Let's get to know each other...

1) I put myself through college by being a foot model. Don’t laugh, I graduated debt free.

2) I am an excellent chef and relax by baking. (I’ve been baking a lot!) I am also a productive canner, learned from my grandma.

3) I was born in India. My parents taught school there for 10 years. We returned to the US when I was 7 and my brother was 5. I have very fond memories.

4) I am a cat person and love big dogs. Little dogs not so much. Like little dogs? Get a cat.

5) All four of my grandparents were immigrants from France. They immigrated in the mid-20s and in 1930. I speak fluent French and German

1. Was on track to become a CPA, but halfway through college, I realized I would absolutely hate that job, and found that I love blue-collar work.

2. Finished top 50 in a 10K-person online poker tournament. The winner got to sit with 5 poker pros in Vegas, which was aired live on TV (as in EVERY HAND was live; IIRC, was on FSN).

3. I love all animals, except small dogs (like Kelly Red). The 2 exceptions are Corgis and Swedish Vellhunds (which look like wolf-corgis).

4. Won the regional Spelling Bee 3 times straight.

5. Played Fantasy Football for 25 years, starting in 1991 (yeah, that was some old school stuff, pre-internet).

1. 1979 U of M grad with a degree in math (good time to be a gopher hockey fan). 40 year career as an actuary.

2. Currently have season tickets to the Vikings, Gopher Football, and Gopher Hockey. Had season tickets to the North Stars before they left town.

3. My father designed the Vikings helmet and he and my grandfather supplied the Vikings with all of their equipment for the first 10 years. The family loaned many items to the Vikings Museum and have a display regarding our involvement with the Vikings.

4. Decent racquetball player and have won several state and local tournaments.

5. 3rd Great Grandparents (6th generation) immigrated from Ireland, England and Germany in the 1850's. My Great-Great-Grandfather on my dad's side fought in the Civil War as a sharpshooter with the Company A, United State Sharpshooters and was under fire 305 days throughout the war, including the Battle of Gettysburg.

1) My first attempt at college at UMD was far less than stellar....but I had a lot of fun. Went back to college when in my mid 20s and was working full time and had a family

2) I started at 3M 30 years ago in June and my first 9 years at 3M I was a custodian. Tuition reimbursement was fantastic and is how I paid for my BS and MA degrees. Since I worked nights we never needed to use daycare - Tag-Team parenting!

3) I once had dinner with The Skipper from Gilligan's Island. Alan Hale, Jrs. and my great uncle (by marriage) were childhood friends

4) My grandpa played football for MN in '45 and '46 while he was in school on the GI bill. He tried out on a dare from a friend and ended up making the team at age 26 and I guess played quite a bit. He hurt his knee in '46 and decided since he was in his mid 20s with a family it was time to move on

5) When we lived in MD we went to some restaurant not too far from Fredrick area. I was wearing my Vikings jacket. The woman who was our server said Vikings, I am a Vikings fan, too! Very strange in Colts country so when my dad asked why she said it's because her nephew (if I recall correctly) played for the Vikings. Two weeks later I got Chuck Foreman autographed picture in the mail!

6) I have dual citizenship since I was able to "reclaim" Luxembourg citizenship in 2018 through my maternal grandmother's family (and the hard work [mention]YoungEagle[/mention] did to gather the documents).

Zwak - fantastic idea for a thread

1. I was born in Athens, Greece while my Dad was stationed there. My birth certificate is in Greek because I was born in an off-base hospital.

2. I started Kindergarten and graduated from High School in the same school district. The uncommon part of this was that in between I was at 5 different school districts & 6 different schools in 3 different countries.

3. I was living in Berlin about a mile from the Berlin Wall on November 9th 1989 when it "fell". My school Yearbook has a picture of the Brandenburg Gate @ Sunrise with the Wall in front of it. Little did we know that by the time we got our Yearbooks that the Gate would be Wall-free and opened to traffic

4. I'm an avid Bridge player and play competitive Duplicate Bridge. On two occasions I've been part of a team that's qualified for the Summer National Championships. Sadly I'm always by far one of the youngest people playing.

5. I am a 4th generation military Veteran. My Great-Grand Father was in the Army, Grandfather in the Navy, and Father & I in the Air Force. I was the only Commissioned Officer. The funny thing is that I always feel a bit uncomfortable when someone thanks me for my Service or calls me 'Sir' even though I'm extremely proud to have worn "the Uniform" and served our country.

