A little bit of this, a little bit of that

Over the past couple of weeks, M and I have been bumming around the cities as usual so I thought I would write about it all in one post to catch myself up on this blog! Always, always something to write about, usually my adventures and a big long list of blog topics that I never even get to.

A couple of weekends ago, M and I ventured to Lowertown in St. Paul and ate at the Bulldog. We ate burgers and tots while watching The World Cup. After our meal, we played a game of shuffleboard. As best as I can recall, I don't think I had ever played shuffleboard before. It was fun to play and I squeaked out my first win.

M has just proven that you can look sexy even while playing shuffleboard

So I won my first game of shuffleboard. See below to see how close it was.

Take a better look here. Blue wins!

After The Bulldog, we went across the street into Mears Park where they were having a Jazz Festival for the weekend and took a quick peek at what was going on over there.

Yes, not only a Smart Car, a CONVERTIBLE Smart Car. That car is so tiny yet when you're inside of it, it feels like a normal sized car.

The last Saturday in June we met Ray for lunch at Mad Jack's in Vadnais Heights. M tries to get all his siblings together once a month for a lunch or dinner but it hasn't been going very well thus far but we appreciate anyone that does show up!

After lunch, M and I drive around on the motorcycle and stopped to take a look at downtown St. Paul, the State Capitol and the Cathedral of St. Paul.

We then drove down to Stillwater to PD Pappy's to drop off a flyer. The water in the St. Croix River is very high and some of the walkways near the river are closed as they're flooded. Here are some pictures of the boats waiting for the bridge to be lifted to pass under. We ate at Brine's before heading up 95.

We drove up 95 to the city Marine on St. Croix, or just Marine, and stopped at Brookside Bar and Grill to drop off a flyer. It was a very hot and humid day and while we were in the bar enjoying a root beer, it started pouring and we came out to the wet bike but I'm glad we didn't get caught in the rain on the bike. There was a chocolate shop right next store that M felt compelled to buy some chocolate, which he said was very delicious.

We did find an incredible neighborhood in Marine by accident that I am going to do a separate post on soon. Stay tuned.

We ended our ride going back through Lake Elmo and ended up visiting my Gramma and Grandpa for awhile and playing with their dog Russell and cat Bailey.

Finally, last Sunday we saw the movie Grown Ups. Skip it! We both thought it was cheesy and not funny. M's words after the movie: "Get me out of here."

Little by little, I'm getting caught up on writing about all my adventures!

Sting

M and I went to see Sting perform at the Xcel Energy Center on Monday, June 21st. Not only did he come on tour with your usual suspects of a band, he also brought the England's Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as his backing band, who he claimed he "borrowed from the Queen". Sting played 26 songs that were broken up into 2 sets with a 20 minute intermission in between. I did get to hear some of my favorite Sting songs, including "Fields of Gold", however I didn't like the arrangement on that one. Sting played many songs from his catalog including a few renditions of his songs with The Police as well as some more rare songs that I've never heard before. This was my first time seeing Sting in concert as a solo performer. While I did see him in concert for The Police Reunion Tour on July 3rd, 2007, I've always wanted to see him solo and had missed the few times he's been to the Twin Cities since 1993, when I can recall starting to enjoy his music. Sting was very personable and gracious on stage and looked very handsome for a 58 year old Englishman. He even had a great sense of humor when an idiot from the crowd yelled, "Free Bird!" He responded that wasn't one of his songs and then when the idiot again called out "Free Bird!" after awhile, Sting responded by simulating smoking a joint and said, "I remember my first joint too" as the crowd laughed. For his encore, he came out with his ipod with the ear bud in one ear while he listened to "Free Bird" and sang the lyrics after he had just listened to the verse. I guess the idiot in the crowd did get his request after all.

The show ended with an encore that lasted for one song, four times. Sting and his immediate band went off the stage, while the 45-piece orchestra stayed in their chairs, which was an obvious sign Sting was coming back out. Every time Sting would leave the stage and the orchestra didn't, you knew he was coming back out. This happened four times, which seemed like overkill to me, however I was glad to hear another song.

As always, click on each picture for a better view.

Macrolicious Friday

I cheated and didn't post this Macro until Monday, but backdated it for Friday as I forgot.

Here is a picture of a flower I took overlooking St. Paul.

Will I ever get better?

So you've read here and there in my posts that I've been sick. Here's what my last 16 days of health have been about.

