suebabe

Chelsea in 2020, 2024, '28...

suebabe — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:12:00 GMT

Okay, I fell into the trap. Hillary in 2012 or 2018. But, hey folks, what about Chelsea Clinton in 2020, 2024, '28 or later? We fall into the trap. Fathers and sons. But what about mothers and daughters? Or fathers, mothers and daughters as we have with Chelsea Clinton?

We've seen a gawky teenageer, with wild unruly blonde curls, who was a little bit ungainly, turn into a beautiful, smart poised young woman. A young woman whose father was President of the United States, whose father was impeached because of an affair with an intern, who saw her mother stand by her man, and who then saw her mother come "oh, this close" to being the nominee for President of the United States. A young woman who narrated the video for her mother, who lost the Democratic nomination for President to a black man. Both historic occurrances.

Does no one see the jewel who is Chelsea? The young woman who has been tested by fire? Who has grown up in the Clinton dynasty to be a strong woman in her own right? Who has seen her mother tested and never give up, seen the devotion of women, including black women, who can't give up the dream of a woman President, even as the dream of a black President is right before their eyes? What is it that unites women that we havent' seen until now. What is it about mothers and daughters that Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer don't get? (As much as I want Anderson Cooper to get it?)

It's that mothers and daughters are the silent ones. We're the ones behind the scenes. The ones making the world work. We're not the politicians. Or at least haven't been until the last few decades. We rant about the Taliban and how horrible their regime was toward women and children. But, women didn't get the right to vote until after black men did in America. And, in my opinion, the media has not treated Hillary Clinton as fairly as they would have a man running for President.

Here speech tonight was a speech a woman would and could give. It was passionate, eloquent and fair. And, it cut to the chase. Are you for me? Or are you for the issues I stand for? If I could have gotten up and cheered, I would have.

Chelsea Clinton is someone we shouldn't ignore. She's been raised by two amazing politicians. She's been kept out of the limelight as much as possible. The Bush's have also done a pretty good job of keeping their kids out of the spotlight. The Obama's will have a harder time. Because their kids are younger, and because Sasha is more vocal! (Can you tell? I love that kid).

So, while this election year is important, you heard it here first. Don't forget Chelsea Clinton. She's a quiet force to be reckoned with. She may be even more powerful than even her father or her mother. Combinf. She's a sum of borh of them, tested by trial and fire. I wouldn't put much past her. Would you?

Forget Hillary. Let's Vote for Michelle Obama

suebabe — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT

So, all these people who were Hillary Clinton supporters (including me) now have a strong woman to vote for. Her name is Michelle Obama. We'll get her as an extra bonus if we vote for Barack Obama.

Yes, I already blogged once tonight. But, I'm on vacation, the Twins are tied with Seattle (a cursed West Coast game) and I'm on vacation this week. Plus, I've had a second glass of wine. Michelle Obama was absolutely fabulous tonight in her speech before the Democratic National Convention. As a woman, she showed strength and vulnerability. The best combination a woman can show. Then, add in the kids. They showed Barack on the big screen and her kids were wonderful. They were kids who obviously loved their dad. Sasha didn't care. When she first walked out she looked out into the crowd with this look that said, "who are all these people?" It was hilarious.

And, this was the first time I'd heard about Michelle's dad having M.S. Never, ever heard that until tonight. And the fact that he kept working and put his two kids through college. Good colleges, despite being disabled. She obviously loved and adored him, as she does her mother. She came across as a real woman, a daughter, a sister, a wife a mother. Now, I want a bit more about her career, but that can come later.

Michelle has already been compared with Jackie Kennedy. I was just a bit too young to remember. Bill Clinton was the first President I voted for (absentee ballot) who actually won. I'm hoping Barack Obama is the second President I vote for who actually wins. Tonight started out quiet, but built up. Ted Kennedy, the aging, ill warrior who would not be stopped. Then Michelle Obama who hit every note she needed to hit. And, who is her brother? Damn. He was pretty damned impressive too.

I feel sorry for the Republicans. They have a hard act to follow. Michelle... way to go girl! If you were here I'd give you a fist bump!

The Olympics made me sleep deprived

suebabe — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:19:00 GMT

It started a fewweeks ago with the Twins playing on the West Coast, which meant I stayed up past my bedtime several nights in a row. Then the Olympics started. By the end of the first week, I was in zombie mode, getting by at work and my busy schedule on about five hours of sleep a night for a full week. Thank God, I'm not as into track and field and beach volleyball as I am gymnastics. Last week, I made it to bed more at my normal time.

