Ok, so It was really a 231, but they add in my 67 league handicap.  I bowl every Monday for the KYMN Radio team.  It's the Businessmen League at the Jesse James Lanes here in Northfield.  I recently purchased a new ball which helps with my hook.  This is my first year doing this, so I'm gradually getting better each week.  My first game was a 194 and my last game was a 126 in Monday's three game set.  Guess I need to work on my endurance. 

Scoring was 9, /, /, /, X, X, X, X, X, X, /.

 

It took 28 minutes in real time, but now you can watch the annual tear down process in 3 minutes. Watch to the end when the branches come off.

After three days and 8,341 still shots from our camera on the historic Scriver Building in downtown Northfield, Tech Talks' Adam Gurno and myself put together this time-lapse version of this weeks 8-10" of snow during blizzard conditions and a full-out snow day! Watch closely as there is a quiz at the end of this 3 minute video presentation.

AL FREELAND

We have been in town since 1981, but it was only in the last couple of years that I noticed the tree.  By “the tree” I mean the giant cottonwood tree by the old metal bridge on Canada Ave., Northeast of Northfield.  When the tree finally caught my eye I was totally amaze by the size of this “old man of the woods”.  The base of the tree was hollowed out, but it still looked strong and not in danger of toppling. 

After attending the last regular season game at the Metrodome the Twins beat the Detroit Tigers in a one game playoff, 163rd game of the season.  This following 12 inning game was considered by many to be one of the most entertaining games in Twins history, considering the Twins were 7 games back just weeks prior and was the second time in 4 seasons that the Twins beat the failing Tigers on the last day of the season. 

In a stark turn of momentum the Twins were swept in 3 games during the following ALDS by the “Evil Empire” (Yankee’s).  I feel lucky to have had my team with the Central Division title as they left the Metrodome. 

Here are photo galleries from the last games that I attended.  Third to last.  Last game.

Following the last out during the final game at the Metrodome ever, they removed the home plate and moved it to the new Target Field. 

BY AL FREELAND

I really enjoy the Defeat of Jesse James Day’s auto show every year.   I like it for the same reasons that many “old people” like me revel in the event!!!    It is a walk down memory lane, a time to feel a bit younger as you identify with the machines that grew to be an extension of your body and seem still young, and for me and a few others walking around it was because of “simplicity”. 

The best way to describe what I mean by “simplicity” is as follows: 

1. I was talking with a gentleman that had rebuilt a Model-T Ford.  He gave a fascinating rendition of how Henry Ford had made a very usable car for the masses.  He said that Ford fine tuned the car engine and transmission to a point that is basically the same functional engine and transmission that exists in today’s cars. Once Ford developed the new oiling system, planetary gear transmission, and the basics that are still in our cars today, he stuck with it.  To make the massive sales he had, he just kept reducing the prices, making the Model T almost impossible to not buy; keeping all other competitors at bay.   He built millions of them until he was forced to update the technologies in 1927 when the Model A was released (I think I got the facts right).  The exhibition gentlemen had all the facts about the evolution of the Model-T which made for a fantastic visit.  It was the “keep it simple stupid” or KISS method of manufacturing, marketing and success.
2. Next, as I was walking over to a 1930 Pontiac that caught my eye, I overheard a couple of guys looking at some other older cars who were saying the same thing I had said all day long, “would you look at this Sam – can you believe how simple these engines were – no junk hanging all over it like today!”  Their point was proven all the more when I strolled over to the 1930 Pontiac.  One of the side hoods were raised showing the rebuilt and uncluttered engine (see the picture above).  I think you would agree with me if you were standing by my side, that this engine was designed for easy access and maintenance of all of the major engine wear-parts, including:  the spark plugs easily positioned on top of the engine, starter, generator, gas filter, water pump, manifolds, distributor, and carburetor.  I could touch, remove and replace these all with a couple of wrenches and a couple minutes effort.

I posted the following blog on my old website 3 years ago when I spent a lot of time hunting for the hidden horse shoe.  This year I am one of those hiding it.  Little did I know I was wasting my time, if I had paid any attention to the rule about it having to be on public property.  Regardless, the clues that I did tie into Oaklawn Cemetery in Northfield were just to ironic to not be part of something bigger.  Today, I am assured that it was just pure coincidence.  Read over the old post and take close note of the names on the stones. 

I am often running across incredible video clips on the internet that people MUST see.  Today I’m launching best personal best-of video site called CoolStuffISee.info.  It’s important that you subscribe to this site so that you stay on top of the awesome daily video that I run across.  Enter your email in or subscribe in a reader (on the right hand side).

CoolStuffISee.com

Here’s a sample of items.

Poor guy – He tried – Really really bad rendition of Amazing Grace

How does Google store all this data? Look inside a massive data-center

A new way to write without a keyboard using mouse navigation – cool!

How the last 200 years changed the world – fascinating graphs

Twelve Year Old Catches Two Foul Balls – Against incredible odds!

Total cool robotics. Seriously, we can do this? 

This is sweet – if you love lasers

Trying to figure out what this is about. Hope no one was sitting in the middle

No way this is real. Sound effects are a give away.

James May Rides In U2 Spy Plane – Awesome views

 

 

A great time was had by all! Aug 21-23 2009. We stayed in the resort the whole time. There was so much to do that we didn't need to leave. The facility is immense.

Click here to view the VIDEO page.

Hi folks!  I hope you’re having a great summer.  I’ve taken a little time off from TF.com for some web projects at work.  But….my camera continues to click.  I’m getting ready to post a number of great blogs on various topics and they all include great video and photo galleries.  Here’s a hint at what’s to come.

Our puppy Mia is growing up just fine.  She will surprise us with free entertainment on a daily basis…including her new sleeping spot on our recently paid off furniture.  Stay tuned and have a great August. 

Knowing there is nothing planned for the empty field to it's north, the new road markings at the Mendards in Dundas lead traffic into a curb.

My next door neighbor growing up in Northfield was Chris Blomberg.  He and I share June 1st as our birthday.  Tomorrow he turns 34 and I turn 36.  We always had a ton of fun with this, including some grand parties when we lived together in Minneapolis.  We have always made efforts to get together or do something special together on this special day that we share. 

This morning he randomly showed up at my front door on his bike.  He lives about 45 minutes away and I hadn’t seen him in many months.  He was in town for a family event and was going for a spin and decided to drop by.  This was such a great present. 

Happy birthday Chris!

By AL FREELAND

Andrew was born in southwestern Norway. What else did a person do in Southwestern Norway but fish or farm – period! He was born in a little town of Bryne – today still a little town of about 500 people. Outside of the town is a little wooden church called Time (pronounce Teem’ a) Lutheran. I was there about 10 years ago and saw the baptismal font he was baptized in, and the pews that he sat in, and the graveyard his ancestors were buried in. The thread of time and history and ancestry is small, but strong. I felt pulled there and could feel the connections the “thread” was pulling. The following is the Time “Crest” or “Coat of Arms”. (click on the head title to read on)