Greeeen Minnesota

I'm used to my friends in the Bay Area being avid recyclers and composting, but from my experiences in Minneapolis, it's far less common. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this article on composting in Minnesota:

Hennepin County in Minnesota has developed a multi pronged approach to recycling that now includes organic composting. This program allows individuals and business to separate their trash into two bins, one for stuff that goes to a landfill and one that is stuff that can be composted. 25% of the trash is organic and can be composted: in restaurants it is estimated that over 75% of the waste is organic and does not need to go to a methane producing landfill. Five new businesses are signing on each week and the county is working to meet it’s goal of recycling 50% of it’s waste.

For more information you can contact Randy’s Sanitation in Delano Minnesota.

Once you get in the habit, whether it’s a business or a household, you can reduce your waste, reduce your cost and contribute in a easy way to help the environment.

Congratulations Hennepin County businesses!

U.S. Bank Skyway Open

From Eden Prairie News:

The U.S. Bank Skyway Open returns to the downtown Minneapolis skyways Friday, Feb. 29, and Saturday, March 1. The custom-designed mini-golf course will give Minnesotans a chance to help a good cause while “putting” their way through the downtown Minneapolis skyways. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office/Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities’ Rebound program.

This sounds awesome. I wish I could at least check it out. But I have plans all weekend. Check it out, if you get a chance. For those of you that don't know what the skyway is, here's the Wikipedia that describes it best and shows pictures.

More info here: Skywayopen.org

Civic Engagement

Today I started what will become a weekly occurrence for the rest of the semester. I'm tutoring every Saturday for two hours at the Minneapolis Central Library. I've ridden my bike past the library many, many times. I've driven past it even more, but when I need my library fix I've always stayed in the neighborhood I lived in, mostly due to the lack of public parking, and by public, I mean FREE. The northeast library has become a regular stop for me. Let's just say I was impressed. As beautiful as the library is from the outside, the inside is even more jaw-dropping. It seems sort of silly to refer to a library in those terms, but that's exactly what it is.

The employees, however, really need to communicate between departments. No one seemed to know that there was adult tutoring on the fourth floor, and I wasn't sure where to go. Once I made it to the fourth floor, after stops in the teen center tutoring hall, everything went smoothly. My supervisor Kelly was very helpful and apologetic for the lack of cohesion between departments.

I spent most of the time helping a young east African girl with basic math. I don't have much experience with east Africans. I've had a few conversations with classmates over the last year, but beyond that I'm a newbie to their culture. I've been fascinated with the large number of east Africans in the Twin Cities, just as I have been with the large Hmong population.

As the time was running out in the tutoring hall, a second young east African girl arrived needing help with her U.S History. It's amazing how complicated the battle of the Alamo and "Manifest Destiny" are when broken down into the basic elements. Words that aren't English and yet are a part of our basic English vernacular, such as San Antonio and Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, are very difficult for a ESL student. Some nouns (names and places) are also very difficult. I could feel my ethnocentric American version of history come out. True, the Alamo was a 4,000 to 200 battle that lasted much longer than expected - 13 days to be exact, but those Americans had moved into Mexican territory, staking claim to land that belonged to Mexico. Her textbook glossed over this part, leaving her to reason that it was a slaughter on the part of Mexico.

I was supposed to leave at 3:00, but I couldn't bring myself to leave before she finished the chapter. Watching her, a girl in her late teens who I'm sure has experienced her fair share of violence in her homeland, ask me to define a troop or a soldier was an interesting experience. You read about east African boys younger than her that are forced to fight in tribal wars. Are these boys soldiers? Are these boys part of a troop? The Continental Army had teens fighting against the British.

My mind wandered as she struggled with the word Houston, as in Sam Houston, and I explained that Houston was now a city in Texas that many survivors relocated to after Hurricane Katrina. I hope that by giving her a current event to connect these historic events to it would help her learn the details. I went on to explain that the American settlers were immigrants in Mexico's land that decided they no longer wanted to follow Mexican law. I could see the light bulb going off in her head. Immigrant was a word she understood. I'm looking forward to these Saturdays I'll have at library. I'm looking forward to helping our new neighbors learn about us as I learn about them.

Indie Coffee Shop.com

From Erica M at Metroblogs:

IndieCoffeeShops.com is a pretty nifty Google Maps mashup. Here are all the currently listed indie coffee shops in the Twin Cities. You can filter for wifi, food, alcohol, non-smoking, outdoor seating, and "one-of-kind" (whatever that is).

This is a great site, but I've already noticed that two coffee shops I've enjoyed are missing: Uncommon Grounds and Audobon Coffee.

MN Barack Obama Results Party

click on image for album
Later in the night I headed down to Trocaderos for the Barack Obama results party. I was so busy at the caucus I had no idea what was going on around the nation. For all I knew he'd done well in my precinct, but had done poorly everywhere else. We had another gathering after the New Hampshire, and most of us know how that turned out. Following New Hampshire none of our local dignitaries were present. This time, however, the night was hosted by Congressman Keith Ellison and Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak.

Drinks cost way too much, but luckily Tony, the observer from the Chicago Obama headquarters, purchased one for me. I had an interesting conversation with Congressman Ellison about Senator Amy Klobuchar and the rest of the uncommitted super delegates in Minneapolis. Mayor Rybak has more energy than an energizer bunny. I could see him getting picked on as a child.

I announced my precincts results over the microphone and, according to a few friends, was on the news while on stage with the rest of the precinct captains. I wish I'd seen it. I'm not even sure what channel it was. I'll have to see if I can find the video to post here.

Overall, it was a fun night. Watching how seriously my neighbors take civic engagement, the camaraderie of the Obama campaign. Let's just hope come September I'll have more time to contribute to the presidential campaign.

Caucus Night: Precinct 10, Ward 1 NE Minneapolis

Click on the image for the album

Super Duper Tuesday

I love my California brothers and sisters, but last night they really dropped the ball. Last night California had the opportunity to be at the forefront of change and instead they mostly voted to keep things the same. I assumed twenty-four years of two families running our government is everything that most Californians are against. Fear of the unknown, fear of the uncertainties that were to come with an Obama ticket kept Californians voting against the majority of the country. Minnesotans voted with the maverick and against the establishment. To be expected, I guess, with a state that voted Jesse Ventura governor. Hillary had most of the DFL establishment on her side, the state's best organizers, and yet at the grassroots level Obama had community involvement across the state.

Here, in Minnesota, the caucus system was a sight to be seen. I’ve never experienced hands on version of democracy like this. I can only harken back to my days on the student council in high school. Well crafted, while at times hilarious, resolutions were rose, which in turn were voted up and down, volunteers to be senate delegates at the state caucus while others volunteering to be school board delegates.

I love my neighborhood more now than at any other point. Watching my neighbors of ALL races; sexual orientations; young and old waiting in line; running out of ballots yet remaining calm when new ballots were made; with only one goal in mind – to participate in representing his or her neighbor.

The presidential portion went smoothly. I along with the help of our observers from in Obama campaign head quarters was able to help the convener. She in turn allowed us to hang our Obama posters. Hillary’s campaign seemed to give up on Minnesota a long time ago. Maybe her campaign saw the larger prize in the bigger states, but by ignoring much of the Midwest, she also showed where her loyalties lie.
I live in a truly unique neighborhood, and I’m more proud now than ever to call these people my neighbors.

NE Minneapolis, Precinct 10 ward 1:

Barack Obama: 136
Hillary Rodham Clinton: 62

Video From Barack Obama Rally, Minneapolis, MN

Barack Obama Rally, Minneapolis, MN

more images from rally behind link

Minnesotans are passionate about their politics. I think that might be as a result of having such an educated electorate. The founders intended the United States would have an active, educated electorate. Over the years, with the rising cost of education, the electorate has become more and more dumbed down. Reactionary instead of proactive, one might say. This year really feels different. This year, it feels as though, people have said enough is enough of the same ol' same ol'.

