Hours of Daylight – 10:41

I had hoped to get away this weekend. Well, sort of hoped. Winter is coming on here in fits and starts thus weekends with good weather shouldn’t be squandered in ordinary persuits. But the Volvo’s transmission began acting up last night and we all know one cannot exist without a car here, so this will be a home weekend.

So, my last day at Hudson Map came and went. Despite the fact I’ve done it several times now, leaving a job is always hard. It was not a bad job at all and I genuinly like the people there. But when an opportunity for free education comes along it cannot be passed up.

I begin at the The Theatre bright and early Monday morning if the Volvo’s transmission continues to transmit.

You may have noticed the change in the header. Since I have yet to buy a laptop that can travel with me, I figured having a “location” field is a waste of time since everything will be written at my kitchen table. This way everyone reading this will have a numeric appreciation for how far North Minnesota is.

Here are some pictures taken while out and about and at the State Fair.

The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line

The older of two electric streetcars that have been refurbished by the Minnesota Transportation Museum.

Minneapolis, like many properous American cities, once had a very extensive and successful public transportation system. The remnants of that system survive today mostly as a curiosity and minor tourist attraction. I try to avoid transit museums when other people are around because I become angry and depressed when I overhear snippets of conversation, “this is a trolley, Johnny, its what people used to get around before we had cars. Now only poor people need public transportation because we have cars and roads.”

MIDAS muffler and lube shops actually run radio spots here saying “your car is your friend… and everyday your alternative to public transportation.” If there were a proper rail system between Minneapolis and St. Paul and more efficient bus system in place, I would only drive when absolutely necessary. I’d like to take a bunch of these “public transportation is only for poor people” creeps and… but I digress.

The last two streetcars of the line.

Annette and I happened to be out on a puffy-cloud late summer day with the crappy digital camera from Hudson Map. I was hunting for a new cover shot for the deluxe folded street map. There was virtually nobody riding the streetcars, so we decided to brave it. Actually Annette decided to brave me possibly getting pissey and depressive.

It was a great little experience. I now know what I would do if I am unemployed in this city again. The woman who became motorman for the return trip (there’s only a few hundred yards of track, the ride is out and back) told me regular folks can volunteer to drive the streetcars. All it takes is some traning. Count me in if I ever find the time to do it right.

The Minnesota State Fair

I realize this is a paltry offering of images from what is a virtual breeding ground of great people-watching opportunities. In my defense I can only say the digital camera, a Kodak DCS690, was sucking batteries faster than I could buy them, so I had the thing off more than on. Also it has this nasty habit of not being ready to take pictures when I want it to. So despite seeing lots of photographic moments I was unable to record any of them.

The Droopy Banner of the Midway

The tractors were kind enough to hold still for me and my crappy camera.