So I made it back.  In my first five full days back in Minnesota, I have managed to do an embarrassing amount of things, many of them very Minnesota.

Thursday Morning: Went to the annual Carleton Garage Sale.  It starts at 8:00 AM, though there are already hordes of Midwesterners lined up outside the building by 7:30.  I got some summery skirts and dresses.

Thursday Evening: Acted as a bouncer at the beer garden for “Taste of Northfield,” the annual event at which Northfield food establishments show off their wares.  Also, the James Gang does one of its bank raids.  My father, the King of Northfield, got me the volunteer job.  (He didn’t mention all the free beer that accompanies it!)

Friday Afternoon: Watched “The O.C.” on DVD with Phoebe.

Friday Night: Drove to the cities with Goldfeather to attend a surprise birthday party for Chris (not Semple), my housemate of last summer.

Saturday Evening: Had a potluck in Maia’s backyard, with our three “Old Neighborhood Families.”  The potluck included potato salad, fresh watermelon, and apple crisp.  Also, wine made in Iowa (this is as bad as it sounds).

Saturday Night: Baked a cake at Goldfeather’s house and watched “Brace Yourself!”, a VHS she stole from the back brace clinic when she was fitted for hers (she had to wear it 24 hours a day for the first two years of high school—it is things like this which make me critical of those who casually proclaim themselves nerds).

Sunday Afternoon: Worked on today’s comic while watching This American Life the Television Series, Season 2.

Sunday Night: Shit got totally Meta.  Goldfeather and Maia came over and read the comic about themselves.  Then we played “Social Life,” a board game created by Goldfeather, Maia, and Phoebe about social life in Northfield.

Tonight I am going to a belated solstice party!