Midtown, Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 8, 2008, photo
© 2008 by QuoinMonkey. All rights reserved.
brisk walk through the cold
passing poets on the way
dinner at Midtown
-posted on red Ravine, Saturday, March 8th, 2008
-related to posts: haiku (one-a-day)
Waiting to be seen . . .
Where are you, my avatar?
Lost in cyberspace?
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Waiting is over.
There you are, my avatar.
Home at red Ravine.
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I love the angle on that photo, and the haiku is perfect!
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The angle / composition and lighting of this photo are wonderful!
The haiku beautifully captured the mystery of the image!
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The photo has a kind of topsy-turvy feel to it, the kind of headiness one can get going out to dinner in a city at night. I was trying to come up with something clever, about being drunk in the city, but then I decided to not even go there 8) .
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Sharonimo, great avatar haikus. 8) Hey, sorry about the frustration around the avatar appearing. I should have mentioned that they take a while to appear. It was the same thing when I loaded mine on to Flickr the first time.
It seems like it might have gone underground again. ybonesy said she’ll send an email to support if it doesn’t reappear sometime today. I wondered if you still see it when you log into your account? Or has it disappeared from there as well?
Just want people to know that glitches like these happen all the time in cyberspace. ybonesy and I have learned to ride them out and persevere. Part of the package of electronic communications. But we’ve had some crazy things happen during WP upgrades.
Sharonimo, I’m glad you stuck with it!
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lb and gypsy-heart, thank you. ybonesy, it is a kind of topsy-turvy photo, shot straight up from under as we walked out to the parking lot.
I really love shooting the city at night. There is so much happening. And the light is like nothing else. A lot of neon, and lights bleeding into other lights.
BTW, the poetry reading we went to was great. A friend has organized a once a month poetry gathering and meditation at her house. Last month it was Ted Kooser. This month, Mary Oliver. It was so great to hear each person read Mary, slowly, and in their own voice.
And we find the conversations we have after the poetry are truly as much a gift as the poetry (we talk about everything). Really great group of people (all ages), some who did not know each other before these readings. One member calls it creating “intentional community.” A good term.
There are also some great surprises happening each month. I wonder who the next poet will be? 8)
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Great night photo, and the angle really works. The poetry readings sound perfect, too.
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QM, I also wanted to comment on this photo & haiku. I agree that the angle really works.
btw, You were at my house again yesterday. I had a small family & friends gathering to celebrate J’s upcoming 50th birthday. I gave you a special place on the sofa in the den & have decided to keep you there, Since we don’t spend much time in that room, you have your own space.
The poetry readings sound cool. And I like the term “intentional community”. It is a good term. D
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Thanks so much, barbara. And diddy, I’m so happy I was at the family gathering again. And that I have my own space in the den (you know how I like my own little space, however small). 8) And J’s 50th birthday, it’s the 13th, isn’t it? At least, I think I have the date right. I had a friend whose b-day was on the 10th, and I used to always get them mixed up. Happy 50th, J! Welcome to the over-50 club!
The intentional community, people who would probably not ordinarily get together but find themselves coming together out of love for writing or art or music or – anything. And then the sharing tends to be so fabulous because you all really want to be there, sharing together. Community is so important, isn’t it? Just like family.
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Okay, that’s really strange. I saw Sharonimo’s avatar when I started to comment on this post. And now it’s gone again. ybonesy, do you know what’s going on with that? It’s so strange the way it goes in and out. It must be WordPress. Well, at least I got to see it, if only for a moment!
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QM, yes J’s birthday is the 13th. And You will always be at any family get together! I do however, plan on buying you some new clothes, as the flowered dress & pink bow just don’t seem right! D
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Oh, good. I could use some new clothes (and I hate clothes shopping). And you’re right – dresses and bows, hmmmm, not quite my style. Can’t wait to see what I’ll be wearing next!
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QM, I certainly hope to make good clothing choices for you!
Also, as you can see I am working on an avatar thanks to your suggestion. We’ll see what I come up with. I will have to rely on J & our “young gun son E” to help me complete it.
So for now I will be that ghost like one until I can choose! Good night to all! This time change has really screwed me up! D
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Man, I miss Midtown!
I lived for many years in Burnsville and made my way across the city of several occasions. Midtown was always a favorite spot.
Great photo!