6. (No rule about 5 right? ) I've traveled to 25 different countries (27 if you want to count ones where I never left the airport) but I've never been to Mexico.

I agree, great idea for a thread, but I am finding out quickly I am not that interesting!

1. Grew up in East Grand Forks, we lived on 1st ST NW (directly across the river from where Maris lived). Anyway, my Dad was born in 915 1st ST, before he married my Mom, he bought 813. When I was almost a year, they bought 707 (a house my Grandpa built). My Uncle bought 813 from my Dad. My Grandma bought 805 and sometime around 1994 bought 821. So yeah, we all lived on the same side of the same street for our whole lives. Now they are campsites after the ‘97 flood.

2. Prior to the ‘97 flood (my senior year) I was selected into the ROTC program at UofM, but my parents moved to Bemidji after the flood and I was scared I would never see my friends again (home for holidays would be Bemidji) so I enrolled into UND *shudder*.

3. Moved to Madison the next school year and spent almost 3 years there before moving back to Bemidji.

4. Started working at Home Depot that was opening in Bemidji until I could figure something else out. 19 years later, 6 houses and 4 promotions later, I am still there.

5. I am the Mayor of my small town of 385 residents.

6. We are very fortunate to own a cabin on the same side of the same lake that my family had previously owned a cabin since 1953 that was sold after the ‘97 flood.

7. I am currently using my Parental Leave and this Coronavirus time at home to build cabinets for the kitchen remodel we are going to do next fall.

1. Grew up on a dairy farm and showed award winning Guernsey cattle at the Mn State Fair

2. Went to school for Sales, Marketing and Management

3. Managed 2 now defunct stores-- Kay Bee Toys and Blockbuster Video

4. Fell in love with hockey during the 1980 Miracle on Ice

5. Took over the family farm 10 years ago after being off the farm for 25 years (thankfully minus the cows)

6. Played fast pitch softball with a future Mn Viking quarterback when I was in high school.

Todd Bouman?

Yeah, my life is very uninteresting compared to you folk, but here goes.

1. I am a veterinarian and have an extremely rewarding career.

2. I played on the club rugby team for the University of Minnesota.

Side note - despite the fact rugby parties are epic, I can thank the U of M marching band for my drinking abilities. ?

3. I have dreamed of going to Australia ever since I saw the Man from Snowy River movies. I fear by the time I can save up enough to go however it will be burnt to a crisp.

4. I had an acoustic neuroma (tumor of the 8th cranial nerve which is for hearing and balance) removed in 2006. Thanks to my wonderful doctors at the Mayo I still have damn near perfect hearing. Balance not so much.

5. I still hold the record in my family for the largest trophy buck and I don’t hunt. 10 pointer I hit with my Buick skyhawk in 1993. The rack still hangs on my wall.

6. I was the lucky winner of one of the Wooger jerseys. Just got it this week, it is a gorgeous jersey!

1. Grew up playing hockey outdoors in Duluth; scored game winning goal in Catholic State Championship game vs. Hill.

2. Broke cheekbone in college game vs. Princeton - should have kept my head up! :anger:

3. GMH season ticket holder for 47 consecutive years , GWH for last 7. :M: :M2: :M:

4. Golf in two senior men's leagues and a couples league, with wife of 48 years. Senior League Club Champion...once.

5. Retired in 2010 as a SVP for a global insurance brokerage firm - still get together with old co-workers.

6. And saved the best for last: Became a grandfather for the first time in December!

Cowgirl, are you a big animal or little animal vet? I wanted to be a vet when I was young, farm animals. I loved working with my grandparents animals and took great pride in being told I had “gentle hands”. On the other hand my husband was appalled when he learned I could castrate baby piglets, dock ears and tails, and give a shot in practically one swift motion. I think he’s still a little afraid

How in the f* is Cowgirl big enough to play rugby????? I feel like that is like asking me to play left tackle or something.

Ok - You need to expand on these two. What years? Assume you played for Cathedral in HS? How about college?

My interest is piqued if you're willing to give more detail.

Kind of like poker you don’t underestimate the women

She could take me, but I'm also a twig.

Some of those women rugby players have thighs as thick as Cowgirl's waist!

PM sent.

