Friday, December 28, 2012

Polar Plunge in Excelsior

Polar Sigh! It looks like as wimpy 20+ degree New Years Day plunge at the Bayview Center. Not the life threatening sub-teen below zero plunges I have attended in the past. But I will be there with camera in hand, trying to wedge my way into the front row to capture a few frigid moments. Perhaps some big relieved smiles. A scene from the 2010 Polar Plunge at the Bayview Center, Excelsior Yak Update! OK, I believed the National Weather Service long range weather report (my excuse). This is going to be a very FRIGID jump. Prepare!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Its all ice under the bridge. 2012

Carsons_ Bay bridge_bw icy_dock

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Reindeer interviews....

reindeer shake The Reindeer Memoirs Behind the Scenes Interviews with the often misunderstood “Gang of nine” Speaking about working with Santa:  

Dasher “ The Clause, Oh He’s driven. He wears this red coat and has a warm, fuzzy white beard, but he’s type A man, alway pushing. On Dasher, On Dancer! ...It gets old.... but it beats being a lawn figurine.”

 Dancer & Prancer - “Santa had a tough time accepting our alternate lifestyle, but in the end it is performance that counts to old SC, and Dancing and Prancing are seperate issues. For Santa flat out speed and dedication are tantamount. In our free time we just hang out at different salt licks.

 Glitzen - “It’s all about the ka ching and bling, lots of bling. Look’n cool, & getting your props from the sled” They pay cash, and I fly.”  

Comet - “Santa hired me because of my name in the industry. I’m the Reindeer’s after burner. High gear, mach 2.”  

Cupid - “Oh , don’t you think old cubby cheeks and his wife make the just the cutist couple!? She gives me pink bubble gum and Santa gets those 'Northern lights' back rubs. Sparks fly I tell you! She uses oil, but not whale oil, no way!”

Donner - “Famous my tail. I admit, I’m bitter. Ive got a crumby name & low billing. The only ones named ‘Donner’ besides me is that party in California - a real lucky group. Well I’m putting in my time. The difference between me and Glitzen is that he "flies" and I pull, and I know the difference. But Santa has alway been good to me. Nice reins, loose bit and good food.”  

Blitzen - “Mr. Claus has me second seed. He was the one who gave me the name Blitzen, for speed. It’s a German thing that has nothing to do with drinking. Just to remind Mr. Claus, I call him Kringle once in a while, and that is Kris with a K, by the way.”  

Rudolf The Red: - Unavailable for comment at this time.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Antlers in Deephaven

Reindeer at the Cottagewood GeneralStore after

Friday, December 14, 2012

Like mimic meteors

Like mimic meteors

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The snowstorm continued.....

tan

Monday, December 10, 2012

the storm

carsons bay

McMorning at McDonalds

McMorning mecca I stopped into an early morning MacDonalds parking lot. I did not eat, I just observed the 6 am scene in Wayzata. The sign says "now hiring'. The Same situation exists with the MacDonalds at the University of Minnesota. Surprising since employment at the entry level is what it is - bleak. On the other hand the answer is simple, I learned as I listened last year to as ive feed from "Occupy" in downtown Minneapolis. In between the beating of a bad set of congos, The Occupy group debated the merits of working a lowly "burger flipping" job, or living with food stamps and other income. I will say the conversation among these young kids was very enlightening.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Hidden signs of Greenwood

Along Old Excelsior Road in Greenwood,(population 688) set back about 20 ft from the road there are two billboards. When the leaves have fallen from the sumac the two signs are visible. They are numbered for licensing purposes, I am sure. The signs are set in a ravine, and I assume it has been a long time since they served any advertising purposes. Just a curiosity to me, I stopped and took a photo. hidden signs greenwood

Monday, December 03, 2012

The Fog Never Lfted

dec_diversRead more »

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