Top 9 of 2019

5.4K likes isn’t too shabby
Originally published by DK on December 12, 2019 at 7:56 pm5.4K likes isn’t too shabby
Originally published by DK on December 12, 2019 at 7:56 pmMK on the babysitting gig
Originally published by DK on December 9, 2019 at 9:06 amUncle Greg would be proud
Originally published by DK on December 2, 2019 at 6:37 pmHappy iPhone Upgrade Day for kid one
Originally published by DK on November 30, 2019 at 2:10 pmThanks, Auntie Lynn
Originally published by DK on November 28, 2019 at 6:56 pmNice look there, Luna
Originally published by DK on November 28, 2019 at 12:31 amWe had a great time on Maui last week, despite the record high temps (and crazy dew points). We had lots of great food recommendations from people, but Mama’s Fish House took home the prize for most memorable experience. Located on the central north shore of Maui just outside Paia, Mama’s was a 2018 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant. Open Table says Mama’s is the second most popular restaurant in the United States, Trip Advisor has them listed as a Top 10 U.S. Fine Dining Restaurant, while ZAGAT has them number one for food on Maui. Everyone we talked to said Mama’s was expensive, but also a can’t miss.
Needless to say, expectations were high…
Floyd and Doris Christenson have an awesome backstory. The location, atmosphere and general setting of Mama’s is probably the most Hawaiian thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You turn off the Hana Highway at the fishing boat and enter a lot that offers complimentary valet. Once checked in, you get to roam around their own private beach, which we were told often has sea turtles playing in the water. The day we visited had a high surf warning, so the turtles were (hopefully) playing elsewhere. After checking in at a second host stand, we were escorted into the open-air dining room and seated near the bar.
Our server Lacey was wonderful. We started with fancy tropical drinks: Colleen had a Mama’s Margarita, while I had a Pink Hibiscus (hibiscus, elderflower liqueur, lime, cranberry and Maui PAU vodka). We shared an appetizer of seared island venison with honey lime sauce, which was extremely tender for venison. We both had autumn salads, with Waipoli greens, Kula persimmons, spiced pecans, goat cheese and Tahitian vanilla vinaigrette dressing. For the fish main course, I choose “kanpachi from ocean waters off Hawaii Island,” while Colleen had “onaga caught bottom fishing off Keanae by Joe Hobson.” We both loved that they customized the menu daily with who caught the fish (and where). I was super-excited to order the Polynesian Black Pearl for dessert: lilikoi (passion fruit) chocolate mousse in a pastry seashell (with a beautiful plate presentation – pics after the jump).
When we looked at the menu before we went, I didn’t think the prices were crazy-high. Afterwards, we found out it just all adds up, turning in to the most we’ve probably ever spent on lunch. That’s also part of the trick – there is no discount for having lunch over dinner. We heard one of the servers say they average about 1,000 covers a day, so I think they can price however they want. I’m glad we went, though, and would highly recommend it at least once in your life. Mahalo, Mama.
Thank you, Kaanapali Beach Hotel
Originally published by DK on October 31, 2019 at 10:54 pmLifeguard @ D.T. Fleming Beach Park
Originally published by DK on October 30, 2019 at 9:59 pmCK @ Mama’s Fish House Beach
Originally published by DK on October 29, 2019 at 2:39 amOnly one on the island
Originally published by DK on October 26, 2019 at 10:19 pmChicken and pancakes @ Roy’s
Originally published by DK on October 26, 2019 at 4:52 pmIt was a year ago today when a blood vessel in my head decided it had enough, resulting in a ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhaging on the train platform outside U.S. Bank Stadium. It was a humbling experience to see the outpouring of love and support from my family and friends throughout my recovery and I will be forever thankful to the good Samaritan in the pickup truck, the first responders that treated me on the platform and the entire staff at Hennepin Healthcare for extending my time on this little planet we call home.
Health-wise, things are almost back to normal. I’m still wearing glasses with a 3M Prism lens on the left side to correct the remaining double vision. The strength of the lens has dropped from +30 to +8 during the past 11 months and the hope is still that I eventually won’t need them at all. I can read most screens without glasses, but the “bilateral 6th nerve palsy” and resulting diplopia at further distances is really the only major remaining issue from October 8, 2018. I’ve been off all of the additional medications from my time in the ICU for a while now and have returned to most physical activities with no issues. In fact, my bike mileage in 2019 sits at 1,058 miles and I’ve played 21 rounds of golf (both of which are a little more challenging with glasses).
