Republican National Convention - 08 - MPLS/STPL BABY!

The word exhausted is what best describes me right now. Thankfully it has been caused by worthy things such as going out, work (a little), going out, civic activities and going out. This past weekend I was in C-ville for the Fall ’06 Foxfield. It was a great time, or at least that’s the photos on Facebook prove to me. I garnered a whole new group of ‘friends’ and yes that deserves to be in ‘’ because we all have that Facebook happy thing where when you meet someone for a total of 2 mins and discuss odd things like why you work for NASA (my occupation while down there) and then add them 10 mins (still drunk) when you get home. Now remembering the NASA thing, I would like to point out that I wasn’t the one who made that up. My friend did. The odd thing was everyone said, “cool” and then we continued on with other conversation. Not sure if they believed me or not. Oh well.

Besides getting to drink a lot of beverages, wearing a cute dress and make a load of ‘friends’ I also got to spend some quality time with George. Now George (a.ka. Loud Noises, Burrito, Smelly & Hey You) is the lovely, smelly, adorable & ear infected dog of my friend, Ryan. When I got to the house, the first thing I saw was George. He greeted me by plowing me over and rubbing his head on my leg. I haven’t been around animals in a long time so it was a nice change to get a little affection. George and I became tight during the weekend. After mourning the loss to Purdue and somewhat lubricated I asked if I could take George on a walk. Friend, not thinking twice, said yes.

So here I am with George (who is intertwining around my legs and preventing me from moving very well) walking aimlessly around C-ville (I have NO FRICKEN CLUE as to where we are at). On our first journey we came in contact with a few colligate males and made quick friends (I finally understand why so many single people get dogs). After convo we continue up a very busy street. I thank God that George was a little smarter than me at the moment because I wasn't walking straight, nor was I paying much attention to cars when we attempt to cross the road. Luckily we made it safely out of the busy section. In the next neighboring area we saw a cat. George doesn’t do anything at first so I start to get upset and yell “Get that damn cat!” and then I start running toward it myself. He quickly picks up on what I’m doing and then goes into a very manly-dog mode. We ended up scaring the living daylights out of the cat; it will now have terrible nightmares of a drunk girl and smelly dog running after it. It's moments like that, that bring a tear to my eye.

I took George on several walks throughout the evening and I don’t think that the Ryan even knew. All the better - seeing I barley remember them.

**

On another note – GO TWINS!

I’m so ecstatic about us making it to the playoffs.

It feels good to be from MN right now.

Best quote from a few days back:

“We still have to win a division title," Hunter said. "I've been drinking, but I'm playing tomorrow. I may have my best game tomorrow ... hung over!"

**
And the major high-light of my week....

2008 - National Republican Convention in the TWIN CIITIES!!!!!

...just a minor detail.

Lessons from Independence Ave.

Proving to two middle-aged, married lawyers from Boston that you can talk shop, go to the bathroom without your girlfriends and work in a male dominated industry won't get you too far....

But at least it gets you a cleared bar tab.

**

NEVER yell "I hate the Red Sox" in an east coast bar. I almost got in a fight (granted I was also the one who said, "Do you wanna fight?!")

No one ever feels good after a shut-out, come on Twins.

**

You know you're getting old when you no longer drunk dial (because you know it's rude) so instead you drunk e-mail. (we're pathetic, I know)

**

We need better DC cops - apparently shouting and waving at them in a very disturbing manner and saying words like "terrorists" and "bombs" causes no reaction. (Granted I'm sure they weren't worried about two twenty-something white females from MN. Just you wait, the next person to cause some real damage will be some Scandinavian, Lutheran from no-mans-land Minnesota.)

Cassutopia

Dreams can be awesome, scarey, sad, or really fricken annoying. Last night was an annoying type. It was one where stuff happened with real life people and it was a litte too on the real side. So being the blabber I am (fricken open book is what I am) I told a co-worker about the dream. Right away she looks up/figures out what the meaning is. Basically it comes down to is that I can't 'let-go' of someone. (My God, I'm a female, it's in our genetic make-up to hold on) So I ask her how I'm suppose to 'let-go' of this pacticular person (which I thought I had a long time ago...but I guess the dreams tell me otherwise).

