A piano is available on the library’s second floor for any inclined to show off their musical skills. One can only imagine the number of times “Chopsticks” will be played on this thing.
May 272006
May 272006
The new library has four floors, with approximately 50-75 computer stations and kiosks on each floor. As I was wandering through it, I was reminded of the library scene from Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire .
May 262006
The exterior of the new library. The cantilevered roof is its most distinctive feature.
May 262006
I visited the new Minneapolis Public Library earlier this week and took some pictures suitable for blog posting. The new library is impressive and a wonderful example of how taxpayer dollars can be used to create a public space that is both useful and beautiful. The ambience is open and inviting, with plenty of windows to fill the interior spaces with natural light. The children’s area is especially well-designed, with shelves built to kid-height and reading chairs that are built for kids to perch themselves alongside a more grown-up reader.
I’ll post more observations on the library over the weekend, but stay tuned for the first of the photos.
May 252006
Over on the sidebar, I’ve highlighted my latest obsession: German band Klee and their album Honeysuckle. I first heard them on the Current and I can’t get enough of lead singer Suzie Kerstgens’ chilly vocals over the band’s sugary mid-80s dance-pop synth washes. They’re like a musical Sno-Cone to usher in the coming summer. I don’t grasp much of the lyrics, but I think I’d rather just close my eyes and invent my own meaning for the words.
May 242006
Using my Jedi mind powers (and Erin’s gentle but firm instructions to other concertgoers to get the hell out of the way), we were able to snag seats right next to the stage, giving us a completely unobstructed view of last night’s concert. Imogen Heap is something of a one-woman band and she spent a little time showing the audience how all of her beatboxes and keyboards work together. She also played a few songs on an old-fashioned piano, which was a nice contrast to her more electronica stuff. And Erin and I both agreed that opening act Zoe Keating, besides being a gifted cellist, is a total hottie.
Okay, back to grading proposals for a meeting twelve hours from now.
May 232006
Tonight’s Imogen Heap concert has been sold out for weeks and it didn’t look like I was going to get ticket. But I’ve got connections, thanks to my friend Erin. I’m sure she’ll expect me to thank her profusely when I meet her shortly at the Loring. Oops, look at the time. Mustn’t keep her waiting. More later.
May 222006
I know that I live in a great town, but our little corner of the Midwest doesn’t figure very prominently in the national consciousness. That’s why it’s always good to see a major media outlet give us a little love. In Kiplinger’s list of 50 Smart Places to Live, the Twin Cities came in at #2. It praises our diverse economy, our arts scene, and our scenic parks and lakes. You would think our elected leaders would want to pursue policies that would preserve and enhance our quality of life–the same quality of life which is earning us media attention. Alas, you would be mistaken. A proposal in the Legislature to raise the sales tax ever so slightly (we’re talking a fraction of a penny) for dedicated funding of natural resources and the arts died an ignoble death at session’s end–in part because House Republicans remain steadfast in their refusal to consider a tax hike (unless it’s for a new baseball stadium, in which case it’s perfectly acceptable).
I ran into a lobbyist friend this evening who had worked on this issue on behalf of arts organizations. It sounds like friction between the outdoor and arts lobbies might have hurt both their causes. I’m sure Republicans will defend their action as a principled stand against tax-and-spend liberals, but I think Minnesotans don’t mind paying a few cents more each year for a state that doesn’t just work, but thrives. We do a lot a things well in Minnesota, but we can also do so much better.
May 212006
Everything should be displaying properly in IE. Thanks, Bran.
I picked up a copy of Sims 2 on eBay a few days ago, so I’m going to sign off and find out how much suffering I can inflict on my digital creations before I start feeling guilty. But before I go, I just noticed that Amazon is beginning to roll out its Upgrade program, which allows customers to purchase both a physical copy of a book as well as access to a digital version that can be read via any Web connection. Not many books are available with this option, but I’m betting that publishers will get on board soon. The paperless society is probably a pipe dream, but damnit, I want to read a book without clipping down pages or constantly interrupting my nurse’s dinner.
May 202006
It’s come to my attention that the blog isn’t displaying properly in Internet Explorer. However, everything looks good when I put the site up on Firefox. I’d appreciate any suggestions on how to fix this problem.
I spent last night and most of today at a Civics retreat located at a YMCA camp near Hudson, just across the Wisconsin border. I didn’t stay overnight because I was pretty sure I wouldn’t sleep well on the wafer-thin mattresses available in the cabins. I also didn’t think others would have appreciated being woken up by my vent alarm should it have gone off during the night. But even a devoted city dweller like myself could appreciate being in a more pastoral setting. Some friends and I were sitting around a bonfire when I looked up and saw countless stars strewn like brilliant pebbles across the dark sky.