March 08, 2006
The girl who cheered too much
After The Today Show aired a clip of this girl, Jim told me about it.
How amazing, and strange, that she would continue to cheer after she had fractured her spine, sufferred a concusion and bruised her lung! She was back on the show this morning and Katie asked her what she was thinking. She replied with, "When I heard that fight song, I knew that I had to get the crowd riled up, and I didn't want to cause a distraction to the other cheerleaders or the game."
Honey, you were on a stretcher in the middle of the court, with 20 paramedics surrounding you. I don't think you could avoid causing a distraction at that point.
The video can be found on MSN, and photos are below.
But on a more serious note, how genuine do you think the average cheerleader is? They smile all the time, but they're taught to. Does the action of smiling produce genuine feelings of happiness? Or do they begin happy, and convey that with their smile?
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:03 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
February 26, 2006
Amazon recommends ...
I've always been a big fan of amazon.com. Yes, they're bad for the locally-owned bookstore, and that's unfortunate. It's always great to see when the little guy goes online to sell their wares via Amazon's partner programs. However, Amazon has done a lot to pioneer some of the best e-commerce targetting strategies out there. As you browse the site, they recommend other items you may be interested in, or related to the item you're viewing, and even better yet - related to items you've purchased in the past. It's all very interesting.
But, as well all know, sometimes technology doesn't always work (in more ways than one); witness my latest email from them:
Posted by SparklesMpls at 08:17 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
January 24, 2006
Lake country
I found myself mapping a remote address in northern Minnesota today and came across two interesting lakes in the middle of nowhere.
Somebody was having some fun back in the day.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 03:10 PM | Comments (14) | TrackBack
November 08, 2005
Interior Design Disaster
I usually check the local real estate listings daily. Always dreaming about that house on the hill I'll someday live in. Quite often the decor in these homes is less than desireable - they're just screaming out for an interior designer and their crew to come in and put a fresh face on them. However, the house below really needs some help. I couldn't help but share this with you.
My favorite are the living room lounge chairs that match the carpetting throughout the house.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 04:00 PM | Comments (21) | TrackBack
October 28, 2005
The latest meme trend
Saw this on Ryan's blog. Google "
1. Sparkles needs our help right now
2. Sparkles needs a ride to CA
3. Sparkles needs a Home
4. Sparkles needs some paintings
5. Sparkles needs this costume!!
6. Sparkles needs a serial hug
7. Sparkles needs a sign!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CAN WE HAVE A LEMUR SIGN!!!!!
8. Sparkles needs to be on www.paperrad.org
9. Sparkles needs a new pair of shoes
10. Sparkles needs a Home with lots of love, attention, toys and pampering (some treats would be nice too)
Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:18 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
October 03, 2005
1000 bars in one year
So I find myself sitting in a coffee shop on Sunday night surfing Technorati for interesting things. Low and behold, I find a blog of a guy who labels himself "Bar Guy." Bar Guy is on a mission to visit 1000 bars in one year, and he's just about made it. Coincidentally, he's visited the gay bar strip on Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis. Here are a couple of his photos. Scary to see some of these places during the daylight hours.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:56 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
September 24, 2005
Mo Kin
This past week has been rough. Some very long hours and two (separate) clients in Thursday & Friday have left me pretty much exhausted. Without fail, whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, something funny comes my way, as if to say, "stop your whining and laugh a little." Well this one certainly did. Thank you, Jordan.
Experience for yourself, the true xylophone genius of 3 year old Mo Kin of Japan:
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:07 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
September 15, 2005
Russian Disco Dancing
This may just be the funniest 3 minutes and 46 seconds I've ever experienced of Russian Disco Dancing, ever.
Right-click and select "Save Target As" if you'd like to download it.
DISCLAIMER: This is a 10mb Windows Media File for those of you on a dialup.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 06:30 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
August 17, 2005
I'm no Photoshop pro ...
... but I sure had a lot of fun putting these together for a friend's going away party.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:51 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 03, 2005
Serial foreign caller
My caller from the other day has struck again. This person obviously isn't the brightest bulb on the tree ... you'd think they'd realize they weren't calling the right number by my voicemail greeting. I wonder if they'll keep calling.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 02, 2005
Bangkok
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dress Your Gay Dog
No, really - dress these dogs up and get to the next level. I can't even make it past level two, so I guess I'm not all that gay.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:13 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 30, 2005
A very important message
I received a very important voicemail this week! At least it sounds important. In fact, I've been getting an awful lot of these lately. I'm beginning to think somebody's been writing my phone number in bathroom stalls.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 08:45 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 23, 2005
The Dark Side of The Force
Tom seems to have left the public spotlight for the time being, but I ran across this made-for-the-internet video clip that I felt was only appropriate that it be shared.