Here's her info (in bold) and my responses (regular):

Don’t email – I only do when my family asks me to – tell the family you are trying to kick a bad habit

Don’t call – Haven’t done that since 2004 (minus one bad incident in Fall 05) what happened in 05 should stay in 05 and not travel to 06 or beyond!

Don't text - Don't Very PROUD

Don’t look at his facebook/myspace – Didn’t until lately WELL STOP IT!

Erase his # - Don’t have it then I guess it’s hard to erase something you don’t have! GREAT

Put pictures and memories you might have around in a box and leave it in MINNESOTA - Don’t have any, I think Don’t go looking for any just to see if you do

Pretend he fell off the face of the planet – Really do. Tell everyone in my life not to mention him then. Refer to first


And the most helpful…don’t think happy thoughts about him. We are aiming for negative – LUVE IT. Most successful


She's right. And this better work because I'm sick of annoying dreams. I prefer to go back to the ones where I'm rich, living in a huge-ass place and ruling the world in some way or other....a place better known as Cassutopia.

Idiot

Some people go to sad extremes to get noticed/money/payback..........

An Ohio woman was arrested after falsely claiming that she received tainted chocolate milk from an Ohio grocery store, according to the Toledo Blade. The 25-year old told police that she found a plastic vial of medicine in a half-gallon jug of chocolate milk that she purchased from a Kroger store. According to the police report, the woman claimed that she found the medicine when she poured the milk into a glass. Police searched her apartment a day later and found several containers and a prescription for the same medicine he claimed was in her milk. She faces charges of a fifth-degree felony that is punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

But when I read this, I end up feeling so much better about myself.

I Miss College Bars

First of all – if you haven’t read the Sept. 15th Strib article titled “Nightwatch: Guide to U of M nightlife” no worries…just read below.

I laughed my ass-off; as will you when you read this. (okay it’s really just meant for those who either went to the U or lived around there). His little guide seems to be a fairly accurate.

Tom Horgen, Star Tribune
Back to school means back to the bars for the roughly two-thirds of University of Minnesota students who are 21 or older. If you're approaching drinking age, it should be your first time -- hockey players excepted. Here's one thing all of you should know: There's more to college bars than just getting smashed. It's about getting smashed with your brethren. You know, finding your niche, where you belong. To help, I've devised a little guide to help you navigate your stumbling odyssey into the U of M's bar scene.
For frat boys
Oh, my, it's a three-way tie: Sally's, the Library and Blarney Pub come in neck-and-neck for the most polo- collar popping, Abercrombie & Fitch-loving, shoeless flip-flopping, camo-shorts-wearing frat boys. Boo-yah!
For music lovers
No doubt: The Dinkytowner is still doing its thing, especially with all the great underground hip-hop it's been featuring lately. Also peep the surging Nomad World Pub, which has reggae fests, jazz series and all sorts of other music, from indie rock to world beat.
For bringing sexy back
All sofas. All vintage. The Kitty Cat Klub is, um, comfy. Bring a date, lounge about, make out in the photo booth. Fall in love.
For maximum grime
If you're looking for a real dive -- like, where they drink beer for breakfast -- look no farther than Palmer's.
For beer lovers
If you really care about all that beer you're funneling down your throat, you might wanna check out the Town Hall Brewery. Its wide selection includes originals and brews from all over the world.
For THE GREAT outdoors
There's nothing like drinking in the fresh air. Both the outdoor patio at Sgt. Preston's and the deck at Grandma's Saloon are great. But hurry before the snow hits.
For a date
Check the calendar at the Varsity Theater, because this venue is wildly diverse, from rock concerts, to plays, to movies, to salsa dancing.
For punks
Where else but the Triple Rock?
For a Margarita
Wow, Burrito Loco's upstairs bar is a dump, but they make a mean margarita.
For those stranded on Como
Don't worry, these quasi-dives have you covered: Manning's, Sportsmans Pub and American Sports Cafe.
For smokers
You can't smoke at Stub and Herb's but you can wail all day long about the ban with owner and ex-gubernatorial candidate Sue Jeffers.

