Zooropa

Some jobs look really cool from the outside, but you just know there's a catch involved. No way, you think, is that parachute going to open on time; real women don't look like that; or, it'd be a drag to make that kind of money, and be under that kind of pressure from thousands of screaming fans and those types of sponsors...

One exception would be to be a botanist at the Como Conservatory. If I worked there, I'm sure my 'uniform' would consist of a loin-cloth and some artful body paint from the crushed berries of whatever tree I deemed non-rash inducing. I would become an attraction myself! Tourists would toss pennies and bits of cotton candy as I swung through the vines!

Delusions aside, Sarah and I went on Saturday morning (as tourists). I think the vine thingy was trying to seduce me.

Then, on to Moscow on the Hill for some Russian libations, happy hour-style. If good night kisses aren't of too much concern, try the horseradish vodka.

Finally, on to St. Anthony Main's Aquatennial for the best fireworks we'd ever seen! A bit of facts about the seventy year-old festival: The entire Minneapolis police department worked twelve hours each day of the new festival. 92-year-old Chief One Bull, last of the great Sioux warriors and famous for his defeat of General Custer, attended Aquatennial festivities. Celebrity Gene Autry was also an Aquatennial guest, broadcasting his "Melody Ranch" programs from WCCO Radio. That's right, kids, Gene Autry!

Note the resemblance between flora and firework: