1. Physical Schneducation with Alex Schned

    by aschned on Dec 15, 2010

    Greetings and welcome my little Schneducatees to what will no doubt be another rabble-rousing edition of Physical Schneducation with your host Alex Schned. For all of us transplants no longer living within the confines of the great state of Minnesota, congratulations on not having to endure the blizzard that attacked our homeland this past weekend.  Unfortunately, however, while many of us missed the snowstorm that blanketed the upper Midwest this past Saturday, we were still forced to endure the shit-storm that continues to surround our Minnesota Vikings.  My oh my is it getting hard to write about this team of ours time and time again.  I feel like I’m running out of ways to call them disappointing.  How do sports blogs in Cleveland continue to operate?  If it’s this tough finding bad things to say about a team for 17 weeks, imagine what it’s like trying to find bad things to say about a team for 40 years?  I mean, there’s only so much pessimism one man can emit before being forced to write nice things simply to avoid redundancy.  Unfortunately for all you optimists out there, that time has not yet come.  I’ve managed to find a way to fill at least one more column with negativity and so I apologize in advance for the sporting forlornness that will result upon reading this post.  And with that, off we go.

    Fresh off a nationally televised 21-3 shellacking at the hands of the New York Giants in which quarterback Brett Favre ended his NFL record iron-man streak at 297 consecutive games played, it has become quite clear that the Vikings have completely given up on the season.  There’s a certain adjective I’m looking for that would seem very befitting of the team’s current disposition.  This particular adjective perfectly describes the utterly listless, dispirited, downright lethargic play from our boys last night and I can swear I’ve heard this word used quite often the past couple days in describing another catastrophic collapse relating to this very same team.  Dare I say the Vikings look… DEFLATED! 

    LOL HAHA OMG LMAO

    So I’ll admit I’m hardly the first sports blogging idiot to use this little joke this week, but I just couldn’t resist.  The metaphor is just so apt!  As I’m sure many of you have heard by now, the roof literally caved in on the Vikings Sunday morning when the Teflon bubble atop the Metrodome deflated under the weight of some 20 inches of snow, adding insult to this already injured Vikings season in strikingly poetic fashion.  The sky had already fallen on the team’s playoff chances weeks ago; I suppose God just felt the need to make it official.  And so, unable to play on their home field and with no other suitable playing fields in the home area, the game was pushed back from Sunday to Monday and moved to Detroit.  Interestingly enough, Detroiters showed up in droves to watch the game, probably because it afforded many fans the ability to finally watch a live NFL game that didn’t include the Lions.  Merry Christmas, Detroit.  Sorry we had to give you such a familiar home-team performance.

    You have to give this to the Vikings: despite offering very little entertainment value on the field, they’ve done an extremely admirable (albeit unintentional) job of staying in the spotlight this season.  From Brett Favre to Randy Moss to Brad Childress to the fricking roof collapsing on their stadium, there’s never been a dull moment with this franchise.  Of course the roof-collapse story was a huge talking point this week as national sports pundits found this as yet another excuse to poke fun at our quaint little city’s history of sports misery, poor weather and shoddy construction standards.  Considering the fact that no one was hurt, however, only good things will ultimately result from this little “building malfunction.”  For one, we’re on the verge of witnessing the first outdoor December football game in Minnesota in close to 30 years as the Vikings have announced they will be playing next week’s home game at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium.  At least this gives us ONE reason to watch their next game.  Second, and more importantly, this little fiasco will make it veeeeeeeeery difficult for anyone to suggest the team’s current stadium situation is anything other than miserable.  Could this be the stake owner Zygi Wilf needed to drive in the heart of the opposition to his publicly funded stadium drive?  What would’ve happened had the stadium been full when the roof collapsed?  With Wilf sure to drive the public safety angle home during the state’s next legislative session along with the team’s threat to relocate, it’s exceedingly likely he’ll be able to get himself the stadium he’s sought for so long.

    What a season, folks.  Our team is 5-8 and the two best things to happen to our team all year were the Metrodome’s roof collapsing (hopefully leading to the team getting a new stadium) and the team losing 31-3 to the archrival Green Bay Packers (leading to lame duck head coach Brad Childress getting fired).  Ladies and gentlemen, your 2010 Minnesota Vikings.  