The Olympics are the only thing that has ever made me forget the Twins were on. I missed two games completely, because I was so into watching the Olympic competition. And, we were even playing the hated Yankees! I missed most of a third game the next week. What was going on here?

By last night -- the closing ceremonies, I flipped back and forth between Big Brother, CNN and Iron Chef America.

This week, I'm off work, so I'm not as worried. I'll be able to sleep in a lot the next week. But, it's now the Democratic Convention and the Twins are again on the West Coast. On screen right now, is Ted Kennedy. (I'm a bit upset that they didn't let Jimmy Carter speak. I remember he was raging mad four years ago.) I won't be able to stomach much of the coverage next week, despite the fact it's in St. Paul. I'll try and tune in but listening to Republicans is just too hard for me to stomach.

So, I'll get my fill of good old capital L Liberal politics this week, and fill myself up on hope. My unscientific observation from my visit to the Minnesota State Fair on Friday. The McCain volunteers were pretty lonely. But the DFL booth was hopping. Yesterday, my roommate was there and they'd already run out of Obama buttons.

Tomorrow, it's off to my second State Fair visit of the season. One more on Sunday and I'll have my fill until next year.

Tell me why exactly Hillary supporters will vote McCain?

suebabe — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:05:00 GMT

I may have said this already. Sorry if I'm repeating myself, but I'm really tired of the U.S. media and their election coverage. And we're not even through the conventions yet.

This morning, the news was all about the new polls showing McCain's percentage growing. Some so-called expert was again saying that it all hinges on the uncommitted voters, most of whom were Hillary Clinton supporters. That they're not sure, and many of them are rural and have voted Republican in the past, could well go to McCain.

Well, I'm sure there are some women in that category. But, come on folks. I was a Hillary supporter and she fought a darn good fight, but no way on this earth will I vote for McCain. If you support Hillary, Obama is so close to her views on most issues, how the heck could you then swing to someone who is so different in his views? It's a very easy decision for me. Hillary Clinton is a Democrat. A moderate Democrat perhaps, but a Democrat. The vast majority of her supporters are loyal Democrats. Those few that aren't loyal Democrats, may have come on board because she was a woman. Honestly, if that's the only reason you would have voted for Hillary, go ahead and vote for McCain. You're not thinking of the real issues involved anyway.

But, the media really thinks a loyal Democrat will just switch to the Republican party, the party who has given us huge deficits, a war that's costing us too many precious lives and way too much money. The economy is in the worse shape it's been in a couple decades. Gas prices, food prices, a war most of us want to be rid of. Women are more tied into the domestic issues. Those are the burning issues this election year. And, the media thinks these same women will simply vote for experience wthout looking at the issues? Come on white male dominated media. We're women. We do have minds and we do think and can make value judgments.

It's all media talk. They need something to talk about what with the Olympics taking up everyone's attention for the better part of two weeks.

Then, there are the pollsters, most of whom aren't talking to the same people I'm talking too. The young, the black, the disenfranchised, many of whom are now registered to vote and who plan to vote for the first time. Lots of these people don't have land line phones. Are pollsters taking online polls? Are they using text messaging? Are they going to the people who until now haven't voted because they didn't see a reason to, who now have a reason?

I'm someone who witnessed the wave that brought Jesse Ventura into office in Minnesota. I remember the shock, the surprise, the wonder in the media the next day. What most of them missed was that engaging a chunk of new voters can and does make a difference. Until the pollsters and media figure that out, I may have to ration my news intake. Because their blather is just making me mad.

My hope is that Hillary does a bang up job next week rallying her supporters. To knock the media upside the head once and for all.

Signed....

a Hillary Clinton supporter who is now a proud Barack Obama supporter

A Clean Out the Fridge Meal

suebabe — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:35:00 GMT

My ongoing attempt to eat healthy has had some ups and downs. But, summer is a great time for Farmer's Markets and my weekly CSA produce delivery. I split my CSA order with a coworker, but it's still a challenge to use everything before it spoils. This year, though, we've been getting some good stuff, a nice variety. Today, for example, we got about two dozen large cherry tomatoes, a huge beefsteak tomato, tomatillas, garlic, zuccini and summer squash, small fairy eggplants, hot red peppers, jalapeno peppers, romaine lettuce, green/purple/wax beans, red cabbage, oregano and parsley.

