Part Un: Minneapolis

Who can turn the world on with his smile?

It's nice to be back in the City of Lakes, the last city I called home. Usually when I land in MSP from NYC, the plane flies over Eagan and I see the top of my former work haunt, West Publishing. Yesterday's landing was a treat because the plane wrapped around downtown before coasting over I-494 and landing. Seeing the entire city from up above on a clear day brought back warm memories. The three tallest skyscrapers of downtown, the chain of lakes, and even my commuting enemy, I-35, made me smile.
I began the day by visiting Jason at the Minnesota Press. Seems Mr. Hot Stuff has become Mr. Big Shot now that he has his own office. He recently was promoted and is now an editor. I'm proud of him because he's really smart. I stored my luggage at the Press and met up with my pal J Z who will be moving to Milwaukee next week. I wish him good luck. I hooked up with Jason later and we walked through the Joan Crawford movie playing in Loring Park, then ate at Rudolph's. I spent the night at Jason's and we woke up and drank coffee together. Jason entered work late that morning and the receptionist knowingly gave him a smirk/nod as he entered the office. Left aloone, I went to Spyhouse and played on my computer. The future Lorien Akay joined me and we ventured on the 17 bus. I like that I still remember my Minneapolis bus routes. The 6, the 4, the 17, and even you 21 bus. We met up with Lorien's fiancée, Carig, who is every bit as hot as his Friendster picture shows him to be. Later, I met my mom at my old apartment at 27th and Girard. Now that was a great apartment... I often think about my red kitchen, my green glass globe light, and the cutest chartreuse couch ya ever done seen. My mom let me drive home even though it scares her to be in the same vehicle as me. The drive on the city's interstates was somewhat stressful. It was after all, the fourth time I've driven a car this year, and only one of a handful of occasions since I lost my baby escort last year to a diseased transmission. Only one car honked at me and it was my fault that I cut the car off. I can only imagine how many cars would honk at me in New York where honking is an unnecessary epidemic. Sometimes I'd Ilike to approach an aggrivated driver and say, "Do you REALLY think sounding your horn for twenty seconds is going to improve traffic?" But I won't do that because I don't want to be shot. I'm looking forward to returning to Minneapolis on Saturday to see other friends and to see the nightlife. But first, I'll be heading to da WisCONsin northwoods fer sum campin' fun. Oh yah!