Every Fall I look forward to Halloween and its trappings so much. Afterward I steel myself mentally and emotionally. Because I’m never ready for the “holiday” blitz when it hits. It is TOO MUCH. It is depressing to listen to NPR’s Marketplace and realize how much our economy relies on this unnatural shopping “season.” We are so broken as a society - when buying each other things we don’t need in the name of a holiday that is only loosely connected to these shopping frenzies - is what keeps it all going. There’s got to be a better way. 12 Days of Holiday Bullshit would have been a great way to deal with the season. Sadly that’s already SOLD OUT. Oh the irony. At least we had “Give to the Max Day” in Minnesota on Thursday. A day where, instead of buying more stuff, we can gain some satisfaction by donating money to our favorite non-profit organizations. Unfortunately their danged site went down mid-day, for six hours. “We are experiencing a tremendous surge of giving. We are working to get the site back up and running as quickly as possible.” The saddest of sad trombones. I made several attempts to GtM and was eventually successful before bedtime. But I wonder how many potential donors have been discouraged. So unfortunate.
It was another week full of frustrations but I’ll try to override those with five good things:
- FINALLY. This is better than any holiday gift I could receive. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds touring North America in 2014, releasing ‘Live From KCRW’ on Black Friday. Performing in Minneapolis for the first time in twelve years.
- I backed the kickstarter for The Secret Atlas of North Coast Food (in an amount that gets me two copies of the book!) and the Heavy Table is celebrating the book’s launch. They will be co-hosting a local food festival and book signing event at Kitchen Window today, Saturday, November 16the from 6-9pm. We’re also going to see Tim Hecker and Oneohtrix Point Never at the Walker Art Center tonight.
- “Subway ticket machine in Moscow accepts 30 SQUATS as payment.” Fun video showcasing a great idea.
- So proud of Minnesota, and my employer. Clockwork Active Media Systems get a shout out on the senate floor from Senator Al Franken (right around the 6:45 mark). The senator was calling the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
- Like I needed any more excuses to go to Chicago. Logan Hardware Records Are Showing Off Their New Digs and Announcing In-Store Shows.
I chucked my Friday night plans when my son asked me to stay home…to re-watch the Scott Pilgrim movie with him. That plan will always win, hands down. And this morning I woke up to the pleasant surprise of the The Night Of The Doctor mini episode featuring the return of the Eighth Doctor. But I won’t let myself stay holed up at home all winter consuming media, no matter how tempting that is. I will make myself go sledding this winter (if we have enough snow). And I look forward to the return of the Art Shanty Projects (now only every other year). And there’s our annual pilgrimage to the Saintly City Cat Show. And I swear, this is the year we’re going to be *in* the Art Sled Rally in Powderhorn Park.
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