Corey Ryan Vest

and i think anyone could've told him in 2017 that this was an impossible promise to make, but he still chose to make it to win, and you don't get to go "no, oops, actually that wasn't possible after all, too hard" when you pledge to do something very specific and win

Two years ago today. Sometimes I'm taken aback by how many strange little moments I've experienced since early 2023, and how so much has changed or not changed in my life and this city since then.

Japchae (glass noodles) were nice and chewy. I was afraid one might snap like a rubber band which was kinda awkward! Mango soda helped me forget some recent nonsense too.

Back on an earlier bus for day two.

Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association Safety and Security Summit on October 3 (2023) at the Mill City Museum. I sat next to (then candidate) Scott Graham. Introduced myself to Shaffer afterwards. Stuck around and talked with (now former) Metro Transit Chief Morales.

Elizabeth Shaffer and crew did campaign photos and videos on The Mall last hour. She introduced herself to some unhoused folks as parks commish and promised to call Street Reach. I went downstairs to say hello, but she bicycled away for the cameras.

Campaign finance update: Elizabeth Shaffer raised $123k in the last six months for a grand total of $144k. She's spent $66k through July. Nearly $77k cash remaining on hand. Kinda obscene if you ask me.

Riding a midday bus and waiting patiently at the Midtown Hennepin County Service Center to apply for a new REAL ID card is one of life’s truly democratic experiences.

Funny 'cause I almost turned Shaffer away when she entered the floor without a guest badge prior to standing near the stage and waving a sign during Frey's speech. Such strong opinions from someone with so few connections to the DFL party.

Calm before the storm!

One way or another, some choose to walk alone at the end of the parade.

Lunds and the paid parking lot on Lagoon are gonna need to hire some overnight weekend security guys going forward. Last night was not good. Mayor Frey's chummy relationship with Ned and Rich is a problem for Uptown and the people who live here.

Sitting in the summer shade on the Mall (not that one) and watching family photographs in front of the big chair with an American flag steadily waving over the Northrop is nice. Feeling comfortable on a university campus is a strange new experience.

Someone said they took down the basketball games after yesterday’s storm, but they’re still here. Strange.

Same woman twice on the right? She pops up in a variety of stock images over the years. So much money spent so clumsily! Maybe next time they'll hire a local photographer and make sure their art director gives a damn.

Don't make me call her phone number, Taylor.

Is it too late to start rumors that you're a dog person in an attempt to blow this whole thing up!? Asking for Carol Becker.

Today I learned that I’m one year older than Christopher Lloyd was while filming the first Back to the Future movie and I’m now sure how I feel about that.

So now you're taking public broadcasting dollars in a vain attempt to expand your illegal political influence machine? Are there no limits to your greed and destruction? Have you no sense of decency, sir?

Barack and Michelle Obama at the Xcel Energy Center on June 3, 2008.

Anyone else remember the evening Obama clinched the nomination over Hillary in 2008? If you look to the left of the photographer near Barack's knee, then you'll catch a glimpse of a 30-year-old beardless me. Brings back memories of superdelegates and flip phones!

Jesse Ventura Shocks the World! - Twin Cities PBS Jesse Ventura is many things, but boring isn’t one of them. 25 years after the pro wrestler shocked the world when elected Governor of Minnesota, it’s high time to explore the people, values and exper...

I was living above the old bank in Northfield when Jesse won. Photo of those windows front page Strib today. Discussing the documentary below with Eric twenty-five years later was the moment I knew in my heart that I'd finally become a Minnesotan.

www.tpt.org/jesse-ventura-shocks-world/

i met almanac’s eric eskola this morning. he’s a fan of what we do at @wedge.live. he was wearing this shirt they sold at the state fair when jesse ventura was governor

In this month’s Journal of Tortured Arithmetic: Was Andrea’s boy Willy under or overpaid? One full-time week per month at twenty bucks per hour; and billed weekly? Or one day per month at $100/hr! Unsure how else you end up with such an oddly specific amount.

(800*12)/(365/7) = 184.10 (truncated)

Strange days in my Uptown bubble. Parking lot weirdness and time spent chasing people outta back corners and alleyways has been trending upward. Summer will be something. I keep one security camera in each bunch for zen contemplation. Sunset with corner ivy and whispers of rain.

Saturday evening showers in Uptown.

You can almost pretend these things aren’t happening if you never get off the bus.

Elizabeth Shaffer addressing the DFL Ward 7 Convention at 2:30pm on Saturday. She narrowly won DFL endorsement on the second ballot shortly after 5pm. She never once said hello to me either privately or publicly during community events in the last six months.

I have many hats and shirts from 2023; stories about each one; Linea, Luther, Andrea, Victor, Bruce, Nasri, etc.; so many doors. Most of the All of Mpls All-Star Squad! I wonder how folks will look back on this year. Kinda worried about our ward convention today. Feelings!