On the image above, right-click and select 'save target as' or 'save link as' - depending on your browser.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:31 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 27, 2005
Searching for serenity
I am posting this because it definitely worked for me and we could all use more serenity in our lives. By following the simple advice I heard on a Dr. Phil show, I have finally found inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around my condo to see things I started and hadn't finished; and before leaving the home this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey’s, a bottle of Belvedere, a package of Oreos, the remainder of both Prozac and Valium prescriptions, the rest of the Cheesecake, some saltines and a box of Chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 08:02 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
June 11, 2005
Safe (fashionable) sex
I wonder if it comes in platinum as well? Gold is so ... 1980.
Gold Ringed Burberry Condoms
Order your own 3-pack for the low low price of only $14.99! Or, if you wait, Old Navy is sure to come out with a sweat-shop version for only $3.99 in the very near future.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:29 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
June 08, 2005
Oh Anakin, OHHHH Anakin
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:37 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
May 09, 2005
BMW SUVs and serenity in the north
Jim told his story tonight at Hazelden. He did a great job. He's an awesome speaker, getting both laughs and applauses. It's quite an honor to be asked to speak at the treatment center that's pretty much invented the current 28 day treatment program prescribed to most sufferring alcoholics and addicts.
I'd never been up there before, but it's an awesome place. It makes the place I went to treatment look like a Hollywood Video in a stripmall off a two-lane highway in a 4th ring suburb. Hazelden on the otherhand, resembles a prestigous private university campus:
Check out the photo tour page of the facilities on their website.
It's up in Center City, MN - about an hour north of the Sin Cities, a.k.a., Minneapolis - St. Paul. On the way there you drive through a couple of really small towns that are purley Scandanavian and German. The small town culture up there is cute and endearing, but I can just imagine some of the folks going into treatment, just off the plane from LA or New York, driving through these towns. What must be going through their heads when they see the sign the nicest restaurant in town - Trappers. The only hint of civilization is a Hardeez that you have to drive down a pot-hole infested frontage road that may as well have been gravel.
But once you take that right turn on Pleasant Valley Rd., and another right on the curvacious and hilly private drive, you enter a world of walking paths through dense forests. A half mile into the adventure you come upon the campus - hidden from the rest of the world. It's what I imagine is a great place to come and find yourself.
On the way up there I spoke with my Grandma on the phone. She talked about staying at Hazelden for a week with my Grandfather for part of his treatment program for alcoholism. I have a hard time judging just how much of it she understood, or cares to lead-on to knowing. I think that she's more comfortable playing dumb and not talking about the real reasons he was there. He passed on about 10 years ago now and I believe she prefers to remember him as the perfect husband and father. He was a great grandfather to me, but I can imagine he had room for improvement in the father/husband role, being a practicing alcoholic. Who knows if I should even have these thoughts? Who am I to think and write these things?
My grandfather died of Alcoholism and Tuberculosis. He always appeared happy to me and made me laugh. However all the time I knew him he didn't appear physically well. By the time he finally passed his liver had all but shriveled up and he had 80% of his lungs removed. He required an oxygen machine to live and was barely mobile. I never knew him any different and I loved him anyway. I'm rambling now, but it was nice to think back on the memories I have of him.
Jim and I drove back into town and as I merged from one freeway to another, I noticed the most interesting sight. A BMW X5 SUV was towing a UHaul trailer. It occurred to me that I'd never actually seen one of those luxury brand SUVs ever tow anything. Sure, I've seen Chevy's and Fords towing around boats, trailers, and the like ... but a UHaul truck being toted along by an X5? It was utterly absurd. What would the other X5 drivers think if they saw that?
Posted by SparklesMpls at 11:18 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
April 25, 2005
Google ads oopsies
I tend to use the word "Republican" too often in my posts. I say this because Google is always serving up ads targetted at Republicans. Case in point is this ad that appeared today. Apparently 'college republicans' are so worthless they're auctioning them off to the highest bidder! Somebody quick - call Dubya and tell him there's a clearance sale!
Posted by SparklesMpls at 05:10 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 21, 2005
Sharing sex toys
I think the business model behind Netflix is pure genius, which is probably why it caught on so quickly, and eventually forced Blockbuster to follow suit.
... but now this company is also following in Netflix's steps! You subscribe to their service for $20 / month. Then you order away ... Here are some of the items they offer:
- Dildos (numerous varieties and sizes)
- Vibrating butt plug
- Art Deco Vibrating Butt Plug
- Ravenous Rabbit
- Anal Mini Tongue Vibrator
- Impulse Jack Rabbit
WOW. I'm not sure what else to say. I'd never consider letting my roommate use my anal beads - why would I let a complete stranger?
