Microblog

Spent way too much time adjusting my Website’s home page. It can be challenging to get pages to display adequately for different screen sizes: I favor Responsive Design where the system figures this out for me. Sometimes, I tweak for certain screen sizes, falling down the Adaptive Design rabbit hole.

Watched regional jets take off from runway 12L while, simultaneously, mainline jets used runway 12R on the other side of the terminal. My annual ride to MSP.

Hiking doesn’t need to have purpose apart from the obvious act of putting one foot in front of the other while staying upright. Sometimes, though, I like to have a theme underpinning a hike. For example, here’s themes I’ve taken up for each of Japan’s main islands. Kyushu: Matsuo Bashō, 17th Century Traveler and Poet.… Continue reading A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands

Our cycle route to Hastings included Spring Lake Regional Park. As expected, the trees were starting to turn, but a surprise was the amount and variety of prairie flowers. My friend’s wife met us in Hastings so we could drive back to a light rail station.

I’ve lived longer than the allotted three score and ten, but don’t recall ever cooking with a vanilla bean. Today, I threw caution to the wind and used one in an ice cream base. It was spendy, so expectations are high.

Hints of fall on our Sunday morning walk.

Every now and then, when out cycling, I like to take in the latest exhibit at The Smallest Museum in St. Paul. The current show is “Paint it Before you Eat it” by local artist Lisa Burke who “loves the idea of art that can fit in one’s pocket, or in an Altoid box.”

I don’t do bucket lists. If a place intriques me, I want to return. I reduce the pressure to do and see everything on a trip by telling myself it’s only a prototype. It’s sufficient to experience enough to whet my appetite for the next iteration, er, I mean visit.  Just as well I held… Continue reading Iterative Travel

Practiced slurping ramen at Zen Box Izakaya. Earlier today, Japan’s Prime Minister announced his country will be open to independent tourists, starting October 11. Two weeks after that I get to use a ticket to Tokyo purchased optimistically in February.

At the Guthrie tonight. “Vietgone,” playwright Qui Nguyen, “a story about love.” 1975, Saigon fell, Arkansas refugee camp, … . Comedy, rap, … still processing this excellent show.

Explored St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood. Found some gems: the former Hollyhocks Club, a 1930’s-era gangsters’ hangout; impressive landscaping and construction at the former Ford Plant; the 1871 Mattocks School, a one-room schoolhouse, now a Spanish immersion classroom.

A moment of boredom motivated me to update the software in various devices, including the TV. Automatic updates are disallowed because if an update introduces a problem, I’ll want to know it’s the culprit.

I’m betting Japan’s prime minister will announce this week when the country will open for independent travel. Booked MInneapolis to Tokyo in June for us, a nephew, and his dad. There’s one other passenger on the outbound, and no-one else on the return flight. That will change and prices will rise.

Enjoyed the last of melt-in-the-mouth Biscoff cookies with Delta’s logo. Whenever a flight attendant offers them, I always accept, then stuff them away to be savored later. The cookies have a cult following: Delta daren’t remove them from their regularly updated snack lineup.

Ham shank, cushioned by kale, awaiting inbound turnip and apple. Dinner tonight.

Posted Asia Beckons. I’ll be visiting Asia in October, but where in Asia? The Japanese government will decide.