Our death is imminent ( Read more... )

Interesting guest on Talk of the Nation this afternoon. He argues that as soon as we start turning farm commodities into fuels, we create a situation where the price of a barrel of oil boosts the price of the commodity. This, in effect, creates a competition between the historic use of the commodity as food, and the new use as fuel ( Read more... )

Today I'm learning about all kinds of loaders. Among them are loaders made by the Dearborn Tractor Works, the Wagner Iron Works, and the Kelly Implements. Trip loaders and hydraulic loaders. When you put too much weight in your bucket, your front wheels become a fulcrum, sending the bucket to the ground, the rear into the air, and you head-over- ( Read more... )

When does "modern art" stop being modern? Are tomato cans still modern art? When does art get classified into a period? How often does a "movement" become recognized, and named as such, at it's inception?

Was going up to Melrose to meet with my folks to look over a 1951 Ford 8N today, something like this sexy stuff. But the seller calls about 2 hours before I leave and tells me that although he told me I'd get first dibs at it, the guy who wanted to see it yesterday (but was being forced to wait on me), had offered over the asking price of 2500 if ( Read more... )

of the locust slightly obscure my view of the man cooking dinner in his apartment on the other side of the courtyard. It is 9:30. He eats late every night. I can see his stove from my desk, and his steaming pasta pot ( Read more... )

In my recent readings, I have discovered that zephyr whisperings can be considered the prelude to night soil.

She pulled up to the curb at Franklin and 2nd in a teal blue Mercury Mystique, mid 20s, beautiful Minnesota girl with long brown hair, rosy cheeks, strong hips and hints of a steady, assured matron in her future. I, carrying a six pack of Goose Island Nut Brown and E&J XO Special, am a half block away. She waved, said something I couldn't hear. ( Read more... )

Woke up this morning to an inch of fresh snow, tree branches delicately clad in white garlands, a heavy fog, and a pink glow in the eastern sky.

The sun will rise above the 45th parallel and spread its tepid light on the citizens of Minneapolis for a mere 7 and a half hours today.

A and I have rediscovered the importance of Christmas lights.

Person A: "Would you miss Minnesota more if you were in Wisconsin or Wisconsin more if you were in Minnesota?"
Person B: unintelligible