    And with that very depressing recap of this very depressing NFL season, I’m now going to do us all a favor and make this the last post I write about the Vikings until the off-season.  I’m not normally this big of a pessimist (I really swear I’m not).  There is honestly just NOTHING good to say about this team anymore, so I just won’t say anything at all.  I’m sure you’ll all appreciate it.  ‘Til next post, stay classy Minnesota.  Stay warm.  And try to keep your heads up.  After all, it’s not as if the sky is falling…

    —
    Get the scoop before it’s scooped. Join The Nice List!

    Share Comments Read More

  2. Member Profile: Jennie Engelhardt

    by samutne on Nov 23, 2010


    Jennie Engelhardt
    Co-Founder, Hare+Hart - an ethical leather company
    Current place of Residence: Lower East Side, Manhattan

    Website and/or blog:  www.hareandhart.com
    Facebook: facebook.com/hareandhart

    In a sentence or two, describe what you do.
    I get to work every day with one of my best friends designing fun clothing and accessories.

    What is your Minnesota connection? 
    I arrived in Minnesota (from South Korea) on Friday the 13th when I was 4 1/2 months old. I spent the next 22 years of my life growing up and attending college in Minnesota before moving to New York. I only recently gave up my Minnesota driver’s license, for which I received many amazing Minnesota accent impressions from bouncers checking ids.

    How did you find your way into what you do? What do you love about it? 
    I studied abroad in Argentina and fell in love with the culture, including their obsession with beef and leather. After graduation, I ended up working for a shoe designer in New York, but always dreamed about starting a leather company. In 2009, I was visiting my friend who is living in Buenos Aires, and we decided to actually do it. I love being able to mix creativity and business as well as split time between New York and Buenos Aires. It’s also a huge plus being able to work with one of my best friends.

    What do you find unique about MN or the Twin Cities?
    After a stressful year of starting a company, traveling, moving and bed bugs, I spent 2 months in St. Paul last summer. I don’t know what it is, but Minnesota completely rejuvenated me in a way that no other place can. I tell everyone that Minnesota my “Tara”. Also, everyone is tall. I forget how short New Yorkers are until I go to church with my grandmother. Everyone stands up to sing a hymn and I all I can see is the smalls of peoples’ backs.

    What do you tell foreigners about MN?
    Other than trying to describe it’s “Tara”-like quality, I always tell people about the food. I remember shopping with my parents at the Farmer’s Market and the co-op before it was the cool thing to do. It’s such a new novelty in New York for restaurants to serve food from local farmers when restaurants in Minnesota have been doing it for as long as I can remember. Where else in the world would there be an all organic/local suburban chain restaurant? I also like to brag about the great musicians that have come from Minnesota and Sean William Scott who went to my high school. And the drive-in. Nobody outside of Minnesota has ever been to a drive-in movie; they are shocked to hear that they still exist.  

    How would you describe your personal style/taste?
    Much to my mom’s dismay, I think that my personal style is a little messy. I like used mugs sitting on the coffee table, dirty sneakers and when my hair has lots of fly-aways. I like mixing vintage with modern, feminine with masculine - I’m clearly too afraid to commit to one thing so I mix and match and call it eclectic.

    Did MN or the TC play any formative role in your life?
    It has clearly affected my speech. I would maybe get away with people thinking I don’t have an accent if it weren’t for the long a’s and working in the hand-“bag” industry.

    What do you miss most about Minnesota when you’re away?
    I miss my family. I miss estate sales and having a vehicle to transport the items that I purchase. I miss the patio at Frost’s. I miss bacon night at the Triple Rock.  I miss the lakes and living near nature even if it is just a front lawn. 

    Best place to get in some people watching?
    Lake Calhoun on a Sunday evening in the summer or anywhere in New York. I actually saw Lady Gaga walking on the sidewalk a couple blocks from my apt last month. I wasn’t sure it was her, but then I saw her lack of pants and realized not many other people would walk around the city during broad daylight in just a leotard.

    Where do you get your coffee or tea in MN? What do you get?
    I am actually not a coffee person. I try ordering lattes because I like the taste but then I always get a headache. Sometimes, I buy the cheap hot chocolate at Super America. I love the sugary, powdery taste.

    Something you HAVE to eat in MN… And where?
    Oh man, this could be a long list. My grandmother’s dumpling soup from her kitchen. Blucy Lucy’s from the Blue Door. French macaroons from Sweets. Brunch at Frost’s. Lefse - I’m not sure where it comes from but it is always on the table at major holidays. Anything from Ho Bien. Chocolate Turtle cake from Cafe Latte - although I have started making it (the recipe is online!) and it only collapses half of the time.