This is added to fresh arugala, purple bell peppers, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and nectarines I picked up at two different Farmer's Markets this past weekend.

Saturday I cooked and my challenge was to make it healthy and use up as much produce as possible. I made whole wheat/sweet potato gnocchi which after it had cooked, I ladled on top of Chinese spinach. The hot gnocci started to wilt the greens. Earlier, I had oven roasted a bunch of veggies: Japanese egglplant, yellow squash, a small fennel bulb and a purple bell pepper -- with olive oil, salt and pepper. Once they'd cooled, I cut them into pieces.

My main sauce component was a boxed soup: black bean and roasted red pepper. I really wanted to use butternut squash soup, but we were out. The meal was almost vegetarian, except for three slices of pancetta I sauted with two shallots and three cloves of garlic and some fresh sage. Once that was carmelized and yummy, in went the soup and three medium sized fresh tomatoes chunked, two roasted red pepper slices I had left over from the deli, and two chipolte peppers in adobo sauce, also left over. I added a quarter cup of milk, then, in went the oven roasted veggies. I simmered it until it thickened, then added the gnocci and semi wilted spinach. I cooked it for just a minute or two, then turned off the burner and let it sit for a few more minutes, to continue wilting the spinach.

That was it. With a little parmesan cheese on top, it was yummy. And, although I'm putzy, it really didn't take too long. I think the butternut squash soup would have been even better, but it met my goal of cleaning out my fridge and being healthy.

Come on New York Times... The RNC is in St. Paul

suebabe — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:35:00 GMT

The New York Times recently published an article in their Travel section on what to do during 36 hours in the Twin Cities in preperation for the Republican National Convention (RNC). Now, I'm a Minneapolis native, a lifelong resident of a northern suburb, but come on folks. Even I could tell the places you named were mostly Minneapolis venues, not St. Paul. And, with a bit more research, I'm betting you could have managed to make your list at least half Minneapolis and half St. Paul highlights.

So, here's my recommendations for St. Paul highlights to rebut the New York Times. (I will admit that as a Minneapolis native, I haven't been to some of these places. But, I've been to most of them.

For a bite to eat, many within walking distance of the Xcel center, try:
The iconic Mickey's Diner, a railroad car cafe (which I'm not sure is accessible... I must investigate further)
The St. Paul Grill in the St. Paul Hotel
Forepaughs
Go for a nightcap and enjoy the ambiance in the outdoor patio at W.A. Frost.
Get a taste of old Italy and a real slice of pizza at Cosettas on W. 7th St.
For dessert, try Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue.

For theater, there's the Penumbra, a premiere African-American owned and operated company, which is in the midst of putting on all of August Wilson's plays. Or try the small but extremely good Park Square Theater in the historic Hamm Brewery building. Sit outside in the patio and enjoy the beautiful late summer weather. Or, visit the Minnesota Centennial Showboat, a paddleboat theater with dining options run by the University of Minnesota, on the Mississippi River off Harriet Island.

The New York Times did mention St. Paul City Hall and the Minnesota History Center, but come on folks! How could you forget the Minnesota State Capital built by Cass Gilbert? Or the St. Paul Cathedral? And, although I've never been there yet, the Wabasha Street Caves are a great place to tour to learn about our ganster roots during prohibition.

And, Minneapolis isn't the only city with lakes: How about our very own Lake Como, with a tour of the Como Park Conservatory and the Como Zoo, a gem of an innercity zoo. However, St. Paul is probably best known as a river city, with the Mississippi running through the middle of town. For a tour of the river, take a paddleboat tour on the Jonathan Paddleford or Josiah Snelling, again off Harriet Island and the Mississippi River.

Take a ride along Summit Avenue and check out the Governor's mansion (home to Tim Pawlenty, who might be the Republican vice presidential candidate), and the street that was home for a time to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Or for a longer road trip, travel east and south to the lovely river town of Stillwater on the St. Croix River. For nature lovers, a hidden gem of a nature preserve is on the river outside Fort Snelling near the airport (of all places!)

So, while I love my hometown of Minneapolis and agree that all those places the Times listed are worth a visit, I'm appalled that this prestigious national newspaper missed the second half of the Twin Cities almost completely. Really, pick up a travel guide folks!