Today was dedicated to Barack Obama. I was up late last night working on homework and wasn't up and in line for the rally as early as I'd intended. This might have been a great thing. My feet are still sore. As an precinct coordinator, we were given special green tickets that put us on the floor, giving us a better view, and yet battering our poor feet. Brad and I arrived at 11:30 knowing that doors were opening at 1:30. Doors opened closer to 2:30 and by 4:30 just then was Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak introducing Jane Freeman, the widow of former Minnesota governor Orville Freeman, who at 87-years-old was awfully spry as she finally introduced Mr. Obama.

Mr. Obama's message had a different tone today, more in line with John Edwards populist message. It's only natural that Mr. Obama would hone in on the Edwards support. I could give a run down on the substance of his speech, but I'll leave that to other people.

I will say that this was the most I've ever felt part of a community in Minnesota. Minnesotans of all races, creeds, sexual orientations were all there together in support of one cause. I especially enjoyed conversing with Laura, a precinct captain, from south of St. Paul. She was a riot, in her 40s, an employee at the U, a democrat from Texas, who loves Dave Navarro and Jane's Addiction. Her energy was inspiring. She'd moved here for her fiancé and immediately became active in Minnesota politics.

I hope the energy captured in the Target Center carries over to Tuesday and the caucuses across Minnesota. The support on campus has been surprising. I've always heard, and the stats back it up, that twenty-somethings aren't active. Something about Mr. Obama changes that, at least I hope so.

Tomorrow we're making more phone calls, gathering last minute support and challenging those to come out Tuesday. The attention Mr. Obama's visit today brought should show he's not taking Minnesota lightly and that Minnesotans will see his views are most in line with theirs.

Local Obama Links
Bemidji Pioneer - Bemidji,MN,USA
Worthington Daily Globe - Worthington,MN,USA
Star Tribune - Minneapolis, MN USA
Pioneer Press - St. Paul, MN USA
Minnesota Public Radio - St. Paul, MN USA

Two Nations Under...

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The pundits like to say that Minnesota is a "purple state." We blend progressive and conservative values like few others in the nation. Yesterday President George W. Bush attended a fund raiser at the San Francisco International Airport. For those of you that don't know, SFO is not located in San Francisco -- just as the Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport is not located in either Minneapolis or St. Paul.

While SFO is a short drive from San Francisco, it might as well be a whole 'nother world for Mr. Bush. This might sound strange since most of America looks at San Francisco as a hub for the arts, culture and music, but Mr. Bush has never stepped foot in the city of San Francisco.

How is that possible, you ask?

Well, half of this country has ignored, despised, ridiculed, and shunned the other half for the last seven years, while the other half has thumbed their noses at the their "red neck" cousins who put us in this mess. Never been has it been more bluntly stated than Mr. Bush's appearance yesterday.

We are two nations that long ago forgot what it was like to walk in the shoes of the other. Never in my lifetime has it been more important to become involved politically. Disillusioned as we may be, we do have some power.

Tuesday is the caucus in Minnesota. I believe our best chance to bring back these two nations back together is to elect Senator Barack Obama president of the United States of America. I've been semi-active in his Minneapolis campaign. Not nearly as much as I'd like to be, but as much as I can be under the current situation. As a precinct captain, I will be at our precinct's caucus Tuesday evening helping our supporters bring Mr. Obama to office. You can find your caucus at the secretary of state's website. The grass roots energy in Mr. Obama's campaign is inspiring. It brings me back to AP Government and Civics class my senior year of high school.

Our generation was challenged to be active citizens and somewhere along the way we went off that track. This is our opportunity to make a difference, to create change with our bear hands. Saturday afternoon Minnesotans get the opportunity to hear Mr. Obama speak at the Target Center. Doors open at 1:30. Tickets were free, but over 20 K have been given out.The event is "sold out."