    Favorite MN blog(s)… (aside from MN Culture Club, of course)?
    Smitten Kitchen, Apartment Therapy, Brook&Lyn

    What Minnesotans are you watching? Who’s going places?
    I just saw my first episode of Eastbound and Down and was pleased to see John Hawkes. I also enjoy watching the band Dinosaur Feathers. They are not natives but did attend college in Minnesota and usually stop there while on tour.

    Best MN music spot?
    First Ave or The Ascot Room

    MN band in your iPod?
    Dessa

    Where do you buy stuff on the cheap?
    Estate and garage sales

    Your guilty pleasure destination?
    Miami. And Treasure Island.

    The perfect day in MN…
    Sunny and 85 with humidity.

    How to get around?
    The subway and walking. Somebody stole the seat to my bicycle. And despite the endless ridicule I receive, I still enjoy my Rollerblades, another great Minnesota native.

    Who are your favorite characters in history or fiction?
    Lyndon B. Johnson, Gatsby, Edna Pontellier (at least until the end), Behemoth the cat, Betsy Ray.

    Who would win in a fight: Paul Bunyan, The Jolly Green Giant, or The Pillsbury Dough Boy?
    Paul Bunyan, clearly. Nobody with a blue ox has ever lost before.

    Do you have more questions for Jennie Engelhardt or things you think we should ask in our future profiles? Leave them in the comments!

    —
    Get the scoop before it’s scooped. Join The Nice List!

    Share Comments Read More

  3. MN munchies at your doorstep

    by bmpc on Nov 21, 2010

    Now, I’m normally one to advocate for the consumption of local foods as much as possible. But as a transplant, there are times when I’m desperate for a hometown favorite. If I don’t have wild rice soup at least a dozen or so times during the winter, I might die (for instance). I knew a Minnesotan in college whose parents sent her jars of Gedney Pickles to tide her over until holiday breaks.

    With the holidays upon us, we here at MCC felt it appropriate and maybe even necessary to provide a handy guide to purchasing Minnesotan food items – whether you give them as gifts to your favorite fellow transplants or eat them all yourself, well, that’s up to you. But don’t say we didn’t warn you that if you eat all that lutefisk, you might not find anyone else under the mistletoe.

    Nut Goodies: The classic Minnesotan candy. The first time my somewhat homebody grandmother came to visit me in California, she almost cried when she realized that Nut Goodies weren’t available everywhere and she was stuck somewhere for four days without a supply. You can purchase on the Pearsons’ website.

    Gedney Pickles: Gedney puts State Fair winners into production every year, and if that’s not reason enough, they’ve even even started featuring the winners’ faces on their jars. I’d love to open my Californian cupboard every day to see blue ribbon-winner Nita Schemmel’s adorable little Minnesotan face smiling back at me.  You can buy them online here, or you might find them in a store in your area (see this Gedney map).

    Cheese curds: I’ve already written here about the resurgence of curds around the country, but if you want to source some real Midwestern curds, Ellsworth Collective is particularly good brand (this is the type my dad sends us a couple of times a year) - you can buy from their site. The curds are from Wisconsin, technically, but I’m sure you can excuse that for a delicious bit of squeaky delight.

    Wild rice: Don’t even get me started on the wild rice we find in this part of the country. I will only make Minnesota varieties from now on, and Scenic Waters is my favorite. You can find it at the Minneapolis Farmers’ Markets and a variety of local stores, or you can send the friendly farmer an email to have some shipped to your door (contact info available here). You could probably call as well, but from my experience you better have some time to listen to the farmer talk at length about his amazing product (not a bad thing, but just a warning).

    Lefse: Okay, so lefse isn’t really Minnesotan – it’s Norweigan - but it’s certainly a part of the Minnesotan holiday experience for a lot of us. You can find it online in a variety of places, including Lefse Time and Lefse.com (yes, those websites exist).

    Walleye and lutefisk: Here’s a good potential for some joke gifting to fellow transplants around the country. And yes, you can seriously order fresh walleye from this site and have it delivered to your house. I’m heavily considering a few walleye dinners next week …

    Kramarczuk’s sausage: For over 50 years this deli has been a mainstay of Northeast Minneapolis, serving up a variety of traditional Eastern European sausages, desserts, bread, and more. I’ve been coming here with my family for just about 26 of those years. If you don’t know it, put a visit on your list for the next trip home – either to their store or to their booth at the new Target Field. You can order their sausages online, though as a warning, the shipping is a little high.

