Baseball and the 2014 All Start Game: Friends and Co-Workers

Meet Kim and Lisa!

They were sitting on the steps leading down to the where Young RY was going to play.  They are both teachers at Target Field in the "Learning for Baseball" program.  And, they were part of the huge American flag team at the beginning of the game.  They were resting up after an afternoon of rehearsals!

Thanks Kim and Lisa!

Baseball and the 2014 All Start Game: Musicall Entertainment with Young RY

Meet Becky and Ryan!

Becky was around the area the band was setting up and she noticed me with the camera.   So, she approached and asked if I could do a few photos.  So, we did a nice photo of her and Ryan:  a mother and son!

If my notes are correct, Ryan is the leader of the band:  Young Ry.

Becky is a published poet.   And, Ryan used to play with both the Jonas Bros and Cindi Lauper!

I took a few photos of the band setting up.  They are under the light rail tracks next to Target Field.  So, there was some noise with trains coming and going.

But, the crowd was enjoying the nice place to sit and could watch the band set up.

Thanks Becky and Ryan!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: 4

Meet Caitlin and Patrick!

I had walked past them a few times and my eyes kept coming back to them.  They were having so much fun together.  So, I finally had to ask to take their photo.

Patrick is Caitlin's father.  She had purchased the tickets to the game for his 74th birthday!

Well played, Caitlin!  Well played!

My sincere thanks to you both!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: 3

Meet Bob, Brian and Pam!

Bob and Brian are father and son.   Pam was enjoying their company on a beautiful, sunny, and slightly warm, summer day before the game!

My sincere thanks!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: 2

Meet Craig, Sam, Shari and Kate!

 

They are BIG Brewers fans (can you tell?).  But, it isn't that far of a trek to tropical Minneapolis when you are from Milwaukee.

 

They were having a GREAT time!

 

My sincere thanks! 

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: 1

It happened that I was in Minneapolis for business the day of the All Star Game.  So, while not having a ticket, I decided it would be fun to get photos of some of the fans.

Meet Nancy and Dean! 

They were the first people I ran into when I got to the stadium.  Both are long time Twins fans and had tickets for the game.   They couldn't wait!

Thanks to you both!

CHAOS to ORDER

You know you've been working too hard when you just can't stand one more bit of chaos. OK...I know it is 5:15 AM.  But, this just isn't right.   UTTER CHAOS.  How can the world continue like this?

Better.  Now, is that so hard?

Calming down.    Breathe deeply.    Count to...23....because there are 23 of those little cups of goodness back to where they belong.  

I need to find another healthy outlet!!


 

Toronto: Wrapping up

Just a few more pics of Toronto from downtown.

Yup...it is larger than Winnipeg! 

 

But, I did manage to get a good walk in and learned my way around a bit.
 

Toronto: A Lovely City: 4: The Founding Fathers

The image below is of a famous painting depicting the Canadian first Congress....or something like that.

But, I think this is a parody of it.  As I looked more closely at the image, there are some strange creatures and people in there!

• Notice the guy with the white Mohawk (4th from the left in the back row).
• Notice the guy in the blue baseball cap in the front center (just to the left a bit).
• Notice the mummy face 7th from the right.
• Notice the guy in the back right, against the window.  He has an arrow stuck through his head.  Was Steve Martin a member of the Canadian founding fathers?
• Notice the clown to the right.
• Is that Woody Allen in the back right, against the corner?
• Is that beer on the table (Molson, maybe?)
• What the hell is that giant moose doing looking in the window?
• AND, I think that is a pink or orange bra in the front on the dress...or night gown!

IF this is the legit copy of the famous painting, I think it is awesome!  Those Canadian's have a sense of humor!

 

Toronto: A Lovely City: 3

After my walk, I stopped at a local pub that looked interesting.
The images below were of the items hanging on the walls.

I liked this place a lot. 

If anyone knows anything about Canada, ice skates are a required piece of sporting equipment.

And, you need something to do indoors when it is -40C

But, I was perplexed with the phones.  They didn't make sense to me as part of the sports theme.
They were, however, interesting!

When I get back to Toronto, and I will, I am finding this place again!


 

Toronto: A Lovely City: 2

There is a tremendous amount of building that has taken place over the last 5 years.  And, it is still continuing.

The cityscapes are very nice, with the reflecting glass.

I think this was my favorite of the dozen images I took.   There is great contrast and color.

I actually have a photo of a brick wall.  I like it.  But, I will refrain from subjecting anyone else to my lunacy! 

Toronto: A Lovely City. 1

I occasionally get to Toronto for business. And, I must admit I like the city a lot.  It is a huge city.  Winnipeg is much smaller.  And, I love Winnipeg.  But, Toronto has it's own charm.

While there are no photos of people on this trip, some of the city is lovely.

The mural below is on the wall of a lovely little pub/ restaurant near the water. 

And, I very much liked the mosaic of bottle caps!

I think on my next trip, I may see if I can get to the top of the CN Tower.  There is a restaurant up there and, I believe it revolves.  It should be a breathtaking view of the city.

I wonder if anyone will mind if I hang out of the windows to get a good photo or two?

Wrapping Up Pride

Meet Michelle and Jon!

This was Michelle's first art festival where should could display her paintings.  
I hope it was a huge success!

Thanks Michelle and Jon!

Prepping for Pride: 6

Meet Tim and Denise!

They are the owners of Pure Goodness Minnesota.    They create and sell hand crafted luxury soaps.   And, they love going to shows and events all over the country.

Thanks Tim and Denise!   My sincere thanks.  And, best of luck with the business!

Prepping for Pride: The Smitten Kitten

Meet Jennifer!

She was very busy setting up her booth when I walked by.  But, she was gracious enough to let me take a photo and get a little information.  She is the owner of the Smitten Kitten. 

