Weird Posts

Corkscrew Dive

Corkscrewed down 20 feet underwater to do a barrel roll over a field of boulders I like to explore, then spiraled back topside. Not a long dive (around 30 secs at normal speed), just a fun one with a glimpse of one of Lake Superior’s Atlantean grottos. Pretty sure the bubble that pops out @ 43 secs came out of my right ear as I pinched my nose and equalized the pressure in my skull. Water clarity perfect on this Sunday morning dive in MY church.

Ghosts of the French River, pts. 2 and 3

Starring Erin Renee. Camera: Jim Richardson.

Part one here.

Photo album here.

Aquaman goofs date with Superwoman

My unconventional crowd funding campaign: maternity leave!

Hello, Duluthians! I am running an unconventional sort of crowdfunding campaign and I need your help. I’m crowdfunding my maternity leave.

My due date is today, and when the baby comes, I will begin six weeks of unpaid maternity leave. I not only have to figure out how to pay the bills while I’m off, but also how to attend my best friend’s wedding in Colorado, which I am a bridesmaid in. Saving up for this hasn’t been an option, with our budget being inadequate as it is, so I am taking a leap and trying something creative.

10 Slo-Mo Backflips at the Rock Beach

Remembering duluthtourism.com

It’s probably not worth remembering this, but an image from it resides in PDD’s archives and the controversy surrounding it occurred ten years ago this month, so we’ll give it passing mention.

There once was a satirical website at duluthtourism.com that was far more sophomoric than funny, but famously raised the ire of Duluth’s then-mayor Herb Bergson, who asked the city attorney to look into the legal means to have the site shut down.

Park Point fox too friendly?

Last night we had a very interesting encounter with a sweet little fox. The fox went to run in front of our truck and then changed it’s mind and cowered on the side of the road. I then grabbed out my handy dandy camera to photograph him. At first he was a little farther away and as I was snapping away he started running at me! I was actually a bit scared and I hurried up and hopped in my truck. He didn’t leave, he lingered right by our truck. It seemed like he needed or wanted something from us. I was wondering if he was hungry and looking for food. I felt that the situation was abnormal. Thoughts?

Coaxing a half-drowned dragonfly off the camera

Thumbs Up Review of the Captain America Movies, plus: Race and Gender in Comic Books

My review of Captain America 1&2 springboards into a professorial dissertation about race and gender in comic book characters.

Grandma’s Marathon 2014 Double: Only One Dumb Enough

After seeing the post last summer about Eric Strand running the Grandma’s “Double” (3 a.m. from the finish line to the start, then runs the race) I’ve been waiting for Eric’s 2014 installment. Here it is, another excellent video showing a great inside look at the people of the race: the runners, the volunteers and the spectators. Good job, Duluth!

Poseidon of Lester River

  • Water-bug shadow crosses the figure @ :34
  • Minnow attack @ :43
  • Minnow head-butts a baby crayfish two times @ 1:05
  • Crayfish says aw screw it @ 1:26

Ten Flips at the Deeps

Gettin’ tired toward the end there.

Benevolent God to Crayfish and Minnows of Lester River

Two crayfish, an alpha and a beta who was a little smaller.

Aquaman vs. Brian

OK Brian the Slackline Master won but I risked more.

I Found Myself Stuck in an Experimental Film

Vincent Gargiulo here with a short film I shot in Duluth and Superior in June 2013 when I was in town for the Duluth is Horrible premiere. It’s part of my bigger film, Fantastic, but also works as a stand-alone piece. Enjoy. Rated R for Really Artsy.