Things I'm Excited to Do in Minnesota, Confessions, and New Christmas Albums 2011

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On Saturday I'm headed to Minnesota, and I am SO excited. It's been far too long since I've breathed the sanctified air of the North/God's country. So, I'm thinking Saturday I'll drive up to the Cities and then Sunday I'll head up I-35 towards Duluth. Here's the view of Duluth as you crest over the hill on I-35, in case you're wondering:

Things I am looking forward to:

1. Seeing my sister Anna, b.i.l. Peter, and grandma.

2. Staying with Chelsey and Luke in their recently remodeled home.

3. Sitting outside on a blustery day...maybe somewhere up the North Shore.

4. Going for a run along the lake path.

5. Eating/drinking at the Brewhouse...hopefully at least twice, and at least once with the right reverend Pam Carlson.

6. A few random run-ins with friends (and, of course, the flip side is those awkward run-ins...).

7. Eating at least once at Bridgeman's (ice cream parlor/eatery) with my grandma. Random Fact: This was where I was first gainfully employed a 15 year-old busboy. Remuneration: $4.25/hour, which was below minimum wage even at the time, but I was still considered "child labor" since I was not yet 16. I distinctly remember the sticky remnants of ice cream toppings left on the vein-side of my forearm. The one good thing that came from this job was the discovery of hot fudge malts, which are much better than the famous sibling, the chocolate malt, and have been my choice of malt ever since. Also, I think my grandma has eaten here with a group of her friends every Saturday morning since time immemorial.

Do you think it's a bad sign when you're really good at writing prayers of confession but prayers of thanksgiving come less easy? As I was writing a prayer of confession, I realized that it takes very little work for me to think of ways we screw up; my lists, often divided by semicolons, could go on and on. I guess I can chalk another one up to an evangelical upbringing!

I'm loving The Wonder Years streaming on Netflix...even if they do have to put in weird covers of songs (for instance, the awful substitute for Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help from My Friends," which may be a version Joe Cocker recorded in later years, I'm not sure). I'm a sucker for a coming of age story set in the 60s (which is why I love Duncan's The Brother's K...or Forrest Gump for that matter)

She & Him releasing a Christmas album does make me all the more excited for the Christmas music season. Any other new releases coming out this year that I should know about?

Okay, time to go to work.