at home instead. I called the front desk to see if they could help me, but they just told me about their business center. So I went to their, and after trying to figure out if I could just use my phone, I decided screw it, and just bought some internet time on the computer to print the dang things off. I think it cost me $3.00. Should have just had them mailed to me.. Then on the walk, I started to get a little cold. It had been warm recently, so I didn't bring a jacket or anything. So when I stopped at target to buy a contact case, I decided to buy a sweater or something. I ended up going with a button down shirt. I thought about returning it a day later, but ended up keeping it. It wasn't particularly warm, but it did the trick and kept me warm enough while waiting in line for the concert.
First Avenue had changed a little since the last time I been there. it looks like the front got a redesign. Also surprising: no more The Onion in the twin cities. When did that happen? Anyway, the inside was mostly the same, but the stage was a good foot higher. Almost eye level for me. Anyway, I ended up being front and center, but by the end of the show I drifted a meter to the right. My friends Scott and Krystal ended up being mostly right behind me, and it was cool to finally have someone to talk to. As for the concert itself, it was okay. I've never been to a TMBG show that I didn't enjoy or have a good time at, and this was no exception. But I've been to some pretty fantastic shows in the past, and this one just didn't quite compare. Still, I'm glad I went, and I had a great time. After the show we hung out with Scott's graduate school friends at an upscale trendy restaurant. I ordered a poutine that wasn't actually poutine. While it tasted fine, I was somewhat disappointed.
The next day I woke up and meet Scott at this Middle Eastern grocery store/ restaurant that had a buffet going. I proceeded to gorge myself on some very good mediteranian food. Buffets are deadly because I always over eat. Afterwards, we said our good-byes after picking up some middle eastern foods. I got sweets for my dad. I then proceeded across town to Mall of America. My brother was in town, so I thought it would be nice to get together and hang out with him for a while. We were going to do mini-golfing in Mall of America, but I found out that the Walker Art Center had set up artist inspired mini golf course in their sculpture garden, so I convinced them to try that instead. We still meet at Mall of America…because I assumed it was the only place they knew how to get to. I really learn not to assume anything with my brother. thinks I think would be common sense to me aren't to him. I could go into greater detail, but that'd be a bit rude. Suffice to say, it took them a while to meet me.
After I pieced them up, we headed down to the Walker. The mini-golf had an hour wait, so we signed up to do one course, then proceeded to walk to Sebastian Joes, a near by local ice cream place my friends introduced me to years ago. I remember from when I went to Rock the Garden that one year at the Walker that it was only a short walk away. Turns we had just enough time to get there, wait in line, order, eat, then walk back. The mini golf course was…interesting. A lot of the holes worked better in theory than in practice. And each course only had 8 holes, with the last hole being the same for both (meaning there usually was a back up at that point). Probably should have looked into it a little more, then I would have suggested we do both courses., but whatever. Afterwards I took them back to MoA, then drove to Eau Claire where I hung out with Dave again.
Hanging out with Dave is always fun, and since he's moving away soon, this probably was the last time I'd be at his place, at least while it was still in its full glory. We watched a couple movies, including the third Eva movie, which I was really disappointed in. I had brought my bike because I thought "eh, maybe I'll have a chance to get some biking in." It was the same bike that I bought in Milwaukee, and have since ridden in every city I've ever lived in except Eau Claire (and Hirakata-shi, but that doesn't count). I'm happy to say that not only did I accomplish that, but I also rode it every along all the old paths I used to take, and I even passed every single place where I used to live. Afterwards my map was a crazy figure 8 around Eau Claire.
And so that's what happened on my latest great adventure. Sadly, it will probably be my last for a while. Funds are getting increasingly tight, and the money I saved from my last job is almost gone. So that will probably put an end to my travels for the most part. Definitely won't be able to go to any more shows unless they come to Madison. I've started to bite the bullet, and apply for local jobs. I even got an interview for one too! But I think I torpedoed it because my heart is still in museum work, and I still have hope I can work something out. I've been great on applying lately, and I've had two interviews! One of which I don't think I'll get, but the other could go either way. So recently, I've just been sitting around, applying to more jobs, and hoping that I'll hear something positive. Something just has to change….
So the main trip I was planning on was to go up to Minneapolis to see They Might be Giants for the sixth time. I had my choice between seeing them either at Milwaukee or Minneapolis. I ultimately choice Minneapolis because I had some friends going and I could also visit some other friends. Milwaukee probably would have been cheaper though…and it's not like I don't have history with that city. But I hadn't seen a show at First Avenue in forever, and I'm not that big a fan of Turner Ballroom. So Minneapolis won out. And once I found a four star hotel for a little under $70, I was ready to commit. And then I made a huge mistake of staying up too late again the night before I left. sigh. This meant I ended up sleeping in a little too late. Of course, I didn't I'm not sure what i would have done had I left earlier though. Most of my bags were packed, so I was pretty much ready to go whenever. And I still did get to Minneapolis with plenty of time to do the things I wanted to do there anyway. The drive up went well for the most part. I didn't know where I was going to eat, but I had a real hankering for Chipotle. I used to eat their every week, but there aren't any around here. But I found one in Rochester, which was on the way. It was even on the sign form the highway! Unfortunately I had to go a little more down the road to find it, but it wasn't anything major. I got a little extra in case I got hungry later. It was kind of a late lunch, so I made it my lunch/dinner.