Are We Overreacting to Parody and Satire?

suebabe — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:02:00 GMT

Just asking the question. The new movie Tropic Thunder is creating debate and discussion, and boycott threats. Now, I'm the woman who recently advised boycotting a theater performance that's a take off on a modern day Freak Show. While I admit I didn't attend their play, I did investigate, visited their website and was sickened by what I saw. Enough so that I wrote what I wrote.

I will admit that Tropic Thunder is not the kind of movie I would typically attend. I have seen a few Ben Stiller movies and Robert Downey Jr. is one of my fantasy men. But, no, I wouldn't have rushed to see this movie. But, the controversy has intrigued me and made me wonder if I should go to see for myself what's what. But, if it's as insulting as people have claimed, I also don't want to add my money to their movie venture. Choosing with your pocket book and all that. But, I also have to wonder if the controversy will cause some people to go who wouldn't normally have attended this movie.

Then, there's the whole defense that this is a satire, a parody of movies with characters who are disabled being played by non-disabled actors. Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. Sean Penn in I am Sam. Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. And, Robert Downey Jr., a white man, playing a black character. I wonder if our culture, our society, has evolved to be so politically correct that we can't produce a good satire. Someone is bound to be offended.

The whole issue of satire has come up in our Minnesota Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman. Coleman's campaign has surfaced a not very pretty article Franken wrote for playboy -- a satire -- but one which uses a comment about a woman and rape. No, not funny Al. Shame on you. Especially since you were born and raised in Minnesota, have been married for more than 30 years and have a daughter. But, it was satire. Not, very well advised, especially for someone who later decides to run for national office... but satire.

I used to watch Seinfeld. Until I saw an episode where they poked fun at a person with a disability. And again, with their Bubble Boy episodes. I didn't like what I saw and started realizing that almost every episode the Seinfeld crew were making fun of someone. It was hurtful humor. I quit watching.

So, are we just not capable of satire any longer in this culture? Part of me thinks that's a good thing. That life is funny enough without resorting to hurtful humor. Part of me thinks we may lose a great theatrical and literary style if we're so politically correct. But, it all depends on who you are and where your life has taken you. I'm not nearly as sensitive as some of my friends. I've learned, the hard way, with a few of my friends, to be a bit more careful about what I say and how I say it. That's not a bad thing.

So, what do you think?

Offense Taken: Docmentary premieres next week in Minneapolis

suebabe — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:55:00 GMT

See below for more information about a documentary -- "Offense Taken" -- premiering in the Twin Cities next week. I was at the public meeting last year, which sought comment from people with disabilities about a local theater production -- The Rise of the Celebretards. The meeting was powerful and intense. And, this premiere dovetails with the national furor over Tropic Thunder, the new Ben Stiller movie that's being boycotted by the Special Olympics among others. I hope to be able to attend this premiere and wanted to let the Minneapolis/St. Paul folks know about it:

In the spring of 2007, when a Minneapolis theater [Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop] put on a show titled "The Rise of the Celebretards," people with disabilities and their allies took action. The film "Offense Taken" documents this community's organized response to the show title and to the public use of the "R" word (retard).

FILM PREMIERE and community campaign launch

With the release of this new film, a coalition of community organizations and individuals is launching a campaign to encourage a community discussion about disrespectful language and human rights. Please join us for this premier and discussion and help us advance the dignity of people with developmental and other disabilities.

Thursday, August 21, 2008
5–7 p.m. (reception follows)
Interact Center
212 3rd Ave. N., Suite 140
Minneapolis, MN 55401

RSVP to Kathy at Advocating Change Together, 651-641-0297

Little House on the Prairie... the Musical at the Guthrie

suebabe — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:18:00 GMT

My new season as a Guthrie Theater season ticket holder started last night. After a few years, I went back to my original ticket package and got Saturday night previews. The less expensive price allowed me to buy all eight performances: four on the thrust stage and four on the proscenium. This year's first entry was the much-anticipated musical version of Little House on the Prairie.

Now, if you're a young girl in Minnesota (maybe the Midwest), it's a pretty sure bet you've read most, if not all, of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. My mom grew up in Plum City, Wis., one of the homes of Laura and family, and my dad lived in DeSmet, another Ingalls home. My brother-in-law's family lived near Walnut Grove, the setting for the TV show. So, of course, my mom was a big fan of the books and so I ended up reading most of them. Then, in high school, the TV show started -- I watched every week.

