Archive for August, 2008

My afternoon in Hopkins, MN

I had a couple errands to run in downtown Hopkins, Minnesota today.

I started by dropping off some CDs at the library. There, the female security guard tried to kick out an apparently drunk young man. I say “tried” because Even after waiting for her to finish up after five minutes, the dude was still hanging around the doorway. She’d tell him to leave, he’d say he did nothing wrong. She’d ask to see his ID to prove he’s 21 because she saw him with a can of beer, he’d mumble that he didn’t have anything. Drain, rinse, and repeat.

Pretty guitar

Next I walked along Main Street, noting all the old-fashioned window signs adding to the quaintness of the city. I wanted to stop at Bud’s Music Shop, but it was closed. So, I took a pic of a beautiful blue guitar in the window. Mmmmmm….

 I ended up going into the Hopkins Antique Mall — a huge place filled to the brim with some crap, but lots of goodies. Here’s a few of my favorites:

Gay toothbrushes

Gay toothbrushes

I didn’t know he was such a mama’s boy!

“What you don’t know about Liberace” – I didn’t know he was such a mama’s boy! Cute!

Nazi Psychadelia

Um, that is a Nazi symbol, right? I know that it’s also a Hindu symbol, but come on. Were Nazi’s “real disco”?

2008
08/24
CATEGORY
local
2 comments

Nearly Lost in Translation

I was at Moscow on the Hill tonight for a birthday party. We were on the patio and I was facing the door that goes inside, so I looked at everyone coming in and out.

Once the door opened, and out came a very familiar face and didn’t think much of it. Then I realized that the face was entirely out of context because it was a famous face. It was Bill Murray! Then I thought, no, it’s just a guy who looks like Bill Murray. I kept staring. He stood there for almost a minute as a man with him told the waiter which table they wanted. He also had a sexy lady with him. He looked very normal, but also very handsome.

 famous.jpg

As his party started walking to their table, I tried to get my group’s attention, but they ignored me at first, excited about some conversation. “That guy looks just like Billy Murray. I think it’s Bill Murray!” I said probably way too loudly. Everyone at my table looked confused for a bit because Bill’s back was to them, but then finally everyone gasped. One reminded us that Bill owns or co-owns the St. Paul Saints, which would explain his presence in St.Paul on a summer evening. We all started texting and calling friends.

 

The accordionist serenaded them, and they clapped joyfully. They had the same waiter as us. When the waiter came to take our cards I said “Big guest over there, huh?” and he said “Yeah, I hope so” with a huge grin.

I don’t think anyone bothered him, but I saw a few people come out for a closer look. I saw a camera flash at one point, but it might have even been from Bill’s party. I’m not sure.

I wonder where Bill stays when he’s in town.

P.S. To be clear: I did not take that picture. I thought a snapshot would be more appropriate — didn’t mean to lead anybody on.

2008
08/23
CATEGORY
local
1 comment