Winter Blast

Remember this nice picture, well here's the after shot:

Yep, we got hit with a real midwest snowstorm. We've had at least a foot this weekend - I think it's actually probably closer to 14 or 16 inches. I ended up having to work Saturday morning. I typed in the crawl that runs on the bottom of the screen and helped with our morning show. So, more overtime. Then, I went to the Saloon and drank a bunch of screwdrivers! And, kissed the bartender. Twice. Here's what it looked like after I left work Saturday around noon:

Not bad, right. Well, here are a couple more shots from my neighborhood today:

The thing I really dislike about snow is driving in it, and seeing my car is still in Oregon, I don't have to worry about that! So, I've just been treking around, helped push out two people who got their cars stuck, so I've even done my good deeds for the day. Now, I'm just enjoying some coffee and waiting for the Oscars. I really want to go downtown and toss a couple back, but I'm trying to behave myself seeing I have to go back to work tomorrow. Oh, and have I mentioned the ex is coming to visit next weekend? I'm really looking forward to it. He's never been here so it will be fun to show him around. Well, hope you're having a fun weekend. Stay safe. By the way, I'm routing for "Little Miss Sunshine" for best picture. It's the only one of them I've seen this year!

Snowy Saturday

OK, I forgot my camera connector so I'll have to post pics later. We basically just got a couple of inches of slush overnight, now the real snow has started and we're supposed to get 6 to 10 inches. Of course, when I posted yesterday I forgot the fact that I'm working in TV again, so I had to work this morning at 5am - yuck! It wasn't bad tho - I just typed the crawl that people see running on the bottom of the screen and helped with the hour morning show, so I got 7 hours of overtime for a pretty easy amount of work. I did go out for a couple cocktails last night even though I had the early schedule - I just needed it. Now, I think I'll go do a little shopping, then hit a nice watering hole for a couple screwdrivers before I go home to take a nap!

TGI Freakin' F!

I'd forgotten how long the week feels when you only have one day off on the weekend, so despite our impending storm, I'm very much looking forward to a couple days off. Besides, the Oscars are on, and I'll be heading down to the Brass Rail immediately after work for two-for-one of these:

Wow - that's a nice looking cocktail - besides, I'm really happy because I'm down a pants-size and I'm wearing a shirt I couldn't fit into a month ago - wahhhooooooo!!!! I plan to be down another pants-size by summer - my goal is to look sleak by gay pride. Have a good weekend everyone, I'll be monitoring the storm and posting some good snowy pics and maybe even a video or two!

The Perfect Storm

We're battening down the hatches, waiting for what our weather people are calling, "The Perfect Storm." We could get a foot of snow this weekend, so I took some "before" shots. Take note of the bare ground in front of the house.

And, a look down the street in the hood. I can't believe we're going to have to give up our little taste of spring already, but for some odd reason I'm kind of looking forward to a big old blizzard. I don't have to worry about driving in it, so I'll just take pics and play in the snow. Finally, here's a shot of downtown Minneapolis:

Post Fat Tuesday

Hey all - did you go out for Fat Tuesday? I did, but not to a traditional party - I went to watch American Idol, and I must say, most of the boys were quite disappointing. None blew me away, in fact, I can't really remember any performance that stuck out enough to comment on (and that wasn't because I had too many vodka crans.) Based on cuteness, my favorite so far would be:
Blake Lewis. He's the beat-boxer although he didn't do that last night. On the home front, it's a really nice day. It's supposed to get up into the 40s, and it was already nice coming downtown for work - of course, I forgot my camera at home, grrrr! But, trust me, it's a great day. Although, we may get slammed with a sleet/ice/snowstorm this weekend. Figures! Well, hope you're all having a good week. We're half-way to the weekend!

I'm Still Here

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I was going to post yesterday, but I got called into work - someone was sick, so I went to fill in. Normally, I wouldn't be thrilled with losing my Saturday, but the overtime will be nice right about now. I finally got my first paycheck on Friday. What a great feeling! Of course, that meant I had to go out in style, so I bought myself a new little outfit last night at Macy's and then hit the town. And boy, did I hit it hard. I have to admit, I was feeling pretty ragged this morning. I would have been ok, but I ran into this guy I met last weekend, and he wanted to do a shot, so he ordered us up this enormous quart of liquor. Luckily, the pain has now gone away and I'm at my friendly neighborhood coffee shop.


It's a very gray and bland sort of day here, so this is a picture from sunnier days of my new little house. I only rent an apartment in it. It's a triplex. Haven't met the neighbors yet, hopefull when it's sunnier I'll run into them. By the way, did you all watch Grey's Anatomy on Thursday? Oh my God, when McDreamy pulled Meredith out of the Sound I thought I would swoon dead away. Hot! And, is Meredith really dead? I loved Izzy's speech at the end, too. I think she's a really great actress.

That show has really kept up its momentum in the second season. No letdown at all. And, combine that with Ugly Betty and Men in Trees and Thursday night is set. Well folks, time for me to check up on all of you and see what's new in your worlds. Hope you're having a great weekend!