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diddy, I’m so happy you are working on an avatar. I did see the shadow appear next to your name. Good, good, good.
Keep in mind when you follow my avatar instructions that:
1) it takes a while for the avatar so show up in WordPress.
2) if you don’t want to crop your image, you have to get it down to a higher resolution/smaller size as ybonesy mentions (something like 80 x 80) BEFORE you download it into WordPress. You can do it in Photoshop or, I think Liz helped me do it in another simpler program on my PC.
3) The avatar will show up in 3 sizes on WordPress: small next to a comment, larger on the Front Page or under the Catagory pages. And that’s why you’ll want to use an image scan or photo with enough resolution to not break up into bytes.
Good luck with it. Can’t wait to see what you choose. It took me a while to decide. And you can also change it later.
tysdaddy, Midtown is really hopping these days. That part of Lake Street has changed a lot just over the last three years. I love the diversity of that area. And the food in the Midtown Global Market is full of variety – not the everyday kinds of dishes you get in fast food. It’s fun to visit there to shop, too. You can also sit at a couple of the coffee shops and write. There is free wireless.
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like this haiku and pic–works well!
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It’s all about lighting, isn’t it QM! I love night photography. It can make some of the most mundane things cool with contrasts in light.
This is a wonderful night shot, colorful…perfect disection between blackness and building. I love the balance between the two. It’s a beautiful building. Reminds me a little of Georgia’s Radiator Building. I always loved the sunspots in that one.
😉
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Thanks, Scot.
Heather, yep, all about the light. I love the high contrast of most night shots. And the color. It’s fun for me to mix it up. And, yes, I remember Georgia’s Radiator Building. I like the comparison. She painted what was out her city window.
This Sears building is pretty cool. I haven’t researched the history, but I used to shop there when it was still a Sears store. It was built the way department stores used to be – high ceilings, glass cases, marble floors – heavy and solid.
I used to get my car serviced over where the hotel is now, I think it’s a Sheraton. I admire them for keeping the building standing as a landmark and trying to revitalize the area with the Midtown Global Market. Minneapolis is notorious for tearing down her old architecture. This is one that is still alive.
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The surprise to me about the Poetry and Meditation group is what has happened after the hour of silence and poems. I had no idea people would stay and talk; it has been a wonderful surprise. I saw you taking pictures of the postcard Ted Kooser sent us, QM. If you decide to post it, you have my full consent.
The poet for April is anxiously waiting in the wings. 🙂
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Teri, the time after the poetry and meditation has been very rich. And a complete surprise to me as well. The gift of intentional community. It just reinforces how we can all connect around poetry, art, writing, and silence, no matter what we do in the rest of our lives. It’s kind of what we were all taught showing up to write with each other last year, isn’t it. But on a smaller scale.
Oh, thanks for saying that about the postcard. 8) I’ll think about doing a short post on it and include the image. I can’t tell you how exciting it was to receive that. Another great thing – showing gratitude to those who came before us – and getting a little in return. I appreciate you starting the group!
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Remember during the 4-Season Intensive in Taos how quickly and deeply the group would fall into silence after that first week? I noticed that at the Poetry and Meditation group, too. The first time I sensed a lot of discomfort and movement with the unfamiliarity of the silence. The second time was different. It was though people were a bit used to it, could accept it, it wasn’t such a foreign place to go.
When I told the group Ted had written back to us, do you know how loud the group squealed/screamed? I loved it.
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Ah, I’m certain I was one of the squealers! That a well-known writer took time to be that giving. Really moved me. I did notice how people settled in more easily the second time we met. Much more comfortable. I’m always so surprised at how much we can learn about each other in silence.
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Maybe you can help me . . . there was once a little theater on the corner of Lindale and Lake. Maybe it’s still there. Back in the late 90s, I went to see a very small production of Reservoir Dogs. I went with a film crew from Brown, also on Lake at one time.
That place was cool and unlike anything I’d ever experienced up to that point in my life.
What ever became of the old Brown building?
Brian
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Brian, I have to think more about that. The Lyn-Lake area is one I used to frequent quite often. But not as much anymore. It’s still a bustling part of Lake Street. And pretty close to Calhoun Square and Orr Books (now closed).
I used to make a day of it, heading over to Uptown. There are 2 other bookstores and, I think, 3 theaters in the Uptown area. I’m trying to picture the building you are speaking of along Lyndale and Lake. I’ll have to pay attention when I drive by there again.
