Over the Labor Day weekend, Mike L. and I decided to take a last-minute road trip to Minneapolis. We had three goals for the trip.

1. Visit my old friend Brian and meet his partner, Brandon.
2. Purchase new bedroom furniture at Ikea.
3. Check out Minneapolis day and night life.

Some photos from our adventures are included below.

Mike and I at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Mike is on the opposite side of the two-way mirror.

Two-way Mirror Punched Steel Hedge Labyrinth, Dan Graham (1994-1996)

Spoonbridge and Cherry - Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen (1985-1988)

X with Columns, Sol LeWitt (1996)

Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, Siah Armajani (1988)

Downtown Minneapolis from car window

Me, Brian and Mike (napping) at Saloon in Minneapolis

I just finished power washing my front deck. It made a noticeable difference removing much of the mildew and dirt. Now I need to replace the planks with pieces cut out and treat the wood with Thompson’s (or something comparable).

• Make more quality social connections
• Visit my friend John in Australia
• Meditate more often
• Read a book per month

Here are a few photos from Christmas in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Keaton, building a log cabin.

Me opening a Christmas card.

Grandma, Dan and Blake.

Mom, Ryan and Derek.

Keaton and Natalie, opening gifts.

Mike, Zack, Travis and I met up with Roger (from Columbus), David (from NYC) and Ryan (from DC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 13-18.

Happy hour at our hotel. (L to R, Zack, Roger, me, Mike, David, Ryan and Travis)

At Score bar in Miami. (Disappointed Miami doesn’t have a smoking ban.)

Fort Lauderdale beach

Navigation via iPhone(s)

Attempt at synchronized dancing

In our hotel room

My mom, Becky and my oldest brother, Ryan. They didn’t dress up, but they made goofy faces for the camera.

My nephew, Keaton and my niece, Natalie. My brother, Ryan’s kids.

No more tricks Jack-o-lantern on Mike and Zack’s porch.

Mike and Derek, as Titanic relics.

Shawn, Mark and I, as lovely ladies.

Clayton made the perfect Palin (if there could be such a thing)

John as a true Maverick

Below are photos from my recent (and first) cruise on Carnival’s Ecstasy. We left from Houston on Saturday, September 20th and returned Thursday, September 25th.

We visited Cozumel (awesome) and Progreso (not so awesome) Mexico. There were close to 30 friends and family onboard to celebrate our friend Clayton’s 30th birthday.

Afternoon drinks at JR’s in Houston

Artsy thing in downtown Houston

About to set sail on the Carnival Ecstasy from Houston on September 20, 2008

Mike and I in our cabin, aboard Carnival Ecstasy on September 20, 2008.

The gang at Society bar watching and doing Karaoke

Matt, Josh and Dave at a show on Carnival Ecstasy

The gang at Stripes club aboard Carnival Ecstasy

Derek, Matt and I awaiting birthday champagne

Garrett, Mike, Dave, Travis and Zack in Cozumel preparing to reboard

Socializing with the help at Stripes club

Who says you can’t drink during the survival drill?

Chichen Itza - ancient ruins

Formal dinner at Wing Song

Shortly after I began mowing the grass tonight, I felt a shocking sensation in my legs. At first I didn’t think much of it, until the pain became more intense. Upon looking down, I noticed 6-8 yellow-jackets on my legs. After swatting them off, I ran inside to get away. When I got inside I felt similar pain on my back and neck. I found two more yellow-jackets on my back and managed to swat them away.

I’m going to postpone mowing for a day or two. I still have minor pain and local swelling which should be better within a few hours.

A yellow-jacket that didn’t survive:

• Identifying yellow-jackets
• Bee sting treatment 

I recently used Facebook to create a tiled background with photos of my Facebook friends. After cropping the image, I used it to customize my Twitter profile.

Steps for creating a tiled background image of your friends:

1. Click Friends in the header of your Facebook page.
2. Click Everyone, then select — from the drop-down menu.
3. Crop the resulting image so it’s square/rectangular. You may also want to remove the no photo icons, representing friends who haven’t uploaded a photo.

Thursday, July 3

Derek and Blake (younger brothers) arrived in Kansas City at 9pm. Clayton and Brett joined us for a trip to the Bottleneck in Lawrence, Kansas for the NEON Dance Party.

Friday, July 4

We checked out downtown Kansas City including the Liberty Memorial and the Power and Light District. We had lunch at Tengo Sed Cantina. After that we headed south in search of fireworks. After some driving, we found fireworks at 151st and Holmes. We then headed to Dave’s sister’s house in Raymore, MO to shoot off fireworks with Dave, Clayton and Dave’s family. Thanks to Dave and his family for inviting us.

Saturday, July 5

Mike (my best friend) arrived from Wichita, KS. We shopped in Waldo, then jumped on the MAX at 74th and Broadway. We stopped at Union Station where we toured, walked across the bridge to the crossroads, and walked around downtown a bit. We caught the MAX back from 20th and Main. Saturday night we went to a party at Stephen’s place. It was a great time. On the way home we stopped in at the neighborhood bar, Flo’s Polka Dot Lounge.