Posted by SparklesMpls at 08:35 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
December 27, 2004
Is this for real?
OMG - they have a website, petition, and the whole works!
Posted by SparklesMpls at 09:11 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 18, 2004
Sioux me
You'll have to add this to the many reasons I'll be suffering in Hell for eternity, but I just couldn't resist. Our local paper here - the Minneapolis Star Tribune recently ran an article publicizing the display of a rare treaty made between the federal government and the native Sioux leaders.
This photo was featured with the article:
The caption reads:
Yankton chief Struck-by-the-Ree, left, and Smutty Bear posed in Washington with Charles Picotte, another Sioux negotiator.
If Ashcroft would have been around back then, I wonder if he would have mandated some obscenity law provisions in the agreement.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 10:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 21, 2004
The future has been decided
The year is 2010. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been guaranteed the rights granted every American by the Constitution of the United States. And, as predicted, the homosexuals have taken over.
Old Glory's gone pink. Hedonism reigns. And ass-less chaps are standard office attire.
Welcome to the United States of Gaymerica. Experience it now at http://www.gaymerica.org/.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 11:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
10:53pm
There are blow-up dolls on cable access right now. Seriously.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 11:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 17, 2004
Gorgeous
Ellen Barkin as Annette in Drop Dead Gorgeous
In the tradition of one of my favorite films, Drop Dead Gorgeous, I thought I'd post a few links that I found after watching the news last night.
I never knew there was such a thing as the Ms Senior Minnesota Pageant! Apparently they're looking for contestants, too - specifically, women who have reached the 'age of elegance' - so sign up quickly, girls!
The winner of the Ms Senior Minnesota Pageant can then go on to compete in the Ms. Senior America Pageant! Last year's winner was the fabulous Sandra Greco, M.D. (that 'MD' means she's not only a looker, but a thinker, too!)
Ms Senior America 2003
Who knew?! They also have a Ms Wheelchair Minnesota Pageant! Her job is to raise awareness for disabled people - very honorable. Here's Misty Yanish - last year's Ms Wheelchair Minnesota - she's going to compete in Nationals. I hope she does well.
Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota 2004, Misty Yanish
And for those of you who haven't quite reached that 'age of elegance' yet, or aren't disabled, there are tons of links on this site for pageants you can enter, too.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 11:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 19, 2004
Really long domain names
A friend and I were just joking about how the only domain names left are full sentances. Anything with under 5 or 6 characters is most likely taken. He just sent me this link:
http://www.JohnKerryIsADouchebagButImVotingForHimAnyway.com/
I think it's pretty funny :-)
DISCLAIMER:
I'm not the most politically opinionated or active homo on the block. Some of what this guy has to say makes sense to me, some of it does not. The views of the site listed above do not necessarily represent the views of Sparkles. I just thought it was humorous and fun. And, for the record, I'm voting for Kerry.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 03:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 13, 2004
Today's happenings
Strange day so far. Work is busy, but a few things have struck me:
Was driving into work today and spotted an older, heavier gentleman in the large Lincoln next to me at the stoplight. He was wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, light-colored suit, and white gloves made of lace!
Drove further down Hennepin and was at a stoplight next to a dumptruck. The phone number on the side of the truck read:
763.422.DUMP
Made me laugh.
IKEA opens in 18 hours! I was debating when I'd actually go to the store, not wanting to get stuck in the rush of suburbanites sure to flock there. Then I realized that if I pass up Wednesday, the weekend will probably be just as bad. Then I realized that IKEA is always busy... so I think I'm just going to brave the crowd and go on Wednesday after work. It's a beautiful 80 degrees in Minneapolis right now - no humidity and plenty of sunshine! LOVE it! Good weather makes me so happy :-)
Oh, and lastly - there's been this truck driving around downtown for the past few days. It looks like an oversized delivery truck, but not a semi. On the side of the truck it's got a large billboard-sized ad about the Pro-Life stance on abortion. The first time I saw it I just rolled my eyes, but then it kept coming around! I've since heard rumors that it's just an empty truck, used as an advertising medium, and that there are people on the streets talking to people about their cause as well. Yesch. Somebody should put a spike-strip out like they do on America's Wildest Police Chases.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 03:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 04, 2004
Amish Bondage
I know, I'm going to hell, but I just can't stay away from campy porn.
Amish Bondage: Adventures in Sin and Pride in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Posted by SparklesMpls at 05:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 21, 2004
Monkey porn
Good lord. I'm no zoologist, but I can't imagine dirtying this ape's mind is going to make him want to procreate.
Maybe this ape is gay, and maybe the ladies are too.
Posted by SparklesMpls at 06:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
