After facing a grueling cavity search from security at SFO Airport, Crystal and Emmit (her new boyfriend) arrive in the much-advertised Twin Cities. There were long delays due to the recent terrorist activity in the UK. And she'll probably want me to mention there wasn't really a cavity search; it's just my way of saying she waited 3 hours in security check lines.

As she arrived, Greg and I were facing our own headache with rush-hour traffic, car crashes and a slow crawl to the airport across town. But after all the stress...Crystal and Emmit arrive in Minnesota.

Meet Emmit, a recent grad from Chico State University. As an enthusiastic fan of Giants baseball, Greg and I embraced him immediately as one of our own. It wasn't long ago when G. and I cheered for the team that proved they could always win the game but inevitably would never let you taste the sweetness of it. GO GIANTS!

But he's loyal, he's repectful to my sister and that's what matters.

Snakes on plane! (That's for you Emmit.)

Thursday: From the airport, we went directly to Tom Reid's Wild Hockey sports bar & restaurant. The food was grand, and I think they enjoyed their first taste of Minnesota's Summit Pale Ale. After all, they do live in Chico, Ca., where Sierra Nevada brews their Pale Ale. We played video bowling and talked into the wee hours.

Friday: Around 1:30 pm, I couldn't take it anymore...I had to wake their lazy asses up! They seriously sleep like they're newborn babies (not that I would know, but G. says so).

Friday (cont.): They finally wake and we head down to Bunny's sports bar & restaurant to sample their cheesey, yummy, square-cut pizza. With our bellies full, we wait for G. to get home from work and make our way to the Metrodome for some Twins Baseball.

Now here's where I'm supposed to tell you how our Twins impressed the hell outta these kids, but to no avail...our Twins lost. "Lost," I say.

With our heads down, we try to revive the night with some dart games and drinks at Brothers sport bar (notice the theme here?). Our spirits pick up a little, but we soon call it a night with some White Castle sliders.

Saturday: I wake up, take a swim in the pool, eat breakfast, take a shower, catch up for the day and still they're alseep past noon! Again, I wake those bums up and we start another day.

We head down to Brit's Bar (see photo at top)) where they have lawn bowling on the roof. It's very similar to boccé ball, but you have to roll the balls. We enjoy another fantasic meal and do a little walk around town. The photo (to the left) is from Target's headquarters in downtown Minneapolis and so is the skyline view (photo at the bottom of the page).

We cut the walk short to prepare for more baseball!

Saturday (cont.): Off we all go to the Saint Paul Saints minor league baseball game at Midway Stadium. It only seats about 6,000 fans, but it's always packed. The fans are great, the tailgating is a must, the free giveaways are keepers, and it's a cheap way to have a great time. The photo to the left is the mascot, Mudonna with Crystal and I. Emmit has a hilarious way of heckling the opposing team; it doesn't seem cruel, just fun. The crowd joined in with our banter and the only thing that probably wasn't acceptable is when I called the announcer "Ryan Seacrest." I sware he looked just like him...and I didn't think I yelled it that loud. (*smile*)

Sunday: Around 2:00 pm, Crystal and Emmit wake from their deep slumber. We keep it pretty mellow and show them the Mall of America and ride a couple of roller coasters. It was a relaxing day, which we needed. We watched a San Francisco Giants baseball game at Blarney's sports bar and restaurant (surprise, surprise)...and even more surprising (sarcasm) our Giants gave us a treat and LOST in the last inning to the LA Dodgers! We went home once again defeated and drowned our sorrows in many games of Scattergories.

Monday: By Monday, we were all feeling the effects of our daily hustle and bustle, baseball, beer, sports bars, take-out food and late nights. I had to prepare for work on Tuesday, and everyone pretty much just absorbed the past few days and kept it calm.

Tuesday (Back to Work & Back to Cali): A taxi picked Crystal and Emmit up while I was at work. I think they enjoyed their Minnesota adventure, and I was thrilled to have my sister here. Hurry up and graduate and come live in Minnesota bee-atch! Much love from Minnesota...

Oh yeah...My job just happend to give me FREE tickets to the Twins game that night! Greg and I were sitting right behind home plate, just rows behind Joe Mauer! These were the best seats I've ever had! Isn't this a great ending to my story? I think it is.