I Have Been Recognized For My Acting

... only eighteen years late.  Not bad.

At work tonight, it was close to closing and I had my mop in hand.  As I made my way up front, a customer was asking about the new bottle of cider we had in the front cooler.  In my infinate salesmanship, I took the bottle out of the cooler and modeled it, waving my hand up and down the bottle.

"Thanks, Lazer Wolf."

Now how did he know I played Lazer Wolf in high school?  That was the one lead role I got ever in seven productions in thearter.  And, yeah, I did okay at it, except for one performance where I clearly forgot the lines (and it was a big one) but other than that, yeah, I guess I did okay.

Aside from losing the girl, getting blood on my shirt (remember, butcher) and having to go to the wedding despite that.  And losing it to a certain clarinetist who shall remain nameless. 

Hey, it was fun in that show.  And I was the one of two people who had a real beard; as far as I'm concerned, that's what got me the role. 

Still, it made my night knowing that someone in the city remembered that.  He said it was the best of the shows he saw.  It's nice to be remembered for something besides band and choir.

.....

I feel like I'm getting really worn out.  These four classes mixed with bookwork and trying to fit in Union Shores is getting to be far too much to juggle.  During the day I feel like I can't see straight.  So either I'm staring at the computer screen too long (like now, fail) or I'm just doing a good job of destroying my eyes.

I hope not.  I've already got pretty sensitive eyes (to light - headlights and bright sun really hurts) and I don't want to go blind.  I'm having too much fun seeing things (like the world, women, and what-not) and am in no hurry to learn Braille.

.....

Recently I attended an info session to learn that the transportation commission was planning on building three roundabouts along 66th street.   One on Nicollet, one on Lyndale, and one at 35W. 

Now a little backstory:
I grew up just north of the Hub and learned to drive on Nicollet.  There's a spot where I can change lanes from left to right where the road shifts at the end of a median by going straight and ending up in the right lane.  (It's hard to explain but I think it's cool.)  And they recently made Nicollet a three-lane road (with a center divider and such) because the city gets funding for adding bike lanes (can you say cop out?) and hence a four lane road is now a three lane.

Ever since they redid the Crosstown Commons (a major interchange between MN 62 and I-35W just north of town from me) everyone seems to bypass the interstate by taking 66th street.  Add with that the traffic from MN-77 and the southern suburbs (Eagan, Apple Valley, Burnsville) who bypass 77/62 during rush hour due to congestion on the clover leaf onto West 62 towards the commons and you get a lot of traffic - in short, I cannot make a left turn onto 66th Street from my block almost anytime - and definately anytime from 8 am to 10 or 3 pm to 7. 

Adding more roundabouts - especially at Nicollet and Lyndale - will mean that there will be two less places for traffic to stop.  They don't stop now for yield signs, and they won't stop for them there either.  The good news is that they didn't approve the one at 35W, because it would make it impossible for residents on one block to get to their homes - and let's face it, if you saw the design you'd be appalled too.

Here's the other gripe: 
They want to make 66th street east of Nicollet a three lane road like Portland, Nicollet and Penn.  In other words, there will be less traffic flow.
The good news is that MIGHT - think billboard sized letters here - MIGHT discourage traffic on 66th and limit intercity interstate crosstraffic. 

HOWEVER:
It might also just make getting across town a living hell.  I can manage roundabouts fine, but I'm tempted to slap a sign over 66th Street that says 'ROUNDABOUT WAY' because that's what it's going to be.

I'm pissed at the transportation commission and really upset that they all think that's the solution.  What a cop out.  What's worse, they announced these plans and laid them out for the city employees as if they were already decided and non-debatable.  Only in today's paper did I learn that the city council actually voted on them.

Needless to say, I'm not happy with the way the city is getting further screwed up.  I hate having to stop for roundabouts, and I especially hate having to watch for idiots who can't figure 'em out. 

My only hope is that the traffic will be discouraged so poorly that nobody will want to drive through town, thus closing all of our small buisnesses and forcing everyone to go to Bloomington or Minneapolis.

(Ain't that a cheery thought.)

UPDATE:  It recently came to my attention that Harv Bennett, the producer of many of the Star Trek movies, has also passed away at the age of 84.  I admired the guy – I mean I named a character after him, Dr. Harv Bennit.   Plus, many of you heard that Harrison Ford got in a plane crash today – he survived and is only scraped up, but it’s been a rough go for good celebs lately, hasn’t it?

Too bad to hear about Admiral Bennett.  Glad that Mr. Ford is okay.