Gopher The Roses

San Francisco Trip Day 1, Posted September 24 2006

It’s kind of weird to be writing this blog post(s) two weeks after getting home but stuff happens.

   

We started early the first morning by driving our friend Dan to work in San Francisco. Jason drove as he always does. He wishes I would be a little more obsessive compulsive like he is and I wish he would pull that rod out of his back side and relax a little bit.

    

But we are the best of friends although he learned a new reason to be annoyed with me. I am the navigator when he needs it. Usually he has it already figured out, where to go and what order but occasionally he needs some assistance. The thing is, I turn the map every time a turn is made. That way I can visualize where we are going.

   

Jason however does things by a compass and he wants the map held in place. He knows he needs to head, say, NE and that’s what he does. Mean while I am turning the map on him.

   

Each to his own.

   

We had a map and some sights marked to see and started driving. We also had the camera with. This being my first trip to the Bay Area I was in full tourist mode.

   

We went to Fisherman’s Wharf. It was a dreary morning. Damp, cold, and foggy but it would burn off by the afternoon right? Right… Not

   

After getting some breakfast at Johnny Rockets (I swear that was the best breakfast of my life. Maybe not eating much if at all the previous day played a part in it) We walked to Pier 39 and got the following pictures of Alcatraz and the Sea Lions:

   

   

   

   

   

   

Oh, and I should not forget about this street performer who paints himself a metallic silver. He does some routines to R&B music and then some “frozen” or statue like poses:

   

   

   

   

   

   

We checked out the shops and stopped in at Ghirardelli Square. We found Chocolate Heaven. As we stepped towards the entrance there was a certain spot when the aroma of the store took over. Oh my, there was a lot to choose from. I was able to resist the temptation, not sure why. Jason bought a square of raspberry chocolate fudge. Heaven indeed.

   

Took a quick stroll over to Pier 45 and saw two World War II era ships. The submarine U.S.S. Pampanito and the liberty ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien, the last ship floating from the D-Day invasion of Normandy:

   

   

   

   

   

 

One of my must sees was Lombard Street (also known as the Crooked Street). We first drove down it and then looped around a few blocks to get back to the top.

   

It was during this time that my senses were on over load. The views, ocean, and vertical features were amazing. Like I said, this was my first trip to San Francisco. Minneapolis and the Upper Midwest are fairly flat so this was all brand new to me. I was wondering how much speed could a person get on roller blades or what if a moving truck let loose:

 

   

   

   

   

   

Jason was wondering how often a brake job is needed or a parking brake would need adjustment. I was wondering about driving a stick. Or what if the streets were iced over. Always thinking like a Minnesotan.

   

So we parked and started walking. We found this driveway, which was common in the area. Nice pics of Jason thinking about it and then laughing out loud:

     

   

   

   

   

   

The view down from Lombard Street was very cool:

   

   

   

   

   

   

We then walked down and saw this plaque and tree that has been carved on a few hundred times:

   

   

   

   

   

   

The view from the bottom looking up was very cool too as I am a big fan of gardens:

   

   

   

   

   

   

We then headed to the Golden Gate Bridge, another must see on my list. Even with the foggy day it was very cool to see. We did start walking out on it but because of perspective we did not realize how far we had walked out (more like how far we had to walk back and in time to get back to the parking meter) and how much further we had to go:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

From there along the 49 Mile Scenic Drive:

   

   

   

   

   

   

To Baker Beach where for the first time I touched the Pacific Ocean. I also like the warning sign (in 4 languages), the dude fishing, and my future home:

   

   

   

   

   

   

To Ocean Beach:

   

   

   

   

   

   

And the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. This area reminded me a lot like our areas along the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Falls area. It was very quiet and peaceful. Although I am not sure how the others visiting the garden felt about Jason and I. We were walking around fast and talking kind of loud. Not exactly Zen like but hey, we had a schedule to keep:

   

   

   

   

   

   

While Jason was taking his time in the gift shop (his excuse was he is married with three kids to shop for, whatever) I sat down on this bench and this bird hopped up there with me. I sat and watched him for a while. It sat there looking up at me. I slowly walked from the bench and it hopped off still looking at me.

   

I took a picture of my new friend:

   

   

   

   

   

   

We started heading back to pick up Dan from work and stopped at Twin Peaks. We did not exactly find the street we were looking for (Jason said it was not his fault) but were high enough for a couple of pictures:

   

   

   

   

   

   

After getting Dan from work we headed back to his home and for me a much needed nap. We were able to do most of the sights we wanted to see in one day over six hours.

