Weird
Exploring Lake Superior by Submarine
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-q0T5FyxAc
Jim and Allen Richardson of Gonzo Science explore Lake Superior in a two-man sub.
Duluth Deluge: Daredevils
Right behind the Tappa Keg bar, across the street from the zoo, the tracks are all but gone. However, that did not deter this Duluth Deluge daredevil from making it across. Kids, do not attempt this at home, unless you’re reenacting this scene with felted socks or shadow puppets. (more…)
Pajamas
I moved to Duluth from St. Paul in 1999. My work allows me to travel all over the world. I’ve been to 31 States in the U.S. and 40 countries around the world. Duluth, I’ve noticed, has an almost unique trait that I can’t seem to figure out. The only other place I’ve seen this is Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I wanted to add a picture but didn’t want to impose on someone’s privacy. The unique trait is the many people that wear pajama bottoms as pants in public. What is with that? I actually find it endearing. Perhaps a sign of lack of vanity, or a sign of self confidence. Perhaps a dash of poverty and lack of pretension? I’m not sure. Can anyone explain the pajama bottoms as public apparel in Duluth thing?
Scenic Ice Station Zebra, MN
It's a long story, and not that funny. But here it is, anyhow.
Training Day
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtne7avwhyM
Even trippier than Pink Floyd, “Comfortably Trematoda” wins Animal Diversity Idol
A couple of UMD Students won Animal Diversity Idol with this video. OK, it turns out that Animal Diversity Idol is not a “real” contest, although when I got started down this rabbit hole I thought maybe it was. It is something that a professor at UMD dreamed up to get students more interested in a variety of weird life forms. In this case the creatures are liver flukes. The video is one-part homage to Pink Floyd and two-parts CDC-style public service announcement.
Miller Creek Estuary Cages
Good day! I took the high bridge over to Superior the other day and noticed a pair of cages placed in the creek estuary (or estuary-like spot with the water so low). Does anyone have any idea what they are?
Women Musicians in Homegrown
Did anyone notice the low number of female performers at the Homegrown Music Festival this year? I did. There seemed to be about eight male performers for every one female. If you don’t want to count just look at the steering committee, it’s pretty representative of the entire festival. There are a few wonderful women and a bunch of men.
The ladies are around performing with a variety of styles unique to themselves and Homegrown! They may be harder to find in that giant Homegrown Field Guide, but if you looked closely you’d find some on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, not peak days. Often these women have to be underground, persistent or be extra bad ass, which they are, to get noticed. They often try harder and get less recognition.
I don’t want to start a fight, maybe just a good discussion, I’m just saying we noticed.
The People Say Fox — “The Whaler’s Line”
Homegrown Music Video Festival entry by Emily Norton.
Willie the Warlock
Yesterday I was out at The Princess Bride with a couple of goslings and other uberfans at the Zinema for their excellent Saturday-morning-movies-for-the-whole-family series. That would have been awesome enough, but they threw in free juice boxes for the kids, but it got even better. In the place where we expected the opening previews, or maybe a video short to roll we were treated to this 2006 video, by Duluth’s Willie the Warlock
Minnesota Northern Lights
I was fortunate enough to be up the North Shore Monday night near Grand Marais and caught an awesome Aurora Borealis Storm that was, dare I say, a Perfect Grand Marais Night. This art showing by Mother Nature was one that I would have thought I’d have to travel to northern Norway to witness. I have seen the Northern lights many times in the past, but this was pretty amazing, there were many moments over the course of 3 hours I had to duck as I thought they were gonna hit me. I probably should have been wearing a tin foil hat.
Allen R. Defends Gonzo Science HQ
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQtd-vUHtMA
More brother-on-brother nerf violence as Allen defends against attack inside Gonzo Science headquarters. Both men use a full-auto Stampede ECS. In addition Jim deploys an impenetrable “Captain America” shield.
Homegrown banners on PDD
I’m a little late this year, but here is the annual call. We’re looking for your Homegrown photos! The guidelines are the same as always. We’ll rotate Homegrown images in that extremely horizontal and hard-to-fit-a-photo-into space at the top of the page during next week’s festivities.
The Assassination of Allen R.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFteX9hv5aw
Brother on brother nerf violence as Jim attempts to assassinate Allen inside Gonzo Science headquarters. Both men use a full-auto Stampede ECS. In addition Jim deploys an impenetrable “Captain America” shield.
The Smelt shall rise again!
For anyone who has ever seen (or heard of) the May Day Parade in Minneapolis and wondered why we don’t have anything of the sort in Duluth, do we have some news for you!
The Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe formed in 2011. At the nucleus are newish Duluthian Jim Ouray, bringing 30 years of experience with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater (Minneapolis) and local musician and visual artist Anton Jimenez-Kloeckl. They’ve offered free stilt-walking and mask-making classes and are presently holding costume and puppet production workshops which will culminate in the Run, Smelt, Run! Parade and Party on April 22.
(more…)
Mellow Iceberg Rides
The scene down at the lake these days.
A Floating Rock in Lake Superior
I wish I’d gotten more footage for an even better view of this typically quirky Duluth sight. But I had to wade in to get this and I froze my ass off doing it, so this is what you get.
What’s the deal with those horns?
If you scroll through this slideshow displaying statues of Leif Erikson you will notice Duluth’s statue has something most of the other statues don’t have. Go ahead, I’ll wait …
So, did you notice? If you read the headline you already know what it is: horns. What’s more, if you read this article by UMD journalist Madiha Mirza, you will learn that Duluthian Stefan Guttormsson, president-elect of the Icelandic American Association of Minnesota, believes our statue should not have horns.
Of course, if that’s true, does it also mean the Minnesota Vikings’ logo is, um, wrong?
Obscure Duluth Logomania
Nicole Meyer came up with the creative project of making a logo for every lake in Minnesota. At one logo every day, she figures it will take her 27 years to finish.
In the spirit of that, it might be interesting to see what kind of logos Duluthians could come up with for places like Goat Hill or Casket Quarry.
So here’s an open invitation to consider your favorite people, places and things in Duluth that no one would ever consider commissioning a logo for, and make one. How about a logo for “The Path” – the place across the street from Morgan Park Middle School where kids go to smoke? For the zip code 55812? For Restormel Street? Pick your favorite noun and go for it. The more obscure the better. Upload them to the comments of this post.
This is not a competition, it is only an exhibition. Please refrain from using the word “branding” at any point. That word makes everyone sick.
Name that Goo
After digging out my car yesterday, I saw this yellow stuff that had dripped off of it into the snow. I also saw it in almost every spot in the street after cars drove away. I can’t imagine all the cars on our block are leaking antifreeze, or that tiny dogs snuck under each car to pee.
Anybody else see it or know what it is? Let the conspiracy theories begin.
Cinnamon Roll is a loving cat
Let me start off by saying that I am already easily amused, and the sleep deprivation is not really helping in that matter.
So, I was reading the DNT’s Pets of the Week article, and found a picture of Cinnamon Roll the cat waiting to be adopted. Most of the time, these pictures are of animals looking super cute begging to be adopted, but Cinnamon Roll’s expression made me laugh. “Adopt me, or don’t. Whatever.”
Being easily amused (refer back to point A), I whipped up some simple edits that made me laugh – maybe they’ll make you laugh too (if not, try sleep deprivation). (more…)