Simple Pleasures…

Went to Pub 819 in Hopkins today, usual time, usual seat. I had barely sat down, and boom, bartender was already setting my cup of coffee down. Apparently she saw me walk in. Now THAT is service.

I used to have that at Old Chicago up in Blaine… if I parked in a certain area, by the time I was walking up to the bar, the bartender had a filled mug in her hand, following me down the bar to wherever I sat.

Went to Pub 819 in Hopkins today, usual time, usual seat. I had barely sat down, and boom, bartender was already setting my cup of coffee down. Apparently she saw me walk in. Now THAT is service.

I miss the Hopkins Tavern (which is what that location was before Pub 819). It was just beer, booze, and Heggies. That’s it. A hole in the wall but fun (especially in the summer) It was lively later at night too. Now all of that action is gone. Pub 819 is usually dead by 10pm

Went to Pub 819 in Hopkins today, usual time, usual seat. I had barely sat down, and boom, bartender was already setting my cup of coffee down. Apparently she saw me walk in. Now THAT is service.

I miss the Hopkins Tavern (which is what that location was before Pub 819). It was just beer, booze, and Heggies. That’s it. A hole in the wall but fun (especially in the summer) It was lively later at night too. Now all of that action is gone. Pub 819 is usually dead by 10pm

“Lively…..”

Yes it was (I remember it way back in the day).

If you want action after 10pm during the week, guessing Mainstreet Bar is the place. Maybe the Wild Boar if you don’t mind the bro-crowd.

I lived in Hopkins about 30 years ago. I remember a bar called the Blue Ribbon Bar that was directly across from Mainstreets. Is that the 819 now? I also remember Archies,( now the Wild Boar?) with the low ceilings and back in the smoking in the bar days it was like a fog in there. There was also a bar a block off main street that was a sports bar that had a murals on the walls, that is now a flooring store. Those were some fun times in Hopkins.

Went to Pub 819 in Hopkins today, usual time, usual seat. I had barely sat down, and boom, bartender was already setting my cup of coffee down. Apparently she saw me walk in. Now THAT is service.

I miss the Hopkins Tavern (which is what that location was before Pub 819). It was just beer, booze, and Heggies. That’s it. A hole in the wall but fun (especially in the summer) It was lively later at night too. Now all of that action is gone. Pub 819 is usually dead by 10pm

“Lively…..”

Yes it was (I remember it way back in the day).

If you want action after 10pm during the week, guessing Mainstreet Bar is the place. Maybe the Wild Boar if you don’t mind the bro-crowd.

I lived in Hopkins about 30 years ago. I remember a bar called the Blue Ribbon Bar that was directly across from Mainstreets. Is that the 819 now? I also remember Archies,( now the Wild Boar?) with the low ceilings and back in the smoking in the bar days it was like a fog in there. There was also a bar a block off main street that was a sports bar that had a murals on the walls, that is now a flooring store. Those were some fun times in Hopkins.

That bar across from Mainstreets has changed names probably three or four times since you were there. But Pub 819 killed the vibe for good. That spot used to be more gritty and had a neighborhood feel. Now it feels corporate. Oh well…

Archie’s was the hard rock/metal bar in the 80s. Not that I was able to get in since i was underage but I definitely remember the vibe. I was too busy trying to bribe shady 20-something dudes to buy me a case of beer over at Leaman’s Liquors :lol:

I’ve been to the Wild Boar a couple of times but it’s just not my scene at this stage in life.

819 is more corpie now, but they still know their regulars. 30 Bales (nee Big Ten) is still trying to be more hipster/artisan, and it’s not a good look. Boar (nee Archies,etc) is a bro-bar. Mainstreet has not changed a bit.

Edit: Mainstreet was, and is, still the true neighborhood vibe/townie bar.

Edit: Mainstreet was, and is, still the true neighborhood vibe/townie bar.