    Alexis Bailly Vineyard: Full disclosure, my family (well, extended family) started and continues to run this vineyard in Hastings – the first winery to develop in Minnesota, with the apt cold-weather motto “where the grapes can suffer.” But that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious, and worth a recommendation. You can buy their wines (some developed in partnership with the U of M) on their site.

    Summit Beer: You can’t buy their beer online, sadly, but for the true Summit fan in your life (including yourself), they sell other items (including an awesome Summit beer coozy) on their site.

    Pronto Pup: Certain members of my family go to the State Fair specifically to have a Pronto Pup, and for no other reason. If you want to show your Pronto Pup pride, or make them for yourself at home, check out the variety of gifts and food items on their website.

    Honeycrisp apples: Perhaps the best apples on the planet? I do believe so. I actually squealed a little when I found out I could order them online. My suitcases returning from summer and fall visits to MN have just reduced their weight by about 10 pounds. You can buy them online at honeycrisp.com.

    Famous Dave’s products: Now in a variety of places around the country, Famous Dave’s restaurants started in Minneapolis and is still a hometown favorite. Missing that Rich & Sassy BBQ flavor? You can order this and many other varieties at their site.

    Ames Farm honey: When I put this in my tea in the morning, I like to think about Minnesotan bees. But in all seriousness, this honey is GOOD. Like, Minnesotan good. Order it at their site.

    B.T. McElrath: Did you even know there were Minnesotan chocolatiers? I’ve been eating B.T.’s most delicious chocolates ever since my formative years working at Turtle Bread Company. And now you can order chocolates for your sweetie (again, that could be yourself – no judging) online at their site.

    Looking for something else? There are a few websites that can direct you to hometown favorites or Minnesotan gourmet goods, including:

    http://foodzie.com/map/ - this site helps you find local food artisans wherever you are. Enter a Minnesotan zip code to find local producers that sell their products on the site.

    http://www.localfoods.umn.edu - this site provides an extensive directory of Minnesota producers. The list includes mainly produce farms, but also wool, jarred and canned items, meat products, and more.

    Headed into MSP for the holidays? Just a note that you can enjoy local eats to take along with you on the flight. This great City Pages article outlines the development of great local restaurant and vendor options at the airport.

    Share Comments Read More

  4. Physical Schneducation with Alex Schned

    by aschned on Nov 17, 2010

    Greetings and salutations, all ye pupils in the school of continuing Physical Schneducation. Class is back in session after your esteemed Schneducator was forced to take a hiatus from his posting duties thanks to some busy times in the corporate legal field. Many thanks to last class’ substitute, Mr. Harsha Kodali, for filling in on late notice. Unfortunately, however, it would appear as though one or two of Mr. Kodali’s prognostications may have been a tad, shall we say, off. In case you haven’t heard, the Twins did NOT, in fact, win their series against the Yankees in five games. Rather, in a quite spectacular display of futility, the local nine was outscored 17-7 en route to being swept.

    (sigh)

    Let me tell you, students. You may think this Minnesota sports blogging game is all rainbows and roses, but it ain’t easy. I try to stay positive. I really do. But our teams really seem to have a penchant for taking these little playoff dreams of ours, chewing them up, wiping their armpits with them and then throwing them right back in our faces. I believe my last post included a passage stating something along the lines of “I have a good feeling about this season’s Twinkies; this is their year; the Yankees are due for a playoff choke; blah blah blah.” What can I say, folks. The Great Schneducator failed you. I feel like a broken man. How can I possibly go on acting like any sort of authority in front of you, my vast army of loyal readers. I can’t. I won’t. We shall move forward from this, but I now vow to stop referring to myself in the third person as some great imparter of sports knowledge like some kind of royal douche (yes, the Twins may have lost. But you, the reader, have really won). And so, with that being said, I will now attempt to assist us all in the grieving process by suggesting we forget these completely and utterly despairing feelings of hopelessness for our favorite athletic clubs and repress them deep, DEEP into our subconscious where they will hopefully stay until the next huge embarrassing failure. It’s really the only thing we can do…

    … So the Vikings, eh? Last time we checked in on them they were still legit contenders to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. Let’s take a look at what’s going on with them. Maybe they can offer us a glimmer of hope for the future of Minnesota sports!

