The Little Blacque Blog: A Little Minneapolis Story

I ventured to Minneapolis this Memorial weekend for memorable times, strong drinks, great music, and beautiful people. For those of you that don't know, which I am sure are few, I'm from Minneapolis and on good days I still call it home. Someone told me recently that people don't grow roots, and we are free to travel through life going anywhere we please. My devotion to that city however begs me to differ because I truly feel like my heart is tethered to the corner of 25th and Lyndale. I hurt for Minneapolis in a way I have never known, and I love every piece of it in a way I don't expect to ever find anywhere else. If you have not been there, put it near the top of your list because you will be amazed by the clean city, the crisp air, and the best music scene in the country. While landing I started geeking out at the sight of calm lakes and trees of such green as far as the could see that everyone else on the plane was staring and laughing at me. I kept saying, "the colors, the colors!" It is something I will never get over. I go in the winter and every thing is dead, but when I come back everything is growing on overdrive. Amazing, and breathtaking, and heartbreaking all in the same sight.

I have a hard time flying, which is quite unfortunate because my greatest aspiration in life is to travel all over the world. I am currently getting over it with the help of some friendly prescription pills and Cecil Otter on repeat on my ipod.

I flew in at 6 p.m and after being picked up at the airport by a car full of some of my most favorite people, we got straight down to business. Jordan, Jamie, and Maggie are taking a moment with their cocktails before heading out for the night. Drink up kids!

This is one of many shots from the weekend where I stood in awe of the green trees that filled the sky. After almost getting hit by our cabbie while taking the photo, we headed to the Tripple Rock to get our rocks off, or on I suppose, depending on how you look at it.

Everyone needs more Jesus in their lives. right?

I like to sit front seat in cab rides and get to know the drivers. I find that they always have very interesting stories, and every city looks so different from the eyes of a cabbie. I began to get my bearings in this cab ride, and started feeling more at home with every passing moment and familiar street corner.

This city holds me heart. At this moment all the wonders of the weekend laid before me, and it was looking beautiful.

Meet the threesome of the weekend. This is Maggie, better known as Maji. She was our lovely host for the weekend, and without her none of this madness would have been possible. Thank you Maggie for being you!!

And this is me. You know what I look like. I like this picture though, because were sitting inside the Tripple Rock trying to eat something before we start binge drinking and I have two faces. How appropriate I thought. Two Faces.

And this is Jesse. Jesse is Maggies best friend from college, and while I was completely absent from her life in Iowa I am happy to know that she was taken care of and loved by someone as amazing as Jesse. love you girl!

Cheers to music, and minneapolis, and me, and you, and this wonderfully lovely evening!

Line up for an amazing evening at the Nomad. This bar was wonderful and then some. It had an adorable patio where I could stare at the trees, a perfect place to usher in the weekend.

We sat outside for most of the evening, and as more friends arrived the night became brighter and brighter. So many friendly faces. I love all of you!! This is Laura and her boyfriend Reed, good people. Very good people. :)

Old friends and old times, here we have Toles (who I swear I haven't seen in four years!) and Kalin my long long long time besty.

And again with the trees. I remember this photo because in the middle of the delightful conversation I was having I started staring into the trees. And he totally understood. Thanks for that. I needed it.

This is Matt, long time friend from the old Hopkins days. I haven't seen this kid since we got arrested in Santa Barbra a year after high school.

Friend Shot.

I would follow here with some intelligent tidbit on what was the happening this evening, but it is right about now that the evening becomes a bit fuzzy. I do know though, that I had fun.

I think this one will have to go on the wall out here in California.

Appropriately out of focus.

I love boys, especially these boys.

Like I said, the night became questionable and I for some reason saw it necessary to carry my Budweiser in my jean shorts. I don't even drink Budweiser so I think that says something about the night as well.

I have pretty friends.

Mags and Toles. Love you guys!

Myself, and my Jamie. Love this kid.

Dear God, in heaven can there please be apple pie?

This is a mug of a drink called apple pie which Jessie made for the weekend. She cooked apple juice, sugar, cinnamon, and then after it cooled added a bottle of vodka, and just for good measure a bottle of Everclear as well.

