Random Thursday on a Friday

*I've been "busy."

*I'm confident the Vikings will win a Super Bowl in my lifetime.  I wonder what it will be like to be 150?  I bet the Internet will be super fast.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Jay in Inverness.

*Ben Leber said today that when the Vikings had 12 men in the huddle in the 2009 NFC Championship Game, the coaches were arguing with each other over the headsets.  Not shocking.

*If you ever have the opportunity to have a baby, start a new job, sell a house and buy a new house, all within six months, you should politely decline.  

*The last movie I saw was "Martian."  I'm really out of the loop.

*Bonus shout out to Out of Work Hockey Guy.  I'm pretty sure he'd rather be at work.  Get well.

*I always wonder why the Minnesota Twins go to the Winter Meetings.  Seems like a waste of time and money.

Random Thursday on a Monday

*I took some time off to have a baby.  And wash my car.

*Godfather's is better than Pizza Hut.  And it really isn't close.

*Crossed the Foo Fighters off my Concert Bucket List on Saturday night.  What a show.  Two hours and forty-five minutes of pure savagery.  If you get the chance to see this concert, do it.

*That leaves Bruce Springsteen and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.  

*Reggie Tales shout out to Mr. and Mrs. Rainman, south of 494 and East of Lyndale.

*My son, The Prince, is a big fan of Baby Einstein.  

*The Vikings will win 10 games this year.

*The Twins are an odd club, aren't they?

*I have an interesting group of Twitter followers.  Maybe you'd like to join that group. @ChrisJRegimbal.  It's just like The Tales, but more frequent, and at stranger hours.

Random Thursday on a Monday

*Remember Deflategate?  Neither do I.

*Despite his goal yesterday, TJ Oshie didn't seem like his normal self during the series.

*Matt Cooke had a below the radar good game.  Which is a good thing for him personally and the Wild.

*Deeks Pizza.  That is all.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Red Sox Daughter who is moving to the Denver area for a very cool job!

*How early is too early to mow your yard...on a Sunday?

*Sometimes 60 degrees can feel like 80.

*Game 7 tonight in the NHL?  Yes please.

*Now that April is over, it's good to see Jimmy From Accounting enjoying himself.  He's always happy to see the end of his busy season.

Random Thursday on a Friday

*Good Friday?  Heck, it's a Great Friday.

*Grand Forks needs a real hot dog joint.  And by real, I mean one that is open.

*I've never watched one episode of Big Bang Theory but I like Jim Parsons.

*If you're bored, I can be found on Twitter at @ChrisJRegimbal.  If you're bored.

*I mowed my lawn on Wednesday and today it's 15 degrees.  Gotta love NoDak.

*Las Vegas is calling but so is this dang baby.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Rain Man in Bloomington.  Even though he moved to the big city he and Mrs. Rain Man were able to find the Judy's of MSP in about fifteen minutes.

*I have high hopes for the Entourage movie. 

Random Thursday on a Friday

*The Adrian Peterson saga will come down to money.  It almost always does.  If the Vikings pay him the $13 million, he will be in Minnesota.  No other team is going to give him that kind of money.

*Speaking of running backs, it's hard to believe Maurice Jones-Drew is retiring.  When running backs' skills begin to diminish in the NFL, they diminish quickly.

*I might be late to the party, but the Mac and Cheese at Panera is a life changer.  Wow.

*I dipped my toe into the water that is Twitter.  @ChrisJRegimbal  Once I'm more comfortable I'm going to begin live tweeting day to day life.

*How much do I like watching televised sporting events?  I spent a couple hours Wednesday night taking in the Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota Twins in an exhibition baseball game.  

*My snowblower is looking lonely in my garage but not lonely enough to root for a last minute storm.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Top Dog Grooming in Grand Forks.  Long gone are the days of Googling "grand forks dog groomers."  

*The last 18 or so NHL games should be interesting.  Can the LA Kings catch either Winnipeg or Minnesota?  I wouldn't bet against them.

*Speaking of betting, wouldn't it be fun to go to Vegas?

Random Thursday on a Tuesday

*Sad, really, watching Adrian Peterson attempting to force a trade out of Minnesota.  The Vikings will never get close to his real value in a trade.  

*There is something about Spring Training that makes you feel like everyone has a chance.  Even the Twins.  Maybe Paul Molitor is just what the doctor ordered.

*I came within one point of predicting the Super Bowl score and winning team.

*The two hottest teams in the NHL are your Minnesota Wild and my Los Angeles Kings.

*Reggie Tales shout out to The Good Doctor, who is celebrating another birthday this week.

*I'm thinking about getting into the Twitter game.

Random Thursday

*I wonder what happened to the "technology and stuff" guy from the World Series?

*Remember when the Detroit Lions would take Barry Sanders out of the game when they would get to the one yard line?

*If the Minnesota Twins get to 75 wins this season, would that be considered a success?

*I dislike both Super Bowl participants, but I think I dislike Seattle a little more.  So by default, I'm rooting for New England.  I'm also rooting for a horrendously, controversial call which underscores the awful officiating in the NFL.