Surprise

Well, I received a very nice Valentine's surprise yesterday - my ex sent me flowers at work. They were several of these:
Just the red kind, in a lovely cube-shaped container with lots of greenery and twigs. Very Pacific Northwest and very different from the traditional roses most people were getting. So, it was definitely a highlight of the day! After work, I went to the Saloon for a while. Ended up running into this guy I've sort of made friends with, so we had fun chatting, and they played American Idol so I stayed to watch that. All in all, not a bad day. Now, just two more work days and the weekend is here, and the best part is I finally get my first paycheck tomorrow, so I'll be able to really kick it up this weekend! Hope you all had a Happy V day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you get some pretty flowers or whatever makes you happy - and, if you don't have a significant other like me, get something special for yourself! You deserve it!

Sunday Walk

I went for a mega-walk Sunday and took some more pics. Found a great skating rink on Lake of the Isles and a great walking path that goes all the way around.

I'm headed into work. Hope you all have a good week!

Finally, Some Pictures

I braved the cold and walked down to Lake Calhoun so I could finally get some pictures. Here they are:

Can't wait to hop in one of these this summer!

I really like this tree!

Maybe I can finally get my cross country skis out of my parents garage.

This is how far I live from downtown. Just a stone's throw away!

Word Cloud

OK, I finally had to do one. It's kind of fun!

Saturday = Coffee

This is a beautiful sight. Seeing as it's a balmy 4 degrees above zero, I decided it was time to to do a little exploring. And, I was very happy to find this lovely coffee shop a mere four blocks from home. It may not look like much from outside, but it has an eclectic mix of tables and chairs, a lovely fireplace in the center, and a very interesting clientele. There are about 6 or 7 others on computers, many reading papers and books and even one table of guys playing cards.

Last night, I decided to go out for a few cocktails after work. After all, it's 2 for 1 until 8, so I had a couple at the Brass Rail, then when to the Saloon. Six vodka crans later I was feeling no pain. I did see someone from the past - the way past, about 15 years ago. He was a friend of one of my ex's. I recognized him, but he didn't see me. If he did, he might not recognize me anyway. I was a skinny little chicken back then. Not so much anymore. Thanks to all for your comments. I am going to get caught up on all of you now, as I haven't had much time to look through everyone's blogs. So, hope you're all having a great weekend. Kirk out.

It's Friday!!!

I'm just enjoying a nice cup of coffee before I head into the office for the final day of the week - yes, I made it through week 2!!! I just have to tell you, there's this really cute guy I've seen a couple of times on the bus. He gets on shortly after my stop, and gets off about the same time (isn't that convenient?) He's tall, has dark hair, stubbly face (which looks like it leads down to some loverly chest hair) and really big, brown eyes and a nice smile. I know he has a nice smile, cuz this dorky kid got on the bus today and did a funny little ballet move when the bus jerked forward, and the cute and I both saw and he smiled at me. I'll have to try to catch that same bus everyday. I don't really have big plans for the weekend - I'm fighting off some coldy-fluey type stuff so I think it will be time to chill and sleep a lot - maybe go see a movie. We'll see. Of course, I may get the urge to go cocktail. Who knows? You all have a safe and fun weekend!

Still Alive!

Hello all, I'm still alive and kickin', although I'm surprised I

haven't frozen in place yet. We're still living through our sub-zero cold snap. Let me tell you, my nerves are about to snap! It better warm up a little like they say for the weekend. I need a good long walk to work out the kinks! Work is going well. I am producing my newscast on my own. Still have a lot to learn, but yesterday was the first day I started feeling comfortable. Now that I'm back to work, I'm remembering how great it is to look forward to Friday! I'm fighting off a cold that's going around, so I plan to watch tv and sleep all weekend, and hopefully get outside and take a few pictures if it warms up. Well, I need to clear out some emails and then head over to work. Ya'll have a good day now, hear?

Minneapolis: Week One in the Books

Hey everyone! OK, I know I promised pictures, but it's too effin cold out to take any! It was 13 below zero this morning when I woke up! I did snap one quick shot of Nicollet Mall as I made my way to the trusty coffee shop with free wifi!


I survived the first week at my new job. There's so much to learn, but Friday I produced my first newscast. I had quite a bit of help, but seeing I haven't done a show in a year, I think I did pretty damn good!
It's been fun going out - last night I stopped for a few cocktails to celebrate the end of my first week. Can you imagine, you can get two vodka crans for $2.75 from 5-8 at the Brass Rail on Friday nights! I ran into a couple of different guys I'd met since I've been here and hide nice conversations with both. It's nice to be around guys who know how to hold a conversation again!
Well, I must take some time to catch up on all of the guys on my blog list. I was too busy this week to surf much, so it's time to catch up. Have a great weekend everyone! Stay safe! Go Colts!

Bingo Bango

Hey all! Two days left of my first week back to work! Last night I decided to take a mid-week break so I went out for Bingo at the Saloon - actually they call in Bango - not quite sure why yet, but I'll figure that out. Starting to settle in to the job a bit more, today I'll be doing some writing (I'm a tv journalist in case you're new here) and I'll have a final, key training session on the new computer system. So, hopefully tomorrow I can produce my first newscast. I finally bought a tv so at least I have the basic channels to watch now. Boy, it's tough being with a tube - you really feel cut off from the world. One last note, it's f-ing cold here. -2 this morning and it's supposed to stay around zero and colder for the next few days! Oh well, that's midwest livin'! Later all! I'll try to get some pictures to share this weekend - just haven't had time to snap any shots! Will also post more on hot boys and fun bars!