When the Hopkins Tavern was there, we’d drink in both… go from one to the other and back again several times a night. It was basically the same people but a slightly different vibe. Heck, even the bartenders of each place would take a break in the other bar… :lol:

I’ve lost a lunch or two in the parking lot behind Mainstreets a few times over the years. Damn Fireball :puke: :mrgreen:

I will say thank God that Mainstreet keeps real bar hours (open until 2am) otherwise I never would have seen the Cubs win the WS. Even 819 was not extending hours that night (a couple other Cubs fans were there for the first part of the game).

The place across the street was definitely the biker bar, now 819. I remember the Hogs lined up along the street there. IF my memory serves correct I must have just missed the turn from Archie’s to Decoy’s. when I lived in the area at that time. Decoy’s was eventually re-named the Wild Boar.

[mention]YoungEagle[/mention] , While I have had more conversations with you old man we have met so WTF!😉

Then again I have my own family issues with a former GPL poster & her sister w/ cabin ownership.

Truth be known having up coming generations taking over ownership is priceless. The place my parents built has been torn down & a new place built in ’18 / ’19 but memories live on and new ones are made. I am the great grandson of the 1st name on our abstract. Eh.😎

That’s a good point. I’ve met a few GPLers at tailgates or campus pizza. And they’re all 💯

You mean 💯 as in perfect?

https://twitter.com/starting9/status/1385756977415008257?s=21

It seems like he’s about to get angry, but realizes he has a choice to make. He chose correctly.

Nice job, Minnesota in responding to the census. I think our high response rate is the reason we kept our same amount of congressional seats, and I’m guessing since things were so close we’re not one of the most over-represented states, which is a lucky thing.

Truer words have never been spoken.. this layout is sick.

https://twitter.com/super70ssports/status/1388188869619814405?s=21

Not quite yet, but planned: cigar, bourbon, Kentucky Derby. Bonus for perfect weather today.

I just watched the replay. The spread of covid after that crowd will not be a simple pleasure. :no:

I asked my husband, what was the point of limiting it to 40%, they were packed together along the viewing rails?

But the horses are magnificent and there’s nothing like watching a thoroughbred go all out.

I just watched the replay. The spread of covid after that crowd will not be a simple pleasure. :no:

I asked my husband, what was the point of limiting it to 40%, they were packed together along the viewing rails?

But the horses are magnificent and there’s nothing like watching a thoroughbred go all out.

That was only 40%? Yikes. Still a horde of humanity.

I hope someday to attend the Kentucky Derby, it is a spectacle worth seeing live.

Never attended the Derby, but I’ve toured Churchill Downs, the stables and the fabulous museum. It’s pretty spectacular overall, even without the race.

I watched a morning workout run of several horses, the hot walk area. I loved the stables more then the fancy viewing stands. There’s nothing better then the general smell of horses. They let you pet a retired horse (very CALM, unlike most race horses).

The museum focuses on the Derby and famous horses. They have this exhibit where you get on model race horses and they project a race in front of you. The horse actually moves under you to simulate a race. You have to ride like a jockey, if your butt sits down you’re disqualified. Crouching for 2 minutes kills your thighs! It’s really hard but fun. Somewhere I have an unflattering photo my friend took of me racing another friend.

I just watched the replay. The spread of covid after that crowd will not be a simple pleasure. :no:

I asked my husband, what was the point of limiting it to 40%, they were packed together along the viewing rails?

But the horses are magnificent and there’s nothing like watching a thoroughbred go all out.

That was only 40%? Yikes. Still a horde of humanity.

I hope someday to attend the Kentucky Derby, it is a spectacle worth seeing live.

Never attended the Derby, but I’ve toured Churchill Downs, the stables and the fabulous museum. It’s pretty spectacular overall, even without the race.

I watched a morning workout run of several horses, the hot walk area. I loved the stables more then the fancy viewing stands. There’s nothing better then the general smell of horses. They let you pet a retired horse (very CALM, unlike most race horses).

The museum focuses on the Derby and famous horses. They have this exhibit where you get on model race horses and they project a race in front of you. The horse actually moves under you to simulate a race. You have to ride like a jockey, if your butt sits down you’re disqualified. Crouching for 2 minutes kills your thighs! It’s really hard but fun. Somewhere I have an unflattering photo my friend took of me racing another friend.