*Wouldn't it be fun to watch a Super Bowl in Vegas?

*Reggie Tales shout out to Mitch in Horace.

*I watched "The Interview" the other day.  It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  How's that for a vote of confidence?

My Dad

This morning, the first of 2015, my dad will wake up in Hawaii.

Which is pretty cool because it marks the 50th state he's visited.  Yep, all 50 states.  He and my mom loved to travel and had conquered 48 of our United States when she passed away a couple of years ago.

But even at 83 years of age, I knew my dad would make it to Hawaii.  It was just a matter of which of his six kids was going to be able to coordinate the logistics of this undertaking.  Enter Bro #3 and his wife and family to pull it all together.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  my dad is pretty cool.  He's not just living life, he's attacking it.  Born on the Fourth of July in 1931, he's been on the run figuratively and literally since.

And so, dad,  as I go outside to shovel the overnight snow from my driveway in the 14 degree weather, please enjoy your time in Hawaii.  You've earned it.

Random Thursday

*Congratulations to Ryan Leaf on getting released from prison in Montana.

*Congratulations also, to my pal Alec in Hermosa on the nice contract extension.  First round is on you at Ercole's.

*We're going with a real tree this Christmas at the Home Office.  Both dogs have been sniffing around it.  This should get interesting.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Shawn from Stephen.  He and his brother Greg used to stay at my house when it would blizzard during school.  We would turn out the lights in the basement and commence a rudimentary Fight Club.  A good time was had by all.

*If Torii Hunter punches Joe Mauer during Spring Training I will consider his signing a success.

*I wasn't shocked at all by the Minnesota Timberwolves losing to the previously winless Philadelphia 76'ers.  I found it more surprising people paid to go and watch the game.

*Remember Cordarrelle Patterson?  I don't.  

*Do you ever put pepper spray on your burrito?

*I'm going to skip Horrible Bosses 2.  And Dumb and Dumber To.

Random Thursday on a Tuesday

*I've never been a fan of cranberries.

*Does celery really deserve a place in stuffing?  I think not.

*I'm old enough to remember when CNN wasn't a complete joke.

*I'm happy gas prices have dropped.  I'm curious as to why it is still cheaper in Crookston, Fargo, Hillsboro, Bemidji, Minneapolis, Erskine and Fosston than it is in Grand Forks.

*Are you ever concerned that Family Feud might run out of surveys?  And who takes these surveys?  "100 people were surveyed and the top six answers are on the board...Name a state with a lot of sunshine."

*Reggie Tales shout out to Claire in North Carolina.

*"Birdman" is a very good movie.  And very different.  And Michael Keaton is sensational.  He might be one of our most underrated actors ever.

*Two words:  Pecan pie.  That is all.

Random Thursday

*Wendy's is underrated.

*Bryan Cranston as Dr. Tim Whatley on Seinfeld is one of the great characters in television history.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Blonde Daughter, celebrating her 16th Birthday today!

*I highly recommend "Fury."  And to a lesser degree, "The Equalizer" with Denzel Washington isn't the worst movie I've ever seen.

*So Paul Molitor is the new manager of the Minnesota Twins.  That's nice.  Now, if they don't spend any money this season upgrading their pitching staff and suffer another 90 loss season, what difference does it make?

*I haven't taken my snowblower out of storage yet.  Today might be the day.  Or not.  

*It might be time to put Summer Sidekick on the side of a milk carton.  I haven't seen that clown since the Sacred Heart Golf Tournament where he led us to a 17th place finish.

*It seems strange to me that the Minnesota Vikings are satisfied with a terrible punter.

Concert Bucket List

The Five Concerts I'd Most Like To See:

5.  Van Halen (Original Lineup)

4.  Foo Fighters  

3.  U2

2.  Bruce Springsteen

1.  Red Hot Chili Peppers

Random Thursday

*I'm back from hiatus.

*I wanted to spend more time with my family.

*My new biggest pet peeve:  People who attempt to enter an elevator before everyone has left it.  I need to think of something to say to those people.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Alec in Hermosa.

*While Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes grab all the headlines, Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch has quietly gone about it's business as one of the most underrated cereals in the game today.  Time to give the Cap'n his due.  He runs a nice ship.

*Happy birthday to Dwight Yoakam.

*Yesterday, I met a 103 year old woman who bowls in Grafton.  Her score was 82.  She turns 104 in two weeks.

*If you ever appear on The Shark Tank, think twice about going out in the hallway to discuss a pending offer, because when you return the deal may be off the table.

*Tomorrow is a special day at The Tales.  I will release my Top Five Concert Bucket List.  

*Bonus shout out to D.C. Guy and Mrs. D.C. Guy on the birth of their son, Charles.

Random Thursday on a Tuesday

*Life is too short to use an electric shaver that doesn't work well.

*You could make an all-star team of ex-Minnesota Twins appearing in this year's playoffs.

*Cordarrelle Patterson is the best player on the Minnesota Vikings yet they refuse to get him the ball.