There's been a lot of media attention for this world premiere musical, partly because Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura in the TV show, is playing Ma Ingalls in the play. I must say, I was a little underwhelmed until after intermission. Mostly because the songs didn't do much for me. The play itself followed the books pretty well, according to my friend Tom, who is a bigger fan of the books and TV show. The best song was toward the end, Ma Ingalls singing "Where Did My Wild Child Go? to the almost grown and no longer a tomboy Laura. Double messages if you consider she may be singing to her younger self in addition to the actress who plays Laura. So, then once I'd started with the tears, it was tough to stop.

Overall, I give it 7 of 10 stars. The songs just didn't do it for me. The play itself wasn't bad. It they do indeed bring it to broadway as they say they'd like to, my advice is to pump up the music. And, part of the fun of attending Guthrie performances season after season is seeing the regulars in various roles. Few if any Guthrie regulars were in this one, which was disappointing.

Twins are in first place... but I hate West Coast games

suebabe — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:46:00 GMT

I should be getting ready for bed. Setting out my pills for the morning, brushing my teeth, feeding the cats for the night, that sort of thing. Instead, it's 10pm and I'm still up. Afraid to go to bed. My Minnesota Twins are playing the Seattle Mariners, which means the game started a little past 9pm. Last night, I thought I was safe. The Twins were ahead 6-0 in the fifth inning -- so about 10:30pm, I headed to bed thinking all was well in the world.

This morning, I woke up to the sad news. We'd lost the game 11-6. We were ahead until the seventh inning when all everything went to hell in a handbasket as mom used to say.

So, being a superstitious baseball fan (the bent of many baseball fans and many baseball players), I'm afraid to go to bed tonight. That means that tomorrow I'll be bleery eyed and groggy, having stayed up until close to midnight, making sure my boys don't self-destruct without my super human fan powers to aid them in their quest for another World Series.

(Kirby Puckett hit his game winning homerun in game six of the 1991 series, because I was madly rubbing the back of my eponymous cat. I'm firmly convinced it was my vibes that led to the game winning homerun!)

The Mariners just got a homerun and pulled ahead 3-2. See, just the fact that I was contemplating turning off the TV can have dastardly consequences.

Tomorrow will be okay. I'm out of the office for about four hours anyway, for a transit meeting and travel time to and from. So, being a little sleep deprived isn't terrible, I guess. Where's Batgirl when you need her? She was the ultimate Minnesota Twins blogger, who retired, hanging up her laptop last spring shortly after having her first child. I'm still in morning. Her blog is still there, and I keep checking it, hoping she'll write again. But, alas, it's not to be. I'll never be the blogger she was, but I can try to be a sad facsimile.

Signing off for tonight.

Bleery eyed in Minnesota...

Feeling Like a Proud Stepmother

suebabe — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:51:00 GMT

No, I don't have children. But, I feel like I've watched the birth of two special children. Well, not really a child, but a website and a logo.

I don't write about my job very often here. My profession is public relations and I work for a nonprofit rehabilitation center in Minneapolis. We're 80 years old this year, and have a non politically correct name (for the disability community at least), however, our name is a huge brand asset. I work for Courage Center.

For the past two plus years, I've been involved in two related work teams. One developed a newbrand including a new logo. The other created a new website which went live this weekend. It's "bedazzling" as my coworker and former boss describes it.

I was the web editor for the old website the past four years or so. It was a love-hate relationship. After a time all I wanted to do was blow it up and start over. Well, we didn't exactly blow it up, but the poor dear is no longer the bane of my existance.

Early this year, we were able to make the arguement that we needed a full-time web editor. She started in February and hit the ground running as we were in the midst of final design and content building. The amazing fact is she's still sane after building most of the 300+ pages from scratch. And people still say how nice she is. If that had been my responsibility I'd be in a nice padded hospital room and folks would be muttering under their breath about what a b*tch I was.

This week, we're also officially launching our new logo to employees. You can see it by checking out our new website -- CourageCenter.org.

We'd love folks to go in and explore the website. We've tried to make it as accessible as possible while still being user friendly. Something our old website never balanced very well. My friend Sue has tried it out with her screen reader and gave us the thumbs up. But, if you run into glitches or issues, we'd love to hear about it early so we can make repairs.