I am not sure what it is about that city that makes me act as if I haven't a care or responsibility in the world. I force everyone around me to act like they are on vacation as well and throw all caution to the wind. You're Welcome!!

One of my favorite things about Mpls is the houses. I love, love, love the character of these places. I have scoured southern California for an apartment with some sort of similar taste, but I found nothing even close. There is something about the old wood floors, warped glass, wooden bookcases built into the walls, loose doorknobs, claw foot bathtubs, and staircases like these that steal my heart.

Keepin it classy with Apple Pie in an Everclear bottle on the way to SOUNDSET!

We arrived to soundset as Grieves and Budo were on the mainstage, and although I was bummed we missed the beginning of their set, what we did see was ahhhmazing.

Party People at Soundset. We found our way to the fifth element stage... and I wiggled and smiled my way to some prime front row spots.

In that prime spot I saw Cecil Otter. I am crazy about this man and his music. I think I died a little during that set.

Cecil is the most poetic rapper I have ever heard. If this were the 18th century he would be my Lord Byron, my Colleridge, my William Blake.

He closed his set with my favorite song 'A Rickety Bridge' and I was on cloud nine. I run every day to this song on repeat and I used a line from it for the title of my senior thesis this year: "I saw your eyes go from lower case to capital."

After Cecil Otter we stuck around to catch A.R.M on the fifth element stage.

A.R.M was super sick and me and the girls shook it for a solid 30 minn to their smooth tunes. I would see these guys anytime, and if you have the chance... do not pass it up!!

Budo was absolutly magnetic on stage. This man is a pocketknife of musical talent. The super huge smile that he wore for the entire set had enough energy to carry the entire crowd.

Loved it! They could tell I was funky by the way that I dance... :)

We caught up with those we misplaced get drinks, drinks, and more drinks. In case your curious. I had a Summit, or like seven.

This is me and my jean shorts and my crop top, and in a few years I will laugh at my style :)

There were cool cars too and I don't remember why but this was my favorite one...

Jamie

Dan

When we went back to the fifth element stage to see Dessa, Method Man and Redman played on the main stage. I would go see Dessa over anyone anyday.

She was amazing and played so many choice songs from her new album A Badly Broken Code.
She is a fucking genius.

She is also remarkably beautiful.

Dessa brought more Doomtree folks on stage...

....and they were amazing... I read online that there is a good chance they will be getting a star on the side of First Ave. Way to go kids!!!

Day Trippers....

Kalin, Larura, and Myself

Soundsetting in Late May... the weather was questionable most of the day and I am so thankful the rain held out.

This is probably my most favorite picture of the weekend.

The clouds broke and the sun shone just in time for Atmosphere on the main stage.

It became the most beautiful afternoon as I grooved to some classic tunes by the smooth croons of Slug from Atmosphere. I have been listening to him for a decade now. I listen to him when I am missing home in California because he feels like my life.

In good Minneapolis fashion, Atmosphere's set was caped with a rainbow.

And the sky was colored the most beautiful colors that I have seen since my last summer in Minneapolis.

Friends

We were all filty, and the girls had to wash their feet... I love this bathroom.

I love this shot. Fucking love it.

I also love this one.

I also love you, and my life.

Hidden Beach on Memorial Day.

Crocs! There is no excuse for this, not one!!!

Lost Ladies on the shores of Minneapolis Lakes after a water bottle of apple pie.

The beach was amazing, adn funny because I live on some of the most beautiful beaches, and still the small and eclectic gathering here at hidden beach was lovely. With some old friends around, I couldn't have asked for anything more for such an afternoon.

Zac and a Catipillar.

Dan and a Tree.

Jamie and a Maggie.

Then there was a bike ride and I got super nostalgic as we passed some old streets I grew up on.

The afternoon continued with a serious tyedye sesh.

It was a wonderful afternoon....

We may not have known what we were doing, but the came out quite well... at least mine did!!

And more trees because even days after arriving I could not stop loving the green.

Chill to the max... thanks anthony... oh I need the info on that spot in Granada... love ya!

looks like days i've seen before...

TyeDye

Megan came to show our tshirts what was up...

she is thinking out her strategy... Megan will be hopefully be joining me on the west coast later this year... so hopefully there will be many stylish times to come..