I won’t lie, walking past that spot nearly every day is unsettling. It can feel frustrating to not be 100% yet with my vision. And all that weight I lost in the hospital came back with a vengeance. But I am so thankful for having access to high-quality healthcare that didn’t bankrupt our family. This full year of bonus time had some amazing memories: an extra special Thanksgiving with family, the NCAA Final Four, MK’s graduation, Las Vegas with SK, lake visits to Vermilion and Superior, Rib Fest, Summer X Games, another epic State Fair, a quick day trip to Los Angeles, the Saints championship season, more Vikings football and lots of concerts and restaurants. Life at fifty has been good.
So where to from here? I’ll be seeing my eye doctor again soon and I need to get back to my “regular” doctor to start all of the normal old guy things that need to be tested and monitored. Colleen and I head to Maui later this month to check off the second milestone birthday trip that was postponed due to the incident. Hopefully we’ll get the third and final trip scheduled for January. This week I’ll find out about the 2020 London Marathon ballot, which would immediately kick-start a return to running. Quick trip next week to Milwaukee to visit the Buck’s new arena. After the Vikings-Eagles game this weekend, the football season will already be half over. And you know what Steve Miller said about flying eagles…
Originally published by DK on October 8, 2019 at 8:20 amP.S. Steak with the fam
Originally published by DK on October 5, 2019 at 6:25 pmDrowned rat
Originally published by DK on September 28, 2019 at 10:52 amThanks, MK
Originally published by DK on September 24, 2019 at 8:10 pmSK with Chrysanthemum in Mears Park
Originally published by DK on September 15, 2019 at 4:38 pmFelicity came home from the fair in a cocoon
Originally published by DK on September 14, 2019 at 3:36 pmGo, MK, go! Proud of you…
Originally published by DK on August 26, 2019 at 9:15 amNice to see Lynn and Dad
Originally published by DK on August 24, 2019 at 8:08 pmCome on, Hootie
Originally published by DK on August 23, 2019 at 8:19 pmMississippi National with the boys
Originally published by DK on August 14, 2019 at 10:50 pmSurprise visit from the SK (and my closet needs a cleaning)
Originally published by DK on August 10, 2019 at 3:43 pmGo Squad (XGMN19)
Originally published by DK on August 2, 2019 at 9:15 pmWell, not really a Lyft driver
Originally published by DK on July 21, 2019 at 10:57 amSwapped out uncles…
Originally published by DK on July 17, 2019 at 10:24 pmLunes likes her waffles
Originally published by DK on July 7, 2019 at 12:39 pmMK + Gordy = true love ❤️
Originally published by DK on July 3, 2019 at 10:58 amIt’s been a while since I’ve written a full concert post here, but the Lonely Island show at the Armory last night definitely merits a longer report. We really didn’t know what to expect, as many of the original SNL video shorts that made their songs famous have big name guest stars and elaborate staging. When opener Neal Brennan (co-creator of Chappelle’s Show) did a straight stand-up routine on basically an empty stage, we were even more confused as to what the rest of the night would hold in store. After a short wait between sets, surprise guest number one, Seth Meyers, introduced the main act and off we went…
Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone tore through all of their hits, singing in front of a giant video screen that was brilliantly programmed all evening. The night included many costume changes, but only one other major surprise guest star – the real Jose Canseco during Jose and Mark (from the 2019 Netflix special The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience). We were taking side bets on who else might show up: Justin Timberlake has family ties to Minnesota, while Maya Rudolph clearly loves Prince and Minneapolis. No go on anybody else – JT was portrayed as a marionette, while they just played the whole IHOP parking lot video on the big screen. I didn’t want any spoilers by looking up reviews of previous stops on this tour (Minneapolis was the last stop), but apparently T-Pain showed up at Summerfest in Milwaukee for I’m On A Boat and Chris Parnell performed Lazy Sunday at two of the New York shows.
Groups like Lonely Island and Tenacious D are tickets that I’m surprised are so popular, as I’d hazard that 75% of the general population has no idea who they are. Not sure that the Armory show was officially sold out, but the place was packed and we had a long line for the GA floor when we arrived half an hour before doors opened. The four of us ended up with a decent spot far stage left and (most) people were well behaved all night. I personally didn’t get to look at the merch table all that much, but I heard they had a wide variety of creative, fairly priced items for purchase. Setlist and a few pics after the jump.
Setlist:
That hit the spot (as usual)
Originally published by DK on June 30, 2019 at 2:52 pm…before I returned to the Delta Club, anyways 😉
Originally published by DK on June 25, 2019 at 7:44 pmOne purple and one red – thanks, SK
Originally published by DK on June 24, 2019 at 10:15 pmHadn’t seen a lot of these
Originally published by DK on June 2, 2019 at 8:50 pmSpokane visit or Stranger Things audition?
