I glanced at my Frappr map the other day and noted with satisfaction that several more readers have marked their locations. A big hello to my fans in Uganda and Togo. But South America, Asia, and Australia remain blank. Clearly, I need to do more to increase my international appeal. Hmm. I’m already strongly critical of Bush. I know jack about soccer–er, football–so that’s out. I could try writing something en francais, but I don’t think that will attract people in Argentina or China. I guess I’ll just have to depend on my charm and good looks. Think of me as more humble, more respectful, more well-informed mirror image of all those ugly Americans that come traipsing through your countries with their fanny packs and baseball caps.

I checked out the recently completed Gold Medal Park this afternoon. It’s impressive. Located on the riverfront near the Guthrie, its defining feature is a gently sloping hilltop (which is perfectly accessible) that offers panoramic views of downtown and the booming Mill District. Plenty of other people were there, playing with their dogs or making sketches of the scenery or simply lounging in the grass. It’s a beautiful addition to the neighborhood and provides another reason why I feel fortunate to live downtown. We need more green spaces like this. Might I recommend the city do something similar with the rather bleak expanse of pavement that is the northern end of Nicollet Mall? The area is an eyesore and doesn’t seem to attract much business; sprucing it up would nicely complement the Central Library.

Next time I go, I’ll try to remember to take my camera.

Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Star Wars. And while I wish I could say that I was one of those guys who saw it in the theaters umpteen times, I cannot. After all, I was barely four at the time. I didn’t have the full Star Wars cinematic experience until three years later, when my dad took to me to see The Empire Strikes Back. I was a little bewildered with the plot because somehow I still hadn’t seen the first one (remember, this was back when VCRs and cable TV were still in their “early adopter” phase and my parents hadn’t adopted either). I was sitting in theater, trying to puzzle out exactly who these Rebels were and why the Empire didn’t seem to like them very much. Then the AT-ATs invaded Hoth and I became too enthralled to think much about the backstory.

Since then, the Star Wars films (at least the original trilogy) have served as a kind of mental comfort food. In later years, they were the movies I would put on when I was feeling sick or bored. I fantasized about being able to move objects with my Jedi mind powers. They were second only to my father (who introduced me to Asimov and Tolkien and chess and computers) in terms of awakening my inner geek. So thanks, Mr. Lucas. Your prequels left me a bit cold, but I could watch Episode IV a hundred more times and never get tired of it.

Over the weekend, a friend told me that the DFL overreached in the early days of the legislative session, proposing a smorgasbord of bills on everything from a gas tax hike to medical marijuana to domestic partner benefits. As a result, they didn’t gain any traction with the public and were in a weaker position when it came time to strike a deal at the end of the session. I don’t necessarily agree with that analysis. Compromise requires good faith on both sides and the Republicans’ maniacal devotion to ideology rendered them incapable of making sensible bargains. The transportation bill is a particularly good example of the lock-step mentality that afflicts Republican legislators. For years, Minnesota voters have been clamoring for improvements to our roads and transit system. Many Republicans voted for a comprehensive bill that would raise the gas tax and give counties the option of raising funds for transit improvements. But when it came time to buck Pawlenty’s veto, they caved and obediently got in line behind their leader.

The session did accomplish a few good things. The smoking ban. Health insurance for more kids and adults. Renewable energy standards. Real change comes slowly and the DFL message machine could probably use a little tweaking before the next session. But the Republicans are being forced to play defense, which can only be a good thing.

I like to think I have a pretty good memory, but I think I met my match today. I was in a meeting with Ollie Cantos, an attorney from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, who was rattling off dozens of phone numbers and e-mail addresses without hesitation. I suspect the use of some kind of recall-enhancing substance (genetically modified fish oil, perhaps?), but even airing that suspicion on this blog is probably going to get me audited or put on some kind of no-fly list.

All kidding aside, I admired Cantos’ ability to cultivate such a huge professional network. He said that he makes it a point to respond to every e-mail he receives. I struggle with responding to the two or three personal e-mails I receive a week. Which probably explains why he’s at the DOJ and I’m not.