Tried for maybe two hours last night and finally got through for the Minnesota Appliance Rebate. After the first hour or so, I didn’t even care about the $150 off a dishwasher (we haven’t had a working one for maybe a year). It was, at that point, sheer determination. I’d get to the website (www.mnappliancerebate.com) and get the info filled out, then, when prompted to fill in the two word code on the screen, would have the site crash. Was redialing the cellphone for the 800 number every few seconds. The kids were working the landline. When I started calling, at maybe 630 pm, the site said there was more than $300,000 left in the dishwasher fund. By 730 it was $200,000 or so. When I finally got back on the website, Ii couldn’t read the code words, so clicked the audio code word option, and the message that I had to type into the code box was was like 20 words long. I am serious. It was something like “I was not looking to cause trouble, but I was finally able to find the correct escape door.”

So we have a printed rebate form at least.

I bet there are a lot of ticked off people. I just know that, somewhere in northern Minnesota, some elderly woman, unable to read those distorted code words, clicked on that audio code message, heard that insanely long sentence, and just started crying.

I know I nearly did.

Jay Furst, star of the P-B (Post-Bulletin) …

And …

Betty White, star of GG (”Golden Girls”) …

Though, we should note, Jay was supposedly photographed wearing the wig as part of a vote-getting ploy for the Aspiring Conductor Contest. Also, this is far more of a slap to Betty White than it is to Jay.

i know nothing about figure skating–except for the fact that the costumes in the ice dancing portion look very much like they could have been in the will ferrell movie “blades of glory”–but announcer scott hamilton crying after the performance by canadian skater Joannie Rochette–whose mother just died a few days ago–was pretty moving.

and now, after rereading this, i have just decided that i am going to destroy this post after 24 hours.

ok, sorry for the weird al-covers “la bamba” reference, but i am desperate for some good lasagna. any suggestions? preferably from one of our advertisers …

Buried in all of the excellent stories, editorials, and hundreds of online comments regarding the new Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau contract, was this, in a comment allegedly from Brad Jones, the RCVB’s CEO: “I must first say that I rarely read the PB and never look at posts and comments online at the PB’s website …”

What the?

… are over. But, as soon as they knew it was a snow day, my kids were begging to go to Denny’s for today’s “free Grand Slams for everyone in America” promo advertised during the Super Bowl.

My wife apparently caved in and took them, along with another mom, her kids, and her parents. Here’s Lindy’s rundown:

“It only took about five minutes to get in. Everyone had to line up outside. They didn’t take names. Just whoever was next in line got to enter the restaurant and take their seat. We got a four person table. So I took the four oldest kids in and got them set up at the table. While I was doing that the table right behind got cleaned, so Claudia and her parents got to come in and the four of us sat at that table. We ordered drinks. Then they brought out our food. Everyone got exactly the same thing. You didn’t get to choose your eggs. Everyone got scrambled. Our bills for both tables were $8 -something each. For the cost of the drinks. Staff was very upbeat. Everything ran smoothly and quickly.”

i rarely eat breakfast, but was in dire need of an eggo this morning. and though eggos are one of our two staple items in the freezer (along with pizza rolls), there were none. my wife claimed that it was because of “the flood at the eggo factory,” which sounded made up. it’s not.

i’m sorry for this, viking fans. but, as a lions fan, i can only bring my team up by putting others down. also, so many of you sent me the “Owen 16″ jersey photo, that i think you deserve this …

Tip from Mike “Digital Mike” Dougherty (and we won’t ask what he was searching for when he found this), but The Daily Beast ranked Minnesota as the 32nd Most Beautiful State (which is really supposed to be some ranking of the physical beauty of each state’s population based on what appears to be a formula of fitness rankings, pageant finishes, and models). But, Rochesterite Emily Sandberg is listed as a “beautiful native.” I’m from Michigan (we’re number 22! and represented by Dita Von Teese!) The entire list is here.

i’m not sure what that headline even means. ok, i’m not a big fan of musicals, but saw RENT last night in minneapolis while interviewing Andrew Rasmussen, a local guy-turned NYC actor who is producing/directing the musical. it was really well done and in a very cool, 6,000-square foot, 300-seat theater in the warehouse district. click here for ticket info.