Have only been to Canterbury, but some don’t get the watching of the horses in the paddock and the stables pre-race. I think it’s awesome, to see some of the prep, how the horses are acting to the crowds, the noise, etc. Yes, it’s for mythical (and in this case, yes, pure mythical) betting and such for me. You see the little things of the behavior of the horse, really tune in to the animal. There is this huge beast, that is trained to do one thing. All the hundreds of years from being wild, to being tamed, and sometimes going beyond that…it’s amazing.

Ducks at School

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/ten-ducklings-follow-mom-through-minnesota-elementary-school-continuing-20-year-tradition/89-f615a3cb-11a8-43fb-a8cb-ec18ed5b665e

They have the same thing at my daughter’s school. I don’t know how long it’s been going on but definitely the 6 years she’s been there

Ric Flair doing Car Shield commercials. Wooo

We opened our cabin! Always a banner day on our calendar. No dead mice. Water pump primed on first attempt. No downed trees. Only issue was a crack in the toilet flush pump, but was quickly replaced after an emergency trip back to marina and local hardware spot. Rewarded ourselves this morning with donuts, too many donuts. But coffee on the front deck, sitting in the morning sun, watching the water made the extra calories a non-issue. Donuts eaten in the sun are diet free. Right?

Yesterday we witnessed a pair of male loons square off over territory right off our dock. Wing flapping, loud yodeling, rushing at each other. I’m sure there was a female temptress swimming somewhere out of the way, watching the battle with studied indifference.

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Oh I can totally echo those sentiments opening the cabin with a lack of mice and leaks.

My uncle and I were priming our well pump this year and after I poured a few gallons in the system we turned the pump on. Now typically my mom has a checklist before we turn the pump on to make sure everything is attached/open so water will start flowing as we want it to. However, unbeknownst to me my uncle disregarded that checklist so after the pump turned on I hear this awful spurting noise coming from the bathroom. Water was spraying up in the cabinets like a geyser because we didn’t reconnect the toilets water intake pipe into the wall. Needless to say obscenities started flying like gulls after a gunshot, but I got the water turned off…and a mop and got it taken care of. Wasn’t fun but certainly a learning experience to properly utilize her checklist.

First asparagus from the garden.

Oh, that is a treat.

My daughter is a high school senior and today she got a fake baby she has to take care of for a week. The first time it cried it was screaming bloody murder and she said “I don’t want to do this”.

The whole scene is hilarious. It didn’t occur to me that this might end up being a very effective form of birth control.

My daughter is a high school senior and today she got a fake baby she has to take care of for a week. The first time it cried it was screaming bloody murder and she said “I don’t want to do this”.

The whole scene is hilarious. It didn’t occur to me that this might end up being a very effective form of birth control.

Before even getting to and reading your 2nd paragraph that very thought crossed my mind.

This should be required for every high schooler…or maybe junior high. And this is more like the “light” version of having a kid. It doesn’t break if you drop it and it doesn’t make disgusting poops and tons of dirty diapers, drain your bank account, etc

I can’t wait until it wakes her up in the middle of the night.

My daughter is a high school senior and today she got a fake baby she has to take care of for a week. The first time it cried it was screaming bloody murder and she said “I don’t want to do this”.

The whole scene is hilarious. It didn’t occur to me that this might end up being a very effective form of birth control.

I think that’s the goal. Isn’t it?

A nice mother’s day weekend. My wife bought herself a dress and told the rest of us don’t do anything more. Yesterday we got her a bouquet of flowers as well as a new iPad charger and Bluetooth speakers which she had been complaining were faulty. Today we made breakfast, took care of everything around the house and for dinner ordered sushi and tempura which she loves.

Baltimore Orioles and Rose Breasted Grosbeaks are back!

[mention]gator[/mention] Good to hear from you. Congratulations on all the changes. Stay strong and safe.

