Send Me Home Pre-CD Release & Farewell Show July 13, 2009

This past Friday on the 10th we took a little trip up to Minneapolis to see my cousin Jaspar’s “farewell show”. I’ve always felt so bad about not making it to any of her shows and I thought this would be an important one to go to since it’s one of her last before she moves to South Africa for two years. It was held at The Glacier Fringe and the show started at 8pm but we ended up being about an hour in a half late because Eric didn’t get off work until 8pm so we waited for him so we could all drive up there together. We hit some traffic on the way up and then drove in circles for a while trying to find a place to park which can be very dangerous for pedestrians when a middle aged man that hates driving in the cities and is becoming enraged is behind the wheel. He almost hit two kids and then a guy in a wheel chair but I think the guy in the wheel chair had a death wish anyway because he was using one of those motorized chairs at night with no lights of reflective tape so he was almost invisible. I was afraid that we would miss the whole show with being so late! It ends up that we got there during intermission (so we missed the first half) but we did get to see the second half and got to mingle with family for a while before and after the second half.

Jaspar can be found here: http://www.myspace.com/jasparlepak

Here’s just a few photos from the night:

Jaspar’s husband Kale played the accordian and provided some harmony vocals:

Mom & Eric

Mom & Teri

Carol & Jake

Dad & Greg

Eric, Jaspar, & Jake

Me & Jaspar

Kale & Jaspar

Ladies’ Night June 7, 2009

Last night was ladies’ night. We stayed at the Millenium Hotel in Minneapolis again, the same place we stayed for Jessie’s bachelorette party. I ended up being late getting there because I stopped at MOA on the way up, then on my way to the hotel I took the wrong exit and ran into a whole bunch of road construction. Yup, even if I think I’m going to be on time for once I still run late. It was no big deal though. By the time I finally got there and found a spot to park on the very top of the parking ramp they had already been there for a while and went swimming. Then we hung out for a few hours and ordered some pizza. We were getting dressed when we noticed that across the way in an apartment there was a group of guys that might have been watching us so Caitlin was told to moon them. That’s one thing about her, ask her do do something like that and she will.

We origionally planned to hit up The Gay 90′s and Spin but decided to skip The 90′s and just go to one place. We got there around 10:30 and the place was dead except for a couple of small groups that weren’t dancing yet so we just lounged around until things picked up. Once things do pick up in there though it gets super crowded, like you can hardly dance. I actually found myself envying the gogo dancers because they have their own little space to dance where no creepy guys can grind up on them.

 

Rachel & I

 

Colette, Lynsie, & Jessie W. sipping on $1 pink panties.

 

Me, Colette, Lynsie, & Jessie W

 

 

 

Lynsie, Jessie W., & Jessie

 

Jessie, Caitlin, & Rachel

 

I don’t know what was happening in this one.

 

 

I don’t know if Jessie was purposely making this face or not but I find it hilarious either way.

 

A view of the dance floor from upstairs.

Jessie’s Bachelorette Party November 20, 2008

This past weekend it was time for Jessie’s bachelorette party! We stayed at the Millenium Hotel Minneapolis, where I met them in the afternoon. They had already been there for a while and went swimming before I got there. We started off in the hotel lobby/bar and had some martinis.

 

My first ever martini – key lime pie, mmmmm

 

 

We ate at D’Amico Cucina where the staff was really friendly. They gave Jessie free chocolates (arranged in an interesing way) and a free bottle opener. At one point we had lingerie scattered on the table and the waitress that was pouring my water completely missed the cup because she was suprised to notice all of the undergarments on the table.

 

 

The first club that we hit up was First Avenue since I guess that it’s a “must” and I’ve heard so much about it. It had a very cool atmosphere but I think we got there a little early since it was pretty sparse and only a few people on the dance floor. Someone from City Pages took our photo so maybe we’ll be in it? I also had her take this one so that we could have a photo of everyone together.

 

 

What kind of a bachelorette party would it be without going to the Gay 90′s? When we first got there it didn’t seem like what we expected. It was just one room with a bar and dance floor. Where were the drag queens and feather boas? After a while we explored through a hallway and found the main room complete with a male dancer, that was more like it! The restroom was interesting, only two stalls and one of them didn’t have a door so we took turns standing guard in front where the door was supposed to be.

 

 

I think that our last stop for the night was Spin. I later looked it up online and I guess this place is very large and has gogo dancers, which I couldn’t really tell that night because it was JAM PACKED! I can’t even tell you how many times my toes were stepped on and there was barely any space to move. It was the type of place we like though with the right type of music and atmosphere. We’ll have to go there again and try to get there a little earlier so we can explore it.

Jessie’s challenge for the night? To collect 5 phone numbers.

 

And now for some random running through the streets of downtown freezing our arses off pics….

 

Finally back in the warm hotel after a long walk/run in the cold-

When we got back we wanted to go swiming but the pool had closed a loooong time ago. I guess that makes everyone lucky because they didn’t have to see my vampiric white skin and less than pefect body, which I’m sure they’ll be sick of seeing by the time we’re back from St. Croix. Angel ended up ordering 3 pizzas at about 3:30 I think which we devoured before going to sleep. Yup, great night. I can’t wait for the wedding!