Restful Weekend

-We are home … after being gone for a long weekend…

-Good morning … out in our back yard it is mostly cloudy and 21 degrees above zero. Color weather radar shows small amounts of snow in various areas of Minnesota this morning – but nothing to get worried about.

-Today’s northland weather forecast for our corner of the world is:

Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. Highs 23 to 28. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

-Well .. we made it down to Minneapolis and St. Paul – the trip was good, there were a few bumpy spots on Thursday going down – between Steve and I.

But … all in all the trip was very nice and very very enjoyable and loving.  We did some great things and saw some great events – for that I am thankful.

-Thursday night Steve took me to a Minnesota Wild Hockey game at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minnesota played Arizona, and when all was said and done … Minnesota won 4 to 0. We had seats in Section 122, Row 10, Seats 7 and 8 – and it was just like being down on the ice.

Face value of our seats was $65.00 per seat – I know Steve paid more than that, but he wouldn’t tell me what the price per seat was.

It was an exciting game … because hockey is something that neither of us follow with any great interest.

-Friday we went bumming and shopping.  Steve purchased a cute little “thong” that is pretty darn hot … he looks great in it.  He got that from the Rainbow Book Store … it was on sale for 50% off.

We drove out to the Albertville Outlet Mall northwest of the Twin Cities off I-94. We were gone for the greater part of the day, stopping in the late afternoon to see the movie … Quantum of Solace – the new James Bond movie.

Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M interrogate Mr. White who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Forensic intelligence links an Mi6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organization.

On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world’s most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano. Using his associates in the organization, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land.

In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene’s sinister plan and stop his organization.

I’d rate the movie at about a B-. It was not the quality of movie that we had expected to see … not bad, just not great.

-Once the movie was over – we basically headed down to the Eagle – on Washington in Minneapolis. We had earlier driven to the Inuendo in St. Paul – but that place just wasn’t what we enjoy and so we left.

The Minneapolis Eagle is more of a “manly bar” and a place that we just don’t mind spending a few hours talking and looking at all the various men who frequent the facility.

We left there about 12:30 a.m. and drove back over to our hotel – the Minneapolis Hyatt.  Earlier on, Steve was able to get a great rate at this hotel on www.priceline.com which is just a great way to book at hotel.

-Saturday was the day for Steve to attend the horror convention in Roseville, MN.  The third annual Crypticon was held at the Radisson in Roseville, MN.

Steve and I arrived about 10:40 a.m., where I dropped him off and where he stayed until about 3:45 p.m..

Steve bought some memoribilia and movies … all in all he was “pumped about his time there” and seemed to enjoy it – certainly more than I would have – being I’m not a horror movie fan.

While Steve attended this event … I was over at the Roseville Mall theater where I saw the movie … Changelling.  This Clint Eastwood movie was about:

A mother prays for the return of her kidnapped son. When her prayers are answered, however, she begins to suspect the boy who comes back is not her child. Inspired by true events that took place in Los Angeles in the 1920s.

It was a long movie, but I’d have to rate it at a A-. Probably one of the best films that I’ve seen in a long time. If you haven’t seen it – perhaps you’d enjoy the movie…I know I did.

-After picking Steve up at the Roseville Radisson – we drove around a bit – before returning to our hotel to rest for a while.

Our Saturday evening event was to attend the Girls Roller Derby at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The Minnesota RollerGirls are part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), a national governing body for female-only, skater-owned, flat-track roller derby leagues. The Minnesota RollerGirls league was founded by the Donnelly sisters in August 2004 and has grown from 6 original members to a current roster of 80 skaters, 8 referees and coaches, and countless volunteers.

Later on around 9:30 p.m. we ventured over to the Minneapolis Eagle where we spent a couple hours just having a couple beers and relaxing – talking a bit and enjoying the view of the many men who come there in the late evening.

Our weekend really didn’t have any order to it … which was good!

-Sunday we got up and checked out of our hotel and headed to the Mall of America, after having breakfast at Einstein Brothers Bagel Shop.  One of our favorite Twin Cities breakfast stops.  After breakfast it was over the the Mall of America, where we just spent some time walking around to various shops and stores.

By mid afternoon, Steve and I were northbound on i-35 for the long trip back home.  The weather was cloudy all weekend, temperatures were cold and windy – but nonetheless – it was nice to be able to get away for a few days.

-It’s Monday … Steve goes back to work and I … well I have a sick dog to attend to.  Our dog got sick over the weekend … he’s not moving much, he’s drinking a little water – but not eating.  As I look back .. it was 1997 that Buddy came into my life … a black furry little ball – but now 11 1/2 years later – he’s gotten sick.

I’m not sure what I’ll do for him or with him … I’ll comfort him, give him what he wants and wait out this time – watching him and hoping to see some improvement.

It was my understanding from those who watched him over the weekend, while we were gone that he didn’t move much and didn’t eat.

Last night … I got him to drink some water, eat a few small bites of food and go outside to do his job.

This morning … he’s not eaten, but he did drink some cold fresh water and he’s managed to get up and go outside to do his business – and to walk back into the house – I’m hoping today will be a turning point and he’ll improve.

He’s older but not old … in the past I’ve had dogs live to 14 years – so I’m praying he’ll make it for a while longer.

No fun … having a sick pet – you get really attached to them and it’s not fun saying your “goodbyes”… dogs are perhaps one of the most faithful creatures that God has allowed mankind to have as companions.

I’m hoping he’ll improve today and in the next few days – but for now, he has a very small appetite.

-Steve is up and showering – so it won’t be long before he is out here and ready to head off to work.

-Have a great days guys … and enjoy this Monday as I know we will.  We’ll see you back here again tomorrow.

-Until next time…