JB and Rage Cage did not disappoint – have fun tonight, Saint Paul
The Return of the D
One from the list b4 the show
WELCOME TO D DAY
Perfect 612 summer morning
Love their breakfast burger
The Spread of Sports Betting
While I worked for a number of years in the casino business, my property never offered sports betting. As it now spreads across the United States, it is starting to make an impact with my current industry, professional sports venue management. I haven’t done a lot of research on this topic, but I feel like both sides aren’t fully prepared for all the potential side effects of a much larger pool of bettors.
Minnesota has always had a unique gaming environment among states and the various types of tribal compacts, so I don’t envision any immediate changes in the landscape. As it sweeps across the country, though, I imagine Minnesota will join at some point – too much money is involved to completely sit out. Minnesota tribes have understandably been reluctant to reopen the gaming agreements, but most of the larger ones already have ties to professional sports in one form or another.
As a technical venue manager, I’m curious as to what additional demands will be made on wireless networks, digital signage, cyber security and real-time statistical data feeds if sports betting is approved here. Not to mention physical changes to buildings if things like betting windows were ever to be added. I can easily imagine fans having sports betting apps on their phones, placing bets in their seats during a game and wanting to cash out winners immediately.
Lastly, I had another thought while watching the Twins lose their epic battle with the Yankees the other night. If human referees and umpires are still used in all leagues (which is likely), what extra security measures will be needed when they make bad calls? Will it influence how they make calls in the first place? It’s already a challenging environment with rowdy fans who have had too much to drink…
They are trying hard, but this doesn’t look promising
This will be a busy week
Two days, two MLS games, 3056 miles
It was promising for a minute
Six years in a row
Victory for the home team
Olympic History
So great to visit (and eat)
Well that was really something
Iconic
Because of course
Mandatory stop #2
Of course we did
Holy flightpath, Batman
That was a tough one
Been stuck in airports, terrorized. Sent to meetings, hypnotized. Overexposed, commercialized…
- Handle With Care
We were 12 when ELO was last here, but the lasers were worth the wait
Hey policeman don’t bother, even as a kid I only played robbers and robbers…
- C’mon, Atmosphere
It’s almost time
So much baseball ⚾️
Beer pipes
American Association All Stars
Really love it when my vendor partners step up and perform above expectations
Revisiting the fish burger
River choo-choo
Your 2019 HR Derby champ!
Today was a busy start to a really crazy two weeks
So much is said in silence…
- Larry (and Robert)
I know, I know…
Perfect Simpson clouds today at Target Field
A little late
Champion Golfer + Twins
Guilty pleasures
Thank you, Lyft driver
The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable.
- The Elders
First golf rainout of the season
Blues and Funk Fest
Murray’s is only two train stops away from the office – really should go here more often
Still the best deal in town
I understand why they do it, but it kind of bugs me when they don’t use the regular championship course routings in majors
Good morning, Stans
Big Boy Choo-Choo Tour
It’s not every day the “Beatles of the train world” rolls into your city, but last night we heard the train whistle blow on the largest operational steam locomotive in the world, also known as Union Pacific’s Big Boy #4014. Currently on a Midwest Tour to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Completion, this Big Boy was on display at Union Depot today. How could I not walk the two blocks from our loft to check out this impressive piece of history?
Turns out there are a lot of choo-choo nerds in these parts, so lines were a little long to view the one car exhibit. There was also another line to view the inside of the engine cab, but I didn’t wait for that one. You could walk around both sides of the train, though, so there was plenty of opportunity to get some cool pictures without nine million other people in the shot (more pics after the jump). They also had food available on the platform and there were a number of vendor booths in the Waiting Room hall with all kinds of interesting stuff for sale.
Built in 1941, the #4014 is the only operating Big Boy of the eight that remain in existence. It was used in revenue service to haul trains weighing up to 4,200 tons over Utah’s Wasatch Range until 1959, traveling 1,031,205 miles during that period. The Big Boys are 132 feet long, weigh 1.2 million pounds (more than a 747), output 6,290 horsepower and have a top speed of 80 miles per hour. After retirement, this Big Boy spent time resting in the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California. In 2013, Union Pacific regained ownership and started a multi-year restoration project in their Cheyenne Steam Shop. The locomotive was converted from coal to oil and in May 2019, Big Boy #4014 completed a successful test round trip from Cheyenne to Nunn, Colorado.
So. Many. Taps.
Trains are cool
New Hiawatha trail fence
So glad I picked this up @efetusmpls yesterday – so much fun hearing these songs
Family reunion in 317
The witching hour approaches
The tarps are finally off
Flicker comfort food
Wut