Federal Disability Research - WE NEED YOUR INPUT

suebabe — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:12:00 GMT

This e-mail crossed my desk at work today so wanted to share with everyone on Disaboom.

suebabe

Notice of public meetings and request for comments sponsored by the Interagency Committee on Disability Research

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 4:00 p.m. ET

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 4:00 p.m. ET

Participate in person, by phone or via webcast

DoubletreeHotel Crystal City
300 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, Virginia

You can participate in person, by telephone or via Webcast, offering you multiple avenues to provide input to the federal disability research agenda.

The purpose of this event is to allow people with disabilities and their representatives (family members, organizations, service providers, disability and rehabilitation research and policy groups, advocacy organizations with specialized disability knowledge) the opportunity to suggest specific ways to improve future disability and rehabilitation research to benefit individuals with disabilities. We are also interested in hearing from individuals concerning how well the existing federal research programs are responding to the changing needs of individuals with disabilities. These comments can cover a wide range of research areas, including, but not limited to:

Employment of people with disabilities

Community integration and continuum of care

Health disparities

Access to assistive technology and universal design

Transition of youth to employment and independent living

Availability of accessible housing, transportation and recreation

A panel of ICDR members will hear the testimony during four separate meetings on the two days listed above at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. For those who are unable to testify in person, testimony may be given by phone or in writing. (Written testimony will be read as time permits.) The meeting will also be webcast and interested parties can observe the proceedings live via an IP website.

Our goal is to identify and draft recommendations to improve federal disability and rehabilitation research. Therefore, your participation is critical to meeting this goal. If you are unable to attend or provide testimony, please pass this on to someone who you believe is interested in participating. We anticipate that this meeting will result in new and better recommendations for the federal disability research agenda.

To register to attend and/or provide testimony, we have posted relevant information on a special web site. When you register, please indicate if you will be participating in person, via telephone, or by webcast.

We look forward to your participation and believe that this stakeholder meeting will help advance the disability and rehabilitation research field. For further information, please contact Carol Blachly at or visit the website.

Approaching the Bridge Collapse Anniversary

suebabe — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:34:00 GMT

A year ago this Friday, Aug. 1, 2007, at 6:05pm, a bridge collapsed in Minneapolis. For Minnesotans, Twin Citians especially, the date is one of those pivotal historical moments. We talk about where we were and what we were doing when we first heard the news. We talk about people we know who were on the bridge. Or who had near misses. Or those who we know who helped rescue people. Those who lost their lives. Those who survived but will forever have their lives altered.

I worked late that day, being on hand for a late afternoon video shoot. It was a bit hazy, warm and humid -- a typical early August night, when I took the bus from work a little after 7pm to transfer downtown. While waiting for my second bus, ambulances flashed by, sirens wailed from every direction. It was simply eery and I had no idea what was happening but figured it had to be bad, On the bus ride home, I overhead passengers talking about a bridge collapsing. Of course, it was somewhere else, not in my own backyard, my hometown. When I got home, my PCA was sitting outside and asked if I heard about the bridge going down. She told me it was the 35W bridge over the river (the Mississippi). I didn't believe her at first, then I went in the house and turned on CNN. And there it was. A broken skeleton of a bridge, collapsed in the Mississippi. Right down the road from the University of Minnesota and the new Guthrie Theater.

It was like watching a train wreck. It didn't seem real even though I stayed up until almost midnight glued to the TV. At work the next day I found out the young man in a wheelchair, whose minivan was on the bridge, wheelchair ramp extended, was one of our wheelchair athletes. He was on his way to join our Wednesday night handcycle group.

My sister Deb called me the next day to say I'd almost lost a sister, brother-in-law and niece. They were on their way to the Twins game, almost to the bridge, when traffic came to a standstill. They didn't know what happened, but she said within 30 seconds sirens were screaming past them and they could overhear "bridge down, bridge down" on the radios. They had stopped to pick up my niece from her house, and Ginger made them wait while she ran back into the house to make sure she'd turned off the iron. My sister said she'll never complain about Ginger's putziness ever again, because that little run back to check the iron could have saved their lives.

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak, was just a Star Tribune reporter, courting one of my coworkers (who he later married) when I first met him. He used to call every morning. (This was the old days when office managers actually took phone calls and wrote them on pink message slips). He'd call and ask if I'd seen the latest Far Side cartoon or just chat. These days, he still remembers me, and if he sees me out somewhere, comes up and gives me a kiss on the cheek. Watching him on national TV, dealing with what had to be the worst crisis of his life, and doing a fabulous job, gave me a weird sense of pride. He'd come a long way from our early days and his decency and common sense shown through.

