Posting Post-Minnesota

The first blog after my annual trip to Minnesota is always the most difficult for me because, well, what the heck am I gonna do to top that!? I just never manage to think of anything as fun or as intellectually stimulating as my time hanging out in Mankato. But, alas, 2 weeks have passed and my rejuvenated blog is looking to have already become forgotten and neglected, so...I'm just gonna get this post out of the way and pray something blogworthy comes my way soon. Clarification: hopefully something POSITIVE and blogworthy comes my way soon. Not really prepared to handle catastrophes at the present time (who ever is, but still).

Anyway, this past week saw the end of my first semester of high school instruction. The students genuinely like me and I've even managed to build name recognition with students I don't even have in class, so I'm taking that as a good thing. The student work I have managed to hang up in the hallways has been very well received by staff and students alike and as yet, none of it has been defaced (knock wood). In fact, the principal put a Thank You card in my mailbox the week before last thanking me for what I've contributed thus far. The yearbook is still creeping along, but I feel in my gut that once we have a ton of photos taken the pages will just sorta fall into place, so I'm trying not to stress out too badly there. The handful of students I have selected seem dedicated and motivated so I hope I can sustain that level of interest and enthusiasm within them. I'm confident that I can. I just am a natural worry wart.

So there it is, my lackluster post-Minnesota post. I quick shout out to my friends in Minnesota. Thanks again for making my visit so wonderful. I miss you all. Except you Blue, you bathing suit munching, pathological liar. Just kidding, Buddy, you crack my shit up. What's that? No, that does NOT mean you now have permission to put your nose in my crotch next time I visit---sheesh!!!

A Happy New Year

Well, my annual trip to Minnesota has come and gone and each year just seems to top the next...(Although, admittedly, it was pretty easy to top the year I DROVE there and then tangled with a horrendous ice storm on the drive back. Ah yes, Northwest Airlines is my friend.)

Speaking of friends, first and foremost, I gotta say I always enjoy visiting and hanging out with Chad, but this time, he really outdid himself. He suffered through personal embarrassment (Crayola crayons will never be looked upon the same forever more, which is tough considering I have to use the suckers on a fairly regular basis at work), personal sacrifice (I knew I snored but Obstructive Sleep Apnea?---Holy Crap! Sorry about the loss of sleep there bro.) and personal disappointments (Car difficulties and a missed Improv performance due to extreme snow and the aforementioned car difficulties to name just a couple.) Yet through it all, he was never lacking in the host department. A truer friend twas ne'er had by anyone.

And to the other major players:

Jean. It was excellent getting to see you and Shannon again at the MMC of all places, but getting to also hangout in Mankato was fun too. I had no idea how competitive you were with regard to boardgames and am impressed at just how much we managed to be on the same wavelength ("There. That's all you get." A small circle.--"Marble?"), or how devilishly filthy (Limerick Night at McGoff's) which by the way, thanks for the baptism by fire. I fully expected maybe one limerick about me but DAMN! Brutal much? It's all good. You must think highly of me to rake my nether regions over the coals like that.

Liz. What can I say? You are awesome. I truly enjoyed meeting and getting to know you. I love your quizzical nature. It's infectous. I rather like it. Much better than that stuff I had to take penicillin for. Just kidding...(Seriously, Jean, I'm just kidding around. Stop writing a limerick about me having an STD! It was a joke!) I marvelled at your creativity and resourcefulness as well as your handywoman skills. You also were one of my prize art students during my visit. (Chad of course being the other one---I'm not the kind of teacher to play favorites.)

Greg. You got me to eat sweet potatos AND keep them down. My own mother couldn't do that, not even when I was an infant. Seriously, I appreciated the great food you prepared and shared. Chad informed me you were a great cook and it definitely wasn't hyperbole. Keep me updated on the Ramoans.

Blue and Fishsticks. Thanks for providing excitement and entertainment. Oh why the hell am I typing THAT...Like you two read blogs. Fishsticks has naptime to catch up on and Blue, seriously man---like you have the attention span to finish a sentence. Blue. Stop telling stories. No one believes that you're a Rhodes Scholar. No, you do NOT write Liz's papers for her. Now, Blue, I was there---you did NOT suggest to Jean that she use the word "Vageener"...I did. (Just kidding Liz, that was ALL you.)

Xtina. You hate me now don't you? (Had a great time meeting you and drinking out of your glass.) Next time maybe you and Ben can stick around a while so I can get to know you both better, instead of running off to New York.

Not to slight anyone else I met and hung out with this trip, but it's really late now and I need to get some sleep. Minnesota rocked once again this year and I couldn't think of a better group of people to have begun 2007 with. Thanks for making me feel so welcome and for never allowing there to be a dull moment. And Chad, as always, you're one hell of a great friend.