Minnesota: What Gives?

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harley davidsonMinnesota, I’ve noticed something lately.  You don’t have helmet laws with regards to motorcycles.  It’s odd to see men with naked heads riding around on Harleys and various other makes of “hog” if you will.

I mention men because I haven’t seen any women driving around without helmets.

Regardless, while I’ve never been a fan of “nanny” laws that force people into common sense, I do wish there was a law about these motorcycle folks.  Actually, it should probably apply to anyone who is licensed to drive a motor vehicle.

There should be an auto opt-in on the organ donor program.  Those of you who go sans-helmet, I like to call you all organ donors.  I mean really…you obviously lack the common sense to use a helmet while driving around at speeds in the death range (over 25 miles an hour), so why not do something useful and give those organs to someone who can use them?  Odds are you are going to be done with them pretty soon.

Now, I don’t want to force you to do it, but I think the auto-opt in is a good idea. There’s no quibbling. It’s a default. You can be an asshole who doesn’t want to save a life by opting out, but I don’t recommend it. Unless of course you have some sort of religious reason or would prefer to donate your body to science instead….that would be understandable.

OK, enough of the soapbox.  Let’s talk about the restroom.

Why is it that everywhere I go in this region there are no toilet seat covers?  It doesn’t matter if I’m in a gas station or a class A high rise building.  I have yet to see one.  Maybe this speaks too much about my restroom habits, but have these things been banned from the Midwest or what?  Neither North Dakota nor Minnesota has toilet seat covers! Is it some “green” thing?  Seriously, it might be my germaphobia, but there needs to be a barrier of some type on that seat!

This Friendship is Brought to You by the Letter I (for Internet)

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Me & Katey at Krolls Diner

Me & Katey at Krolls Diner.

As most of you know, I met my boyfriend through Twitter. What you might not know is that most of the friends I’ve made over the last seven years have been due to the internet.

My blog was the first way I found people. I would comment on other blogs in an effort to drive traffic to mine, but as a byproduct, I actually met some people in real life. Katey is one of those people. I first met her in real life at BlogHer ’11. I went there completely alone, but met up with her and four other gals who had a group blog called The Peevery. They were just as awesome in real life as they had been on the internet.

Before our meeting in real life, we had only commented on blogs and then when Twitter became a thing, we tweeted at each other. Now, we mostly tweet and Facebook.

Over the weekend though, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Katey and her fiancé, Chris, while passing through North Dakota.

"Sit down und eat!"

“Sit down und eat!”

How insane is that? It’s really interesting how the universe works. One day I’m sitting on my couch in California, lonely and frustrated because I’d just been dumped. So, I signed up for BlogHer. Two years later, I’m sitting in a German themed diner in the Midwest with my boyfriend and Katey and Chris. Never would have I believed you if you’d told me that such an occurrence would happen. Mostly, I wouldn’t have believed that I would finally have an awesome boyfriend.

The internet is a powerful tool. My life would not be the same without it.

Big Relationship Step: Meeting the Parents

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Fear of this fork type is irrational.

In this day and age of seemingly few relationship traditions, why is meeting the parents still such a big deal? I’m a grown up who makes my own destiny, right? Because family (however it manifests in your life) is important. I have heard too many people complain about crazy in-laws only to see their relationships suffer because of it. I would wonder, didn’t they know those people were crazy before they married their child and had kids?

In the past, I worried about falling in love with someone whose family was nuts.  I joked about dating orphans because then I wouldn’t have to deal with crazy in-laws.  I was being irrational and a little callous.

This past weekend, I met Paul’s parents. The moment I walked into their home, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. It was this warm, happy feeling that embraced me. They are great people. I couldn’t have felt more welcomed. My gut never lies to me and this time it gave me a very good feeling.

Of course, there are going to be differences in the way people do things, but grown ups learn from those differences. When I was younger, I probably would have been stupid and full of ego about differences that, well, make no difference when it comes right down to it.

What really matter is “how much and what flavor of crazy are you willing to deal with” when you meet the family? Anyone who doesn’t think their family is crazy is crazy. I know my family is crazy, but I also know they are wonderful people.  They seem honest, loving, and caring.  They seem like genuinely good people.

I’m sure Paul thinks his family is crazy and they probably are, but I think they are the kind of crazy that makes life interesting. The good kind of crazy, like my family.

Basically, this hurdle has been cleared and now I know (as if I didn’t before) that I made the right choice in moving in with Paul. I won’t be stressed out whenever the “in-laws” arrive like some of my acquaintances. I’ll enjoy the visit and learn more about the man with whom I am in love.

Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

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I am not now nor have I ever been, a Trekkie. However, I’m pretty sure I’ll watch anything J. J. Abrams makes. Damn can that guy (and his people) tell a story.

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Movie Candy

Also, the acting is great. I mean I love everyone in this cast, even the bad guys. Was that Robo Cop? While I thoroughly enjoy Simon Pegg as Scotty, Bones will always be my favorite character in this new set of movies. Although John Cho’s Sulu comes in a close second because he’s kick ass.

This movie, like the last, has the right mix of action, comedy, and storytelling. (Kaaaaaaahhnnnn!). I loved how it started “in medias res”. Seconds into the flick and I’m on the edge of my seat.

Not to spoil anything for anyone, but at one point, I thought, “Why is there a Jedi in this movie?” Apparently, he’s a Sith.

While I haven’t yet seen Iron Man 3 (I will), this movie is a great way to kick of the summer block buster season.

Road Trip Chronicles: Minnesota to North Dakota

Road Trip Chronicles: Minnesota to North Dakota

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The urge to travel is in my blood. My pioneer ancestors crosses the plains. My conquistador ancestors settled California. I can’t help it. It’s in my genes, this urge to explore. This weekend Paul & I traveled to North Dakota … Continue reading →