Hey GPL… I was told I my name was no longer on the banned list on GPL. My life has change a lot since I was active on GPL. I got married Fri, April 24th and closed on house in the “Bermuda Triangle” in the south metro (house in Rosemount and pay Lakeville taxes) on Thu, May 6th. I also pretty much gave up drinking over a year ago. Lost over 30 lbs. in 4 months between mid March ’20 to mid July ’20 cause of it. Though for some reason I put back on 15 lbs. Maybe it was my wife’s green bean casseroll she would make for me!!! So several changes in my life in the past 2 plus years.

Don’t know how active I’ll be on GPL, a wife, 3 kids and a house is going to keep me busy!!!

Because someone had to be ‘that guy’! :rotflmao:

Congrats on all fronts! Been a fantastic couple years for you.

Gator is on a very short leash…

This Twitter feed is fantastic.

https://twitter.com/OilersDayByDay/status/1331085226462892032?s=20

https://twitter.com/humorandanimals/status/1393258375291473923?s=19

Congratulations Superstar! I hope you have the most wonderful day!

Second this! What a beautiful day for a wedding.

https://twitter.com/humorandanimals/status/1393258375291473923?s=19

The marina where we store our boat has had a long string of Rottweilers as guard dogs. The last one was Diesel. He was the friendliest dog when he knew you. We usually show up late in the evening, Diesel would appear out the darkness. Could scare the crap out of you if you didn’t know him, but mostly he wanted a pet and a roll in the dirt. Reminds me of this dog; happy, jumping, rolling on the ground to get a good belly rub. But woe to anyone who didn’t belong.

Diesel passed this winter and now we’re waiting for the new dog to appear. The marina owner is an excellent dog guy and they’re always well trained. With so many people going in and out, his dogs have to be, but it’s a skill.

This dog and little girl are hilarious, joyful indeed.

@Kelly Red how long have you guys owned your place? Daryl has had the friendliest dogs since I was a toddler. My kids love Diesel and I just told my 12 year old Diesel passed and he teared up.

My husbands family bought property on the island in the early 70s when he was a kid. They camped for several years. They built a cabin, trucked across the ice, in 1976. We inherited the cabin in the late 90s.

Daryl really does a great job with his dogs. Do you remember Merc? The dog before Diesel, another Rotty. There is a new dog, pit mix, it just showed up last fall, Sadie. But she’s not working out as she growls at guests. Daryl said he got her too late and she’s too aggressive. He doesn’t trust her. He’s looking to rehome. She’s an okay dog, just not right for all the people that go through the marina, the Unistar campers for example. I think there’s a chance a litter of Rotty puppies arrive soon, Daryl apparently gets first pick.

So funny Diesel story…Daryl had some boat/car break ins a few years ago. Trouble making locals knew people parked their cars at the marina or had stuff in their boats. Daryl hid Diesel in a boat and hung out nearby. Sure enough, here comes a couple of guys looking to steal stuff. Daryl waited until they were on the dock, arms loaded. He whistled for Diesel and this huge dog from hell leapt out of a nearby boat, barking away. Guys practically crapped their pants! :biggrin2: Diesel got extra treats that night.

Today’s our wedding anniversary. 31 years! I told Superstar this was a good time for a wedding

Favorite memory: I wore a very pale pink wedding dress. My Grandmother didn’t like it and said “you should be wearing a white dress, everyone knows a bride should be wearing white.” I turned to her and said, “I’m 30 years old. That ship sailed a long time ago.” My mom started laughing so hard we had to redo her make up.

I think I say this every year but my screened in porch is a simple pleasure for me. I love sitting out on it after the kids go to bed either to read or when I need to catch up on work.

I also just love listening to the rain or watching the wrath of Mother Nature when the weather gets more unsettled in the summer

My great-grandparents (Rochester, MN) who lived right next to Silver Lake had a screened-in. It was wonderful. I think that instilled the need for me to have a deck/balcony/whatever wherever I lived. Weather-watching, or just chilling outside while still having privacy, etc. It was a need, not a want.

It is a good time for a wedding. My 16th is on Friday

For sure. Our 17th is Saturday!

My parents 55th is today.