formspring.me

Hey, what happened to the Art and Emily metblog?

Well, we both got pretty busy, and trying to find something to do that we could write about, then doing it, then actually writing about it, was starting to feel like more of a chore than it should have.

We did have a fun time writing together and have talked about collaborating on something else in the future, but right now Art's not really taking on any new projects unless they're paid since, you know, there are bills to be paid and the man's gotta work.

So if you're interested in paying Art (or both of us) to write something, this is a good place to start: http://artallen.net. Otherwise, you might have to wait until life slows down a little bit or Art becomes super wealthy.

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Required Reading

Something I really miss about studying English in college was being constantly forced to read difficult (but good) literature, the kind of books that you struggle to get through but are glad you read afterward, even if just to understand all the references to it elsewhere.

Lately, I've been missing this and trying to get back into reading Important Books. I'm currently working on Anna Karenina, and I'm just struggling.

I want to read the book. I'm enjoying the book. In fact, I can't wait to see what's going to happen to all these Russians who've been sluttin' it up all over Europe. It's just something that's hard to sink my teeth into after a long day of work when my brain is tired and can barely handle the E! network.

In college it was much less of a problem because I was a good student and a nerd and would do the reading because I was supposed to do the reading. But now? I'm the only one making myself do it, and I'm tired.

Maybe I just need a book club to guilt me into it.

A Little Secret

So you know how when it snows you get all panicky and decide you should probably leave the office at 3:00 to beat the rush?

So does everyone else.

I left the office a little after 5:00 tonight, and my speed was only limited by road conditions, not other cars.

Now, I know this doesn't apply to every commute and every situation, and I know some of you have kids to pick up at daycare and whatnot. However, I think we could all calm down a little bit about the snow. We're Minnesotans, after all. Show some intestinal fortitude!

formspring.me

How is your half-marathon training going?

Well, I don't "officially" start the 12-week training program I chose until Sunday. (Happy Valentine's Day to me!)

The whole running thing is still going pretty well though, and since I picked a nice, easy "novice" training schedule, I don't expect to truly start hating it for another month or so.

I'll be sure to keep you guys updated as my training gets more intense.

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What should I eat for lunch?

Guys, I'm really bored with lunch.

In an effort to be more frugal and healthy (as well as more efficient at work because it's a bit of a hike from my office to grab a bite to eat unless you're cool with eating Jimmy John's every. single. day.), I've been packing my lunch most days.

But I think I'm really bad at it.

I hate eating things like Lean Cuisines (they leave me not quite full and sort of depressed -- sorry, Stephanie!), and I'm getting sick of the turkey sandwich and fruit routine I seem to have fallen into.

So what are some easy, healthy and inexpensive lunches I can make for myself to escape the boredom? Help!

formspring.me

Do you think Bernard will miss being tortured by Kurth?

It's hard to say. Bernard is pretty pleased with ANY form of attention and will come running back for more no matter what you do to him, so I think he likes having Kurth around even if he's shoving him into a Michelob Golden Light (ew) box.

However, he's going to have Art and another cat (assuming Triskit doesn't go into permanent hiding to avoid him) to pay attention to him, so I think he'll be okay.

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More Balloon Conspiracies*

So remember when I thought that Tuthill's Balloon Emporium on Hennepin was totally run by the mafia because how could a balloon store possibly stay in business at that location?

Well, now that Meg Tuthill is now a public official, the store is now called the Corner Balloon Shoppe, which is apparently still owned by the family because their website claims that that store is 25 years old.

What is going on here?

*Disclaimer: I don't actually think the store is run by the balloon mafia. Everyone calm down.

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How'd you wind up in Minneapolis? (Short time reader! Don't get mad!)

I'm not sure if I've ever really written about it, so don't worry, Short Time Reader Who I'm Not Mad At.

I moved here in May 2007 about a week after I graduated from UW-Madison. I'd just accepted an internship at a local PR firm that, as it turns out, would make me sort of miserable.

Anyway, right after graduation, I bought a car from a friend, packed it up with all my worldly possessions that would fit into a Honda CR-V and hit the road.

And I've been here ever since.

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formspring.me

If you could grow a beard and enter the contest, how would you style it?

Get with the program, anonymous question asker! Ladies are totally allowed to enter the Minnesota Beard-Off in the freestyle category!

http://mnbeardoff.com/the-categories

Also, did you see the judges? Because there are awesome judges.

http://mnbeardoff.com/the-judges

BUT, to answer the question in the spirit in which it was intended, I would go with a full beard. When it comes to facial hair, I'm very "all or nothing."

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formspring.me

Who is your favorite Star Trek The Next Generation character, and why?

That's actually a really difficult question because I have two characters that I greatly enjoy: Data and Worf.

And what makes this so hard is that my absolute favorite part about both of these characters is their interactions with each other, particularly when they share knowing "those crazy humans and whatever they're up to now" glances.

So for a while I was leaning toward Worf because of that one time he said "You may now give birth" to Keiko O'Brien, but then again, he had that episode where he dressed like a ninja and tried to make the colony of peace-loving Klingons more belligerent.

Data, on the other hand, provided me with more regular comic relief and "straight man" value, so I think I'm going to have to go with Data.

Yep, Data.

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