Sometimes Life Beckons

So I take off with my wife and son this morning to go grocery shop.

As we speed down 81 toward 94 (and Maple Grove), my wife says, "Did you see that?"

"See what?" I asked.

"That sign." she replied.

"No," I said.

Then we passed another sign, and I saw why she was perplexed.

The sign was advertising a wedding this afternoon at 2:00 PM, and EVERYONE is invited.

I thought I read it wrong, so I doubled back and went to look at the first sign. It truly is an open wedding that anyone and everyone can attend if they wish.

This sent my mind spinning. What kind of a wedding could this be? Who are these people who want everyone in the world to come to the wedding?

It seems crazy to me.

Now I don't know the people holding this wedding. I do know the house. Or at least I know that house that was dressed up for the wedding. In the winter, it's the only other house besides mine that I've seen with blue lights. The difference? They actually have a giant Star of David on their roof. It's there year-round. It's a little gaudy (not to mention God-y). The dressing for the wedding was sparse. A few streamers, some tables, and maybe six balloons. Not a big wedding I would assume.

Sooooo. Who wants to go with me this afternoon? Any takers? No?

Canadians Come to Minnesota...

...to get arrested. (Side note: kind of scary how much he looks like Taylor....)
Maybe you saw this story, maybe you didn't. It seems that NHL superstar Eric Staal, his brother Jordan, and 12 other men were all arrested for drunken and disorderly conduct while attending Eric Staal's bachelor party.
Now the party was held in Northeastern Minnesota at Lutsen Resort, which, according to some sources, is a hot spot for Canadians as it is great place to fish, golf, and even dog sled.

What I'm fascinated by, however, is not that these guys traveled two hours to a different country to party, but that a few them were underage drinkers who decided to drink here instead of Canada, where the legal limit is lower, and they don't really card....
Beyond that, the cops warned them to stop before citing them. Here is the official report:


On 07/21/07 at approximately 12:30 a.m. the Cook County Sheriff's Office received several complaints in the area of Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas. All complaints were similar in nature, and reporting the same incident; a group of approximately 20 people screaming, yelling, and playing loud music.

At approximately 12:50 a.m. Cook County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at the Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas. The suspects were warned multiple times to be quiet or they may be removed from the property, issued citations, arrested, and/or deported from the country.

At approximately 3:00 a.m. staff at Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas ordered the group to leave the property, as they were not obeying the warnings they had been given. Cook County Sheriff Deputies, a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper, and a United States Border Patrol agent assisted with the removal of the suspects. After leaving the property, the group gathered on Highway 61 and began harassing passing motorists.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. the suspects were placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. Some of the suspects fled in to the nearby woods.

It gets better. So they were warned, but didn't pay attention. Ok, but how do you explain that after leaving the property, with the help of a state trooper and a Border Patrol agent, they got in more trouble? What kind of agent says, "Oh, you're Canadian? Well...let's just move on back home, eh? You guys shouldn't give any trouble...."

I just want to know what "harassing passing motorists" means. Is it like the film Porky's, which is considered a Canadian classic, and these guys were streaking down the highway? Was it more like the film The Program and these guys lay on the center line of the highway? Or were they just like little kids and throwing beer cans and rocks at passing cars?

It almost makes you wish these guys had just gone to Windsor.
So, let's look at the score sheet for sports for the last two weeks:
NBA: Dealing with a referee who was in with the mob and bet on games
MLB: Steriods, plus the death of a coach at a game
NFL: Michael Vick...'nuff said
NHL: A superstar in the making and his pretty well known little brother are arrested for partying a little hard

Doesn't look too good for sports.

So remember: If you're Canadian and you're looking for a place to party, come on down to Minnesota, but when they give you a warning...pay attention to it.
Namaste.

Harry Potter and the Nation that Stopped Working

People are skipping out of work to read the new Harry Potter book? Really.
Look, we all know how it ends.

Here, let me spoil it for you.

Enjoy, and namaste.