Brave New Workshop

Driving Around Uptown April Night

I love Uptown Minneapolis at night.

"Armed Robbery" All the Talk in Uptown

Armed robbery seems to be the talk of the town here. Three suspects armed with a silver semi-automatic handgun and a black 6” revolver are striking in and around the Calhoun Square area, which is right where I live. Needless to say, I’m pissed. At first I didn’t think much of it, but when I found out they were striking groups of up to three people I got a little spooked. Now many are wondering what’s going on around here? The suspects have struck at least 12 times after 11:00 p.m. but I heard it was more like 19 times in the last three weeks. Please click here Police Crime Alerts for more information, especially if you are an Uptown resident. Is anyone gonna grow a pair and stop these guys or what?

Grand Rounds Sign

Uptown_4_05_Lakes_Sign_1963, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Just like the sign from this angle for some reason. Lake of the Isles, Arpil 2005.

Little Wooden Box of Mystery

Uptown_4_05_Bench_BW_1945, originally uploaded by Black Java.

I was walking the shoreline down by Lake of the Isles the other day on a mission to take some photos and do some thinking. While heading back towards the path I discovered this box on a bench that faced out over the lake. The bench was old but not in a bad way, but rather in a good way as if it had weathered many storms and somehow looked natural in it surroundings. This made the old bench appealing especially with the freshly cut grass surrounding it.


Immediately I sat down on the bench next to the box, for this box had no doubt captured my attention as well. It was a wooden box, small in size with gold hinges and a black ink stamp ran half way across the top. It appeared to be a cigar box of some kind but it didn't give off the impression that cigars were inside. Cigars kept in boxes usually are expensive and who would leave those behind? Maybe it was a bomb and I was about to become the victim of a random act of violence. No, I thought, my life isn't that interesting. Maybe it was full of money or maybe it was nothing. I made the conclusion that it was probably art supplies and someone had been drawing near the lake or something.

I continued to sit next to the box wondering what could be inside. Rather than opening the box though, I opened a book "All the President's Men"€ instead. I sat there for a half hour or so reading and waiting for someone to come by to claim the box/bomb and reassure me that my life wasn't that interesting. But no one came.


In the end I decided to leave the box just as I had found it, pressed up against the side of the bench, untouched and unopened. What could be more interesting than that? Some things are best left a mystery I guess.

Bridges N' Water, Plus a Lil' Urban Wildlife

Uptown_4_05_Bridge_BW_1936, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Photos taken between Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. Uptown Minneapolis Arpril 20, 2005.

Nice Day in Uptown

Uptown_4_05_1896, originally uploaded by Black Java.

It was so nice in Uptown this weekend that I had to go out and take some pictures. Most of the photos I took were lousy. What are ya gonna do. Heres one of the better ones.

No Smoking in Uptown Blows

Uptown Smokin Ban, originally uploaded by Black Java.

No smoking in Minneapolis! The first thing that popped in my head when I heard there was gonna be a smoking ban in Uptown was Liquor Lyle’s. I would guess 90% of people that go to that bar smoke. This ban is gonna effect their business big time. Some other Smoky Uptown bars that come to mind are the Red Dragon (try their punch bowl thing) and Mortimer’s. They will also be greatly effected by this and probably lose business too.

I’m not a smoker but I do believe in small government, less laws the better, etc., so I’m not happy with this at all. What other rights are in jeopardy, blah blah blah, you get the drift. Next thing you know people are going to complain about the smoke outside near the entrance to bars/restaurants. Black Java is not happy.

Lake Calhoun Snowman and Company

Uptown_Calhoun_Snowman_1854, originally uploaded by Black Java.

This shot was taken March 20th @ 6:30 or so. I decided to post it because to me it just screams Minnesota. I haven't checked but I'm sure frosty is swimmin' with the fishes by now. Here's another image Zoomed and Cropped below. click here for more photos around the lakes

Four more ways to STOP Bush

Uptown_Stop_Bush_1853, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Four more ways to STOP Bush. This Is the second stop sign in Uptown I've stumbled across with Bush underneath. It was located at the same intersection as the previous one and It wouldn't surprise me if there were more out there.

If every Uptown resident that disagreed with Bush's policies was given one stop sign to tag the city would have to create a 4-way intersection every couple feet or so. Surely this would generate tons of construction jobs for the state. Could this be the economic boom Minnesota has been looking for? Would both sides of the isle be happy? Am I onto something here...click hear for more photos with reference to Uptown Politics

That's One Cheap Haircut I Tell Ya!

Uptown_Haircut_1815, originally uploaded by Black Java.

I'm not sure what a hair cut under $10 looks like. Fortunately I've never had to find out either. Signs like this make me feel lucky.

Nothin Pretty Bout Sudz Beauty Salon

Uptown_Accident_1806, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Check it out. This dude passed out and plowed his Econoline van into Sudz Beauty Salon on 24th and Hennepin Sunday. It totally took out a whole corner of this 2 story brick building. No one was in the Salon @ the time of the accident and the apartment upstairs was vacant as well. The driver was trapped for like 30 minutes in all the rubble. Last time I heard he was in stable condition and he's gonna make it. Here's some shots I took on Monday. The van had already been removed by then.

While I was shootin' I noticed the vacuum in the apartment was still plugged in. Major Bummer man. Knowing that they just cleaned the place right before it collapsed was probably an extra blow they could have done without.

More images below:

Uptown Mpls Blog Home Page

4 Ways to STOP Bush

4 Ways to STOP Bush, originally uploaded by Black Java.

4 Ways to STOP Bush. I noticed this sign about a month ago but never got around to shootin it. This shot was taken into the sun. I rarely do this but I had to on this occasion. The end result is "blown out" red pixels because I had to pump up the brightness to read the sign. The sky looks about right though. Uptown Minneapolis, March 05.

The Triple Bone Effect

March_05_Three_Bones_1789, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Three bones. Center is original shot. Black N white = Lizzy. Inverted = Rizzy. Uptown Minneapolis, March 05.

Robin Egg Wall Slight Angle

Robin_Egg_Wall_1784, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Robin egg wall slight angle. Original photo above, some image manipulation below. Uptown Minneapolis, March 05.

Robin Egg Wall Straight on Shot

Robin_Egg_Wall_1783, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Robin egg wall straight on shot. Original photo above, some image manipulation below. Love the rich colors and shadow play. Uptown Minneapolis, March 05.

Steaks Dinner

Steaks_Dinner_1_24_05_1685, originally uploaded by Black Java.

This is what Steaks (roommate) had for dinner one night. He just might be the only person in the world who's ever had this fine combination of food. The pizza is reheated from the night before and it's not even delivery. Presentation is everything right Steaks?

Hennepin and Lake Intersection

Uptown_Mpls_Night_3_22_1748, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Just a shot I took @ the Hennepin and Lake intersection.

Drivin' Round Uptown

DT_MplsSkyline_F_Isles_1767, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Just drivin round uptown @ night

Why here?

Uptown_Mpls_CC_Feb_05_1706, originally uploaded by Black Java.

Every year uptown does this crazy thing where they fill arguably the busiest intersection is mpls with snow for some big cross county race. Does it have to go right through the middle of uptown? Some image manipulation below...