10 reasons it is going to be a good week.

It's Monday, and I am oddly looking forward to this week.  Here's what I am excited about:

1. Tuesday afternoon boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka - Complete with free booze and food.  Free!
2. The Natural Light beer that I am currently drinking at my desk.  It is cold, in a can, and remarkably refreshing.
3.  First kickball game of fall tomorrow night.  Under the lights.  Just like in high school.  We're also playing a team that wears cut-off jean shorts as part of their uniform, so that's neat too.
4. Wednesday group fun trip to the MN State Fair.
5. Llama Costume Contest at the MN State Fair.
6. Eating tasty food at the MN State Fair.
7. There are fresh WI cheese curds in the fridge at work.  I am eating some and enjoying them. 
8.  I have two free evenings this week!  This never happens!  Yay for free time!
9.  "Party for no Good Reason" on Friday with some of my favorite friends. 
10. This week will be followed by a long weekend.

Working for the (holiday) Weekend.

The weather gods in MN finally seem to be shining down on us.  Just in time for the long holiday weekend, the forecast is looking ideal - lots of warm, sunny days.  Just in time for 4 days of boating, boozing, biking, and grilling.  I'm also looking forward to another 4th of July on Minnetonka.

Sleep No More.

Despite the $75 price tag, Sleep No More looks amazing. 

Outstanding in the Field.

Outstanding in the Field looks VERY cool.  Too bad it's $180/person.  I love the idea of eating wonderful tasty organic food on the actual farm it was grown on, but in principle I don't know if the hubby and I can throw down $360 for a meal. 

Decisions, decisions.

Bock Fest 2011 - Here we come!

Bock Fest is truly a Minnesota rite of passage. It's like the MN State Fair but in the winter . . . but with longer lines and cheaper beer.  And no llamas.

Westminster Dog show winner is local!

Minnesota: 1
Everywhere else: 0
In terms of things that truly matter, MN just scored a big victory: Hickory, the Scottish Deerhound that won best in show at this year's Westminster Dog Show is a local dog.  Go MN.

In related news the New York Times has a kick-ass Best of Breed Interactive. 

Dog show!

I love me some critters in costume, and yesterday had some pretty awesome ones strutting their stuff at the New Yorker Hotel.  The event was to benefit Angel on a Leash - a non-profit dedicated to buying leashes for angels so they stop flying away and shit  creating dog therapy programs.  Here are some of my favorite dressed-up doggies:

Question: What is more important than the Super Bowl?

Answer: Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl. 

Check out their starting line-up.

Oliver.

Charlie.

Little Red.

Maddie.

Lindy.

SOO VAC Partnership Resources Portrait Show.

This event seems pretty cool.  However, I can't get over this picture.  Look at how happy she is.  Do you think for her portrait she asked the painter: "I want you to make me look like a mix between John Candy, Queen Elizabeth and a pug.  Can you do that? Oh you can?  PERFECT."

I also just figured out this lady's name is Kathy.  Brilliant.  I love that name.

Get Lucky 2011

One of my favorite Twin Cities art events is coming up in a few weeks: The Soo Visual Arts Center's Annual Gala - Get Lucky 2011.  I almost always have fun at this event.

Here is a basic run-down of how this evening generally goes for me:
6pm-8pm: Pre-Party.  
Pre-party = heavy on the booze. Light on the food.  In hindsight, I believe this is done on purpose.
8pm-9pm: Arrive at Event.
Down between 3-8 glasses of cheap white wine.  Why?  Because it's free.
9pm: Art time
Start browsing the silent auction.
Spot ridiculous painting containing one of the following: bunnies, kittens, ghosts, Dolly Parton, space creatures, robots, dogs smoking cigarettes.
Decide that painting will be mine.
Bid on Painting, and keep bidding on painting until one of three things happen:
1. Husband says no more bidding on painting, at which time I pout and hit the gift shop. 
2. Sober  up. 
3. Win painting. Yay!  I am a winner.

Brass Band + Food + Strong Drinks = Happy times