I'm Ready For Some Football!

The Vikes begin their season on Sept. 9th at home against the dog-hating Atlanta Falcons. We are not going to get NFL Sunday Ticket, so I won't see many Vikings games this year, but I'll be rooting for them in my heart.

So, next sunday I'll put on my Vikings jersey and Kristi will wear her Helga Helmet. It's purple power time! Go Vikes!

An Insider's Guide To Minnesota, Part I (post script, part II)

It's not a logical or consistent position, so don't try to argue with me.

Yes, I own a St. Paul Saints baseball hat, yes, I've been to Taste Of Minnesota at the "Capital," yes, there are some beautiful neighborhoods in St. Paul, and yes, I had relatives who lived in St. Paul.

That's not the point.

An Insider's Guide To Minnesota, Part I (post script)

In Minnesota, people who do not live in Minneapolis or that city East of Minneapolis, refer to the two as "The Cities." Thus, a conversation in Duluth might be:

"Whatcha doin this weekend?"
"Oh, we're goin to The Cities to do some back-to-school shopping"
"That should be fun"
"You betcha"

I grew up hearing these conversations and accepting them because concessions have to be made for those who live in Rural Minnesota (ANY city other than Minneapolis or that city East of Minneapolis including Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester). Rural Minnesotans have enough to worry about (food, shelter, winter boots) without worrying about the significant differences between Minneapolis and that city East of Minneapolis.

But, when I was asked, "Are you from The Cities" or "Do you live in The Cities," I would always respond "I'm from Minneapolis."

An Insider's Guide To Minnesota, Part I

I was born and raised in South Minneapolis. I went to Page Elementary School, Susan B. Anthony Jr. High School, and Washburn High School. I went to the State Fair in August, the boat show in January, and I rooted for the Twins and Vikings because I, like most Minnesotans, believed in loyalty, hard work, and the ability to overcome large obstacles, including terrible seasons and better teams!

There's a good chance I'll move my family back to Minnesota. My wife mentioned moving to St. Paul and didn't realize what a nerve she had hit.

I'm from Minneapolis. I wasn't aware of the existence of St. Paul until I was in high school and by then I knew only cheeseheads would live in such a place. In my heart I knew Minneapolis was the real capital of Minnesota. I couldn't point St. Paul out on a map because it wasn't on our maps. Although the State Fair was in St. Paul, it was its own territory, much like an embassy in a foreign land. St. Paul didn't have Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Lake Nokomis, or the Minnehaha creek.

Bodie loves the Twins song. This is the version he's learned:

We're gonna win Twins
We're gonna score
We're gonna win Twins
Watch that baseball soar
Knock out a home run
JOIN THE HIT PARADE
Cheer for the Minnesota Twins today!

In St. Paul, JOIN THE HIT PARADE is replaced by SHOUT A HIP HOORAY. How can they even call themselves Minnesotans?

So, I calmly informed my wife that I COULD NOT live in St. Paul.