Girl Friday

Girl Friday's 2009 in Review

My babies. I know I slacked off a little towards the end of the year. I know Girl Friday hasn't been jammin' like it has in the past. But I've been busy; I've been busy trying to wrap up a cookbook for publication by spring 2010. I've been busy finding the right investor for my business partner and me in our next venture, which will be food-related. Details to come on that, but for now it's tucked pretty tightly under our hats.

Since it was a sorta quiet year for blogging for me -- unless you follow me on Twitter, then I'm sure there were days when you wish I'd just shut the f**k up -- and since I've run out of time to compile a lengthy end-of-year post encompassing the works and highlights of all my fellow bloggers, writers and otherwise creative artists, I'll just post some pivotal Girl Friday moments from 2009.

January: I lost two pets. Coco and Steve, the most awesome goldfish in the world, may you rest in peace.

February: I finally hit the big time. In North Branch. I was profiled on the front page (above the fold!) of my hometown paper.

March: Fugaise, the best restaurant in Minneapolis, closed, but at least I got in for one last meal. (And someone else picked up the tab.)

April: Johnny Michaels and I threw a fundraiser for the animals and raised $1,178.00 for Home for Life. We've since had trouble securing a liquor sponsor for future events, but we definitely still want to turn this into a regular, roving event.

May: Star. Trek. 

June: Gabby's Saloon and Eatery fought the law... and Gabby's won! Score one for the businesses of Northeast Minneapolis.

July: I became a Nintendo brand enthusiast -- yes, we all hate the term and, no, I've never once been under obligation to blog, Tweet or Facebook about it -- and I'm glad I did. They send me free stuff all the time, including over $50.00 worth of LORAC makeup.

August: I joined forces with two other lovers of Tego Calderón to create the crusade to bring Tego to Minneapolis. He will come, because we will bring him here.

September: I got a new tattoo! It's a kitty.

October: October sucked. Let's talk about something else.

November: I participated in Erik Janzen's "Stories from Exile" short film series, and it was a hit. Erik's just been invited to screen the series at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he will speak on a GLBT panel, and Erik is also planning to take the films on a Midwest tour.

December: I was reminded just how much fun being a freelance writer can be.

Have a great night tonight, everyone! And a wonderful new year! 2009 sucked for a lot of us for a million different reasons, but 2010 looks pretty promising already.

Friday Night Rollerdisco!

Whoops, I guess it was a little quiet this week at GF HQ. Here's a quick reminder about the vita.mn event tomorrow (Friday) night at the Roller Garden in St. Louis Park:

Snowball: An Old School Funk and Rollerdisco!

Vita.mn and Ragstock present the second annual Snowball: An Old School Funk and Rollerdisco. It’s hosted by Alexis on the Sexes and the North Star Roller Girls, starting at 9 p.m. and running through midnight at the Roller Garden in St. Louis Park.

Ragstock will be on-site for all to purchase holiday gear. $7 to get in and on skates, and includes dessert treats courtesy of Red Stag Supper Club. The first 70 in the door will receive the brand new Alexis t-shirt from Vita.mn. Oh, and best dressed will win a prize package from Roller Garden including brand new roller skates.

The Roller Garden is a dry venue, so plan accordingly.

The free tee shirt is hot. It doesn't look like this, though. It's much cuter.

Still Alive

Wow, I haven't updated this blog since last week? For shame, Alexis. For shame.

I haven't died or anything. Rather the opposite, as this week I've been busy obsessing over obese flight attendants on vita.mn and Chris Shaffer on Twitter. He has amazing hair.

I want to give a belated shout out to Nintendo for throwing a party for my friends and me a few Sundays ago, and especially for giving everyone a free DSi. And for catering it with awesome food and for being cool with the fact that we drank every last drop of booze in under three hours.

Also, big ups to Cirque du Soleil for the gratis tickets to Kooza last week. I'd never seen a CDS show before and I was totally blown away. Highly recommended, for all ages.

Alright, my inbox is full of great stuff, so here we go:

- The Uptown Market will hold its second event this Sunday. Check out wares from local artists, crafters, farmers and food vendors from 11:00am-5:00pm. They're on 29th Street between Lyndale and Dupont.

- If you loved the antics of my fellow 10 Second Film Festival judge, the misguided philanthropist Mrs. Smith, head to Patrick's Cabaret this Friday and Saturday night. Local actor and musician David Hanbury will be performing as Mrs. Smith for "Queer Boyz Nite," starting at 8:00pm both nights.

- Minneapolis Picks has launched Minneapolis Picks Perks. Take advantage of great monthly specials at all the best local shops and boutiques in the metro area.

- Arc's Value Village is having a storewide summer clearance sale next Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th. All merchandise (except white-tagged items) will be 50% off.

-The Living Room at the W Hotel is now hosting Martini & Mani Mondays. Every Monday from 5:30-8:00pm, just $17 will get you a martini and a manicure (courtesy of Denny Kemp Salon) or a martini and a massage. That, as you know, is a great deal.

- No more confusion, it's definitely this Saturday, July 25th: Blacklist Vintage is having a Digger's Sale from 11:00am-7:00pm. Owner Vanessa Messersmith says she's lining the sidewalk with $1-5 bins full of vintage textiles, clothing and housewares, and the shop's entire inventory will be 10% off. There will also be free cupcakes and drinks, $1 regular and veggie hot dogs and Transmission DJ Jake Rudh spinning from 12:00-4:00pm. Sounds like a party!

[Or is it August 22? Or 29? Or, and this is most likely, is it really this Saturday, July 25th? Stay tuned for a correction. The email I got last week definitely says "Saturday, August 25."]