As much as I would love to disagree with Mr. Horgen I can’t. He’s pretty much got the majority of it figured out. Granted there isn’t much to figure out. While reading his comments I thought about my own memories of these bars (and some others because I also lived in St. Paul).

Here was my take on some of the St. Paul/Minneapolis Bars that are frequently visited by U of M students:

When I want:

Crappy/cheap long islands, to sing obnoxiously on stage and meet really random frat boys – Blarney’s.

To enjoy an hour of “Ladies Night” and a load of skipping music,spilt popcorn and satisfy my taste buds with a Coney dog – Bullwinkles

To drink REALLY CHEAP beer – Sportys

To hangout with ALL of the U of M College of Ag – Campus (All American Sports Café)

Good patio time and sharing moments (not to mention their cheese fries yum!) – Sgt. Prestons

To feel really sleazy – Grandmas

Popcorn crazy, sorority girl city and best bud bouncers – Sallys

2 fo 1's every night and the other half of the COAFES – Ol’ Mex

Retro/Piano Bar/Polk Dancing – Nyes

To meet a rich/preppy boy and super popped collar mode – Plums

To meet a lawyer or decent man who actually has a real salary and 401(k) – The Independent (added bonus – purse hooks)

To feel very important and fabulous – Bar Fly

To see my closet friends, feel at home and kick-back with some great cosmos and awesome wait staff (better known as my home in 2005) – Sterbs.
(Please note: This occurred between the dates of 2004 and Spring of 2006)

So many memories and so many options.

So Long Marshall Field's

A little part of me just died this week. It’s official. Marshall Fields is gone forever. I knew it was going to happen since a year ago when Federated bought out May Department stores. It’s ironic because I found out in about it during the same way I’m encountering my loss today….sitting in a chilly cubicle at work, attempting to do anything but actual work. The only difference is that this time I’m in DC and have a neighbor who is just was crabby about it. Co-worker Carrie, a Chicago native, reminded me about the death as soon as I walked in today. Minutes later she shouts above our ‘Great Wall of China’ (her cube wall), “Cassandra read this.” It was an article from the Chicago Tribune in regards to Macy’s sleazy approach to corrupting a good name in the Midwest (a good promo doesn’t consist of stupid $10 gift cards…hello….glad we can now afford a pair of socks). We are determined that Macy’s paid off the Tribune because the article was cheesy at best and in favor of Macys. Not a mere mention of the rage that many people in Chicago (and elsewhere) felt about the change. And to top that off, it made Mayor Daley sound like he didn’t care and I have sources that say otherwise.

This reminds me of back when Dayton’s went to the Marshall Field’s name. But I hurt five times as bad today as I did then. I remember back in 2001 when I the difficult time writing the longer name on my checks (from a young age my mother taught me to shop at Dayton’s). So I understand the pain that Chicago is feeling with this change. Granted our (MNs) change was a little different with no buy-outs but instead a “unified merger of Hudson’s, Marshall Field’s and Dayton’s.” But who can forget the number of Minnesotan’s that were upset over it? I won’t and it’s still a hot topic to this day. We felt invaded and stripped of a quality title. Granted I was only 17 at the time and a novice shopper, but it still took some time for me to learn to love Marshall Field’s.

But I don’t think that’s going to happen with Macy’s. I won’t give into their little ploys and crappy buyers. And let’s not forget the terrible service they have! The only thing that Macy’s had going for it in, my book, was their parade and that has taken a turn for the worse. I refuse to shop at Macy’s out here. So, I’m left with Nordstrom’s (which I’m slowly learning to love; luckily they have decent service in their shoe department) and Bloomingdales. But it’s not the same.

So I salute you, Marshall Field’s, my all-time favorite store that had service people who knew me by first name in the shoe department - may you rest in peace.

Sunday Medicine

On Monday I’m getting a filling replaced…(hopefully)

On Tuesday I’m having my first (of many) root canals take place.

Jealous? Hope not.