Thanks Jennifer.  It was lovely meeting you.  The best of luck with your business!

Prepping for Pride 5

Meet Lynn!

She likes to travel and enjoys going to different festivals around the Midwest.  She is from Wisconsin and her business was focused on rings and bamboo.   I looked through my notes but couldn't find anything about her business name.  And, I don't recall seeing the table set up yet. 

Thanks Lynn!   My apologies for not pointing to your business.
 

Sept 11th. May We Never Forget

It is amazing to me that so many years have passed and yet this still seems as a vivid memory.   I can scarcely imagine the terror of those on the flights, as they realized their fate.

And, I have seen images taken of the towers.  Some of those people waiting...hoping...praying for help.  Others, realizing there was no hope took matters into their own hands as to how they chose to perish.

Evil still lurks in the shadows.   It is not just in extremist religious views.  But, it is in intolerance of any part.  It is in the lack of respect for those who are different than us.   If we fail to understand tolerance, and embrace it, the hatred and killing will never cease.

We are responsible for one another.   I take that seriously.   I try to be kind and gentle.  I try to be open to the thoughts, opinions, and lives of others.   But, I cannot tolerate those who will harm others for their own beliefs.  These people must be stopped.

Prepping for Pride: 3

Meet Kanesha and Trevor!

They were setting up their booth advertising an all natural skin care product.  They got into their business because their daughter's needs.  

My sincere thanks!  And, good luck on the business!

And, by the way, this was a tricky photo.  The height difference was substantial!!  This angle worked to let me stretch the view to get them both into the frame! 

Prepping for Pride: 2

Meet Sarah, a self described "free-spirit". 

Sarah was setting up her booth, supporting her business of doggie daycare.   Check it out here.  I think this is a marvelous business idea.   Personally, I didn't initially see a big market for this.  However, I haven't had a dog for years and hadn't thought through the logistics of caring for one, being gone, etc..  

My daughter and her husband got a dog recently and I clearly see the value of letting the dogs run with other dogs and socialize.   At night, the dog is tired and sleeps. PERFECT!

Thanks Sarah!  You are indeed a free spirit! 

Prepping for Pride! 1

Because of an early drive to the airport on the Saturday morning of Pride, I decided to stop at the Pride festival.  It was still only about 7:00 AM and I knew there wouldn't be much going on. 

Meet Ho and Carley!

They have been best friends since college...something like 10 years ago.   They were setting up their booth to support Pro-Choice initiatives.

My sincere thanks to you both!

Red Green

I first ran into Red Green on public television, years ago on a dark and cold February night.  And, I was hooked.   Red Green is the character, and star of the Red Green Show.  I knew nothing about it when I landed on that channel that night.  But, after seeing just the one episode, I was hooked.

Uncle Red, Harold, and a host of other characters from the Possum Lodge let us poke fun at ourselves (as men, of course), and inspired the creative genius of males all over North America as long as you can use the Handy Man's secret weapon...duct tape.

Meet Red Green:

It isn't a great photo.  I took it after his one man show performance in St. Paul.  And, while I thought of bringing the camera to see whether I could get a photo, I decided against it because I didn't think I could get the normal up close and personal photograph that I like.  I was wrong.

After the show, I walked out and I noticed a roped area.  I asked what that was for and was told Red would be stopping to sign autographs and do photos.  So, I stood in line and got this photo with my iPhone.  

It was a sincere honor to meet him and shake his hand.  He has made millions of people laugh in the kindest and gentlest of ways.  And, I thanked him for it.

Thanks Red.   I hope to see you again soon and shake your hand.  It was an honor.



 

Visitors in the Hotel Bar in Nashville (Yes...there is more than one hotel bar in Nashville...but I am tired!)

In the hotel bar, a couple of tables had been pushed together and people began congregating around them.  They were having a WONDERFUL time....even before they ordered drinks!

It was clear they all knew one another. I had decided to not photograph them.  I just didn't feel well and I didn't want to intrude on their visiting.

But, as I was leaving, they asked if I would take their photograph!  

Here are just a couple of the group.

They are long time friends that all used to live near one another. Over the years, many have moved away.  But, they get together annually to catch up and have fun.

What a lovely idea.

 My sincere thanks!

The Bartender!

Earlier this summer I was in Nashville for business.  It was just for a couple of nights.  And, while I had a little time to visit a friend, I spent a fair amount of time in the hotel room doing work stuff.  

Fortunately, I had a nice bartender who knew how to make a good gin and tonic.   Although, that wasn't what I needed!   I seem to recall a little food poisoning on that trip.

Meet Ruth!

She was born in Costa Rica from missionary parents in the Eastern Orthodox religion.  She is also fluent in Spanish!

She was delightful, charming, and knew how to carry on a conversation. Exactly what a bartender should be!

And, she was well stocked!

Lois' Birthday Party: The Sax Player

Every party needs a sax player!

This gentleman had been in the band with Lois.   So, we had both keyboards and a sax. 

My sincere thanks!
 

The First Day of School for the Big D

It's a big day today.   The Big D starts kindergarten. 
It wasn't that long ago and you were sleeping over and moved to the big bed.

And, you learned to walk and crawl stairs at Papa's house.

And, Papa was there for that first jump off the diving board.

Go get 'em, Little Buddy.   You've got the world to conquer!  And, Papa will always be there to help.
You will be fine.  You will be MORE than fine.   You will be GREAT!

Love, 
Papa


 

Lois' Birthday Party: Family

It was nice to have Lois' kids join us.

It is hard to know when they were last together.  I think it's been a very long time. I am very glad they could be together to celebrate a birthday.   Far too often, we gather for other things.

My sincere thanks.