Temaki Monday 3/27/06

We're really enjoying the fresh seafood thing. That's sake and maguro on the plate on the right... soooo delicious.

Go west, young man 3/26/06

Today we headed to the west side of town to see how spring is progressing. Yes, the ice is still on Lake Minnetonka. People were walking on the lake. Someone was snow sailing (my made-up terminology for what it looked like he was doing) on the lake. He likely had a snowboard strapped to his feet and was being pulled by a kite. In areas where the ice had cleared they were already launching boats.

























They're not pouring margaritas outside at Fletchers yet...







































A very good thing to remember when our birthdays come in June:















On the way back we decided to make an unusual stop. At first we didn't even recognize the place.






Does this help?
















Yes. It's our high school. Don't know why we decided to stop by. Maybe because we both went there. Maybe just to take our picture out front.

But the trip had a different purpose when we saw the changes. We had to get in, at least to see how much it had changed. Today the students can choose between cappuchino, chai tea, and italian shaved ice. There is a formal food service where you actually have a selection. There is now more than one cafeteria.














Some things haven't changed... like the original cafeteria. Except there used to be windows in the back. Now it backs up to some sort of "recreation wing."














We couldn't get into the old part of the school, so we don't know if that has changed. However, most everything else has expanded. They now have multiple gyms like a health club. There are new outdoor tennis courts and there is a football field with bleacher seating. Hiroe and I couldn't decide if we would have actually enjoyed high school had we had this new building. Likely not. Beautiful surroundings would not have masked those annoying people. One thing we agreed on, though. The place smelled the same.

Art Institute 3/25/06

On Saturday we decided to check out a photography exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The photographer is Marc Riboud. His series is called 'Photographing the World 1953-2005'. Admittedly, my interest is in learning from successful photographers how to quit your day job and pay the bills with photography. Marc started out as an engineer then studied under some great photographers. Don't know how much success I'll have.



















Part of photography is deciding what message you want to convey in the photo, then finding the right perspective. I took this one at the Art Institute because I thought it was a cool perspective. I didn't have a message. After looking at the photo at home I found the message. It's what the subject is saying, or screaming... "My leg!"



















I liked this scene because of all of the randomly placed park benches. Random benches, random conversation. Waiting for summer.







Our last stop was at Coastal Seafood in South Minneapolis. Here we were able to buy some very delicious Chilean Seabass for dinner. Hiroe picked up some sushi-grade Hamachi. That was our appetizer. WOW... was it good! It was easily better than any sushi restaurant in the cities (I know Minneapolis and good sushi don't necessarily go together). Anyway, the sushi she made was fantastic. Oh, and that's New French Bakery bread Hiroe is eating. Very tasty. It's been fun finding the small specialty shops in the cities that have amazing quality and great prices. Fine chocolate, tea, hot chocolate, ice cream, bread, cheese, seafood... all close by our house.

A perfect day 3/18/06

Saturday was about as nice of a day as I could ask for. After a long difficult week at work it was sooo nice to wake up to sunshine. It prompted us to do a little exploring. Naturally, I wanted to do something that involved water, so we headed to Harriet Island Park and the St. Paul Yacht Club.













Of course on a day like this one should bring a camera.













Lots of cool photo opportunities.












































Hard to believe, but we were able to find St. Paul's belly button. And we weren't even looking for it.













Hiroe brought her camera too...




























When we arrived at the Yacht Club the gate was open. I figured someone inside would ask us to leave eventually, but why not look around while we had the chance. It was pretty cool. I would say 5 or 6 different boats are inhabited year round. They actually looked pretty cozy. Made me want to sell the house and live on the water. Hiroe was o.k. with the idea. Looks like I have some planning to do.































































If it weren't for the snow on the dock, you'd think it was May.












I'm sure he's ready for May.














Then we stopped by Candyland in St. Paul. Bought some green carmel corn (St. Patrick's day, you know).






































A photo for Japan.














Next we went to Surdyk's for some cheese. Fondue was on the menu for Sunday night. Very exciting to find good cheese in Minneapolis. A huge selection. Very cheap too.


















Lastly we headed to Hiroe's student's house for a St. Patrick's day party. There were a lot of people and they had live music. It was a really nice party.

another snow day 3/16/06

Received more snow today...












Not as much fun as Monday since I had to work. I spent the day in a building with grey walls, dark grey carpeting, and flourescent lights. But, in an otherwise grey day, there were some sparkles. Like icicles. Hanging off of roofs everywhere.






And Hiroe's coolest snow creation ever. This was in the middle of our front walk when I returned home. Very useful for keeping people away. We kind of like our privacy.












It comes complete with a light like a lighthouse warning away those who get too close. Wouldn't want them tripping. Lawsuits, you know.















I really like it. And I'll sleep well tonight too, knowing that the would-be intruders can't get near our house. Thank you, My Love!

snow day 3/13/06

Received a little snow today. I love snow for many reasons. It's beautiful to look at. It reminds me of playing in the snow as a child. It caused a car to slide into a power pole, resulting in a power outage at work. So I had the day off. I love snow.













The Mississippi...











The dogs enjoying life... as usual.

Saturday events 3/11/06

On Saturday we decided to do a little dog training downtown. In retrospect, it's probably not the best place to train a dog as there are many distractions. People, smells, edible things on the ground. And all we wanted was to walk without them pulling their leashes. It was probably too much to ask.



















But there were some cool sights. The first skyway?






































And afterward, the puppies continued their fun day digging holes in our garden and eating each other.



























Saw this from the office and I had to take a picture. Of course, a picture is never as cool at the real thing. It was a beautiful day...