Hopefully if some of you haven't decided yet who you'll be supporting Tuesday, you'll attend the rally with an open mind and open heart, with an opportunity to become proactive citizens in mind. Never before have I been as emotionally involved with a candidate, but for anyone that knows me, they understand that morals, my word and my ideals are things that I hold dear. Mr. Obama shares those ideals, and he is our best opportunity to turn our country around and into a "purple nation."

Altruism

Moving to Minneapolis I expected to study print journalism at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. Along with the fact Minneapolis is a major metropolitan, it was the main reason I picked University of Minnesota over Uhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifniversity of Oregon. I never expected that a semester in I'd give up my dream to be a journalist and instead concentrate on a degree in strategic planning.

Strategic planning is the technical term for public relations. I have years of similar experience running my own production company in the Bay Area. Strategic planning is a track within the journalism school, so the variation is not that far from my original path. Everyone needs PR. However, not everyone can afford to pay an individual to work only on public relations. This holds true with especially true with the direction I want to take my career.

Instead of working for "the man" I intend on working in the non-profit sector. There's no doubt my time in Minneapolis has affected this decision. I have friends who run their own non-profit, those who work for non-profits and those who volunteer at non-profits, but Minnesotans are truly the most altruistic people in the country.

The level of non-profit organization community involvement is truly amazing. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is an excellent hub for the organizations across the the state. This semester I'm volunteering at a local non-profit for an English literature class. We'll learn Thursday which organization we've been assigned to. My #1 choice was the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center in north Minneapolis. I've seen what the PWCC does for north Minneapolis and I"d love to be a part of that organization.

I'm looking forward to being more involved in my community. How weird is that? Minneapolis has become my community, but it has, and I'm looking forward to finally working in the time to be active and give back. I've been volunteering for the Barrack Obama campaign (more on that in another entry), but that's about being active in a much larger community. Maybe this direction is coming with age, as I mature. Maybe my eyes have finally opened up to the opportunities to give back, but I do know that observing the community around me has had a major influence on these decisions.

Creeping Along, Although Barely

Rarely do you hear anything about the Hell's Angels in the press anymore. They are a relic in today's gang wars. That doesn't mean they aren't out there, as we learned today, when a federal jury handed back the keys to the Angels' clubhouse. There aren't many Minneapolis members left, as the article claims eight or nine Minneapolis members. Most have been sent to jail thanks to the governments crackdown on methamphetamines.

Growing up in California, we hear a lot about the Hell's Angels. They were active participants in the 60s counterculture, often acting as "security" for Bill Graham's legendary rock concerts. They were founded on Oakland, CA before spreading west across the nation. Because my great-uncle was an active member and I'd hear random stories from his sisters, I've been fascinated with the Hell's Angels from an early age.

Years ago I read and was disappointed with Hunter S. Thompson's Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. It wasn't that Thompson's "new journalism" wasn't fascinating, because it was.Thompson's ego simply got in the way for me to truly delve into the underworld he experienced. I've been looking at Frost-Bite in a similar light. Frost-Bite is my attempt to write in a style not unlike Thompson or Tom Wolfe or Ted Conover.

I don't know how well I'm doing yet, but then again, I'm just starting the process and have many plans for the future. It was strange seeing Hell's Angels as the headline story on the Star Tribune's site. I hadn't thought about them since my great-uncle passed away due to complications from lead poisoning from prison tattoos. I guess the Hell's Angels are still around, although barely.

School's Back

Apparently there's a new club on the U of M campus, Kinky U. Katherine Kersten wrote an interesting take on the club in today's Star Tribune. And by interesting I mean, she really has no opinion at all. It's written as an opinion piece without any real opinion behind it, which reads more like an infomercial than a piece of journalism.

