Snowmageddon 2010

How were we to know we would be going into one of the snowiest winters on record? The December 10-11 Blizzard is the 5th largest snowstorm on record for the Twin Cities since 1891.

The largest snowfall for the Twin Cities since the 1991 Halloween Blizzard began late Friday night and continued through the day on Saturday. 17.1 inches of snow fell at the Twin Cities International Airport. Not only is this the largest snowstorm on record for December for the Twin Cities, but this storm is the fifth largest snowfall in a single storm to hit the Twin Cities since 1891.



Heavy snow with visibilities of a quarter mile or less was reported at the Twin Cities Airport for eight hours straight from 9am to 4pm December 11. The International Airport was closed for four hours.

This storm packed quite a punch with wind as well as snowfall. Blizzard warnings were posted on December 11 for all of southern Minnesota, including Carver, Scott and Dakota Counties of the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities International Airport was closed for a time during the storm and numerous holiday events were cancelled, including the Holidazzle Parade. The Metrodome collapsed under the weight of the snow.

For days afterward, cities struggled to remove the snow from streets and sidewalks. School was cancelled for two days for St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Minnesota Climatology Blizzard and Snowstorm Summary - December 10-11, 2010

Buried in the snow is this bench at a nearby bus stop.

Sure, it's fun at first, but it would turn into a pain in the parka.

This is after the plows came through, and it was still bad. A group of pedestrians had to help push cars out of ruts in the street.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

At my new job, they took us to the new Twins Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis. I use to watch the former Anaheim Angels at their outdoor stadium, and it was a fun and inexpensive way to catch some rays and mock watch people.

They had a suite for us, which was fantastic. And actually, the entire stadium is well constructed. To the left of this first picture, the Lightrail and Northstar connect here, as well as local buses nearby.

And as fate would have it, my friend and former coworker, Jennifer, just happened to be at the same game! So I snuck her into our suite since there was plenty of room. And I even found a mug with some Disney characters in Twins gear, so it was a perfect night for me!

Stay Awake

Well, Caribou Coffee asked and I told them! Too bad it didn't make the printed version. Probably due to copyrights and whatnots.

Yo ho! Yo ho! A Chocolatier's Life for Me.

So when I unemployed and went to a LinkedMinnesota event, I ran into Scott, who does with Dove Chocolate what my childhood preacher's wife did with Avon. And no, Scott did not wear the Dove Chocolate; he sold it.

The main reason I wanted to host this party was to get Chocolate Martini mix. Man, that stuff is great! As you see from some of the other goodies, the chocolate with wine is another favorite.

My friends and I bought so much stuff, we had extra chocolate products to last a lifetime!

Want to become a Chocolatier? Click here!

It's Been Some Time

I've been bad and haven't posted anything in a long time, but I have been on a few trips, so I may have to go back and add those into my blog.

However, I just had to post this link! This was one of my favorite places to go growing up and while I worked at Disneyland. Mom, Dad and I used to grab a Mint Julep and listen to great jazz music here.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/08/05/disneylands-mint-julep-recipe/

Sh-Boom, Sh-Boom

This weekend, I was at a car show in Hastings, Minnesota. When seeing vehicles like this, I can imagine what inspired the animators at Pixar.

Hastings Downtown Saturday Night Cruise-In

Fortunate

It's always a good reminder and something I truly do not take for granted.

So Much To Do. So Little Mayan Time.

Time's running out! I have a lot to do before December 21, 2012.

I Can't Last For 1 Mile

Talk about stamina!

Tim Bits

I fell in love with Tim Hortons when I had several business trips to Canada. No, not for the obvious reason and their donuts, but actually for their coffee.  (Same reason I love Dunkin Donuts)  Having said that, I had to make sure that I had some Timbits. Have you ever had Timbits? 

Tim Hortons

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Here's a place I'd recommend. Claddagh Irish Pub does a good job with ambiance and cuisine of the Emerald Isle. I've been to the Middleton, WI and Maple Grove, MN locations as well, and the meal was tasty!

Next door was a retailer that probably needs to rebrand.

Claddagh Irish Pub

What a Capitol Idea

While in Lansing, Michigan, you have to check out the State Capitol. It's interesting and free!

Padmé Amidala would not be proud of this.

Hoppy Easter!

Just because I'm laid off from work doesn't mean I can't enjoy the coming of Spring. You have to have something! Hoppy Easter!

Showing My Support

This is going out to my friends in the UK. I support you too! (But go Team USA!!!)

I'm Accustomed To It

Something tells me that TSA wasn't just looking for my Vancouver jacket or Star Wars boxers, ya think?

US Olympic Training Center

Every time I go see my family in Colorado Springs, I must go to the US Olympic Training Center. Here you can see that I've obviously been here before, as seen by the shirt I'm wearing, and because the Vancouver Olympics are over, so we're counting down to the Games in London. I'd love to go!

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I have a ton of pictures of the statues and sights around the Training Center, but I'll just leave you with a couple here.