    /Flipping through back editions of the Star Tribune sports section

    /Dry heaving all over my computer

    /Resisting the desire to put out a hit on Brad Childress’ head

    OK so maybe the Vikings aren’t exactly offering us any sort of antidote to our local sports misery. It would seem as though after stumbling out of the gate to a 1-3 record and briefly offering fans a slight window of hope by trading for the previously popular Randy Moss, the team proceeded to win only 2 of their next 5 games, waive the previously popular Randy Moss and come awfully damn close to staging a mutiny on their head coach at the 50-yard-line during last week’s embarrassing blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. Oh, and quarterback Brett Favre was also accused of sexual harassment for sending text messages of his most sacred of man-parts to a cheerleader of the New York Jets (not really sure if that one counts as news because frankly that’s neither here nor there… Athletes these days, huh?). Basically it turns out the entire Vikings organization is collapsing before our eyes and is now the odds-on favorite to relocate to Los Angeles in the next several years because, honestly, what taxpayer in their right mind would want to dig deep into the pockets of an already gaping budget deficit to support this team (this is the part of the column where we all say hello to Alex Schned’s pessimistic side). On the bright side, it would appear as though the Vikings AREN’T the most disappointing team in the league this year (HOORAY!!). This much we know for sure after the Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-21 several weeks ago in a match pitting this season’s two biggest underachievers in what the media collectively dubbed the 2010 Desperation Bowl. So at least we got that going for us… which is nice.

    So that leaves us with the Timberwolves… What was that? A strange feeling just washed over me. Something seems terribly wrong here. Could it be? Could a Minnesota team (and not just any Minnesota team. We’re talking about the f’ing Timberwolves for chrissakes) actually be providing us with a glimmer of hope? Do we possibly have ONE team that is on its way up as opposed to its way down? JIMINY GILLICKERS RADIOACTIVE MAN! I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but I’m actually legitimately excited about the nucleus of the team being developed within the dark, depressing confines of the Target Center. Now, if you happened to read this one of my articles, you may know that I’m a bit of a Timberwolves apologist. But I always thought this was just a manifestation of my seldom-explored masochistic side. They’re actually showing some very exciting signs of life. Sure they’re only 3-9 and pretty much have no hope of making the playoffs for at least the next two seasons, but progress is progress people! In particular, while the team isn’t winning a lot of games, we can look forward to the fact that they’re by far the youngest team in the league and for the first time in years playing with a sense of pride and energy. Positive signs abound with this team. In a win against the New York Knicks last week, Wolves power forward Kevin Love became the first NBA player since 1983 to record over 30 points and 30 rebounds in one game, thereby solidifying himself as one of the premier young players in the league. Newcomer Michael Beasley became only the second player in franchise history to record back-to-back games of 35+ points. Formerly heavily criticized draft prospect Wesley Johnson has been more than holding his own against NBA players, thus offering at least one shred of evidence that the team’s front office has SOME ability to recognize talent.  Keep your eyes on the Wolves, loyal readers. This could be Minnesota’s top team in the next few years. 

    And so, given the excitement my local sports teams are forcing me to feel over a 3-9 team that has proven over the past decade to be one of the worst franchises in professional sports with no hope of contending for a title for at least 3-4 years, I am going to have to bid you all adieu as I am now going to strangle myself with the stupid Brett Favre Vikings jersey I allowed myself to buy last year right before the NFC Championship Game. I hope to see you again in a few weeks. Class dismissed.

    —
    Get the scoop before it’s scooped. Join The Nice List!

    Share Comments Read More

  5. Member Profile: Sam Osterhout

    by samutne on Nov 16, 2010

    Sam Osterhout, Radio Happy Hour
    Current place of Residence: New York City

    Website: www.radiohappyhour.com
    Twitter: @samosterhout & @radiohappyhour
    Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Radio-Happy-Hour/126049254072975

    In a sentence or two, describe what you do:
    I am the creator, head writer, and host of Radio Happy Hour, a live variety show that began in June, 2009 in New York City. The show, which features popular musicians and entertainers as guest stars, is centered around a radio-style murder mystery/comedy, in which the guest stars play themselves.

    What is your Minnesota connection?
    I moved to Minneapolis after college. Then I kayaked the Minnehaha several times. After that I went to Home Depot in Richfield. Then I drank ton of Grainbelt. A ton. And then I moved to New York. All of that took 8 years.