School started this week and of all weeks did it really have to be this cold? The hustle and bustle of first days jitters along with the serious bite of Minnesota Winter. I lucked into rides to campus this semester, meaning no early morning waits for the bus. I am thrilled about this. I can't say it enough. THRILLED.

Yesterday in class I overheard three girls debating the upcoming Super Bowl. Only the debate wasn't over who was going to win and why, the debate was over who had the cutest butt and how one of the debaters wished Randy Moss wasn't so ugly. I've always enjoyed the fact that Minnesotan women have such a high sports IQ. I know that the appearance of the athletes isn't the #1 concern of all of these fans, but I'm sure a sigh of relief was heard across Minnesota when Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer signed to long term contracts this week.

Fighting Perceptions

From Pioneer Press:
Backers of the image makeover for Minneapolis and St. Paul say stereotypes of us - often false - need to be combated with facts. Here are a few examples:

Stereotype: It's freezing.

Rebuttal: It's not that much colder than Chicago, and it doesn't have skyways. Plus, our summers are awesome.

Stereotype: There's nothing to do but go to the Mall of America.

Rebuttal: We have museums, stores and recreation, all within the core cities.

Stereotype: There's no economy up there.

Rebuttal: We've got more corporate headquarters than Chicago, and our economy traditionally outstrips the nation's.

Stereotype: You're not very sophisticated.

Rebuttal: We've got colleges and universities everywhere, we're highly educated compared with other metropolitan areas, and Men's Journal named us "smartest" on their list of "50 Best Places to Live."

In May I was camping with some friends in Oregon. I felt myself getting defensive when describing Minneapolis. For as many issues as I've had socially in Minneapolis, I really do love the city and the state. It was funny to see this rundown of rebuttals. I'll have to remember these next time I'm confronted.

Over Where? Over There, I Never Go Over There

From MPR.com...
"Where are you from?"

"I'm from St. Paul," said Ron.
"How do feel about calling it Minneapolis-St. Paul from now on?"
"I'm not too much in favor of calling it Minneapolis-St. Paul. I don't like the name Minneapolis," Ron explained.
"I don't even go over there," Don said.
"Why's that?"
"Two reasons. I get lost is one reason. The second reason is I don't want to get beat up over there. So I stay home," said Don.

Funny, I've heard this debate from both sides. St. Paul natives rarely move to this side of the river and, while less rare, Minneapolis natives don't make the jump across the river either. For some reason, northeast Minneapolis has a better rep' with St. Paul natives. It's like we have some sort of street cred. We don't live in Uptown, we don't live in south, and heaven forbid we live in north Minneapolis.

But over here in northeast we have a bit of a working class, community, neighborhood. We have both dive and more upscale bars, restaurants, churches. Boy, do we have churches. Every other block seems to have a church on the corner. All of Minneapolis, with the exception of south, is very accessible.

Northeast Minneapolis is the closest thing St. Paul and the most accepted. I personally rarely go to St. Paul, though recently that's changed more. St. Paul just feels so far away and as I've said in a previous entry that when I first moved here smoking indoors was still legal. That immediate introduction to St. Paul soured me on it and just now has my life habits directed me back towards St. Paul.

Reasons to Move to Minneapolis

Tony Galarza from www.aiapvc.org/

Today, while I sat in my doctor's office, another patient asked me if my sweatshirt referenced Oakland, CA. Rarely does anyone comment on the front of the sweatshirt. Most people love the back of the sweatshirt and I get a lot of compliments.

The woman was excited when I told her it was. She was born and raised in Oakland and moved here nine years ago. She didn't ask what brought me to Minnesota, but I couldn't help but ask her. Her response was one I'd never heard before. But to be honest, I rarely ask what an individuals motivation is for the move to the Twin Cities.

She moved to Minneapolis for the air quality. She went onto say that Minneapolis has the best air quality of an urban city in the nation. I'd never heard that before. I've noticed that the air quality is better than the Bay Area. But I have only lived in two urban settings so I don't have much to compare it to.

