Busy weekend

[figment]

That weekend was very full. It was also an example of why we moved back here.
Friday night we went out to the Bradstreet Crafthouse for minnehaha B's birthday. Happy birthday! The company was fun, the food was tasty and varied, and the cocktails were really awesome. I had a very good time and hope the birthday boy did too.
Saturday Azure did one set of errands out of the house while I did some domestic stuff like laundry etc. Around noon alisgray (who totally does not read lj any more like the facebook user she has become, but I forgive her) came over, we ate some lunch, and then we drove out to the art shanties. And about 5 million other people decided to do the same thing, apparently. Well, okay, so I exaggerate a little, but it was really busy, & difficult to get in and park, and do you blame people? It was a fun thing to do on a sunny and unseasonably warm Saturday in January. Of course our focus for our brief visit was on the Tiny Shanty, but we did get to dance at the Dance Shanty too and do some other fun stuff. We will have to go back, perhaps this next weekend.
Then I went and got my hair cut at the Hair Police. I know, you're not supposed to post about a new haircut without posting pictures. Sorry, they will come. Apparently the haircut is good, as the reaction to it at ethel and setharoo's housewarming party was pretty great. That party was fun - and it was nice to not be the ones throwing the party this weekend.
Sunday, after morning pancakes, I went to my first ever CONvergence Facilities meeting and then the ConCom meeting following it. I couldn't vote (see first meeting and all) but it was interesting to see the election process which was happening that day. I find that I am wondering whether most people cast their votes mainly because of (1) popularity/liking the candidate in general (2) perceived qualifications, plans etc. (3) speechmaking & on-the-spot charisma (4) something else. Could not tell from this meeting & election, but congrats to the winners in any case!
Then came home and made dinner and had a fun evening with eternallion & M. It was a good blend of grownup (dinner, conversation, wine) and not (wii games, cupcakes, silliness). Glad they made the drive to see us. And very glad they won't have quite as far to drive at some point in the future.. once their Great Move has happened.

So yes. This weekend was very full of things we moved back here for: socializing with friends and checking out cool artistic things and volunteerism and activities both in and out of our home. It was perhaps a little less full of sleep and relaxation than I would have liked, but I can catch up on that at some point... right?

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I know the art shanty project is years old now, but I'd love love love to know who named it. I spent some formative years on frozen Lake Minnetonka, and the local term for these fine little buildings was "fish house" or "ice house" but never anything "shanty". I bet the namer of this project thought it sounded more euphonious than the actual local nomenclature. 'course maybe the name has changed, but I think it's more likely that the person who named it isn't from around here.

Dee-lightful to see you on Friday. We must arrange an encore.

K.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

I'm a little disappointed that there's no "about" or "history" section on the Art Shanty web site. Or at least not that I can find. I had also thought about the fact that those are based on things called "houses" not things called "shanties" but hadn't gone beyond that in my head.

I very much enjoyed Friday too - catching up with you was excellent.
Also, I think I concluded that the cocktails were the best thing that the restaurant provided - the food was good but the cocktails were better. The best part of the party, of course, was the part we all brought.
Look forward to seeing you soon. Email me about dates?

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I looked for the history, too. I think Live Action Set might have some connection to the project, but I am unsure.

At Bradstreet, we're fond of the comfy space and lack of loud music along with the cocktails. It's the combo that sells it: you can lounge around and talk to people and get tipsy. Though, yes, the drinks alone are really quite nice. We like to sit at the bar and chat up the bartenders and taste their new creations. They are also interested in that maple stuff from Canada.

Dates in mail, yes.

K.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Oh, one other thing about the art shanties. People don't drive onto the lake? There's a soul-deep point to the ice fishing experience that's being missed here. What a pity.

K. [that said, I should get out there and look the works over. Several blog posts around the net make it sound like a lot of fun, and I've always meant to go]

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

Well, the shanty builders drive onto the ice. But honestly with the number of people out there on Saturday I don't know if it would have been smart for all of those cars to drive onto the lake.

And yes, I recommend going sometime. Then you can decide for yourself what you like and don't about the experience, instead of having it filtered through me or someone else! And plus you get to run around on the lake and play with the art. :-)

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

But someone knows if n inches of ice will support a parking lot full of cars, and I'll bet that someone wasn't asked for an opinion. Alas.

I think I'd like it really well, as long as my expectations don't include actual ice fishing practices.

K.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

I dunno.
How does access to the lakes work? I remember we drove over to try to drive onto the ice but the people controlling that access point said it was only for their customers. We couldn't even pay them to drive onto the lake and park. Phoo on them.

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

The access point to the ice is over a mile away from the beach, so the only cars that are out there other than the day we set up are actually the art cars. The whole project, of course, is rooted in ice fishing, but, personally, I think it misses the point of the shanties as a different event entirely to get hung up on driving out on the ice or not. Very few of the projects bother to cut a hole for fishing; that's not why they're there. Plus, now that there are hundreds upon hundreds of visitors, it's impractical and dangerous, as previously mentioned.

I don't remember where I read it, maybe the city pages a couple years ago, but I guess the project started as a couple of artist/fishermen who grew up near Medicine Lake who made an artsy ice house for fun, and it caught on and became what it is.

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

it's probably not called the 'Art House Projects' or 'Art Ice House Projects' because they don't have the right ring to 'em. Also, hardly any of the projects have actual fishing going on so 'Art Fish House Projects' doesn't work either (though it sounds pretty cool to me.

Be sure to get out on the lake, and ask around! I'm sure some of the creators of the project are out there every day the events are going on.

[sithlet.livejournal.com]

I think Lexi would have gotten far more votes had she come prepared with a speech. I think, for the Communications position, it really can't be based 100% on popularity. For the positions where there was no contention, there does tend to be a fair amount of just not voting for a person, either in no confidence or in just plain not liking them.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

Yes, it did seem to me (especially as a communications person myself) that not having a speech prepared for that - and not speaking particularly well extemporaneously - was pretty catastrophic.

I'm sure I could look this up but it's easier to ask - do you happen to know, is there a minimum percentage of votes a candidate running unopposed must get to win the position?

[sithlet.livejournal.com]

Not if there's nobody running against them, I believe. However, if the votes get that low, I believe the board as a whole could say "you're not cutting it" and acquire a replacement. Certain people are probably aware enough to take the hint without the board telling them.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I was just curious. Nice to know.

[michaellee.livejournal.com]

That's about right. I certainly pay attention to no-votes, and if I got less than 50% I'd resign, and it also is information for future cycles as well for people to decide how long they're going to stay in a position.

I think the no-vote is important, especially since contested elections are more unusual than uncontested ones, and while it is difficult to answer why someone would vote no -- it's an important piece of feedback. That's why we'll have elections even if all of the candidates are unopposed, and why I would always be against approving the candidates by acclimation.

[sithlet.livejournal.com]

Also - saying organization is a strong point and not coming prepared... well, it speaks for itself.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

...yeah.

Birthday

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

He did. And he thanks you for the treats, too.

B

[faeryguinevere.livejournal.com]

I was one of those people out on the lake on Saturday too! It sounds like you had a fantastic weekend :). I'm glad to here things are going well for you two since you've been back here.

Any word about the job?

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

:-) Did you enjoy the art?
The phone interview last week was great. I have an in-person interview this Friday. We'll see!