Offer

Back again in Minneapolis, for the third time this month! This funky building is the McNamara Alumni Center on the U of M campus. I was called back for another interview, and this time, they told me they wanted me to take the job. We spent the next few months negotiating details, but we knew that it was time to leave California.

Just dropped in

This turned out to be my season for visits to Minneapolis! I was actually en route to a conference in Toronto, and my 30 minute connection in Minneapolis became an unplanned 30 hour layover, due to a fire in the airport that disabled most of the systems there. I took advantage of the stop to visit with friends Scott, Patrick, and Ilene for brunch.

Unhappily, my luggage went AWOL for most of the trip, and I got to wear these clothes for four straight days.

Science!

I snapped this shot of the forecourt of a new biomedical science building at the U, on my way back from the job interview. It was good to be back on campus.

A change of scenery

After a year in California, I decided to start applying for other positions. My job was pretty good, but Rachel was unable to find work, and we still felt like our life was a temporary situation. I wasn't looking for any new job at all, but something that might take us back home.

In December, I applied for a position at the University of Minnesota. I heard nothing in response and forgot about it. Then, in February, they reached out to me for a video interview. In March, they asked me to come out to Minneapolis. If nothing else, it was a free trip and a chance to visit the place I thought of as home. (I hadn't been back since a weekend in September 2009, when I was still trying to sell our old house.)

So, May 4 finds me admiring the mountain view from the Salt Lake City airport, on my way back to Minnesota.

Touching down

Passing through Minneapolis on the way to Chicago. Just a few minutes in the airport monorail is all I get for a visit to my old home.

Fixer-upper

I spent a few days back in Minnesota working on the house. It still sits unsold, after five months on the market. Besides doing some work to eliminate pet odors in the basement and some minor repairs, I had most of the interior repainted. The bedroom and living areas looked better with fresher coats of paint. We restored Ellen's room to white. That was a bit sad -- I had painted that room myself to turn it into a nursery. Now, that's all erased.

Goodbye

Farewell to Minnesota and the Little Brick House on the Corner. You weren't perfect, but you were ours. And we still pay all your bills, until someone wants to buy you.

The movers have arrived and the house is being emptied into a big truck. I have packed my car with necessities and three cats, and we're about to hit the road.

Friendship

One final evening out with my best friend (and Ellen's future husband, if you ask her). Our last few days in Minnesota are winding down.

Glory

Minnesota so rarely has nice springs. They're usually too cold, too wet, too windy, too brief ... or I'm away on business and I miss them completely. For our last year in the little brick house, we had a long, lovely spring. The tree in our front yard blossomed gloriously.

At last

Spring in Minnesota! The trees are blossoming. 

Of course, we were just in Pasadena, where giant roses grow on every curb.

Give me Liberty

An extra-special treat of custard sundaes for everyone at the adorable Liberty Frozen Custard. It's a gas station restored to 1950s style and stocked with games, toys, and magazines from the time. The restoration has won awards from architectural and historical societies. Also, really good custard.

Son of a preacher man

In Uptown, Minneapolis, the sidewalk preacher and the Victoria's Secret model share a street corner. Do you think he's getting to her?

Breakfast in Hell

Entering Hell's Kitchen, one has to pass the demonic cow's skull and tree of ravens to get to wild rice porridge and lemon-ricotta hotcakes. The peanut butter is so yummy, I'd tip Charon extra if he would just row faster.

The god of manufacturing

A hotel restaurant in a converted neoClassical bank lobby. They kept much of the original decor, which all celebrated labor in serious friezes and sculptures.

Classic

Lunch at Peter's Grill, a vintage downtown Minneapolis institution. Time has passed this lunch counter by. Time had not, unfortunately, passed our waitress by. She appeared to be about 90.

Think again!

I love the World War II exhibit at the Minnesota Science Museum.

Foreshadowing

Just a hint of what's to come. It got down into the -20s the following week.

Reading Rainbow

We had brunch with a family of professors. They have a broad and deep selection of literature and reference works on their shelves. Sorted by color. Not topic, not alphabetically, not Library of Congress ... color. Even down to the shade. They claim that a "friend" came by and did this.

Suuuuure.

This pic is just a small sample. I found the entire wall section devoted to shades of red particularly moving.

Record

This is supposedly Minnesota's snowiest December since 1909. Go us!

March of the ... well, you know

Doing a little holiday shopping in south Minneapolis. Anyone want a stuffed penguin?