Kelly Red wrote:

Cowgirl, are you a big animal or little animal vet? I wanted to be a vet when I was young, farm animals. I loved working with my grandparents animals and took great pride in being told I had “gentle hands”. On the other hand my husband was appalled when he learned I could castrate baby piglets, dock ears and tails, and give a shot in practically one swift motion. I think he’s still a little afraid

I trained to do both large and small but ended up at a small animal clinic for my first job which was fortunate as it was only a couple years out of school I had my surgery and wouldn't have been able to do large animal practice anyways with my health issues at the time.

I’m sure I have a few pounds on you; and back in undergrad several more.

1. I grew up on a farm in SW MN.

2. My parents were both WWII veterans. Dad was in the South Pacific and Mom was an Army Nurse in a mobile field hospital in France and Belgium. One of my biggest regrets in life is not talking to them more about their experiences. I always got the feeling they would rather leave it in the past.

3. I went to the U in the 70's and fell in love with the Gophers and coach Brooks. Got a BS in Agriculture.

4. I was at Boston Garden in 1974 and saw the Gophers win their 1st natty.

5. Moved back and took over the family farm and have been here ever since.

6. I believe I'm the second oldest person on this forum.

Weigh in for charity! Who weighs more? Place your bets!

I'll save you the time. I weigh 155-160.

Where the heck do you hide that?! I weighed at least that much in my rugby years. Thankfully I’ve since lost those extra lbs. Although with this coronavirus lifestyle and not being able to go to the gym or play hockey a few are trying to find their way back. ?

I'm a little taller than you, too. That is a factor. I probably SHOULD be around 180 or so.

Besides just plain not wanting to get sick, not being able to do my usual routine is very upsetting. I do aqua-cardio 2-3 times a week, Pilates 1-2, all at the Y. Now closed I’m forced to improvise, walking just doesn’t cut it for me. I am not thin but work hard just to stay even, this virus isn’t helping :censored: I may have to dig out some resistance bands and find a YouTube video for extra motivation.

On the plus side...no eating out! :biggrin2:

1. My h.s. 4x400 team won state my senior year. Our sprint medley relay team had the 3rd best time in the entire country that year, but a dropped baton in the section finals...

2. My grandparents or great grandparents migrated from respectively Russia, Germany, Denmark and Norway

3. I was accepted into and had planned to enroll at Notre Dame. Long story otherwise led me to Minnesota before finishing at Mankato

4. I played at least one year of official team sports in hockey, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, track, rugby and tennis

5. I was at the very first MTV Spring Break in Daytona in 1985 and hung out in a small bar with all members of the Beastie Boys

6. I had lunch with then Emir of Bahrain at his beach palace in 1996

Where you from? My parents are from Pipestone and luverne

100 miles NE of there.

I graduated from Pipestone and I farm 10 miles north of there on the family farm.

But how do the feet look?

I too am missing the closed Y, I've been swimming laps 3 times a week. With all my joint issues other cardio is hard for me.

1. Grew up in Edina, 20 years ago last week my wife, son and I moved back into the house my parents built in 1958 (we had added a second floor and done some remodel).

2. I was smart and a good employee, but a TERRIBLE student. If I couldn't crush tests I'd never have gotten through. My ACT scores got me into the Minnesota IT (now CSE). Again in college I was a bad student but had fun. Took me 10 years to get an ME but I did graduate in Dec 1980. Never got any scholarships or loans, paid my way all the time, always worked (drove a Zamboni at Braemar Arena in early 70's). Had student season Gophs Tix for much of the 70's, got to watch several of my high school classmates play for or aganst the Gophs.

3. First job took me to California and Pennsylvania worked on Nuke plants.

4. For a couple year I owned a windsurfing shop in Annapolis MD. I was better at teaching windsurfing than selling windsurfers.

5. For most of my career I worked on hospital design and those were my favorite projects. More challenging and rewarding than college or office buildings. I have had a bit of a professional relationship at times with Thomps from here.

Where to start....

1. I am the second of three boys, and grew up in lake country (about 20 miles north of Lake Mille Lacs). Even though we fought like cats and dogs growing up, my brothers and I are very close, and there is nothing that we wouldn't do for each other.

2. I attended the UofM on a Navy ROTC scholarship, and graduated in 1986 with a B.S. in Economics. During my four years on active duty, I lived in Newport, RI; Philadelphia, PA; Norfolk, VA; and San Diego, CA.