    How did you find your way into what you do? What do you love about it?
    Oh man, is this a boring story. I was a part of the Electric Arc Radio Show back in Minneapolis. When I moved to New York Le Poisson Rouge was looking for “alternative” programming, and they asked me for ideas. I think by “alternative,” they meant some kind of literary event. While I love a good literary event (I have an MFA in creative writing from Hamline), they aren’t exactly the best way to gather a crowd. So I pitched them a weird radio style show taped live in the big room there, featuring some great musicians and comedians. I still tell stories, but the audience is much drunker.

    What do you find unique about MN or the Twin Cities?
    We make fun of ourselves for the things we love. Like the Mall of America. Or ice fishing. Or getting really fat from eating too much cheese. We love that, but also think it’s ridiculous, and that’s okay. New Yorkers are in love with themselves for the things they love. New Yorkers are in love with themselves for the things they hate, too. New Yorkers are so smart.

    What do you tell foreigners about MN?
    I tell them that they are right to think it is too cold. It is too cold. But you get used to it.

    How would you describe your personal style/taste?
    Hirsute.

    Did MN or the TC play any formative role in your life?
    It was the first place I lived as “an adult.” In other words, it’s where I bought my sawzall.

    Do you have any ongoing interaction with MN?
    My writing partner, Herbach, still lives there, as do many of my closest friends.

    What do you miss most about Minnesota when you’re away?
    I miss my friends and Summit Extra Pale Ale. Bryant Lake Bowl. Walking around the lakes. Seasonal depression.

    Where do you find what you’re not looking for?
    Usually it’s in my pocket. I carry around a lot of worthless garbage.

    Best place to get in some people watching?
    In New York, I’d say the best place to watch people is the entry to my building on 2nd avenue and 4th street. Especially if you like watching people pee on your sidewalk. In Minneapolis, the best place to watch people is on the TV in your giant, luxurious house.

    Where do you get your coffee or tea in MN? What do you get?
    Black coffee from Anodyne.

    Something you HAVE to eat in MN… And where?
    The frites at Barbette.

    Favorite MN blog(s)… (aside from MN Culture Club, of course)?
    I read whatever Molly Priesmeyer and Geoff Herbach write.

    What Minnesotans are you watching? Who’s going places?
    I think that Brett Favre is going to have a long career.

    Best MN music spot?
    I got my start telling stories at the 400 Bar. It will always be my favorite.

    MN band in your iPod?
    Rogue Valley. Jeremy Messersmith. The New Standards. The Owls. So many more!

    Where do you buy stuff on the cheap?
    At the Union Square farmer’s market.

    Your guilty pleasure destination?
    The internet. Zing.

    The perfect day in MN…
    Get up early, walk to the coffee shop and get a black coffee (that would mean Dunn Bros from where I lived downtown). I would then go for a giant bike ride – out to Cedar Lake, down Isles, Calhoun, and Harriet, to the creek, over to the river and up to the Greenway, back over to Calhoun where I would lay around and read for a bit, and then meet friends on bike somewhere in Uptown for a drink (maybe the Bulldog? Bryant Lake Bowl?). Then Herbach would throw a party that would end with him and Punk Poet Paul D. sitting at the dining room table with their shirts off.

    How to get around?
    Bike.

    Who are your favorite characters in history or fiction?
    Huck Finn. I had a huge crush on Maria in For Whom the Bell Tolls, although that seems a little weird now. I suppose I should reread it. That might make me a terrible person. I liked Howard Roark, but only because The Fountainhead read, to me, like a soap opera.

    Who would win in a fight: Paul Bunyan, The Jolly Green Giant, or The Pillsbury Dough Boy?
    I would guess the Dough Boy, because he has no bones to break (and he seems to take pleasure in pain, judging by his reaction to getting poked). Although if it were just an argument, I would say the Green Giant, because I bet he’s a real prick.

    Anything else? Anything upcoming? Shameless plug?
    Radio Happy Hour is doing a show at the Bell House in Brooklyn on Wednesday, November 17th. Our guests are Thao Nguyen, from Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, singer/songwriter Mike Doughty, comedians Jessi Klein, Ali Wong, and John & Molly Knefel. There will be free vodka drinks from 8 to 9, and the Mexicue food truck will be parked outside. Tickets are $15, but if you buy online, you can type in the code RHHFRIEND and get ‘em for $10.

    Do you have more questions for Sam Osterhout or things you think we should ask in our future profiles? Leave them in the comments!

    —
    Get the scoop before it’s scooped. Join The Nice List!

    Share Comments Read More