   

That night we headed back in to the city to meet some of Dan’s friends and a couple of drinks. Here is myself, Jason, and Dan:

   

   

   

   

   

   

And so ended the first day…

Good Morning San Francisco, September 8 2006

That's what I get for forgetting to spell check before posting...

   

We had a good flight from Minneapolis last night and made our way to our friend's house. This being my first trip to the Bay Area it feels a little foreign to me but I look forward to getting out this morning and doing what a tourist does.

    

How does one dress for sightseeing? Staring with 50 degrees and fog knowing it will lift sooner or later. Bring a change of clothes with I guess.

   

I have a great quote from buddy Jason as we were driving in last night from the airport. Being new to town and driving by map we were following very close to the speed limit which at that time was 65.

   

People are whizzing by us (like as in a blur) and Jason says, “F*** that’s just crazy”.

   

For those looking for the employment statistics from the last week I will be behind on them until later tonight or tomorrow morning.

   

Go Gophers…

Minnesota Golden Gopher Football Luncheon, Posted August 31 2006

I had a conversation with my mom on Saturday and I told her I was not feeling well. She got that mom tone in her voice and I realized I had better explain myself.

   

That morning ESPN had their first College Game Day, a preview of the upcoming season, and it was hard to watch. As in I did not care. Did not care, she asked. Something must be wrong…

   

I have tickets to the Minnesota vs. Cal game on September 9^th. My fraternity brother Jason and I are making this our third year in a row to an away game. The last two years were at Michigan and we are 1-1.

   

Tuesday I was invited to the luncheon by Rick Beeson, President of Park Midway Bank and a board member of the Goal Line Club.

   

I had been busy the whole morning and it felt like it was more trouble than it was worth to drive over to St. Paul. But I went anyway.

   

The program and lunch were good but I was still feeling a little ho hum. Then Coach Glen Mason started speaking.

   

He told us why he likes doing what he does in coaching and teaching young people. About the relationships and friendships that are built. That there is something on a day like Tuesday with a warm afternoon but a sense of fall in the air. Maybe not so much in temperature but with state fair going on, school starts next week, it just starts to feel like a football season.

   

And then he started speaking about the last three years of Michigan games and my enthusiasm started kicking in. He talked about the game three years ago up by 21 going into the 4^th quarter on national TV and then mistakes are made and we lose.

   

Two years ago up by four with two minutes to go, Michigan with the ball, and no timeouts. They score to win.

   

But then there was last year. The sweet sound of 111,117 in the Big House, except for a couple of thousand screaming Minnesota fans, stunned in silence as we kick the game winning field goal.

   

It was awesome to hear him talk about his experience that day and I started reflecting on mine and how I am fortunate to remember almost everything from our bar crawl in Ann Arbor that night. (Good thing I was the sober driver on Friday night)

   

I left there with a hop in my step humming the Minnesota Rouser.

   

7 days until I leave for the Bay Area and 9 days until the game. As I started typing this I realized that I somehow deleted a couple of posts from last season so I will do a 2005 In Review later this morning and my 2006 Preview this evening.

   

Let’s Go Gophers…

Let's Go Gophers, October 8 2005

How ‘bout them Golden Gophers!!!

So here I am posting from Michigan. I was in the Big House today and for the second year in a row sat facing the sun in a long game and have really bad sunburn.

The difference this year is a fantastic victory by our team.

I have a few pics to post later and many posts related to the recruiting world when I get back to

tomorrow.

So for now,

Hats Off To Thee…

And a mission to find something that looks like a Little Brown Jug to drink from.

30 Days Until The Michigan Game, Posted September 8 2005

No, I am not looking past Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, or Purdue.

   

In 2003 I sat in the Metrodome and was convinced that I was about to see the ultimate turning point in the Gopher football program. We were kicking Wolverine tail all over the place. The Dome was packed, it was loud, and it was fun.

   

And then it happened, the great Michigan comeback. On ESPN no less.

   

That night after a few too many beers I vowed I would go to Ann Arbor in 2004.

   

I did. My fraternity brother Jason and I took a long weekend to Ann Arbor. Our fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon, is headquartered there and the Michigan chapter was kicking off, pardon the pun, their 150^th year on campus.

Here are some pics from the Big House. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

I was convinced we were going to win the game. But there was a weird aura that day. It was Michigan’s Homecoming game. It was as if they, Michigan, knew they were going to come back and win. Kind of like the New York Yankees.

   

They did.

   

Let me say something nice about Ann Arbor. I really enjoyed our stay there. The people were friendly, the city is clean, a fantastic college town.

   

That night after not having any beer I vowed I would go back to Ann Arbor in 2005.

   

I am.

   

30 days until the Gophers and their faithful followers make their way back to Ann Arbor to take back the Little Brown Jug. It’s been 21 years.

It’s time.