Welcome to the page of random stuff! This is where everything goes that doesn't fit in on my other pages. Some stuff you'll see on here: places to go in the Twin Cities, how to play Mafia (a C/G fave), and what to catch on TV. All this and a whole lot more!
A really fun party game, or it's something to do when you're with a lot of people and you're bored out of your mind, and you're really good at lying. Here's how you play:
This game works best with a lot of people, preferably over 8, but under 20. You start out by writing letters on slips of paper: 1 with a J for judge, one with a D for doctor, one with an S for sherriff, 2-3 with an M for mafia, and the rest with a C for citizen. Everyone picks a slip, and the letter designates what role they play; however, you don't say what role you got, except if you got the judge. The judge presides over the game. OK, now you're set. The judge says, "Town go to sleep," and everyone closes their eyes (no peeking!) Then the judge says, "Mafia wake up." The people who are the mafia open their eyes. The judge asks the mafia, "Who do you want to kill?" The mafia communicate to the judge (non-verbally) who they want to kill (by pointing or something). Then the judge says, "Mafia goes to sleep," and the mafia close their eyes again. Then the judge says, "Sheriff, wake up." The sherriff opens his/her eyes. The judge asks, "Who do you want to know about?" The sheriff points to someone, and the judge tells them whether or not they are in the mafia (after all, the judge knows all.) The judge then says, "Sheriff, go to sleep," and then says, "Doctor, wake up." The doctor opens his eyes, and the judge asks, "Who do you want to save?" The doctor points to someone that they want to protect from being murdered. They can save someone else or themselves. Then the judge says, "Doctor go to sleep, " and then says, "Town, wake up." Everyone opens their eyes. The judge then announces if there's been a murder or an attempted murder. If there's been a murder, the judge announces who was killed, and that person is out of the game. If there's been an attempted murder (meaning the doctor saved the person the mafia wanted to kill off), the judge doesn't say who the murder was attempted on. So after all that jazz, the town debates on who to kill off. The goal of the citizens is to kill off the mafia, and the goal of the mafia (posing and acting like citizens) is to kill off the citizens. So the town debates, and if someone is nominated to be killed off, that person must state why they should not be killed off. The town takes a vote, and if the majority votes to kill off the person, they are out of the game. If the majority decides not to kill the person, they are saved, and someone else must be nominated for murder. Once someone is killed off by the town, the whole process starts over. The game is over when either the citizens kill off all the mafia, or the mafia kills off all the citizens.
It sounds like a long and complicated process, but the game can be pretty fast-moving, and is a lot of fun, especially if you really get into it and you're a good liar (if you're a mafia).
Brit's Pub--1110 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis
One of my favorite restaurants in the Cities, this authentic English pub is right across from Orchestra Hall and is in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. The veddy, veddy British main room includes a long bar lined with happy-hour beer knocker-backers, cigar smokers, and loud people. A portrait of the Queen hangs over the fireplace that's surrounded by wing-back chairs. A loft holds pool tables and more quiet dining space, and another, much quieter, dining room is furnished with wing chairs and little tables. An authentic bowling green makes for a pretty outdoor dining area in the back. My recommendations? Get the Chicken Masala Curry-a currychicken dish with saffron rice and marmalade. Any fish dish is excellent, too. Plus, of course, there's all the malts, liquors, ales, and guinesses to choose from (of course, I can't...yet). Click on the logo for more information.
Cafe Latte--on Grand Avenue, corner of Grand and Victoria, St. Paul
Another of my favorite places to eat, this restaurant looks like a chic cafeteria, but it offers some of the best food around. They offer everything from desserts (their cheesecake is the best!) to a full coffee bar, to salads, sandwiches, spreads, and soups (and they're all supreme and delicious). There's two levels, over looking the historic Grand Avenue (if you're lucky, you might see a cop ride by on a horse!). My favorites? The mocha white chocolate cheesecake, the turkey and avacado on focaccia bread sandwich, the chicken salsa chili (with everything), and a hot cider cream (hot spiced cider with whipped cream). Click here for more information.
Sidney's Pizza Cafe--917 Grand Ave. St. Paul
Some of the best pizza and pasta available in a sitdown area. The pizza is baked in the authentic wood-burning pizza ovens, and come in a variety of flavors besides your basic pepperoni and cheese. The pasta is excellent too. My favorite is the Cajun pasta...very spicy stuff (for a spicy girl like me!). Click here for more information.
Famous Dave's BBQ Shack--Calhoun Square (Hennepin Ave and Lake St West), Minneapolis.
A great place to go for dinner, music, drinks, fun, whatever! We took MK here for her birthday, and we all loved it! They have free live music several times throughout the week. And the ribs are to die for, or so I am told! I am not a huge ribs fan, so I take the recommendation of others. However, judging by the portions, any dish will be satisfying here. Of course, you never know until you try! Click here for more information.
Noodles & Company--3040 Excelsior Blvd #101, Minneapolis.
And I used to think Noodles only existed in Madison! This restaurant is one of the best pasta places ever. The types of dishes range from the simple to exoctic, from the spicy to the extra-spicy! My favorite dish is the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese-a huge bowl of macaroni covered with melted cheddar and monterrey jack cheese! It sure beats a bowl of Kraft! I also recommend the Pesto Cavatappi and the Roma Tomato Marinara. There's lots of stuff to choose from, so there's something for everybody! Click on the logo to see their website.
Caribou Coffee--Mall of America, and other various locations
Yes, it's a chain coffee shop, but it can sure beat Starbucks! It's got a type of Northwoods-y feeling to it, and the drinks are excellent! I like to get the Hot Apple Blast-hot cider with spices, caramel, and whipped cream-and the Fruit Smoothies. Click here for more information.
Oceanaire Seafood Room--third level, Hyatt Hotel-downtown Minneapolis
Fancy, fancy. A bit expensive. Awesome food! The menu changes daily and offers a ton of different seafood...everything from rare fish to lobster to caviar to crabs to who knows what else!! There are a few non-seafood dishes for the non-seafood lover (like me), and don't pass up the desserts! They're also excellent!
I found this greeting card at a shop in Door County, and I think it's pretty cool:
