It's official, Obama announces his democratic ticket at the Excel Center.

I think unless you are completely ignorant and/or a masochist, we’re all ready for “the change” in America. The end of monkey/president comparisons and ridiculous military campaigning has more than run it’s course (by more than 4 years). Personally, I’ve ridden the fence between Hillary and Barack thinking that they’re both excellent candidates with strong qualities to each. But mostly I’m eager to see a liberal approach open the White House windows and air the damn place out.

From Barack Obama tonight:

…tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another — a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

It certainly will be interesting to find out how the next few weeks will compare. My hope is that Obama does indeed select Clinton as his running mate and we get the best of both worlds.

Now — who else is gonna plaster their car with Obama support stickers for the Republican Convention this fall?

What's this? Diablo Cody's back on the market?

[ears perk up — huh? what’s that?]

And she’s got new ink to cover the old to prove it. Photographers were all over this at her Juno premier with Jonny on hand regardless. I think it’s great when two people decide they need to move more apart than more together and can still be on the same team. It certainly is more of a challenge after a relationship, but a friendship is always worth saving.

Good karma to you both. Now go see the movie — out in theater’s now! And — have you read her book yet?

Road Construction, 35W-62 Interchange

The current state of failure
Traffic stopper at 35W & 62.
click to enlarge

We drive through this mess each Sunday on our way to brunch. Each week, there’s more ripped apart and more orange cones set up. Lately, there’s the addition of large vertical steel beams in various locations between 35W south and Highway 62. I speculated that they must be creating a new overpass directly over the current interchange failure.

So what are they doing here? I wasn’t too far off in my guess. read more »

35W Bridge Collapse

There’s not much that can be said that hasn’t already been beaten to death by the media, but pictures speak for themselves. Explore the gallery of images below taken from the CBS website. (Click the read more.)


I was on my way home from Home Depot with a few drywall supplies when the announcement came over the radio. I tried to call Jen and like we were later warned, I had a heck of a time trying to get through. On arriving home, we remained glued to the TV straining to recognize any of the vehicles and watching in horror at the scene.

Unlike 9/11, Minneapolis was spared the massive body count. It could have been a lot worse. Had not construction tied up all but two lanes, there would have been three times as many cars dropping to their doom. But even one life lost is still a tragedy. I can’t imagine what someone watching the news must feel after seeing their loved one’s car buried amidst the rubble.


My friends and I have been busy text messaging, emailing and myspace bulletin posting to let each other know we’re ok. It’s scary to think of whom you might know that was on that bridge. So far as I know, everyone I know is accounted for and was not involved. I hope everyone you know was safe at home or away from the bridge, too.

It’s a sad day as we all think of the victims and hope for the best. No doubt we’re all talking with someone about the incident now. Or at least later on break standing at the water cooler. read more »