3. I have worked for the state of Minnesota, in various capacities, since 1993 (with one 14 month break in service). I started as an Unemployment Insurance Analyst, with what was then called the Department of Jobs & Training. I am currently the Database Administrator at Minneapolis College.

4. I met my wife fifteen years ago, and will celebrate six years of marriage in June. On the day I get married, I went from being a carefree bachelor to a husband, father, and grandfather in less than 30 minutes. My wife and I are now the proud grandparents of four grandchildren (3 girls and 1 boy).

5. My high school did not have a hockey team, so I had never really seen a hockey game until my sophomore year of college, when a guy who lived down the hall from me in the dorm, asked if I wanted to go to a game. I've been hooked on Gopher hockey ever since.

1.) I had three extra teeth, so combined with the wisdom teeth I've had seven teeth removed. Childhood full of oral surgeries.

2.) I've never had chicken pox.

3.) Both my grandfathers were in the Pacific theater, but not in the typical way. One was a radio operator on a supply ship in the merchant marines, the other was a POW camp guard in the Philippines

4.) We don't know who my maternal grandfather's father was. He was raised by his aunt and uncle. He found out when he was entering the service for WW2 when he saw his birth certificate.

5.) I was named after a ancestor who moved to Australia from Scotland. It was thought at the time that they moved for the drier climate, much like people from around here will move to AZ. It was eventually found out that he was caught trying to steal some jewels, and he was given the choice of exile in Australia or a few years in prison. I was already 4 when this was discovered, so my parents decided to not change my name.

1 - I got to vote (midterm elections) on my 18th birthday. I was super excited to do my civic duty.

2 - My oldest daughter is named after two of my best friends; we were college roommates senior year. First name in memory of one (8 years gone yesterday), middle name in honor of the other.

3 - I now live in a town in SE Michigan that a former coworker, that I worked with in Minnesota, grew up in.

4 - I started watching Gopher hockey because, unbeknownst to me, a kid I grew up with at church was on the team.

5 - I’ve had GO4PUCK license plates in two states - Michigan and Ohio.

1. I am a blue belt in taekwondo hoping to be a black belt when I'm 50.

2. I have been sky diving.

3. I was captain of my HS baseball team and pitched in the state tournament in 1989.

4. My mom's family fled the potato famine in Ireland in 1849. The boat taking them to America sprang a leak in the middle of the Atlantic and began taking on water. A nearby ship rescued the passengers and crew. The boat sank 15 minutes later.

1. I'm from Iowa...Iowa Falls, Iowa to be exact. Yes, there is a falls there...well it's a dam that Alliant Energy still runs the water turbines every once in a while yet. Only thing known from that town is Nick Collison formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Bill Reilly of Iowa State Fair fame.

2. Moved to Mankato in 2006 for my wife to go to MSU. She graduated in Dec. 2008 right when the recession hit. We weathered through that and have remained here since with our daughter who goes to college in Winona and my son who is a freshman in high school.

3. I went to college for a couple years; Central College in Pella, Iowa. I was looking into secondary education in math or science. That was until I had a professor who really pushed me into hating the education world.

4. After college I started working with my dad who was a residential contractor. I learned how to build everything within a house; carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. That wealth of knowledge has saved my bacon in numerous jobs because I know how to do so much, but it also makes me really busy at times.

5. Being from Iowa I am a Hawkeye fan. I love Hawkeye football and wrestling, Gable knows God. I fell out of love of Hawkeye basketball after the dismissal of Dr. Tom. I fell in love with Gopher hockey in the year of Kessel. When I knew I was moving to the state of hockey I figured I better start watching it. Gopher hockey was what I found, and I love it!

6. I am a dog person, average size dogs only...no ankle biters. Growing up we had a corgi cross who was a rescue, had him for 16 years...never a better dog in universe. My current dog Layla is a Aussie Shepherd mix, she is a handful at times but is a awesome family companion.

After reading this thread, I can confirm that I'm the most boring person on the planet.

Prove it....

He was the STAR goaltender for the Rubes Hockey team.

I know, and that alone keeps him from being the most boring!

Awesome idea!!

1. Born and raised in MN, Graduated from Osseo Sr High in '93. Never played hockey, but fell in love with it after going to my friends games for years.

2. I was so bad at school (math was the worst) I was enrolled in summer school, my entire family was shock when they mailed my diploma. A quote from my mother: "You better go to the recruiters offices RIGHT NOW, before they find their mistake". I still laugh at that.