I’ve been in sincere pain since this past Thursday. Literally. I’ve averaged about 4.5 hours a sleep a night. Of course this all happened after I claimed that I wouldn’t drink a lick of alcohol until Foxfields. As one friend said “This is God’s way of getting back at you.” Jerk. I hope he’s right because I’m in such pain right now. Today is Sunday,
Sept. 10th…..better known as my father’s birthday. I gave him a quick call to say, “Happy Birthday and I love you.” Sadly, only mere minutes after making small talk I started to quiver and then crying (the pain is horrendous). So out of our 10 minutes convo, about 2/3’s of it was devoted to me and my pain. I felt horrible but I couldn’t hold back. Even though I felt horrible about it; my father said this to me…..”Well, you know what I’d do.” Me having no damn idea said, “Uh, no?” “Cass, you need to take a shot or three of whiskey or whatever.” DUH! On my little NO ALCOHOL escapade, I didn’t even think of that. I questioned him further but I felt like such an idiot. So as soon as I hung-up the phone I took my first straight shot of vodka for medicinal reasons at 1:30 pm on a Sunday afternoon.

And I’ve been mixing, shooting and downing drinks since then to rid of my pain unitl 9 am EST tomorrow. I’m going to beat this stupid thing, even if I have to become an alcoholic.

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

Situation: Friday Sept. 1st I was to go home to MN for the Labor Day weekend to visit family, new nephew and the MN State Fair. I was half packed (had been a very busy social week prior) by the time I left my apt that morning. Luckily work was getting off at 3 p.m. and my flight was at 6 p.m.

But here’s the deal….we had a hurricane on the way, woohoo.

So here is the timeline of how my day went from 3 p.m. on:

3:00 p.m. Get off of work, it’s pouring rain out so I take the metro home.

3:45 p.m. Finally have everything packed and ready to go.

4:00 p.m. Walk my 5 blocks to the Rosslyn Metro only to get honked at by cars rushing by and splashing me. (Damn you stupid cars!!!)

4:10 p.m. Make my way down to the platform and findout that my train is stuck and being taken off of the track.

4:15 p.m. Call the cab company, they say 15-20 mins.

4:45 p.m. **notice that’s more than 15-20 mins** still no cab so I call and bitch.

4:50 p.m. Get in cab.

5:05 p.m. Get out of cab about 500 feet away from the doors and run like hell….the wind is picking up. Walk in to find that out of the 4 flights to MSP, mine is the ONLY ONE delayed.

5:15 p.m. Call friend at home to confirm later pick -up.

5:16 p.m. Saddle up to the bar and order a gin and tonic. Bar tender says, “Double.” (be proud) cause I said, “No.” Nice couple next to me say, “Yes.” Guess what; I got the double.

6:16 p.m. A few more drinks in and I’ve landed two new friends and a potential date. Yes people, the nice couple thought it’d be classic to set me up on a date with a friend of theirs. I did it for appeasement and because who the hell gets set-up on a date at the AIRPORT!?

6:40 p.m. I board the plane. By that time, happy and loud are the two best words to describe me. Feeling very important I decided to make convo with the two guys next to me. I’m sure they were annoyed 5 mins into the conversation. Luckily for me, I don’t remember much of it. And let the drinks pour on.

Switch to CST

8:30ish p.m. (I think that’s the time I landed) JR picks me up. But as an added bonus, I had to Daisy Duke my getting into his car. Nothing like providing some entertainment for a few people at the MSP Curbside pick-up area.

9:30 p.m. Sitting at Sporty’s and slurring my “I LOVE YOU” to my friends. I’m sure there were many kisses to be given/had and hugs. Not to mention some horrible karaoke moments. I believe I claimed the karaoke boy as being “gay” because he sang Garth Brook’s songs. (I don’t see the correlation now, but it seemed appropriate at the time.)

12:30 a.m. By this time I’m tired, so I give a call to a friend to pick me up. Deciding it was also an appropriate time to lay down with my legs in the air. Luckily he came soon afterwards and saved me from waking up with my hair stuck to the beer-laden floor.

It's moments like this when you look back and slowly watch youself go from being completely composed to, well, the exact opposite. But I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.