It got me thinking, is Minneapolis really the best? According to the Earth Day Network, Minneapolis ranks 15th in the nation closely trailing Tucson, AZ, Omaha, NE, Billings, MT, and Virginia Beach, VA - all of which are tied for 11th. So we're not #1, but that 15th is still great when you look at who trails Minneapolis. Oakland is much further down the list at 41 out of 72 urban cities. At the top of the list is Sioux Falls, SD and our cross river neighbor Fargo, ND is ranked 4th.

We all have our different reasons for moving to Minneapolis, but chalk air quality up one reason to move to Minneapolis I'd never thought of.

Travel Guide

Lake Calhoun, mid-summer, photographed by Me.

I stumbled across an entry in a travel blog touting "Minneapolis is The Largest City in Minnesota." While the headline left something to be desired, the entry skimmed all of the bases rather than covering.

A) Location: [Minneapolis] lies on both banks of the Mississippi River, just north of the rivers confluence with the Minnesota River and adjoins Saint Paul, the states capital.

B) Roots: "Minneapolis was born when two mills were built to cut lumber and grind flour for the men of a nearby fort." It fails to mention the huge numbers of Norwegians, Scandinavian and German immigrants that made their roots here.

C) Orpheum Theatre (Although they call it the Orpheus Theater): "When you walk into the huge theatre and get a glimpse of its gilded ceiling and huge chandeliers, you will feel like you are taking a step back into the old vaudeville days of 1930."

D) Shopping: No sales tax. What it does leave out is that most of the shopping is in Bloomington at the Mall of America and not Minneapolis. Let's give some credit where credit is due. Although I hate going to the MOA.

E) Health Conscious: [Minneapolis] has the "2nd highest percentage of people who bike to work." What it leaves out is the reason it's so easy to bike to work. The bicycle lanes throughout downtown, southeast and northeast and the green ways make all sections - minus, sadly, north Minneapolis, which is like the red headed step child of the Twin Cities - easily accessible via bike.

F) Sporting Events: It glosses over this aspect of Minneapolis. Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Lynx and all of the Gopher sporting events are available on a nightly basis to guests. Rarely do events sell out, so any tourist can go out to the old ball yard, if they so chose.

G) Arts: Minneapolis has "peerless museums," and a "music scene that has amazed listeners for decades," but they fail to mention that there are more theater seats per capita in the Twin Cities (mostly Minneapolis) than anywhere in the country. Any night of the week you can see top notch talent perform. I've been to old and new Guthrie and hope to see more plays this year. Where is the mention of the Walker Art Center or the Minneapolis Institute of Arts?

H) Parks: [Minneapolis] has "no less than 170 parks and recreational gardens..." I'm not so sure about this fact. Ah hah, according to the Minneapolis Parks.org, there are 150 parks in Minneapolis. While the parks are great, the entry makes no mention of the lakes. How can someone write an entry about Minneapolis and leave out the chain of lakes? Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, and Lake Calhoun are my favorite places to bicycle in the summer. What about in the winter? Taking the family tubing at Buck Hill in Burnesville promises good times even for the grouchiest of family members.

I'm sure the entry was written from a series of brochures or one poorly written and researched brochure. I really don't understand the need for such a blog. Why start something if you're going to half-ass it? We get it, "Dallas is a City in The United States" and so is Seattle, if you believe the blog. It seems like a waste of time to me. Although it was a funny to read Minneapolis described in 400 words by someone who had never been here.

Favorite Local Blogs

Sharyn Morrow’s Weapons of Mass Distraction
Jodi’s I Will Dare.com
Peter Scholtes’ from the City Pages has an amazing local music orientated blog, Complicated Fun.
Ericka Bailie-Byrne’s surlygrrrl
Diablo Cody’s The Pussy Ranch
Minnesota community blog: MN Speak

Please, I’m on the lookout for more quality Minnesotan blogs.