3. I joined the Army as a mechanic, but changed my MOS (job) to Infantry on my first re-up and spent just over 23 years in service. I started playing hockey while stationed in Fairbanks, AK and met my wife while playing league hockey. While in AK I helped over 100 guys play hockey for the first time. Some from Mexico, TX, Puerto Rico and other non-traditional places. On two separate tours I spent a total of 10 years in AK. I was the unfortunate soul that had to teach ROTC at UW-Madison. I could successfully go the rest of my life never stepping foot in WI, much less Madison. As fate would have it, my wife's ENTIRE FAMILY moved to Madison 2 years ago (mother and two brothers).

4. Joining the Army I realized the importance of an education. I have since earned two bachelor's degrees (public admin and social work) and am currently working on my masters of social work at THE Ohio State University. My goal is to work with either homeless vets or as a clinical SW. Not sure if I want addictions or mental health.

5. I've been married for 13 years and have three kids, two still in the house and one I have the receipt for!

6. I've completed 7 Tough Mudders, my Spartan Race trifecta, and multiple warrior dash's, terrain race, and others

7. I drink whisky and whiskey!!!

8. I catch bass in the summer

I have incredible respect for you earning multiple college degrees after squeaking by in high school.

You must have went to school with Jed Fiebelkorn?

He was a Sr when I was a Soph, Matt Stelja (sp?) was also at Osseo. He went to UM for a year and then Vermont I believe.

1) My user name"Bladepuller" comes from my favorite way of walleye fishing,trolling w/ a night crawler harness on Mille Lacs. My given name is Brian, but was and have been known to answer to B. We live in East Bethel

2) I'm a proud grandfather of 3.

Paige is a soph @ KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) In the 6 year PharmD program who earned 8 varsity letters @ SC Tech HS & had a 4.55 GPA & captained 2 sports.

Sam is a Sr @ Tech. Played BB & was a capt, of the Tech Soccer team 2 Xs. HM All-State & has a GPA higher than his sister. He will start at the U next year in Inst of Tech.

Maren is from our youngest daughter. Some of the old timers from the POI days know of who I speak. She is 8 & in the 2nd grade in a STEM / Spanish immersion school in the Forest Lake district. Way to smart. She was reading chapter books before she was in school.

The 2 son in laws are from "Souptucky" & Ely.

3) I played FB in college. Started as a scout squad FB as a frosh & got the hell pounded out of me but I didn't quit. Moved to the OL(guard) over the winter and as a JR was moved to Quickside OT. I have friends from that era of my life that are way beyond precious. True brothers & some great HS & college FB coaches. E.V. knows of who I speak.

4) I have never had a "real job" as an adult. Coached OL for a year out of school but some how ended up at Billy Mitchell. Hated it! Quit because of being dead broke and took a gig as a union laborer that I parlayed into being a union carpenter foreman than led into being a job site supt. I'm now retired. Life is good.

5) Wahkon, SE side of Mille Lacs, is where I tore down a place my parents had built. My paternal great grand parents came from Nova Scotia and the 1st name on the abstract is his. The new place is year round & big enough to have us all there. If you walk into either bar / restaurant in town and ask for Brian you will get directions. It is a small town.

6) I think Mn Navy is older than me, I'm 68. George & I have know each other from the old POI days & while he went to a much different school than me (Edina vs Robbinsdale) we both graduated the same year. I had my 1st health issue right after Labor Day. Stents in my heart but no serious permanent damage. I'm doing interval cardio work now and back lifting iron. Big dietary changes too.

7) I have way too many motorcycles I have been told since you can only ride one at a time. Too bad, so sad.

Nope. You've got me by over a decade.

And I don't turn 68 until October, old man!

That is awesome and my educational experience is similar. Standing over a terlet with a johnny mop is very motivating.

Best of luck on the educational journey.

Outside of math, I found that simply learning was a great motivator. I enjoy going to school, I especially found electives fun. I don't know how useful they are as far as a graduation requirement (seems like a money grab for schools), but I enjoyed the learning and found joy in things I didn't think I would like.

Agreed. I really enjoyed it once I found the motivation and maturity.

One of my classmates in my MA program at Hamline was also the director of admissions at the law school. She was really giving me the hard sell to go to law school at a party my wife threw for me when I graduated and when Mrs.GE heard she was basically reacted this way - :hahano:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And that means?

I turned 68 two months ago. Pretty sure USHANABI has us all beat.