Anyone who’s every spoken to me for more than seven minutes knows that I reap the same warm, comforting feelings from the Minneapolis Skyway system as most people would experience on a quiet, tropical beach. Moving into a Skyway-connected building instantly transformed my outlook on Minnesota winters – in that winter was no longer my problem.
As such, I hatched this tribute video. [If you can’t see the video, click here]
I had a lot of help making this video. Foremost thanks goes to Kaeti Hinck, who probably spent more time working on this thing than I did, and whose directing, editing and creative input significantly affected its overall awesomeness. Thanks also goes to actors Rachel Hunsinger and Jill Wigert.
I have an embarrassing confession to make.
Before this video, I thought the Skyway was some kind of futuristic public transportation system. I had an image of an elevated monorail type of thing.
More than once I thought “Monorails are pretty cool, but why the hell does Leif love a train so much? And why is he spending all winter loitering in train stations/tunnels?”
I have no idea why I thought that but now it all makes sense.
Great video Leif!
Thanks for shedding some light on skyway walking etiquette. My peeve in that regard is large groups who’re oblivious to anyone using the skyways for transportation. They’re not urban parkways – at least not during pedestrian rush hours.
Ah! I am living abroad now but that video was a lovely reminder of home. Wow, a Skyway connected building. Your life really has changed for the better. Enjoy your winter!
Excellent. Your Minneapolis-related things are my favorites.
Yes! Thank goodness for the Skyway system of Minneapolis. Many people are moving to MN, some of them are from the warmer states such as AZ. It will make the transition somewhat easier for them.
Thanks everyone!
@Jon – No monorail here in Minneapolis (yet), but since everything one could conceivably need is right here in downtown (or in some cases, Uptown), why bother?
@Ed – Yeah, that one kills me too. The convention center groups are the worst. Glacial speed, oblivious, lost (well we all get lost at some stage, but we don’t get our bearings while 15 of us block a vital junction).
@Becca – Tell me about it. I had no idea how easy MN winters could be. Step 1: lose the car. Step 2: move into Skyway-connected building. Step 3: descend into permanent bliss.
@Bree – Yeah, I get especially excited about Mpls posts too, but those only hit about 4% of my audience, so I have to use the topic judiciously.
@Rebecca – It sounds as if you have some personal experience on moving from AZ to MN?
Great job. I’ll chip in $1 to buy Leif a wireless mike for Christmas.
This video made my day. As an upstate New Yorker displaced in the Midwest, I understand the scourge of the winter and how the city shuts down. In Lansing, Michigan, it’s like Bodie California in the winter.
On a side note, I really enjoy your writing. You have the guts to do what most of us dream about. I’m a laid off journalist (http://thelaidoffjournalist.blogspot.com/) planning the next step.
@Lee – Yeah, some of that audio was awful. We had an area mic, but as we didn’t exactly have permission to shoot in any of those places, the set-up became a little too conspicuous. Viewers missed out on the full, rich tenor of my voice!
@Christian – Join the club. I’m taking a well deserved break right now, but there’s no work on offer on the horizon. I hear Starbucks gives benefits after 30 hours a week.
Ah, Leif – exactly how long have you been standing out in minus twenty degrees?
“I reap the same warm, comforting feelings from the Minneapolis Skyway system as most people would experience on a quiet, tropical beach.”
Is that with or without the Meyers & O.J. and the near-naked women of that quiet, tropical beach?
Just asking, buddy.