BTW, I remember Brown Institute. I went there for a while in the early 80’s in sound and recording. It merged with a bigger school for a while and the name changed. It might be closed now. I’m not sure. I had some great teachers there though. (Although I always refrained from going with them to the Poodle Club after class.)
The Brown Institute buildings used to be scattered all along Lake Street. I’ll have to pay attention the next time I’m in the area and see what theaters are left in that area. I know Heart of the Beast is somewhere around there.
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Teri & QM: Oh, how I wish that I lived close enough to attend your poetry and meditation group! I am grateful to at least get a vicarious taste of it here at redRavine…
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You have an open invitation if you ever pass through the Twin Cities. That goes for anyone on redRavine. 🙂
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It was a really tiny place, one level, with the theater portion in the back. Only three or four rows of seats. I’m gonna have to dig out my old videos and see if I can’t find the footage. I know the name is mentioned there.
I believe Brown moved to Mendota Heights. Not sure if they built a bunch of new buildings or moved into some existing structures though.
When I went there (1993 or so) it was all housed in one big building. All I remember is that there was a Pizza Hut and an Arby’s nearby (we ate out alot to stave off the boredom).
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breathepeace, thanks. I do hope you pass through sometime. I seem to recall some Midwestern roots for you. Do I remember correctly? Maybe someday on your way back to visit.
Teri, I wonder what a night of poetry and silence would be like for all of red Ravine? 8)
brian, Liz said she thinks it’s the Jungle Theater you are talking about. It’s at the corner of Lake and Lyndale. It was originally in a storefront, then upgraded to a larger building around the corner.
Here’s a link to the history: The Jungle Theater (LINK)
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I think Liz is right; when brian said the cross-streets, that’s what came to mind. I like that they often have classic plays, old favorites that you can see several times during your life.
Poetry and silence for all of redRavine? I’m in, but I think we’ll need a bigger venue than my living room.
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Oh, good. Another verification for the Jungle Theater on Lyn-Lake. Liz said she’d been there quite a few times. I’m sad to say, I don’t think I’ve ever attended a play there since they opened in the early 90’s. Sounds like they are a big part of keeping that area vital. That corner is really hopping these days. Lots of family-owned restaurants, artist galleries, and shops that are off the beaten path. Kind of fun to walk around there sometimes.
BTW, you’re not kidding – the living room would be a tight squeeze for all of red Ravine. That feels like such a good thing.
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Remember at the last reading when Mary said, “Wouldn’t it be fabulous if there were so many people who wanted to hear poetry that they’d have to use the Metrodome? We’d live in a different world.”
In the movie “Capote” I loved the scene where an audience gathered to hear excerpts from his book , a book that wasn’t even complete yet.
If we build it they will come?!?
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Teri, I sure hope so. Because I know a lot of writers and artists who are building their little hearts out. 8) I do believe they will come.
Isn’t Field of Dreams one of the best movies? I did a whole post last year on that and Shoeless Joe Jackson. Fascinating. About a writer, too. Dreams. We’ve all got dreams.
When Mary said that about filling the Metrodome for silence and poetry, I got this stunning visual. And my heart immediately slowed down.
We don’t yet live in a world like that. But I believe people make a difference every day in the way they live their lives.
Hey, when do we find out who the next poet is? No rush. Just curious how the research is going.
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LOL. I just went back and looked at that post, Shoeless Joe Jackson (LINK) and it cracked me up. It’s a Topic write, partly about the Shoeless part of Joe. And partly about the shoes I had in my closet at that time. The one pair of Minnetonka Moc’s were so ratty and I forgot them at Mabel Dodge last July when I was there. I remember writing about that.
Ah, thank goodness for change. Many of the shoes in that post have gone the way of the dumpster by now. Now I rotate between 3 or 4 comfortable pairs. But that reminds me, it would be fun to get a new pair of summer shoes. I know just the store. It’s a small independent place near the Lyn-Lake area that we’ve been writing about. I can’t remember the name right now. I’ll have to ask skywire. 8)
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I’m going to send out an email about the April reading this weekend. Those who volunteer to be one of the readers will find out lickety-split who the next poet is. I’m tempted to give a few clues, but when you and Liz put your heads together you figure things out too quickly. ha
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