Road Trips : Road Trip 98 : Minneapolis 1
Wednesday 28 October 1998 (Madison WI to Minneapolis MN)
Odometer: 87313
Woke up. Visited a couple of thrift stores. Got gas at station near the freeway and wondered at the fact that (other than California and North Carolina), this part of Wisconsin has the odd distinction of being the only place I've spent time in each of the past three years.
Finally, I headed west through Eau Claire (more thrift stores) toward Minneapolis and Erik. Of course, I arrived right at rush hour. Minneapolis at rush hour is an ugly thing. Inadequate and badly designed freeways full of incompetent drivers produce really nasty headaches. And Minnesotans, despite being some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet, are as a group the worst drivers I've ever encountered. Anywhere...
Finally, though I arrived at Erik's office. It was good to see him for the first time since Vegas. He took me home, where I was immediately accosted by a psycho neighbor who wondered if I knew who'd smashed her jack-o-lanterns. Mind you she was not at all concerned that a perfect stranger was walking into the apartment unescorted, but she was pissed about her pumpkins.
Soon we were off to First Avenue to see Meat Beat Manifesto. I was very happy to find an escape in the form of the "annex" next door where the beer was cheaper and the music was better.
Afterward, it was off to the Saloon, and home. There was sex. There was sleep. Boy did I need sleep.
Thursday 29 October 1998 (Minneapolis MN)
On my morning jaunt to the bank, I was a little alarmed that I couldn't withdraw money from my checking account even though I should have had plenty of money (OK..."plenty" is too strong a word...) Fortunately, the situation rectified itself by evening. Not being able to get money when you're almost 2000 miles from home is a bit disconcerting.
Good thing White castle is really cheap...
I managed to nap most of the day after not sleeping too well the night before. I was starting to get reacquainted with that Minnesota allergy thing. Jeez it was nasty. I was stuffy enough to begin with, but the mess increased exponentially every time I got near someone who'd been in contact with a cat in the past, say, three months or so. Of course any first-hand contact wth an actual cat might have proven catastrophic.
Got in touch with Carroll (one of my best friends since 1982) and Bil (an ex-boyfriend, sort of, and friend since 1994). Bil and I drove around a bit, and Carroll and I made plans for Friday.
Erik and I ventured out for a bit of drinking, first at a nice enough neighborhood bar in Loring Park, and then at the Minneapolis Eagle. Interesting place, the Eagle. It's definitely the "nicest" leather bar I've ever seen, that in the sense that it looks like a yuppie sports bar: wood panelling, plush carpet, booths, etc. I couldn't imagine anything nasty happening (or even being arranged) in this place.
Afterward, there was food at the late-night rock and roll Mexican place. Cute rivethead boy. Free Tootsie Rolls. Not bad...
Friday 30 October 1998 (Minneapolis MN)
Headed to Northfield in the afternoon to pick up Carroll and bring her back to Minneapolis. This was the first time we'd seen each other in seven or eight years, but (as usual) we were able to pick up as if no time at all had passed. You can do this with your best friends and not even be surpised by it. This is a good thing.
Back in the city, Carroll checked into the Marriott and did some shopping while I napped on her bed. And then drinking ensued...good old-fashioned hotel room drinking, with eight years worth of collected conversation and an incredible view. Afterward, we fought our way through the strange collection of corridors connecting the hotel, the skyway mall, and the parking garage (oops...I mean parking RAMP).
Dinner at The King and I, a surprisingly good Thai place. Afterward, a little Mastercard-financed Telnetting at the hotel kiosk (Carroll and I having become major nerds since last encounter) and home to bed.