In the past year, a survivor came through our facility. She's come a long way after being severely injured, but still has a way to go. I've seen our community rally around the survivors and in record time, begin building a new bridge. Our state faces major infrastructure issues -- roads and bridges -- that makes the senseless waste of money in Iraq simply maddening to me. And our charming, but ultimately irresponsible leader, Governor Tim Pawlenty, who allowed our bridge to crumble is now being touted as one of the top candidates for VP on John McCain's ticket.

Ultimately, this tragedy led to many positive images of the Twin Cities to those watching the news the next few days. The response of average citizens, who ran in and helped, who pulled people from the river, was amazing even for a native. Especially after some of the awful scenes we saw from New Orleans after Katrina. But, the stories of those who lost their lives are heart rending. My greatest hope is that something like this never happens again, in my hometown or in my country.

A Weekend of Dark Knights, Jokers and Fireworks

suebabe — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:16:00 GMT

Batman and Spiderman have been my superheros of choice since I was young. My brother, who was just home from a stint in Vietnam (a Marine) would watch the original Batman TV show with me every week. We were also original Star Trek watchers.

I diligently went to all the Batman movies in the 1980s and 90s. But, it wasn't until I saw the video of Batman Begins with Christian Bale that I was fully convinced they'd hit on the true essence of Batman. No, I wasn't one of the diehard fans who went to the movie last weekend, but this weekend I went downtown by myself and settled in for an up-close view of the Dark Knight.

Watching Batman Begins on my laptop screen a few years ago, I was awed by how much Bale resembles my Wayward Boy. Yesterday, being up close to the huge movie screen, I was even more boggled by the resemblence. Their noses are different -- Pete's is more hawklike and pointed, Bale's more rounded -- but other than that, they're dead ringers for each other. Of course, Pete doesn't have a cool English accent.

I agree with the consensus. This was a fabulous, dark Batman movie. Heath Ledger's Joker was one of the best villians I've ever seen. Creepily brilliant. The stunts and action was great too. All in all a fabulous summer movie.

Afterward, I motored down to Azia, an Asian-fusion restaurant about a mile down Nicollet. I could have taken a regular route bus, but it was still light out and a beautiful night. My friends Linda, Lolly and Sue, and Linda's PCA, met for dinner. On my way down Nicollet Mall, not paying attention, I stopped to avoid a Pakistani/Indian family walking across my path. I excused myself and the mom said no problem, and as she walked past, holding her little boy's hand, I heard her say, "She looks just like a princess doesn't she?" Boy, did that make my day! It made me smile all the way down to the restaurant.

On the way home with Linda, we stopped downtown to watch the Aquatennial fireworks. They're one of the best displays in the Twin Cities, and this year didn't disappoint.

A nice summer Saturday, I'd say. Followed by a night of fantasies of Christian Bale. I'm back to reality now after I checked out his info on Wikipedia. Drat! He's married (I thought maybe he was gay). But it was a good night's fantasy, nonetheless. Heck, us old girls have to have some fun.

Dreaming Mysteries

suebabe — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:10:00 GMT

This summer, especially the past six weeks or so, I've been on a brain candy reading binge. I've been trying to save money, avoiding book buying, going to the library for my reading fix. For some reason, I'm always stopped first by the paperback area, a majority of which are mysteries. Now, I read a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, literature and what I call brain candy. The candy books are those quick reads, mysteries, romances, chick lit, westerns, science fiction... those mass market cheapies with cheap paper and big type.

After a winter of literature, it's refreshing to splurge. To whip through a couple books a week, instead of taking six weeks to finish one. I used to be able to handle historical fiction. My sex education as a teenager was reading Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers bodice rippers. But, the last Kathleen Woodiwiss I read (a few years ago), made me want to hurl it across the room in frustration it was so bad. Now, I like the authors who cross genres -- who mix mystery, romance, and maybe a little sci-fi.

I've been gorging on Elizabeth George, Sue Grafton, Julie Garwood, JD Robb, Nora Roberts, Tami Hoag, Tess Gerritson. My new find is Charlaine Harris. I've heard about her southern vampire books, and finally waited long enough and found the first in the series "Dead Until Dark."

I can feel my arteries clogging from all the candy. And, a few nights ago, I actually dreamt I was in the midst of a mystery. It was a pretty good one too. I should have written it down, because now, after a few days have passed, it's all gone, except for the feeling that it was a darned good plot.

My new book is calling... later...