Monday, June 14th: This is the first day back after the MS150 and I was supposed to go to work. Instead I wake up with an incredible sore throat and have aches, a fever and am miserable. I miss Michael's annual company picnic at the Saints game.

Tuesday, June 15th: I'm out of work again and do not feel any better. Michael is accompanying me today as he does not feel well today either.

Wednesday, June 16th: I go to work but go to Target's Minute Clinic after work. I get tested for strep throat and the rapid test comes back negative. My germs are sent out to a lab for further testing.

Thursday, June 17th: I feel better! Michael goes to the doctor to get tested for strep since he has some symptoms and they put him on antibiotics.

Friday, June 18th: I had a scheduled day off of work for my cousin's wedding. I wake up feeling like crap again and debate going to the wedding. I call the minute clinic to see if they can prescribe anything for me to make me feel better. Their only solution is a chloraseptic-type spray. Forget it. I pop lots of sudafed and ibuprofen and go to the wedding...and have a good time!

Saturday, June 19th: I get a call from Target Minute Clinic. My throat culture is POSITIVE. I have strep and I'm contagious for the next 24-48 hours. I'm completely sad that I possibly infected everyone in my life by being around anyone, including at my cuz's wedding. It's a majority decision that I cannot attend the Father's Day get together at my parent's house today. I instead get my prescription and start taking them immediately to combat this bacteria and watch the Twins game by my lonesome.

Sunday, June 20th: Not feeling any better. Happy Father's Day.

Monday, June 21st: I stay home from work because I am still not better and I'm not sure if I am contagious. I work from home for half the day before having to get myself up and put together and go out to a concert. I wouldn't have gone if I didn't feel like I have to. I was not going to waste a ticket that cost mucho dinero.

Tuesday, June 22nd: I'm back to work but still don't feel good. Michael stays home today because he's sick again/still.

Wednesday, June 23rd-Tuesday, June 29th: I finished up my 10 day supply of antibiotics but still do not feel cured. My sore throat comes and goes and I have a horrendous honking cough (think geese) and cannot hear. My whole side of my head is congested and my ears are plugged. What'd you say?

Wednesday, June 30th: I went back to the doctor because I can't stand it anymore. I went to a real doctor, not a minute clinic and they tested me for strep again. The rapid test comes back negative. (Heard it) They treat me for another/ongoing case of strep with another round of antibiotics, this time a stronger dose. I also have severe congestion in one ear (what I consider my good ear) and an ear infection starting in the other ear. The doc told me to take Afrin for 3 days to clear my congestion and my sinuses should start to drain. The coughing is from the irritation of my throat. I can't wait until I can hear again and smell again and swallow again without pain and stop coughing so I don't annoy my honey or my coworkers!

To everyone out there, wash your fricking hands! I am somewhat of a germaphobe and am careful about spreading germs and you should be too! Michael tells me what goes on in men's bathrooms and what he sees, and believe me, it's not good. Everyone needs to wash their hands! Kids! Women! Men! Everyone!

John and Jen's Wedding

My cousin John got married last Friday, June 18th. When I found out many months ago that he was getting married on that day, I was bummed because M and I already had a motorcycle trip to Wisconsin and Iowa planned with a group of people for that weekend and that we'd have to miss their wedding. After some consideration, we decided to back out of the trip so we could attend their wedding. In addition, my company picnic was the same day as well as our friend Chris's birthday BBQ but we ditched all activities to come to the wedding.

I had been sick all of last week missing both Monday and Tuesday from work and then having a scheduled day off on Friday. I started to feel worse again on Friday and didn't even know if I would even make the wedding later that day but I put on my best face and did make it to the wedding with the help of my friends Sudafed and Ibuprofen.

The wedding and reception was held at a golf course in Cottage Grove. The ceremony was outdoors and the weather cooperated completely with a warm, sunny day. The ceremony was short and sweet and the reception followed. The food was really good and my other cousin Mike gave a great Best Man speech. The night was so perfect that I didn't get on the dance floor once but spent the majority of time outside enjoying the beautiful summer evening.

John and Jen pouring their unity sand

Michael blowing bubbles

Jen's step dad made this arbor for John and Jen

Remember my macro photo from last Friday? This was on the table that sat in the arbor.

My newest cousin Amelia

The proud parents...aka my aunt Pat and uncle Dennis

The wedding party line dancing

The moon in between the rafters of the patio

Congratulations to both, John and Jen. Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day. You guys make a great couple.

Macrolicious Friday

Happy Friday to you all!

I will explain today's macro in a post coming very soon.