Kurtis:

I don’t think it does a service to any community to exaggerate how awful it is and make it sound like a total cesspool just to make your own boring “story” of having bought a fixer upper more movie worthy.

I don’t see how it’s exaggerating to document open air drug dealing, boarded home break-ins, wandering prostitutes, and slumlords building irresponsible and illegal properties. Shining a light on crap isn’t exaggerating. However, if one gets the impression that the entire North side of Minneapolis is as rough as the stuff Johnny chooses to document on his blog, I can see where one would be miffed.

It may be worth spending time learning more about the topic of the movie before dismissing it based on your assumptions, Kurtis. Having had a chance to see clips, and knowing many of the people involved in the project, I know that John’s actions in North will play a significant role in the film, but the story is not about him.

Bixby:

“I also don’t really know what Johnny Northside’s blog does besides make me want to punch him. Fighting crime in one’s neighborhood and working to improve it great but I don’t think the blog really helps anything.”

I can think of at least a few things Johnny’s blog has achieved:

1. It’s motivated me to spend more time in that part of the city.

2. I’ve spent more money in that part of the city.

3. I’ve attended community meetings about issues important to me in that part of the city.

4. I’ve made friends who I never would have met without being brought together by events John has blogged about.

If you’re going to be a pain in the ass, as John has chosen to be to slumlords, drug dealers, and deadbeat community council members, having a blog is a great way to demonstrate just how much of a pain in the ass you are. It allows John to scale his pain in the assedness beyond community meetings, 311 calls, and other interactions.

The Jordan Livability Blog and Anna Pratt both have more information about the $50,000 lawsuit.

I hear that there was a dramatic reading of the papers by John at the party. I’m sorry I missed that.

Some time in recent years, Minneapolis changed the texture of the ramp in their sidewalk cuts. The above photo is an example of what the city is using these days. I happened to grab this photo at 46th Ave S & Lake St E but I’ve seen them used throughout the city in areas with new streets and curbs.

Before using this style, the ramp down to the street from sidewalk height was relatively smooth. In some cases, it was poured concrete. In others, it was a slightly rough surface made up of small rocks.

So, why is the new version with golf ball sized pimples lame? Because it’s difficult to rollerblade over. Small wheels and big bumps don’t mix.

This is particularly problematic on the Northern section of the Grand Rounds. Over the weekend, Carly and I looped from the Stone Arch bridge up past the U of MN, Diagonal Trail, Stinson, St. Anthony, Weber, Victory Memorial, and Wirth Parkways, then back on the Cedar Lake trail on blades.

The new Grand Rounds paths are awesome . . . with one exception. Every road crossing sucks on rollerblades because you have to deal with two of these bumpy sidewalk cuts. Frankly, for most rollerbladers, it’s enough to make the otherwise awesome paths unusable.

I imagine there were some decent reasons for the change to this particular surface. If you know, I’d love to hear it.

What’s the first thing you’d want to eat after spending some time in the slammer? Clearly, a hot dog from The Wienery. Check out the wristbands above the counter.

While waiting for my bacon-wrapped Mexican style hot dog to arrive, I noticed that 1981 is a popular year of birth on the wristbands.

At 5′10″, 135, Mr. Strobel could probably use a few dogs.

To get a feel for what I’m talking about, check out this clip I shot with my phone on E Lake Street after getting off Hiawatha. The dinging starts 16 seconds into the video:

This was on a 1-2 minute loop, so this was around the 15th time the beeping happened during this cab ride home.

Strangely, with only a few blocks to go, the taxi drive dropped an f-bomb and buckled up . . . by buckling the belt behind his body.

What are your thoughts on gratuities after dealing with this nonsense?