Anyway, it wasn't until I got to Minneapolis when I realized that I forgot my backpack at home. I called my dad to make sure that was the case, and it was. My computer and 3DS were in it, so it wasn't a disaster that I forgot it, but my contact case was also in there too. They are pretty cheap, but it seems like I only buy new ones when I forget to bring one on a trip. Sigh. I stopped at United Noodle because I needed some more Japanese hard to find ingredients. And then I made my way over to the hotel, and I had trouble getting into the parking structure. I thought my truck was too tall to fit. I didn't realize this until I got there, and then I thought I might be stuck. Fortunately, it did fit. And then I checked into the hotel, and wow it was NICE. it was the Hilton, and also part convention center too. It was weird being in one when a convention wasn't going on though. It was super nice, it made me feel like I couldn't afford to stay there. I wouldn't if I hadn't found that deal. My room was super classy, so and I was pleased to get a little taste of luxury. The view from my room was good, but not amazing. it could have been worse though.
After sitting around for a bit, I decided it was time to walk to walk to the concert since I was close enough. Before I left, I look at the email for my ticket. I thought I went with will call, but apparently I guess I did learn from my last will call experience and went with print at home instead. I called the front desk to see if they could help me, but they just told me about their business center. So I went to their, and after trying to figure out if I could just use my phone, I decided screw it, and just bought some internet time on the computer to print the dang things off. I think it cost me $3.00. Should have just had them mailed to me.. Then on the walk, I started to get a little cold. It had been warm recently, so I didn't bring a jacket or anything. So when I stopped at target to buy a contact case, I decided to buy a sweater or something. I ended up going with a button down shirt. I thought about returning it a day later, but ended up keeping it. It wasn't particularly warm, but it did the trick and kept me warm enough while waiting in line for the concert.
First Avenue had changed a little since the last time I been there. it looks like the front got a redesign. Also surprising: no more The Onion in the twin cities. When did that happen? Anyway, the inside was mostly the same, but the stage was a good foot higher. Almost eye level for me. Anyway, I ended up being front and center, but by the end of the show I drifted a meter to the right. My friends Scott and Krystal ended up being mostly right behind me, and it was cool to finally have someone to talk to. As for the concert itself, it was okay. I've never been to a TMBG show that I didn't enjoy or have a good time at, and this was no exception. But I've been to some pretty fantastic shows in the past, and this one just didn't quite compare. Still, I'm glad I went, and I had a great time. After the show we hung out with Scott's graduate school friends at an upscale trendy restaurant. I ordered a poutine that wasn't actually poutine. While it tasted fine, I was somewhat disappointed.
The next day I woke up and meet Scott at this Middle Eastern grocery store/ restaurant that had a buffet going. I proceeded to gorge myself on some very good mediteranian food. Buffets are deadly because I always over eat. Afterwards, we said our good-byes after picking up some middle eastern foods. I got sweets for my dad. I then proceeded across town to Mall of America. My brother was in town, so I thought it would be nice to get together and hang out with him for a while. We were going to do mini-golfing in Mall of America, but I found out that the Walker Art Center had set up artist inspired mini golf course in their sculpture garden, so I convinced them to try that instead. We still meet at Mall of America…because I assumed it was the only place they knew how to get to. I really learn not to assume anything with my brother. thinks I think would be common sense to me aren't to him. I could go into greater detail, but that'd be a bit rude. Suffice to say, it took them a while to meet me.
After I pieced them up, we headed down to the Walker. The mini-golf had an hour wait, so we signed up to do one course, then proceeded to walk to Sebastian Joes, a near by local ice cream place my friends introduced me to years ago. I remember from when I went to Rock the Garden that one year at the Walker that it was only a short walk away. Turns we had just enough time to get there, wait in line, order, eat, then walk back. The mini golf course was…interesting. A lot of the holes worked better in theory than in practice. And each course only had 8 holes, with the last hole being the same for both (meaning there usually was a back up at that point). Probably should have looked into it a little more, then I would have suggested we do both courses., but whatever. Afterwards I took them back to MoA, then drove to Eau Claire where I hung out with Dave again.
Hanging out with Dave is always fun, and since he's moving away soon, this probably was the last time I'd be at his place, at least while it was still in its full glory. We watched a couple movies, including the third Eva movie, which I was really disappointed in. I had brought my bike because I thought "eh, maybe I'll have a chance to get some biking in." It was the same bike that I bought in Milwaukee, and have since ridden in every city I've ever lived in except Eau Claire (and Hirakata-shi, but that doesn't count). I'm happy to say that not only did I accomplish that, but I also rode it every along all the old paths I used to take, and I even passed every single place where I used to live. Afterwards my map was a crazy figure 8 around Eau Claire.
And so that's what happened on my latest great adventure. Sadly, it will probably be my last for a while. Funds are getting increasingly tight, and the money I saved from my last job is almost gone. So that will probably put an end to my travels for the most part. Definitely won't be able to go to any more shows unless they come to Madison. I've started to bite the bullet, and apply for local jobs. I even got an interview for one too! But I think I torpedoed it because my heart is still in museum work, and I still have hope I can work something out. I've been great on applying lately, and I've had two interviews! One of which I don't think I'll get, but the other could go either way. So recently, I've just been sitting around, applying to more jobs, and hoping that I'll hear something positive. Something just has to change….