Paused preparations for our upcoming home move to seek comfort (food) at our local Japanese restaurant, Zen Box Izakaya: tonkotsu ramen. NHK (Japanese television) was showing a segment about cleaning airport toilets. “It’s good to think of others,” declared one of the cleaners.
Category: Living
Consequences Of Nationalism
Explored the consequences of nationalism in pre-World War I Europe with an ESL student. Restrained myself from drawing parallels with today’s world.
First Lunch of 2019
Surly Furious and Summit EPA (local brews) plus Reubens. Lunch at our local (Maxwell’s), New Year’s Day 2019.
Horse and Carriage
On our walk home from dinner…
Yes, It’s Rusty
An elderly woman asked me what I thought of “Nimbus,” a toroidal sculpture being installed outside the Minneapolis Central Library. I said I was trying to like it. She was less circumspect: “It’s a rusty piece of junk.””It is rusty,” I agreed.
Annual Spice Replacement
As I do every year at this time, replaced baking powder, baking soda, and spices that are a year old. Total cost: about $3.
The Time I Sneaked onto a Night Train from Communist East Berlin to Prague
August 1972. My brother and I stood in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. We had just arrived from London on our first flight ever. The flight was cheap by 1972 standards: just £14. In 2018 pounds that’s £181 (US$230), a lot of money for us: I was an undergraduate, and my brother…… Continue reading The Time I Sneaked onto a Night Train from Communist East Berlin to Prague
Covered Bridge
The University of Minnesota’s covered walkway across the Mississippi provided a welcome respite from rain and slush. Later, I was glad to warm up on one of the light rail trains that run on the lower deck of this bridge.
Former Cream of Wheat Headquarters
Walked to a Home Depot to choose picture hangers and drywall anchors. On the way, stopped to enjoy the 1928 Art Moderne former Cream of Wheat headquarters and factory, now condos.
Christmas Food, UK-Style
Enjoyed Christmas pudding, ice cream, and whipped cream. Later we had Christmas cake which a friend made in the UK and managed to get through customs.