This week at work, I photographed the Ballet of the Dolls' production of Le Chat Noir ( a french cabaret ). Housed in the Ritz theater in northeast Minneapolis -- this innovative dance company puts on a fabulous show. If you miss(ed) Le Chat Noir - I suggest you reserve your seats for the Nutcracker?! (not so) Suite - December 12-31.

Cornhole is a fabulous yard game in which teams toss bean bags across the lawn at strategically designed platforms. (it is simple. and addicting.) You can learn more about cornhole, including how to make your own set, at The American Cornhole Association's web site. I promise I'm not making this up.

Anyway, my roommate recently built a fancy new cornhole set and then taught me how to play. Since then, I have continually beat him and am quickly becoming the grand master cornhole champion of the house.

We have such a good time that, to what I am certain is the utter delight of our neighbors -- we don't even stop when the sun sets...

This week at work we covered the Minnesota Roller Girls at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. It was a tremendous amount of fun and I highly recommend checkin' out the next bout.

Sometimes I make things other than pictures and I've decided those things will live on this blog too. I learned this one from my friend, Kelly - and I think it's pretty brilliant.

* Just use regular ol' quick cake mix - any kind you like - and mix up the batter per the directions on the box.
* Pour the batter into the cups but don't fill it too much past the first line where the cone begins to curve out. (Otherwise the batter cooks over the edge and you get what looks like melting cup cones ... er, cone cakes.)
* The cones are pretty sturdy and I have made them before by just setting them on a cookie sheet. However, for a bit more stability, loosely wrap a small piece of aluminum foil around the base of the cone and put it in a muffin tin.
* Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.
* Let 'em cool. Frost 'em - or not , and eat!

This week at work I celebrated my German roots at Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Minnesota with Lynn, Carol and the crew. The people were fabulous. The weather was great. The beer was tasty.





And of course, a few behind the scenes...

Fun with German hats!


Self portrait in sun glasses.

This week I enjoyed a much needed respite in Portland, Oregon. I visited good friends. Got my relaxin' on. And finally saw the Oregon Coast.

(photo above: M. Rabwin)

I would like to send a quick note of thanks to my friend Micah for allowing me to school him in Shuffleboard. I needed the win.

Additionally, no vacation is complete without a bit of work ... that is, of course, if you're hoping to write it off. I worked with my friend, Dave Casey to shoot some promotional photos for the release of his forthcoming EP. (Check out Dave's music at: http://www.myspace.com/thedrcasey.)

We found this dog. He is adorable:

Seriously, I don't even like dogs and this guy is good. He just needs a loving home. Please email me if you are interested or know someone who might be.