Hook a brotha’ up.

A Late New Years Post

When I moved to Minneapolis, everyone I met told me that it’ll get easier, that I should just write off my first year, but in year two I’ll find my rhythm and will love the city. I loved the city in year one, so finding love for the city in question.

The initial winter shock was debilitating.

But as I’ve said in previous entries, once you figure out the rules to the game, the winter really isn’t so bad.

They were wrong. It’s only been in my third year that I finally feel like I’m hitting my stride. I’m at two and a half years. The culture shock was fierce. I’d never expected living in another “blue state” to be so different. I knew living in the Bay Area that I lived in a bubble. I just never realized how air tight the bubble was.

Greg said to me the other day that I’d have been “just like them” had I been born here. That thought, honestly, is what kept me going two years ago. I’d flipped my car. I’d lost all of my friends. I was alone here, but I kept thinking that we are - on some level - the same. Culture shock was one thing, but it could only get better – right?

Now that I’m in year three things are better. I’ve learned – mostly – how to dodge the MN vs. CA comparison conversations. The bitterness is gone. I have some amazing people who do truly care about me.

I’ve yet to find my niche, but I’m no longer looking for it either. I’m just me. Imagine the descriptors you use to define your identity with are no longer true. That’s how I felt that first winter.

I was not a student.
I was not a reporter.
I couldn’t even bring myself to write.
I was no longer a promoter.
I was no longer a friend.
I was no longer a brother.
I was no longer a son.

It threw me into an identity crisis, and over the last two years I’ve rededicated myself to finding myself. I’m there, finally. This is me and I’m completely comfortable again with whom I am. This next year is dedicated towards exploring Minnesota with my true self in mind – and I’m looking forward to it.

Reverse Migration

Last night was just how I'd envisioned my introduction to Minneapolis to be. I'd be invited out by an old friend, the friend would tell funny stories that included our previous adventures together in the Bay Area, and I'd slowly ease in to conversations, confident of my place at the party.

My transition into Minneapolis was not as smooth. I thought I was prepared for the cultural differences. I was never prepared to start completely new, which is something I knew going in and one of the reasons I moved to the Minneapolis.

Try imagining being cool enough to be at the party, but not cool enough for anyone to actually talk to you. I was starving for attention, which only made me less attractive. Who wants to the talk to the guy who tries too hard?

I wanted to stand on my own merits, but I needed an in. Once "inside" Minnesotans will give you the shirt off their back. There are many layers of acquaintance before you prove worthy of friendship. Getting to that point takes time, lots of time, and I wasn't prepared for just how many callbacks I'd need to get the part. The audition felt never ending.

Many of these steps are skipped once someone vouches for you. Last night that happened, as easily as I'd expected it.

My buddy Greg is in town for Christmas from San Francisco. We met six years ago in the Bay Area. Greg was always one of my favorites: a lovable guy with a big heart that you never once questioned his motives. There aren't many people who listen to techno in San Francisco - techno music, not the catchall term like "electronica." Techno is the same vein as Richie Hawtin, Detroit's Underground Resistance, or Minnesotan Woody McBride.

Techno is much more popular in the Midwest. Whenever a techno artist performed in San Francisco, all of the Midwest transplants would come out for the show. Due to our shared love for the four to the floor, I have friends from Chicago, Toledo, Detroit, Madison, Minneapolis, and Kansas City. Techno vouched for me. My new friends and I had a common love. The rest of the details work themselves out.

I don't listen to electronic music as much as I used to. The music still holds a soft spot in my heart. I'll always be grateful for the relationships that formed thanks to techno. I still love dancing to it, just not as much as I used to.

Greg vouched for me last night the same way techno did for him many years ago. Many of those initial barriers were skipped ad relaxed, stress-free discourse was had. I now have New Years plans. I now have the beginning of steps of a friendship, several steps beyond acquaintance.