*I told you at the beginning of the baseball season the Twins would be awful.  And they were.  And I don't have any faith they will make the necessary additions to avoid yet another 90 loss season next year.  Pretty soon, the fancy new baseball stadium will sit empty.

*Is it possible that Ray Lewis is on the payroll of the Baltimore Ravens at the exact same time he's on  the ESPN payroll discussing the Ray Rice situation?  That would be disturbing.

*Congrats to Muffy for being named one of the Grooviest Dogs in Grand Forks.

*Thank you to our very nice guests from the south.  Please travel safely back to sunny Florida, although I don't think you can top our weather.

*Happy 65th to The Boss.

*It's hard to believe that the NHL is back on the ice.  

*Reggie Tales shout out to Rain Man and Mrs. Rain Man on their move to the big city.  Grand Forks' loss is Bloomington's gain.  On an unrelated note, beer sales at Judy's just dropped 15%.

Random Thursday on a Saturday

*We're back!

*Thank you for all the well wishes during my well deserved time off.

*I think ex-Minnesota Twin Josh Willingham looks  a lot like actor Chris Pratt.

*I also think if Josh Willingham had hit a few more RBI doubles for the Twins he'd still be a Twin.

*I used to have the nicest yard on the block.  Now it looks like your average yard in Mogadishu.

*I'm concerned about the slow down of the construction at the Sweeto Burrito on Columbia in Grand Forks.

*But that concern is offset with the news of Spicy Pie coming to GF and currently scouting locations.  You can bet on either downtown or on/near the UND campus.

*It's strange watching the Vikings play at the Gopher's stadium.  I equate it to the place where Brett Favre was drilled.

*The Stephen guys are talking about playing some golf in an exotic location.  Stay tuned.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Bill in Fort Collins.

Random Thursday

*I hope the Twins don't do something stupid today like trade Kurt Suzuki.

*Well...I watched the first two seasons of House of Cards on Netflix.  Officially hooked.  And I did it in less than a week.

*Now that he's won two Stanley Cups, I wonder if Hockey Guy is finally deserving of a bobble head at the Ralph?

*Swung the wrenches in Warren on Friday.  Not good.  Good company though.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Heidi in Milbank.

*Bonus shout out to the Nelson Twins.

*Happy Birthday today to Summer Sidekick.  He is truly putting together one of the most prolific summers ever.

*Vin Scully...thank you.

*Somebody asked me what my favorite item is at Zorbaz.  The answer is:  Pepperoni and Peanut Butter Pizza.  I'm serious.

*I'm not sure how.  I'm not sure when.  And I'm not sure why, but the Minnesota Timberwolves will screw up the Kevin Love trade.  Guaranteed.

Random Thursday

*The low in Phoenix today is 91.

*I think Joan Rivers is funnier now than she's ever been.

*I recently made a trip to the Twin Cities with Hoosier Girl.  During my stay I was approached by two panhandlers.  One asked me for $22 and the other asked me for $6.

*Finally got my Zorbaz fix.  Now I want more.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Mr. and Mrs. Summer Sidekick on the birth of Little Summer Sidekick.

*The NFL's two game suspension of Ray Rice for beating his girlfriend is embarrassing.

*Time for me to dig the wrenches out of storage and start swinging them.

Random Thursday on a Wednesday

*All airplanes should have free Wi-Fi and satellite television.

*The notion that Joe Mauer was a possible All-Star before his latest injury is laughable.  The Twin Cities media who floated the idea know no boundaries in their shameless, misguided adoration.

*I saw Summer Sidekick in person on the Fourth of July.  He seems to be doing well.  It was nice to catch up with him.  He says he and Mrs. SSK are expecting a child.  Good thing I bumped into him.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Tommy in Michigan and Roger in Grand Forks.

*I think a Zorbaz in Grand Forks would do quite nicely.

*The Lynx are playing some good ball.  I think.

*Deadliest Catch is still one of the best shows on television.  

*Gutty effort by Brazil.

*Two of the umpires in the All-Star Game are from Minnesota and one is from North Dakota.

Random Thursday

*I have never had a Monte Cristo sandwich.

*Congrats to Hockey Guy on the new four year deal.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Kevin and Autumn in D.C.

*Pizza can be safely made on the grill.

*Run, don't walk, to "Chef."  Great movie.

*Reggie Tales bonus shout out to Hannah in Grand Forks.

*It's been a spell since I've had a nice, refreshing Arnold Palmer.

*I haven't watched any World Cup action.  I'm still suffering from hockey withdrawals.  

Random Thursday

*Hockey is a funny game.  Not "ha ha" funny, rather, "strange" funny.  The Kings played one of their best games of the playoffs and still ended up on the short end.

*I've watched a lot of hockey this year.  And I'm guessing I've seen the TJ Oshie commercial about 350 times.

*If the Twins got any kind of contribution from Joe Mauer they would be in first place.

*I've been thinking a lot about Zorbaz lately.

*Reggie Tales shout out to The Good Doctor.

*Speaking of commercials, I'm strangely entertained by the Direct TV spots with the wife and her wires.  And now her father has made an appearance.