Originally published by DK on June 2, 2019 at 10:09 amhttps://www.legacy.com/obituaries/twincities/obituary.aspx?n=gregory-alan-smith&pid=192923075
Originally published by DK on May 28, 2019 at 2:09 pmStill haven’t figured out this whole grieving thing
Originally published by DK on May 26, 2019 at 11:43 amBeatles Cirque – probably last saw this a dozen years ago
Originally published by DK on May 24, 2019 at 1:31 amIn the “new” location @ Bellagio
Originally published by DK on May 23, 2019 at 9:25 pmCaesar’s Palace and the Palms
Originally published by DK on May 22, 2019 at 11:09 pmThat would be an easy conversion
Originally published by DK on May 22, 2019 at 12:55 amIt’s so cold here
Originally published by DK on May 21, 2019 at 12:23 pmTrying WN again with SK
Originally published by DK on May 21, 2019 at 8:47 amTwins season ticket holder trip was successful
Originally published by DK on May 19, 2019 at 6:48 pmField study to the BWCA for MK
Originally published by DK on May 19, 2019 at 1:50 pmPresentation completed with flying colors – on to graduation!
Originally published by DK on May 14, 2019 at 8:44 amMom at Disneyland
Originally published by DK on May 12, 2019 at 1:53 pmLunes has been a bad boi lately
Originally published by DK on May 11, 2019 at 8:32 pmMK @ Saint Paul College intro program
Originally published by DK on May 7, 2019 at 5:56 pm…but not working
Originally published by DK on May 5, 2019 at 7:36 pmQuick trip over to Keg and Case
Originally published by DK on May 1, 2019 at 7:33 amLuna was none too happy about that visit, either
Originally published by DK on April 24, 2019 at 3:10 pmGrowing up, there were two things we never talked about: politics and religion. I’ll leave the latter for another day, but the former is something that I’ve really come to dislike as I’ve grown older. I mean, politics are everywhere, of course, whether it be at work, in the news or at a family gathering. But as far as traditional Republicans versus Democrats, right versus left and conservative versus liberal, I’ve had just about all I can take. I’ve never been a fan of political parties – why can’t all elections be like those for mayor, school board or judge? I don’t need to see an “R” or “D” behind your name – tell me your qualifications, what your positions are and how you came to those conclusions. Party platforms are an intellectual cop-out, in my opinion.
We all form our key values as we mature and I find it interesting how these can change over time (and how they are shaped by our individual experiences and environments). I’ve always held the Golden Rule in high esteem and try to follow the “Thumper Rule” online (“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all”). Some of my other favorites?
Closely related to these values are other things important to me: family and friends, culture, education, science, history, nature, fitness, sportsmanship, fine food, live music, good writing, silence. I used to think that I hated rules (especially those seemingly arbitrary ones created by “the man”), but really I just hate dumb rules (i.e. – this).
Originally published by DK on April 24, 2019 at 1:00 amNot our favorite place in Europe, but still tragic news from a historic city
Originally published by DK on April 15, 2019 at 7:16 pmCalm amongst the chaos
Originally published by DK on April 2, 2019 at 2:12 pmReally needed that burger today
Originally published by DK on March 31, 2019 at 12:31 pmSqueezing in a few more…
Originally published by DK on March 28, 2019 at 6:23 pmTimberwolves vs. Golden State @ Target Center
Originally published by DK on March 19, 2019 at 7:10 pmParking really is free
Originally published by DK on March 14, 2019 at 10:07 amNine ball is still my fave
Originally published by DK on March 9, 2019 at 3:22 pmWe lived there a long, long time ago
Originally published by DK on March 3, 2019 at 10:09 pmZantigo Woodbury (with MK)
Originally published by DK on March 2, 2019 at 5:14 pmThat would’ve been a true Grand Casino Story, no?
Originally published by DK on February 28, 2019 at 10:51 pm…and Sir Elton
Originally published by DK on February 21, 2019 at 6:52 pmNow that Monster Jam is over, it’s full on Final Four
Originally published by DK on February 17, 2019 at 6:40 pmSK on her way to NYC
Originally published by DK on February 16, 2019 at 2:00 pmKeeping a positive outlook and all, but this is still truth…
Originally published by DK on February 16, 2019 at 10:19 amHe was an original Kilimanjaro Safari guide at DAK
Originally published by DK on February 1, 2019 at 11:20 amI’ve never seen such a small clown serving
Originally published by DK on February 1, 2019 at 9:59 amMK at her first ticket draft
Originally published by DK on January 30, 2019 at 10:42 pmThanks, Jim and Darla!
Originally published by DK on January 27, 2019 at 2:36 pm