Creative Use of Time in Minnesota

Once we all calm down about the seeding, it's worth noting that there are worse places to spend a few days than the Twin Cities. A few suggestions for how the Faithful can occupy themselves while they're there:

At the Rink

1. Learn why gray trim on our teamwear is not a good idea.

2. Help the Bucks learn to hate Davy almost as much as they do the Victors.

3. Find creative ways to superimpose the "Angry Bear" over a block red "O."

4. Mess with the Bucks' heads. (It doesn't take much...) Wear maize and blue, and use the older, traditional cheers.

5. Wonder if the Minnesota skating cheerleaders are interested in transferring.

Away from the Rink

1. Visit a supermarket, and marvel at the oil-drum size tins of coffee. (Scandinavian blood types: Colombian and Arabica.) Then order a cup, and wonder if they've given you decaf dishwater by mistake. Learn to really appreciate Starbucks.

2. Go out to dinner. Order walleyed pike, and feast on the best freshwater fish anywhere.

3. Find a Swedish restaurant, and take someone you hate. Suggest they order the head cheese for an appetizer and the lutefisk for the entree. Learn why the Hotel School does not offer a course in Swedish cuisine.

4. Make a side trip to St. Olaf College in Northfield and wonder what laws of nature have been broken for so many gorgeous blue-eyed blondes to be in the same place at the same time.

5. Make another side trip to Cokato or East Sveadal, and see what Lake Wobegon is really like.

6. Ask around about where the Gopher cheerleaders party. From INCH (4/10/03): "The Gophers were short one cheerleader Thursday after an incident at the Chippewa Street watering hole the previous night. A few of the cheerleaders thought it would entertaining to the bar's patrons if they climbed atop the bar and put on a Coyote Ugly-esque show while Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me" blared from the club's sound system. Unfortunately, the routine came to a grinding halt when one of the cheerleaders tumbled from the bar and hit her head on the floor. She left the establishment a little woozy, but under her own power."

Other posters with Minnesota roots, feel free to add on.

Seriously, except for some of the low-lifes who post on USCHO, Minnesotans as a group are among the nicest folks you are likely to meet. E.g., if you do something that really offends or disgusts them, you're likely to hear something on the order of "Well, that was different." Also, count yourselves lucky that the tournament takes place in March. A few months later, and you'd have the pleasure of experiencing the deer flies or the mosquitoes the size of B-52's. (Having all those lakes does have its down side.)

Once your're there, this is arguably the best of the four tournament sites both for the team and for the fans. Enjoy, and LGR!

Still Bored? Try these:
1. Walk around Mariucci before the Gopher game chanting "TECH SCHOOL"
2. The whole time you are here, talk in the quasi-Minnesotan accent found in "Fargo."
3. Ask for a soda. Get confused looks.
4. Want to escape the locals? Go to the Mall of America
5. Go to a small town cafe in the morning to drink coffee with the regulars. Talk about the weather for 3-4 hours.
6. Real fun: Go to a bar and mention how you thank God that Norm Green moved the North Stars down to Dallas, because they inspired McKee to play hockey.
6a. Run away after doing so.
7. Go to a bonfire (Everybody does it)
8. Go to Brainerd/Bemidji, discover the real Minnesota accent.
9. Call into KFAN AM's (1130) PA & Dubay Show (9-Noon) on Friday; talk about how the Gophers are going to lose with Jeff Dubay (get called a moron).
Subnote: This is the ultimate Gopher Hockey rube show

Its too bad that I can't take some people ice fishing (too late in the season). Seriously, I hope you all experience "Minnesota Nice." If you don't let me know and that person will be reported to the state and subsequently arrested. LET'S GO RED!!!!

Or pull a Cornell version of a Tyler Hirsch. Go to a bar and order a Grainbelt Premium beer. After paying, note that there was a special on some other quality beer such as Pabst's. Run around the bar three times while dumping the Premium on your head. Kiss a nordic babe, leave $6 on the bar, and walk out. Have your friends suspend your bar privileges for the rest of the trip.

Minnesota is a decent place, I lived their twice for a total of about 12 years. Plenty of fine steak establishments such as Manny's. Choke down a big piece of red meat, watch hockey, drink beer ......... it's all good.

And I'm wishing Tyler the best if he does have real issues. I'm sssuming for now that he just had a temper tantrum.

Lutefisk? You are a very cruel man for suggesting anybody try that.

ooo, mall of america...
how far is that from downtown?

About 10 miles. It's right near the airport

[Q]ninian '72 Wrote:
6. Visit Chippewa Street, and hope the cheerleaders show up this year. From INCH (4/10/03): "The Gophers were short one cheerleader Thursday after an incident at the Chippewa Street watering hole the previous night. .[/q]

Great post, but don't try to find that Chippewa Street this weekend. It's in Buffalo.

What was I thinking?? Thanks.

My Swedish grandfather cooked this for us once, and that was enough for one lifetime. You have to wonder about anything that turns your fork black.